RC boats are a blast to take out on the water. All models can be used in pools and lakes – some can even be taken out in the ocean. They come in unique designs with fun colors and easy-to-use functionality that make them great for drivers of all ages. If you’re looking for a RC boat, you’ve come to the right place. This list is composed of the best RC boats for the money. Our overall favorite is the Force1 Velocity Boat for it’s sleek and intuitive design.
Our Top Picks:
Here’s a quick summary of the 7 RC boats we thought deserved a spot on our list.
  | Overall Best: Force 1 Velocity H102 RC Boat. The overall top pick is a favorite for both kids and adults. It’s easy to use and comes with technology that makes it durable. |
  | Runner-Up: Altair AA102 RED RC Boat. Our runner up pick makes smooth and tight turns without issue. It can easily cruise through light waves without taking on water. |
  | Budget Pick: Yezi Remote Control Boat. You can purchase a great RC boat on a budget. This model comes with all the features of high-end boats, but at a fraction of the price. |
  | Splurge Pick: ElementDigital HJ806 RC Boat. Our splurge pick is one of the best remote control boats you could choose. It’s built tough and comes with all the features you could want. |
  | Kid’s Pick: KidFavor H116 RC Boat 2 Pack. For the best RC boat for kids, look no further. They’re designed with kids in mind and come in a pack of two for multiple kids to enjoy. |
  | Pool Pick: SkyCo H100 RC Boat. This RC boat will be a hit at the pool this summer. It’s relatively small size makes it ideal for riding through indoor and outdoor pools. |
  | Ocean Pick: Cheerwing RC Racing Boat for Adults. Take this RC boat out on the ocean. It’s made to withstand erosion from saltwater and handle larger waves than most other remote control boats. |
A Closer Look: Best RC Boats
Now let’s take a closer look at all of the options and what features and benefits each RC boat has to offer.
1. Force 1 Velocity H102 RC Boat
The best RC boats overall.
Brand: Force 1 | Speed: 20+ mph | Remote Range: 120 meters | Ages: 14+ | Price: 💰💰💰
This remote control boat is our overall top pick for its intuitive functionality and sleek design. It’s equipped with a double-hatch body that helps it easily cruise over waves and prevents catastrophic capsizing. If water gets in the boat, engine cooling technology prevents it from getting damaged. A rechargeable battery completely refills after 3-4 hours of charging and lasts for 15 minutes. The remote control comes with an LED screen that shows signal, power, emergency stop function, and more. This is a great option for both kids and adults.
Reviewers Like
- Turns fast and hard with accuracy
- Choose from blue, red, and green body colors
Reviewers Dislike
- Cannot be used in salt water, do not use in the ocean
- Relatively short battery life compared to other models
2. Altair AA102 RED RC Boat
The runner-up.
Brand: Altair Aerial | Speed: 30 kmph | Remote Range: 100 meters | Ages: 14+ | Price: 💰💰💰💰
The runner up best remote control boat will impress users with it’s lightweight yet durable build. It easily makes tight turns through smooth water without taking on any water that could damage the battery. At full charge, this boat can last up to 20 minutes. It also comes with two batteries to extend the amount of play time. Don’t worry about driving this boat out of range. An alarm will sound on the remote control when the boat is almost beyond range. The 190-size brushed motor ensures the AA102 hits high speeds with ease. Reviewers love racing with this one.
Reviewers Like
- Easily rides through small waves
- Rocking back and forth will right the boat after flipping
Reviewers Dislike
- Some difficulty connecting the boat to the remote
- Lightweight, will break easily if dropped on solid surfaces
3. Yezi Remote Control Boat
The best RC boat on a budget.
Brand: YEZI | Speed: 20+ mph | Remote Range: 120 meters | Ages: 8+ | Price: 💰💰
Not all RC boats are expensive. This one from Yezi comes with all the top-notch qualities, but at an affordable price. It’s perfect for pools and lakes, but avoid using it in the ocean. An extra battery is included in the set, extending the play time to nearly two hours. The double-hatch design prevents water from entering the boat and possibly damaging the battery while the auto self-righting feature makes it great for beginners.
Yezi’s boat has a streamlined hull design that helps it cruise through small waves and make sharp turns with no issue. Kids as young as 8 years old will have a blast driving this RC boat.
