The limited flight time of consumer drones was a common issue when they first gained widespread popularity. However, technological advancements and battery life have substantially improved drone flight times. Today, many consumer drones can fly consistently for 30 minutes or more. This article presents a list of the 10 best consumer drones with the longest flight time. These drones are designed to meet the needs of professionals, offering features such as 4K cameras, dual GPS modules, intelligent flight modes, and in some cases, obstacle avoidance technology for improved safety during flight. Furthermore, several of the drones on this list are foldable, making them ultra-portable and ideal for travel.
Register Your Drone
In the UK, the CAA requires that all drones weighing between 250g and 20kg must be registered. To comply with this requirement, drone owners must obtain an Operator ID, which costs £10 and must be renewed annually. In addition to the Operator ID, drone owners must also obtain a Flyer ID, which requires passing an online safety test. Drones weighing less than 250g are exempt from Flyer ID requirements. Failure to comply with drone registration regulations in the UK can result in fines and potential criminal prosecution.
In the United States, the FAA requires that all drones weighing over 250g be registered. However, drones weighing less than 205g are exempt from registration but are still subject to flying requirements. In such cases, the FAA requires that operators take the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), which is administered online by an FAA-approved third-party organization. For commercial drone operations in the US, operators must pass the Part 107 test.
Drone registration is mandatory in both the UK and the US for drones weighing above 250g, with different requirements for recreational and commercial operations. Drone operators are advised to familiarise themselves with the regulations in their respective countries to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal consequences.
What Drone Has The Longest Flight Time?
This list showcases the top prosumer drones that are suitable for both consumer and professional photographers. The drones on this list offer exceptional performance and features, with the DJI Mavic 3 standing out as the leader in terms of flight time. With a flight time of 46 minutes, the DJI Mavic 3 is the undisputed leader in its class and is ranked number one on this list. These drones offer the perfect balance of functionality, versatility, and affordability, making them ideal for hobbyists and professionals.
While the drones featured in this article offer impressive flight times, it must be noted that commercial drones often provide longer flight times that are designed to meet the demands of more specialised applications. For example, the SenseFly eBee X boasts a maximum flight time of 90 minutes, making it ideal for applications such as drone photogrammetry, inspection, mapping, and 3D modeling. Similarly, the DJI Matrice 300 RTK can fly for 55 minutes, making it a top choice for industrial-grade drone operations. Although these commercial drones offer longer flight times, they are designed for specific applications. They are not suitable for consumers, which is why they are not included in this article’s list.
Best Drones With The Longest Flight Time
1. DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is a top-of-the-line consumer drone designed for professional creators. Its advanced features and capabilities make it among the best in its class. The Mavic 3 boasts an exceptional flight time of 46 minutes, with a control range of 15km, achieved through the utilization of DJI's OcuSync 3.0 enhanced transmission technology. The drone features an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system that rivals the Skydio 2 and is the most advanced in the DJI lineup. The dual camera system, engineered in collaboration with Swiss camera maker Hasselblad, boasts a primary camera with a 4/3 sensor, 24mm lens, 84° field of view, and adjustable f/2.8-f/11 aperture. The camera can record video in 5.1k at 50fps and 4k at 120fps and capture 20MP images in 12-bit RAW format. The secondary camera, equipped with a 1/2-inch sensor and 162mm telelens, features a 28x hybrid zoom (digital + optical) and can capture 12MP images and 4k videos. The Mavic 3 features an improved return-to-home function, intelligent flight modes, a triple GNSS receiver, and DJI AirSense for enhanced safety.
Key Features
- 46 minutes of flight time
- 4/3 CMOS sensor
- 20MP images
- Records videos in 5.1k at 50fps and 4k at 120fps
- Secondary telelens camera with 28x hybrid zoom
- 15km video transmission range
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system
2. Autel Evo 2 Pro
The Autel Evo 2 Pro is a premier consumer drone known for its exceptional flight time. The official flight time is rated at 40 minutes, with a control range of 9km. This drone sets itself apart from its competitors with its advanced features and capabilities. The camera system features a 1-inch sensor and a 28.6mm lens, with adjustable aperture and an 82° field of view, allowing it to capture stunning 6K video footage at 30fps and 20MP still images. The remote controller is equipped with an integrated OLED screen, eliminating the need for a separate smartphone or tablet for first-person view (FPV) operations. The drone also features an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system for improved safety and the Dynamic Track 2.0 system for an advanced autonomous tracking mode. A similar version, the Evo 2, is also available, with a smaller camera but many of the same features as the Evo 2 Pro.
Key Features
- 40 minutes of flight time
- 1-inch CMOS sensor
- 20MP images
- Records videos in 5.4k at 30fps and 4k at 60fps
- Intelligent flight modes
- 9km video transmission range
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system
3. Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite Plus is a compact, lightweight drone for aerial photography and videography. It features a 1-inch CMOS sensor, capable of capturing 20MP images and recording 6K videos at 30fps and 4K videos at 60fps. The drone's camera system also utilises Autel's Moonlight algorithm, providing excellent low-light image capture capabilities. The Evo Lite Plus has advanced intelligent flight features, including Dynamic Track 2.1, Hyperlapse, and Quickshots. The drone's 3-way obstacle avoidance system and 40-minute flight time, in combination with its 12km transmission range, provide a high level of safety and versatility in aerial operations.
