Best RC Helicopters of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
RC helicopters have become increasingly popular among hobbyists and enthusiasts alike. These miniature aircrafts are controlled by a remote and can perform various maneuvers, including hovering, flying forward and backward, and even performing stunts. They come in a range of sizes and designs, from small indoor models to larger outdoor ones, and can be powered by battery or gas. RC helicopters offer a fun and exciting way to experience the thrill of flying without leaving the ground. They are also great for improving hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness skills.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 RC Helicopters
Cheerwing S107/S107G Phantom Mini RC Helicopter
The Cheerwing Mini Helicopter is a 3-channel remote control helicopter with upgrade gyro system and colorful flashing light. Its small size but powerful features make it a perfect indoor toy for both kids and adults. The remote control has 2 selectable frequencies to switch, allowing multiple helicopters to fly at the same time. The upgrade gyro system provides better stability and flexibility during flight, making it easier to control. The colorful flashing light adds more fun and excitement to the flying experience. With the Cheerwing Mini Helicopter, you can enjoy the thrill of flying and improve your hand-eye coordination skills.
BUSSGO RC Helicopter
Experience the fascinating lights and demo mode with BUSSGO RC Helicopter. The brilliant lights change into 7 attractive colors, providing an eye-pleasing visual display. The helicopter performs auto-rotation or circle fly in the demo mode, adding an extra level of excitement. Enjoy the ease of use with the stable hover feature and simple controls that allow you to effortlessly ascend, descend, move forward/backward, and turn left/right. The customizable speed settings accommodate different skill levels, and the one-key take-off/land button and trimmer button make it easy to operate. The durable PVC body and landing gears provide great protection against collisions or crashes. The rechargeable modular batteries have cutting-edge safety features, and the 2.4Ghz frequency ensures a long transmission distance and great anti-interference. Unlock educational opportunities for kids with this RC helicopter, enhancing their creativity, problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness.
SYMA S107H-E Remote Control Helicopter
The SYMA S107H-E Remote Control Helicopter is designed for kids and beginners, featuring an Altitude Hold Function, One Key Take Off/Landing, Whole Alloy body&Anti-Collision, Full 3.5 Channels & 2 Selectable Frequencies, and several safety certificates. With Altitude Hold Function, the helicopter can be locked at a certain height to make it easier to control for beginners. One Key Take Off/Landing allows automatic hovering at a certain altitude, which is easy to operate. The Whole Alloy body&Anti-Collision made of sturdy material ensures longer lifespan and less damage after crashes. The Full 3.5 Channels & 2 Selectable Frequencies enable more flexible and stable moves, with up to two helicopters flying simultaneously.
SIMREX RC Helicopter with Altitude Hold and 2 Batteries
The SIMREX RC Helicopter is designed to make flying easy and enjoyable for you. Its one-button take-off and landing, along with trim controls, help you pilot smoothly without hassle. The built-in gyroscope stabilizes the flight, so you don’t have to worry about crashes. Thanks to advanced altitude hold technology, the helicopter can hover steadily at a set height, giving you more control and fun. Plus, with two rechargeable batteries included, you get up to 30 minutes of flight time, letting you enjoy longer play sessions without frequent recharging.
SYMA S52H Military Transport RC Helicopter
Experience the thrill of real military flight with the SYMA Military RC Helicopter. This twin-propeller helicopter toy features highly realistic details that are guaranteed to catch attention. With the one key take-off/landing feature, you can easily control the helicopter with just a button press, making it ideal for kids, beginners, and experienced pilots. The altitude hold function uses advanced air pressure technology to automatically lock the helicopter at a certain height, ensuring stable flight. The 2.4GHZ remote control provides better signal transmission and less interference, making it easier to control. With double protection functions, including power-off protection and low battery reminder, this helicopter offers endless fun and safety for everyone.
SYMA S51H RC Helicopter
SYMA RC Helicopter is a military-themed toy suitable for children and adults. The details of the fighter are highly restored and the workmanship is elaborate, satisfying the military nostalgia. The helicopter toy is equipped with hollow cup dual motors, which has strong power of dual drives to guarantee the smooth and sensitive operation. With one-key take off/landing, altitude hold, and double protection system, it is easy for novices to control. The smart chip can hover the helicopter automatically without controlling the throttle and maintaining the altitude, while the imported gyroscope can stabilize the direction without deviation. The helicopter remote control has stable frequency with the remote control distance of about 25 meters, which makes sure crossing frequency does not happen easily, and also supports multiple people to control competition at the same time. Playing together with SYMA RC Helicopter is a good way for you and your children to learn military knowledge.
XIKOTEC RC Helicopter Green
The XIKOTEC RC Helicopter is designed for both kids and adults, making flying easy and enjoyable. With height maintenance and a one-key takeoff/landing feature, you can effortlessly control the helicopter, ensuring a smooth flight every time. The 3.5 channel control combined with a gyro stabilizer provides excellent precision, allowing for stable and reliable flying experiences. Plus, the 2.4GHz remote control technology guarantees a strong connection up to 50 meters, so you can enjoy uninterrupted fun. Finally, the USB charging capability means you can spend more time flying and less time worrying about replacing batteries.
