RC cars are perfect for kids or kids at heart. Like Nerf guns, Lego, and Transformers, RC cars have a timeless quality that makes them popular whether you're a Boomer or a Zoomer. Of course, as RC technology spans decades, RC cars have come a long way since the days of Don Draper and are capable of some truly amazing feats, including super-fast speeds, sleek aesthetics, and the ability to endure serious debris on surfaces or underneath. steps in. Here is a selection of the best RC cars currently available.
—Overall best: Traxxas Rustler XL-5 Control Truck RC
—Best cheap: Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity RC Racer, Mario
—Best SUV: BEZGAR-Monstertruck
—Best for Adults: ARRMA Felony 6S BLX Street Bash Offroad-Muskel
—Best for children: Threeking amphibious stunt car
How We Picked The Best RC Cars
What makes a good RC car? The answer isn't that obvious. First of all, RC in RC cars stands for "radio controlled". A controller sends radio waves to a transmitter in an RC car, which responds in kind. It's fairly simple technology and while the kinks have been ironed out, particularly on the more expensive models, little has changed in actual RC technology. Why fix what ain't broke? Here are some things we consider when choosing the best RC cars.
Control:This is perhaps the most important aspect of agutes RC-Car. Similar to a gamepad, any delay between control inputs on the machine makes for a less than ideal RC experience. Unfortunately, most RC cars are still controlled with weird gun-shaped pointers, rather than controllers that look like gamepads like many popular drones. But then again, why fix what ain't broke?
Speed:In the eternal words of Sonic the Hedgehog, "I have to go fast." Or you? There's no denying the fun of watching a remote control car slew down a street in a matter of seconds. Of course, high speed often comes with less control. It's hard to turn a dime when your RC car is just a blurry picture. It's always good to find the right balance, but for many, speed is paramount. It really just depends on what you are looking for when it comes to your RC car experience.
durability: Many RC cars aren't built just to survive a crash or two. They openly encourage it. The innards of an RC car sometimes include shock absorbers to allow it to roll over rocky terrain or stairs. This is not mandatory. Again, it all depends on what you're looking for with your RC experience. Of course, RC cars are not made for that eitherMonster truck shenanigansit must be able to survive an accident or two.
Build quality:In addition to durability, you want the exterior of an RC car to have the same shine and shine as the real-world cars it's based on. If it looks cheap on the outside, you can be almost certain that it will be even cheaper on the inside. Budget RC cars have their place too, but even budget offerings shouldn't appear inferior or cheap.
The best RC cars: opinions and recommendations
Overall best:Traxxas Rustler XL-5 Control Truck RC
Why he made the cut:The Traxxas Rustler is a perfect premium offering, but it's great to drive even if you're an RC newbie.
Specifications:
—Dimensions:17.5 inches long x 12.25 inches wide x 7 inches high
—Weight:3.72 pounds
—Maximum speed:35 km/h
—Batteries required:4AA
Advantage:
— Ready for any terrain
— Made for professionals, accessible to beginners
- Fast
Opposites:
– Karo
— battery pig
If you've left the RC game since the 90's, this is itTraxxas thiefcan make you tremble. This isn't just a toy, this is an absolute beast of a car.
Pick a terrain, any terrain - the Traxxas Rustler is more than ready to rip through it with ease. It's even waterproof enough to ride in all weather conditions and can handle mud, puddles and even snow. The Traxxas Rustler is similarly low maintenance, requiring little to no special care for continued use. Still, such a beautiful machine can use a little polish when it's not speeding over speed bumps, gasping for breath, or falling down a flight of stairs. Despite its professional quality, it's an incredibly accessible RC car, especially for those looking for something a little more exciting in their RC experience. It's also very fast, with a top speed of 35 mph. Of course, given its performance, expect to pay a premium for it. It also consumes some battery, especially when running at maximum speed. Durability and smooth control are not to be underestimated here.
Best cheap:Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity RC Racer, Mario
Why he made the cut:Nothing brings adults and children together like Mario Kart, and this real-world version is almost as fun as the game itself.
