Best Remote Control Cars in 2025 

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

When you’re a little kid, one of the most fun toys your mom or dad can get you is an RC car. It’s not the real deal, but it’s something you can always rely on to entertain yourself with. Whether it be inside the house or at the park, there’s almost always a place where you can play with this fun-sized machine. Now, everyone thinks that, just because it’s something children play with, adults are too grown-up to play with RC cars. This has never been the case, though. There has never been an age limit to simply having fun. And if playing with a remote control car is what you do, then more power to you.

When it comes to options in terms of buying RC cars, the sky is pretty much the limit. Technology has come so far that the durability, speed, and other parameters of the average car have shot up immensely. This can, in turn, leave customers spoiled for choice. But don’t worry, we have you covered in that regard. 

For this article, we’re going to be looking at the top remote control car picks for parents looking to buy a cute yet durable toy for their children or hobbyists looking to get the most bang for their buck in miniature racing. But before we do, we’d like to inform you of what you should be looking out for when you buy an RC car. 

Important Things to Know Before Buying

• Price: Your budget always matters when it comes to purchasing anything. If you’re a parent, you may want to get an RC car that’s more on the cheaper side, but if you’re a die-hard enthusiast, the more expensive models may be more your speed. 

• Size: RC cars are usually pretty small and portable. However, there is a size/scale ratio used in most cars that defines how well they drive and which spaces they’re best for. Scales usually vary from 1/10 to 1/64 scale; the higher the bottom number, the smaller the car. The general rule of thumb is that bigger cars are most ideal for durability and speed, while smaller ones are best for simpler tasks. 

• WD (Wheel Drive): There are two types of WD, 2WD and 4WD. A 2WD vehicle will usually send power to the wheels at the back of the car. 2WD cars are the cheaper option and are pick-up-and-play; they also allow for better drifting. However, they’re slightly harder to control and slower than 4WD options. 4WD options are faster and easier to control due to functioning on 4 wheels and having better traction. 

• RTR vs. Kit: RTR (Ready to Ride) cars are what you’ll usually find on store shelves. They’re something you buy, pop the batteries in, and hit the go button on. Kits are something that needs to be assembled, however. I would recommend the former for beginners and parents.  

• Battery Life: Most cars have batteries that last around 30-60 minutes on a single charge. If you want long play sessions, get an RC that can use multiple interchangeable rechargeable batteries.

• Durability: RCs are prone to breaking, not because they’re faulty or lack any durability. But more so because they will take a beating if they’re in the hands of a child or someone inexperienced. So if you’re getting a high-budget option, get yourself something more durable. 

The Best Cars for Different Uses 

Here are some of our best picks:

Best RC for Enthusiasts: The Traxxas Stampede 4×4 BL-2S RTR Stampede

The Traxxas Stampede is the RC car we would like to recommend to enthusiasts. Simply put, it has the best steering capabilities of any vehicle in its category. Being a 4WD car gives it the edge over 2WD vehicles. Its wheels are specifically designed to have really good grip, making it something worthy of the moniker all-terrain. It also handles like a dream in various scenarios. The durability of this behemoth is also worthy of praise, for no matter how much of a beating it takes, it manages to get back up. The battery life is also an impressive 45-60 minutes on a full charge. 

However, this RC car also contends with 2 unfortunate cons that may be a deal breaker for some. For starters, this RC is a 1/10 vehicle, making it very large. It also comes with a steep price tag of $1100, so it’s not a car that we’d recommend for those on a budget. However, if you are looking for the best of the best regardless of the price tag, this is the RC car for you. 

Best RC for Parents and Their Kids: Legendary Off-Road Truck

This is what we consider to be the best pick for parents wanting to get a nice holiday gift for their children. The Laegendary off-road RC car is a waterproof off-road machine for both kids and adults. It sports a nice 40 minutes of battery life and 2 batteries to extend playtime. This car can reach up to 20 MPH in terms of speed.

It also comes with 2 distinct speed modes, one for learning how to drive and the other for fast fun. Being water resistant means that your kids don’t have to worry about rainy days if they want to go out and play. Its wheels also make it great for different types of terrain. If there’s one downside to this vehicle. However, if there are any downsides to this vehicle, it’s the fact that its plastic shell isn’t super durable and can lead to it breaking more easily. 

