The Best Remote Control Helicopter For Kids in 2022
When you’re dying to fly a cool remote ‘copter toy, you’ll need to know the rules of the air. Likewise, before liftoff, you’ll need to understand which features your little whirlybird direly needs, and which aren’t worth the weight.
Understanding the ins and outs of remote helicopter toys is far from simple, however. In this article, we’ll discuss a handful of the best remote ‘copter toys and explain to you what makes them great so that you’ll be ready for aerial stunting in style.
Contents
- Remote Control ‘Copter Toy Reviews
- Syma S107G 3 Channel RC Helicopter w/ Gyro
- SANROCK GD65A
- SainSmart Jr. Mini Drone for Kids, Hobby RC Quadcopter
- KOOWHEEL RC Helicopter w/ Gyro
- Syma S111G 3.5 Channel RC Helicopter w/ Gyro
- Betheaces Flying Ball
- Beginners Remote Control ‘Copter with Camera
- Syma S109G 3.5 Channel RC Helicopter with Gyro
- Mini Helicopter, SYMA S100 Super Smaller RC Helicopter Indoor Aircraft with Altitude Hold
- SYMA Helicopter S107H-E
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What features should I care about when I’m shopping for a remote control ‘copter toy?
- Where should helicopter toys be used?
- How long should I expect a remote helicopter to last before it breaks or needs repairs?
- Who will enjoy RC helicopters the most?
- How Long Should I Charge the Battery?
- What is the Difference Between Two-channel, Three-channel, and Four-channel RC Helicopters for Kids?
- What is the Difference Between a Toy and Hobby-Grade RC Helicopter?
- Taking Off
Remote Control ‘Copter Toy Reviews
What helicopter for kids toys made our top ten list? Read our detailed reviews.
Syma S107G 3 Channel RC Helicopter w/ Gyro
When you want a sturdy and agile remote control ‘copter toy, this Syma S107G is hard to beat.
Pros
- Hard to break
- Stable flight
- Standard aesthetic
Cons
- Low battery life
With this copter, you’ll get a huge amount of agility and stunting capability in a small package which is tough to break even when it has hard landings. The venerable Syma brand is among the strongest on the market as a result.
The battery on this whirlybird is the only weakness of the toy. You can only fly for around 10 minutes before you’ll need a recharge. On the bright side, the stunting capabilities of this bird means that you won’t be burning the battery all at once.
SANROCK GD65A
The SANROCK’s quadrotor design makes for a high-flying and stable journey which is light on the stunts but heavy on the soaring.
Pros
- Easy to fly
- Lights up in the dark
- Long battery life
Cons
- Minimal stunting capacity
With this whirlybird, you trade aerial agility for the ability to hang in the air for long periods of time. In other words, for pilots who are more interested in serious aeronautical experience than they are in playing with a toy, this mini-drone is among the best.
But, for those who prefer a more dynamic experience, the SANROCK leaves a lot to be desired. It looks cool in the dark when it lights up, but there aren’t many impressive maneuvers which the copter can perform, even with expert assistance.
SainSmart Jr. Mini Drone for Kids, Hobby RC Quadcopter
When you want an easy-to-learn remote control copter, the SainSmart Jr. Mini Drone is your solution.
Pros
- 360 rotation
- Comes with two rechargeable batteries
- High impact resistance
Cons
- Gets warm while charging
With 20 minutes of flight time, the SainSmart Jr. Mini Drone is an excellent choice for beginners who are tired of crashing their helicopters due to poor flying skills.
The 6-axis gyro technology allows the drone to fly stably in winds up to 8 mph. Flying it indoors or out has no impact on its ability to stay stable, making the SainSmart Jr. Mini Drone a good choice for beginners of all ages.
The Quadcopter is lightweight and has high impact resistance, which means it can survive some severe crashes without breaking or damaging the blades.
New pilots will appreciate how easy this copter is to control in every type of climate. This drone also features 360-degree flips with three speed modes (low/medium/high). It can rotate as it flips.
This makes flying the drone easy, even for those who struggle with flight controls. This uniquely and aggressively designed helicopter comes with two rechargeable batteries for double the flight time so you can get more practice and master this amazing quadcopter.
KOOWHEEL RC Helicopter w/ Gyro
KOOWHEEL’s RC copter offering is a great mix of agility, power, and intuitive controls.
Pros
- Advanced control surface data feed
- High battery efficiency
- Three-rotor design
Cons
- Short control range
An interesting feature of the KOWHEEL whirlybird is that the control surface includes a data feed about the copter’s battery level, disposition in the sky, speed, and altitude. This makes it one of the more serious remote control ‘copter toys on the market.
In fact, you can learn a thing or two about aerodynamics by playing with the KOWHEEL and paying attention to its sophisticated dashboard.
The only issue with the KOWHEEL copter is that the control range is fairly short in comparison to other copters on the market. You shouldn’t have much trouble flying it within line of sight, but distances of much more than 30 feet will leave the unit complaining about being out of range.
