Best RC Car

Our best RC car is the Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car, which runs on a 2.4 Ghz radio system and with a powerful 390 motor GP brush. It has a battery and charger included – the lithium ion battery 800 mAh 7.4 V is its powered battery. In addition, the transmitter requires AA batteries x 2 at 1.5 V each. What makes it cool as an RC car is that it has an incredible S-truck suspension technology to keep it steady and easy to control.

The Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy is our step-up pick for an RC car. It runs on a vertex engine 2.67 cc powerful nitro and it also includes composite disc brakes. The package comes with a 2.4 GHz radio transmitter and what’s more, shocks are aluminum capped. The RC car requires 12 AA batteries – 8 for the remote and 4 for the car.

Budget savers will love the Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale 1967 Ford Mustang GT Radio Control Vehicle (Colors/ Mhz May Vary) because this RC car is officially licensed. It steers in all directions, from forward to reverse and left to right. Being a 1:24 scale model, the RC car’s style and modifications are exactly like its real life counterpart. The controller and vehicle both require 2 AA batteries each and the RC controller has a realistic multi-frequency dashboard style interface.

A Little Background

RC technology has played a long role even today for children and for teenagers. Radio control toys have always been a fun leisure activity not just among kids but also for family members to race each other using RC toys. The most popular and first RC toys was the RC car.

RC cars have been around ever since kids wanted to race in the streets without taking driving lessons. From monster trucks to 4 wheel drives to rally cars and to finely designed scale models of famous cars, these RC cars have been the ultimate solution to children’s boredom. It has also been a great way of bonding and exercising as kids get to play outside more often and enjoy running around and controlling their vehicles even without the risk of horrible injuries.

Today, RC cars were just all the more upgraded and there are just more technologies and models to choose from. Whichever you choose, RC cars are generally awesome entertainment and bonding activity with family and friends – or as a serious hobby!

How We Picked

In choosing the best RC car, we picked the best of the best with the following guidelines and criteria:
Is the RC car durable? Get to know what the RC car was made of – what material was used to build it, before you buy. Most super durable and super realistic RC cars are the scale models and expensive ones, but it all depends on what brand you buy.

How much is the price? Most RC cars can range from $50 to $200 or above. Most licensed scale models are usually expensive, depending on their features, as well as those off-road RC cars because of their durability and large wheels. Know the right RC car for your budget depending on its price and features.

Do people say more pros than cons? Check out the reviews on Amazon as well as in other sites. If there are more advantages than disadvantages then the RC car is worth buying somehow, especially if the cons are not deal breakers.

What is the top speed? It is important to know the “miles per hour” or “kilometers per hour” of the RC car so that you can compare it with other RC cars. The top speed and / or usual, typical speed is the most important factor that most RC car users look for, so you have to pay attention. It should be fast, especially if you intend to use it to race with friends.

If it is a scale model, is it licensed and realistic? Scale models are usually done with luxury cars or sports cars. They have to be licensed and realistic with head lights and tail lights so they can look and feel like the actual thing. These RC car scale models also mostly have suspension to make them ultra realistic.

What battery does it run on? Does it run on lithium ion, NiMH or other? The battery must be able to run for long hours and easily charge so you can have more play time. This is in addition to the fact that RC cars also mostly run on nitro fuel.

If it is an off road or monster truck, does it have tough wheels that can endure rocky roads? The tires must be built durable and have tough servos so they can go over rough surfaces without much problems.

How long does it run for a full charge? Most RC cars run from 10 to 15 minutes. The charging time must be equally proportion somehow to the run time so that you will spend more time playing than charging the RC car.

Does it have user-friendly controls? The control must be easy to handle and realistic, especially for beginners who are still starting to learn, and for intermediate and experts who want to have a better grip of their RC car to test their driving skills and push it to the limits.

Our Pick

Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car
The Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car is our top pick as the best RC car of this review. It runs on a 2.4 Ghz radio system and with a powerful 390 motor GP brush, which is quite powerful. It has a battery and charger included in which the battery is the lithium ion battery 800 mAh 7.4 V which has no memory effect. Adding to that, the transmitter requires AA batteries x 2 at 1.5 V each.

What’s really cool about this RC car is that it has an incredible S-truck suspension technology to keep it steady and easy to control.
It runs at 33 mph or 45 km/h, which is super fast, compared to most RC cars. This is a 2 wheel drive and a super high speed RC car, which comes with a steering servos and ball bearing action, allowing for better maneuverability.

