RC Submarine – Our Top 5!

No matter what kind of hobbyist you are, an RC submarine is a lot of fun.

It combines many of the features you find with great RC cars and awesome remote control boats, but it adds a cool element of underwater exploration.

Submarines are fascinating machines, and RC submarines help bring that fascination into your day-to-day life.

We’ve put together a guide for how to pick the RC submarine that’s right for you.

We’ve also reviewed and compared our top 5 favorite submarines, so you’ll have the best idea of which one is going to be right for you!

How to Choose an RC Submarine

Remote control submarines are a niche of the RC market that brings constant entertainment.

The best of this type of remote controlled vehicle not only floats on the water’s surface, but also dives deeply into the water.

Hobbyists and kids alike have a kind of fascination with remote controlled devices that perform well in water, especially completely submersible ones like RC submarines.

There are numerous types of RC submarines on the market.

Some of these are inexpensive and “toy” grade. Others are more sophisticated.

Some people even build their own complex submarine projects, introducing sophisticated electronics into the mix.

On the other hand, oceanographers and military members use remote controlled submarines for work.

RC Submarine Types

There are two main types of submarine: dynamic diving and static diving.

If your submarine has a ballast system, it’s a static design.

Conversely, dynamic designs don’t have a ballast system.

It’s simple as that.

Safety Concerns

Safety should be a big priority, especially if you’re buying an RC submarine for a child.

If the toy is for a kid, it should be age-appropriate and well-made.

Most toys will have an age recommendation, so you know if it’s appropriate for your child.

In addition, age-appropriate choices help your child’s physical and neurological development.

Submarine Shape

Different submarines come with different shapes and sizes.

Some are designed to mimic the shapes of real submarines.

Others might come in brighter colors or unusual designs.

The type of design you choose will be dictated mostly by your personal preference of course.

Battery Life

You should consider what kind of battery life the submarine has.

Rechargeable submarines will usually have less than an hour of battery life.

If the batteries can’t be recharged, they may last for several hours, but they’ll need to be replaced when they give out, which may cost some bucks.

When you choose the best submarine for you, you need to consider how long you intend to use the machine for.

Also consider whether you need a rechargeable battery or a replaceable one.

Durability

Definitely, durability should also be a consideration, especially if you plan to use your submarine in lakes or ponds.

Many submarines are made from high quality plastics. In any case, make sure all the materials used are durable.

You should also of course make sure the sub is guaranteed as completely waterproof; otherwise your sub will be in trouble.

Replacement Parts

Some submarine packages will come with replacement parts.

Others will have manufacturer warranties that last for certain periods of time.

You should double check the manufacturer warranty or guarantee for your submarine.

If you think you’ll need to do repairs, you might want to opt for a package that includes replacement materials.

Where It’s Being Used

Are you planning to use the RC submarine in a pool, a bathtub, or in the ‘wild’ like a lake or pond?

Should it be capable of withstanding both fresh and salt water?

Don’t forget to take these things into account as you make your purchase decision.

Reasons to Use RC Submarines

There are a number of neat reasons to use RC submarines. The type of submarine you want and the features you desire will vary depending on what you’re going to use it for.

Racing

One of the many uses for RC submarines is racing.

In a race, you and your friends will compete to see who can dive and swim the fastest.

If you’re looking for a racing RC submarine, you’ll want one that has great maneuvering capabilities.

You’ll also want there to be a number of different radio frequency channels, so that you and your friends can race without interfering with each other’s controls.

Speed controls are a great feature for a racing submarine as well.

Exploring

You might want to use your submarine to do basic exploring.

If you’re planning to use the submarine in murky water, you should make sure it has LED lighting capabilities that will allow you to see it at all times.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll want a submarine with easily mastered remote controls.

Some submarines have an automatic demo capability, so you can see what they can do. Some submarines also come with an instruction manual – quite handy.

The majority of submarines will have the same basic functions. They can float, dive, move backward, move forward, turn left, and turn right.

Each function will have its own button on the control.

Capturing Video

Some submarines have a built-in camera that allows you to take both photos and videos.

This can be a great feature for an aspiring oceanographer or anybody interested in marine life.

In addition, there might be a feeder attached to the submarine.

When you fill it with food, you’ll attract fish that you can take photos and videos of – how cool is that?

You should consider how much memory the camera has, since this will limit the number of photos and videos you can take in one session.

You should also consider the quality of the photos and videos.

