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Updated Nov. 1, 2022: This piece was updated to reflect current pricing, including sales, and details specific to each remote control plane and helicopter.
Having a remote control plane or helicopter literally puts the thrill of flight in your hands. And if you've never flown a drone or played with a remote control car or monster truck, you won't have a hard time getting up to speed.
That said, there are plenty of considerations in the RC aviation world that don’t come into play on the ground. Of course, crashing your car or truck is a bummer, but unless the vehicle careens off a cliff, chances are it’ll survive most bumps and tumbles. Because the same can’t be said for crafts in flight, these days, many remote control planes and helicopters are equipped with technology to help you learn to fly—and to prevent crashes so you won’t destroy your new toy out of the box.
No matter what your flying experience may be, read on for our recommendations on the best remote control planes and helicopters for your consideration, plus everything you need to know before shopping.
Best Remote Control Planes and Helicopters
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Best High-End Airplane
HobbyZone RC Airplane Carbon Cub S 2
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What to Consider
There are models on the market for every skill level, and plenty with features for beginner, intermediate, and advanced pilots alike. If you're a newbie, basics to look for include one-key takeoff and landing, auto hover (also called attitude mode, where altitude is maintained even if you take your hands off the controller), and safety features, like emergency stop. More sophisticated (and often pricier) RC planes and copters have brushless motors and are capable of performing 3D maneuvers. As mentioned above, many RC planes and copters have built-in safety technology, so newbie pilots will want to look out for that.
Another consideration is battery life and flight time. Most models come with two rechargeable batteries, and each will give you roughly 10 minutes of airtime or less—even those on the high end. The remote control's range is also important, and transmission distance is typically 300 feet or more. Some planes have a built-in camera to capture footage in real time, or space in the fuselage to install your own. Extras like working LED lights and add-ons such as floats for water landings make the flying experience more realistic.
Finally, you’ll see remote control planes and copters with the words “ready-to-fly,” or RTF, which means that everything you need to operate the craft—like the transmitter, charger, and battery—comes in the box. Keep in mind that not all models have essentials included, so make sure to add in the extra cost.
How We Selected
Every remote control plane and helicopters we cover has an average customer rating of 4 stars or more. We made our final selection based on quality of materials and overall durability, ease of use for beginners and features to challenge more advanced pilots, battery life, and models that span multiple price points.
Looking for more awesome toys to give as gifts? Check out our stories on the best robot toys, the best remote control toys, and the best science toys.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- One-key takeoff/landing
- Auto-hover and emergency stop
- Flashing LED light
Cons
- Indoor use only
This value-pack remote control helicopter is made for indoor use only, but it still gives pilots plenty of action. Your can fly the metal alloy bird from a distance of up to 65 feet away, with up to six minutes of flight time per rechargeable battery.
Features include one-key takeoff and landing, auto hover, emergency stop, and a flashing LED light. Plus, if you have a buddy with the same copter, you can fly two at once, with two frequencies to choose from.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 8.8 x 4 x 1.6 inches |
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Weight | 12.3 ounces |
Flight Time | ~5-6 minutes |
Battery | (3) 7V 150 mAh |
Pros
- Great design
- Three-level flight control
- Impressive range and solid flight time
- Extra propellers included
Cons
This reasonably priced remote control plane is a great choice for beginners—and a great choice overall. There are two launch modes—an easy throw toss or takeoff from the ground using the controller—and three-level flight control.
It's also made of a durable plastic to withstand crashes, has a wingspan of nearly 16 inches (a good size for newbies to handle) and an incredibly impressive radio control range of 656 feet.
The plane comes with two rechargeable batteries, each giving roughly 15 minutes of flight time, plus an extra set of propellers.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 15.7 x 11 x 5.5 inches |
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Weight | 1.5 pounds |
Flight Time | ~15 minutes |
Battery | (2) 3.7V 400mAh LiPo |
Pros
- Two speed modes
- One-key takeoff/landing and Auto hover
- Integrated LED lights
- Spare parts included
Cons
- Small size
If you're looking for an inexpensive remote control helicopter that checks boxes for all the must-have basics, plus a few nice extras, this is the one to buy.
The mini RC copter is made of metal with flexible propellers and features two speed modes, so beginners can level-up to more advanced flying, one-key takeoff and landing, and auto hover for flight without holding the controller.
There are also built-in LED lights to fly the helicopter in the dark and a spare parts set that includes a tail blade and connect buckle.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 10.6 x 4.7 x 1.8 inches |
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Weight | 15.1 ounces |
Flight Time | ~5-6 minutes |
Battery | (3) 7V 350mah LiPo |
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Best WWII Plane
Devsolution P-51D Mustang RC Airplane
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Best WWII Plane
Devsolution P-51D Mustang RC Airplane
Pros
- Rad design
- Three-level flight control
- Steady in-flight with solid range
Cons
- Shorter flight time
Here's a great all-around remote control plane with three-level flight control, perfect for beginner, intermediate, and advanced pilots.
