Yahoo Autos Experts Pick the Best RC Cars for Kids
- 1/12
Experts Pick the Best RC Cars for Kids
For many of us, our indoctrination to the world of cars came early on, with plush toys, tiny diecasts, ride-ons, and, of course, remote control cars. Today's RC cars are far more high-tech than the Tonka trucks and Hot Wheels we used to play with, but toy cars can still provide hours of screen-free, tactile entertainment for kids (and their parents).
While we here at Car and Driver are experts on real cars and trucks, we recognize that we may have some glaring blindspots when it comes to offering advice on the best toys for our children; crash-test safety and 60-mph times just aren't the relevant factors.
For more than a century, our colleagues at Good Housekeeping have been testing and evaluating products for parents and homes, and their testing and evaluation processes have become an industry standard. With that in mind, we looked to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) for some expert insight into the best RC cars on the market.
Here are Good Housekeeping's picks for the Best RC Cars for Kids. Note: Car and Driver has paraphrased the findings to reflect our purposes here. While this list includes cars for a range of ages, even some that adults can get a good kick out of, we're saving the adult-level RC cars for our own future test.
Amazon - Car and Driver - 2/12
Air Hogs Super Soft Flippin' Frenzy
Air Hogs
amazon.com
$28.93
Air Hogs Flippin' Frenzy was picked for Good Housekeeping's 2022 Best Toy Awards, and it's clear why when you see what it offers. First off, it does tricks! It continues running even when flipped over, and it can pull off some gnarly spins. In testing, it was durable enough to race down a staircase or smash into cabinets without damage to the toy or home. It's ideal for indoors, as its big tires (as long as they remain clean) are unlikely to mark walls or scratch furniture, although it's just as happy outdoors as well.
It boasts a respectable 15 minutes of playtime from its rechargeable battery, although users have found that its rechargeable battery got weaker over time. Gradual depletion is expected with any rechargeable battery, and the fact that it endured enough playtime to see its batteries begin to degrade is a testament to how robust—and how fun—this RC vehicle is.
It's worth noting that while this care is rated for ages 4 and up, its remote control buttons are small and require some finger agility, which may make it more suitable for school-age kids, teens, and adults.
amazon.com - 3/12
Nintendo Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity Mini RC
SUPER MARIO
amazon.com
$39.67
Naturally, this one was popular among those who are nostalgic about Mario and friends, or who never gave up playing Mario. Even if Mario wasn't one the biggest franchises of your generation, this RC offers an array of cool tricks from wheelies, spins, and drifts, to its "anti-gravity" mode, which makes it look as though the car is hovering.
Its remote has an impressive 100-foot range, and its durability also seems to be solid as parents reported it holding up well to being sent off ramps and smashed into walls.
One point that was noted in testing was that it comes with a cord connecting the car to the remote control and "demonstration batteries" (the ones that make it possible to try a toy in a store by pushing a button through the packaging). So be sure to disconnect the cord and replace the batteries with the required AA (not included) before use.
amazon.com - 4/12
Prextex Remote Control Cars
PREXTEX
amazon.com
$34.99
This one is great for giving your children an early taste of the joys of driving. With intuitive two-button controls, blinking headlights, sirens, simple songs, and remote controls that are shaped like steering wheels, these are the perfect first RC cars.
As a bonus, you get two cars (a race car and a police car), which is great for two children to play together, or for an adult to play along with a child. Speed isn't the goal with these preschooler-friendly RC cars, though they are fairly zippy. While it does require a total of 10 AA batteries (not included), the upside is that play can last for quite a long time.
amazon - 5/12
Traxxas Bandit RC Buggy
Traxxas
amazon.com
$249.18
The Bandit RC Buggy is a 1/10 hobby car (a remote-controlled car that's a one-tenth-size replica of a real race car). It offers a top speed of over 35 mph and the flexibility to modify it to your own specifications, making it ideal for the teen who's ready for more of a hobby RC car versus a toy RC car (or an adult who likes cool stuff).
Its high performance means it's probably more geared for outdoor use, which is not a problem as its delicate parts and wiring are well protected against puddles, rocks, mud, and whatever other obstacles you want to send it through.
amazon.com - 6/12
LEGO Technic Transformation Vehicle
LEGO
amazon.com
$126.99
The two-in-one Lego Technic Transformation Vehicle is something of an interactive puzzle. Assembling the 722-piece RC took a few light evenings of teamwork for a family or about a week for a tween or teen working it on their own for a few hours each day.
As with many LEGO kits, users reported the build to be a rewarding experience made even more so when you finally get to see it in action. While it's not the fastest, its ability to perform spins, traverse obstacles, flip, and just keep going makes it a joy to operate.
In terms of operation, it's controlled via an app on a tablet or smartphone, which is pretty neat. It runs on regular AA batteries (not included) that don't need to be recharged, so it can go for days before you need to switch the batteries out.
amazon - 7/12
Monster Jam Megalodon All-Terrain Monster Truck
Monster Jam
target.com
$50.99
Based on the Monster Jam Megalodon shark-themed vehicle that folks may recognize from YouTube videos and monster truck events, this RC lives up to its namesake. It goes on land or through water and can somehow even travel through a swimming pool. In true monster-truck fashion, its lightweight body and wheels help it to bounce over obstacles, even occasionally catching a bit of air on rough terrain.
