Blade mCX RTF

While there are myriad remote-control helicopters on the market, the hardest combination of qualities to find in one is ease of use, fun, durability and relative affordability; this is where the Blade mCX RTF (*Est. $80) excels. With a slew of excellent user reviews, this model can safely be considered the best-reviewed helicopter for indoor flying. The Blade RC copter comes ready to fly out of the box aside from battery charging, and the lithium-ion battery and charger are included too.

The tiny size of the Blade mCX RTF makes it ideal for indoor flying -- at only 7.9 inches long and 4.7 inches tall, it's certainly compact. Its diminutive footprint doesn't mean that the Blade mCX RTF is prone to damage, though; many owners posting reviews are impressed with this model's quality and durability, and multiple users say they've unintentionally crashed the helicopter repeatedly, with no repairs necessary.

Furthermore, this coaxial-rotor radio-controlled helicopter has four-channel controls with the included remote, indicating that there are four controllable inputs for flying the helicopter: rudder control, rotor control, pitch control and roll control. Users appreciate that the remote control has two sensitivity modes, or rates, allowing for either delayed/muted inputs or high sensitivity. This is great for beginner pilots, who can learn to fly in the lower sensitivity mode, and for more experienced users who want the most precise controls possible. The coaxial rotor design and adjustable control rates lead nearly all users to say that the Blade mCX RTF is "highly stable and easy to fly," as one reviewer puts it.

Users report flying times between 10 and 15 minutes, which is on par for toy-grade radio-control helicopters. The included rechargeable battery makes charging easy and cheap, as the helicopter doesn't require disposable batteries. A few users point out that this RC chopper isn't suitable for outdoor use; users who want that capability should be looking at larger radio-controlled helicopters that are built to handle outdoor conditions. The Blade mCX isn't the cheapest radio-controlled helicopter, but the positive reviews seem to indicate that it's worth the price.

This toy helicopter also comes in a version that doesn't include the radio-controlled transmitter. Unless this is desired (for instance, if you already have a compatible controller), be sure to get the ready-to-fly (RTF) version that can be enjoyed right out of the box.

If $80 is out of your price range, consider the Syma S107G RC Helicopter (*Est. $30). While it gets a slightly lower average rating from users because of concerns about quality, the majority still give it 4 or 5 stars, and owners say the cheap Syma is a great value if you're just looking for a fun beginner toy.