I recently got my hands on the HelloRadio V14, and let me just say—this radio really surprised me. From its compact form factor to the thoughtful ergonomic design, the V14 Max feels like HelloRadio’s first serious attempt to enter a market long dominated by giants like RadioMaster and Jumper. Could this become my new daily driver? Let’s dive in and find out.
Learn about the basics of FPV radio controllers in this buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
Table of Contents
Where to Buy
You can order the HelloRadio V14 Max from AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oBjHhTv
Note: “V14” doesn’t refer to version 14 of the product. Rather, it likely represents the number of inputs on the radio. HelloRadio is a relatively new brand and has only released two models so far—the V16 and V14. The V16 closely resembles the Radiomaster TX16S, but includes a few unique features.
There are four versions of the V14. The one I’m reviewing is the V14 MAX R9, the highest-end model currently available.
| Feature | V14 MAX R9 | V14 MAX | V14 PRO | V14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gimbal Sensor | RDC90 | Hall | Hall | Hall |
| Gimbal Material | CNC metal | CNC metal | Plastic | Plastic |
| Internal RF | ELRS or 4N1 | ELRS or 4N1 | ELRS | ELRS |
| Int. RF Power | Max 1000mW | Max 1000mW | Max 1000mW | Max 250mW |
| Multi Color | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Display | OLED | OLED | LCD | LCD |
| AI Assistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Motion Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Safeguard | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Programmable LED | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Multiple color options are available, but at the time I ordered, only grey was in stock—otherwise, I would’ve gone for light pink :)
Specifications
- Internal RF Module: ExpressLRS 2.4GHz 1W / 4in1 Multiprotocol 100mW (optional)
- Operating Frequency: 2.400–2.480GHz
- Antenna: 2.4GHz 2dB Omnidirectional Folding Antenna
- Cooling Fan: Yes
- Power Consumption: Up to 1.35W (varies by RF output)
- Input Voltage: 6.6 – 8.4V DC
- Radio Firmware: EdgeTX
- Channels: Supports up to 16 (receiver dependent)
- Battery Options: 2S LiPo or 2x 18650 Li-ion (not included)
- Charging Method: USB-C
- Display: 128×64 Monochrome OLED
- Gimbal Options: V4.0 Hall, V4.0 Metal, or V5.0 RDC90 CNC Gimbals
- Stick Thread Size: 4mm
- External RF Module: Standard JR Module Bay (Crossfire compatible)
- Storage: 512MB MicroSD (EdgeTX memory)
- Dimensions: 170 × 159 × 108 mm
- Weight (without battery): 350g (claimed) / 567g (measured)
First Impressions and Design
When I was trying to buy this radio, I couldn’t find it in any North American or European RC shops—it was only available on AliExpress from China. When it arrived, the voice language was set to Chinese (you can change it to other language in Radio settings) , suggesting that HelloRadio may be focusing primarily on the domestic market for now.
At first glance, the HelloRadio V14 has a very similar size and shape to the Jumper T20S. This form factor is currently my favorite—it delivers the same control feel and functionality of a full-size radio like the RadioMaster Boxer, but in a more compact package that’s easier to carry around.
And I was pleasantly surprised that it can stand upright on a table out of the box—already a step up from the T20S, which required me to 3D print some feet just to do this simple task :)
One nice design touch is the RGB LED ring around the gimbals. By default, it changes color based on stick movement, which looks great. According to the manual, you can change lighting modes through a LUA script, but it doesn’t really explain where that LUA script is and how. Hopefully they will release a bit more info to clarify the steps in the future. The gimbal LED ring is not just for aesthetics either; the LEDs also serve as a battery level indicator during charging, which is a thoughtful addition.
When using a neck strap, the radio is almost perfectly balanced. It also comes with a fabric handle that attaches to the back using four screws—a small but handy accessory.
The antenna is not removable, but it is foldable, which helps with transport. It can also rotate 90 degrees for optimal signal.
HelloRadio claims the weight of the V14 Max is 350g in the specs, but I have no idea how they came up with that number—it’s nowhere close to my measurements. In reality, the weight is almost identical to the Jumper T20S, at 567g without batteries, or 660g with two 18650 cells installed.
Here are a few more close up of the radio:
The trainer port and USB port for sim/data are located on the top.
Gimbals and Ergonomics
HelloRadio offers three gimbal options for the V14:
- V4.0 Hall
- V4.0 Metal Gimbal
- V5.0 Sensor (RDC90 Metal Gimbal)
I opted for the RDC90 version, since it’s the most expensive and, in theory, should offer the best performance out of the three. The gimbals have M4 threads and aftermarket stick ends are widely available. The stock stick ends are very similar to my favourite Radiomaster Sticky360 and I don’t think they need replacing.
Ergonomics and control feel are highly subjective, but overall, I find the V14 Max very comfortable to hold, even for those long flight sessions. The radio has excellent ergonomics—I really have no complaints in that regard. The rubber grips on the back have nice contours and look great, though the material feels a bit cheap and lacks the grippy, rubberized texture I personally prefer. That said, it’s not a deal-breaker—they still do the job.
