Are Blade Helicopters A Good Choice To Start With?

by John Salt - Last Updated August 2025

Yes. So, why do I claim Blade Helicopters are a good brand to start your journey into RC helicopters with, when the market is literally saturated with entry level RC helicopters?

Blade Makes Good Entry Level RC Helicopters Such As The Popular InFusion 180

It all comes down to some very important criteria, much of which I talk about on my Best RC Helicopter page, but I will reiterate the specific features as they apply to Blade helicopters that are both time & money savers for most people who are first starting out in the Hobby.

After that, we will look at each model they have so you can get a good idea of what models and features they offer. Feel free to skip down to that section if you're already familiar with Blade helicopters.

Is Blade RC Helicopter Quality Any Good?

Many Of Blade's Higher Performance Helicopters Use Full Carbon Fiber Frames & CNC Aluminum Parts

I guess the first criteria to look at is overall quality since the main reason we get into the hobby is to actually fly, and for a model helicopter to fly and stay flying, a base quality line is a necessity.

Blade helicopters are all decent quality for the price.

Sure, there have been duds, but for the vast number of helicopters they have released over the past 17 years or so, there were & are way more good ones than bad ones.

Their track record in other words is very good for the lower cost, entry level stuff.

No question, there are some other low cost entry level brands out there that are just as good if not better such as GoolRC/Heli 101 and XK Helicopters, but you don't get the same level of after sales support and help that Blade/Horizon Hobby offers.

You notice I keep calling Blade helicopters "Entry Level", why?

Simply because that is exactly what they are. These are not high-end, expensive machines like Align, OMP Hobby, GooSky, Miniature Aircraft, SAB, Tron etc. that many experienced RC helicopter enthusiasts seek out and aspire towards.

Blade's pre-built RC helicopters are lower cost, small in size with nothing larger than a 360 size (not counting their two higher end kit-build Fusion 550 & 700), that offer a good introduction into the hobby for a reasonable price.

For a few years, Blade actually did dabble in the larger & costlier higher end, kit build 500 to 700 size electric helicopters. They were actually fairly decent machines and that incudes their current Fusion 550 & 700. However, for the rather high cost, they couldn't compete with the established higher end brands. It will therefore be interesting to see how the Fusion 550 and 700 are received this time round.

Serious RC helicopter hobbyists just didn't and still likely don't see Blade as a viable contender to these other brands after they progressed to that experience level.

What I and others have noticed however since Blade dabbled in the larger machines, is the quality of their smaller helicopters started getting better. A large RC helicopter requires a much higher level of build and component quality after all, and I personally feel some of what Blade learned from their time producing the bigger birds; has now filtered down into the smaller stuff.

Blade is largely doing what it does best - produce lower cost, pre-built, smaller size RC helicopters aimed directly toward folks just starting out or are still fairly new to the hobby; again with the exceptions being the Fusion 550 & 700.

Blade 330S Collective Pitch RC Helicopter

Does Blade Offer Good After Sales Support?

Since I already touched on this, lets talk about after sales support... What is it?

Simply put, it means after you walk out the door with your shiny new RC helicopter, there is a vast help network out there should you have any questions, problems, or simply need parts for repairs or maintenance.

I put extremely high priority on this, especially for newbies getting into the hobby. Blade has helped successfully introduce more people to RC helicopters than just about any brand out there.

Blade helicopters are simply incredibly popular. They are sold at most good hobby shops world wide (both on-line and off), so help and parts are almost always easy to get. They are the helicopter brand you will generally see the most of at the local hobby shop in other words.

Horizon Hobby is also very good with their warranties should you get a defective product, and yes it does happen from time to time like any high-tech product.

Going well beyond the hobby store and Horizon Hobby for after sales help and support, there are countless websites & forum posts offering help as well with all of Blade's helicopters. This is true for many brands, but going by the numbers, there is simply way more on-line help should you need it with Blade. For seasoned and experienced RC helicopter enthusiasts, this is not so important, but it can be an invaluable resource for beginners and newbies.

This also makes used Blade helicopters more desirable than other entry level brands for the simple reason they are both so popular and work with a very popular radio system. Many newbies really catch onto the hobby fast when they get bit by the heli bug.

It's very nice at this stage to be able to easily sell your first or second Blade heli to get into a more advanced model be it another Blade offering or a higher end brand.

Blade Helicopter Spektrum/JR DSM2/X Compatibility

Okay, many beginners won't even understand what this means (you will shortly however); but it's the single biggest reason why I, and many other experienced RC hobbyists put Blade head and shoulders above the rest of the entry level /toy stuff on the market.

