The Best RC Cars for Kids
- HANNAH M.
- UPDATED May 8, 2019
- in RC & toy vehicles
Best Overall
RASTAR
La Ferrari 1/14 Scale
If you’re looking for the latest RC cars for your kids, you already know that there’s a plentiful selection – finding the ones with the best features and performance, however, takes careful research. Some RCs are feature packed and durable, while others aren’t well made or have limited performance function. You and your child both want an RC car that will go the distance, so we examined the 11 best RC cars for kids to show you some winning picks for 2020
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
RASTAR La Ferrari 1/14 Scale
Upgrade Choice
Kidirace Road Invader
Best Budget Buy
PALA PERRA RC Crawler Car
How to Pick the Best RC Car for kids
1. Recommended Age
Whenever you buy toys for your kids, taking a peek at the age range is a good idea. It gives you a basic idea of whether or not the toy is appropriate for their skill level and whether they’ll find it enjoyable. Age ranges sometimes indicate whether a safety hazard is present in a product, such as a choking hazard, so make sure you’re choosing an age appropriate item to ensure your purchase is effective and safe.
2. Style
Police cars, race cars, sports cars, all-terrain cars and more – you name it, and you can find a radio controlled version of it. Some kids just want an RC car of any variety, but if you’re looking for something specific, the style of the RC vehicle you’re looking for is an important feature to be aware of.
3. Size
RC cars can range in size from small to large, which may influence your purchasing choice. Cars for very young kids tend to be fairly large for the sake of safety and easy operation, while cars for older kids and enthusiasts are a bit smaller and more feature-packed, but this isn’t a strict rule. If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, a smaller pick may be better as well. If the dimensions of the car are important to you, always look before buying so you’re not surprised!
4. Colors
“I want a red car, mom. No, a RED car.” Sound familiar? Then you already know why colors are important! Kids have favorites, and the coolest green car in the world still isn’t a red one. If you’re on the hunt for a specific shade for your RC vehicle, don’t worry, there are many. Some even have different color options for the same vehicle, so keep your eye out.
5. Batteries
RC cars are fun because they go, but they won’t go without a source of power. This can lead to a little bit of confusion for new users, so let us explain a bit. A lot of RC kits come with a car that has a rechargeable battery, but will require household batteries to operate the remote. Sometimes, both devices have rechargeable batteries, and sometimes neither do. We’ve indicated where you’ll need to provide batteries in the devices on our list to take the confusion out of this process.
6. Includes
The items included with RC kits are another point of significant variation. Most basic starter kits come with a car, a rechargeable car battery and a remote control at the bare minimum, but other kits for more involved RC enthusiasts may only include the car model and may require the buyer to supply all else. If your child is already into RC, though, this shouldn’t be a problem – the parts required are generally fairly standard.
The Winners
#1
RASTAR La Ferrari 1/14 Scale
Best Overall
RASTAR La Ferrari 1/14 Scale features a deeply articulated body, eye-catching shiny rims and the classic car logo doesn’t just look good, it also plays well. Working head lamps and rear lamps offer a realistic and immersive creative play experience that’s important for younger kids, and the full function control allows easy motion in all directions. The independent spring suspension gives a smooth and durable ride, and the doors open for even more creative play opportunities.
- You'll love: The working head and rear lamps and opening doors make pretend play more fun, plus it's durable and runs well
- Watch for: There's choking hazards present, so it's not safe for children under 3
Recommended Age: 5+
Size: 14 x 2 x 5 inches
Style: Sports car
Colors: Red
Batteries: 5 AA and 1 9V batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control
#2
Kidirace Road Invader
Upgrade Choice
The cool color scheme and small rounded body of PALA PERRA RC Crawler Car make it look extra cool in action. 360 degree spins are a lot of fun, and the front end of the car flips independently to do even more unique moves. The car is petite and lightweight, gaining speed quickly and performing tricks easily with full functional motion. Younger kids who are just starting out with RC toys will be amazed at what they can do with this powerful but inexpensive pick. It rides easily on almost all smooth surfaces.