Specifications:
—Dimensions:11.50 inches long x 8.00 inches wide x 8 inches high
—Weight:2.2 pounds
—Maximum speed:N / A
—Batteries required:8AA
Advantage:
— Two great modes, one great controller
— Surprisingly durable
- Damn charming
Opposites:
— Eat batteries quickly
How do you keep kids from playing video games for hours? Of course, give them a toy from this video game. ThatSuper Mario Kart Anti-Gravity RC RacerIt is one of the best cheap RC deals.
Mario and his kart work in two modes. One lets you slide in and out like any typical RC car. The other works like a real Mario Kart 8 anti-gravity mode, where his tires lose air and he drifts from side to side. No, it doesn't exactly float, but it's a pretty cool added feature considering how cheap this RC car is. The controller is equally charming and bears Mario's trademarks, making it a perfect bundle for little and big Nintendo fans alike. However, it's not cheap. The Super Mario Kart RC Racer can fall down stairs, crash into walls and even land on its head and still function like new. The price, however, comes at a price as it consumes the batteries. This is a common drawback with RC cars, but it's even worse considering you need 8 AA batteries to run it. Still, it's not quite a terrible RC car. If Mario isn't your favorite, there is onemodell louisthat is available.
Best SUV: BEZGAR-Monstertruck
Why he made the cut:For outdoor monster truck action, BEZGAR comes highly recommended.
Specifications:
—Dimensions:10.2 inches long x 9.1 inches wide x 5.2 inches high
—Weight:4.24 pounds
—Maximum speed:25 km/h
—Batteries required:2 7.4V 1000mAh included
Advantage:
— Powerful and durable
— Resistant to chemicals and water.
— Includes additional body for customization
Opposites:
— Slow for its price
— Difficult to control at top speed
Some of the best RC car experiences are the ones you only see in commercials promoting these popular toys. You know, the ones with RC cars sloshing over dunes, gasping for serious air and cruising off-road like themBEZGAR-Monstertruck.
Like a good monster truck, this RC car is made to run. It's ready for any terrain with guts that smells like a real monster truck. A set of four shock absorbers filled with ultra oil improve anti-collision readiness. So go ahead, drop the BEZGAR down a rocky embankment. You can take it easy. This best off-road rc car deal is not only prepared for off-road accidents, but it resists water and even chemicals depending on how dirty the environment the BEZGAR is used in. It even offers additional bodies so you can fully customize your machine. , or maybe copy the aesthetic of an established monster truck like Bigfoot or El Toro Loco. The downside is that you're trading speed for performance. Unfortunately, this RC car has a top speed of about 25 miles per hour. While a bit slow for an RC car in its price range, it's still difficult to maneuver at top speeds. Still, there's a lot of off-road potential here.
Best for Adults:ARRMA Felony 6S BLX Street Bash Offroad-Muskel
Why he made the cut:This incredibly expensive offering offers the handling and speed of a muscle car, making it the perfect RC car for adults.
Specifications:
—Dimensions:28.54 inches long x 12.91 inches wide x 7.56 inches high
—Weight:11 pounds
—Maximum speed:80 km/h
—Batteries required:Smart G2 11.1V 5000mAh 3S 100C LiPo battery sold separately
Advantage:
- Lightning fast
— Excellent build quality and finish
— Customizable
Opposites:
— Battery not included
— Incredibly expensive
Can an RC car be sexy? If it is the RC car in questionARRMA Felony 6S BLX Street Bash Offroad-MuskelThe answer is: definitely yes.
Of course, this is not your everyday simple RC car. For one thing, it's incredibly expensive. We would not recommend making this your first RC car purchase or even your second. It is intended exclusively for RC car hobbyists looking for the best in RC technology. And apart from its nice finish, the guts of this RC car are really strong. Strong metal gears throughout the body provide the best traction, torque and perhaps most importantly speed. With a top speed of 80mph, the ARRMA Felony 6S is pretty roadworthy (not that we're implying). Its adjustable aerodynamic wing allows you to really beat those top speeds. It's not the only thing that can be customized, in fact almost every part of this RC car can be customized, from the wheels to the intake motor and even the battery that powers it. Therein lies the most tragic part of this RC car considering it is expensive and you need to bring your own battery which is also quite expensive. However, if you plan to afford an RC car, you should do it.
