We evaluated the performance of the best remote control cars for both kids and adults. After testing for several hours, we found Traxxas Rustler XL-5 remote control car as our top pick for highest speed, ease of use, and additional practical features.
Remote Control Car Reviews
Remote control cars belong to a favorite category that appeals to most people, from little children who are only learning to drive to enthusiasts who race and renovate their cars. You will find an option for everyone, and the only thing you need to figure out is the purpose for which you intend to buy an individual vehicle. Both hobbyists and professionals prefer cars with top speeds, easy handling, and advanced features. On the other hand, while purchasing for kids, the factors to consider are safety and durability features.
We tested several remote control cars from the leading manufacturers and evaluated their performance in detail. In this article, you will find our top five picks that are suited for different categories. These car models are available for different age groups and are meant to serve ultimate performance. Further, we have included a detailed buying guide that will assist you in considering relevant factors and picking the perfect vehicle as per your requirement.
Top 5 Remote Control Cars
Traxxas Rustler XL-5
- Titan 12-Turn 550 Modified Motor and XL-5 ESC provide speeds up to 35 mph; waterproof electronics for all-weather driving in water, mud and snow
- Includes Traxxas 7-cell NiMH battery with ID technology and 4-amp 12-volt DC peak-detecting fast charger for reliable charging
- Revo-Spec Torque-Control slipper clutch, hardened steel gears in the differential, and aggressive rear tires put the power to the ground!
- The TQ 2.4GHz radio system's ergonomic design is comfortable for all-day driving and its internal antenna is impervious to damage
The Traxxas Rustler XL-5 comes with smart features that are highly suitable for off-road driving. The vehicle features excellent suspension to offer you enhanced control on uneven or rocky tracks. The brake and reverse capabilities of this two-wheel car prevent any stuck.
The remote control car operates on a seven-cell Ni-MH battery to achieve efficient speeds up to 35mph. The model is designed in a way to delivers excellent flexibility and performance to help RC car devotees explore many possibilities. The included remote comprises a pistol grip with a steering wheel on the side. Pull the trigger to let the vehicle move forward, whereas pushing it will initiate the brake and reverse. The remote control car is powered by four AA batteries.
The Traxxas Rustler XL-5 offers you precise and straightforward controls which will help you in improving your driving skills. Further, using the transmitter mechanism will allow you to view various details such as speed, battery voltage, and temperature on iOS devices. This feature can be a little costly; however, it’s a highly useful feature, to avail.
Kid Galaxy Morphibians Rover
- Go Anywhere: Powerful 4x4 RC amphibian car drives through water, dirt, mud, sand, pavement and grass
- Winner “Oppenheim Gold Seal Best Toy Award” for outstanding new product that enhances the lives of children
- Splash Through Puddles: Paddle wheel treads rip through water. Sturdy all terrain tires power over obstacles on land
- Easy-to-Control Skid Steering: Push both levers forward and this ATV goes forward. Push both back to go backwards. Push just one forward to turn
- Full Function: Age 5+; Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 6 inches; Batteries required: 2 AAA and 3 AA (not included); 49 MHz, Note: To operate multiple Morphibians vehicles at the same time, each vehicle must operate on a different frequency. To find a compatible RC, search for “Kid Galaxy Morphibians 27 MHz”
The Kid Galaxy Morphibians Rover is available in multiple styles, including Rover, Shark, and Gator. The moderate speed of Galaxy Morphibians Rover makes it appropriate for kids. The car is not capable of doing any severe off-roading; however, its four-wheel drive offers high stability on rough surfaces, which makes it a safe option for kids.
The Rover remote control car offers exceptional protection to prolong the lifespan of the vehicle. With a thick exterior, it lets the children have some quality time splashing around a swimming pool or fishpond. The straightforward controls make this quite easy to steer. The transmitter of the car features two buttons. You can use the left button to accelerate the two tires on the left and right buttons for monitoring the right tires. While the two left tires are spinning, the rover moves to the right, thus offering an incredible driving experience and easy-to-use steering.
