Brands
Blade helicopters
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
Blade is the helicopter brand of Horizon Hobby, the US company behind E-flite, HobbyZone, Spektrum and Arrma. Its helicopters are known for being easy to learn on: most have SAFE stabilisation and a Panic Recovery switch that levels the helicopter when you get into trouble.
Blade in brief
Blade started in the mid-2000s with coaxials such as the Blade CX, followed by the tiny Blade mCX in 2008 (RC Helicopter Fun), which taught a generation to fly indoors. Since then the range has grown to fixed pitch and collective pitch helicopters up to the 360 size, with Spektrum radio built in. Horizon released an mCX Anniversary Edition in 2025.
Status (checked October 2026): trading, with UK stock at dealers such as Model Helicopters UK.
The current range
UK prices from Model Helicopters UK, October 2026.
| Model | Type | Approx. price | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolution 90 FP RTF | Fixed pitch micro, SAFE, altitude hold | £117 | First single-rotor helicopter, indoors |
| Nano S3 BNF / RTF | Collective pitch micro, 1S | £135 / £171 | Cheap collective pitch learning |
| Blade 150 FX RTF | Small fixed pitch | £216 | Indoor and calm outdoor |
| InFusion 120 BNF | Small collective pitch | £200 | Second helicopter |
| Blade 150 S Smart BNF | Collective pitch, 3S, brushless | £245 | Step up from the Nano |
| InFusion 180 BNF | Collective pitch, 400mm rotor | £280 | Outdoor sport and 3D |
| Revolution 235 CP BNF / RTF | Collective pitch, 3S 850mAh | £279 / £324 | First outdoor collective pitch |
| Eclipse 360 BNF | Larger collective pitch | £489 | Experienced pilots |
| Blade 330 S RTF | Larger collective pitch | £522 | Experienced pilots |
SAFE gives self-levelling beginner modes; AS3X handles stability in the more agile modes; Panic Recovery levels the helicopter at the flick of a switch. How these work is explained in gyros and flybarless units.
Which Blade suits you?
- Total beginner, indoors: the Revolution 90 FP. See best indoor RC helicopters.
- Want to learn collective pitch cheaply: the Nano S3. Small, light, and survives crashes well.
- Ready to fly outside: the Revolution 235 CP, the successor to the well-liked 230 S. It's a good first outdoor collective pitch helicopter for people who have practised on a simulator.
All of them are compared with other brands in best RC helicopters for beginners.
Spares and support
Horizon's UK distribution means Blade parts are among the easiest to get. Common spares are main gears, blades, tail parts and landing skids. Buy a set of blades and a main gear with any Blade helicopter.
Radios
BNF versions bind to Spektrum DSMX transmitters. If you already own a different radio, check it can speak DSMX, perhaps through a multi-protocol module. See RC transmitters explained.
Our verdict
Blade isn't the cheapest, but the combination of SAFE, Panic Recovery and UK parts support makes it one of the easiest routes into helicopters. If you'd rather have more performance for the money and don't mind a steeper learning curve, look at OMPHobby and Goosky.
All the helicopter makers are on the brands page; the RC helicopter buyer's guide explains what to look for.
RC Mods is not affiliated with or endorsed by Blade or Horizon Hobby.
Frequently asked questions
Which Blade helicopter is best for a beginner?
For a first single-rotor helicopter, the Blade Revolution 90 FP is a gentle fixed pitch option. For collective pitch, the Nano S3 is small and cheap, and the Revolution 235 CP is the step up outdoors.
Do I need a Spektrum radio for Blade helicopters?
BNF versions need a Spektrum DSMX transmitter or a radio that can speak DSMX. RTF versions come with a transmitter in the box.
What replaced the Blade 230 S?
UK dealers describe the Revolution 235 CP as the updated version of the 230 S.