Best for children:Threeking amphibious stunt car
Why he made the cut:Kids will feel at home with this RC car controller, and it can be fascinating enough to get them out.
Specifications:
—Dimensions:7.87 inches long x 6.69 inches wide x 6.69 inches high
—Weight:2.16 pounds
—Maximum speed:N / A
—Batteries required:2AA
Advantage:
— Truly all-terrain and amphibious
- Very approachable
— User-friendly controls
Opposites:
— Difficult to control at high speeds
Kids are clumsy, and whether you give them a tablet worth hundreds of dollars or a penny McDonald's Happy Meal toy, it's only a matter of time before it breaks.Threeking amphibious stunt carit can endure all sorts of youthful clumsiness, and then some.
Some RC cars are off-road capable, but this one not only withstands water but encourages you to go swimming with it. Its wheels paddle effortlessly through deep water, so you won't slow down even when you leave the mainland. The Threeking Amphibious Stunt Car's wheels are surprisingly strong, with traction that makes it perfect for scaling rocky hills and sand dunes. This RC car is simply unstoppable, especially when you consider that it doesn't actually have a top or bottom. It works upside down and upside down and even sideways. Kids will especially love the controller, which looks a lot like one they're probably used to playing. Best of all, it's also one of the cheapest RC cars out there. However, it's hard to control at top speeds, and you really have to be careful to close the battery compartment every time you turn it off. It's waterproof, but only if you're careful.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best RC Cars
Battery Life (or lack thereof)
Even the most expensive offerings in this best RC car compilation share one annoying trait: battery life. Modern smart devices spoil us not only with rechargeable batteries, but also with rechargeable batteries that last four hours, if not whole days. RC cars eat batteries like nobody else. And not just a few, mind you. Some devices need up to eight to work considering the need to put batteries in the rc car and rc car controller. There is no way around this anger, but there is a way to mitigate it:use rechargeable batteries.Not only can you recharge the batteries after a few hours of play, but you can also have some on standby if you don't want the fun to end. This is especially advisable if you plan to take your RC car outdoors.
frequently asked questions
Q: Which RC car brand is better?
Traxxas is known as one of the best and most popular brands of RC cars and vehicles.
Q: What is the strongest RC?
Once again, Traxxas is known for its durability and ruggedness in its RC cars.
Q: What is the most popular RC?
Along with ARRMA and Kyosho, Traxxas is an incredibly popular RC car brand.
Q: What is the best off-road rc car?
Our pick for best off-road rc car is thisBEZGAR-Monstertruck, Then whatTraxxas Rustler XL-5 Stadium Remote Control RC TruckIt's also great when used off-road.
Q: What is the fastest RC car in the world?
The Traxxas XO-1 RC car is the fastest with top speeds of 100 mph.
Q: Which scale RC car should I get?
There are many different scales of RC cars to get, from 1/18th to 1/10th and up. It all depends on how much space and money you want to devote to your RV hobby.
Final Thoughts on Best RC Cars
For kids and kids at heart, RC cars are more timeless than ever. ThatTraxxas Rustler XL-5 Control Truck RCIt's an industry leader for a reason: it's powerful, durable, and fast, making it our top pick overall. If you are planning to afford an RC car, make it theARRMA Felony 6S BLX Street Bash Offroad-Muskel, which contains great power in a beautiful case. Economic offers include theSuper Mario Kart Anti-Gravity RC Racer, Mario, and theThreeking amphibious stunt car, which are incredibly kid-friendly.
This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, owners of Futurism. Futurism may receive a portion of sales from products linked to this post.
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FAQs
What is the fastest RC car 2022? ›
The Traxxas XO-1 RC car is the fastest, with top speeds of 100 mph.