The gimbals on the V14 Max are fully CNC-machined RDC90 aluminum gimbals. I’ve used RDC90s before in several Jumper radios. For some reason, these manufacturers tend to hype these up, but honestly, I don’t find them particularly special.
Don’t get me wrong—these gimbals are smooth and precise, but when compared to RadioMaster’s AG01 gimbals, they lack that ultra-premium feel. It’s subtle and hard to describe, but they just feel slightly cheaper in the hand. The stick travel on the RDC90s also seems to be a bit shorter—maybe 10% less based on visual comparison (I didn’t measure it exactly). That said, it’s really only noticeable when comparing side-by-side. In-flight, the difference is hardly noticeable.
One minor gripe: the gimbal tension feels quite soft, even at its tightest setting. Personally, I prefer a slightly stiffer feel, so you might want to consider swapping in stronger springs if you like more resistance.
The trim buttons next to the gimbals are standard two-way buttons—they work just fine for trimming, but aren’t as versatile as the 5-way joystick trim buttons found on the Jumper T20S, which can be reprogrammed for other uses. That said, trim buttons are rarely used by most FPV pilots, including myself. Unless you’re flying fixed-wing planes or gliders without a flight controller, they’re largely unnecessary. So for most users, it’s not a big deal.
Switches
The switch layout on the V14 is quite similar to that of the RadioMaster Boxer, but the switches are different.
On the front:
- Two latching buttons located at the far left and far right corners (with backlit LEDs that turn on/off based on their state)
- Two 3-position switches positioned toward the center
On the shoulders:
- One 2-position switch on the top left
- One momentary switch on the top right
Other controls:
- Two rotary pots located towards the centre
- Six flight mode buttons with LED backlight located above the display
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the latching buttons, specifically, where they are located. To press them, I have to take my hand off the gimbals—not ideal during flight. I considered swapping them with the shoulder switches, allowing me to press them using my middle finger (or index if you’re a thumber), so I can keep both hands on the sticks. However, in that configuration, the stick-style switches would be placed very close to the gimbals, and they could get in the way and may even be accidentally flipped. That’s exactly why I rearranged the switches on my T20S—to move everything further away from the gimbals.
For now, it’s probably best to leave the switch layout as-is. Maybe with a bit of muscle memory and practice, I’ll get used to it.
Display and Menu Control
The V14 Max features a mid-size OLED screen. The display size sits between the T20S and the Boxer, so if you find the T20S screen too small to read comfortably, you’ll likely prefer the V14 Max. The screen has a yellow-tinted lighting, and brightness is adjustable, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions.
Menu navigation is mostly standard, with a few buttons that will be familiar to EdgeTX users:
- Return (RTN)
- Next Page (>PAGE)
- Previous Page (<PAGE)
- Telemetry (TELE)
However, there’s one major difference: a central “Enter” button located right in the middle of all these buttons. This allows for single-handed menu navigation, which is quite convenient. Of course, the metal scroll wheel on the right still also functions as an Enter button when pressed.
Voice Commands and Motion Control
HelloRadio is the first RC manufacturer to introduce voice command functionality in their radios—what they refer to as the AI Assistant. This feature first appeared in their earlier model, the V16, and is now also available in the latest V14 Pro and Max.
Similar to Siri on iPhones, you can activate voice commands by saying “Hello Radio”, followed by your command. Additionally, the V14 Max supports motion control, thanks to its built-in gyroscope and accelerometer sensors.
These features require specific LUA scripts to run, and while the manual provides clear instructions on how to enable them, I won’t go into too much detail here.
Now, call me old-school, but while these features are undeniably interesting, I do find them a bit gimmicky—at least in their current state. For starters, only Chinese voice commands seem to work; English commands don’t appear to do anything. Hopefully, this is just a bug in the current firmware and will be resolved in future updates.
Also, speaking a command takes longer than simply pressing a button, so for me personally, voice control isn’t very useful. That said, I appreciate the innovation. Features like these help the V14 Max stand out in an increasingly competitive radio market. And for users with accessibility needs, voice and motion control could be genuinely beneficial.
External Modules
The V14 Max comes with a built-in 1W ExpressLRS module but also supports external modules via a standard JR module bay on the back, making it compatible with modules like TBS Crossfire or Radiomaster Nomad.
This is one area where the V14 Max outshines the Jumper T20S. On the T20S, using an external RF module requires installing an adapter onto the rear heatsink, which is inconvenient and clunky. In contrast, the V14 Max has a ready-to-use module bay, making module swaps quick and easy.
That said, one downside: the plastic cover for the module bay broke after removing it a few times. The plastic quality doesn’t seem great in this area, which is disappointing considering the rest of the build feels fairly solid.
Battery and Charging
You can power the HelloRadio V14 Max with either a 2S LiPo battery or two 18650 Li-ion cells. Personally, I prefer using 18650 cells, and a battery holder is included. It fits button-top 18650 perfectly.
My current favorite 18650 battery for radios is the Molicel M35A, which I tested here: https://oscarliang.com/best-18650-li-ion-battery/#Results-and-Recommendations
The V14 also supports USB-C charging, allowing you to recharge the batteries inside the radio directly. It charges at up to 10W, taking around 2–3 hours to fully charge empty 18650.
