Best Remote Controlled Helicopters to Buy

I bought my first RC helicopter in 2012. It lasted exactly 4 minutes before I slammed it into a ceiling fan. Twelve years and probably a dozen helicopters later, I’ve learned what actually matters when you’re picking one out, and what’s just marketing fluff on a box.

RC helicopters aren’t drones. They’re harder to fly, more satisfying to master, and a lot cheaper to get started with. If you’re looking for something that’s genuinely fun (and doesn’t need FAA registration), you’re in the right place.

I’ve tested the models below across different skill levels and budgets. Some are perfect for kids and beginners. One is for the person who’s ready to do 3D aerobatics. All of them are worth your money.

Table of Contents

The Best Remote Controlled Helicopters in 2026

I picked these 5 helicopters based on three things: how easy they are to control out of the box, how well they hold up after crashes (because you will crash), and whether they’re actually fun to fly once the novelty wears off. Price matters too, but I’ve found that spending an extra $10-20 on a better model saves you frustration in the long run.

What to Look for Before You Buy

Not all RC helicopters are built the same. Before you grab the cheapest one on Amazon, there are a few things worth knowing. These will save you from buying something that ends up in a drawer after one weekend.

LED Lights for Night Flying

If you’re flying indoors or after dark, LED lights aren’t optional. They’re how you tell which direction your helicopter is facing. Without them, you’ll lose orientation in about 3 seconds once it gets 10 feet away. Every helicopter on this list has them, but brightness varies. The DEERC and Syma models have the best visibility at night.

Camera vs. No Camera

Some RC helicopters come with cameras. My honest take: if you want aerial footage, buy a drone. Camera-equipped helicopters are heavier, harder to fly, and the footage quality is usually terrible. You’re better off spending that money on a model with better flight characteristics. Skip the camera unless it’s a bonus feature you won’t miss if it’s bad.

Traditional Helicopter vs. Quadcopter

Quadcopters are easier to fly. Period. But they’re also boring once you get the hang of them. Traditional RC helicopters have a steeper learning curve, and that’s the point. Mastering a single-rotor or coaxial helicopter feels like a real achievement. If you want something that’s easy, get a drone. If you want something that’s rewarding, get a helicopter.

Best Remote Controlled Helicopters for Beginners

If you’ve never flown an RC helicopter before, start here. These models are forgiving, affordable, and designed to survive the kind of crashes beginners inevitably make. I’d recommend any of these for kids 8+, teenagers, or adults who are new to the hobby.

1. Syma S107H-E: The Best Indoor Starter Helicopter

The Syma S107 series has been the go-to beginner helicopter for years, and the S107H-E is the latest version. I recommend this one first because it does two things right: altitude hold and one-key takeoff. You press a button, and it lifts off and hovers at a stable height. That’s huge when you’re still figuring out how the controls work.

It’s a 3.5-channel coaxial design with a built-in gyroscope, which means it stays steady in the air without you constantly fighting the sticks. The dual-speed mode is a nice touch. Start on low speed to learn the basics, then switch to high speed once you’re comfortable. Flight time is about 6-8 minutes per charge, which is standard for this size. I’d buy 2-3 extra batteries so you’re not stuck waiting 40 minutes between flights.

Best for: Kids 8+, complete beginners, and anyone who wants to fly indoors without destroying furniture. This is the helicopter I’d give as a gift.

2. Blade 230 S: For Pilots Ready to Level Up

The Blade 230 S is where things get serious. This is a collective pitch helicopter, which means it can do things the Syma can’t, like inverted flight and aerobatics. But don’t let that scare you. Blade’s SAFE technology (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) acts like training wheels that you can gradually remove as your skills improve.

The panic recovery button is the best feature here. If you lose control, just hit the button and the helicopter rights itself. I’ve saved mine from at least a dozen crashes this way. It comes ready to fly out of the box, though you’ll need to grab batteries and a charger separately. The composite airframe is tough enough to survive beginner-level crashes without breaking into pieces.

The progressive flight mode system is smart. You start in beginner mode with limited movement range, then gradually move to intermediate and advanced as you build confidence. It’s like having three different helicopters in one. I think this is the best value in the “serious beginner” category.

Best for: Hobbyists who’ve flown a cheap helicopter and want something they can grow into. This is a real pilot’s machine with a safety net.

