Copyright popularmechanics
Some toys are timeless. From monster trucks that power over boulders to speed demons that clock 70 miles per hour, RC cars can thrill anyone who gets a controller in their hand for hours on end. Whether you’re an experienced driver looking to splurge on a higher-end model, a beginner looking for a new hobby, or a parent trying to get your kid off the iPad, remote control cars are a great toy for all ages.If you’re new to the RC world, shopping for a car (or an RC airplane, boat, or truck, for that matter) may feel somewhat daunting at first. There are a surprising number of technical details to wade through, especially if you're looking a high-end model for adults. It helps to, at the very least, know how to tell the difference between the cars made for competitive racing, the ones for hobbyists, and the more affordable options for kids and beginners. The good news is that while there may be a bit of a learning curve, you can get a taste of the action no matter your budget. For more great toys kids of all ages are sure to love, check out our picks for the best remote control toys, the best drones, and the best robot toys.The Best Remote Control CarsBest Overall: Traxxas Stampede 4x4 BL-2s RTR Remote Control CarBest Value: Bezgar Off-Road Monster Truck 2WD Remote-Control CarBest Replica: Traxxas TRX-4M 4X4 Crawler with Ford Bronco Body Best for Racing: Traxxas LaTrax Desert Prerunner Racing Truck Best for Drifting: Tamiya Nismo R34 GT-R Z-Tune Remote Control CarHow We Tested and SelectedOur testing focused on key features that factor into an RC car's day-to-day use, including speed, power, battery life, and handling. We drove a collection of cars on both flat indoor surfaces in our office, over uneven, hilly outdoor areas in New York’s Central Park, and through the fall foliage and around tree-lined back yards in upstate New York. In addition to the basics, we measured the cars' acceleration, how quickly each car responded to radio signals, and checked the range of the remotes. We also took general notes on how easy it was to get the cars up and running.There are two models on this list we haven't tested, Bezgar Off-Road Monster Truck and the Tamiya Nismo R34 GT-R Z-Tune. We recommended them after reviewing user recommendations and enthusiast reviews to find cars that represented certain areas our test units didn't fill. Our research spanned a range of different vehicle types from reputable RC brands, including Traxxas, Laegendary, Redcat Racing, and Bezgar. Across the board, we wanted to make sure this list represented a wide range of RC cars, including options at several price points. Our picks include toy cars that cost $50 or less, mid-range RC cars under $200, and a few pricey models for experienced adult enthusiasts that cost as much as $350. In our latest update, we performed additional testing our existing recommendations, as well as a few new cars. We also removed one recommendation, the VR Real Racer, as it has ben out of stock for several months. Stampede 4x4 BL-2s RTR Remote Control Car The Traxxas Stamped RC car is our top choice because it combines speed, handling, and power better than any other option we tested. Its oversized monster truck tires aren’t just for show: They provided great traction and grip on dirt and rocks, as well as concrete and linoleum. Even compared to more speed-focused cars, the Traxxas brings some notable zip. What impressed us most, though, was the handling. Even on uneven grass and dirt, we felt comfortable making sharp turns and precise movements at high speeds and the vehicle didn’t topple over. And it handled crashes like a champ: It took a few accidental head-on collisions into trees and fell as much as three feet off some rocks in the park, and was no worse for wear. Another key distinction for this RC car was how responsive and powerful the suspension was. Driving on bumpy surfaces and through dirt never swayed or threw it off course. The suspension made it easier to perform short jumps over ramps and ledges without crashing or damaging the vehicle. Off-Road Monster Truck 2WD Remote Control Car This well-priced off-road monster truck has working roll bar headlights, a spare tire attached to the back chassis, and an aluminum body that handles collisions at the truck’s top speed of 12 miles per hour. Its feature-rich design is an excellent value for beginners and experienced RCers alike. The two-wheel-drive remote-control car is on the smaller side, at 1/14th scale, but it has a powerful motor to keep it rolling for up to 25 minutes on its all-terrain tires. The 2.4 GHz remote works from a distance of more than 160 feet away.While it isn't quite as powerful or durable as our top pick, it serves as a perfect on-ramp to hobby-grade RC, giving you more oomph than a cheap toy. TRX-4M 4X4 Crawler with Ford Bronco Body If you’ve got a love for model cars, this is the right RC car for you. This scaled down Ford Bronco is the near spitting image of the real thing, minus the less-than-ideal gas mileage. This miniature has grippy tires that match its slow, but powerful motor. Just like the real thing, this Bronco