The 10 Best RC (Remote Control) Cars to Buy 2020

There are few products on the market that can justify the “fun for everyone” caption but RC (Remote Control) cars do that to the fullest. Whether your child loves zooming in and around the house all the time or you are an adult with a zeal for speed, you will find an RC car that best suits your cravings. RC cars are in a unique category that appeals to a broad range of people.

Remote control cars or radio controlled cars are battery/gas-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter or remote. The trick to choosing the best RC car is figuring out what you or the person you are buying for intends to do with the vehicle. So if you are looking for one, then we can help you with some of the best products available on the market.

Features to Consider in Good RC (Remote Control) Cars

How to Choose the Best RC Cars

Price

There are various features on different RC cars that ultimately determine their prices and how you can use them. A basic RC car made with durable plastic as well as gravity sensor control can go for less than $70 while a more sophisticated option that comes with dual Lopo battery and is suitable for any terrain can sell for more than $1000. Since there are different variations, it is smart to first consider your budget and know what you want before making a choice. Try as much as you can to stay clear of cheap RC cars because they may breakdown in no time because of substandard mechanics and inferior materials.

Features

The common feature everyone looks for in RC cars is speed but you may care about some other features after some time. This tends to put one option above another. That is why we have put together these important features one should look for when buying the best RC cars. You will soon understand why these features are important as you read on.

Design and Construction

Although there are several models and brands of RC cars on the market, you can make the process of finding the right one for you by defining what you really want. They however vary on many accounts and the variation of each determines their modes of operation.

Power

Many potential buyers usually struggle between choosing an electric RC car or a nitro-powered one. Yet, the best option for you largely depends on what you really want from the RC car. For instance, the nitro-powered option gives you the feel of a regular vehicle because of the gas and smoke from the nitro engine. Moreover, you can go on as fast and as far as you want once the fuel is added to the tank.

Gas-powered vehicles also allow you to perform some stunts because of the quality suspension. There is also an unparalleled degree of precision in the way it is driven. All these help to develop your mechanical skills in a way that is unique to gas-powered cars. If you are concerned about how and where to buy the fuel, it is sometimes available in an RC hobby shop and if there isn’t anyone near you, you can always order online.

Electrically powered models also offer a lot. One of the main selling points is that they can be used indoors because they are quiet. They also have standard reverse gears and are easy to maintain. You can easily customize them for greater speed thanks to the LiPO battery that provides a brushless motor.

Another important issue to consider as far as electric RC car is concerned is brushless and brushed. Brushless motors are more energy efficient because they don’t use brushes to convert electricity to motion, however, they are more expensive. On the other hand, brushed motors are not as fast as they create more friction. So the experienced hobbyist can go for the brushless electric RC car option but it isn’t advisable for beginner or newbie because most manufacturers design the brushless model with the assumption that the user is experienced.

Size

Also important is the size of the RC car. The sizes are usually measured from the car’s lip tip to the rear end. You will find scales of different ratios. What you have to understand is that it is a representation of the RC car size in relation to a real vehicle. For example, a 1/24 or 1:24 Lamborghini Veneno RC car means the RC car is 24 times smaller than the real one.

Top 10 Best RC (Remote Control) Cars 2020

1. Traxxas Rustler RTR XL-5 RC Car

Design
Traxxas is a leading brand in the design and manufacture of radio-controlled vehicles. This car will definitely match the taste of enthusiasts and hobbyists in both performance and looks. This unit is an all-weather, all terrain, ready to race truck. If you are looking for aggressive and fast-paced fun, this rugged Rustler will surely deliver that to you. The Rustler gets the power that helps it to perform so well from the low resistance, premium quality batteries it is fitted with. The power cell battery is packed in 12-gauge wire with high output connectors and heavy-duty welded tabs. The receiver and control unit of this racing car is sealed with waterproof technology which helps to remove any limits of where it can go.

