7 Amazing RC Helicopters for Kids

1. Tenergy Syma S107/S107G RC Kids Heli | Best Budget

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The Best Budget pick goes to the Tenergy Syma S107/S107G RC Kids Heli. It’s the cheapest model in the guide, but don’t let that deter you. This kid-friendly chopper sells well for good reasons.

• Best feature 1: All-metal body
• Best feature 2: Incredible value
• Plus points: Easy to pilot, durable, LEDs, decent flight time, fast charging, dual charging
• Minus points: Not for outdoor flying (Infrared TX), awkward battery access

The tiny size of the cute little micro RC heli can easily fit into the palm of a hand. The small size also suggests you can fly it anywhere. That means any living room can become an adventure playground.

Flying the Tenergy Syma S107 Metal Series

Flying this 3-channel remote control helicopter is child’s play—literally. It’s a fully-functional craft that has a robust all-metal body. That makes it crash-resistant as well as capable—more good news for children. The infrared remote control has a simple layout for easy fingertip control. As soon as you turn the whirlybird on its bright blinking LEDs light up to let you know it’s ready for takeoff.

Seriously, the value and functionality you get for the price is remarkable. This model is so much fun and guaranteed to keep the kids happy in the home. The maximum flight time is a decent 12 minutes with normal function. Charging is also impressive and takes only 30 minutes. There are two ways to charge it. One uses standard USB charging and the other plugs the heli into the transmitter (TX).

The Not So Good

The Tenergy Syma S107 Metal Series uses an infrared transmitter and won’t function well outdoors. It’s primarily an indoor RC helicopter so bear that in mind. The other downside is that it’s hard to get to the battery. That’s because it’s soldered in and doesn’t use the standard plug system. Spare batteries are readily available and cheap but fiddly to swap over.

2. E-flite Blade mCX2 Kids RC Helicopter | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The E-flite Blade mCX2 makes the Best Value pick for this guide. The model has a beautiful ultra-sleek body design. And its counter-rotating rotor makes it a steady flyer for kids and novice pilots.

• Best feature 1: Ultra-sleek body
• Best feature 2: Coaxial, counter-rotating rotor
• Plus points: Manual, micro size, durable design, user-friendly, flashing LEDs, speed control
• Minus points: Too light for outdoors

Blade has geared its mCX2 user manual toward the beginner. It’s well-written and easy to follow for kids or parents with no previous experience. I mention this as a lot of RC heli manuals are hopeless.

Flying the Blade mCX2 Kids RC Helicopter

Takeoff is a cinch with this kid-friendly RC helicopter. All you do is apply the throttle to get this tiny whirlybird airborne. It then settles to a steady hover and awaits the next command. The small size makes it the ideal indoor chopper as you can fly just about anywhere. It’s tough too and recovers fast from mild crashes and collisions. Its durability is one of the things that makes it a good choice for kids.

Another welcome feature is the ability to change various control settings. For example, you can adjust the speed when you’re ready to move on from beginner controls. There’s a lot to appreciate with the Blade mCX2. It’s flexible controls, stability, and durability check a lot of the right boxes. Flight time is a reasonable 10-minutes with a fast 30-minute charging time.

The Not So Good

Don’t buy the Blade mCX2 if you want a capable outdoor RC helicopter. It’s one of the best indoor choices around, but it’s too small and light to take outdoors.

3. Blade BLH1400 230 S V2 RC Helicopter | Top Pick

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Top Pick is the superb Blade 230 S V2. It’s an incredible remote control chopper for kids looking to take their heli skills up a level. It also has beginner-friendly controls for novice pilots.

• Best feature 1: Highly durable construction
• Best feature 2: Progressive flight mode system for different skill levels
• Plus points: Outdoor capable, brushless motors, panic recovery, metal gear cyclic servos
• Minus points: Short flight time

You can safely fly the Blade 230 S V2 indoors as well as outdoors on calm days. Many of the flight videos for this impressive RC heli are outdoors. Let’s look at its flying potential in more detail.

Flying the Blade 230 S V2 RC Helicopter

The Blade 230 S V2 is a single rotor RC helicopter with a crash-resistant construction. It’s harder to control than a coaxial heli, though. It also provides complex flight maneuvers and is more fun for those who can manage it. The power comes from high-speed brushless motors. They are quieter and last longer than the brushed alternatives. Brushless motors don’t need maintenance either.

This model is an excellent choice for kids who’ve already mastered RC coaxial helicopters. It has a safe self-leveling mode through to fancy 3D actions so that pilots can fly according to their skill level.

The Blade 230 S V2 progressive flight modes look like this:

1. Stability Mode: Safe, restricted flight controls w/ self-leveling and bank angle limit
2. Agility Mode: No bank angle limit, full sport and aerobatic control
3. 3D Mode: Expert pilots can ramp-up the rolls and 3D flips (aerial stunts)

This RC copter also comes with Panic Recovery. What that does is quickly bring the heli back to a level flight from a simple button press. It can be invaluable if you lose orientation or control more generally.

The metal gear cyclic servos are more durable than the plastic alternatives found on many RC helis. These are high-speed digital servos that provide ultra-precise control and higher overall performance.

The Not So Good

The Blade 230 S V2 is a powerful RC helicopter, and that takes it out of the battery. Even this higher price range model can’t escape poor flight times. There’s a maximum 7-minutes on a full charge, so it’s necessary to factor extra batteries into the cost.

4. EXCOUP Remote Control Heli for Kids

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

This is the EXCOUP 3.5 channel remote control helicopter. It’s an ideal choice as a first-ever RC heli. The model here is a beginner-friendly chopper with stable flight characteristics.