Spektrum DSM2/X is a 2.4 GHz spread spectrum protocol used by all Spektrum brand RC radio system and earlier JR spread spectrum radio systems. This is basically the digital language used in the radio system that allows the radio (RC controller) to communicate with the aircraft. I have a page that goes into much more detail on spread spectrum if you want to learn more about it.

Every brand of RC radio system has it's own unique protocol so they are not compatible with one another.

So why is this important to understand right now?

GROWTH POTENTIAL.

First off, DSM2/X protocol is a very robust spread spektrum radio control communication system. In fact, in the RC heli world, it's one of the most popular (even for the higher end stuff as you progress).

I often say the radio system is more important than the helicopter if you are even somewhat serious about the hobby, and I strongly support this statement. When you get a good radio system to start with, you won't have to change systems later on and Blade is one of the few entry level heli brands that provides this very important benefit.

Spektrum DX6 Computerized Radio

First off, you won't have to get a new radio for each helicopter.

You can get a decent Spektrum computerized radio such as the DX6, and fly every single Blade heli or E-Flite plane for that matter with that radio.

As you progress further, you can then fly all the higher end machines with this radio. So many of today's top flybarless systems are designed to work seamlessly with Spektrum DSM2/X systems for example.

The other big convenience here is for RC airplane enthusiasts that already fly their planes with a Spektrum computerized radio and are thinking of coming over to the "dark side" of the flying eggbeater world to give it a whirl. If that describes you, starting out with a Blade helicopter or quad is almost a no-brainer since you already have a radio that will work with the aircraft.

Using one radio to fly everything is not only extremely convenient, it saves a substantial amount of money over the years. It also means you won't have to waste time re-learning the programming menus, or getting used to the feel of a different radio.

Many of Blade's helicopters for example come with or without a simple RC radio. The version's without the radio are for those of us who already have a Spektrum, JR, or multi-protocol DSM2/X radio and naturally those versions cost less money. Blade calls this "Bind N' Fly" (BNF). I talk about this feature in the many Blade helicopter reviews I have done, and is once again why I feel this feature alone is so beneficial for so many people.

So, if you already have a computerized Spektrum RC radio system or older computerized JR DSM2/X system, you will want to get the "BNF" version of whatever Blade helicopter model you are looking at.

If you're just starting out and have no radio system, you can get the RTF version to start with and then get a better quality Spektrum computerized radio later on as you progress to open up all the benefits of programmable radio systems to cater your radio to your flying style. One radio to fly multiple helicopters, quadrotors, planes, and gliders - that is what I mean by growth.

I suppose a very simple way to look at all this, is out of all the lower cost, entry level, small RC helicopters on the market, Blade is the only brand that allows you to truly "invest into the hobby"; if you don't mind being locked into Spektrum and their proprietary SMART technology.

That is the one downside to Blade RC Helicopters - the proprietary direction Spektrum are going. This is unfortunate, and why I personally don't fly any Blade products anymore. With that said, most newbies love SMART, and if you have to be locked into a proprietary system, SMART is a good one!

How To Decide Which Blade Helicopters You Should Choose?

Blade has an array of helicopters to suit most budgets and ability levels.

Blade has more or less divided their lineup into three categories based on experience levels.

Beginner - these include micro coaxial & single rotor fixed pitch helicopters.
Intermediate - include their smaller & less powerful collective pitch helicopters.
Advanced - larger & more powerful / complicated collective pitch helicopters.

As you may likely know from my Best RC Helicopter page, I personally don't feel you can simply pigeon hole any RC helicopter to cater to a specific experience level.

It's possible for example for people to start with any of Blade's (or any other brand for that matter) more advanced collective pitch RC helicopters if they do their research and know what to expect.

You can for example setup any collective pitch helicopter to be very tame and as you progress, change the setup to allow more aggressive flying. This takes a good deal of understanding at first to do properly; but for someone who knows they have the correct mindset (I was borderline obsessed when I got into the hobby for example), and wants to start with a more advanced model, it's certainly doable. If you're learning from an instructor - absolutely doable.

In short, take these Blade experience categories as guidelines only - focus more on the sizes, prices, and the features they offer.

You know your underlying passion towards the hobby, natural abilities, and hobby budget better than the manufacturer or I do. Base your Blade helicopter purchase decision on what's the best match for you.

Blade helicopters also use the standardized RC Helicopter sizing method of main blade length. For example, the Blade Fusion 360 is swinging 360mm long rotor blades.

On that note, let's look at all the models Blade offer in each of the 3 experience level categories. I have links to to their RTF & BNF versions so you can check them out in more detail if you wish.