Performance
The Traxxas Rustler RTR Car is fitted with 8.4 volts, 3,000mAh batteries that provides unrestricted power to push this car to speeds more than 35 miles/hour. Its waterproof and power electronics allow it to navigate both off-road and on-road track and still course its way through mud, puddles, and even snow. This RC racer runs on Titan modified 500 motor which does not require much in terms of maintenance. This unique design helps to keep the temperature down. It features a precision-engineered radio control system which is ergonomically designed so it can be used for a long time.

The smooth line of connection also allows you to precisely control the car. The state-of-the-art design of the electronic speed control gives you unprecedented handling of this unit. This makes this car the ideal car for users of all experience levels. It features a training mode that makes it easy for users to get into the world of RC racing. The Traxxas Rustler RTR XL-5 RC Car uses the Revo-spec slipper clutch that helps you to make precise adjustments with stable traction control and smooth operation.

2. Hosim Large Size 1:10 Scale Cross-Country Car

Design
The Hosim Cross Country Car is designed for everyone above the age of 8 and it offers a four-wheel drive with its all-metal sealed bearing. Experience the thrills of driving off-road and watch as this RC car performs so well with its sturdy, reliable, and highly durable frame. It was manufactured with the best materials in the market. The tires of the Hosim Cross Country Car are made with aggressive threads and have strong grips, making them perfect for on and off-road adventures. This sizeable truck has a heavy-duty wheel with premium anti-skid features that help to keep the vehicle steady and safe while you take to a racetrack. This unit comes with an independently stimulated shockproof system and a steel chassis shaft structure that helps to reduce the impact on unsteady drives.

Performance
The Hosim Cross Country Car is equipped with two motors which offer users a high level of power when compared to RC car with a single-engine. It is also designed for superior control and handling, such as moving right/left, forward/backward. This RC car is perfect for specific operations which include flipping, turning, and drifting. It features professional steering with its full functionality available. All four wheels on this truck comprise bouncing spring materials to support the unexpected dropping off the ground and the unstable ground surface. These features will ensure users enjoy this drift car for an extended period. The Hosim Cross-Country Car features an anti-jamming capability, so when you work off a 2.4 GHz frequency, it allows you to race more than other vehicles within the same area.

3. Distianert 1:12 Scale 4WD RTR Rock Crawler

Design
The Distianert Rock Crawler was designed and built with a lightning speed which makes it faster than most of its competitors. It features a built-in brushless motor that powers its rate. This motor helps the Distianert to break the normal speed limit effortlessly. With this fast RC car, you will enjoy the most breathtaking and fantastic experience that will have you screaming throughout the race or trip. This racing car can work for as long as 30 minutes once it has been fully charged, enabling users to enjoy nonstop driving. The Distianert Rock Crawler comes with two sets of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Performance
Control your car with ease and enjoy an exciting moment that comes with the driving moment by using the pistol-like remote controller that comes with this racing car. The remote features a very sensitive trigger that helps you accelerate, decelerate, stop, or turn to your right and left respectively. The Distianert Rock Crawler is convenient to drive on various terrains such as concrete, rock, beach, or sand thanks to the 4WD independent suspension technology and anti collision head. It also features anti-shock suspension system and heavy-duty wheels along with shockproof gaskets and a hollow rubber tire. It allows you to control it within a range of about 250 feet.

4. Traxxas Slash 1/10 Scale 2WD Short Course Racing Truck

Design
The Traxxas Slash is designed to put you in a high flying and intense off-road action. Each package comes with a fast charger, pre-glued tires, and detailed instructions along with a decayed and painted body. This RC racing truck features many unmatched parts, so you can service at several hobby dealers across the world. The scale-look tires help to provide the right amount of thick and bite. The sealed electronics components make it perfect for all weather.

Performance
The Slash embodies Traxxas brand spirit as it features this company’s power slides, large suspension travel, super cross-style big-air jumps, as well as 900 horsepower racing engines. This vehicle promises to turn your backyard into the best racing track, allowing you to experience all the action from head to head to high-speed competitions. Fly over all obstacles while ripping full-throttle through the turns with the 2WD racing truck. It is purposely designed to help you challenge the skills on each other or find an all-new driving skill in the track.