Best RC for Builders: Tamiya 58600 TT-02S

Whereas some people prefer RTR RC cars, others would much rather make their cars from scratch. The Tamiya 58600 TT-02S is the most customizable racer you can get. It comes with suspension mounts that give it good durability and traction. Being a 4WD also helps with making tight turns, but it probably won’t be the best at drifting. To top it off, though, being a kit-based RC car, you can fully customize it, swapping out the brushed motor for one that is completely brushless. 

Best RC for Speeders: The Traxxas XO-1

If you enjoy the thrill of going over the speed limit but don’t want to risk a ticket, this is the RC for you. The Traxxas XO-1 is built with speed in mind, able to go up to a maximum of 100 MPH in just 4.92 seconds. The XO-1 is built to be slim and light to maximize its acceleration, making it a great option to take with you to places. It also comes with one of the largest brushless motors in any Traxxas car. However, due to its potential to break easily (anything going at its speeds and crashing is a recipe for damage) and its price tag, we can’t recommend it for anybody but speed demons. 

Best Model RC: TRX-4M 4X4 Crawler with Ford Bronco Body

If you want an RC that looks like a real car but still has a similar functionality to the previous entries on this list, I’d recommend buying the TRX-4M. The 4M is a small but very strong and durable machine. This vehicle is a 4WD car that’s good at going over rough terrain. It’s meant to be a miniature explorer while still looking like a car you could sit in at the same time. 

Best Wild Card Pick: Mario Kart Live Home Circuit

When we call something a “wildcard,” we would like to put extra emphasis on the wild part. Mario Kart Live is many things in one singular package. It’s an RC car, a 4-player AR game, a course builder, and a video game(?) all in one. The way the interesting little device works may sound complicated. Essentially, it’s two cars fitted with AR cameras that connect to a Nintendo Switch system. The cars come with track pieces that allow you to set the stage for the “course” and laps your cars will drive through. The software itself allows you to use the cars as in-game “karts,” much like the video game they’re based on. 

Overall, it’s a very fun, if short, experience that’s perfect if you’re a fan of the Super Mario franchise or a Nintendo fan in general. The ability to freely make your race tracks and the charm of playing with the cars as toys bring to life a unique charm you can’t find anywhere else. 

However, this is more of an experience than anything else. That means the overall enjoyment you get from Mario Kart Live is strictly dependent on your enjoyment of RC cars in general or if you enjoy the experience of making your courses. Another issue is the fact that a good chunk of the enjoyment one may have with this game is locked behind the Nintendo Switch video game console. If none of these apply to you, then you’re out of luck and may have to find something else that suits your fancy. 

Ready to Drive?

So, whether it be for high-octane speed or just a casual one-off, these are the best RC cars to get if you want to invest in such a space. Of course, if you do the right digging, you might be able to find a car you think fits this list. Don’t be afraid to tell us what you think. Visit Inside Tech World for more reviews, tips, and reader guides updated weekly.

FAQs

1. My son broke his RC car. Should I get a new one or fix it?

Good manufacturers have helpful tips on how you can repair a broken car. Usually, the internals should be sturdy enough; however, the outer shell is what takes the most damage. The best thing to do is to assess the amount of damage the car has received and to check if there are any other resources out there that you can make use of to repair the car. 

2. Is it better to make a custom car instead of getting an RTR?

It depends on your preference. While RTR cars can be used out of the box, their upgradeability is never a guarantee. A car made through a kit has that, and you can always tweak it on the fly. Add to it the fact that it should be much easier and simpler to repair. 

3. As a newbie to the hobby, I keep hearing the terms brushed and brushless. What do they mean?

The terms brushed and brushless signify the type of motor an RC car uses. A brushed motor is generally cheaper and simpler. A brushless motor is more complicated and expensive. However, brushless motors are more durable and more powerful than their brushed counterparts due to not having to rely on physical brushes in their motors. 

4. Is it useful to get two cars instead of just one?

Yes, it is quite useful. However, this only applies if you plan on racing them with other people and/or if you have a child/companion you want to play with. 

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