10 Best Remote Control Cars for Adults

It doesn’t matter that you find them on the toy aisle and in toy stores; remote control cars are just as much fun for adults as they are for children. However, choosing the best one can be difficult, especially if you’re purchasing it for a friend and know nothing about remote control cars yourself.

The best remote control car for most adults is the Hosim Large Size RC Truck. It has two brushless motors that make shifting from low to high speeds an almost effortless process, and it can reach speeds of 30 mph (48 kph) and higher! It features a rugged build and can be used indoors and outdoors.

In this article, I’ll tell you a little about what you should be looking for in a well-made, high-quality remote control car. I’ll also give you some more information about why the Hosim RC Truck is my pick for the number one RC car on the market. Finally, I’ll give you nine other great options in case Hosim isn’t the right choice for you. 

Before diving in to details, these are my best 10 Remote Control Cars for Adults bade on different needs

What To Consider When Buying a Remote Control Car

Whether you’re buying an RC car for an adult or a child, there are certain things you want to consider beforehand. These include: 

• Power source
• Speed
• Level of assembly required
• Indoor or outdoor use
• Style
• Price

Let’s look at each one in more detail. 

Power Source

When it comes to RC cars, there are two primary power sources: electric and nitro. 

Recently, a third power source called brushless electric technology has risen in popularity, but it’s more of a variation of electric power. We’ll touch on it, as well, though.

Electric (Battery-Powered)

Electric, or battery-powered, RC cars are the kind of cars most people know. Most remote control cars for children use electric power. There are some advantages to buying an electric-powered RC car. 

Why buy Electric Battery Powered RC car:

• They’re usually cheaper than nitro cars, both upfront and in the long run.
• They’re also less expensive to maintain because you don’t have to keep buying gas.
• Most but not all have rechargeable batteries, so there’s no need to keep buying batteries either.
• Electric RC cars are quiet and easy to drive. You can use them inside with no trouble, and being able to go in reverse with them is standard. 

However, there are some downsides, as well. Why you should not buy them?

• They’re usually slower than nitro-powered cars.
• They also don’t do as well on off-road terrains. 
• Additionally, you can only use the car for so long before the battery runs out. Then you have to stop and recharge it before you can use it again. 

Brushless Electric Technology

RC cars with brushless electric motors are still electric cars. However, they’re made a little differently and don’t have the brushes or the commutator that a standard electric RC car has. As a result, the overall makeup of the motor is different, but the upside is that cars with brushless motors run faster than cars with brushed motors.

These cars also tend to have longer battery lives than cars with standard electric motors, and they’re even quieter! 

Finally, in terms of durability, brushless motors tend to hold up a little longer than standard motors. The only real downside is that they’re almost always more expensive than RC cars with standard brushed motors.

Nitro (Fuel-Powered)

Nitro RC cars run off gas just like real cars. Well, almost. The fuel that nitro RC cars burn is a mixture of methanol, nitromethane, and lubricant. Most people call it “nitro” for short. That means these cars are more realistic than electric cars. 

They put out engine smoke and fumes, and they make similar noises to actual race cars (on a lesser scale). Additionally, nitro cars are usually the speediest RC cars you can buy. 

Brushless motor cars are much faster than electric RC cars with brushed motors, but many of them still can’t reach the speeds of nitro cars. Nitro-powered cars are also less sensitive to water than electric cars because they don’t have many electrical components.

However, some of the things that make them great to one person could be seen as disadvantages by someone else. For instance, the loudness of the cars could present a problem if you live in a suburban area or some other place where you have nearby neighbors. 

You shouldn’t drive these cars indoors because of the fumes they release. They also take more skill to operate and aren’t ideal for beginners. Finally, their overall maintenance costs are higher because you’ll constantly be buying fuel for them. 

Speed

Speed is another critical consideration when it comes to RC cars. Some people don’t mind sacrificing speed for style, a lower price, or other factors they appreciate more. 

For others, though, RC cars are all about the speed—the faster they can go, the better they like them. 