The reliability and safety of vehicles are the foremost concerns, especially when you are looking for kid’s electric cars. This model comes with a hard plastic outer shell to efficiently handle absolute smashes and crashes. The round edges and pinch-free components make it a popular choice among kids. The remote control car is powered by three AA batteries that you need to purchase separately. It makes use of standard alkaline batteries. Finally, you will also find a downloadable user manual to better learn about driving the Kid Galaxy Morphibians Rover.
Redcat Racing Volcano EPX
- 4WD Monster truck w/ Large monster truck tires, Lightweight molded plastic chassis, (8) Aluminum capped oil filled shocks, front and rear gear differentials.
- Tunable suspension, Adjustable ride height, Tunable shocks, Tunable gear differentials, Adjustable camber, Adjustable toe angle.
- Aggressive tires, Independent suspension, Low center of gravity chassis for high speed performance, Ball bearings throughout.
- 19T brushed 550 electric motor with heat sink, Waterproof ESC, Waterproof high torque steering servo, 2.4GHz radio system.
- Assembled & Ready to Run - Includes 7.2V 2000mAh NiMH Battery & NiMH Charger - Requires 4-AA Batteries for Transmitter. Please contact Red Cat Racing for troubleshooting issues & other product working related queries at 602-454-6445 or [email protected]
The Redcat Racing Volcano EPX offers you excellent speed, handling, and competitive driving proficiencies. Experienced remote control enthusiasts will surely value this vehicle. The car provides you with a comparatively greater speed of 19 mph.
The most notable feature of the Redcat Racing Volcano EPX is its capability to maintain speed, especially on uneven surfaces. It offers efficient off-road driving with ease of use and handling obstacles on the way. This remote control car is known for its large wheels and its four-wheel drive, which is quite effective. The independent suspension is highly stable. Besides, the RC vehicle consumes eight AA batteries to operate competently.
Redcat Racing Volcano EPX offers you the ease of use that you can expect from a high-end remote control car. Similar to most high-grade vehicles, it comes with a 2.4GHz pistol grip transmitter along with relative control. As this RC car provides you with significant control, therefore it is not suitable for children to use.
Traxxas Slash 2WD
- TQ 2.4GHz radio system
- Titan 12-Turn 550 Modified Motor with XL-5 Waterproof ESC
- 7-Cell NiMH 3000mAh Traxxas iD battery
- 4 Amp peak detecting DC charger
- Waterproof electronics for all-weather driving excitement in water, mud and snow!
The Traxxas Slash 2WD is a high-performance remote control car for off-road use and racing around a rough track. Featuring high suspension, it can withstand bumps and shocks at 30mph. The vehicle is powered by a seven-cell NiMH battery. If one battery is not sufficient for your use, you can look for compatible battery packs available at any local hobby shop.
The included remote comes with a pistol grip 2.4GHz transmitter. The trigger lets you regulate the proportional control. The more you pull the trigger, the better you will have the racing speed. That means you can always run at high speed. With the proportional steering, it offers ease of use to make fine adjustments. Further, you can use the remote to program the electronic speed regulator. This feature allows you to operate the vehicle in training mode, which reduces the rate of the Slash to half of the speed. You can use this function to make your kids learn to drive the remote control car at a lower speed, like 15 mph.
The Traxxas Slash two-wheel drive comes with an optional telemetry mechanism. You can use this advanced system to connect the remote to your iPhone or iPod. It allows you to view several details regarding your vehicle, including present speed, engine temperature, and a lot more. However, this system is not pre-installed in most car models and thus requires a little of your money, which is worth investing.
Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Remote Control Car
- This is a NITRO vehicle that requires nitro fuel, glow plug ignitor (recommended 80142a), Qty 12 - AA batteries and nitro vehicle experience is recommended
- 2.67cc (.16) NItro Engine with Pull Start
- 4 Wheel Drive with Single Speed Transmission without reverse
- 2.4GHz Radio Included - Run multiple vehicles at the same time
The Redcat Nitro, a remote control car is powered by a nitro engine. The four-wheel drive vehicle comes with a single-speed transmission for smooth and steady functioning.
