Best Remote Control Cars for Young and Adult Racers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 26, 2024
Whether you’re eight or forty-eight, if you love cars and enjoy tinkering, you go into raptures on buying a remote control car. ...Read more
PROS

The powerful motor of this model provides a maximum speed of 50 km/h giving you a chance to use the Vangold Wild Challenger for races with other RC vehicles.

CONS

It might be challenging to take the battery out for charge. 

OUR VERDICT

The Vangold off-roader is a perfect choice for those who are passionate about RC races. Top-notch specifications can ensure the best results on any track. 

detailed parameters
Engine Type

Electric

Power

9.6V 800 mAh battery

Type of Vehicle

Off-Road Monster Truck

Type of Surface

Asphalt, Broken country, Level road

Scale

1:12

Control

2.4GHz transmitter

Operating Range

100 metres 

Speed

45-50 km/h

Warranty

14-day Amazon return policy

PROS

Independent suspension and large treaded wheels make it possible for the SZJJX crawler monster to handle any surfaces including dirt, sand, and rocks.

CONS

You will need to buy an adaptor for UK mains. 

OUR VERDICT

The SZJJX Rock Monster is what you need if you want to enjoy watching your RC car overcoming numerous obstacles on broken terrain.

detailed parameters
Engine Type

Electric

Power

4.8V 700 mAh battery

Type of Vehicle

Off-Road Buggy

Type of Surface

Asphalt, Broken country, Level road

Scale

1:14

Control

2.4GHz transmitter

Operating Range

60 metres

Speed

25 km/h

Warranty

14-day Amazon return policy

PROS

This tiny replica copies all the lines of the real Ferrari 458 Italia precisely and will become a great present for realism lovers. Even a transmitter is made in the shape of a steering wheel.

CONS

Operating range of the controller leaves something to be desired. 

OUR VERDICT

Created for young drivers, this Ferrari replica is a great choice for indoor use. You can choose this model in one of four colours.

detailed parameters
Engine Type

Electric

Power

4 x AA battery (not included)

Type of Vehicle

On-Road Sports Car

Type of Surface

Asphalt, Level road

Scale

1:14

Control

27MHz transmitter

Operating Range

10 metres 

Speed

16 km/h

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The pack includes all accessories so that you can use the toy right out of the box. The manufacturer has even saved you the trouble of buying batteries separately.

CONS

Battery life of included batteries isn't very long. 

OUR VERDICT

Whether you're looking for an RC off-roader for your kid or for yourself, this model from Think Gizmos is just what you need. The toy is ready to run once you unpack it.

detailed parameters
Engine Type

Electric

Power

5 x AA battery

Type of Vehicle

Off-Road Monster Truck

Type of Surface

Asphalt, Broken country, Level road

Scale

1:14

Control

2.4GHz transmitter

Operating Range

100 metres

Speed

-

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Recharging the battery is the simplest thing ever thanks to USB charge. The car can be charged from any gadget with such interface. Moreover, you don't need to take the battery out of the car.

CONS

It might be difficult to control the car at the highest speed. 

OUR VERDICT

Bright, powerful, and affordable, this off-road truck from DeeXop will come to the liking of little drivers who want to compete with their friends or enjoy single races. 

detailed parameters
Engine Type

Electric

Power

3.7V 240 mAh battery

Type of Vehicle

Off-Road Buggy

Type of Surface

Asphalt, Broken country, Level road

Scale

1:32

Control

2.4GHz transmitter

Operating Range

40 metres

Speed

30 km/h

Warranty

14-day Amazon return policy

Off-Road Monster

Although this off-road monster truck from VANGOLD looks like a toy, it boasts top-notch specifications and can be used even by professional hobbyists who can’t spend a weekend without racing with friends. Actually, the manufacturer itself doesn’t classify this car as a toy and indicates 14+ as the recommended age for using the truck. The model is designed at 1:12 scale and can develop the maximum speed of 45-50 km/h thanks to a powerful motor. 9.6V 800mAh battery also adds to these impressive results, providing 8-15 minutes of runtime. Please note that the battery life depends on riding conditions. Thus, the car will run longer on an even surface and will show a shorter runtime on broken terrain. Please note that to charge the battery to the fullest, it should stay connected to a power source for 1-1.5 hours. If you’re not ready to make breaks for battery charge between races every ten minutes or so, you can get an additional pack of RC batteries in advance and enjoy the exciting ride a bit longer.

