10 Best Radio Control Boats
Updated 18 December 2020
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One of the joys of radio control boats is that they offer the ability to play with a toy out of reach on the water, piloting it across ponds, lakes, swimming pools, and even bathtubs. Whether kids are racing them against other boats or just roaring around on their own, these toys are all about the same feelings of freedom and adventure that grown-ups get from full-sized boats.
Radio control boats come in a variety of styles, from realistic battleships and destroyers to zippy little speedboats. However, it’s important to be able to trust that you are buying one that won’t suddenly lose power out on the water, so we’ve sunk any toys with fake reviews to only recommend boats based on real and reliable reviews.
1RC Ht Radio Control Rc Battle Warship Boat Cruiser Destroyer, 23-Inch
The HT-3826 battleship is one of the best indoor radio control boats because it is designed to look like a real battle warship boat cruiser destroyer. It has basic directions and can move forward, backward, left, and right. It even has an approximate playtime of 20 minutes at a time. For safety reasons, this boat has a "touch water to run" function. This function makes it safe to carry because it will not randomly start. It will only run when it touches water. It has easy to follow instructions that make it excellent for kids to use, and it doesn't require difficult assembly for it to run properly.
What we love
- Can go up to 5 mph
- Can be operated from up to 120 feet away from the user
What We Don't Like That Much
- The propellers are sharp and spin fast which can be dangerous if not used carefully
2Udirc 2.4GHz High Speed Remote Control Electric Boat (Black)
The Udirc is designed to be easy to control by younger kids due to its simple remote control. This speedboat is designed to be able to run up to 15mph, which is faster than most remote control boats on the market. It comes with a powerful 370-size motor, which helps to promote speed and power. This speedboat also comes with a rugged ABS anti-tilt hull, and the motor is designed with water cooling technology. That means that it will help to keep it from overheating while it is being played without water. Plus, it comes equipped with a USB-rechargeable battery that makes it easy to go out on many adventures with this speed boat model.
What we love
- Has a low-battery alarm to alert users when the battery on the boat is running low
- Easy to charge and travel with thanks to USB rechargeable battery
What We Don't Like That Much
- The remote control is a little wonky compared to most remote controls
3Goolsky H100 RC Boat 2.4GHz Remote Controlled Boat 20KM/H High Speed Racing Boat with 180° Flip, Electric Submarine for Kids and Adults
The Goolsky H100 is designed with an advanced 2.4G technology frequency remote control. This provides kids with a better connection that has further remote distance, which allows them to take their boat out further. The remote control is easy to manage and it even has a small LCD screen that allows kids to keep up with the submarine while it is under the water. It also comes with a motor cooling system that is designed to help extend the service life of the submarine, and it even has a low voltage alarm function that allows kids to keep up with the battery life of the boat to ensure it is out of the water and back at the surface before it dies.
What we love
- Has a 370 strong magnetic drive system which provides a stable and strong performance
- It uses a professional large torsion propeller to enhance stability
What We Don't Like That Much
- The battery alert only gives you approximately a one minute warning before the boat's battery will die
4Force1 Velocity H102 RC Boat - Remote Control Boat for Pools and Lakes, Fast RC Boats for Adults and Kids with 20+ mph Speed, 4 Channel 2.4GHZ Remote Control, and Rechargeable Boat Battery (Blue)
The Force1 Velocity H102 has a 2.4 GHz transmitter that allows for a longer range of control. The remote control runs off of regular AA batteries, and it has an LCD screen that allows kids to keep track of their boat easier and handle it better. The remote control also has a low battery alarm, which will give them plenty of time to get the boat out of the water before it runs out of battery charge. This model can be purchased in three different colors, which helps its appeal to both boys and girls. The battery used for the boat is durable and lasts for a fair amount of time and is designed specifically for freshwater use.
What we love
- Uses a high-frequency remote for handling from a far distance
- Utilizes a water cooled engine to ensure the engine doesn't overheat
What We Don't Like That Much
- These boats are not capable of running in saltwater
5Cheerwing UDI 2.4Ghz RC Racing Boat for Adults 30KM/H High Speed Electronic Remote Control Boat for Kids
The Cheerwing UDI comes with a sleek and compact design that helps it easily slice through the wat. It uses a 2.4GHz frequency remote controller that gives it an excellent directional advantage over some of the other models on the market. Plus, the marine radio control system also has the capability of syncing together multiple boats for a racing environment. It utilizes a dual-locking cover design that helps to keep water from getting inside of the boat where it could damage the motor or the battery. The hull is designed with self-righting technology that helps to protect the boat from capsizing, and if it does flip at any point, it will be able to easily flip back over. It includes an internal navigation rudder design that helps to correct the yaw automatically, which helps to make the boat sail. Finally, this boat has a low battery alarm that will alert you when the battery is running low to ensure that it doesn't get stranded out on the water without power.