What is the fastest RC car right now? ›Traxxas XO-1 – Fastest RC Car In the World
The Traxxas XO-1 really is a 100-mph RC car. As we noted in another article here, it can reach 100 mph (160 kph) in just five seconds so we can easily call it the supercar of all RC cars.
The Traxxas XO-1 is the fastest RC car with a top speed of over 100 mph.
What is the largest RC car? ›The largest Losi RC car, the Losi 5IVE-T 2.0 short course truck, is massive at over 3 feet long (it's 38 inches to be exact). The wheelbase alone on the 1/5 scale Losi 5IVE-T 2.0 is 24 inches wide.
What RC motor is faster? ›A higher turn number means more wire and thus more resistance, resulting in a slower motor. So turns with a lower number means a faster motor. The turn rating is inversely proportional to the power generated by the motor. Put simply, a 4.5T motor is faster than a 21.5T motor.
What makes an RC car go faster? ›A larger pinion gear or a smaller spur gear will both provide more speed. A smaller pinion gear or a larger spur gear will provide more torque and acceleration, but less top speed. You may change one or both gears to achieve the desired effect.
How fast are RC cars 0 60? ›“Traxxas claims its all-wheel-drive XO-1 is the world's fastest ready-to-run, electric RC supercar. It says the XO-1 can hit 60 mph in 2.3 seconds and exceed 100 mph.
What RC car has the longest jump? ›The longest ramp jump performed by a remote controlled model car was 40.21m (131 ft 9 in), achieved by a Team Associated RC8 T3.
What is the fastest RC car brushless motor? ›The Traxxas X0-1 is a fast RTR RC electric car. It can reach 0 to 60-mph in just 2.3 seconds and in the long run, can reach 100-mph in 4.92 seconds. It is powered by a large electric brushless motor that provides high speed driving to help the car break all records.
Will bigger wheels make a RC car faster? ›Newton's Second Law dictates that the force on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. So, increasing your wheel size will decrease the driving force from your wheels which will culminate in a decrease in acceleration of said wheels.
How fast do cheap RC cars go? ›
Because of their size, even relatively slow RC cars can seem fast. For example, the same article notes that off-the-shelf, lower-end toy cars have weaker motors and are powered by alkaline or NiCad batteries, which means their top speed is usually just between 5 to 15 mph.
Who is Traxxas biggest competitor? ›traxxas.com's top 5 competitors in October 2022 are: rcplanet.com, towerhobbies.com, horizonhobby.com, amainhobbies.com, and more. According to Similarweb data of monthly visits, traxxas.com's top competitor in November 2022 is rcplanet.com with 106.1K visits.
Who owns the fastest RC car? ›That man is Nic Case. He's the builder and driver of the world's fastest RC car, the 202mph RC Bullet. We're pleased to have Nic himself tell us the story of his record-breaking journey, and what it takes to push an RC car past 200mph.
What is the oldest RC car? ›By The RC Community. The Early Years of RC Cars As early as 1971 companies such as Heathkit offer RC car kits and electronics components. 1971 Team Associated, known then as Associated, debuts its first vehicle, the RC1 which is an 1/8-scale nitro-powered on-road pan car.
How much does the fastest RC car cost? ›It's 90% smaller. The XO-1 is the first RC car that comes capable of running 100 MPH out of the box, making it the fastest ready-to-run ever made. But all this speed is definitely not for amateurs, which is why Traxxas has priced this car at a stratospheric (for a pre-built RC car) $1,099.99.
What is the fastest RC boat? ›The current unlimited record is 511.11 km/h (317.59 mph), achieved by Australian Ken Warby in the Spirit of Australia in 1978.”
Can a RC car go 200 mph? ›That man is Nic Case. He's the builder and driver of the world's fastest RC car: the 202mph RC Bullet. We're pleased to have Nic himself tell us the story of his record-breaking journey and what it takes to push an RC car past 200mph.
Does higher KV mean faster? ›A motors kv constant tells us how many revolution the motor will make in one minute per volt applied. As we increase the voltage to the motor we get more RPM. However, if we increase the kv of the motor, we get more RPM out even if voltage is held constant.
