Quick Answer
For most pilots, the RadioMaster Boxer Crush is the sweet spot: AG01 CNC hall gimbals, built-in ELRS, and a price that undercuts the Max by nearly £100. The Boxer Max adds CNC buttons and leather grips on top of those same gimbals. The base Boxer remains solid value for budget builds.
Three Boxers, One Form Factor
The Boxer is RadioMaster's mid-size transmitter: a 128×64 monochrome LCD, 16 channels, and a battery bay that takes either a 2S LiPo or two 18650 cells. Where the three variants diverge is gimbals and build materials. We stock all four variants, and the difference between them is the single most common question we answer over the counter.
The base Boxer ships with standard hall-effect gimbals. They are smooth and reliable, the same sensor technology we have in a dozen radios on the shelf. The Boxer Crush upgrades to AG01 CNC hall gimbals: quad ball bearings, externally adjustable tension and travel, and a precision feel that holds trim better after hundreds of flights. The Boxer Max keeps those AG01 gimbals and adds CNC machined switches, a metal folding handle, and leather side grips.
The ELRS Module: Same Hardware, Three Radios
Every Boxer variant runs the same internal ExpressLRS module at 2.4GHz. The hardware is capable of up to 1W output, but the EU version ships firmware-locked to 100mW for CE compliance. Flashing the global ELRS firmware unlocks the full power range. For UK pilots flying under CAA rules, 100mW covers park flying, racing, and most freestyle within a kilometre or two. If you are new to the protocol, our ELRS explainer covers why it displaced FrSky and Crossfire as the default control link.
None of the three Boxer variants differ in RF performance. The base, Crush, and Max all transmit on the same module. For genuine long-range gains, you would add an external Gemini Xrossband module to the JR bay, which transmits on both 2.4GHz and 900MHz simultaneously for true dual-band diversity. We cover the practical range numbers in our real-world range article.
What We'd Actually Buy
For beginners and most freestyle pilots, we recommend the Boxer Crush. The AG01 gimbals are the upgrade you feel every time you pick up the radio, and the standard ELRS module covers 95% of flying scenarios. The Max is £95 more for CNC buttons, a folding handle, and leather grips. Those are genuine quality-of-life improvements, but they do not change how the radio flies.
If budget is the priority, the base Boxer at £99.99 is the best value transmitter we sell. The standard hall gimbals are good enough that many of our customers never feel the need to upgrade. For a cheaper entry point still, the RadioMaster Pocket at £54.99 covers the same ELRS ground in a smaller package. Our radio buying guide compares the full radio controller range.
Boxer Setup: EdgeTX and Your First Bind
Every Boxer ships with EdgeTX installed. Out of the box, the workflow is: charge or install your batteries, power on, and flash the latest ELRS firmware on both the radio module and your receiver. Binding is a two-button process on the ELRS Lua script. Our step-by-step ELRS binding guide walks through the exact sequence, and the same process applies whether you bought the base Boxer or the Max. The Pocket setup guide also applies directly, since the firmware and Lua scripts are identical across the range.
FAQ
Does the Boxer support multiprotocol?
The base Boxer is available with either an ELRS or a multiprotocol (CC2500) internal module. The Crush and Max are ELRS-only. If you need to bind legacy FrSky or FlySky receivers, choose the multiprotocol base model.
Can I upgrade a base Boxer to AG01 gimbals later?
Yes. The AG01 CNC gimbals are available separately and fit the Boxer and TX16S. The upgrade takes about 30 minutes with a screwdriver. Some pilots buy the base Boxer and upgrade later when budget allows.
Does the Boxer Max have better range than the Crush?
No. All three Boxer variants use the same internal ELRS module with identical RF performance. The Max's upgrades are physical: CNC buttons, a metal folding handle, and leather grips. For more range, add an external Gemini module to the JR bay.
What battery does the Boxer use?
The Boxer takes either a 2S LiPo transmitter pack or two 18650 lithium-ion cells, neither included. We stock the 6200mAh 2S pack designed for the Boxer's oversized compartment, which gives up to 20 hours of runtime.