The car requires a glow plug ignitor along with 12-AA batteries to enable long-lasting use. You will find an included 2.4GHz radio which allows you to run multiple vehicles at a time. No matter if you are on a rough track or simply bashing around, it will effectively regulate all your driving adventures with the powerful nitro 2.67cc Vertex engine.
In addition to that, the drive is assisted with aluminum-covered shocks and merged disc brakes. You can purchase the starter kit and fuel separately. Overall, it’s a different vehicle offering excellent practicality and durability. Now stand out among the competition with Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Remote Control Car.
Remote Control Car Buying Guide
Electric or Nitro Gas
You will find most remote control cars powered by either an electric motor using rechargeable batteries or with an internal ignition engine which can be nitro gas. Nitro is a type of fuel commonly used in a nitro engine which is different from a gas engine that burns gasoline. It is usually recommended to look up an electrically powered vehicle as it is quick to start, highly reliable, and requires minimum maintenance. Also, these engines work quietly and offer superior performance using brushless motors and Lithium Polymer battery packs.
Bash or Race
While purchasing a new remote control car, be sure whether you want to run or simply bash wherever your remote control adventure takes you. If you intend to buy a car for racing, then you should probably consider a hobby shop and explore different types of vehicles that are suitable in your area. It will give you a thorough understanding of certain vehicles that are capable of fulfilling your requirements.
Don’t Buy Cheap
When you are looking for your very first remote control car, you will find several companies offering super cheap cars where the price is comparatively less than other brands’ vehicles of the same category. Keep in mind that you will get what you pay. If you are purchasing something with an ultra-cheap price tag, you will end up with a cheaply constructed vehicle that will offer you poor performance and require many accessories to get it started.
It is advised to spend a little more at the beginning, which will keep you away from investing a lot of money on repair and replacements. An inexpensive vehicle may require you to purchase expensive parts to improve performance and consistently fix the broken or worn-out parts. Also, this will be a significant waste of your precious money and time. Therefore, consider a decent report control car with a reasonable price.
2WD vs. 4WD
Remote control cars are available in two forms, including two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. It’s up to you what you prefer the most out of them. Usually, 2WD remote control cars are comparatively affordable, easy to use, and require minimum maintenance. On the other hand, 4WD remote control cars are more comfortable to the driver with enhanced handling features and are capable of crisscrossing difficult obstacles if you are looking for an off-road vehicle.
Ease of Use
Once you have your preferences sorted while looking for the best remote control car, make sure whether it is convenient to operate. Some models are quite complicated to function. You will find it challenging to disassemble and perform regular maintenance, making repairs and upgrades. Preferably look for a model that offers ease of use for a more practical choice.
Hop-Up Option Parts
The accessibility to hop-up option parts is an important factor to consider. One should be able to make repairs and upgrades for several remote control components like the engine, radio mechanism, wheels and tires, ball bearings, gears, and hardware. Without the availability of the main components that makes a perfect remote control car, you will not be able to get the best out of your vehicle as expected.
Maintenance
Maintenance is a key factor to consider when purchasing a remote control car. You simply don’t want to be in the work seat fixing your vehicle all day long. Usually, nitro cars tend to require more preparation time before and after you operate them. You might need to put oil in the engine every time you use the vehicle. Also, they may create a few complications, in particular for beginners.
If your car is standing outside throughout the day and gets hot, you will instantly need to adjust the air/fuel mixture, which will eventually take a lot of your precious time. You need to have thorough learning before using these cars. However, many models come with high-end features for adequate performance at a reasonable price range.
On the other hand, electric vehicles are easier to operate and maintain. It’s all about plug and plays. All you are required to do is charge the batteries, run them and recharge them again. You will need a couple of battery packs as they last around 10-15 minutes and calls for 1-2 hours to get fully charged.
Conclusion
Remote control cars are some of the most exciting vehicles out there. Whether you are an adult or a kid, there is a remote control car available to entertain you. With many leading brands and models on the market, finding the best RC car can be quite overwhelming. We hope this well-researched article will help you to differentiate among various models and pick the right option with the best possible features. Choosing the best RC car is not simple; however, keeping in mind your budget and comparing the pros against the cons of the top-rated vehicles, you can confidently choose an exciting racing experience.