Do better batteries make RC cars faster? ›As the driver, upgrade the motor, ESC and choose a better RC car lipo battery, are the factors that make your RC car faster.
How fast can a good RC car go? ›A well-made hobby RC car can go as fast as 70 mph. If the RC car is modified or made for drag racing, then they have the potential to reach speeds of more than 100 mph. There is enough information to claim that electric RC cars are much faster in general than gas-fueled cars.
Is gas RC faster than electric? ›
In almost all instances, something that's powered by liquid fuels is going to be faster than an electric vehicle if everything else is completely equal.
How fast do brushless motors go? ›These motors provide a great amount of power to RC racers and, if paired with appropriate gearing and high-discharge lithium polymer (Li-Po) or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, these cars can achieve speeds over 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph).
Whats faster nitro or electric RC? ›Electric Cars are much faster then Nitro cars with upgrades. Typically Ready to Run (RTR) models are stocked with basic parts that are mostly plastic. However, if you are serious into racing you have options to upgrade to higher performing parts and metal parts that are more durable. 60+ mph here we come!
What is traxxas fastest RC car? ›From a dead stop, 60mph flashes by in 2.3 seconds. Keep the throttle pegged and you'll smash the 100mph barrier in 4.92 seconds. Simply put, XO-1 is the fastest and most outrageous Ready-to-Race ® RC car ever created.
What is the fastest RC truck? ›“The Traxxas XO-1 is the fastest RC car, full stop. The largest brushless motor on offer propels the car from 1 to 60 in 2.5 seconds.
How fast is a 1/14 RC car? ›Speed: 50-70 Km/h. Running Time: About 15 minutes (depend on speed)
What is Traxxas most powerful motor? ›Extreme 6s Horsepower
High-output 6S power became a Traxxas staple with the award-winning E-Maxx and E-Revo Brushless Edition models as well as the Spartan superboat, but the XO-1's 100mph mission required the most powerful brushless system yet. At more than 100mph, the XO-1 is basically pushing against a wall of air.
While the Slash 4WD gets lots of hype, you can rest assured that it's all very deserved. Its price point above the 2WD still places it much lower than many monster-sized trucks in its league. Here's a look at the pros of owning one: 100% waterproof.
Which is better Traxxas E Revo or rustler? ›Is the Traxxas E-Revo or Rustler Better? If you're looking for top speeds right out of the box, the Rustler VXL is going to be your best bet. If you have the time and resources to upgrade your truck with the right batteries and gearing, both the Rustler and E-Revo can give you speeds over 70MPH.
Is Traxxas coming out with a new car? ›The new updated 2022 XO-1 Supercar has been released! This car is well known among RC enthusiasts and has been refined by the Traxxas engineers to help with a few tweaks that will dial this car in more for the fun driving side. The X01 is one of the fastest out-of-the-box rc cars that you could buy!
What is the biggest RC car in the world? ›
The largest Losi RC car, the Losi 5IVE-T 2.0 short course truck, is massive at over 3 feet long (it's 38 inches to be exact). The wheelbase alone on the 1/5 scale Losi 5IVE-T 2.0 is 24 inches wide.
What is the best RC drift? ›Our Verdict. Our pick for the best RC drift car is the Traxxas LaTrax Rally. The 1/18 scale is not only the best value on the list, its small size makes it usable indoors while it's rugged enough to handle streets and parking lots. The all-wheel drive drifter is fast out of the box but can easily be made faster.
Who is the No 1 racer? ›Lewis Hamilton - 103 wins. In terms of career wins and total career points, Lewis Hamilton is the best Formula 1 driver to have ever graced a circuit.
What is better Arrma vs Traxxas? ›So is Arrma the best brand? Keep reading to see what we found out. Traxxas primarily makes beginner-friendly RC's with a narrow focus on creating extreme RC's. Arrma, on the other hand, primarily makes powerful basher RC vehicles, and they also limitedly create beginner-friendly RC vehicles.