Photo: Michael Clark (Getty Images)
If someone were to ask you if you had a happy childhood or not, one of the main indicators would have to be whether or not you owned an RC car. These amazing little machines were much better than any video game and introduced many boys to the superb world of vehicles. The thing with RC cars, however, is that unlike with other toys you simply can’t outgrow them. They’re as fascinating today as they were so many years ago and both the young and the old look at them with the same amount of admiration. This is why we’ve decided to do a little research and find the best remote control cars that you can own right now if you want. Here is our selection of the best ones.
Maisto Baja Beast
We’ll start things off with an interesting little car that is a great choice if you’re just looking to quench some thirst for the good old times and don’t want to be set back by hundreds of dollars. Maisto Baja Beast has that exact look you’ve had in your mind when you thought of old RC cars. Whether it’s for yourself or your kid, a $50 price makes this outstanding machine a true bargain. The Beast is light but durable, able to overcome any challenging terrain thanks to the massive tires and outstanding suspension. With the car, you get a nicely designed controlled and some batteries, although honestly, they won’t last for too long. Overall, it’s a good entry-level RC car that you can enjoy completely if you’re just looking for a simple toy.
Axial Racing Honcho
On the other hand, if you don’t mind spending a little more money to gain a rather superior off-road driving experience, you could opt for Axial Racing’s Honcho, specifically AX90022. According to many experts in the field, this car is the absolute king when it comes to off-road driving. If you only compare the design with the Baja Beast, you’ll see that Honcho is way more intricate and realistic, setting himself apart as a professional little machine. The car seems to be a hybrid between a pickup truck and a buggy, taking both of its finest qualities and placing them in one mighty car. Its powerful motor, along with the huge, off-road tires make any obstacle seem useless. Of course, all this off-roading power makes it a bit slower, so don’t count on winning any straight road races anytime soon. At about $360, Honcho isn’t exactly cheap, but he justifies it with his capabilities.
Traxxas Stadium Rustler XL-5
Another quite famous name in the world of remote control cars is Traxxas as they offer a wide range of different types of cars that are usually of the highest quality. You wouldn’t expect to get the car like Stadium Rustler XL-5 for just $200, but that’s the whole Traxxas charm. One of the Rustler’s main characteristics that set it apart from other cars is its waterproof electronics. This opens up the possibilities and lets you race the car wherever and however you want it without fearing the damage. It was also designed with both young and older children in mind, allowing for various degrees of control and power. Rustler XL-5 is a great choice if you don’t feel like going way over your budget, but still need a reliable and fast car capable of racing the very best ones out there.
Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Drift Car
Now, if you need a good drifting car, that’s a whole new type of beast. This is where you ought to turn to Redcat Racing and their amazing Lightning EPX Drift car. You can tell by its name that the focus of the makers was the drifting ability of the car and, indeed, it doesn’t fail to deliver. The first thing that will catch your eye, though, about this Redcat Racing model is the fact that it looks like a Lamborghini, which automatically makes it way cooler than any other little vehicle. What else makes this car absolutely a must? Well, certainly the price. It costs about $140 which is much less than you would expect for such a thing. The only downside is the battery life that is somewhat limited, but it can easily be overlooked.
Traxxas XO-1 64077 Supercar
Finally, we go back to the amazing Traxxas as they’ve managed to make the fastest remote control car around and it’s XO-1 64077 Supercar. Let’s first deal with the price. Yes, it costs nearly $700, which is a lot regardless of how rich or poor you are. However, what you get with this price is the maximum speed that goes to 100 miles per hour and even beyond it with additional upgrades. You have to agree that it’s quite a spectacular speed for an RC car, especially when it goes from 0 to 60 in just over 2 seconds. So, if you’re a speed-freak, you should start saving right now.
This was our list of what we feel are the best RC cars out there. What are your preferences?