What we love
- Has a max sailing distance for 100m
- Can reach up to 30km/h, which is faster than most models
What We Don't Like That Much
- The battery and motor needs to cooldown for at least 20 minutes between uses
6Ud08 Remote Control Boat: for Pools, Lakes & Rivers, Fast RC Boat for Adults & Kids with 2.4Ghz Radio Controller, Self-Righting Remote Control Electric Toy Boats, Included Two Batteries, Yellow
This remote control boat comes with a water-cooled motor that is capable of reaching 25 kilometers an hour. It is made from high-quality materials that are both durable and affordable for this type of toy. It comes with several types of functions that help to set it apart from other models, like its automatic course correction feature. It uses a 2.4GHz marine radio control system that is capable of stabilizing control range that reaches up to 390 feet, and it is powered by a high-powered battery, which means it runs for a longer period of time. It is also designed with a double boat cover which makes it more waterproof and helps to protect the motor and battery from being damaged from regular water use.
What we love
- Uses a high-powered 7.4V 600mAh li-ion battery
- Comes with an extra battery for the boat
What We Don't Like That Much
- It can be difficult to pair with the remote control at time
7RC Racing Boat, GizmoVine High Speed Remote Control Boat for Pools / Lakes, Hobby Waterproof Rechargeable RC Boat for Kids Boys 8-12, 180 Degree Flip, LCD Screen
The GizmoVine RC boat is designed to be a high-speed boat and it can be purchased in a couple of different colors that make it more appealing to both boys and girls. It was designed with 180-degree flip control. This helps to keep the boat flipping over when capsizing or making sharp turns. It is designed to be easy to operate, and it comes with a 2.4GHz frequency controller. It is also designed to be capable of moving between different directions. The controller is made to be easy to use, which makes it excellent for people of all different experience levels. Finally, this boat comes with a unique LCD screen that will tell you when it is time to bring in your boat before it runs out of battery. The boat is made from high-quality ABS material that is meant to make it impact and water-resistant.
What we love
- Has a durable anti-flip design that is easy to control
- Uses four channel controls that moves the boat in most directions with ease
What We Don't Like That Much
- Due to its durable design, it can be difficult to swap out the battery
8RC Boat - Remote Control Boat for Kids and Adults – 20 MPH Speed – Durable Structure – Innovative Features – Incredible Waves – Pool or Lake - 4 Channel Racing – 2.4 GHz Remote Control - H102 Model
With this RC boat, both kids and adults can enjoy speeding the boat across the water, and it uses a 2.4GHz remote controller. With this boat, kids can not only choose the direction of their boat, but they can also control the speed. It is designed with different rutters that help to give it more directional changes. It is designed with an innovative double-hatch body that is designed to help improve wave resistance. However, if the boat does flip or capsize, it comes with a capsize recovery mode, which will help to keep the boat on the surface. Plus, it includes an auto-correcting rudder which helps to prevent the boat from veering off course randomly.
What we love
- Has a water-cooled engine that helps to prolong the lifespan of the RC boat
- Uses a revolutionary ABCO remote-control
What We Don't Like That Much
- It isn't possible to change the frequency of the remote-control
9YEZI Remote Control Boat for Pools & Lakes,Udi001 Venom Fast RC Boat for Kids & Adults,Self Righting Remote Controlled Boat W/Extra Battery (Yellow)
The YEZI remote control boat is designed to go fast, but it is also easy to learn how to maneuver compared to some of the other boat models available on the market. It comes with a rechargeable battery that only takes approximately two hours to fully charge, and then it lasts for approximately 15 to 20 minutes of playtime. It has an excellent response to the remote control. With this model, you don't have to worry about the boat capsizing and being hard to recover. It includes a flip recovery function that helps to prevent you from losing your boat if it ever does flip over, which also means that you don't have to be as careful when making sharp turns. Finally, this boat also has a double-hatch design that helps to improve the overall water-resistance of the speed boat.
What we love
- Has a 120-meter signal range
- Comes with everything needed to operate this boat included
What We Don't Like That Much
- The assembly instructions can be a little difficult to understand
10Remote Control Boat, 2.4GHz High Speed Remote Boat for Pool and Lakes with Self-righting Feature - RC Boat for Adults and Kids 2020 New Model
This is one of the best indoor radio control boats because it comes with a capsize recovery mode that will help to ensure that if something does happen while it is out on the water, it won’t sink. Plus, it is designed to make it easier for kids and adults of all experience levels. Unlike other RC boats on the market, this one is designed with a long battery life. Many other models only last for around 10 minutes, but the battery that this one comes with will allow you to run the boat continuously for approximately 20 minutes. It has a waterfall hull with an anti-tilt modular design to help protect the battery. Finally, it is capable of moving in four different directions.
What we love
- Has a 2.4GHz frequency controller
- Cool feature keeps it from capsizing
What We Don't Like That Much
- The battery can be a little difficult to get to when charging is needed