The Best Mini Helicopter for 2011

This website shows what to look for when choosing a mini helicopter and what are the best on the market. Below there is a selection of the best models on the market for 2011 and 2012.

These all fit in the palm of your hand and are rechargeable.

The two best mini rc helicopters reviewed for 2011/12 are the Syma Apache S109G and the Syma S107G. For more details on these and other models please see below.

 

All these indoor helicopters are popular presents and have the following features and uses.

- Mini remote control helicopters using infrared

- Fit in the palm of your hand

- Suitable for use indoors

- Easy operation and full directional movement

- Are rechargeable using a USB cable.

 

What are the important factors when picking a mini helicopter?

Charge time -  time it takes to fully charge

Flight duration- average flight time when fully charged

Strength – strength to withstand crashes

Price – its comparable cost to others and its value for money

Ease of use – how easy it is to operate the controls

Speed – the speed through flight

Range – how far it can travel from the receiver (as most of these are flown indoors the range of them is sufficient)

Appearance- some may loose on other factors but gain in novelty appearance - better for gifts – some may include flashing lights

All the helis listed on mini-helicopter.net have two rotor blades. This new design (known as Coaxial Rotor Blade design) makes them much more stable than one rotor blade. The top rotor blade spins clockwise and lower rotor blade spins counterclockwise.

 

What are the recommended mini rc helicopters 2011/12?

In a nutshell here is a list of some of the main models on the market with a quick review. Please see more detailed information on our recommended models below this section.

Syma S109G Apache – Excellent – fast, stable, durable, easy to use, good value, novelty value good gift

Syma S107G – Excellent – fast, stable, very durable, easy to use, good value, best seller

Syma S108G Marine Cobra – Good- fast, stable, durable, easy to use but not as easy as the Apache, novelty value good gift

Helizone Firebird – Good – fast stable, durable, easy to use (slightly better than Syma S107 in few factors but more expensive so Syma S107 is better value)

Syma S026 Chinook- Average – looks cool, great novelty value but hard to control and too much power for its weight

Syma S013 Black Hawk – Poor – very light, can spin uncontrollably, fragile

The Syma S109G Apache and Syma 107 are both excellent products with the Syma S108G Marine Cobra and Helizone Firebird in second places. All four of these would be excellent gifts it really just depends on what you prefer the look of. Please review more detail about these below.

 

Syma S109G Apache Mini Helicopter

Newly released 2011 – enhanced version!

Mini Helicopter Features

 

• Charging Time: 20-30 minutes
• Flight Duration: 8-10 minutes
• Strength: Strong
• Price: (around $20)
• Ease of use: Very easy
• Speed: Average
• Range: 30ft (10m)
• Appearance: Novelty for gifts, Realistic design, LED headlight

Customer review 4.4/5

 

 

“I have a small squadron of mini helicopters and this one is by far the best so far.”

“this chopper is absolutely amazing very easy to master, very durable, looks like a real Apache”

Please note: This S109G Apache is new for 2011 and is far improved from older Apache versions that are still on the market ensure you look at this newer version see link below.

Description

The Apache S109G is a palm size 3-Channels Helicopter and is the newest version of Apache heli for 2011. It is an improved version of previous Apache models and is seen as the best Apache mini helicopter that is currently on the market.

This Apache model has a detailed and beautifully crafted design that has a built in flashing LED light which gives this helicopter an extra great visual effect, especially flying it in a soft light indoor area.

This Apache is built from light but very strong plastic making this very durable and protecting it from crashes whilst still allowing the helicopter to move freely. As this helicopter is so strong and durable it would be ideal for those who are new to remote control toys!

This heli also is very quiet especially compared to other older models and types.

This toy heli is designed for those who are over 8 years old. That’s suitable from kids to adults.

The Apache has a coaxial structure; this enhances the flight stability and makes it easy to operate which will suit first time flyers.

included parts: remote control, USB charger and spare tail blade
not included: 6 AA batteries

Verdict

Out of the all mini remote control helicopters that were reviewed this was a model well worth purchasing. It has a charging and flight time similar to other models such as the Syma 107. Although this one is made of plastic it is still robust and is very durable.

It has a good speed and is very easy to use and is well suited to young kids, adults or anyone who is new to remote control toys. At a cost of around $20 this is great value for the quality. It is very quiet to operate and also looks fantastic with a very realistic design giving it great novelty value making it an ideal gift.

Please note this is a newer model of Apache for 2011. It is far better than older Apache models please ensure to purchase this particular newer model. To ensure you purchase the best Apache model click the link below.

Reviews

“Great little helicopter! Both my 8 year old son & my husband love to fly it”

“It’s easily controlled and seems very durable so far”

“This is the absolute best gift for any male you know”

“This also actually looks like a real helicopter”

 

Syma S107G Mini Helicopter

NUMBER 1 Amazon Bestseller under Toys and Games 2010!

Mini Helicopter Features

 

Customer review 4.5/5

 

 

“is there such a thing as a toy that’s too perfect…?”

