The 9 Best Remote Control Cars - RC Cars for Adults

Satisfy your need for speed, scaling, and off-roading with these models we got our hands on and tested in New York’s Central Park.

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From monster trucks to speed demons that clock 70 miles per hour, remote control cars deliver hours of fun. 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, RC 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 the start, as there are a lot of technical details to wade through while you’re comparing models. The RC space has options ranging from full-on racers meant for competition to cars meant for kids or beginners, so choosing what’s right for your needs comes with more than just choosing a design you like. It’s also tough to know which cars are worth spending cash on. 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.

We considered RC cars from trusted brands including Traxxas, Bezgar, and Laegendary to find out which ones are worth spending. your cash on. There are the best remote control cars we recommend based on our testing and research.

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.

There are hobby-grade RC cars and models designed for beginners. Hobby-grade RC cars come with more powerful motors, beefier batteries, and the torque and speed to handle outdoor driving 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 have less battery per charge, but are much more affordable.

Vehicle types include 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.

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 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 35 miles per hour. 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.

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. 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.

Our testing focused on key features that matter in the cars’ day to day use including speed, power, battery life, and handling. We drove our collection of cars on both flat indoor surfaces in our office and uneven, hilly outdoor areas in New York’s Central Park. In addition to the basic focal points, we noted how well the cars accelerated, remote controls’ range and how quickly cars responded to signals, and generally how easy it was to get the cars up and running.

For RC cars we didn’t get our hands on, we collected top choices from various retailers and read through user reviews to generate a short list. Our selections cover a range of different vehicle types from reputable RC brands, including Traxxas, Laegendary, Redcat Racing, and Bezgar. 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 that cost up to $350.

The Traxxas Stamped RC car is our top choice because it combines speed, handling, and power better than any other option we tested. The oversized monster truck-style tires aren’t just for style. They provided great traction and grip on dirt and rocks as well as concrete and linoleum. Even next to speed-focused cars, the Traxxas drove with notable zip.

What impressed us most 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. That said, even when we did crash the car—accidental head-on collisions into trees and three-foot falls off rocks—it 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.

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, 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.

While the price may indicate lower overall quality, the RC car serves more as a perfect introduction into hobby-grade cars than a cheap knockoff.

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, features large off-road wheels, and utilizes 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 its handling 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.

For a small tech twist on the RC classic, this Real Racer from Kobotix puts you in the driver seat for a first-person view through the windshield with VR goggles.

While we were initially skeptical of the added element, we were pleasantly surprised at how easy the setup was. We downloaded the free app, connected to the car, paired it with the goggles, and we were off and driving.

Once the goggles were on, it felt like we were sitting in the car ourselves. We were really impressed with how clear the footage was and most importantly, how quickly it transmitted to the smartphone. If there was too much lag, we wouldn’t be able to properly drive without running into things. That said, be careful driving too far away as the signal gets spotty as you drive further from the phone.

The RC car is quite compact as well which makes this a pretty portable toy that slides easily into a bag or backpack without much bulk. The car also operates without the goggles, so if you want a straightforward driving experience, you’ve got that too. The only drawback, though probably not a dealbreaker, is that its tires aren’t meant to handle outdoor terrain.

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 without the less than ideal gas mileage and pounding engine. The miniature car has grippy tires that match the slow, but powerful motor. This means just like in real life, your Bronco climbs over rocks and 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 car 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.

If you want speed, try out this LaTrax Prerunner racing truck. While you may not win competitive RC races with professional builds, this is a hobby-grade car with some serious juice behind it for its size. Driving it around took a bit of an adjustment to the quick acceleration and sharp turns it’s capable of, but that’s the exact type of challenge our team (and many of you) love to take on.

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 notably 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.

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. While we don’t recommend it for outdoor use, it should comfortably zoom around on any flat surface.

At 1/14 scale, it’s somewhat small size, but it hits a top speed of 15 miles per hour. A big bonus for the more casual driver is that it runs on AA batteries, so there’s no mess connecting or replacing specific battery types built for specific classes of cars.

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 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.

For adults who want the thrill of a race car that’s capable of handling slides around bends, this drift car from Redcat Racing is an excellent choice. With wheels designed for sliding, you can hit sharp turns and watch the car glide gracefully across any surface with ease.

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.

Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.

Rachel Klein is the Deputy Editor of Popular Mechanics.

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