It’s designed to look like World War II’s badass P-51D Mustang aircraft, and you can expect roughly 12 minutes of airtime per battery. It also has a control distance of 300, plus it’s super steady in flight thanks to a six-axis gyroscope.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 15.7 x 12.8 inches |
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Weight | 1.4 pounds |
Flight Time | ~12 minutes |
Battery | (3) 3.7V 360mAh |
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Best Drone Helicopter
Syma Remote Control Helicopter with Camera
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Best Drone Helicopter
Syma Remote Control Helicopter with Camera
Pros
- Great price point for a drone copter
- Built-in 1080P HD camera
- Custom flight routes via app
- 360-degree rolls and flips
Cons
- Shorter flight time
This smart-looking helicopter has a fantastic price point—less than $100 at the time of this writing—considering it features a built-in 1080P HD camera with 90-degree adjustable angle and real-time transmission to your smartphone using the app.
You can also design your own flight routes using the app. The helicopter can perform 360-degree flips and rolls, with an approximate 12-minute flight time and one-key landing and takeoff.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 8.9 x 4.9 x 5.3 inches |
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Weight | Not listed |
Flight Time | ~12 minutes |
Battery | (3) 7V/500mAh |
Pros
- Impressive wingspan
- Space in fuselage for camera
- 360-degree rotation
- Brushless motor
Cons
- No radio transmitter, receiver, and charger included
- No flight time listed
With a wingspan of more than 5 feet, this glider soars through the air, plus its plastic fuselage has space for a camera so you can capture it all. It can perform 360-degree rotation and it's easy to assemble, with plastic latches for securing the wings.
The remote control airplane features a 1,400Kv brushless motor and servo, plus comes with decals, but the radio transmitter, receiver, and charger are sold separately.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 63 x 45 inches |
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Weight | 5.4 pounds |
Flight Time | Not listed |
Battery | 7.4V 1500mAh LiPo (not included) |
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Best Mid-Priced Plane
E-flite UMX Turbo Timber RC Plane
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Best Mid-Priced Plane
E-flite UMX Turbo Timber RC Plane
Pros
- Short takeoffs/landings
- Brushless motor
- Updated landing gear
- LED strobe lights
Cons
- No battery or charger included
The details on this small but powerful prop plane are what make it a standout worth its price tag. For starters, it offers short takeoffs and landings, with functional oversized flaps, plus a 3,400Kv brushless motor for next-level maneuvers and updated landing gear, which includes LED navigation and strobe lights.
It's ultra-stable and super smooth in flight, suitable for pilots of all levels. Those who or more advanced may wish to purchase floats for water takeoffs and landings, which are sold separately. You'll also need to buy a battery and compatible charger, which aren't included.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 8.4 x 27.6 inches |
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Weight | 2.7 pounds |
Flight Time | ~6 minutes |
Battery | 2S 280mAh LiPo (not included) |
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Best Mid-Priced Helicopter
Omphobby Remote Control Helicopter
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Best Mid-Priced Helicopter
Omphobby Remote Control Helicopter
Pros
- Performs extreme 3D maneuvers
- Customizable flight control
- All-metal gear
Cons
- Short flight time
If you truly love being a helicopter pilot and want an upgraded model, this is an excellent choice. It features auto-hover and high-performing 3D modes and you can easily switch between them, plus adjustable flight control parameters, such as gyro sensitivity, rates, and gain, to customize different flying styles.
It also has quality all-metal gear and an approximate flight time of 9 minutes, though less is you're doing extreme 3D maneuvers.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 11.4 x 6.5 x 11.4 inches |
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Weight | 4.2 ounces |
Flight Time | ~9 min (~4 min. for 3D maneuvers ) |
Battery | 2S 350mAh 50C |
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Best High-End Airplane
HobbyZone RC Airplane Carbon Cub S 2
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Best High-End Airplane
HobbyZone RC Airplane Carbon Cub S 2
Pros
- Comes ready to fly
- Three-level flight modes
- GPS-enabled safety features
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Pricey
With even more to spend, this RC prop plane from HobbyZone is well worth a look. It's capable of aerial maneuvers like rolls and inverted flight, and comes ready to fly, with a transmitter, charger, and battery. The plane features three-level flight modes on its remote control for beginner, intermediate, and advanced pilots. Plus, top-of-the-line GPS-enabled safety technology, and a powerful brushless motor.
Other highlights include oversized tires for soft landings on a variety of surfaces and durable yet lightweight construction. There are also optional floats for water landings sold separately.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 45 x 18.5 x 6.2 inches |
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Weight | 4.6 pounds |
Flight Time | Not listed |
Battery | 2200mAh 3S 11.1V Smart LiPo |
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Pros
- Sleek and lightweight
- Awesome thrust
- Brushless motor and 10-blade fan
- Upgraded landing gear
Cons
- Expensive
If you're looking to splurge on a craft, you'd be hard-pressed to find one as sleek as this jet. It has a lightweight, but durable, airframe designed for lower speeds so novice pilots can handle navigation.
The E-flite features a brushless power system and a 10-blade fan that gives it serious thrust. The landing gear is another highlight, with a wide stance, and three wheels with oversized tires, to touch down on everything from grass to pavement.
Key Specs
Dimensions | 45 x 41 inches |
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Weight | 2.5 pounds |
Flight Time | ~3-6 minutes |
Battery | 3S 4000mAh Smart LiPo |
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.