Enjoy the Ride Under any Conditions

Thanks to the elaborate design of the VANGOLD truck, it can handle even the most difficult terrains. A 4-wheel independent suspension is a guarantee of great performance on broken country including soil tracks and rocky cliffs. What is more important, electronic elements of this RC car are protected against moist so you can even ride it over mud and puddles. However, it’s important not to use the car in rainy weather since it isn’t fully waterproof. Shock absorption system is worth mentioning too as it ensures improved ride quality and better control over the vehicle even on rough terrain. Finally, take notice of 2.4GHz transmitter that provides a great operating range of 100 metres and allows for riding the car together with several other RC vehicles without radio signal troubles.

Useful Tip

Have you ever faced a situation when the battery of an RC vehicle seems to be charged but a car, boat, or aeroplane doesn’t move? It’s one of the common troubles owners of RC vehicles might face. To avoid this problem, the manufacturers of radio controlled cars advise paying close attention to the state of a rechargeable battery. To provide proper operation of a battery, it’s important to prevent it from overcharging and over-discharging.

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B01KI8OFFE

Unleash the Beast

Are you looking for an outdoor remote control car that will handle the most difficult terrain and will provide you with the joy of aggressive ride? Then, the SZJJX off-road crawler truck is just what you need. Being a 1:14 scale replica of a classic SUV model, this car is a real monster that can conquer off-road tracks effortlessly. This became possible thanks to the implementation of several features. First of all, the truck is equipped with treaded rubber tires made of high-quality PVC that provide great cohesion with any type of terrain, be it mud, sand, grass, or slippery road. Powerful torque also adds to the manoeuvrability of the truck. One more thing that makes it possible to ride this model under harsh conditions is suspension spring on each wheel. This feature makes it simpler for you to control the SZJJX crawler truck as well as minimizes the chances to damage the vehicle. On top of that, powerful brush motor enables the truck to climb over different obstacles effortlessly. Don’t hesitate to choose this crawler truck and you’ll be able to enjoy off-road rides whenever you want.

Convenient Control

Controlling your SZJJX crawler truck is the easiest thing ever with an ergonomic and elaborate transmitter. It works at a 2.4GHz frequency providing the 60-metre operating range that is more than enough for hobbyist races. By the way, this frequency ensures great radio signal allowing the SZJJX truck to do successfully in races among several RC vehicles. The controller is aimed at helping the truck move forward and backwards, turn left and right, and climb. In addition to performing standard functions, you can also use brake feature by pushing the trigger forward. Please note that the transmitter works on 2 AA batteries that aren’t included in the box so you’ll have to buy them in advance.

Impressive Battery Life

When the majority of RC cars have an overall battery life of 7-15 minutes, this crawler truck from SZJJX can really surprise you. The truck runs on 4.8V 700mAh Lithium battery that can provide up to 25-minute ride on one charge. Well, you’ll need to spend more time on charging the battery, approximately 3 hours, but spending this time is worth getting almost half an hour of playing time.

The SZJJX off-road crawler truck is created for those seeking impressive performance, not fast speeds. Riding this powerful car, you’ll be able to organize exciting mini off-road races for your friends or family.
Last updated price £25.89
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B06XK7VCJ8

Joy for Kids, Peace of Mind for Parents

When your little one is dreaming about a remote control car and you’re looking for a safe model, you’ll hardly find a better option than the Playtech Logic Ferrari. The car is created for children aged 5 and older, and taking into account low ride height of the toy, we would assume it will perfectly suit indoor use. However, the manufacturer ensures it will also do great outdoors, yet, recommends riding the car on asphalt and level roads.