Traxxas offers drivers a lifetime guarantee which helps to protect your investment all the time. It features a unique chassis that provides huge center ground clearance to drive over rocks, deep ruts, as well as other obstacles. The tires use sophisticated rubber compounds and advanced tread design to provide drivers incredible grip both on pavement and off-road. The torque control slipper clutch design helps to deliver consistent traction, precise adjustment, and smooth operation.

5. Traxxas 1/10 Slash 4X4 Brushless Short Course Truck

Design
The Traxxas Slash Brushless Short Course Truck is a 4X4 platinum vehicle that comes already assembled for your next play. This racing car features some of the latest technology in the world of racing cars. The all-new low center-of-gravity chassis and the high volume pair of shock help this racing car to deliver the ultimate short-course racing performance. This platinum edition car is loaded with machined aluminum suspension components instead of a radio system as well as a transparent body ready paint as well as rear and front sway bars. What makes the Traxxas Slash Brushless Short Course Truck unique is its customizable design and exceptionally high speeds. It also has a durable and sturdy frame as well as waterproof electronics that makes it suitable for all-weather driving. The clear polycarbonate body allows users to paint this car in any color of their choice.

Performance
The Traxxas Slash Brushless Short Course Truck is a specially designed remote-controlled car that can move through different types of liquid without its component getting destroyed. Besides its waterproof parts, this car has extreme brushless power and integrated low voltage protection. The powerful brushless motor allows you to reach up to 60mph. To keep oil and dirt out for consistent and smooth damping, this unit’s shocks are sealed with unique X-rings. Also, the Velineon system that this racing car uses helps with a high speed, soft performance. The Traxxas Slash Brushless Short Course Truck features a PTFE coated aluminum and the hard-anodized GTR shocks that help to deliver track-ready suspension.

6. Tamiya Grasshopper 2WD Off-road Kit, TAM 58346

Design
The Tamiya Grasshopper TAM 58346 is a racing car that was inspired by the famous one-seater buggies found on several dirt tracks around the US in the 80s. This lightweight RC car boasts a secure mode of assembly and control. This car became a hit among many racers shortly after its introduction because of its compatibility with different option parts, which include 540 motors and bearings. The simple assembly and tough exterior make it quite different from most RC cars on the market. Its solid and sturdy frame is designed to withstand several rough handling.

Performance
The paddle-style rear tires of the Tamiya Grasshopper along with the grooves front tires have been combined with a 3-piece assembly type wheels for an outstanding grip performance on dirt tracks. This combination and the half body figure of this car gives it the finishing touches of an ideal off-road vehicle. The sealed rear gear box helps to protect the gear’s differential during off-road racing. The Tamiya Grasshopper is packed to the brim with various features that allow you to effortlessly race on both on-road and off-road tracks.

7. Redcat Racing Electric Tornado EPX PRO Buggy

Design
The Tornado EPX PRO is one of Redcat’s outstanding creations that is meant to be used both on and off the racing track. The body armpit of this car has been designed and built from vivid polycarbonate. The waterproof electronics makes it suitable to drive through puddles, snow, and mud. The Tornado EPX PRO requires 8 AA batteries which you can recharge for an extended play.

Performance
The Tornado EPX PRO is equipped with a brushless motor and speed regulator which makes control and operations extremely easy on different kinds of racing tracks. It also features a 4-wheel drive, reverse/forward transmission, and a 2-Channel 2.4GHz radio. The shocks of this car are filled with oil and aluminum capped. It runs on 7.4 volts 3500mAh LiPo batteries which come with the charger. This model is seriously fun to use and immensely powerful.

8. Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Pro

Design
The Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Pro is an RC racing car that knows no bounds. With a flash of light, a streak of color, this car features a brushless motor, a powerful 3500mAh LiPo battery, and a plastic chassis. This racing car comes assembled and ready to go with a LiPO battery pack and a charger. This gives you enough time on your hands to compete and race with your friends. This car also uses 8 AA batteries. With an incredible design in either a choice of red or blue, this shirt 1/10 scale RC car will definitely make you the talk of the town.

Performance
The Lightning EPX Pro comes with a built-in 2.4GHz radio system which makes weaving in or out of a racing track easy as it provides users with reliable control. It features an adjustable suspension that is quite similar to those on most race cars. The aluminum capped oil filled shocks provide tunable damping which helps the car’s tire to achieve good traction. The forward and reverse transmission of this racing car allows it to back out of pile-ups easily and blast to the finish line with blistering top speeds. This speed machine can reach up to 40mph with ease.

9. Traxxas XO-1 1/7 Scale AWD Supercar

Design
The Traxxas XO-1 AWD Supercar is the most expensive on our list of the best RC cars, however, it is a great value for your money. The shape and size of this RC racing car have been designed meticulously to harness the airflow so it can reach top speeds. It also features tires designed especially for high speed. The dashboard of the Traxxas XO-1 AWD Supercar is fully customizable with either digital or dial readout gauges. The molded inserts support the thread and the zero stretch belting helps to reinforce the soft compound rubber. It comes in three colors: black, blue, and red to suit your preference.

Performance
The Traxxas XO-1 AWD Supercar is very fast with the ability to reach over 100mph. It is quick off the starting line too as it can shoot seamlessly from 0 to 60 in only 2.3 seconds. The potential speed and power can make it dangerous in the wrong hands. However, if you know what you are doing, there is so much fun you can have with this car. The RC racing car boasts Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) which makes it easier to control on slippery surfaces such as ice, gravel, and dirt. This unit is compatible with the Traxxas Link app which can record real data while driving including temperature, RPM, battery voltage and speed. The Big Block brushless motor on the Traxxas XO-1 AWD Supercar is the largest in any ready to race car. This gives drivers unlimited bragging rights.

10. Tamiya 1/10 RC Car Series No. 570 Lancia Dennis Integrale

Design
The Tamiya Lancia Delta Integrale is a high-quality product that will give you value for your money. What makes this RC car unique is that it is a build it yourself model. This means the parts come unassembled, and the body is clear, so before you can drive it you have to put them together. This feature not only encourages a hands-on approach to race but also educate your children in electronics while also improving their developmental skills. Also, the body has great attention to detail that is hard to find in lower quality RC cars.

Performance
Extremely fun to build from scratch and powerful in function, the Tamiya Lancia Delta Integrale is a great RC racing car that works well on many terrains such as dirt, tarmac, and gravel. Although having to purchase other parts of this car separately make it very expensive, its performance makes it a worthwhile investment. The Tamiya Lancia Delta Integrale is operated with a remote and the kit comes with a motor.

Guide to Buying the Best RC (Remote Control) Cars

There is a certain excitement associated with speed and it seems everyone wants in on it, young and old, men and women. The best part about this is you don’t need to participate in Formula One or act in the Fast and Furious series before having a taste of this thrill. You can start to enjoy the immense fun once you invest in a quality RC car.

Now that the popular misconception that things like these are meant for kids has been debunked, with good RC car hobbyists can have the time of their life. The experience is quite similar to what you can get from an RC boat: intense thrill, control, and power as you watch the machine speed along according to how the controls are manipulated by your fingers. With adequate attention to the maintenance routine and technological advancements if your preferred RC car, it will definitely serve you well for many years.

Most RC cars on the market are powered by rechargeable batteries. There are also some buggies with nitro-fueled engines. Your preference will ultimately determine the RC car you end up with. The tires, shocks, drive train, motor, and all the other factors that affect real vehicles performance are the same one that affects RC car’s performance.

The best RC cars have waterproof electronics that makes it suitable for a wide range of weather conditions. They should also have a powerful radio control system so your activities on the remote control can translate seamlessly to movement of this miniature vehicle. There are important factors you have to consider if you are interested in RC racing.

