RC cars, also known as radio-controlled or remote-controlled cars, are miniature vehicles that are remotely operated by a hand-held transmitter. These devices are powered by either electric motors or internal combustion engines and come in various shapes and sizes, from toy-grade RCs to more advanced professional models.
When it comes to choosing an RC car, there are many factors to consider that can make or break the experience. For starters, the type of RC car you purchase will majorly affect how much you enjoy your experience. It's also important to consider the battery type when looking for an RC car, with higher-end remote control cars coming with rechargeable battery sets. In contrast, more affordable remote control cars typically use disposable batteries.
For this list, we rounded up the 10 best RC cars you can buy online to help you choose the best options for your utmost enjoyment. We looked into models from Monster Jam, LEGO, Desdoni and more.
For our best overall pick, we selected the DEERC DE45 RC Cars Remote Control Car. This RC car has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 6,000 reviews.
A 1:14 scale RC, this DEERC unit is an off-road rock crawler, featuring a metal shell, direction control trim knob and dual motors. It runs using 2 rechargeable batteries so you can enjoy the RC car for up to 90 minutes, depending on the operation.
There is also a 2.4GHz remote control system that the brand claims to have no interference whatsoever. And because it has anti-crash and anti-slip features, the RC car is sturdy and lets you drive on all terrains. Some said the turn radius could be better, but this seems to be a minor concern.
We recommend the World of Nintendo's Mario Kart Mini Anti-Gravity Remote Control RC Racer as the best option for kids. This adorable RC model features an anti-gravity mode for drifts and other cool tricks.
While it's not the most sturdy RC car on the market, this option is a great starter for kids aged 4 years old and up. It features the iconic Super Mario in a fun and playful design. It offers a standard and flip anti-gravity mode, allowing you to perform drifts and tricks at a press of a button. For an extra dose of fun, you can pop wheelies and do 360 spins with the model.
Customers praised the RC car's cute design, value for money and ease of use. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of more sophisticated options, but its operation is pretty straightforward. It also offers up to a 30-meter range for uninterrupted enjoyment for kids and kids at heart alike.
With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we selected the Monster Jam Grave Digger Remote Control Truck as the best RC car under $100.
This 1:15 scale grave digger comes with batteries and a dual-joystick controller, allowing you to start having fun with the RC out of the box. The controller features a 2.4GHz frequency that has a range of up to 250ft, letting you race up to 6 cars at a time.
When it comes to the design, it has a realistic and sturdy build. It features authentic graphics and oversized tyres. The package also comes with a monster-sized ramp. Several customers said it's easy to set up and use out of the box. It can also tackle most terrains without getting damaged, according to some. However, it doesn't have a wheelie feature.
The Hosim High Speed 36km/h 4WD 2.4Ghz Remote Control Truck is our pick for the best off-road model. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from more than 900 reviews.
This 1:16 RC car features a 2.4GHz system, providing up to 80m of uninterrupted remote control distance. It also offers a max speed of 36km/h, making it an extremely fast and fun option for any RC car enthusiast.
And because this is an all-terrain off-road model, it has articulated front and rear suspension that helps the body spring without crashing. Customers said the control is quite responsive and easy to use, while the car itself looks and feels durable. However, it's not the easiest option to learn for beginners.
If you're looking for a high-speed RC car, we recommend the JEYPOD Remote Control Car as the best one to get online. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The JEYPOD Remote Control Car, 2.4 GHZ High Speed Racing Car with 4 Batteries comes with the car, a transmitter, rechargeable batteries for the car and 2 AA batteries for the controller as well as a screwdriver, USB and manual.
The transmitter is a pistol grip style and fully functional. The control runs on 2.4GHz, can be controlled from 80m away and the speed is 10–20km/h. It has a playtime of 30 minutes per battery charge and takes 90 minutes to charge.
Customers loved that the car runs quite fast and is responsive while coming already assembled and charged. You do have to unscrew the battery to charge it, but most buyers don't seem to mind. Others also liked its durable build, easy controls and affordable price tag.
Our pick for the best drift RC car is Desdoni's RC Drift Car, which has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This 1:24 high-speed drifting RC car features a 4-wheel drive system and powerful motors for an easy driving force. It also comes with a 3.7V 500mAh rechargeable battery for up to 30 minutes of fun.
Apart from a sleek and retro-looking design, this drift car lets you conquer all kinds of terrain, powering through carpets, pavements, grassy areas and more. It also has an automatic pairing feature, which means it can support multiple people to control the car at the same time without any interference.
With a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we recommend the Rigo Kids Ride On Range Rover RC Car as the best ride-on option.
This ride-on model features a 2-tone design and a lacquer finish, accentuating its sculpted lines and solid build. Not only does it look realistic, but it also features a 50W twin motor for powerful performance. There is also a 4-wheel suspension for stability and comfort and anti-slip tyres for convenience.
For added safety, it features working doors with a safety lock and dynamic headlights for illumination. Other notable features included a functional dashboard, reverse lights, accelerator pedal, horn and a forward/reverse switch.