One small annoyance: the radio uses separate USB ports for charging and data. Unlike Jumper’s radios, which combine both functions into a single USB-C port, the V14 Max—like Radiomaster radios—has two separate ports. This means that if you want to charge while using an FPV simulator, you’ll need to plug in two cables, which is a bit inconvenient.
Power Consumption
Here’s a breakdown of the current draw at different RF power levels (at 7.4V):
- RF turned off: 0.12A
- 25mW: 0.31A
- 50mW: 0.34A
- 100mW: 0.38A
- 250mW: 0.42A
- 500mW: 0.53A
- 1W: 0.70A
Using a pair of Molicel M35A cells (with a measured capacity of 3263mAh), you can expect:
- ~10 hours of runtime at 25mW
- Or, just over 4 hours of runtime at 1W
To maximize battery life, you can enable Dynamic Power in the ExpressLRS LUA script. This feature automatically adjusts your RF output based on signal strength and link quality, optimizes energy usage without compromising link integrity.
FPV Simulator Support
The HelloRadio V14 Max works flawlessly with popular FPV simulators like TRYP and Liftoff. It’s plug and play—just connect it via USB, and it’s automatically recognized by the sim.
Setup is identical to most mainstream remotes, so you’ll be up and flying in no time.
Internal RF Module
The V14 Max features a built-in 2.4GHz ExpressLRS RF module, preloaded with ELRS 3.5.3 firmware. The device target is listed as “HelloRadio V14”, but as of now, it’s not yet available in the official ExpressLRS Configurator (v1.7.7). That said, there’s no pressing need to flash it immediately—the preloaded firmware is fairly recent and should work just fine. Hopefully, the official target will be added in a future update.
If you’re new to ExpressLRS, check out my detailed setup guide: https://oscarliang.com/setup-expresslrs-2-4ghz/
Radio Firmware
The HelloRadio V14 Max comes preinstalled with EdgeTX, the most widely used radio firmware in the FPV community. The firmware version is listed as “2.10.0-selfbuild”, and the firmware target is edgetx-v14.
Unlike many modern radios that have phased out SD card usage in favor of internal flash memory, the V14 still uses a micro SD card, which is located at the bottom of the radio, next to the USB charging port. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, it’s fully functional. A 512MB generic (no-name brand) card is included, and it seems to work just fine.
Taking It Apart
To disassemble the V14, you’ll need to remove six hex screws from the back of the radio:
- Four screws are directly visible.
- Two additional screws are hidden beneath the rubber grips (one on each side).
While it’s easy enough to take apart, reassembling it is more frustrating—especially due to those rubber grips, which are a bit of a pain to reinstall properly.
The internal build quality appears top notch. All wiring uses flexible silicone cables, and the switches are connected via JST plugs, making them easy to replace or disconnect. Even better, the solder joints on the switches are protected with liquid tape for added durability—great attention to detail. Overall, the build quality is right on par with Radiomaster—a welcome surprise from a newer brand like HelloRadio.
What Could Be Improved
- Use higher-quality, more durable plastic – Some parts, like the module bay cover, feel fragile and break easily with repeated use.
- Switch layout and types – The placement of certain switches (especially the latching buttons) isn’t ideal for in-flight access and could be rethought for better ergonomics. Or allow users to swap them around more easily.
- Gimbal options – The RDC90 gimbals are decent, but don’t quite match the feel and quality of AG01. Not sure how difficult it is to upgrade to AG01, I shall look into that when I have time.
- Rear rubber grips – While they look good, they lack tackiness and are frustrating to remove and reinstall—an issue if you ever need to disassemble the radio.
- Battery compartment – The battery holder tends to wiggle slightly when you shake the radio; adding a small piece of foam inside the battery door would solve this minor annoyance.
Final Thoughts
I’ve always loved radios in this form factor—they deliver nearly the same experience and feature-set of full size radios, but in a more compact, travel-friendly package.
The HelloRadio V14 Max isn’t perfect, but it’s a definite step up from the Jumper T20S in its out-of-the-box form. Don’t get me wrong—I love the T20S. I’ve invested a lot of time modifying it, and it’s been my daily driver for the past two years. But the V14 Max addresses many of the small issues I had with the T20S. That said, there are still a few quirks. For instance, the latching button placement is awkward, and while the gimbals are decent, they don’t quite live up to AG01 standards—which can matter if you’re chasing that premium stick feel.
Get the HelloRadio V14 from AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oBjHhTv
It’s clear HelloRadio has taken inspiration from Radiomaster and Jumper, with several familiar design choices. But this isn’t just a copy—they’ve added their own twist, including innovative features such as voice commands, motion control, and RGB gimbal lighting. These may not be game-changing, but they show a willingness to innovate, which is refreshing from a new brand.
The HelloRadio V14 Max is a bold and impressive move from a newcomer in the FPV radio space. If they continue to iterate and polish the design, they could become a serious competitor to established names like RadioMaster and Jumper.
If you’re in the market for a compact radio with excellent build quality, solid ergonomics, and full-size gimbals, the V14 Max is absolutely worth considering.