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How much does an RC helicopter cost?
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
The price on the box is only the start. Batteries, a charger, spares and sometimes a radio can double the cost of a hobby-grade helicopter. Here's what each level really costs in the UK, with prices checked in October 2026.
Price bands at a glance
| Type | Helicopter | Realistic starting total |
|---|---|---|
| Toy coaxial | £20 to £60 | Same; everything included |
| Stabilised scale or fixed pitch | £55 to £200 | £80 to £250 with a spare battery and blades |
| Micro collective pitch | £135 to £245 | £200 to £350 with batteries and spares |
| First outdoor collective pitch (200 to 300 size) | £200 to £450 | £300 to £600 with batteries, charger and spares |
| 450 to 500 class | £350 to £700 as a combo | £600 to £1,200 with radio, batteries and charger |
| 600 to 700 class | £450 to £1,400 airframe | £1,200 to £2,500 or more |
Typical UK prices by model
From UK retailers including Model Helicopters UK, October 2026:
- RC ERA scale helicopters: about £54 to £200, from the A60 Mini to the twin-brushless C189 MD500. See RC ERA.
- Blade Revolution 90 FP RTF: about £117.
- Blade Nano S3: about £135 BNF or £171 RTF.
- Goosky S1: about £200 BNF or £245 RTF.
- OMPHobby M1 V3 Pro BNF: about £240.
- Blade Revolution 235 CP: about £279 BNF or £324 RTF.
- Goosky S2 Max RTF: about £450.
- Align T-REX 470LP: kits from about £150 to £215, Super Combo about £360.
- Align T-REX 650X base airframe: about £460, before motor, ESC, servos, flybarless unit and batteries.
The extras
Batteries. You'll want at least three, since flights last 5 to 10 minutes. Small packs cost a few pounds; 3S packs for a 200 to 300-size helicopter about £15 to £30; 6S packs £40 to £100 each.
Charger. The USB charger in an RTF box is fine for one micro pack. Once you have several, a balance charger from about £45 is worth it: see best LiPo chargers.
Transmitter. Only if you buy BNF. From about £65 for a capable budget radio to £230 or more for a Spektrum DX6e. See RC transmitters explained.
Spares. Main blades, tail blades, a main gear and landing skids. Budget 20 to 30% of the helicopter's price while learning.
Simulator. About £40 to £110 for the main RC simulators. See RC flight simulators.
Registration. A CAA Flyer ID is free; an Operator ID, needed for models of 250g or more, costs £12.34 a year. See UK rules for RC models.
Club membership. BMFA membership is £51 a year for adults in 2026, plus club fees.
Running costs
Electric helicopters cost very little to run day to day; the electricity is pennies. The real running costs are crash spares and batteries wearing out (a LiPo lasts a few hundred cycles if looked after). Larger helicopters also wear bearings, belts and servos over time.
How to keep costs down
- Start small. Crashes cost less.
- Practise on a simulator before every new skill.
- Buy from a brand with cheap, available spares.
- Store batteries properly so they last.
- Buy BNF if you already own a compatible radio; see RTF vs BNF vs kit.
How size affects costs is in RC helicopter sizes explained, and the full decision process is in the RC helicopter buyer's guide. All the helicopter guides are on the RC helicopters hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest decent RC helicopter?
For a proper single-rotor helicopter, the smaller RC ERA scale models at around £55 to £80 are good value. Toy coaxials are cheaper but can't do much.
How much do RC helicopter batteries cost?
Small 1S and 2S packs cost from a few pounds to about £15. 3S packs for a 200 to 300-size helicopter are around £15 to £30. Large 6S packs cost £40 to £100 each.
How much should I budget for crashes?
While you're learning, put aside about 20 to 30% of the helicopter's price for spares, more for larger collective pitch models.
Related guides
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Everything to weigh before buying an RC helicopter: type, size, channels, RTF or kit, spares, running costs and where to buy in the UK. Updated for 2026.
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RC helicopter sizes explained
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