Reviewers Like
- Quickly pairs with remote
- Controls are intuitive and easy to learn
Reviewers Dislike
- No storage case to protect boat when not in use
- Boat stand doesn’t have gripping material so boat slides off
4. ElementDigital HJ806 RC Boat
The best RC boat to splurge on.
Brand: Element Digital | Speed: 35 kmph | Remote Range: 200 meters | Ages: 10+ | Price: 💰💰💰💰💰
If you are looking to splurge on your RC boat, ElementDigital has one for you to consider. A narrow center and pointed tip help the boat cruise fast through water. It comes with three batteries, extending the overall amount of time you can use the boat substantially. The circulating water cooler prevents water from damaging the battery when it’s detected in the boat.
Unlike other models, it also comes with a wear-resistant propeller that makes it twice as strong as the average RC boat motor. The exterior is built tough to prevent cracking in a collision. Overall, it’s one of the best RC boats on the market.
Reviewers Like
- Bright built-in lights make it fun to use at night
- Individual batteries are short lived, so having three is great
Reviewers Dislike
- Sensor on bottom of boat is finicky
- Boat gets very warm after consistent running
5. KidFavor H116 RC Boat 2 Pack
The best RC boat for kids.
Brand: KidFavor | Speed: 10 kmph | Remote Range: 50 meters | Ages: 6+ | Price: 💰💰
This RC boat duo is great both kids and racing. The remote controls are designed to be easy for little hands to use and the boat itself is sturdily built to withstand collisions. Each boat comes with one battery that has about a 20-minute lifespan, more than the average RC boat’s battery.
The charge time per battery is only one hour. It doesn’t go as fast as some other models, but this also makes it perfect for kids just learning how to drive an RC boat. Boats automatically pair with the controller when placed in the water so kids have fewer steps between opening the boat and playing with it.
Reviewers Like
- Extra batteries can be purchased online
- Slower maximum speeds makes them great for toddlers
Reviewers Dislike
- Avoid using in water with large waves
- No self-righting feature, but they don’t flip easily
6. SkyCo H100 RC Boat
The best RC boat for the pool.
Brand: SkyCo | Speed: 20 kmph | Remote Range: 150 meters | Ages: 14+ | Price: 💰💰💰
Take this boat to the pool this summer for some excellent fun. It’s relatively small compared to other RC boats, which makes it a better option for the pool setting. A built-in 600mAh battery lends to 8 minutes of drive time. Remaining battery and other specifications are displayed on the remote control’s LED screen.
The exterior is impact-resistant ABS plastic that makes the boat easy to maintain and durable to impact. Reviewers still recommend avoiding colliding this boat with any other solid surfaces. The charging time is 40-50 minutes, which is shorter than most other models. This RC boat will be a favorite feature at the pool.
Reviewers Like
- Very affordable price for a high-quality RC boat
- Comes with an extra battery for longer drive time
Reviewers Dislike
- Some internal adjustments might be needed for proper turning
- Must be opened and dried out after use as it does take on some water
7. Cheerwing RC Racing Boat for Adults
The best RC boat for the ocean.
Brand: Cheerwing | Speed: 15 mph | Remote Range: 80 meters | Ages: 14+ | Price: 💰💰💰
Most remote control boats can’t work in the ocean. The salt water erodes the exterior coating and the waves are too large for the boat to cruise through. However, that isn’t the case for this boat. It’s self-righting hull design prevents the boat from capsizing and a durable outside casing protects it further. Place the boat on the stand after use for a quicker dry time and to protect the engine.
A sleek and streamlined design helps the boat handle tall waves and sharp turns with ease. The remote control will beep when the boat is getting too far out of range or the battery is lowering. You’ll have a great time driving this RC boat.
Reviewers Like
- Decent battery life, 10-15 minutes
- Slip-on rubber nose piece to help protect it when bumping into other boats
Reviewers Dislike
- Sometimes challenging to connect to the remote
- A little water gets in, so make sure to dry out completely
Whether you’re taking it out on the ocean, lake, or pool, remote control boats are a blast. Use them to race or simply speed them around the water. Finding the right RC boat is hard, but choosing one from this list ensures that you’re getting a top-notch boat that everyone will love.
Our Process
For this guide on the best RC boats, our team spent 2 hours researching the most popular options from over 15 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about 30 user reviews on each boat (both positive and negative), to discover what shoppers thought. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 7 RC boats on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.
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