So, are you—or the person you’re buying the car for—more into off-roading and doing cool tricks, or do you want to be able to race the car at breakneck speed?

Level of Assembly Required

Despite what many people who aren’t really into remote control cars think, not all RC cars come pre-assembled and ready to drive. So, you also need to decide whether you want a car that’s fully assembled or if you want to build it yourself.

Ready-To-Run (RTR)

Ready-to-Run (RTR) RC cars come pre-assembled. After you open the box, you can take them out and start racing them. You may have to do a few minor tweaks, such as charging and adding the battery to the car and putting batteries in the remote control. However, you don’t have to build anything.

Below are by best two recommendations:

Remote Control Car Kit – User Builds the Car

Other RC cars come unassembled in kits. They’re similar to model car kits, except with these, you also have to assemble the engine and connect everything correctly to get them to run. 

You can buy complete kits or purchase individual pieces and build your dream car from scratch. Either way, these take some work before you can use them.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Use

Some RC cars are designed for rugged, outdoor use. Nitro cars, for example, are built almost exclusively for outdoor use. That’s because breathing in the exhaust fumes in an enclosed area is dangerous. 

On the other hand, some cars aren’t durable enough to do any off-roading or all-terrain driving. They don’t have good climbing power, and their construction isn’t optimized for outdoor use. So be sure to consider where you’ll be using the car before you buy it.

Style

As with most things in life, style is important. Yes, you want to have an RC car that runs well, but you want it to look nice, too. Of course, the style and appearance of RC cars are more important to some people than they are to others, but they deserve at least a moment’s consideration from everyone.

Some RC cars look realistic; others look entirely futuristic and not much like cars at all. Still others are themed, like this Batman Launch and Defend Batmobile RC Car from Amazon. 

There are tons of different styles, so take some time to find the right one for you.

Price

Unless you’ve got Jeff Bezos’ money, price is another one of those factors that we all have to consider. Whether you’re purchasing an RC car for yourself or as a gift for someone else, you need to know how much you’re willing to spend upfront. 

Some remote control cars are super expensive and can even cost $700 or more. Not everyone has that kind of money to spend on RC cars, no matter how much they might like to do so. Knowing you’re unwilling to pay over a certain threshold will help narrow down your choices considerably. 

The 10 Best RC Cars for Adults

• Best Overall: Hosim Large Size 1:10 Scale High-Speed Remote Control Truck
• Best for Off-roading: DOUBLE E RC Cars 1:12 Off-Road Monster Truck
• Best on a Budget: SPESXFUN 1:14 Scale High-Speed Remote Control Car
• Best for Rock Crawling: Axial Capra 1.9 4WD Rock Crawler Trail Buggy
• Best for LEGO Lovers: LEGO Technic Off-Road App-Controlled RC Buggy Model Kit
• Best Nitro Powered RC Car: HSP 1:10 Nitro Power 4WD Short Course Truck
• Best for the Speed Demons: HPI Racing Vorza Flux RTR RC Car
• Best Build-Your-Own RC Car Kit: Traxxas Trail and Scale Crawler Chassis Kit
• Best for Doing Tricks: ORRENTE 360° Rotating RC Cars Stunt Car
• Best for the Water: ALTAIR Brushless RC Boat

1. Best Overall: Hosim Large Size 1:10 Scale High-Speed Remote Control Truck

The Hosim electric RC car looks great, comes ready to run, and is competitively priced. 

Although you won’t hit nitro-level speeds with this machine, it still reaches speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph) for a fast, fun racing experience. Additionally, it’s incredibly durable, so you can confidently use it outside. Unlike some RC cars, it finds the perfect balance between durability and speed.

The car weighs a little over five pounds and has oversized tires with rugged grips, which are great for climbing over rocks and doing a little off-roading. 

The double brushless motors give it more speed than many other RC cars, and they also allow the truck to take corners more sharply and to swap between low and high speeds without issue. 

The advertised battery life is about 30 minutes, but if you’re running the truck at high speeds, it doesn’t last nearly that long, which is its main downside.

