Sweeping over the glittering surface of the water at high speed – many children and adults dream of it. But most people cannot afford their own boat.
Which remote-controlled boats are good?
RC boats fit easily into a backpack and can be steered without a license. The selection of products is huge, ranging from mini RC yachts to large remote-controlled sailing boat models. Which toy ships are any good?
Recognize quality:
BeyondSurfing has done the research and equips you with the know-how you need to make a good purchase decision. Get an overview of the top models from 2024 now.
The best RC boat 2024?
Content
- 1 The top 4 remote-controlled boats for adults in 2024
- 2 The top 3 RC boats for children in 2024
- 3 Review: Review of remote-controlled boats for adults
- 4 Review: Review of remote-controlled boats for children
- 5 Bestsellers: The most popular remote-controlled boats
- 6 Buy an RC boat: How to make the right decision
- 7 FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about remote-controlled boats
- 7.1 How fast can remote-controlled boats go?
- 7.2 Are remote-controlled boats suitable for salt water?
- 7.3 What is the range of RC boats?
- 7.4 What is the minimum price I have to pay for a remote-controlled boat?
- 7.5 Which is the best remote-controlled boat for children?
- 7.6 How long does the battery last on a remote-controlled boat?
- 7.7 Which RC boat is suitable for adults and advanced riders?
- 7.8 What is important when buying an RC boat for children?
- 7.9 How safe are RC boats?
- 7.10 Where can you buy RC boats?
- 8 Specialist literature, sources & further links
In a hurry? Our RC boat favorite:
- 2.4 GHz remote control
- Spare battery available
- Durable motor
- Incl. Battery and charging cable
- Up to 35 km/h fast
- With straightening function
RC Boat Checklist
- Models: Not every model is suitable for every body of water (lake, canal, pool, etc.). There are different motor powers and maximum speeds and the remote control has a different range for each boat.
- Rechargeable battery: A powerful rechargeable battery or long-life batteries prolong the pleasure.
- Steering: The steering is more difficult than with remote-controlled cars.
- Age specifications:There are toy boats for children/beginners and adults/advanced boaters. A built-in automatic switch-off function is important for children.
Also interesting: The most popular inflatable boats 2024.
The top 4 remote-controlled boats for adults in 2024
Best remote-controlled boat for beginners
1. HSP Himoto Highspeed 2.4 GHz
Advantages
- 2.4 GHz remote control
- Spare battery available
- Durable motor
- Incl. Battery and charging cable
- Up to 35 km/h fast
- With straightening function
Disadvantages
- Only one color
- Engine smells a little at the beginning
Conclusion
Suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. A boat with all modern safety functions. The motor only starts on contact with water. Thanks to the righting function, the boat automatically rights itself again.
A 2.5GHz technology allows the user to use several boats at the same time. This does not disrupt the connection. With a fully charged battery, the boat can travel at full speed for about 8 minutes.
If you like unusual designs, choose a different product.
Customer ratings
The charging process is quick. It’s great fun to ride with the bread. The material looks high quality. The boat will right itself if it tips over. In terms of design, it is a real eye-catcher. The controls are easy to understand. The price-performance ratio is top.
Around 5% are neutral about the product, while 13% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
The engine emitted a strange odor at a customer’s home. One customer lost the connection between the remote control and the boat.
Best wind resistant RC boat
2. Dilwe RC speed boat with 2.5 GHz controller
No product found.
Advantages
- 200 m range
- 2.5 GHz control
- Straightening function
- Three designs
- Night light
- Wind resistant
- Up to 35 km/h
Disadvantages
- No German instructions available
Conclusion
According to the manufacturer, the play boat is wind-resistant – making it particularly suitable for larger lakes where the wind blows a little stronger.
The boat is also equipped with an anti-tip function. Interference-free 2.4 GHz control, the adjustable speed, the night light and the double-layer sealing of the material round off the package.
If you are looking for a more playful design, choose a different product.
Customer ratings
The price-performance ratio is really great. The workmanship is high quality and the boat is lightning fast. The steering is very responsive and the boat is extremely maneuverable. One experienced customer described how he had never experienced such good quality at such a low price before. The stand-up function is very practical.
Around 0% are neutral about the product, while 21% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
A customer has received a defective remote control. The product was then exchanged. However, he criticizes the fact that the quality inspection should have noticed the error.