The remote uses two AAA batteries (not included), and the truck itself uses a rechargeable battery. The USB cord that's used for recharging is permanently attached to the truck and lives in a small waterproof door beneath it, which, while convenient, can require some assistance from an adult for younger children. Some users reported that the short cord meant that it needed to remain very close to a power source. This becomes a bit of an inconvenience when it has been doing monster-truck things and is covered in dirt.
target - 8/12
Hot Wheels Aaron Wheelz Stuntin' Wheelchair
Hot Wheels
amazon.com
$29.99
Inspired by Paralympic motocross champion Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham, this RC was named to Good Housekeeping's 2022 Best Toy Awards. While it's not technically an RC "car," this remote control wheelchair can pull off some cool tricks. With a top speed of 30 mph, it can spin, jump, do wheelies, and even stand itself upright remotely in the event that it tips over.
It comes with a cardboard ramp you can use for jumps, a set of stickers, and, perhaps most importantly, a learning opportunity for our kids (and perhaps ourselves) about some of the amazing abilities of those with disabilities.
amazon.com - 9/12
Losi Stadium Truck
Losi
amazon.com
$161.15
While many RC hobby cars come in at 1/10 scale, the Losi Stadium Truck is a more manageable 1/18 scale, making it ideal for inside or outdoors. While it's totally capable of being used outdoors, users did report that the tires wear down quickly when it's run on concrete and rock versus wooden floors or carpet.
Its size and price make it a great entry-level hobby RC, and its light weight gives it a noticeable responsiveness and the ability to pull off wheelies and jumps.
As a plus, it's rechargeable, requires no assembly out of the box, and even includes the remote control's AAA batteries.
Amazon - 10/12
Tonka Mighty Monster RC Dump Truck
Tonka
amazon.com
$35.00
If, like many of us born in the before–screen times, you remember seeing or playing with giant Tonka trucks, this one may pique your interest. This truck marks the 75th anniversary of the Tonka brand and is made from real steel, giving it an authentic construction-site feel.
While the remote control action allows the user to move in cardinal directions, spin, and release the cargo from the back of the truck, the front loader can be made to go up and down manually.
amazon - 11/12
Fisher Price Imaginext Transforming Batmobile
Imaginext
walmart.com
$51.99
One of Good Housekeeping's Hottest Toys of 2019, Fisher-Price's Transforming Batmobile, is both a remote control car and a play set. Drive it around remotely or park it and transform it into Batman's base of operations.
It features a small Batman figure to ride along, light and sounds you can turn on with the remote, and it can shoot out yellow discs at pretend enemies when in "battle mode."
It's a great toy for a preschooler or an elementary-age child who likes to play imaginative superhero games, but it's also fun for big kids (or adults) who just want a cool Batmobile.
Walmart - 12/12
How Good Housekeeping Tested RC Cars
Whether in their lab or in the home of staff and family testers, Good Housekeeping has been testing RC cars since the beginning. Priority was placed on safety, ensuring that each toy met federal safety standards. Then the experts checked for pinch points (spots on a toy where a small child could hurt a finger) and conducted a drop test, to be certain the toy won't shatter into small pieces if dropped.
Then the fun begins. Dozens of RC cars were tested for ease of assembly, durability, battery life, size, speed, and features like the ability to perform fun tricks. Close attention was paid to the power source (rechargeable or disposable batteries), whether the car works best indoors or out, if it left marks on walls or cabinets, and age grading.
Each RC car was tested with a full charge to ensure that it could achieve at least 15 straight minutes of playtime. Then, the cars were driven, at speed, off of a countertop and down stairs to test their ability to withstand hard landings. Then, they let their kids play with them!
The folks at Good Housekeeping have been providing reliable, expert reviews on popular toys and games for decades. They compile an annual list of the top toys and tech they've tested for a wide range of ages.
Key Factors in Shopping for an RC Car
- Just about any toy RC car will be powered by either rechargeable batteries (which allow you to plug the toy in to charge) or disposable batteries (usually not included). While rechargeable batteries alleviate the need to change batteries, they usually offer a much shorter play time on a single charge—sometimes less than half an hour.
- Even for toys that use rechargeable batteries for the car itself, you'll typically need to purchase batteries for the remote control. All but one of the recommendations on our list require either AA or AAA batteries in the remote.
- Durability is key, so look for brands that are known for making toys built to hold up to rough play.
- RC cars can be very speedy, particularly those age-graded for teens and adults. There are exceptions, as the RC wheelchair we recommended, while rated for ages 6-plus, is quite fast.
- It's always important to keep age-grading in mind. For instance, toys marked for ages 12-plus may require a level of patience that younger children may not have yet developed. This is even more important for the youngest children.
- Keep an eye on the dimensions, as they often make the difference between whether or not a toy can be practically used indoors.
Why Trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products and providing expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love for over 100 years, from family board games to ride-on toys. RC vehicles chosen for this list have been evaluated by Rachel Rothman, the GH Institute's chief technologist and executive technical director, and Marisa LaScala, Good Housekeeping's senior parenting and relationships editor. They helm Good Housekeeping's annual list of Best Toys.
Why Trust Us?
With a combined 206 years of automotive publishing experience, Hearst Autos—Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Autoweek—knows cars better than just about anyone. The Gear Team delivers honest evaluations, hands-on tests, and product reviews driven by decades of knowledge and experience. We get our hands on almost every product, tool, and piece of gear we feature; we evaluate gear on its own merits and tell you the truth.
We'll never say anything is "the best" if we wouldn't recommend it to our friends or buy it ourselves, and we won't tell you we've tested something if we haven't. Learn more about our product testing here.
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