3. NiGHT LiONS TECH V913: A Solid Outdoor Flyer

The NiGHT LiONS TECH V913 is built for outdoor flying. It uses 2.4GHz technology, which means you can fly multiple helicopters in the same area without signal interference. If you’ve got friends with RC helicopters and want to fly together, this matters.

The built-in gyroscope keeps this thing stable even in light wind, and the metal and alloy construction means it can take a beating. The 4-channel control gives you full directional movement: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. It’s more responsive than 3-channel models, and you’ll feel the difference immediately. The single-blade design also gives it a more realistic look and feel compared to coaxial helicopters.

Best for: Anyone who wants to fly outdoors. The wind resistance and durable build make it a solid pick for backyards and parks. Also good if you’re buying for a teenager who’s going to crash it into things.

4. DEERC DE51: Best Value for Money

The DEERC DE51 is the best bang for your buck on this list. It ships with 2 batteries (that’s 20 minutes of total flight time), 2 interchangeable body shells so you can swap the look, and all the beginner-friendly features you’d expect: altitude hold, one-key takeoff/landing, and dual speed modes.

The gyroscope stabilization and metal body frame make it feel more expensive than it is. It’s a 3.5-channel helicopter with bright LED lights that look great at night. Assembly takes about 5 minutes. The reinforced composite tail rotor is a welcome upgrade from cheaper models where the tail snaps off after the first hard landing. It also charges fast, which means less downtime between flights.

If you’re buying an RC helicopter as a gift and you don’t want to spend a lot, this is the one I’d pick. It comes with everything in the box, the instructions are clear, and it’s forgiving enough that a 10-year-old can fly it within minutes.

Best for: Gift buyers, budget-conscious hobbyists, and anyone who wants to get flying fast without a lot of setup. The 2-battery pack is a big plus.

5. OMPHOBBY M2 V2: The Serious Pilot’s Choice

This is not a beginner helicopter. I’m putting that upfront because the OMPHOBBY M2 V2 costs more than the other four combined, and it’ll punish you if you don’t know what you’re doing. But if you’ve been flying for a while and want a machine that can do full 3D aerobatics, flips, inverted flight, and fast funnels, this is where you graduate to.

The dual brushless direct-drive motors are the highlight. No gears means less noise, less friction, and smoother power delivery. The carbon fiber frame with CNC aluminum alloy components feels premium and survives crashes that would destroy cheaper models. The adjustable flight controller lets you tune the responsiveness to your exact preferences. The 6-channel control gives you full 3D capability.

One thing to know: this is a BNF (Bind-N-Fly) model. That means no controller is included. You’ll need a compatible transmitter. If you’re at this skill level, you probably already have one. The T6 transmitter from OMPHOBBY supports bidirectional telemetry, so you can monitor battery levels in real time. That’s a nice safety feature when you’re pushing the helicopter hard.

Best for: Experienced RC pilots who want a capable 3D helicopter without spending $500+. This is serious hobby-grade equipment at a reasonable price.

How to Choose the Right RC Helicopter

Picking the right helicopter comes down to 4 things. I’ve seen people overthink this and end up with something they don’t enjoy. Keep it simple.

Your Skill Level

Be honest with yourself. If you’ve never flown anything, get the Syma S107H-E or DEERC DE51. They’re cheap enough that crashing doesn’t hurt your wallet, and they’re stable enough that you’ll actually have fun on day one. If you’ve been flying for a few months and want a challenge, the Blade 230 S is the sweet spot. The OMPHOBBY M2 is for people who already know what “collective pitch” means.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Indoor helicopters need to be small, light, and slow. The Syma and DEERC are perfect for living rooms and garages. For outdoor flying, you need something that can handle wind. The NiGHT LiONS TECH V913 and Blade 230 S are better choices. Flying a tiny indoor helicopter outside on a windy day is a recipe for losing it in a tree.

Battery Life

Most RC helicopters fly for 5-10 minutes on a single charge. That sounds short, but it’s standard for the hobby. The fix is simple: buy extra batteries. A spare battery costs $5-10 and doubles your flight time. The DEERC DE51 wins here because it ships with 2 batteries out of the box.

Crash Durability

You will crash. A lot. Especially in the first week. Look for helicopters with metal frames, reinforced tail rotors, and cheap replacement parts on Amazon. The Syma S107H-E is almost indestructible at its size. The OMPHOBBY M2’s carbon fiber frame is tough, but replacement parts cost more. Factor that into your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

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