Key Features
- 40 minutes of flight time
- 1-inch CMOS sensor
- 20MP images
- Records videos in 6k at 30fps and 4k at 30fps
- Moonlight algorithm for superior nighttime photography
- 12km video transmission range
- 3-way obstacle avoidance system
4. DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is a foldable and lightweight drone that provides exceptional value for its cost. With advanced features and capabilities, it is considered one of the best drones under $1000. The drone has a 1-inch CMOS sensor camera featuring a 22mm lens, 88° field of view (FOV), and a fixed f/2.8 aperture. The camera system supports 20MP image capture and 5.4K, 4K, and 2.7K video recording, with a maximum data rate of 150Mbps. The Air 2S supports a 10-bit D-log colour profile for video and features a SmartPhoto mode with advanced algorithms for automatic image enhancement. Additionally, the new MasterShots feature allows users to easily capture cinematic videos from various angles with just a single button press. The drone’s advanced smart tracking mode and DJI’s OcuSync technology ensure smooth live video transmission and an improved overall flying experience.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 20MP images
- Records videos in 5.4k at 30fps
- 4-way obstacle avoidance system
- Smart flight modes
- MasterShots for easy cinematic video footage
- 12km range
5. DJI Mavic Air 2
One of the most beautifully designed drones from DJI, the Mavic Air 2 is one of the best drones that cost under $800 and one of the lightest on this list. With a flight time of 34 minutes, it has one of the longest flight times and it comes with many of DJI’s innovative features including an upgraded obstacle avoidance system and an incredible transmission range of 10 km. The drone is equipped with an amazing HD camera that has a 1/2-inch sensor with a 24mm lens and a fixed f/2.8 aperture. The camera can capture images in both RAW and JPEG at 12MP and 48MP with its super-resolution feature. Videos can be recorded in 4k at 60fps and comes with HDR support for capturing more colour details. Other features include an improved obstacle avoidance system, autonomous flight modes and Quickshot mode to easily capture cinematic footage.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch sensor
- 12MP and 48MP images
- Records video footage in 4K at 60fps, 2.7k at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps
- D-Cinelike colour profile for HDR videos
- Intelligent flight modes
- Obstacle avoidance system
- 34 minutes of flight time
- 10km control range
6. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a cutting-edge consumer drone that boasts advanced features, including a high-definition camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor. This makes it the first foldable drone equipped with a sensor of this size, allowing for exceptional image and video capture. The camera features a 28mm lens with an adjustable f/2.8-f/11 aperture and 77° field of view and is stabilised by a 3-axis gimbal for smooth and stable footage. The Mavic 2 Pro supports 20MP still image capture, 4K video recording at 30fps, and HDR video thanks to its 10-bit D-log M colour profile. The drone also offers panorama photography capabilities, a flight time of 31 minutes, and a video transmission range of 10km.
Key Features
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 1-inch CMOS sensor
- 20MP images
- 10-bit Dlog M for HDR videos
- Hasselblad Natural Colour Technology
- Records 4k videos at 30fps,2.7k at 60fps
- Smart flight modes
- Obstacle avoidance technology
- 10km transmission range
7. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a fantastic drone designed to meet the needs of demanding users. It boasts a flight time of approximately 30 minutes, one of the longest in the Phantom lineup, and a control range of 8km. The Phantom 4 Pro V2 is equipped with DJI’s advanced OcuSync technology, providing real-time 1080p video transmission at 30fps. The drone features a 1-inch sensor camera that captures 20MP images and records 4K video footage. The Phantom 4 Pro V2 is also equipped with dual GPS modules, a 5-way obstacle avoidance system, and various intelligent flight modes for improved reliability and performance.
Key Features
- 30 minutes of flight time
- 1-inch sensor
- 20MP images
- Records 4k videos at 60fps, 2.7k at 30fps, 1080p at 120fps
- 5-way obstacle avoidance system
- Intelligent flight modes
- 8km transmission range
8. DJI Mini 2
The DJI Mini 2 is an amazing budget-friendly camera drone, offering a compact and lightweight design, weighing less than 250 grams. It features a 1/2.3-inch sensor with a 24mm lens, fixed f/2.8 aperture and a field of view of 83°. The camera can capture 12MP images in both RAW and JPEG formats and record 4k video footage at 30fps. The Mini 2 boasts an excellent flight time of 31 minutes, a significant upgrade from its predecessor, considering its price point of less than $500. Its transmission range has also been improved, reaching up to 10km. The drone is equipped with advanced features such as Quickshot mode and automatic return to home, making it a versatile option for professionals and amateurs.
Key Features
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 1/2.3-inch sensor
- Records 4k videos at 30fps, 2.7k at 60fps
- 100Mbps
- AEB, single-shot & panorama photography modes
- 5 QuickShot modes
- 10km control range