In addition, the rubber tire has a sponge insert, making it super realistic for an RC car and its movement. Another thing is that there is also a rear wheel drive. You can control this RC car to about 100 m, so it is fairly the best of the best when it comes to RC cars.
When you order the package, it includes charger, steering wheel, lithium ion battery for the RC car, transmitter (no battery) and a user’s manual. Having overall dimensions of 12 in x 10 in x 5 in, the Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car weighs 4.1 lbs and is suitable for 14 years and above.

Who Else Likes It?

The reviews from Desert Cart say that the Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car is incredibly fast. According to some of the reviews however, there are a few small mechanical problems on controller but can be easily fixed. Such defects can be easily remedied because of their good customer service in which they repair free of charge.

In addition, the controller seems light weight, according to most of the reviews. You get a super low price for a 2 wheel drive with very high speed. It is hailed by most of the reviews as a hobby-grade quality RC car and not just some ordinary RC car. It runs up to a good 10 to 15 minutes of battery.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

The only complaint about the Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car is that it has a slightly short battery life compared to similar RC cars but this is okay considering its price and speed.

Step-up Pick

Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy
For our step-up pick, we have the Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy which runs on a vertex engine 2.67 cc powerful nitro. This RC car includes durable and composite disc brakes which help the car run at its finest.

This RC car also comes with a 2.4 GHz radio transmitter that works as expected. In addition, the shocks are aluminum capped which sets it apart from most RC cars that have similar features. This RC car requires 12 AA batteries – 8 for the remote and 4 for the car. Having a scale of 1:10, it is a sturdy and stable 4 wheel drive which does not require assembly. Being nitro fueled like most RC cars, the frame material is made from sturdy metal so you can ram it on rough roads and hit hard surfaces without getting thoroughly damaged.

Having overall dimensions of 24 in x 12 in x 8 in, the Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy is a truly remarkable step up pick for the best RC car as it weighs 2.1 lbs and has a shipping weight of 5.7 lbs. Do note that the recommended in keeping screws in place is Blue Loctite.

Budget Pick

Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale 1967 Ford Mustang GT Radio Control Vehicle (Colors/ Mhz May Vary)
The Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale 1967 Ford Mustang GT Radio Control Vehicle (Colors/ Mhz May Vary) is our budget pick. This RC car is officially licensed as one of the best RC cars and scale models out there. It steers in all directions, from forward to reverse and left to right, making it a truly versatile 1:24 scale model Ford Mustang GT.

Scale models are all about accuracy and realism – this RC car’s style and modifications are exactly like its real life counterpart. All you need for the controller and vehicle are 2 AA batteries each. In addition, the RC controller has a realistic multi-frequency dashboard style interface. The authentic 1967 Ford Mustang design scale model will surely uplift car enthusiasts.

The Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale 1967 Ford Mustang GT Radio Control Vehicle (Colors/ Mhz May Vary), is a truly remarkable RC car. It has overall dimensions of 10 in x 4 in x 7 in and weighs 1.1 lbs weight and 2.5 lbs of shipping weight. Overall, this RC car is greatly recommended for 8 years old and above.

Best Rally RC Car

Traxxas 1/18 LaTrax Rally 4WD RTR Vehicle
Being a sturdy and flexible 4 wheel drive, the Traxxas 1/18 LaTrax Rally 4WD RTR Vehicle is our best rally RC car scale model for those who are super enthusiasts with rally cars and racing cars that have super realistic designs. This RC car package includes ESC, charger, NiMH battery, 2.4 GHz radio, user’s manual and 4 AA batteries.

It uses a 2.4 GHz radio which has a 2 channel micro RX. In addition, the driveshaft is steel center which makes it very convenient. Durability is not a question to this RC car because the chassis is made from molded fiber composite which makes it withstand the test of tough racing environments.

Having a scale of 1/18, this awesome RC car is super ready to run and is electric powered. It weighs 6.1 lbs and has a shipping weight of 7.3 lbs and has overall dimensions of 12 in x 8 in x 7 in. The Traxxas 1/18 LaTrax Rally 4WD RTR Vehicle is recommended for 14 to 15 years.

Unique Batmobile RC Car Design

Fascinations Metal Earth 3D Laser Cut Model – Batman 1989 Batmobile
For those who are true blue Batman fans or just totally interested in Batman and the Batmobile, they will probably love the Fascinations Metal Earth 3D Laser Cut Model – Batman 1989 Batmobile which is both an RC car and an assembling puzzle at the same time. The metal model kit is on 2 sheets and it is built on full assembly with included instructions so you can enjoy building a puzzle and afterwards, enjoy a fully functional racing RC car at the same time. The full dimensions of the assembled Batmobile are 3.5 in x 1.5 in x 1 in.
The Fascinations Metal Earth 3D Laser Cut Model – Batman 1989 Batmobile weighs 1 oz with a shipping weight of 1.6 oz. It is definitely good for ages 14 and above.