Today's Rigo Kids Ride On Range Rover RC Car deals
For toddlers, we chose the Paw Patrol 6054190 Chase Remote Control Police Cruiser with 2-Way Steering as the best RC model. This has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This Paw Patrol RC car comes with 2 characters: Chase (blue) and Marshall (red). The simple design is perfect for children who want to dip their toes into the world of RC cars. It also comes with an easy-to-use 2-button remote control for beginner-friendly operation.
Paw Patrol fans will also love that it looks like a Pup Pad, adding more excitement to the model. It runs on a frequency of 2.4GHz and can be controlled from 76m away. It requires 5 AAA batteries that are not included.
For the best LEGO option, we picked the Technic Remote-Controlled Stunt Racer, which has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This LEGO RC car is designed to be a fully immersive and rewarding experience that lets you build the car and then drive it. It has a high speed and is fully motorised and can drive forward, backward, left and right as well as perform 360 turns. It comes with 2 large motors, a receiver, a battery box and a remote control.
Customers loved this adventurous RC model. Not only does it offer an immersive LEGO experience, but it also helps kids develop their motor skills, hand-eye coordination and imagination. It comes with tons of pieces for assembly, which some kids might find a bit challenging. This means it may require adult help to assemble. Nevertheless, this is a great option for LEGO fans who also want to explore RC cars.
The Radio Controlled Cruiser is our pick for the best Barbie model. On Amazon, it has a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars. While it's not as highly rated as other RCs on the list, this option is one of the only few Barbie RC cars we could find online.
This Barbie RC cruiser features the iconic Barbie pink colour and 4 seats for Barbie and her friends. It fits up to 4 full-sized Barbie dolls and is suitable for up to 12-inch height dolls. It also has light effects for added fun.
It's a basic RC car for kids 3 years old and above, but it can't do cool tricks like other options out there. Despite these drawbacks, it's still a pretty great choice for Barbie-loving kids. It has Barbie's signature style and a user-friendly control that lets you move the RC car forward and back.
eBay prices last updated on 24 April, 2024 at 06:37 pmAmazon prices last updated on 25 April, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Save on remote control cars with these deals and discounts:
For this list, we looked into hundreds of RC cars listed in various online retailers like Amazon, eBay and Target. We evaluated models from the following brands:
Apsung
ARRMA
Axial
Cobra
Crawler
DEERC
Desdoni
Dynatech
FTA
Hosim
HPI
HSP
JEYPOD
Kmart
LEGO
Lenoxx
Losi
Mattel
Monster Jam
Nintendo
Paw Patrol
Rigo
Rovan
Rusco
Sphero
TLR
Tobeape
Topic
Tozo
Traxxas
Xinlehong
We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of December 2022). We also considered each model's key product features including design, ease of use, construction and value for money. We came up with what we believe are the 10 best RC cars available online.
Do I need an RC or remote control car?
While remote control cars are not essential, they are a fun hobby. An important consideration to make when purchasing a remote control car is your price range as remote control cars can vary in cost especially when it comes to customisable RC cars. It's best to start with an entry-level model and work your way up from there if you gain enjoyment from driving RC cars as a hobby. If they provide you fulfilment and enjoyment, most do not consider them to be a waste of money. RC cars also provide a lot of fun and entertainment for children when the right vehicle is selected based on their age. Driving RC cars can also be a fun activity for a parent to do with their children.
How to compare the best RC and remote control cars
When buying an RC or remote control car, consider your budget and how you want to use the car. Many toy cars have rechargeable batteries while others only use disposable batteries. Cars are typically the fastest RC vehicles and trucks are better for off-road.
If you're purchasing a remote control car for a child, make sure it's durable and has a remote that is simple and easy to use. Also, look for a remote control car that runs on a 2.4GHz radio frequency as it means your car will not interfere with other remote control cars that might be nearby.
Frequently asked questions
We picked the DEERC DE45 RC Cars Remote Control Car as the best RC car you can get online.
Apart from being fun, RC cars can help kids learn how to operate their first machine and encourage the development of their motor skills.
Remote-controlled vehicles are operated from a distance using an antenna attached to the car and an operating controller. The controller then sends signals through the wire for the car to move around. On the other hand, radio-controlled (RC) cars receive radio waves from the controller and operate remotely.
RC cars are more expensive than remote-controlled options because they require more components to operate. An RC car must have a transmitter, a receiver, a motor and a power source to properly function – all of which must be durable to withstand heavy usage.
You can get affordable RC cars priced at less than $30, but they may not have the bells and whistles of more expensive options.
To keep your car in tip-top shape, make sure to clean it after every session. Clean the exterior with a damp microfibre cloth and use an air compressor to remove dust and debris from the interior and motor. You also need to clean the wheels and scrub off dirt from the chassis. Lastly, check the screws and bearings. Tighten if loose, and grease them before storing the car in a dry place.
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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