In this guide, we’ll look at the best RC boats.
We’ve compared power, speed, design, and cost.
to give you our top recommendations.
What Are The Best RC Boats?
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More Detailed RC Boat Reviews
Altair AA102 RC Boat
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Altair AA102 RC Boat Review
The Altair AA102 RC Boatis our top choice for the best RC boat, combining great features with a competitive price-point. After testing, we were particularly impressed with its speed across the water and self-righting feature – this makes it easy to operate even if you’re new to RC boats.
We also like the fact that Altair Aerial is a US-based company that puts a special emphasis on customer support. This is quite hard to find compared to its competitors who are often based in the far-east.
This nifty remote control boat can reach speeds of up to 24 mph and is great for kids & adults alike.
The CSP child-safe propeller system is nice because it doesn’t allow the propeller to turn until the boat sensors detect that it is in water.
Finally, this RC boat also comes with a low battery and out-of-range alarm to make sure you know when to bring it home, meaning it won’t be stranded out on the water.
Overall, we think the Altair AA102 RC Boat is the best RC boat for the money and you should definitely consider getting one!
Force1 Remote Control Boat
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Force1 Remote Control Boat Review
If you want the best RC boat on a budget, look no further than the Force1 RC boat which comes in a choice of either blue or green.
This remote control boat has a brushless motor to help it pick up some speed across the water. While not the same level as others on this list, this boat can reach over 20mph with little interference. It’s perfect for the kids or a family day out.
This RC boat is electric and self-righting to keep the fun going for longer, and it’s easy to control making it suitable no matter what your experience.
Finally, this boat is equipped with a low-signal warning to let you know before you reach your max range. An electric RC boat that is ready to go out of the box, the Force1 RC boat is one of the best RC boat offerings out there!
YEZI Venom Remote Control Boat
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YEZI Venom Remote Control Boat Review
This is a high-speed boat with large propellers that can be used for boat racing and other fun sports. Although it is super fast, it is very easy to control, and even beginners will be able to drive it with ease.
It takes about two hours to charge fully, and you can drive it on freshwater indoors or outdoors. Do not use it on salt water as this will damage the boat.
I like the double-hatch design as it dramatically improves water resistance. This is very important as it protects the electrical components from water damage.
Alpharev R208 RC Boat
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Alpharev R208 RC Boat Review
This high-speed boat can travel more than 20 miles per hour on the water. Coming in 4 different colors, it also has a 150-meter signal range and a four-channel remote, which will certainly come in handy!
The Alpharev R208 RC boat uses a 7.4V 1200mAh lithium battery, giving you approximately 20 minutes of fun time while taking 1 to 1.5 hours to recharge. It has self righting function as well as a figure eight mode which showcases its handling ability.
Your boat will last a long time if you run it in clean water such as lakes, pools, and rivers. Do not use this boat in salt water or other dense water conditions. Note that the engine does not start until the boat contacts water.
SZJJX 2 in 1 RC Boat
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SZJJX 2 in 1 RC Boat Review
This RC boat’s controller will never be subject to radio interference, and it will always be responsive, making them super easy to control. Children can drive this boat under adult supervision, and playing in a lake on a day trip out is fun for the whole family.
You will be pleased to learn that this boat has been designed with safety and durability in mind. It is made using superior ABS plastic, and all of the edges are sealed to prevent internal water damage.
There isn’t an on or off switch on the boat, so you actually have to put it in water to trigger its sensors. This has confused many users in the past and led them to believe that the boat is faulty.
DEERC H120 RC Boat
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DEERC H120 RC Boat Review
If you are prone to capsizing RC boats and you are a little worried about your abilities to control it, then this is the boat for you! The DEERC RC boat has the ability to recover from capsizing, so if it flips in the middle of a lake, you can recover it.
Charging this boat is super easy and only takes about two hours. You will receive a USB charger with your boat, which makes it easy to charge in your car when you are on the go.
This is a brilliant gift for children ages 14 and above as it is high-speed and exciting. The boat will drive up to 20 miles per hour, which is very fast for an RC car!
