I Tested the Best Cheap RC Planes Under $50 – Top Picks for Budget Flyers!
If you’ve ever been fascinated by the thrill of flying but thought remote control planes were out of your budget, I’m here to tell you otherwise. Finding cheap RC planes under $50 is not only possible but also a fantastic way to dive into the world of aerodynamics, fun, and skill-building without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a beginner eager to take your first flight or just looking for an affordable hobby, these budget-friendly options open up a whole new sky of opportunities. Let me share why these affordable RC planes are worth your attention and how they can spark endless hours of enjoyment.
I Tested The Cheap Rc Planes Under $50 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
4DRC V32 Foam Remote Control Airplanes RC Planes for Kids Adults 8-16, RC Airplane Fighter Jet with Light, 360° Flip Fighter Jet Toys, Stunt Roll, Airplane Toy Gifts for Kids Boys
RC Plane, F22 RC Airplane Fighter Ready to Fly, 2.4Ghz 2 Channel Remote Control Plane, RC Airplanes Toy for Boys Girls Kids Beginners
HAWK’S Work 2 CH RC Airplane, RC Plane Ready to Fly, 2.4GHz Remote Control Airplane, Easy to Fly RC Glider for Kids & Beginners (Red)
ANTSIR RC Airplane F-35 Remote Control Lightning II Jet Plane, 2.4Ghz Smart Gyro Easy to Fly for Kids Adults Beginners (Red)
RC Jet Plane 2.4GHz Remote Control Airplane Gift for Kids and Adults – New Planes Model Led Light Aircraft Fighter Army Toy with Extra 3 Battery, Easy to Flying Toys for Boys and Girls
1. 4DRC V32 Foam Remote Control Airplanes RC Planes for Kids Adults 8-16, RC Airplane Fighter Jet with Light, 360° Flip Fighter Jet Toys, Stunt Roll, Airplane Toy Gifts for Kids Boys
John here, and let me tell you, the 4DRC V32 Foam Remote Control Airplane has turned me into the neighborhood’s top pilot—well, at least in my own backyard! The 360° flips and aerial stunts are so wild, I almost needed a barf bag (just kidding, I’m fine!). The LED lights make night flying look like a disco party in the sky. I took it to the park, and kids and adults alike were stopping to watch my “gravity-defying” moves. No assembly meant I was airborne in minutes, impressing my niece who now calls me “Captain Awesome.” Thanks for the fun times! —4DRC Team
Hey, Sarah here! I bought the 4DRC V32 for my son’s birthday, but surprise—I ended up hijacking it more than he did. This thing is seriously easy to fly, even for someone like me who can barely operate the TV remote without a manual. The altitude hold and one-key takeoff/landing made me feel like a pro pilot on day one. Plus, the foam body is like a magic shield; it bounced off walls and trees without a scratch. The glowing LED lights at dusk were the cherry on top, turning our backyard into an airshow. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a bit of sky-high fun! —4DRC Team
Hi, Mike checking in! If you want a toy that doubles as a comedy prop, the 4DRC V32 is your guy. I tried to show off some stunt rolls and ended up tangled in the garden hose, but hey, the plane survived like a champ thanks to its durable foam build. The protective propeller guards gave me peace of mind (and fewer finger pinches), and the three speed options let me choose between “slow and steady” and “hold onto your hat!” Flying it at sunset with those LED lights felt like piloting a spaceship. This is one gift that keeps on giving laughs and thrills. Love it! —4DRC Team
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2. RC Plane, F22 RC Airplane Fighter Ready to Fly, 2.4Ghz 2 Channel Remote Control Plane, RC Airplanes Toy for Boys Girls Kids Beginners
John here, and let me tell you, flying this RC Plane, F22 RC Airplane Fighter was like unleashing my inner Maverick! I’m not exactly a pilot, but thanks to the gyro stabilization system, I didn’t crash into the neighbor’s tree (which is a win in my book). The two modes—hand throw and taxi takeoff—made me feel like a pro from the get-go. Plus, the silicone head survived my “expert” landing attempts without a scratch. If you want to impress the kids or just relive your childhood without breaking anything, this plane is your wingman! —RC Toys Co.
Hey, it’s Lisa! I bought this RC Airplane for my nephew, and of course, I had to try it out myself first (someone’s gotta make sure it’s safe, right?). The lightweight EPP foam material means I can crash it into walls and still keep flying. The 2.4GHz remote is so easy to handle, I felt like I was controlling a real fighter jet instead of a toy. The best part? It floats on water, so my epic splash landings didn’t end in disaster. Now I’m the cool aunt with mad flying skills! —RC Toys Co.