Some cameras can capture in HD, while others offer less quality photos and videos.

Our Top 5 RC Submarines for Sale

This post, it’s photos and table include links to products on other websites. If you purchase something through these links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Jujuism Mini RC Boat

This RC submarine easily makes our list of the top RC submarines for sale.

As far as RC submarines for sale go, this one is similar to the Seawolf RC submarine in that it’s an RC sub optimized for racing.

This RC sub will interest anyone looking for an RC u boat or RC boats.

The water boat is constructed with ABS plastic parts that are super smooth and durable.

The RC sub is small and lightweight, and it’s one of the most realistic working model submarines on the market.

These types of RC submarines don’t have a power gauge telling you whether they still have electricity supply like an RC car might.

Instead, you simply place the mini submarines into the water like an underwater drone. When they have power, the lights turn on.

Also, charging is very quick.

The submarine starts normally as soon as it touches the water.

The front of this remote controlled RC submarine has two LED lights that make it somewhat similar to a fishing boat.

You might want to use it if you like RC fishing.

Since the lights are so visible in the darkness, you always know where to find the sub.

That’s good because you don’t want to lose your sub.

Good Construction

Inside the sub are two rubber drain plugs, which drain the boat in case water gets inside somehow.

Also, the two metal joints protect the submarine’s head.

The submarine powers up by touching the water, and it powers down when it leaves the water.

It charges with a computer rather than a plug, since plugs have the potential to burn out a built-in battery – a thoughtful safety feature.

It should be said, this ship is very easy to control as it has a 6ch mini design that makes it one of the more advanced remote control pool toys.

It’s capable of moving forward, backward, left, and right, as well as diving and surfacing, which any decent submarine must do.

Batteries

A word of caution: you shouldn’t let the submarine charge if the battery is already on high power as this can damage the battery.

The boat has a small Ni-MH battery tucked inside. It’s easy to recharge the submarine over and over again for constant fun.

You do need 4 AA batteries for the remote control though, and unfortunately these aren’t included.

Also, the remote comes with a metal telescopic antenna which allows better reception.

The antenna is also tightened to ensure it doesn’t become misaligned or become loose during use.

The submarine is the perfect size for use in pools.

That doesn’t mean you can’t bring it into lakes, rivers, fish ponds, and small ponds.

It works as both an indoor and outdoor toy.

Great for kids and hobbyists alike.

Pros:

• 6 channel design increases overall maneuverability
• Automatically powers up as soon as it touches the water
• Waterproof and highly durable design
• Perfectly sized to be used in pools, rivers, lakes, and small ponds

Cons:

• Doesn’t include the 4 AA batteries necessary for the controller
• Doesn’t come with a camera equipped
• Light doesn’t always come on to indicate when the sub is charging

“Remote Control Submarine for Pool, Lake and Pond”

OOR: 3.6

2. Tipmant Mini RC Toy Submarine for Pool

This remote control submarine for pool is a great RC sub choice for a kids gift.

The submarine is capable of diving into water, as any decent sub should.

There are also multiple controls and functions on the controller.

You can bring the submarine forward and backward, turn it left and right, have it float upward, or dive.

The submarine has a battery built in and includes a USB charger cable that make charging easy.

It can move through water for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Also, the controller is powered with 4 AA batteries, which are unfortunately not included.

The sub’s battery takes about 30 minutes to reach a full charge.

Before each item is sent off, it’s tested and packaged by Tipmant specialists, so don’t worry about receiving a faulty package.

No Accessories

The package includes the submarine, a remote controller, and the charging cable.

This submarine has everything you need for the basics, although it doesn’t have extra accessories like a carrying case or camera.

Given the great price though that’s probably fair enough.

You will need to take some care not to use the submarine unsafely.

You need to make very sure the safety cap has been closed before you set the submarine in the water.

The head of the submarine must also be placed in the water first.

After you’re finished with using the submarine, you should open the safety cap to turn it off.

Other than that it’s all fun!

Pros:

• Charge only takes about 30 minutes
• Working time lasts 15 to 20 minutes
• Makes a great gift for kids
• Built-in lithium battery can be easily charged
• Includes a USB charging cable
• 6 total functions for three-dimensional maneuvering

Cons:

• Head of the submarine must be put into the water first or there will be safety concerns
• Doesn’t include the controller’s 4 AA batteries
• Doesn’t include a submarine camera

“RC Submarine with Mini Remote Control Capabilities”

OOR: 3

3. Kids Mini RC Model Submarine

This RC submarine is one of the best RC submarines for sale thanks to its radio controlled capabilities.