“delivers the looks, detail, durability and performance of a much pricier heli”

Description

The Syma S107G helicopter is the most popular mini rc helicopter on the market. Infact in 2010 it was the number 1 best seller under toys and games at Amazon!

This heli is built from a Metal Alloy frame construction, unlike many other models that are built from plastic. This means the mini rc helicopter is very strong and durable and will outlast other models.

This helicopter is fast, stable and very easy to fly. It would suit first time flyers. Its flight time and charging time are comparable with other mini helis on the market.

It is a high quality helicopter at a low price, really great value.

The helizone RC firebird (description below) is also seen as a very good model that beats the Syma in a few factors but we voted for the Syma S107 as a number one product as it was cheaper but still easy and good to fly and seen as better value.

This model is available in red, blue and yellow colors.

included parts: remote control, USB charger and spare tail blade
not included: 6 AA batteries

Verdict

Overall this is a fantastic mini helicopter which is stronger and more durable than other models. It is also very easy to operate, comes in three colours would be an ideal gift. To be the number 1 toys and games best seller at Amazon proves the quality of this mini heli!

Reviews

“The Syma S107 is so easy to control”

“The S107 takes almost no skill to fly.”

“Great little toy”

“I heartily recommend this heli.”

 

Helizone RC Firebird Mini Helicopter

Mini Helicopter Features

 

• Charging Time: 25-30 minutes
• Flight Duration: 8-10 minutes
• Strength: Very Strong
• Price: (around $37)
• Ease of use: Very easy
• Speed: Fast
• Range: 45ft (14m)
• Appearance:Black, red or blue colors, LED lights

Customer review 4.2/5

 

 

 

“This Heli Rocks”

“I was introduced to this helicopter through a friend who received it as a gift. After a few initial flights, I was hooked!”

Description

This model is also very good. However it is more expensive than Syma 107, but it is just really a newer version of the Syma S107 with a few improved factors. It is built from the same manufacturer.

It is better than the Syma S107G in the following ways – it has less charging time (only 25-30min compared to Syma S107′s 30-35min), longer flight duration (8-10min compared to Syma’s 4-6min) and a longer range (45 feet compared to Syma’s 30ft) and the plastic used to make the rotors, body shell, tail fins and other decoration parts are made from a more flexible and shatter resistant plastic than the S107.

So the Helizone RC firebird is better than the Syma S107G but it is more expensive – as you would expect.

It does have the same strong metal alloy frame construction, and its speed, stability and ease of flying are all very similar to the high standard of the Syma S107G.

The Helizone RC firebird comes in a choice of three colors – black, red and blue. If you are buying more than one you are able to fly two simultaneously on different frequencies for air battles which is great fun!

included parts: remote control, USB charger and spare tail blade
not included: 6 AA batteries

Verdict

If you would like to have slightly quicker charge time and flight time, more range and slightly stronger parts than the Syma S107G and are happy to pay a little bit more for those improved factors then purchase the Helizone Firebird mini helicopter. It also does have a different design so if you prefer the look of this one then this may be the one for you also.

Otherwise purchase the Syma S107G as it is cheaper but still very high standard or have a look at our other recommended indoor remote control helis.

Reviews

“this could be the best toy I have ever owned”

“Flying two at once and having air battles can be tons of fun!”

“This copter costs a bit more than the SYMA versions, but will last longer”

“This helicopter flies smoothly and makes a lot less sound than other helicopters”

“Besides the color scheme, this helicopter appears to be identical to the Syma S107.”

 

SYMA S108G Marine Cobra Mini Helicopter

Mini Helicopter Features

 

• Charging Time: 25-30 minutes
• Flight Duration: 8-10 minutes
• Strength: Strong
• Price: (around $20)
• Ease of use: Very easy
• Speed: Fast
• Range: 30ft (10m)
• Appearance: LED headlight

Customer review 4.3/5

 

 

 

“This helicopter is very quick and very agile”

“I’ve bought this radio heli for my son he’s only 8 yrs old and i was very surprised about how easy it is to control this heli”

Description

The Syma S108G Marine Cobra is a palm sized remote control helicopter. It has a flight time, charging time and range that are comparable with the other models.

The factor that makes this model stand apart from the rest is its speed. It also very easy to use even for children as young as 8 will be able to quickly learn how to use it. So this toy helicopter would be ideal for kids or adults alike and for first time flyers.

This model is mainly made of plastic so it may not be as strong as some of the models that have metal frame but it is still a strong plastic so these helicopters are durable and do last.

This model would be an ideal gift due to its quality, novelty appearance and striking flashing LED light.

included parts: remote control, USB charger and spare tail blade
not included: 6 AA batteries

Verdict

This is a very good all round mini helicopter. If you are thinking of purchasing just one or more than one but you would like a mix then this would suit both. It is still fairly new on the market and would be an ideal present for a child or adult new to remote control toy helicopters.

Reviews

“You can manoeuvre it in very tight spaces, it hovers effortlessly”

“best buy for beginners”

“This is a great heli. Its fun…durable…and fast for a little heli”

“Bought this for my husband after the recommendation from co-workers. He absolutely loves it and I’m sure I’ll be buying him another for Christmas.”