Best Off Road RC Car

Babrit F11 High Speed 1/12 Scale RC Car 2.4Ghz 2WD Remote Control Trucks Radio Remote control Off Road Truck Off-Road 33+MPH for Children-Red color
For those who like to keep it rough and take their RC car in the wilderness and in off-road situations, the Babrit F11 High Speed 1/12 Scale RC Car 2.4Ghz 2WD Remote Control Trucks Radio Remote control Off Road Truck Off-Road 33+MPH for Children-Red color is just right.
In addition to that, the powerful motor is 390 FB brushed and it has a speed of 30 mph and above. It comes with a reliable 2.4 GHz radio transmitter. As a 2 wheel drive, it is very much perfect for off-road driving and you can use the RC car from 10 to 15 minutes on a full charge. This RC car has a max control distance of 100 meters or 328 feet and is very suitable for 10 years old and above.

Overall, the Babrit F11 High Speed 1/12 Scale RC Car 2.4Ghz 2WD Remote Control Trucks Radio Remote control Off Road Truck Off-Road 33+MPH for Children-Red color uses S-truck suspension technology to control it with ease, speed and stability and it has a waterproof design and has rock crawling servo for rough roads. The battery is lithium ion 9.6 V 700 mAh.

The Babrit F11 High Speed 1/12 Scale RC Car 2.4Ghz 2WD Remote Control Trucks Radio Remote control Off Road Truck Off-Road 33+MPH for Children-Red color weighs 3.4 lbs, has 38 in x 28 in x 16 in dimensions, comes with screwdriver, lithium ion battery, user’s manual, steering wheel, hex wrench, transmitter and charger and is under a 1 year warranty and 30 years free exchange.

Best Police Mobile Design RC Car

XStreet Camaro Police 1:18 RTR Electric RC Car
Have you ever wanted a realistic Chevy Camaro police car design? You can with the XStreet Camaro Police 1:18 RTR Electric RC Car which is scaled 1:18 and has a very realistic design. It is officially licensed, making it super realistic with full features just like the real thing. It also has rubber tires to add to its appeal and functionality.

This RC car requires 4 AA batteries for car and the controller requires a 9V battery. Overall, the XStreet Camaro Police 1:18 RTR Electric RC Car has 13.6 oz of weight and has 13 in x 5 in x 5 in dimensions. It is suitable for 8 years old and above.

Licensed Bugatti Design RC Car

Radio Remote Control 1/14 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Licensed RC Model Car (Orange)
The Radio Remote Control 1/14 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Licensed RC Model Car (Orange) is an awesome Bugatti scale model RC car. It can drive forward, reverse, left, right and stop and it is pre-assembled and ready to roll.

The whole body is fully detailed from the interior to the exterior and it also includes realistic and working head lights and tail lights. As a 1/14 scale model RC car, it is officially licensed Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse. The speed is about 8 to 15 miles per hour and the distance up to 30 feet. There are even realistic lights even when going reverse and it can go under furniture due to its flat design. In addition, you can even take it outside and even while running.

Praised for being super quiet and super fast, the Radio Remote Control 1/14 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Licensed RC Model Car (Orange) requires 5 AA batteries for the car and a 9V battery for the controller. It weighs 2.5 lbs, has 18 in x 9 in x 9 in dimensions and is good for 8 years old and above.

Licensed Lamborghini Design RC Car

RW 1/24 Scale Lamborghini Veneno Car Radio Remote Control Sport Racing Car RC,Red
If you ever wanted a small scale Lamborghini RC car then now is your chance. As a 1/24 scale, it is also available in 1/14 scale with and without control lever. It is also available in red and silver color.

Being an officially licensed Lamborghini Veneno, its distance is from 30 to 40 meters and is made for 6 years old and above. It can run on speeds of 8 to 10 mph and is fully rechargeable. It just requires 3 AAA batteries and 2 AA batteries for the remote. It has passed ROHS, EN71, RTTE and EN62115. It also has realistic headlights glow and also has a forward motion and red tail lights during reverse. Adding to that, it also comes with shock absorber for the tires and can run in almost any surface.

Having a frequency of 27, the RW 1/24 Scale Lamborghini Veneno Car Radio Remote Control Sport Racing Car RC,Red is a cool RC car with dimensions of 10 in x 5 in x 4 in and weighs 15.2 oz.