Best sporty RC boat
3. Traxxas RC Blast Speed Boat
Advantages
- Particularly colorful design
- 2.4 GHz remote control
- Extra lightweight remote control
- Fast charger
- Automatic water cooling
- Ergonomic design
- Extra fast
Disadvantages
- High price
Conclusion
If you are looking for a particularly sporty model, this is the product for you. The remote control of this speed boat works with just a little pressure and is very easy to hold. Its design is reminiscent of a joystick for computer games.
The price is higher than other models due to the high-performance technology. The particularly powerful motor accelerates up to 45 km/h in just a few seconds. The product is less suitable for beginners.
Best boat with long battery life
4. SYMA Remote Control Boat
Advantages
- 180 degree flip function
- 2.4 GHz remote control
- Double waterproof design
- Up to 150 m range
- Boat stand
- Battery alarm
- Up to 15 min battery
- Water cooling system
- Spare battery
Disadvantages
- Only up to 25 km/h
Conclusion
If you prefer range and battery life to speed, this is the one for you. A great price-performance ratio.
Customers with a preference for fast boats will not be satisfied with these 25 km/h.
Customer ratings
The boat is totally easy to steer and whizzes quickly across the water. The controls are precise and delivery is very fast. The boat is supplied with many accessories and is well sealed. One father bought the model for his children, but also enjoys using it himself.
Around 11% are neutral about the product, while 14% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
Some customers are disappointed with the quality of the boat. One customer complains that the boat cannot turn.
The top 3 RC boats for children in 2024
1. HSP Himoto police ship
No product found.
Advantages
- Suitable for lake and pool
- Beautiful design
- 2.4 GHz control
- Backup function
- Intuitive control
Disadvantages
- High price
Conclusion
A great toy boat for children who like splashing around with water and want to sail around for a particularly long time.
The boat has an interference-free 2.4 GHz control system and can run for up to 25 minutes. With a range of 80 meters, this model is particularly fun to drive.
Customer ratings
Customers praise the long battery life and that the children have great fun with the detailed boat. Buyers were also impressed by the range of the remote control.
Around 13% are neutral about the product, while 21% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
Few customers criticize the processing and the slow speed.
Best remote-controlled boat for beginners
2. s-idee® remote-controlled Venezia boat
Advantages
- Reverse gear
- Elegant design
- 20 minutes travel time
- Start – Fuse
- High quality lacquer
- Extra screws in the set
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for salt water
Conclusion
A stylish introduction to the world of RC boats. Anyone who likes Italy will love this model.
At 5 km/h, the boat is not the fastest, but it can be steered very finely and can run continuously for up to 20 minutes until the battery needs charging. The range is 30 m and is ideal for a pool or pond.
If your child is a little more advanced and likes speed, choose a different product.
Best cheap RC boat
3. Maisto Tech R/C police boat
Advantages
- 2.4 GHz control
- Police design
- Gun-shaped control unit
- Detailed design
- USB charging function
- Favorable price
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for salt water
Conclusion
If your child loves playing police, then this boat is the perfect choice. The price is also relatively low. You can play coastal defense at a range of 35 m.
The rechargeable battery lasts up to 18 minutes, ensuring long-lasting pleasure. Simply recharge the empty battery via USB. The 2.4 GHz control makes it easy to play with several children and boats.
Please note: The manufacturer does not provide any information on an automatic start/stop system. You must therefore ensure that the propeller is not started in the child’s hand.
Customer ratings
Customers are very satisfied and love the design. The boat is really outstandingly beautiful. The battery is long-lasting and the repair kit is very practical. One customer actually only wanted to buy the product as decoration and was then totally impressed by the driving performance. Even four-year-olds can steer the boat without any problems.
Around 10% are neutral about the product, while 11% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
A few customers complain about the short service life of the product. However, the manufacturer then exchanged it without further ado.