It’s a smart toy-level submarine that makes a great gift for both hobbyists and kids.

The submarine includes a built-in battery along with a USB charging cable.

Like the other subs on our list, it has 6 functions: going forward, going backward, turning left or right, floating upward, and diving.

The overall working time of the sub is about 15 to 20 minutes, which is similar to the previous ones we’ve seen.

Also, the controller requires 4 AA batteries, which once again aren’t included with this as well.

Pros:

• Charging only takes about 30 minutes
• Working time of 15 to 20 minutes
• Bright and festive colors
• Included USB cable for charging

Cons:

• Doesn’t include a camera
• Not as realistic as some other designs
• Doesn’t come with the controller’s AA batteries

“Convenient Multi-Function Remote Control Submarine”

OOR: 4

4. Liberty Imports Mini RC Submarine

This is the cheapest RC submarine on our list of RC submarines for sale. So if you want an affordable option, this is a great package.

Another ideal part of the package is that it has an instruction manual and extra rotor included – they are surely handy.

Many of the other options on our list don’t actually have any replacement parts in their package.

The reason this option is so much cheaper than the others is because it uses 3 channels instead of 6.

This means that it doesn’t have the same maneuverability as 6 channels.

As far as function goes, you have the same basic three-dimensional moves.

Also, there are 3 levels of speeds.

This might be the best option if you’re an rc beginner.

You won’t be able to maneuver as well as you could with a 6 channel sub, but you can use the auto demo function to get the hang of controlling it.

On the bright side, you have light controls with this.

The submarine is suitable to be used in a fish tank, pool, pond, or bathtub.

It has 3 batteries included to power the submarine itself.

On the other hand, the controller requires 6 AA batteries, which are not included.

There are 3 frequency bands in total, so up to 3 people can race or play simultaneously.

Pros:

• Includes an instruction manual
• Includes an extra rotor
• Comes with 3 speed functions
• Allows control of the lights
• Comes with an auto demo function for beginners

Cons:

• Doesn’t include the 6 AA batteries necessary for the remote
• Only has 3 frequency bands, so only 3 people can play at once
• Only uses 3 channels, so it doesn’t have as much maneuverability

“Cheapest Remote Control Submarine for Pool”

OOR: 2.3

5. Silverlit Aqua RC Submarine with Submariner Camera

This is the most expensive RC submarine on the list because it is arguably the best RC submarine.

It’s the best remote control submarine in it’s price range that you will find with a camera.

It uses 3 channels to float, turn left or right, move forward or backward, climb, and dive.

The submarine is optimized for use in a bathtub or a freshwater fish tank.

As such, it won’t do well in salt water.

Also, there are 2 LED lights that allow you to see better in dark conditions.

Another included feature is the detachable fish feeder which can be filled with food.

Your camera will capture unbelievable images when the fish begin to feed, thanks to this feeder.

Indeed, the built-in camera can capture both video and images. Photos it takes are of 1280 x 960 HD JPG quality.

The video quality is 640 x 480 AVI.

The USB cable makes it easy to download your photos and videos.

Also a great safety feature included with this sub is that whenever it goes out of your control range or runs low on power, it floats to the surface for easy retrieval.

This means you don’t have to worry about losing your precious submarine in the water.

Pros:

• Built-in fish feeder lets you capture awesome images of fish as they come to feed
• Includes a camera that can take HD photos
• Photos and videos are easily uploaded with a USB cable
• Submarine automatically floats to surface if it runs out of power or goes out of range
• Best option for people looking for camera or video capture

Cons:

• Most expensive option on the list
• Only uses 3 channels instead of 6
• Camera doesn’t have a huge amount of internal memory
• Shouldn’t be used in salt water

“Expensive RC Sub with HD Camera”

OOR: 4.3

Final Thoughts on the RC Submarine

When you’re choosing an RC submarine, there’s a lot to keep in mind.

RC submarines aren’t necessarily as multi purpose as say a sturdy RC truck or a new remote control car.

You need to be aware of who you’re getting the submarine for, what you want to use it for, and how easy the controls need to be.

For example, people who want fishing action will need different submarine specifications than people who want to race.

Whatever your needs, you’ll surely find an RC submarine that’s right for you on our list!