Cheerwing RC Brushless High-Speed Boat
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Cheerwing RC Brushless High-Speed Boat Review
This is a high-quality racing boat that also has an anti-flip feature that allows it to recover from capsizing. Boat racers won’t have to worry about compromising their race if the boat flips.
If your boat runs into a poor signal and struggles to pick up the radio signal from the remote control, it will display a poor signal alarm. This is a brilliant feature for anyone who plans on driving their boat in lakes and rivers.
Unfortunately, with great speed comes terrible battery life. The faster you run the boat, the faster the battery life will die, putting a fast stop to the fun and games.
Tounlinx RC Boats
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Tounlinx RC Boats Review
Do you want a cool-looking RC boat that can be run during the night? This boat is brightly lit with lights that allow you to spot your boat on the lake from far away.
Enjoy up to a whopping 200 meters of control distance and a maximum speed of 35K/h. If you love speed and power, this boat has it all!
If you ever want to replace and renew the batteries, you can find replacements at the Tounlinx store. Because of this great advantage, you will never have to put up with a deteriorating battery life again.
SOWOFA Racing High Speed Boat
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SOWOFA Racing High Speed Boat Review
Another boat that’s built to go fast, we’ve got the SOWOFA high speed boat, which is packed full of fun features. This beauty can reach speeds of 55-65kmh and is equipped with auto roll correct in case you lose control, as well as a low power warning.
This RC boat has great circulation, with an auto water cool system to keep it going for longer. It’s not suitable for beginners due to the high speeds and large size.
Despite the speeds, safety is clearly a priority for this brand. If you look for safety, this might be the best RC boat for you. It performs well in any conditions and has anti-collision protection to help keep it, and others, safe. The body is durable and of high quality.
If you’re looking for one of the fastest RC cars on the market, without compromising on safety, the SOWOFA high speed boat is the one for you.
Pro Boat Stealthwake Deep-V RC Boat
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Pro Boat Stealthwake Deep-V RC Boat Review
Pro Boat is renowned for its high quality and excellent value RC boats, and the Stealthwake is no exception. For beginners, this might just be the best RC boat for the money.
This RC boat is made from durable ABS plastic and the streamlined deep-V hull makes this RC perfect for some high-speed fun.
Powered by the included Ni-Mh batteries with a 2.4ghz marine radio system, enjoy interference-free control and an extended range.
Finally, the motor is water-cooled and the electronics are waterproof. Despite the high speeds, it’s easy for beginners to use, and the great design lets you zoom across the water in style.
If you’re a beginner that’s looking for the best value-for-money RC boat out there, then you’ve got to check out the top quality Stealthwake!
IOKUKI 2.4G RC Boat
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IOKUKI 2.4G RC Boat Review
You can enjoy an incredible 50 minutes of playtime on a single charge. This is more than average for rechargeable RC boats, which is great for anyone thinking of taking the boat out on a day trip of fun.
Children and adults can both enjoy playing with this boat. It will drive in lakes and rivers or in small paddling pools giving it diversity.
One of the best features is that a red light flashes brightly to let you know when the battery is low. When the battery is dangerously low, the boat will stop working, and it will only restart after five seconds so that you have time to return it.
Finally, it is waterproof with an anti-water design that blocks water from getting into the electronic components inside. This boosts its longevity and allows you and your family to play with it for longer.
RC Boat Buyer’s Guide
Sailing the high seas with the sun on your face is easy with the best RC boat, and there’s hundreds of fun and fast RC boats out there to give you that thrill. But from enormous, intricately detailed scale boats to the fast and furious catamarans, knowing which is the best RC boat to go for can be tricky.
The best thing about RC boats is that it’s a hobby that suits anyone and everyone. If you’re on a budget, smaller boats can easily be found, and these still can provide hours of fun. If you have more money to play with and you’re interested in speed, then there’s many fantastic options for you!
Advice for Buying for a Child
The best remote control boat on the market will certainly be too powerful for children and even dangerous in the wrong hands, so buying an RC boat for a child or beginner requires some consideration.
An electric powered boat will make the best remote control boat for children as they can be used in swimming pools, ponds and lakes. They are easier to drive but still fun and speedy, and they’re also quiet which makes them ideal for use in public areas.