Mini Helicopter, SYMA S100 Super Smaller RC Helicopter
The SYMA S100 Super Smaller RC Helicopter is a cute drone with a mini size of only 4.1 x 2.36 x 1 inch, making it perfect for playing with friends and family. It features easy-to-use controls, including one-key take off/landing, altitude hold, and LED lights. The helicopter also has multi-protection functions to prevent damage from low voltage or reverse connection. Made with sturdy alloy material, it can withstand multiple crashes and is suitable for kids, adults, and beginners. Great choice for Christmas or birthday gifts.
SYMA S107H-E RC Helicopter
The SYMA RC Helicopter offers up to 40 minutes of flight time thanks to its two rechargeable batteries, letting you enjoy longer play sessions without frequent charging. Its smart obstacle avoidance feature uses infrared sensors to help you steer clear of crashes, making flying safer and more fun. With easy controls like altitude hold and one-key takeoff/landing, you can keep the helicopter steady and fly it smoothly, even if you're a beginner. Plus, the colorful LED lights create a cool visual effect during flight, adding excitement to your indoor or outdoor adventures. This helicopter is a great way to build your flying skills while having lots of fun.
SYMA S107/S107G R/C Helicopter with Gyro- Red
The SYMA R/C Helicopter is a great choice for beginners. Its stable flight characteristics make it easy to fly, even for those new to remote-controlled helicopters. The lithium polymer battery ensures a longer flying time, and the brushed motor provides a quieter and more efficient flight experience. The S107 and S107G models are essentially the same, with only labeling differences, making it easy to receive either model when ordering. With this helicopter, you can enjoy a fun and hassle-free flying experience with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between 2 channel and 3 channel RC helicopter?
A 2 channel RC helicopter has one channel for controlling the main rotor/throttle (lift) and another for controlling the tail rotor to turn left or right. On the other hand, a 3 channel RC helicopter has an additional channel for controlling forward/backward movement (pitch). This extra channel allows for more maneuverability and control.
2. How fast is a RC helicopter?
The speed of an RC helicopter varies depending on its type and size. A small micro coaxial RC helicopter may have a top speed of around 5 kph (3 mph), while larger collective pitch helicopters can reach speeds over 150 kph (90 mph). The specific model and setup of the helicopter will determine its speed capabilities.
3. Are RC helicopters hard to fly?
Flying RC helicopters can be challenging, especially for beginners. However, with the right setup and training, it is possible to make the learning process easier. A good single rotor collective pitch helicopter, paired with a computerized radio and beginner settings, can be a docile trainer to help beginners get started.
4. Do you need a license to fly RC helicopters?
For recreational pilots, authorization to fly in controlled airspace can be obtained through the FAA's online LAANC system. Additionally, RC pilots are required to pass an online aeronautical knowledge and safety test and carry proof of test passage. This ensures that pilots have the necessary knowledge and skills to operate RC helicopters safely.
5. How many channels do I need for a RC helicopter?
To operate different types of RC helicopters, a minimum of four channels is typically required. Micro coaxial RC helicopters with cyclic controls, hobby-grade fixed pitch single rotor helicopters with tail rotors, and most quad/multirotors all require a four-channel RC helicopter radio for proper control and maneuverability.
6. Are bigger RC helicopters easier to fly?
The ease of flying RC helicopters does not solely depend on their size. While bigger helicopters may offer more stability compared to small ones, they can also be more logistically challenging to operate. Both small and big helicopters have their own learning curves, and it's important to choose the right size based on your skill level and flying experience.
During our rc helicopter research, we found 24 rc helicopter products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 111,581 customer reviews through our big data system to write the rc helicopters list. We found that most customers choose rc helicopters with an average price of $31.62.
The rc helicopters are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of rc helicopters, including Cheerwing, BUSSGO, SYMA, SIMREX, XIKOTEC. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 142 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Jimmy Roof is a toy designer who lives in Chicago with his family. He works in a big toy firm, so he is surrounded by toys every day. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in children's toys, baby products and preschool education. Jimmy Roof often publishes articles related to toys on key websites.
RC Helicopters Comparison Table
|
#TOP1
|
#TOP2
|
#TOP3
|
#TOP4
|
#TOP5
|
#TOP6
|
#TOP7
|
#TOP8
|
#TOP9
|
#TOP10
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cheerwing | BUSSGO | SYMA | SIMREX | SYMA | SYMA | XIKOTEC | SYMA | SYMA | SYMA |
| Item Weight | 13.3 ounces | 1.44 ounces | 0.01 ounces | 8 ounces | 9.3 ounces | 12 ounces | 2.05 pounds | 7.5 ounces | 11.7 ounces | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer recommended age | 14 - 20 years | 8 - 8 years | 14 years and up | 14 years and up | 8 years and up | 8 years and up | 6 years and up | 8 - 10 years | 8 - 8 years | 8 years and up |
| Batteries | 1 Nonstandard Battery batteries required. | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) | 2 AA batteries required. (included) | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. | 2 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) | 2 Nonstandard Battery batteries required. | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| FTB Score |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Where to Buy |