Since this car is created mainly for young drivers, it doesn’t boast high specifications. Working at the 27MHz frequency, the Playtech Logic toy isn’t much suitable for competitions with other RC cars because of possible radio signal interference that complicates control of the car. Yet, the 10-metre operating range of the vehicle is enough for individual races in the comfort of your house or yard. The maximum speed of this car is 16 km/h. Lastly, we’d like to draw your attention to intuitively understandable controls with left, right, forward, back, and stop options that locate conveniently on a steering wheel-like transmitter.

Enjoy the Realism

As it was mentioned above, this RC model is a replica of Ferrari 458 Italia, made at 1:14 scale. The toy copies all the lines of a real supercar with the maximum precision. Moreover, it has working lights that will impress your little driver. Not only they provide realistic effect but also give your kid a chance to play with the toy in badly-lit rooms. And of course, just like in real life, you can choose this Ferrari in one of the several colours that will come to the liking of both girls and boys.

Ready to Run

While it’s still possible to come across RC cars that need to be put together before the first use, Ferrari 458 Italia from Playtech Logic comes fully assembled. All you need to start playing with the toy is take it out of the pack and insert the batteries. Please note that the car works on 4 AA batteries while a transmitter needs one 9V battery to operate. Unfortunately, the batteries aren’t included, so you want to buy them in advance to enjoy riding little Ferrari replica right out of the box.

All in all, this model will become a great present for young drivers, both boys and girls. While children will enjoy riding a real-like car, parents can have a peace of mind since the car is absolutely safe to use thanks to high-quality materials and not very high maximum speed.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B018UW0NHE

Universal Off-Road Truck

If your kid (or you) is passionate about RC vehicles and can spend hours riding a remote control car, the Think Gizmos TG631 might become a great addition to your RC models collection. This off-road monster truck has perfect size and design to be used anywhere, be it a living room or a park track. Being a rock crawler, the toy is equipped with oversized treaded tires that help the truck overcome numerous obstacles such as rocks and different springboards. Needless to say, the TG631 off-roader handles wooden floors, carpets, sand, grass, and slippery roads effortlessly.

As for the performance of this crawler truck, it won’t leave you indifferent. The car operates at 2.4 GHz frequency that allows you to control its movement at a 100-metre distance. One more advantage of this very frequency is that it provides great radio signal without disturbances so that you can arrange RC races with other cars. Finally, don’t overlook working lights that enable you to use the car after the sunset if you’re outdoors or in a dim room if you’re indoors.

Ergonomic Control

To control the Think Gizmos off-roader with the maximum convenience, the manufacturer has created an ergonomic and easy-to-use transmitter. The transmitter has a pistol-grip design that fits your hand snugly and is equipped with all the necessary regulators to get total control over the truck effortlessly:

  • There’s no need to explain the function of the on/off switch at the side of the transmitter. Small red indicator light shows you the controller functions properly;
  • A trigger under your index finger helps you move the TG631 forward and backwards;
  • Using a wheel at the side, you’ll be able to turn the car left/right.

Great Bonus

More often than not, the manufacturers of remote control cars don’t supply the toys with all necessary batteries of AA or AAA type. But it’s not the case if we’re speaking of Think Gizmos. If you choose the TG631 crawler truck, you’ll get the toy itself, a controller, and 8 AA batteries to power a transmitter and a receiver. Just insert 5 of them into the toy and 3 - into the transmitter and have fun.