Pros

• Double brushless motors provide high speeds and excellent handling
• Capable of reaching speeds of 30 mph (48 kph) and higher
• Is water-resistant
• Has a driving range of about 260 feet

Cons

• Battery life doesn’t last long, especially when running at top speeds
• No advertised warranty information included on Amazon
• Somewhat noisy due to subpar shocks

2. Best for Off-Roading: DOUBLE E RC Cars 1:12 Off-Road Monster Truck

If you like to take your RC truck off-road, over hills, and through uneven terrain, the DOUBLE E 1:12 Off-road Monster Truck is pretty unbeatable. Thanks to its four-wheel drive capabilities, dual motors, and excellent shock absorbers, this truck can climb 45° slopes with no trouble at all. 

It also comes with two batteries, giving it a fantastic maximum run time of an hour before it has to be recharged. The batteries and the charging cable are included in the package. 

It has huge tires with excellent grips, so it can climb anything that’s six inches or lower with ease. It’s indoor- and outdoor-friendly, and it has actual working headlights, which is just cool!

If speed is your ultimate goal, this isn’t the truck for you—it’s not fast, but if you want to test its limits with jumps and climbs, you’ll love it.

Pros

• Comes with two batteries for extended playing time
• Excellent shock absorbers and durable construction make climbing a breeze
• Equipped with four-wheel drive and dual motors
• Very reasonably priced

Cons

• Isn’t fast
• Has a driving range of only about 100 feet (30 meters)

3. Best on a Budget: SPESXFUN 1:14 Scale High-Speed Remote Control Car

The SPESXFUN 1:14 high-speed RC car looks fantastic, is well-built and durable, and won’t break your bank. So if you’re in the market for a nice-looking car with a budget-friendly price, this one is it. 

It features a 2.4 GHz radio control system, two electric motors, and despite its low price, it’s surprisingly fast. 

The advertised speeds are between 15 and 25 mph (24 to 40 kph), but in reality, the car runs closer to the 15 mph mark. Even so, it has superb handling capabilities, and it holds up well under collisions thanks to the durable ABS plastic used in its construction. 

The car is moisture-proof and fade-resistant, and it comes with two rechargeable battery packs to extend its overall run time to about 60 minutes using both batteries. The USB charging cable is also included. It’s indoor- and outdoor-friendly, but it’s low to the ground, so it’s not the best choice for climbing and off-roading. 

You won’t have accurate control over the speed, which is the biggest downside to the car, and it doesn’t cut corners as tightly as some of the higher-priced RC cars. Because the controls are simple, though, it’s ideal for beginner users.

Pros

• Relatively inexpensive
• Reaches decent speeds for an affordable RC car
• Very durable
• Moderately good driving range of about 160 feet (48 meters)

Cons

• Not optimized for off-roading or climbing
• Only has a single speed option

4. Best for Rock Crawling: Axial Capra 1.9 4WD Rock Crawler Trail Buggy

First of all, the Ready-to-Run Axial Capra Rock Crawler looks phenomenal! It’s a little more “bare bones” than some of the other choices on the list, but the detail is incredible. With its oversized tires and suspension rods, it looks like a real, albeit smaller, dune buggy.

Furthermore, it features a DIG transmission that allows you to seamlessly transition from four-wheel drive to front-wheel drive with a simple adjustment to the transmitter. This feature gives you smoother, tighter turning capabilities.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this machine does it all. It climbs; it sails off ledges (and lands smoothly, thanks to the excellent shocks); it transitions smoothly from forward to reverse movement; it even has working headlights and a roof bar for driving in low-light settings. In short, it’s an insanely powerful RC car. 

The speed isn’t impressive, but it wasn’t built for speed. It’s a crawler. 

You can use it in grass, soil, dirt, over rocks, and even inside, although it’s meant for the outdoors. Weighing a little over five pounds (2.3 kilograms), it’s also supremely durable. The open, bare-bones design makes maintenance on the buggy super easy, as well. 

