Humans are curious beings and we love exploring new places and environments. I think this is one of the reasons why the best RC submarines are so popular and why adults are so interested in them. The other reason that comes to mind is that it’s incredibly fun to play with such a great toy!
If you’re thinking about a regular remote control toy, you’re quite far from the truth. These amazing subs are built in detail and come with lots of interesting features such as propellers, lights, camera, rudder systems and more. They are the equivalent of drones, but underwater!
However, not all RC subs offer the same level of quality and it’s important to know which one to choose. To help you out, I put together a list of best RC submarines for adults and beginners using my knowledge in the field. Thus, I’ll discuss pros and cons for each product on my list and important features, which matter when you make the purchase. I also reviewed other toys like remote control helicopters, trucks, boats, buggy and so many others here.
So, if you’re on the market looking for the top RC sub for sale for you or for a friend (they make great gifts) take a look at the reviews below.
#1 Happycow 777-216 Mini RC Racing Submarine (Great for Kids)
If you’re looking for a small RC toy, the 777-216 Mini RC Racing Submarine is the one to buy. While it’s quite small (5.00 * 1.46 * 2.13in) it is agile in water and simulates the design of a real sub really well. I like the build and the blue color but you should know it doesn’t have a camera.
Because it is lightweight and the controlling distance is around 5m, you can’t release it in an uncontrolled environment (a pond or a lake). Still, it’s extremely fun to play with it in a pool or a tub! Even more, it is equipped with colorful LED lights, which look amazing if you want to play outside in the evening.
The transmitter
The sub has a built-in rechargeable battery that can be connected to the transmitter when needed. Also, the transmitter needs 4 1.5V AA batteries to support both elements and is waterproof.
The 40MHz transmitter is also small so this may be an issue if you have big hands. This is actually the reason why I would recommend the Happycow 777-216 Mini RC Racing Submarine for kids or ladies. In my opinion, this little guy makes a great gift for someone interested in starting their RC experience or children above 8 years old. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for an advanced user.
Pros
- Lightweight and small
- Easy to maneuver
- LED lights
- Short charging time (about 9 minutes)
- Interesting design
Cons
- Short working time (about 6 minutes)
- Quite fragile to shocks
- Small transmitter
#2 BGC 13000-12 Navy Submarine (Best Value)
If you’re looking for a submarine for sale that is ready for battle and exploration, the BGC 13000-12 Navy Submarine is the one to buy or look into before you make a sale decision. Equipped with electronic components and multiple propellers, this bad boy will definitely take you on fun adventures!
The body is 35cm in length and is made out of ABS. I love the solid construction, the camouflage colors, and the possibility to adjust the weight in order to achieve perfect balance. Even more, there is a red light indicator mounted on the sub that looks extremely cool at night!
The transmitter
The 6-channel, 27MHz, radio control remote offers six controls for actions such as diving, ascending, moving forwards and backward, and turning left or right. Also, there is no lag in reaction – the sub reacts fast when you press a button on the remote.
The remote features a cool design and needs one 9V battery to work – the battery is not included in the package.
Pros:
- Cool-looking design
- Suited for both children and adults
- The remote control looks interesting
- 6-channel remote control
- No assembly required
Cons:
- Batteries not included in the package
- No camera
#3 SpyCam Aqua, Remote Control Toy Submarine (Must Have)
This one is definitely a fun toy to have! With a gorgeous design and great equipment, the SpyCam Aqua sub seems to be the very one used by Jacques Cousteau in his many exploration stories.
Besides the great color and shape, this RC sub features a camera, a built-in memory, and a way to attract fish towards the camera. The detachable feeding arm is an ingenious idea and I really enjoyed using it!
You should know that this is quite a small toy (2.6 x 3.1 x 4.4 inch) which is why it’s not recommended to use it outside pools, fish tanks, or aquariums. It also comes with two LED lights which enhance the experience and help take high-quality videos and pictures.
Like many other RC sub products, the SpyCam Aqua is capable of moving freely in the water, performing the following moves: move forward or backward, turn left and right, float and dive.