The Think Gizmos TG631 is a perfect choice for 6+ children as well as for adults who want to get an RC car and use it right out of the box.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B015FQEEUK

For Young Racers

The DeeXop is all about power, speed, and usability that you are looking for in an RC car for your little driver. This off-road truck is created for children aged 5+ and will show great performance both indoors and outdoors. Although you might not expect much from such a small car (it’s made at 1:32 scale and it is half as big as the majority of its RC rivals), it can really impress you with its performance. This tiny off-road replica can develop the maximum speed of 30 km/h that is on par with more expensive models. Of course, if your kid is going to ride the car on a broken country, he/she wouldn’t wish to develop the maximum speed due to the danger of overturns. However, this speed is perfect for races on asphalt or level roads. By the way, it’s possible for the DeeXop car to take part in competitions with other RC vehicles thanks to 2.4GHz frequency and 40-metre operating range. Finally, we’d like you to take notice of high-quality materials of this car that ensure its durability and long service life even if your kid drops it from time to time or runs it into curbs.

Effortless Recharging

An outstanding feature of the DeeXop car is its 3.7V 240mAh battery that provides an impressive runtime of 10-15 minutes on one charge. In addition to the performance this great, you’ll also like that the battery is charged via a USB cable. Thanks to this very feature, you can recharge the battery with the maximum convenience from any gadget, be it your PC, laptop, or power bank. What is more, charging via USB prevents the car battery from overcharging, a frequent cause of car malfunctioning. By choosing the DeeXop off-roader, you can be sure of great battery performance and reliable service life.

Handles any Surface

A necessary condition of successful performance for any off-road RC truck is its wheels. Speaking of the wheels of the DeeXop model, they are made to handle any surface. Thanks to inflatable, tensile, and treaded design, they ensure perfect cohesion even with the smooth surface like a wooden floor or wet road. And being oversized, they help this truck overcome various obstacles on its way.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B01NBJ35M6

What is an RC Car?

Most people consider RC cars a child's toy. In actual fact, it is not so. Remote control cars have become a common hobby for both children and adults. The name of these toys means radio- (or remote-) controlled and suggests that you make the cars move at a distance. It is possible due to the connection that appears between a receiver (electronic panel inside a car) and a transmitter (a controller you hold in your hands). A wide range of race and off-road RC vehicles exist today. They are capable of developing high speeds, jumping over springboards and responding to radio frequencies within a long range. A lot of RC cars are designed with precision to look like real vehicles. So, having acquired a remote control car, you can entertain yourself and your children, or compete with your friends in racing.

If you are fond of radio-controlled models, we advise you to check through our RC helicopters and also the review of toy robots for high-tech entertainment.


What Features to Compare

Before you buy an RC car, engine and power are the first things to explore. The engine plays a significant part here. The cars are not just toys, but reduced copies of real cars with similar equipment and engines are among them. Remote control cars may be equipped with gas or electric engines. The gas-powered RC cars need care and regular maintenance, so tools, fuel canisters, and spare parts are required. Yet, gas-powered models are speedy and need no charging. Hence, they are suitable for outdoor use only. Electric cars are quiet, eco-friendly and emit no exhausts. They are powered by АА or ААА batteries or any other batteries included in a supply package. Electric RC cars are less vulnerable and can be used indoors. As a rule, they gather high speeds faster, too.

Once you decide on an engine, proceed to learning a scale, type of vehicle and surface to ride. All cars are basically divided into on-road and off-road. The on-road models are great for roads with a smooth coating like asphalt. On-road models are able to ride at a high speed, they show good dynamics and are easy to control. The 1/14 scale on-road RC cars are large models for home use. They are often called office cars since they can race even over countertops. The 1/12 scale cars will be great for outdoor races on asphalt roads, and specially equipped tracks. If you are going to ride over earth roads or cross countries, you should pay attention to off-road RC cars. They are divided into subcategories, so let's consider each one. Short course trucks are versatile and dynamic, and will behave well on both plain and rough terrains. Buggies refer to off-road RC cars. They are excellent for dirt roads and stable at high speeds. Crawlers are not capable of a high-speed racing, yet they have a very high torque that allows them to overcome any obstacles where other models fail. Monster trucks are primarily designed for the off-roading and can be used anywhere. Still, they have high centres of gravity, so they are difficult to control at high speeds. The drive and scale of RC cars are worth your consideration as well.

