Best RC Planes Under $100: Cheap Beginner Planes Compared
For under about $100 you can get a small, gyro-stabilised ready-to-fly foam plane that is genuinely good for learning. Our picks: the Volantex Trainstar Mini (400 mm, 3-channel, often around $70–90) for the calmest first flights, the Top Race TR-C385 (20 in, 4-channel, around $90–120) if you want ailerons, and the Volantex Sport Cub 500 when it’s on sale (around $110). Below are the specs, what you give up at this price, and which one fits you.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
The best cheap RC planes compared
| Plane | Span | Channels | Power | Stabiliser | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volantex Trainstar Mini (761-1) | 400 mm | 3 (throttle, rudder, elevator) | 8 mm coreless, 1S 180 mAh | 6-axis Xpilot gyro | about $70–90 |
| Top Race TR-C385 | 20 in (508 mm) | 4 | 10 mm coreless, 1S 360 mAh | 3 assist levels | about $90–120 |
| Volantex Sport Cub 500 (761-4) | 500 mm | 4 | Brushed | 6-axis Xpilot gyro, one-key aerobatics | about $110–140 (sales) |
Specs and prices from retailer listings (Trainstar Mini, Top Race, Sport Cub 500), October 2026. Prices change with sales; the Trainstar Mini lists 15–20 minutes flight time on its 180 mAh pack.
Which one should you buy?
| You are… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A complete beginner, small field or calm garden | Trainstar Mini | Slow, light, very forgiving; 3 channels are easier |
| A beginner who wants to learn ailerons | Top Race TR-C385 | 4 channels with assist levels you can turn down later |
| Willing to stretch the budget a little | Sport Cub 500 on sale | Bigger, handles a little wind better, 4 channels |
| A child’s first gift plane | Trainstar Mini | Light enough to do little damage |
What do you give up under $100?
- Wind tolerance: 40–50 cm planes weighing tens of grams get blown away above a light breeze. Fly in the morning or evening calm.
- Brushed/coreless motors: they wear out; spare motors are cheap but needed.
- Toy-grade radios: the included remote only works with that plane; you can’t reuse it for the next one.
- Range: enough for a park, not for big fields.
- Parts: check that props, motors and batteries are sold separately before buying.
The next step up (around $150–250) is hobby-grade trainers like the HobbyZone and E-flite UMX range, which bind to standard radios and handle more wind.
Tips for the first flights
- Charge all batteries, fit spare props loosely in your pocket.
- Fly over grass in calm air, in the most stabilised mode.
- Hand-launch into the wind with gentle throttle, wings level.
- Climb to a safe height, then practise wide turns; small planes need little stick.
- Land into the wind by reducing throttle gently.
A flight simulator with a USB controller is the cheapest way to cut crashes. Slower alternatives: best slow-flying RC planes.
Even cheaper: build one
A foamboard plane with a basic motor, ESC, servos and a hobby radio can come in near this budget and teaches you more. The radio stays usable for every later model. See foamboard planes.
FAQ
What is the best RC plane under $100?
For most beginners, the Volantex Trainstar Mini: gyro-stabilised, slow and forgiving. For 4-channel flying, the Top Race TR-C385.
Is there a good RC plane under $100 with a camera?
Some toy planes include cameras, but image quality is low. A small action camera on a slightly bigger plane works better.
Can adults fly cheap RC planes?
Yes, these are good learning planes for adults; their size just limits them to calm days.
Are cheap RC planes worth it?
As a first plane to learn the basics, yes. They are not a long-term platform: plan for a hobby-grade trainer next.
More on this topic: the complete RC Airplanes guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