Review: Review of remote-controlled boats for adults
| Name | Price* | Size | Speed | Straightening function | Battery | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSP Himoto Highspeed | 79 $ | 47 x 13.5 x 11.5 cm | 35 km/h | Yes | Yes | 8 min |
| Dilwe RC speed boat | 129 $ | 47 x 12 x 11 cm | 35 km/h | Yes | Yes | 10 min |
| Traxxas Speed Boat | 209 $ | 66.7 x 16.5 x 21 cm | 45 km/h | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| SYMA RC boat | 92 $ | 20.8 x 15.2 x 9.4 cm | 25 km/h | N/A | Yes | 20 min |
| *Approximateprice incl. VAT included. Prices may change in the meantime. | ||||||
Review: Review of remote-controlled boats for children
| Name | Price* | Size | Speed | Backup function | Battery | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSP Himoto police ship | $149 | 60 x 4.5 x 6 cm | N/A | Yes | Yes | 25 min |
| Funtomia motorboat | 52 $ | 45 x 14 x 11 cm | 5 km/h | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Maisto Tech police boat | 40 $ | 34 x 10 x 11.5 cm | 5 km/h | N/A | Yes | 18 min |
| *Approximateprice incl. VAT included. Prices may change in the meantime. | ||||||
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Bestsellers: The most popular remote-controlled boats
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy an RC boat:
How to make the right decision
Hannes Flörke ★★★★★
(Family man from Hanover)
Current statistics show that electronic toys are becoming increasingly popular. No wonder, because the technology is becoming more and more sophisticated and there are more and more new designs among the toy boats.
There are models for enthusiasts and professionals, or playful and rather slow children’s boats. In BeyondSurfing’s buying guide, you can find out which important buying criteria to consider.
What to consider when buying a remote-controlled boat?
When looking for the best RC boats, you should definitely pay attention to the following features and characteristics:
- Drive
- Design
- Reach
- Battery
- The accessories
The drive
Most boats are powered by an electronic motor. This is powered by a rechargeable battery. This usually involves one or more propellers that rotate quickly.
Exceptions prove the rule:
However, there are also so-called jet drives. They work in a similar way to a jet ski, in that water is shot backwards at high pressure.
For more advanced motorboat models, there are also gasoline combustion drives. They have a mini outboard motor and differ only in size from real motorboats.
Good to know:
The small motors are extremely powerful in relation to their size. This naturally increases the risk of injury – your fingers should not be anywhere near the propeller.
The solution: an automatic switch-off system that automatically stops the motor outside the water. This should be checked annually by service personnel.
The design
There are no more limits to the imagination here. Whether a sailing boat, racing boat, fireboat or warship, a battleship, a submarine or a tugboat. The selection is large.
There are even models for fishing. The hull can be filled with bait and driven far out onto the lake to lure the fish close to land. This increases the chances of a catch.
The range
A short range is sufficient for use in the pool garden or a small pond. If the remote-controlled boat is also to be used on a larger lake, this is a decisive factor. You should therefore carefully consider the waters for which the boat is intended before purchasing it.
The battery
It is particularly important to have the highest quality, most powerful batteries possible for larger bodies of water. Because only an appealing battery life leaves enough time for pleasure. This also prevents the drive from giving up the ghost in the middle of the lake.
However, there are also battery-powered toy ships. These have the advantage that spare batteries can be taken to the lake. The journey time can then be doubled. The disadvantages are the higher costs in the long term and the waste.
The accessories
There are all kinds of accessories available. BeyondSurfing has an overview of the most important extras here:
- Boats with lighting
- Night light
- Flaps
- Exhibition rack
- Enclosed guide
- RC boats with integrated camera
- Replacement screws in a set
- Transport bags
- Chargers
- Water sprayer
- Toy car loading area
- and much more.
Remote-controlled boats in self-build?
Many RC boat fans dream of building their own toy ship. There is the simpler option of buying a kit with a construction plan. You can find it here, for example.
Or you can build the whole boat yourself, step by step. Some parts everyone has in their household. This video shows a quick solution for building your own RC model:
Remote-controlled boats tested by Consumer Reports and Öko Test?
Consumer Reports has not tested remote-controlled toy boats, but it has tested remote-controlled cars. From this, at least the recommendation regarding the social and ecological commitment of manufacturers can be adopted.
When choosing a brand, make sure that it is not a no-name cheap manufacturer from Asia. Why? According to Consumer Reports, these often do not adhere to pollutant guidelines or fair conditions in the production plants. Use buying guides and reviews as a guide.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about remote-controlled boats
How fast can remote-controlled boats go?
Are remote-controlled boats suitable for salt water?
What is the range of RC boats?
What is the minimum price I have to pay for a remote-controlled boat?
Which is the best remote-controlled boat for children?
How long does the battery last on a remote-controlled boat?
Which RC boat is suitable for adults and advanced riders?
What is important when buying an RC boat for children?
How safe are RC boats?
Where can you buy RC boats?
Specialist literature, sources & further links
You can find more information on this topic here:
Note: BeyondSurfing is not responsible and is not liable for the content of external websites.
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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