Blade Beginner Models - Fixed Pitch

Let's start this off with the best selling RC helicopter in Eflite's / Blade's history; actually, the best selling RC helicopter of all time - the beloved mCX!

What can I say about the Blade mCX that hasn't already been said hundreds of times before? It has been one of the most popular and influential RC helicopters over the past two decades.

The fact Blade have re-released it in 2025 to celebrate their anniversary speaks volumes considering it's an old school micro coaxial with a flybar.

Thing is, this little heli with mechanical stabilization is still one of the easiest to fly and most stable RC helicopters on the market for indoor flying, yet unlike toy type coaxials, offers true cyclic directional control. If you want to really understand just how great this little heli is and why, here's my full review on it.

RTF Version Only

For beginners looking for their first single rotor RC helicopter or feel the easy to fly mCX won't offer enough of a challenge, the fixed pitch micro sized Blade 90FP is a brightly colored little heli that is easy to see for indoor flying fun.

I personally feel the C129/Heli101 is a much better value, but both it and the Blade 90FP offer almost as much indoor stability as a micro coaxial while having more agility and speed.

RTF Version Only

Blade 120 S2

Larger than the 90FP micro-class machine, the sub-micro Blade 120 S2 is great for outdoor flight in low wind, yet is still small enough to fly in larger indoor spaces.

Built off the proven duable design of the original Blade 120SR & S with updated flight characteristics and integrated telemetry, the 120 S2 is a great way to graduate from coaxial helis & quadcopters to a single-rotor machine.

Blade Intermediate Models - Collective Pitch

Blade Nano S2 Mini Collective Pitch RC Helicopter

Blade Nano S3

The tiny Blade Nano S3 is Blade's smallest collective pitch RC helicopter making it the PERFECT indoor collective pitch RC helicopter.

Not overly powerful, but a great indoor practice aid when first getting into collective pitch or when you simply need some indoor collective pitch flying fun. See my full write-up.

Blade 150 S

For those looking to hone their skills on a small collective pitch RC helicopter that is well suited to flying in your own yard, the Blade 150 S (replacement for the 130 S) is worth considering, sharing many of the same characteristics of the popular 130 S.

Self leveling stabilization and a more accurate rescue mode, give beginner pilots the confidence to master collective pitch flight. 3D flight performance when in aerobatic mode is decent and crisp provided you manage your collective energy.

Carbon fiber main frame and main gear along with metal gear servos and Fiber Reinforced Plastic main blades can survive the learning curve and add confidence. The brushless direct drive tail motor driving a tri-blade tail rotor gives a solid tail lock while minimizing tail maintenance.

BNF Version only

The InFusion 120 is Blade's performance 100 size collective pitch, brushless direct drive competition to the OMP Hobby M1 and GooSky S1 (the bench mark helicopters in this size and power class).

Be it M1, S1 or InFusion 120, I'm a huge fan of brushless direct drive main & tail motors on all these smaller collective pitch helicopters because they are very quiet, very efficient (long flight times), and very robust (no gears to wear or strip).

All these helicopters are amazing at home, in yard, collective pitch practice aids. I often say they are the "cure for the simulator blues" once you're into collective pitch and trying to learn the basics right up to 3D aerobatics.

They are also tough little buggers. When flown over a soft lawn for example, as long as you power down the main rotor before crashing to minimize energy release, chances are no damage will be done to these small yet powerful direct drive helicopters.

BNF Version Only

The Blade Infusion 180 is Blade's high performance answer to the OMP Hobby M2 & GooSky S2.

It's a 200 size RC helicopter that uses a large diameter direct drive brushless main motor along with brushless direct drive tail motor.

Again, I'm a huge fan of brushless direct drive for the reasons I sated above for the InFusion 120. The InFusion 120 is better for smaller flying areas, while the 180 here is better for large yards and park flying. It's easier to see at distance and has better wind immunity.

The value is good compared to the OMP and Goosky offerings in this size range so if you are a Spektrum radio user and feel the Goo & M2 are a little too spendy, check out the Infusion 180.

BNF Version Only

The Blade Revolution 235 is an updated version of the very popular and awesome Blade 230.

I don't know many people who didn't like the 230 and the Revolution 235 is even better in terms of value, performance & robustness. Training, Normal, Scale, Sport, Light 3D flying styles; the Blade Revolution 235 can do it all.

Swinging 235mm rotors, the Revolution 235 would be classified as a 250 size machine making it fairly easy to see and it can handle some wind. Basically the perfect size for a large yard or small park area or even for the indoor gymnasium flight nights or weekends during the cold dark days of winter.

