The best remote control cars 2018: from aerodynamic racers to hard core off-roaders

We can’t always get what we want, especially when it comes to cars. But when a remote control car like the Traxxas Ford GT 4TEC 2.0 4WD sets you back around 350 quid, rather than the 80,000 smackers for a real one, it’s good to know we have a compromise.

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So what’s the best remote control car for you? Well that depends if you prefer the idea of a smooth drift on a neatly tarmacked road or the thrill of pelting your car through the jungle that is the field at the local park.

If you’re looking to head to your local RC racing club, you’ll probably need something like the drifting FTX Banzai 1/10th Scale 4WD RTR Brushed Electric Street Drift Car, but if you just want to head off-road to have some fun, a buggy like the Vatos Off Road High Speed Car, should serve you very well indeed. 

Of course, if you’re looking to get seriously into it, it’s probably worth you checking out the British Radio Car Association for the nitty gritty stuff. 

Fully assembled and ready to race, the Traxxas Ford showcases the sleek and powerful design of the real thing. Traxxas have taken every care to include all the finer details – from the tail lights to the exhaust tips – and you can choose from a range of flashy colours including Liquid Blue, Liquid Red and Liquid Grey. The car will come to you ready to race, but bear in mind you’ll need to purchase the battery and charger separately. Thanks to the TQiTM 2.4GHz Radio System, XL-5® Electronic Speed Control and Titan® 12T 550 motor, we're pretty sure you'll have a great chance of a result on the track. 

This really cool off-roader won’t set you back anywhere near as much as our first pick, but then it’s not a showpiece. If you really want to drive your remote control car, then this Vatos shouldn’t fail to meet expectation. We’re talking 40km/h top speed, three stage differential gear, an independent suspension system and rubber tyres to withstand hours of off-roading. Best thing is, the battery lasts up to 40 minutes, giving you way more play time than the smooth machine up top. 

The FTX Banzai is a fantastic entry-level option. It comes 99% complete in the box, but there’s enough for you to play around with to feel like you’re really optimising this car’s performance when you’re out on the track. It’s the drifters that want to take note here; we’re not saying it’s going to be easy to get the hang of, but once you do, and you familiarise yourself with the adjustable suspension system and shock absorbers, you’ll be the smoothest racer on the track. 

With a max speed of 30km/h the TOZO really goes, even when you’re off roading. It gives you 20 minutes of drive time, and with a 2.4Ghz Radio System, you’ve got 50m to play with when it comes to exploring the area. When you’re powering over rough ground, the independent shockproof system should prevent any potential damage caused by vibrations, while the three stage gear system ensures you can make the most out of the terrain. 

Combine your loves of both Lego and remote control cars with the Lego Technic. Choose between building two designs– the sporty looking traced racer or the RC Off Road truck– and take it off road, where you can spin it, turn it and clamber over obstacles. You can drive forward, backward, left and right and perform 360 degree spins. Why not build your own obstacle course? And you can even race it with its speedy motor. 

You can pipe dream about owning a real one, but when it comes to it, this replica, sadly, is about as close as you’re going to get. With an RRP of just under £30, this is great first remote control car and with its xenon headlights, working rear lights and a decent max speed that should offer just the right blend of exhilaration and control, it will give you some serious kudos when you’re racing your mates, too. 

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