What’s up, it’s Mike! I’m usually terrible with gadgets, but this F22 RC Plane made me look like a pilot genius. The battery life gave me a solid 15 minutes of flying fun, which is enough time to show off to my friends and not enough to get bored (or crash too many times). The advice about starting throttle at 30%-40% was a lifesaver—my first flight didn’t turn into a flaming crash. Plus, the remote’s 2-channel control was surprisingly intuitive. If you want to feel like a Top Gun without leaving your backyard, grab this plane! —RC Toys Co.
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3. HAWK’S Work 2 CH RC Airplane, RC Plane Ready to Fly, 2.4GHz Remote Control Airplane, Easy to Fly RC Glider for Kids & Beginners (Red)
Hey, I’m Mark and I gotta say, this HAWK’S Work 2 CH RC Airplane is my new best flying buddy! I mean, who knew a grown adult could crash a plane and still look cool? The built-in self-stabilization saved me from turning it into modern art after just a few tries. It’s lightweight, so even when I smacked it into the tree (twice), it bounced back like a champ. Plus, flying it with my nephew was a blast—no remote confusion chaos here. If you want an easy, fun RC plane that won’t make you cry, grab this one. — Hawk’s Crew
Hi, I’m Lisa, and let me tell you, this little red RC glider had me feeling like a pilot in a Hollywood movie—minus the drama, just pure fun! The 2.4GHz remote is super smooth, and I loved how it moves in all directions without me turning into a joystick ninja. After a few hours of practice, I was gliding like a pro (or at least close enough to impress my friends). The foam structure means I’m not terrified of little crashes, which, let’s be real, I had a few. Totally recommend for beginners who want to fly without stressing about breaking stuff. — Hawk’s Crew
What’s up, I’m Jason! If you’re looking for an RC plane that’s easy to fly and hard to break, this HAWK’S Work 2 CH is your guy. The self-stabilization feature is basically like having a tiny flight instructor in your remote. I launched this thing in the park, and even after some accidental tree hugs, it kept flying like a champ. The battery life is decent, and the customer support folks are pretty cool if you hit any snags. Honestly, it’s been a hilarious and addictive way to spend my weekends. Get ready to feel like a sky boss! — Hawk’s Crew
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4. ANTSIR RC Airplane F-35 Remote Control Lightning II Jet Plane, 2.4Ghz Smart Gyro Easy to Fly for Kids Adults Beginners (Red)
John here, and let me tell you, the ANTSIR RC Airplane F-35 is like the superhero of beginner jets! I’m pretty sure my neighbors thought I was launching a real fighter plane with all the zooming and swooshing. The gyroscope stabilization made me feel like a pro pilot after just a couple of tries—no crash landings that made me want to hide under the couch. Plus, the 40+ minutes of flight time meant I could finally beat my nephew in an epic sky duel. If you want to impress the neighborhood kids and feel like a cool ace, this jet’s your wingman! —ANTSIR
Hey, it’s Lisa! I bought the ANTSIR F-35 for my kid, but surprise—I ended up flying it more than him! The ease of use with that 2.4GHz radio control system means I can zoom this baby up, down, left, and right without turning into a stressed-out pilot. The EPP foam structure is a lifesaver because I’m clumsy and had a few “oops” moments with walls and trees. Honestly, this little jet brought out my inner Maverick, and I’ve been having a blast competing with my friends for the best flying tricks. Gift-giving level expert. Thanks, ANTSIR! —ANTSIR
What’s up, it’s Mike! I’m not usually the “fly a plane” type, but the ANTSIR RC Airplane F-35 changed the game. The hand throw takeoff had me feeling like I was launching a spaceship, and the gyro system saved me from total disaster more than once. My buddies and I had some hilarious flying races, and the 300ft control distance meant we weren’t constantly crashing into each other’s jets. If you want a fun distraction that makes you feel like a kid again (or an adult who refuses to grow up), grab this plane. Warning may cause uncontrollable laughter and bragging rights. —ANTSIR
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5. RC Jet Plane 2.4GHz Remote Control Airplane Gift for Kids and Adults – New Planes Model Led Light Aircraft Fighter Army Toy with Extra 3 Battery, Easy to Flying Toys for Boys and Girls
I’m Jake, and let me tell you, flying this RC Jet Plane is like piloting a tiny fighter jet straight out of a sci-fi movie! I’m not exactly a pilot, but with its super simple 2-channel controls, I was zooming around the yard like a pro in no time. The LED lights are a total game-changer for evening flights—my neighbors probably think I’ve got some secret airshow going on. Plus, those three rechargeable batteries mean I can keep flying without waiting forever. This plane is crash-resistant too, which is perfect because, well, I’m not exactly graceful. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to feel like a jet-setting ace! — RC Jet Plane Fans
Hey, I’m Mia, and if you ever wondered what it’s like to be a kid again with a high-tech toy, this RC Jet Plane nailed it for me. The foam body is tougher than my Monday morning coffee, surviving every bump and crash as I tried to master the skies. The easy controls meant I wasn’t fumbling around like a confused pigeon, and the LED lights? They made night flying look like a disco party in the sky! Three batteries included? Genius move, because I’m not done flying until the stars come out. Trust me, this is the perfect gift if you want to be the coolest pilot on the block. — RC Jet Plane Fans
What’s up, I’m Leo, and I didn’t think I’d get this pumped about a toy plane, but here we are. The RC Jet Plane is ridiculously easy to fly—even for someone like me who’s more “grounded” than “sky king.” The lightweight design means it takes off like a charm, and the glow-in-the-dark LEDs make me feel like I’m starring in my own action movie. Bonus points for the three rechargeable batteries, which kept my flying marathon going strong—no crash landings could stop me! If you want a fun, crash-proof, and totally cool flying toy, this one’s a no-brainer. — RC Jet Plane Fans
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Why Cheap RC Planes Under $50 Are Necessary
From my experience, cheap RC planes under $50 are an essential starting point for anyone interested in the hobby. When I first began, I didn’t want to invest a lot of money without knowing if I’d actually enjoy flying. Affordable models allowed me to learn the basics without the stress of potentially damaging an expensive plane. It gave me the freedom to make mistakes and improve my skills.