Syma S111G 3.5 Channel RC Helicopter w/ Gyro
When you’re looking for a remote control ‘copter toy with an innovative hull, the Syma S111G is a great choice.
Pros
- Unique chopper hull
- Medivac-themed aesthetic
- Quiet motor
Cons
- Poor horizontal stability
When you fly this chopper, you can see the difference that a hull makes to the aerodynamics of the bird. The S111G’s unique hull means that it flies entirely differently than any other chopper of its size on the market, which is both positive and negative.
The unique hull pattern means that the toy is not very stable in horizontal flight because of its imbalanced weight. On the other hand, the weight imbalance means that the bird is capable of some wild aerial stunts which take advantage of the wobbling of the mass.
Of course, only skilled pilots will be able to recover the copter from these wobbling maneuvers, so it may be difficult to land gracefully.
The toy isn’t significantly more or less durable than others of its size, which means that you should practice with the chopper extensively before attempting its unique stunts.
Betheaces Flying Ball
For young pilots interested in a uniquely colorful helicopter for kids, the Betheaces Flying Ball might be the right choice.
Oops! Looks like this toy is sold out.
Pros
- Orb-shaped hull
- Prismatic aesthetic
- Non-toxic construction
Cons
- Low maximum speeds
The main appeals of this chopper are its spherical hull and its intensely reflective rainbow surface. The chopper itself also lights up thanks to an internal light, meaning that it’s a great choice for pilots who love to fly at night.
You probably won’t be tearing around the yard at high speed with this orb bird, however. The spherical hull isn’t very aerodynamic, which means that the maximum speeds will be low. On the bright side, the hull shape means that the orb is easy to fly and hover in place.
Beginners Remote Control ‘Copter with Camera
If you’re looking for an intense quadcopter-style helicopter that blurs the lines between drone and stunting chopper, this whirlybird is right up your alley.
Oops! Looks like this toy is sold out.
Pros
- Perfect horizontal and vertical stability
- Highly automated control surfaces
- Includes camera
Cons
- Not for stunting
- Fragile rotors
This chopper is high-end and extremely effective at taking aerial photography, which is very uncommon for an RC helicopter toy of its size. As a result of its four-rotor construction, it has unparalleled aerial stability — but minimal maneuverability.
The rotors on this remote control ‘copter are very fragile, however. While they are guarded by guide rails to protect them in the event of a crash, you will find that they still break very easily. So, you should probably not use this helicopter for stunting.
Syma S109G 3.5 Channel RC Helicopter with Gyro
The Syma S109G is the only remote control ‘copter toy that’s shaped like a real Apache attack helicopter — and that makes it entertaining and challenging to fly.
Pros
- Attack chopper hull
- Includes LED lights
- Two stabilizing rotors
Cons
- Front heavy
The biggest appeal of this chopper is that its hull is shaped like an attack helicopter, which means that it handles more or less like a small Apache when it’s in the sky. Like a real helicopter, this whirlybird needs to yaw its nose downward sharply to gain forward momentum.
This toy is a bit front-heavy as a result, which means that its flight characteristics are significantly different from the other toys on the market.
You may find that it takes a while to get used to as a result. Just remember that shallow acceleration is the same as losing altitude unless you increase the vertical elevators at the same time.
Mini Helicopter, SYMA S100 Super Smaller RC Helicopter Indoor Aircraft with Altitude Hold
When you want a cool helicopter small enough to sit on two of your fingers, the SYMA S100 is the answer.
Pros
- Anti-collision alloy
- LED light
- One-key takeoff and landing
Cons
- No adjustable speed
The SYMA S100 Super Smaller RC Helicopter is a mini-helicopter that’s smaller than your hand, but don’t let the size fool you. This lightweight helicopter is fun for beginners and kids, but its upgraded features keep it interesting even when you’re an expert.
The incredible technology allows the SYMA S100 to fly by pressing one button. It also has an altitude hold, enabling it to fly at the same height for stable hovering.
The small size doesn’t mean there isn’t room for exciting features. The copter is ready to go with just a 30 minute charge time and a 14-meter controlling distance. It also comes equipped with an anti-collision alloy to protect it when crashes happen while flying. Let’s face it, distractions, poor flying skills, and wind happen.
If you’re looking for a little helicopter that can fly indoors, then the SYMA S100 is the copter for you. With six minutes of fly time, aggressive design, and LED light, it’s a helicopter you’ll want to experience.
SYMA Helicopter S107H-E
The SYMA Helicopter S107H-E is made from sturdy materials and easy to learn how to fly, making it perfect for beginners! The one-key functions reduce frustration while still enabling competent flying.