climbs over rocks and rallies up inclines with ease. We tested the car going up large boulders in the park and while it never zoomed over them, it continued moving effortlessly. We of course love the accurate exterior shell, but also found the interior body to be quite impressive. The TRX-4M has a flexible frame and suspension system that allows for easy climbing on uneven surfaces. It comes with two headlights which, when the Bronco shell is snapped on, only further adds to the look.You can grab one of these RC cars in multiple colors including blue, orange, white, gray, and black. LaTrax Desert Prerunner Racing Truck If you want speed, try out this LaTrax Prerunner racing truck. While it may not win you any competitive RC races with professional builds, this is a hobby-grade car with some serious juice behind it for its size. Driving it around required a bit of adjustment time because of its quick acceleration and sharp turning radius, but that’s exactly the type of challenge we love to tackle.The grippy tires and bouncy suspension also meant that this car picks up some serious speed outdoors. We drove it over hills and through rocks without losing any speed in the process. We loved the way it spins and drifts when it has some dirt or gravel underneath it, and found ourselves trying to spin it around trees for fun.The car, much like other Traxxas products, is also quite durable. It handled a few spills and wipeouts with no real damage to the body or motor. That said, be careful driving it through leaves and sticks because we found several accumulate under the outer shell after our drive. RC Nismo R34 GT-R Z-Tune Many of the RC cars we tested are off-roaders with thick tires, grippy treads, and bouncy suspensions. This allows them to drive quickly and responsively across tons of different surfaces like dirt, gravel, grass, and up rocks. This model from Tamiya is designed for the exact opposite: It features slick smooth tires and a low-profile design that's built for indoor play on hard surfaces like tile or hardwood.This is because the remote control car is built for one thing and one thing only: drifting. Just like stunt drivers on a movie set, these cars spin and slide across the ground for cinematic turns and stylish maneuvering.Bear in mind however that this car does not some ready to race. This is an assembly kit that requires patience, steady hands and additional materials like glue and a hobby knife. Furthermore, the car will also require an electronic speed controller (ESC), battery and radio receiver. What to Consider What types of RC cars are there?Based on our testing, the biggest distinction between RC cars is that some are hobby-grade models for racing or off-roading hobbyists, and beginner-friendly toys that are usually made for kids and beginners.Hobby-grade RC cars come with powerful motors, beefy batteries, and the torque and speed to handle outdoor driving over tough terrain or competitive racing. These are typically more expensive than their toy counterparts and are better suited for buyers who want to seriously dive into RC cars or are already major fans. Toy RC cars are slower and get less run time per charge, but are much more affordable.RC cars also come in a wide variety of builds, including off-road 4x4s and buggies, rock crawlers (built for more rigid, extreme off-roading), and drift cars (best for turns and speed. You’ll often see the RC car’s scale listed, especially for model cars, representing its size in relation to the real deal.What does RTR mean?While shopping, you may see the initials “RTR” in product descriptions, which stands for “ready to race.” This means you can start driving right out of the box or after charging, with no extra parts required to get it up and running. Cars may be labeled RTR even if the batteries are sold separately, though, so make sure to check the packaging. Speed may not be the most important featureSpeed varies depending on what the car is built to do. For example, rock climbers don’t have to be incredibly fast to tackle boulders, but they need powerful high-torque motors, whereas a race car should hit at least 20 to 30 miles per hour, depending on your level of competition. Before you buy, make sure you have in mind where you expect most of your RC driving to happen and what kind of features are important to you.If you want a taste of everything, there are a number of cars that are in the middle ground; offering enough speed to make straightaways fun and enough power to handle grass, inclines, and some gravel.Remote controls come in different styles.Less expensive RC cars generally have a two-button remote control, and those on the higher end have 2.4 GHz (a speedy signal transmission speed) pistol-grip-style remotes with more advanced steering and throttles. These remotes are more responsive, allowing you to make quick turns, rapidly accelerate or even reverse at a moment's notice. 2.4 GHz remote controls are what you’ll likely see in any hobby-grade RC cars. If you go for a high-end model, ensure that replacement parts and upgrades are readily available. Otherwise, you’ll have to search for outdated parts on eBay.