• Best feature 1: Durable frame
• Best feature 2: Coaxial rotors
• Plus points: Easy to fly, flexible blades, LED lights, fast charging time, clear user guide
• Minus points: Short flight time, not good outdoors in bright sunlight

The maker recommends this RC heli for teens 14 years and up. It’s also a good choice for younger kids with parental supervision. It’s a fun indoor model that provides an interactive opportunity for families.

Flying the EXCOUP Remote Control Heli

Flying could not be easier thanks to the clear instructions, the simple controller, and coaxial rotor. This heli helps children develop better hand-to-eye coordination too, and that’s a bonus. The bendy blades protect fingers from harm, and the durable build defends the craft from crashes. There’s even a built-in LED light that resembles the real thing and lets you fly in the dark.

Parents love to partake too and enjoy flying this incredible heli with their offspring. It’s a toy that gets the kids away from the TV and other screens for a while. That has to be a good thing in a world where youngsters are glued to electronic displays of some kind.

The Not So Good

The flight time of this—and similar models—is disappointing. You can only expect to get 5–6 minutes on a full battery. The good news is that it only takes around 40 minutes to recharge. Another setback are the flying restrictions. It can fly outdoors if there’s zero wind, but not in bright sunlight. The problem with bright sunlight is that it interferes with the infrared (IR) control system.

5. WL Mini Single Propeller Indoor/Outdoor RC Heli

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The WLToys V911 Mini is a single prop lightweight radio-controlled micro helicopter. It also happens to be a model that can fly outdoors as well as inside. That’s going to please a lot of kids.

• Best feature 1: Indoor/outdoor capable
• Best feature 2: Fast and agile
• Plus points: Easy battery access, long range, durable, spares, two charging options
• Minus points: No On/Off switch, short battery life

The V911 Mini copter comes in a beautiful, high-quality box. A well-presented product is always welcome when you buy something as a gift. There are also spare props and a bonus battery inside.

Flying the WLToys V911 Mini RC Helicopter

This single prop RC heli is an excellent choice for anyone progressing from two blades to one. It has an Easy Mode (Mode 1) that helps new pilots wean in at a pace that suits them. Experienced flyers can exploit its full flight features including faster speeds and impressive agility. The craft is durable and crash resistant as well. Resilience is a vital characteristic, especially when buying for kids new to flying.

The remote controller—though a bit plasticky—has all the familiar controls in all the usual places. It also has a handy LCD screen that displays essential flight data. The chopper can fly in all directions, and that makes it harder to control than 3-channel models. Even the Easy Mode takes practice. It’s important to expect a steeper learning curve compared to flying coaxial RC helis.

It’s possible to charge the V911 Mini using a USB cable or via its transmitter (TX). Charging times vary depending on the power source, but the average is a fast 40 minutes.

The Not So Good

There isn’t an on/off switch for the V911 Mini. That means you must put the battery in and take it out every time. At least it isn’t in a closed compartment, so that’s something. The short battery life (flight time) is the other downside at just 5-minutes.

6. Protocol Predator SB Kids RC Helicopter

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Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

Here we look at the good-looking Predator SB™ 3.5 channel single-blade RC helicopter. It’s a bigger model than the micro helis on this page and much better equipped to fly outdoors.

• Best feature 1: Larger outdoor capable helicopter
• Best feature 2: Two speed modes
• Plus points: Motion-sensitive auto stabilizers, good range, decent flight time
• Minus points: Learning curve

Protocol’s Predator SB provides young pilots with steady flights and lots of fun maneuvers. It’s impressive to look at because of its size. Some may even find it a little intimidating, but in a good way.

Flying the Predator SB™ Single-Blade Helicopter

The first thing to point out is that this bird is perhaps the hardest to fly out of them all. Try not to let the attractive price and large size tempt you if you’re a first-time flyer. The Predator SB is best suited to kids with some flying experience behind them. This chopper rewards all who tame it with fast speeds and responsive control. It’s a cracking outdoor capable craft when there’s little to no wind.

Its remote controller (RC) also needs practice and may feel a tad different to others. The RC has a handy LCD screen with direction indicators and options to make fine adjustments on the fly.

The Not So Good

There’s a learning curve to flying and controlling the Protocol Predator SB™. Some reviewers write of their frustration while others love everything about this heli. It’s an excellent whirlybird for children, but only those with experience flying single rotor models.

7. Blade Nano CP S the Ultra-micro RC Helicopter

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

Last in the guide is another ultra-micro RC single blade helicopter. This model is the Blade Nano CP S Bind-N-Fly (BNF) chopper. BNF means you must buy the transmitter separately.

• Best feature 1: Fun flight modes
• Best feature 2: Panic recovery
• Plus points: Ultra-lightweight, palm-sized, crash-resistant, two sets of blades
• Minus points: Terrible flight time

The Blade Nano CP S is another superb choice for younger pilots, but not total newbies. It’s a fantastic little model for kids who are ready for some first-time aerobatic fun. Let’s look at its flight functions

Flying the Predator Blade Nano CP S Micro Heli

Flying this whirlybird is great fun with a little practice. Flight options include Stability Mode for new users, Agility Mode for intermediate pilots, and full 3D Mode. The 3D Mode is for experts who are ready to fully exploit the heli’s flips and roll capability to the max. It’s nice to know the Panic Recovery button is there to rescue the craft in an emergency whatever your level.

This durable crash-resistant model comes with two sets of blades for different flying styles. One set of props is for fast flying and the other for aerobatic maneuvers.

The Not So Good

The flight time for the Blade Nano CP S Bind-N-Fly is the worst on this page. You won’t get any more than 4-minutes max on a single charge. Most users invest in spare batteries with these models anyway, but that’s not the point. It’s the inconvenience of cooling down and swapping batteries at such regular intervals that’s so frustrating.