Model Rocket Stores Review

One of the best things about looking for online model rocket stores is the universe of possibilities. Unlike the local hobby shop, there’s no limited stock to disappoint you, and no need for a special order requiring weeks of waiting time to get your chosen model or rocketry supplies. You can get exactly what you want direct from experts, including rocket and component manufacturers as well as discount sites.

Another plus, especially for less experienced rocketeers, is that most of these sites have a customer support department that can offer advice. Wonder what your next rocket project should be if you want a bit more of a challenge? Want to know what rocket would be suitable for a scout group or school class to build, and whether you can buy a bunch of them in bulk? The service department will tell you.

In addition, many of these sites include articles, forums and blogs that are both educational and fascinating. You can read about bigger model rockets that fly as high as the Karman Line — the area marking the edge of outer space 62.1 miles up, where earth’s atmosphere fades (you must be experienced and certified to fly these high powered babies). Some sites include the free rocket simulation software, RockSim, which allows you to design a rocket or change an existing kit, load the specs into the software, and find out how stable the rocket will be and how high it will go via an accurate computer simulated flight.

But the biggest advantage by far to looking for rocketry online is that you have access to everything. Whether you need a centering ring, a body tube, an igniter or a reload kit, you find where to order it at the best price. In addition, when you see all the different available rockets, you may decide to buy something more adventurous than the tamer model you originally had in mind.

On this site, you’ll find reviews of the very best model rocket sites; detailing the range of products they sell, the site extras such as articles and forums, and contact information. You’ll also find important informational articles such as our Model Rockets Primer from an interview with our expert Bill Stine, an explanation of the Hazmat regulations regarding rocket fuel and more.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

What to Look for in an Online Model Rocket Store

The problem with relying on your local hobby shop for your rocketry needs is the limitations. Because they sell so many different hobbies, their selection can’t go very deep. The worst part is you may not even know what you’re missing.

A good online model rocket store will offer a large selection of rockets, kits and parts, either those they make themselves, or products they distribute for other manufacturers, or both. The best online stores will have “extras” such as informational articles, free downloadable software, explanations of rocket terms and skill levels, forums where you can communicate with other rocketeers, and a direct way to call or email them. The very best online stores will have a home page crammed with information about rocketry and the contents of their site, along with a menu that allows you to choose the category of rocketry you’re looking for, whether it’s ready-to-fly models or components for seven-foot tall rockets assembled by Level 5 experts (see Model Rocket Glossary article).

If you’re one of those experts, you already know where to purchase what you want. But if you’re one of the many thousands just now taking up this growing hobby or getting more deeply into it, how do you know which online rocketry store will give you the best deal and selection for your money? Here’s the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to rate online model rocket stores:

Selection
Does the online store have a wide variety of kits and building materials for every level of expertise? Top stores offer a good selection for every interest, including scale models of NASA spacecraft, science fiction rockets and even flying novelties such as models not shaped like regular rockets; instead shaped like birds or flying saucers, for example. Does the store offer parts and supplies, such as balsa for fins and nose cones, centering rings, recovery device materials, launch pads or tools. If you can get everything you want or need from one online store, you won’t have to spend time searching around.

Resources
What else does the site offer besides products for you to buy? Some stores stick to the minimum, but the best ones offer loads of educational articles and information plus opportunities to both contact others interested in the hobby and get news of ways to become more involved in it. The top sites have newsletters about launches and contests in which you may wish to take part. Some even offer free gifts.

Customer Support
Does the store have a direct phone number where you can call them? Do they at least give an email address? Do you have to register/submit your personal information and wait for them to get back to you when they can? Direct contact is the best option for customer support and we ranked all of these sites accordingly.

Ease of Use
How easy is the site to use? Is it well maintained? We lowered the rankings of some stores because their site links didn’t work, or worse, their search engine was out of commission. Better not to have a search engine than have one that doesn’t work. Is there a menu where you can select the category of product you’re looking for, or do you have to stumble around the site hoping to find what you want?

Whether you’re just getting started or already an expert rocketeer, you’ll find our thorough research useful for choosing the site that will have exactly what you want. Be sure to check out our top-ranked model rocket stores: Apogee Components, Quest Aerospace and Sirius Rocketry.