Best 4WD or 4 Wheel Drive RC Car

Axial AX90044 SCX10 Deadbolt 4WD RTR RC Crawler
The Axial AX90044 SCX10 Deadbolt 4WD RTR RC Crawler uses 2 channel 2.4 GHz radio transmitter and includes ESC, instructional manual, 27T motor and decal sheet. This is a 4 wheel drive with WB8 wild boar and has been fully assembled with stability using hex hardware and cross bracing.

The chassis is made from scaled steel c-channel and the required battery is 7.2 V NiMH or LiPo 2-3S. Being suitable for 15 years and above, the Axial AX90044 SCX10 Deadbolt 4WD RTR RC Crawler weighs 6.4 lbs, has a shipping weight of 8.8 lbs and it has dimensions of 24 in x 14 in x 12 in.

The Competition

Other RC cars that sadly did not make it to this list were not as much as special as these because they lacked in features, did not have good charging times and run times, and were not so realistic or their parts were lacking in durability. What we want in an RC car is durability and speed.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the benefits of using an RC car?
A: According to this article from High Tech Edge , there are many benefits as to owning an RC car.
For instance, it allows children to bond with family better. Having an RC car playtime with kids and parents allows for better bonding with the family and has more fun in this activity. They can play and enjoy both in terms of assembling and in racing and they can no longer feel sad or bored inside the house because they can take this RC car activity to outside of the house so they can play with family and friends and bond with them more often. This is a pleasurable and enrichment activity for the whole family and it will strengthen the bond for the kids very much in general so it is encouraging that kids should be able to have and experience playing with RC toys especially that it is a stress reliever to parents after work as well.

Kids who own and play and use any RC car will most likely learn the idea of responsibility. They will know how hard it is to drive safely and maneuver the RC car and because of that, they would not want to bump it to any object whatsoever just like in driving in the real life situation where traffic and speedy driving can be hazardous to a car driving. This is why most children will feel the responsibility when driving any RC car or vehicle so that when they grow up, they will know how to responsibly drive anything from a car to any kind of vehicle. RC cars are good starters for children whom you wish to teach responsibility and awareness of the society to. They will know first-hand what it feels to be on the road even without getting a driver’s license. They will finally realize that it is not an easy task driving but at the same time, they will also learn that driving is fun and exciting at the same time. Most RC cars are good practice toys for children and teenagers alike.

The coordination of the eyes and the hands are enhanced when it comes to RC car controlling. They will know how to easily drive a car very often when it comes to controlling any RC car and it is also a good start for many other activities especially for those who are using RC cars in a small age such as 5 to 6 years old. They will increase their coordination when it comes to using their hands and eyes and this will help them in their teenage years and their adult years when they perform work and other rigorous tasks. They will help develop themselves to make them more prepare in the future so that they can perform many other things other than driving and other than controlling race cars in the RC world.

In addition to these advantages, the article also says that motor skills are also improved. The motor skills of any child are very important and it is very necessary for any person to learn the motor skills that they need while they are still young. These skills are the most important thing when it comes to any work when they grow up and enter the real world. They will learn to become stronger when they run around while playing with the RC cars and this is why they can truly benefit from playing the RC car.

Last, but not the least, the review also says that indeed, the outdoor play is a good exercise for kids. It is the most important thing nowadays, since most children nowadays are more hooked into computer and gadget games and this is why they need a break from all of these technologies by investing in a technology that will help kids to enjoy playing outside much more.

Q: How do I maintain my RC car?
A: According to this informative RC car maintenance article from About Home , you will have to do visual inspection for the RC car. Next, you have to do some cleaning and wipe with towels. Next, the fuel tank should be drained after use so that the RC car will be able to stay clean and the fuel will run smoother. In addition, the air filter must be cleaned well so that it can run better. Then, you also add the oil for after-burn. In addition, the tires need to be checked for damage so that you will not run into a flat tire or have a very bumpy ride.

Adding to that, the RC car’s suspension and shocks need to be inspected so that it can run as smooth as possible. In addition to that, the batteries need to be checked for any signs of wear and tear that can contribute to the battery life failing the usual run time. The screws also need to be inspected and the battery packs need to be charged.

Wrapping It Up

All in all, the best RC car is the Hosim 1/12 Scale Electric RC Car Offroad 2.4Ghz 2WD High Speed 33+MPH Remote Controlled Car because of its affordable price, super fast speed and great features that make it a truly remarkable and professional RC car.