Pros
- Safety certified
- Easy to learn
Cons
- Six-minute flight time
The SYMA Helicopter S107H-E has an altitude hold function making it easier for beginners and kids to control it. The one key landing and take-off features allow the helicopter to hover automatically at a specific altitude after take-off and land automatically shutting off the motors. With two frequencies to choose from, you can fly two RC helicopters at once.
This helicopter has several safety certificates, including CE, FCC, ROHS, and EN71, making it an appropriate gift for children. It has a remote control that works up to a distance of 20 meters. This aircraft measures 8.66 x 1.5 x 4.13 inches.
A rechargeable 3.7V 150 mAh battery powers the helicopter, and the remote utilizes four double-A batteries. It takes less than 60 minutes for a full recharge. Flight time is about six minutes with a fully charged battery.
As you can see, the SYMA Helicopter S107H-E is easy to use and durable. It has a flexible blade, streamlined head, and alloy balance bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I care about when I’m shopping for a remote control ‘copter toy?
There are a small handful of features which you should be on the lookout for when you’re browsing around for a remote control ‘copter. The critical features of helicopter toys include:
- Battery life
- Durability
- Agility
Battery life is a key concern because it determines how long you can play with your helicopter toy. The smaller the toy, the shorter the battery life will be. Recharge time is proportional to battery size, so smaller battery capacity means that you can recharge faster.
Durability determines how aggressive you can be with your toy helicopter when it comes to flying low or performing stunts. Remote control ‘copter toys vary widely in their durability, but in general you will find that smaller birds are more durable because they have less weight.
Agility is a concern for people who want to do cool stunts while they are flying their helicopter toy. Smaller helicopter toys tend to be more agile, but there are many exceptions to this tendency.
Where should helicopter toys be used?
Not all environments are suitable for flying remote control ‘copter toys, and it’s important that you understand where you can fly and where you shouldn’t be taking any chances. You should consider using your remote control ‘copter toy:
- In the park
- On the beach
- In the backyard
- In the wilderness
Furthermore, with the exception of the beach, these locations have predictable wind conditions which won’t change rapidly. In short, these locations will keep your bird in good shape and let you use its battery life with high efficiency.
While it may be tempting, you should avoid using your little whirlybird:
- At or near airports
- Indoors
- In parking lots or roads
- In crowded city areas
- Over bodies of water
- In areas with many birds or bats
Flying your remote control ‘copter toy in these areas is dangerous to people, animals, and the toy itself. In fact, you may be breaking the law if you fly your helicopter toy in these areas because of the additional danger that recreational flying introduces.
How long should I expect a remote helicopter to last before it breaks or needs repairs?
Your remote ‘copter toy should last for at least 50 flights. After that, the answer is that it depends on how rough you have been on the bird and the build quality of the toy.
The rougher you are on your helicopter, the sooner you can expect the main rotor or the maneuvering rotors to break. Because these rotors are nearly always made of plastic, repeated mechanical trauma can cause them to chip and snap, grounding the bird.
Who will enjoy RC helicopters the most?
Remote control ‘copter toys are great for anyone who is over the age of 10. Children from ages 10 to 15 will probably enjoy remote helicopter toys the most, but there’s no guarantee that someone who is older will enjoy it less.
How Long Should I Charge the Battery?
The battery in the helicopter should not be fully drained before charging. If it discharges too much, it may damage the battery so that it will not recharge. Both before and after loading, allow the battery to cool at least fifteen minutes.
What is the Difference Between Two-channel, Three-channel, and Four-channel RC Helicopters for Kids?
A two-channel coaxial design uses two counter-rotating rotors for lift and stability control. In this type of system, the weight shift is used to allow a forward or backward movement by changing the center of gravity.
The most popular types of remote helicopter use a three-channel coaxial design. The first channel turns the aircraft left or right while the second channel controls lift. Then the third channel regulates the speed and direction of a horizontally mounted tail rotor.
Of the three types, the four-channel design is the most difficult to fly. However, it gives you forward and backward movement, left and right movement, and has lift and turn capabilities. Some four-channel or quad-copters can even roll and flip.
What is the Difference Between a Toy and Hobby-Grade RC Helicopter?
Hobby-grade RC helicopters cost more. However, they are almost always made from better quality materials and fly better. It’s also possible to get replacement parts in case of a crash. Toy RC helicopters do not have that option and often must be trashed.
Hobby-grade RC helicopters often also have extra LiPo flight batteries for longer flight time. While one battery is charging, a second can be used to fly. Whereas, toy remote control helicopters must be recharged after a less than 10-minute flight. The power cells are not removable for safety reasons. Charging times vary but tend to be between one and two hours depending upon the remote control helicopters.
Taking Off
Now that your rotors are up to speed on remote ‘copter toys, it’s time to lift off and explore the friendly skies. Remember to fly safely, keep your batteries charged, and treat your chopper with the respect that it deserves.
When you fly with premeditation and style, your whirlybird toys will keep pace with your expectations. Plan for success, and you or your loved one will get their pilot’s wings in no time flat.