If you’re a die-hard RC fan or simply looking for a unique gift idea for your son, daughter, niece, or nephew, there’s an RC car out there to fit your needs.
For kids and adults of all ages, RC cars will provide hours of fun and excitement. Take your RC car out into your backyard for some off-roading and stunting fun, or challenge your friends at your local RC track.
RC cars come with a wide variety of prices and capabilities. Some look like heavy-duty futuristic cars built for doing fun stunts, while others look like exact replicas of real-life vehicles.
Some are designed specifically for street racing, while others are built to handle a variety of challenging terrain.
If you’re looking for a new RC car, we will help you make an informed decision with our helpful buying guide and in-depth model reviews of some of the best RC cars on the market.
We’ve selected ten RC cars that will appeal to a wide range of preferences and budgets.
Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
1. Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Pro
The Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Pro strikes a good balance between performance and price, earning it the title of “Editor’s Pick.”
A 3500 mAh lithium-polymer battery (LiPo), a 2.4GHz antenna, and a brushless 3300KV 540 Novatech motor are included in this RC engine.
It has a top speed of over 40 mph and a battery life of around 20 minutes. If you plan on using it for more than 20 minutes, you may want to purchase a backup battery.
This RC car is extremely fast, reasonably priced, and well-made. This is a tarmac-only RC car, so don’t expect it to hop or go off-road, but it’s ideal for paved surface racing and driving.
The only drawbacks are that it cannot go off-road and that it is so quick that it can be difficult to manage for inexperienced users.
2. SGOTA RC Car
This RC car from SGOTA is a fraction of the price of the three-figure items mentioned above.
This is one of the most affordable RC cars on the market, coming in at under $35 – but it doesn’t skimp on quality in the process.
However, don’t expect this kid’s toy to put on a display. It has a smaller 3.6v, 600 mA battery and can reach speeds of about 10 mph. The battery will last about 25 minutes on a single charge.
The RC receiver can also operate up to about 50 meters away. Although not very fast, this RC car is inexpensive and long-lasting, making it ideal for young children.
3. Traxxas Rustler RTR
The Traxxas Rustler RTR is comparable in price and performance to the Red Cat Racing EPX Pro, but the Rustler can go off-road, unlike that RC car.
According to Traxxas, the Rustler is expected to reach speeds of up to 35 mph on the tarmac and very fast off-road. It has a 12-volt DC charger and a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.
It also has a torque-control clutch that allows for some slip, allowing for spectacular but easy-to-control drifts. The Rustler is also fully waterproof and capable of driving in dirt, snow, and water. A 2.4 GHz radio is included.
This is a fun, robust, and reliable off-road RC car at a reasonable price. It also includes a plug, charger, and remote control, as well as everything you’ll need to get started driving.
However, since the adapter is just a 12v outlet charger, you’ll need to purchase a wall charger separately if you want to use it with a wall socket.
4. Tamiya No. 570 Lancia Delta Integrale 1/10 Scale RC
This one’s for the rally lovers! The Lancia Delta Integrale RC car body from Tamiya will transport you to a time when rally racing was totally unhinged.
Tamiya’s 1/10 scale build-it-yourself RC car series is ideal for older customers looking for a fun way to pass the time. It’s worth noting that this package only includes what you’ll need to assemble the vehicle.
The engine, battery, and other components must be purchased separately. But that’s just part of the adventure!
This helps you to customize the car by adding various engines, batteries, and other parts to make it as fast as you want it to be.
Although not cheap, this Tamiya product line doubles as a great-looking showpiece as well as being enjoyable to drive.
This makes them ideal for older car enthusiasts or those who enjoy creating scale models of automobiles, ships, and other vehicles.
Tamiya also has a number of other cool car bodies in this series, like this Alfa Romeo GTV, so you can pick and choose.
5. Traxxas Short Course Truck 1/10 Scale
This Traxxas off-road capable RC car is a 1/10 scale replica of Traxxas’ full-scale short course off-road racing vehicles. It’s interesting because, despite being an off-road vehicle, it doesn’t have four-wheel drive.
That means you can build amazing rooster tails when drifting in the dirt, sand, or other loose surfaces.
A 4am DC quick charger, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a 550 Modified engine, and a Revo-Spec Torque-Control slipper clutch are included in this vehicle. It’s also fully waterproof, so you won’t have to think about driving it in the rain or snow.