- You'll love: It does unique, impressive stunts for a fraction of the price of cars that do far less
- Watch for: There's choking hazards present, so it's not safe for children under 3
Recommended Age: 5+
Size: Stunt car
Style: 7.2 x 5 x 4.5 inches
Colors: Black, green, silver
Batteries: 5 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control
#3
PALA PERRA RC Crawler Car
Best Budget Buy
The cool color scheme and small rounded body of the PALA PERRA RC Crawler Car make it look extra cool in action. 360 degree spins are a lot of fun, and the front end of the car flips independently to do even more unique moves. The car is petite and lightweight, gaining speed quickly and performing tricks easily with full functional motion. Younger kids who are just starting out with RC toys will be amazed at what they can do with this powerful but inexpensive pick. It rides easily on almost all smooth surfaces.
- You'll love: It does unique, impressive stunts for a fraction of the price of cars that do far less
Recommended Age: 5+
Size: Stunt car
Style: 7.2 x 5 x 4.5 inches
Colors: Black, green, silver
Batteries: 5 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control
#4
KidiRace Police Car
Kids will immediately recognize this realistic KidiRace Police Car, and it’s a good teaching tool for younger kids. There’s a lot of immersive features here, like working front and rear lights as well as realistic police car sounds like a horn, a siren and a revving engine. This model also has some exceptional performance features, such as 30 minute drive time in contrast to the average of 15 – 20 minutes. The cruiser is easy to maneuver and the remote easy to handle, so it’s a great pick for beginners.
- You'll love: It's beginner-safe with a recognizable theme and above average drive time
- Watch for: There's choking hazards present, so it's not safe for children under 3
Recommended Age: 3 – 12 years
Size: 14.8 x 7.6 x 6.5 inches
Style: Police car
Colors: Black and white
Batteries: 2 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable battery, charger
#5
YEZI Wall Climber Car
YEZI Wall Climber Car takes climbing up the walls literally thanks to a dual mode remote control that allows both 360 degree rotation and impressive wall climbing tricks that won’t harm your paint job. The car features real and very bright working head and tail lamps as well as a cool controller that makes performing tricks a breeze. The model’s creative design utilizes a switch on the remote to switch between ground and wall modes, and the quick charge time of 20 to 40 minutes means kids are back in the game far more quickly than some other models allow.
- You'll love: It has a wall climbing mode that's unique, impressive and won't cause property damage as well as a quick charge/recharge time
Recommended Age: 3+
Size: 8.2 x 6.4 x 2 inches
Style: Sports car with stunt features
Colors: Black and green
Batteries: 4 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable battery, charger
#6
Force1 Gravity Defying RC Car
Sideways, upside down or up the wall – if your child can think of a way to drive this model, they’re likely to be able to pull it off. Force1 Gravity Defying RC Car is available in blue, red, black or green with silver accents on all models. It’s lightweight and zippy, offering a distinctive racing experience with handling that’s simple enough for younger kids and beginners to manage with ease. It’s a good pick for a first RC that offers real performance power and an ergonomic controller shape that’s much like gaming controllers they’re already familiar with.
- You'll love: It does incredible stunts with a very limited learning curve, so they can get the full effect even when they start out
- Watch for: There's choking hazards present, so it's not safe for children under 3
Recommended Age: 10 and up
Size: 5.12 x 2.56 x 1.38 inches
Style: Stunt race car
Colors: Blue and silver with black, red or green options available
Batteries: All batteries included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable batteries, charger
#7
KOOWHEEL 2WD Off Road RC Car
A fantastic all terrain RC pick, KOOWHEEL 2WD Off Road RC Car can stand up to sand, dirt and grass. It’s a great pick to take along on an adventure or vacation – small enough to be portable but big and rugged enough for fun just about anywhere. The model comes with two rechargeable batteries instead of one, which is good because unfortunately, the batteries have a short run time of 10-15 minutes. The full function motion is easy for kids to operate through a simple controls, and the real off road styling and addition of a driver inside the buggy are fun for imaginative play.