The transmitter
The transmitter looks like a gaming console, which is nice. It is also big enough to fit an adult’s hands. It offers an operation range of 6.6 feet and it requires 6 AA batteries (not included). On the transmitter, you’ll find the necessary controls for lights, pictures, video, and movement.
The camera
Situated inside the sub, the camera is protected from any water damage and can take pictures at 1280 x 960 resolution and 640 x 480 videos at 30fps. Both pictures and videos are saved on the 256 MB built-in memory (which is not much, I have to admit).
You can download the footage and pictures using the included USB cable to connect the sub to a computer.
Pros:
- Lightweight and small
- Great design
- With camera built-in
- Feeding arm to attract fish
- Decent photo and video quality
Cons:
- Can’t be used outdoors
- Batteries not included
- Low built-in memory
#4 AquaBotix HydroView Remote Controlled Underwater Vehicle
If you’re looking for something to use for both professional activities and entertainment, the HydroView from AquaBotix for sale must be on your purchase list. As you will soon learn, this is not an RC toy and it is not recommended for kids. It is actually extremely popular among professionals who found a wide range of uses for it. Here are some of the most interesting ones:
- Seafloor inspection
- Underwater coatings inspections in water tanks
- Plumbing jobs
- Various Underwater jobs (in an uncontrolled environment)
I like the fact that it’s made out of plastic, which means the AquaBotix HydroView is light and reasonably durable. However, the best features are its powerful propellers, powerful LED lights, HD camera, and the 75 feet cable that allows for a safe retrieval.
The transmitter
The HydroView device doesn’t feature a standard transmitter – it can be controlled via WiFi using either a mobile app or your MAC or laptop/PC. The cool thing is that the device generates its own WiFi; this way, you can simply take it on your boat and go exploring without worrying you’ll lose signal.
The app can be installed on your iPad and offers precise motion control. As long as there is a connection, HydroView will swim in any direction you want.
The camera
The HD camera is situated on the front side and can take high-quality pictures and videos of the surrounding environment. There is also a non-removable, 8GB memory card which is a great feature if you ask me.
However, you should know that the transfer can only be done via WiFi and this can be time-consuming. Also, videos are stored in increments of a few minutes which can be confusing if you have a lot of material.
Pros:
- HD camera
- Easy to maneuver
- Generates its own WiFi signal
- Can be used in a wide range of professional jobs
- Cable to secure safe retrieval
Cons:
- Quite expensive if you don’t find it on sale
- Some light distortion in low-light conditions
- File transfer is slow via WiFi
#5 Gillberry Submarine (Great for Pools and Tubs)
Great for beginners and kids, the Gillberry RC Submarine for sale comes with an interesting design and great features. As you can imagine, it is lightweight, small (15*6.8*4.5cm) and recommended only for indoor use (pools and tubs).
It is not equipped with a camera but it can run for about 15 to 20 minutes, which is an improvement considering similar models. This long operating time is due to the powerful built-in battery (3.7V, 120 mAh Li-Po), which can be charged using the included USB cable. Still, you should know, it takes about 25 to 30 minutes to charge.
The transmitter
Operating at 27MHz, the remote requires 4 AA batteries and it is waterproof. It also allows for a control distance of about 5m and supports the following movements: turn left and right, move backward and forwards, move up or dive.
Pros:
- Small and lightweight
- Easy to control
- Powerful built-in battery
- Long operation time
Cons:
- No camera
- No lights
- Batteries for the remote control are not included
#6 Underwater Explorer Submarine (Top Choice)
While it looks like another great toy for children on sale, the Underwater Explorer submarine can also be considered a great toy for beginners. The toy is small and lightweight, but it is equipped with twin directional propellers.
As you can imagine, you can only use it in a tub or a pool, but it is a fantastic way to learn your way around driving an RC sub. I also liked the LED spotlight, useful for having fun at night or in dim light.
The transmitter
Fully waterproof, the transmitter allows the sub to dive and climb, move left or right, move forward or backward. However, you will have to purchase the necessary 9V battery for the remote to work before you purchase. If you are interested in knowing how real submarines work you can read more about it here.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Great for kids
- Twin directional propellers
- Powerful LED light
- Cool design
Cons:
- No camera
- Batteries are not included
- Easy to crash