Scale

The size of RC cars is typically given in comparison to a real vehicle. So a 1:5 scale car would be one fifth the size of a real car.

1/5 – The 1/5 scale car is usually huge. However, the nice thing these cars are they are often gas-powered. This makes them convenient, cheap, and easy to run. You can use the gas from the gas station and mix it with about 2 stroke oil. Another nice thing about these cars is the ground clearance.

1/8– This scale is mostly used for those high-level racing cars. They have big electric motors or nitro engines which makes them faster than the one-fifth models. They are also highly upgradeable and customizable.

1/10 – This scale is the most popular because of their low prices. Although they are not as powerful as the 1/8 models, they are still very fast.

1/16 – This scale is ideal for those small areas such as small backyards. Not only are they cheaper than bigger models but they are easy to transport. While they have smaller engines, they can reach high speeds because of their lightweight design.

1/18 – These models of RC cars are typically available only in the electric version. They are light and small and are the ideal entry-level cars for children or hobbyist looking for a fun RC car that you can use indoors.

Power Source

There are three major types of power source: Gas, Nitro, and Electric.

Gas

Gas-powered RC cars used to be very expensive but the prices have significantly dropped, making them more affordable. Although when compared to other types, they are still expensive, however; they are cheaper to maintain. They are also convenient to use as all you need to do is add the gas and go. Gas-powered models are very loud because of their engine. Thanks to their large tanks, they have the longest run time.

Nitro

Nitro powered RC cars are all about high-speed racing. The engine of these models runs on nitro fuel, which is available at a hobby shop near you. The nitro fuel gives these cars’ unbelievable power to weight ratio, making them faster. However, the engines of nitro-powered RC car may require some fine-tuning.

Electric

Electric powered RC cars are quite easy to use. All you need to do is to charge the battery and you are good to go. They are perfect for use in places you need to be quiet. They are also good for newbie or beginner drivers because there is no fuel or engine tuning involved. In this category, you will find brushed and brushless types, this refers to how the motor was built. Brushless options are faster because they are powered by lithium.

Vehicle Type

There are two main things to consider when deciding which vehicle type to go for is gearing and ground clearance. Off-road vehicles typically have higher ground clearance which may sacrifice handling. Different RC types will have different gearing. A remote-controlled car will have two gears, so they have to be geared for function. Typically, cars have gearing for high speed while trucks have gearing for getting up hills.

There is no limit to the type of RC cars on the market as there can be as many RC cars as the real cars. There are RC cars of supercar brands such as Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. There are also some for off-road buggies, Custom Street racing cars, rally cars, etc. The type of RC car you opt for depends on your preferences. For instance, if your dream is to drive a Lamborghini you can begin by getting the RC option to keep your dream alive. Most RC cars have heavy-duty rubber tires, steel shocks, aluminum chassis, etc.

Ease of Use and Performance

The law of diminishing returns affects almost everything. Over time and with consistent use, the level of satisfaction we get from our RC cars starts to slide. This can also be explained by our insatiable desires. We just want more fun, more excitement, and more speed. Fortunately, many RC manufacturers seem to understand this, so their products are designed to graduate with our desires.

With torque control slipper clutches, high-performance tires, peak detection circuitries, integrated cooling fans, rechargeable batteries, automated suspension geometry, Gen 3 radio trays, adjustable shocks, as well as other tweakable parts, the pleasure obviously never ends. You can redesign the RC car to suit your taste because they are designed in such a way that almost any part of it can be upgraded even its body. So if you have been thinking you will have to abandon your favorite toy after some months or years, you need to think again.

Now that you have a good knowledge on how to choose the best RC car, hopefully this is enough to help make your decision process easier.

The Verdict

The RC cars we have selected are some of the best currently available on the market, excelling in terms of design and performance. These RC cars will definitely provide you with the level of thrilling experience you need. All the products on our list of the best RC cars have an outstanding level of efficiency and are well priced.

Source: Tools - autoquarterly.com