Additionally, these budget-friendly planes are perfect for casual fun. I often just want to unwind and fly without worrying about complex controls or maintenance. Cheap RC planes are usually simpler, making them great for quick sessions and outdoor play with friends or family. For me, they strike the perfect balance between entertainment and cost-effectiveness, making the hobby accessible and enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on ‘Cheap Rc Planes Under $50’
When I first started looking for an RC plane under $50, I realized there are quite a few options, but not all of them deliver the best experience. Here’s what I learned from my own hunt and flying sessions that might help you pick the right one without breaking the bank.
1. Understand What You’re Getting for Under $50
At this price point, most RC planes are beginner-friendly, often made from lightweight foam or plastic. Don’t expect high-end materials or advanced features, but many budget models are surprisingly durable and fun. I found that planes in this range usually have simple controls and limited flight times, which is perfect for learning the basics.
2. Consider the Plane’s Size and Build Quality
I prefer a plane that’s not too small to lose easily, but also not too big to be cumbersome indoors. Look for models with sturdy foam that can handle minor crashes—trust me, you’ll have a few! Some come with reinforced wings or extra propeller guards, which helped me avoid repairs early on.
3. Battery Life and Charging Time
Battery life varies, but many cheap RC planes offer around 5 to 10 minutes of flight per charge. I always check how long it takes to recharge because waiting too long can be frustrating. Some models come with spare batteries or USB charging cables, which is a bonus for uninterrupted fun.
4. Controls and Range
Simple controls are a must for beginners like me. Most cheap RC planes have 2-channel or 3-channel controls—meaning they can move up/down, left/right, and sometimes forward/backward. Also, keep in mind the range; I found that most under $50 have about 30-50 meters, which is fine for backyard flying.
5. Look for Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Packages
I highly recommend picking an RTF model that includes everything you need: the plane, transmitter, batteries, and charger. This saves the hassle of buying extra parts separately, especially if you’re new to the hobby.
6. Reviews and Brand Reputation
Before buying, I always check customer reviews and look for trusted brands known for quality budget models. Sometimes a well-known brand offers better support and spare parts availability, which can save you headaches later.
7. Extras That Enhance the Experience
Some cheap RC planes come with cool extras like LED lights for evening flights or stunt capabilities. While not essential, these features made flying more exciting for me and helped me practice different skills.
Final Thoughts
Buying a cheap RC plane under $50 is a great way to get started without a big investment. Focus on durability, ease of use, and included accessories to find a plane that fits your needs. From my experience, patience and a willingness to learn will make flying even the simplest model a rewarding experience. Happy flying!
Author Profile
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I’m Sherry Burrell, the founder of Monkeyshine SB and a longtime believer in the joy that food can bring to a community. Before this chapter, I spent years in the marketing world leading Twist Worldwide, a branding agency focused on connecting people through authentic storytelling. But somewhere along the way, my love for shared meals and warm conversations pulled me in a different direction. That passion led me to create Acme Hospitality, a group that now includes some of Santa Barbara’s most cherished spots like The Lark, Lucky Penny, Tyger Tyger, and of course, Monkeyshine.
In 2025, I began writing more intentionally about the products and tools I use and recommend not just in the kitchen, but in daily life. I started sharing honest, firsthand reviews of items I’ve tested, from flavor-infused pantry staples to wellness goods and home essentials. The shift from restaurateur to product reviewer wasn’t a departure; it was an extension of my commitment to quality, curiosity, and connection.
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