- You'll love: It holds up to the elements with ease, and it's a good travel toy
- Watch for: The batteries have a short life, but keeping one charging while the other runs can extend playtime(not forever though, batteries discharge faster than they charge)
Recommended Age: 8+
Size: 12.8 x 10 x 6 inches
Style: Off-road buggy
Colors: Blue, black and silver
Batteries: 3 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable batteries, charger, 4 lockcatches, screwdriver
#8
Lazaga Mad Phantom
The 380 degree motor with overheat protection on this dynamic monster truck gives it great speed and power as it runs easily over many different surfaces, including slopes and rocks. Lazaga Mad Phantom is a great all terrain pick that features four channel steering that’s super easy to master as well as a durable suspension. It performs well off road, and it’s great for turning, drifting and flipping. It’s safe both indoors and outdoors, doesn’t mark furniture or walls and has a balanced charging to playtime ratio of 1.5 hours to 20 minutes.
- You'll love: It's a powerful off road pick with a nice charge time to play time ratio
Recommended Age: 3+
Size: 8.39 x 5.7 x 3.5 inches
Style: Monster truck
Colors: Black and blue
Batteries: 2 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable battery, charger, manual
#9
Gizmovine Action RC Car
Cool and rugged, Gizmovine Action RC Car is available in a fun variety of colors – black with red, green or blue allows kids to choose their favorite. It handles muddy and rocky terain, sand and grass easily and it’s very durable in the event of a crash thanks to its sturdy PVC construction that’s shockproof and shatterproof, holding up well to bumps, scrapes and splashes. The battery is designed to avoid overcharging and overdischarging, which extends the toy’s life.
- You'll love: It's ready to take on a number of surfaces and it's quite durable in the event of a collision, plus the batteries are high quality
Recommended Age: 5+
Size: 16 x 8 x 6.3 inches
Style: Off-road buggy
Colors: Black with red, green or blue
Batteries: One lithium ion battery not included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable battery, charger
#10
JEYPOD IMDEN Speed Storm
Ready to roll right out of the box with an eye-catching blue, orange, grey and black design, JEYPOD IMDEN Speed Storm has all the batteries that are needed to operate both the remote and the car – but not just one of each battery, two, which is a unique bonus not often seen. The pistol grip transmitter is one of the easiest types for kids to handle and master. It’s shockproof and crash-proof, and it takes sharp turns with great ease. It can handle most terrains well, but shouldn’t be exposed to water.
- You'll love: All batteries are included, and there's two of each kind, which is extra impressive
- Watch for: It's great on a lot of terrains, but not wet ones
Recommended Age: 8+
Size: 8.2 x 5.1 x 2.7 inches
Style: Race car
Colors: Orange, blue, black, grey, red accents
Batteries: All batteries included
Includes: Car, remote control, rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, screwdriver, user manual
#11
BIRANCO Mechanical Master
Building RC vehicles is an especially fun experience, and this BIRANCO Mechanical Master gives kids the opportunity to develop their hand eye coordination skills and small motor control while creating a toy they’ll love playing with. The tank runs for an impressive 25 minutes on full charge, and it’s rugged, climbing over obstacles and rocks easily. The safe plastic construction maintains its integrity during play, and full function motion lets the little tank zip along, keeping up with other cars with no problem.
- You'll love: The play time is 25 minutes, which is good, and it's an ideal pick for kids who love building.
- Watch for: There's choking hazards present, so it's not safe for children under 3
Recommended Age: 8 – 16 years
Size: 9.4 x 6.7 x 8.7 inches
Style: Tank
Colors: Green, grey, white
Batteries: 3 AA batteries not included
Includes: Car, remote, rechargeable battery, charger
DIY, Craft and Décor: Ideas for RC Car lovers
Toy Car Painting
Retro Racecar Birthday
Clothespin and Button Car Craft
Quick Decision
RASTAR La Ferrari 1/14 Scale – Best Overall
The familiar Ferrari design with a beautiful articulated body combines with functionality to create an awesome pick
Kidirace Road Invader – Upgrade Choice
It’s very powerful and features a safe and convenient internal antenna
PALA PERRA RC Crawler Car – Best Budget Buy
Kids can do tons of stunts with barely any learning curve with an inexpensive toy
Check out the 11 fast RC cars in this review for the next special gift-giving occasion.
Hannah H.
Hannah is both a parent and a freelance journalist and author. You go, girl! She is an impeccable wordsmith and her warm and witty outlook on life makes her pieces a joy to read.
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