When it comes to control, we should say that all RC cars of our review are controlled via transmitters. The operating range is the only thing all transmitters differ by. The wider it is, the longer distance your car can cover. The wide operating range will let you stay in place and control your toy without running behind it. The frequency range is also important for controlling. The radio transmitters of 27 MHz are more sensitive to interference and have shorter response than transmitters of 2.4 GHz. The number of channels of a transmitter indicates the number of tasks a car can perform. 2 channels mean that a car can move forward/backwards, and left/right. The more channels a transmitter has, the more manoeuvres a model can do.

FAQ:

Q: How fast can RC cars go?
A: Around 10 - 15 mph. Basic upgrades increase the speed to approximately 30 mph. Racing models run at the speed of 40 mph to 70 mph depending on a track. For the straight line runs, the 167 mph is the highest speed so far.

Q: What’s the battery life of electric RC cars?

A: Most remote control car manufacturers specify 7 to 10 minutes as the maximum battery life for electric cars that allows operating them before the recharging. However, there are batteries that can boost the operation time up to over 10 min.

Q: What are the differences between electric, gas and nitro RC cars?

A: If you want to use your RC car both indoors and outdoors, pick an electric-powered model. Most beginners are aiming at models of this type owing to their easy assembly and control. The gas-powered cars have become widespread because of the fuel material used for their engines. Nitro RC cars feature the fuel additive called nitromethane. This substance enables car engines to produce more power and show better performance, making nitro models a better option for lovers of speed.

Q: What's the difference between on-road and off-road cars?

A: There are several aspects that differentiate on-road RC cars from off-road cars (often called buggies or truggies) but basically they all come down to the suspension used. On-road models just don't have enough suspension elements to safely handle broken terrains like soil tracks or rocky cliffs. Off-road models are also equipped with treaded tires, that are especially handy for broken terrain applications. However, the main advantages of on-road cars are that they in most cases are faster and can run on just any smooth surface.

Q: What are the basic parts of an RC car?
A: There are four main units/parts of an RC vehicle.

1) Transmitter: This is the control to be held in your hand, usually powered by a 9V battery. The transmitter sends control commands to the car receiver by means of radio transmission.

2) Receiver: the receiver consists of two major blocks - an antenna and a circuit board inside the car. The radio signals sent by the transmitter are picked up by the receiver and forwarded to corresponding elements of the car.

3) Motor(s): RC cars feature many engines with a various complexity of the design and power. The motor is often considered the heart of an RC vehicle and is arguably the most complex and sophisticated part when building your own RC model.

4) Power Source. Of course, an adequate power supply is important for RC car acceleration, control and overall engine performance. In addition to the 9V battery used in the transmitter, remotely controlled car models use a built-in energy source, which parameters depend on the type of an RC car. Electric cars use rechargeable, replaceable batteries, while nitro cars use a fuel mixture.

Q: Does an RC car need any maintenance?
A: Yes, it does. The oil in shock absorbers should be changed approximately once every 5 driving hours. Also, RC car motor needs to be cleaned from time to time. Dirt or small stones may get inside a car and cause a premature wearing of its components. Thus, a remotely controlled car needs to be periodically disassembled and inspected for damage and pollutants.

Sources:

1. Radio-controlled car, Wikipedia. October 15, 2017.

2. Jacob Anderson Getting Started With Remote Control Cars And Trucks, HobbyTron.com.

3. How to Buy a Nitro Remote Control Vehicle, wikiHow.

4. Paul Onorato Buying Your First RC Car, RC Groups. May 7, 2014. 

5. The (almost) COMPLETE Guide to Electric RC Cars, instructables. 

6. Michael James Choosing Your RC Car Frequency, ThoughtCo. August 11, 2017.

7. What to Look for When Buying a Nitro RC Car, eBay. February 16, 2016. 

8. Jeff Tyson How Radio Controlled Toys Work, howstuffworks. 

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