Turn the Sidewalk Into a Racetrack With the Best RC Cars for Flipping and Off-Roading

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From monster trucks to speed demons that can clock 70 miles per hour, remote control cars deliver hours of fun. Whether you’re an experienced hobbyist looking to upgrade and splurge on a higher-end model or a parent searching for an activity to get your kid off the iPad, RC cars are a great toy for adults and children alike.

If you’re new to the RC world, shopping for a car (or an RC airplane, boat, or truck, for that matter) can feel somewhat daunting at the start, as there are a lot of technical details to wade through while you’re comparing models, even for kids’ toys. And, with so many car types and features, it can be tough to figure out which options meet your criteria for style and price. 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 Cars

• Best Overall: Bezgar Off-Road Monster Truck 2WD Remote-Control Car

• Best Monster Truck: Laegendary 4x4 1/10 Scale Off-Road Remote-Control Car

• Best Budget: Double E Off-Road Monster Truck 4WD Remote-Control Car

• Best for Adults: Traxxas Rustler 4x4 VXL Remote-Control Car

• Best Toy Stunt Car: Orrente Kids’ Stunt Remote-Control Car

What to Consider

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 playing with it right out of the box or after charging, with no extra parts required to get it up and running. Cars can be labeled RTR even if the batteries are sold separately, though, so make sure to check the packaging.

Types of RC Cars

There are hobby-grade RC cars and toy cars designed for kids, with the latter typically costing less money for less power (though some offer impressive performance at a low price).

The types of vehicles to choose from include off-road 4x4s and buggies, rock crawlers (built for more rigid, extreme off-roading), and drift cars (best for turns), so you’ll need to decide which you or your child will most enjoy. You’ll often see the RC car’s scale listed, especially for model cars, representing its size to the real deal.

Speed and Controls

Speed 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 you’ll want a race car that can hit at least 35 miles per hour.

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. 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.

How We Selected

To find the best remote-control cars, we collected top choices from various retailers and user reviews from people who have tried these themselves. Our list covers a range of different vehicle types from reputable RC brands, including Traxxas, Laegendary, Redcat Racing, and Bezgar, and we made sure to find options across several price points, from toy cars that cost $50 or less to mid-range RC cars well under $200. We also included a few pricey models for experienced adult enthusiasts, which cost up to $500.

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 can handle 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, and 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.

4x4 1/10 Scale Off-Road Remote Control Car

It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an adult; you will love playing with this monster truck. It’ll tackle rugged terrain for up to 40 minutes at a max of 31 miles per hour and features large off-road wheels and a pistol-grip remote control that works up to 250 feet away.

It has working LED headlights and a splashy red and white paint job, plus it has two speeds, which helps kids get the hang of it before hitting the gas at full throttle. The 4x4 truck runs on two rechargeable batteries, which are included.

Some users report on bending parts toward the truck’s rear after heavy use, so be mindful of how reckless you drive with it.

Off-Road Monster Truck 4WD Remote Control Car

For budding remote control car enthusiasts, it’s tough to beat this 1/12-scale four-wheel-drive monster truck because of its easy operation, straightforward features, and budget-friendly price tag. It has excellent battery life—expect it to keep rolling for up to 40 minutes—plus a USB-rechargeable battery pack.

This four-wheel-drive truck skews larger than most to immerse kids in the action. It also features shock absorbers to handle all kinds of terrain and oversized anti-skid tires for climbing hills and obstacles with a 45-degree angle. Its drawback is its top speed, which only hits 4 mph—way too slow for adults, but just right for a child—and poor turns due to its large size.

Kids’ Stunt Remote Control Car

Kids can get the thrill of extreme performance with this toy stunt car. The two-stick controller is easy to use for 360-degree spins, flips, and navigating all sorts of terrain indoors and out, including sand, rocks, and grass.

The 4x4 vehicle also features two motors and working LED lights, plus the remote has a range of more than 130 feet. Its top speed is about 4 mph, which means it’s more for tricking than it is for racing. Some users say the battery doesn’t last long on a single charge, with a single charge ranging between 20 to 30 minutes—but you’re lucky if you can get your kid to pay attention to any given toy for that long anyway.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Remote Control Car

With realistic details inside and out, working head and tail lights, and a controller that can be easily operated by small hands, kids will squeal with delight over this mini Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. The remote control car comes in bright glossy orange and is made of thermoplastic rubber to withstand crashes and jumps off the coffee table.

At 1/14 scale, it’s on the small size, it can hit a top speed of 15 miles per hour, and it runs on five AA batteries, which aren’t included.

Rustler 4x4 VXL Brushless RC Car

The Rustler 4x4 can hit a top speed of an incredible 65 mph, yet it’s rugged enough to tear it up off-road. A 3500kV brushless motor powers it and it pops fantastic wheelies.

Other highlights of the 1:10 scale machine include a low center of gravity chassis for superb handling, the brand’s self-righting technology, heavy-duty driveshafts, and 2.8-inch rugged tires. The brand claims it’s also waterproof, but many users say it can’t survive being submerged in water, which means it’s likely just water-resistant.

The only downside is that we wish the battery and charger were included in the price.

Danchee RidgeRock Remote Control Car

This rock crawler gets rave reviews from customers. For an incredibly affordable price, the remote control car offers all-wheel drive, two high-torque brushed electric motors, and front and rear multi-link suspension, plus four-wheel independent steering and adjustable height.

Details include a roll cage, off-road tires, and bedlock rims. There's also a three-channel 2.4 GHz pistol-grip radio transmitter. The package includes a 7.4-volt, 1,500 mAh rechargeable battery pack along with a USB battery charger.

Land Rover Defender Remote Control Car

This all-metal remote control car is in a league of its own, designed as a mini replica of the Land Rover Defender. If you can swing the price tag and want the ultimate rugged trail crawler, look no further.

In terms of style, it’s highly detailed to match the real deal, and you can take it through rain, snow, and sleet as it has waterproof-sealed electronics.

There’s also a two-speed transmission to give it extra pep, cruise control, and portal axles that give it substantial ground clearance to prevent torque twist. The only downside, though likely not a dealbreaker, is that the charger and batteries are sold separately.

RC Car 1/8 Typhon 4WD BLX Buggy

If you have a fleet of remote control cars, better pull them to the curb to let this speed demon whiz past. Few other options on the market can match a top speed of 70 miles per hour, though you’ll need to install a 6S LiPo battery and optional pinion gear to get there. Those components are sold separately, as is the charger.

Arrma’s Typhon buggy is built to bash, with a front brace that can handle high-velocity crashes, plus it features Spektrum components, including a 2050Kv brushless motor, a three-channel radio, and metal-geared digital servo.

EPX Drift Remote Control Car

For adults who want the thrill of a race car that’s capable of handing slides around bends, this drift car from Redcat Racing is an excellent choice.

The slick-looking four-wheel-drive remote control car has smooth rear wheels and a lightweight plastic chassis for easy drifting and recovery, with a top speed of 15 miles per hour. It also offers tunable suspension and shocks, as well as adjustable ride height so you can lift the chassis for bumpier terrain.

It runs on a rechargeable battery, which is included, as is the charger.

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