This truck will be able to hit speeds of over 40 mph, making it a very fast vehicle. As a result, some of the components are prone to breaking.
It has a medium reliability rating, so you can drive it with caution if you don’t want to spend money on replacement parts.
The battery would last about 30 minutes of continuous use.
6. Redcat Racing Lightning STK
The Red Cat Racing Lightning STK is a little less expensive than the Lightning EPX Pro but provides similar results, making it a good alternative to our Editor’s Pick.
The Lightning STK’s NASCAR-style body is appealing, but that’s not all it has to do. This 1/10 scale RC car comes equipped with a 550 brushed engine, an 1800 mAh nickel-metal hydride battery, adjustable suspension, and aluminum capped, oil-filled shocks.
This RC car has a top speed of about 25 mph. Buyers recommend having a replacement battery and rechargeable batteries for the remote to extend the battery’s life.
The remote needs eight AA batteries, which can be costly to repair. Since this is a tarmac-only RC car that is not waterproof, you can only drive it on a paved, dry track, just like NASCAR in real life.
7. Traxxas XO-1 1/7 Scale AWD Supercar
Now we’re having a conversation. This is the Traxxas XO-1 1/7 Scale AWD Supercar, which can reach speeds of over 100 mph.
It’s extremely fast and, unsurprisingly, very costly. When fitted with the optional third polymer battery, Traxxas claims that this RC supercar can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds, 0-100 mph in under 5 seconds, and top out at over 100 mph (it comes with two). It has a top speed of over 50 mph in stock form.
For durability, it has an all-wheel-drive, machined aluminum steering knuckles, and other aluminum suspension parts. Traxxas also says that it has the largest brushless motor available on a product of this kind.
This item includes a battery charger as well as a radio remote control for service. This is a seriously fast RC car, and it’s the holy grail of mainstream, consumer-grade remote-controlled vehicles.
Look no further than the XO-1 if you enjoy the pace. It’s important to remember that this is just for professional RC racers.
If not driven carefully, this product may pose a danger to those in the surrounding area due to its high speed. For example, you wouldn’t want it to hit your foot at high speed.
8. Traxxas AWD Ford Fiesta ST Rally Car
If you watch Ken Block’s Gymkhana series, you might recognize this awesome-looking AWD RC rally car from Traxxas.
It’s based on the Fiesta ST rally car that Block has been known to drive, and it’s capable of performing similar impressive drifts.
A waterproof electric motor, full-time all-wheel-drive, replica rally wheels with grippy tires, and a hobby-grade radio system are included in this ready-to-drive RC vehicle.
However, the battery and charger are sold separately, which is a disadvantage, but it does allow you to buy a good battery for it, which will prolong its life and increase its overall efficiency.
9. Redcat Racing Everest
The Redcat Racing Everest has been described as a hobby-grade rock crawler that is less expensive than comparable Traxxas items.
This rock crawler is completely upgradeable, but it also comes equipped with long-travel shocks, knobby tires, front and rear multi-link suspension, and a 2000mAh NiMh battery with a charger right out of the box.
It’s also fully waterproof, so it can withstand anything the elements throw at it, including snow, water, dirt, sand, and mud.
This RC rock crawling truck is suitable for both hobbyists and children. It’s reasonably priced and fairly robust, making it an excellent option for those interested in radio-controlled off-roading.
10. Traxxas TRX-4 Ford Bronco
This RC crawler is very pricey, but it’s just too cool not to have. This RC truck is impossibly cool, as it is modeled after the much-loved Ford Bronco.
It’s also well-made, with sturdy portal axles, working locking differentials, low- and high-speed gear ranges, and a highly detailed body with precise details and even windshield wipers. It has a powerful 550 electric motor and can accommodate NiMh or LiPo batteries (which are sold separately).
It should be noted that if you choose the unlicensed truck body, you can get a ready-to-drive Traxxas TRX-4 chassis (on which this truck is based) for less. The TRX-4 chassis can be fitted with a number of bodies, such as this Land Rover Defender.
Although it is pricey, this RC Ford Bronco is of exceptional quality and looks fantastic. It’s also entirely upgradeable (as are several other Traxxas items, as we’re sure you’ve noticed), making it an excellent starter kit for the aspiring hobbyist.
