Ever since drones hit the mainstream market, a predominant complaint from users has been flight time. Battery life is finite, and a drone can only remain in flight as long as its battery lasts. While changing batteries is always an option, pausing to land a drone and make the switch is a huge, costly inconvenience.
So for those who want to maximize the amount of time their drone spends in the air, whether it be to capture the perfect aerial photograph or to thoroughly survey a large area of land, it’s important to buy a drone with maximal flight time. This article will review (in no particular order) some top-performing drones with long flight times to help you choose the best drones for your flying needs.
- Autel Robotics Evo Drone
This small, compact, easy-to-use camera drone is perfect for people on the go. With a flight time of roughly 30 minutes and a control range of 4,300 meters, the Autel Robotics Evo drone costs about $995. It also features an all-in-one controller and first-person viewing screen.
- DJI Phantom 4
As one of the smoothest, easiest to control drones available on the market, the DJI Phantom 4 comes equipped with top-of-the-line GPS technology, and even has an auto takeoff feature. With its f/2.8 lens, this drone has a super wide field of view, allowing you to capture amazing images in 4k Ultra HD footage. The DJI Phantom 4 boasts a 28-minute flight time, a control range of 3,500 m, and appropriately prices in around $785.
- DJI Inspire 2
Another model from DJI, the Inspire 2 is one of the most powerful film-making drones on the market. Its 4k camera can swivel up to 260 degrees, and has an integrated HD video transmission system. Special features like obstacle avoidance, simple controls, and sensory redundancy give the user easier control during flight—which you’ll need, since this drone can accelerate from 0 to 80 km/h in 4 seconds and reach a top speed over 101 km/h. With a flight time of 27 minutes and a control range of 7,000 meters, the DJI Inspire 2 is a bit more costly, around $2,999.
- Parrot Bebop 2
Small enough to fit in a backpack, the Parrot Bebop 2 is durable and lightweight, making it the perfect drone for explorers and vacationers alike. The drone is as excellent for indoor flying as it is for outdoor flying, thanks to its notable flight stability. Taking command from a third-party bluetooth controller, the Parrot Bebop 2 has a flight time of 25 minutes and a control range of 3,200 meters. It is available for $549.
- DJI Mavic Pro
The DJI Mavic Pro comes with built-in Active track and Tap Fly functions, allowing users of any skill level to capture professional-looking footage with ease. But one of the most unique features this drone offers is its ability to fold down to the size of a water bottle. With a price around $925, the DJI Mavic Pro can achieve a transmission range of 7,000m and a maximum flight time of 27 minutes.
- DJI Phantom 3 Standard
Great for capturing industry-quality film and photography, the camera on the DJI Phantom 3 Standard has 2.7k video and 12MP stills potential. Its unique perspective capabilities, like Follow Me, Point of Interest, and Waypoints, enhance user experience with this drone. Although its control range reaches just 1,500 m, it has a 25-minute flight time, can pair with a phone or tablet via the free DJI Go app, and has a price tag around $499.