The 3S 850mAh powered blade Revolution 235, like the Blade 230 uses a two piece poly main frame which is very strong and can absorb a good deal of energy. The main rotor rotor system uses a full aluminum swashplate and head block with fiber reinforced plastic blade grips to keep costs and weight down.

The brushless direct drive tail motor is spinning a fixed pitch tri-blade tail rotor which provides very good tail hold, authority and symmetrical yaw response while also being robust and more or less maintenance free.

The electronic heart in the Revolution 235 is the AR6250MHXD combination flybarless system and DSMX receiver with telemetry. Like all of Spektrum's FBL systems, the 6250 uses AS3X for self-level or rescue mode along with normal gyro stabilization.

Advanced Blade Models - Large Collective Pitch

The Blade 330S (links to my review) is pretty much my favorite heli in this "advanced" segment. Why?

Because it's based on one of my favorite electric powered RC helicopters of all time, the Blade 400, which became the Blade 450, and then became the Blade 330 (the size of blades it has always been spinning).

The Blade 400 is the collective pitch helicopter that first introduced me (back in 2008) to the benefits of electric powered RC helicopters after two decades of flying nitro & gas RC helicopters. It was a game changer and wonderful helicopter. I still have my original Blade 400 and am flying it 17 years later.

It's so nice that Blade keeps updating this classic 3S powered bird with new components and electronics in it's latest form - the 330S.

It's the perfect collective pitch trainer for those that want to forgo the micros, and get a nice size heli to learn on that is not a grossly overpowered & costly 3D smacker. Yes, I'm totally biased because I love this size helicopter. It's also my favorite size to instruct on for most people.

Blade Fusion 360 BNF

The Blade Fusion 360 Smart is a BNF, 6S powered 450 size machine.

Blade has taken a fresh approach in redeveloping the Fusion 360 by adding integrated SAFE and Smart technology, all carbon fiber and aluminum construction & improved power system package.

Easy to fly and easy to see in the air, it is designed to help pilots progress from simple maneuvers to advanced 3D stunts with confidence. This powerhouse features lightweight carbon fiber and anodized aluminum construction presenting exceptional rigidity and durability. Plus, with the inclusion of Smart Technology, battery charging and power system management is now easier than ever and virtually worry free.

The expertly tuned Spektrum 6250HX flight controller is ready for more advanced Spektrum aircraft transmitters. Pilots get kit level quality in a Bind-N-Fly package.

BNF Version Only

Blade Fusion 550 Kit

The Blade Fusion 550 along with the Fusion 700 are Blade's first "kit" helicopters in several years as well as their two largest.

I really like the concept of these two helicopters as it's a good indicator if nothing else, that the hobby is still healthy and Blade giving another go at the higher end, larger kit build market.

Overall quality of both kits is very good in my opinion. No, it's not up to the standards of Align, SAB, OMP, GooSky Tron or Miniature Aircraft, but they also don't cost as much and are still awesome flying helicopters.

Both the Fusion 550 and 700 come in several kit formats from bare bones to super combo packages which include all the electronics (ESC, FBL System, Receiver & Servos).

Blade Fusion 700 Super Combo Package

As shown above, the Super Combo kit package includes all the electronics and they are all decent Spektrum components. The value, especially if already fly with a Spektrum Radio and want SMART along with telemetry is unmatched.

The 700 Super Combo for example is around $1600 USD. The only other 700 size super combo package that is in this range is Align's TB-70. Most other brands 700's when paired with similar quality electronics will almost always be north of $2K USD.

My Top 4 Blade Helicopter Recommendations

Let's face it, there are pros and cons to every RC helicopter out there and with all the models that Blade offers, it's no doubt confusing choosing if you are just starting out. Budget, ability, expectations, size, etc. all come into play.

With that in mind, out of all these models, there are 4 that currently (August 2025) stand out in terms of "best value" and are the ones I most often recommend.

For the pure beginner, the Blade mCX would be my obvious top recommendation. It's perfect for folks who are curious about the hobby and don't have any idea of what it's like to control and fly an RC helicopter. Low cost outlay, easy to fly, but important skills & RC knowledge building experiences gained.
The Blade Nano S3 is amazing if you want a mini collective pitch heli for indoor flying.
The Blade InFusion 180 with its brushless direct drive main & tail rotors hands down owns the intermediate choices. For small flying areas however, the Infusion 120 may be a better match.
The Blade 330S is for serious beginners who want to learn and progress on a larger collective pitch RC helicopter.

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