7 Best RC Boats in 2024

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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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