Ready-made kits are also ideal for beginners as they can get going straight away. These require few extra parts, and are normally easy to maintain and drive.
What to Expect at Different Price Points
Small, electric RC boats suitable for the local pond will of course be cheaper than fuel powered boats. The cheapest options will be ‘toy-like’ electric boats. They can be used in swimming pools and ponds. These boats are unlikely to get up to much speed but will have simple controls and be great for the kids!
At the other end of the scale are fuel-powered speed boats. These are the best RC boats for racing and can often reach speeds of over 60mph. These RC boats will require a lot more maintenance but, provided you learn to control them, they can provide some serious thrills!
The features that affect the price will be durability, and any extra safety features you are after. Those that can be used in choppy water or on windy days will also cost more, while fail safe devices or low battery alerts will also add to the price tag.
Also check out my guides on the best RC submarines with camera, RC sailboats and RC battleships here.
Different Brands
Traxxas is far and away one of the most popular RC boat brands, and for good reason! They have a range of RCs to suit practically any level of experience, and all their boats are good quality and arrive in great condition. You’ll pay more for the Traxxas RCs, but if you’re after something speedy, sturdy and reliable, they should be your go-to.
Pro Boat is another immensely popular brand for RC boats. Their boats usually have an awesome design and they include great extra features. These boats are easy to upgrade and good for racing.
The final brand worth mentioning is USA Toyz. They produce a range of toys and RC boats is one of them. Their boats are great value but suited more for beginners and kids. Their customer service is usually excellent.
What Features do you Want?
RC boats can be as complicated or as simple as you like. Advanced features will add to the cost of your RC, but they will certainly add to the fun factor too!
Size
RC boats are available in a range of sizes and designs. Beginner RC boats are normally around 17 inches and these are great for swimming pools and small ponds. Larger boats will have more power and are designed for larger bodies of water.
Power
A fuel-powered boat with a brushless motor will provide the most power, but these will also be the most expensive! Remember that it’s easy to overdo it and the result might be more power than you can handle.
Losing control of your boat can be costly and even dangerous. If you are upgrading for more power, do it in stages so you don’t end up with too much to control.
Design
Where you are planning on driving your RC boat will depend on the design you opt for. Catamarans are fantastic for speed but can topple over in the wind, while hydroplanes are equally fast but can be difficult to turn at speed.
Whichever design you opt for, ensure the color is bright so that your boat is easy to spot at a distance.
Speed
Inexperienced RC hobbyists often prioritize speed, opting for boats that reach speeds in excess of 60mph. What many people don’t realize, is that even 20mph is still fast! It’s far better, as a beginner, to get something you are able to control.
If you do fancy that extra thrill, go for something fast but stable and, if you’re in a public place, stay away from other people or animals in the water.
Water-Cooled Motor
Powerful, water-cooled motors will help your boat to last longer in the water. The best RC boats will come with this feature.
Self-Righting
The self-righting feature helps you keep your boat safe if you capsize. Losing your boat in lakes or rivers can be costly, but self-righting features will get your boat up and running again with little hassle.
Low Battery Alert
A low battery alert will warn you when you’re losing battery so you can bring your RC back to shore. This’ll save you losing power in the middle of a lake!
Safety Features
Some boats come equipped with safety features, such as a propeller that won’t spin until the boat is submerged. Propellers can be dangerous, so this is a welcome add-on if you’re buying for kids.
FAQ:
Q: What is an RC boat?
A: An RC boat is a radio-controlled boat that is controlled by remote control.
Q: Are RC boats legal?
A: They are in most places; however, it is best practice to ask for permission before driving one on private land.
Q: How far can an RC boat go?
A: Most RC boats can go between 100 to 300 meters from their remote control.
Q: How long should the battery in my RC boat last?
A: RC boats have an average battery life of 10 to 20 minutes per battery.
Q: How long will my RC boat last?
A: RC boats should last you a few years if you take good care of them. Never let water enter its internals, and always follow the guidelines set out by the manufacturer.
Related RC Boats Posts
- 4 Best RC Sailboats
- 6 Best RC (Remote Control) Submarines With Cameras (2024 Review)