The biggest downside to this one is that it doesn’t come with everything it needs, although it’s sold as a ready-to-run car. 

Both the battery and charger are sold separately. Since the initial price is pretty high, that’s an extra expense that some people aren’t willing to pay.

Pros

• Looks and feels terrific; features a realistic interior
• Superb climbing ability; great shocks allow it to land smoothly
• Features headlights and a lighted roof bar for low-light conditions

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a battery or a charger
• Is more expensive than some of the other options

5. Best for LEGO Lovers: LEGO Technic Off-Road App-Controlled RC Buggy Model Kit

If you’re looking for an RC car for a LEGO fanatic, this one is a must-have. LEGO lovers will have just as much fun building the car as they will running it. It features 374 pieces of quality LEGO parts, including oversized tires and components to create front and rear suspension.

The best part is that it actually runs and runs well, thanks in large part to the two large motors “under the hood.” 

Unfortunately, there’s no remote control transmitter, so you’ll need to download the app to your smartphone to control it. However, once you do, it runs exactly like a real remote control car. 

The hood opens, and the car moves realistically, just like a real car in miniature! There are sound effects, and with enough practice, you can perform all kinds of cool tricks with this RC car. It’s also optimized for off-road use thanks to the rear-wheel drive and oversized back tires.

If you’re still unsure about how much you can do with a LEGO RC car, check out this video review that shows you all the great things it does.

Pros

• A lot of fun to build
• Great gift for both RC collectors and LEGO collectors
• Runs surprisingly well
• Gives you that late-80s/early-90s throwback vibe

Cons

• Doesn’t include batteries
• Doesn’t have a super long range
• Requires smartphone app to function

6. Best Nitro Powered RC Car: HSP 1:10 Nitro Power 4WD Short Course Truck

This cool truck goes from zero to 37 mph (60 kph) in six seconds flat. Because it’s a nitro-fueled truck, it’s fast and has lots of power behind it. Most of the time, if you get excellent speed in an RC truck, it doesn’t do well off-road, but that’s not the case with the HSP Short Course Truck.

In addition to speed, it’s also a sturdy all-terrain RC vehicle. It has real rubber tires with solid grips, which allow it to climb quickly over various surfaces. It’s also durable and easy to maintain and has adjustable shocks. You can adjust them to fit any terrain you’re using.

It has two things that many nitro RC cars don’t have: a rubber exhaust pipe and a transparent oil pipe. 

The transparent oil pipe allows you to check the oil level of the truck at a glance. The rubber exhaust pipe helps cut down on some of the typical noise associated with nitro-powered RC cars. That way, you don’t have to worry about bothering any of your neighbors with your new RC truck.

Pros

• Excellent acceleration
• Rubber exhaust pipe cuts down on noise
• Adjustable shocks

Cons

• Price is a little high
• Not as durable as some of the other options

7. Best for the Speed Demons: HPI Racing Vorza Flux RTR RC Car

The HPI Vorza Flux is another remote control car that strikes the perfect balance between durability and speed. The manufacturer designed it as a racing car, and it is fast. 

With the correct battery, this brushless motor car can hit speeds of over 50 mph (80 kph)! Some users claim it even reaches 60 mph (96.5 kph)! However, despite its incredible speed, it’s durable enough to play collision cars in the backyard, as well. 

It looks fantastic, and its angled front end makes it perfect for off-road driving. Furthermore, the battery box is adjustable, so you can move it around to fit whatever battery you want to use. It doesn’t come with a battery, though, so be aware of that upfront.

Pros

• Super fast
• Incredibly durable
• Handles well, even when off-roading

Cons

• Doesn’t include a battery
• Very pricey

8. Best Build-Your-Own RC Car Kit: Traxxas Trail and Scale Crawler Chassis Kit

Although the body, batteries, and charger are sold separately, this is an excellent kit for anyone who wants to build their own car from the ground up. All the electronic bits are waterproof, so you can create a car that’ll run in even the worst weather conditions. 

The motor is a powerful 21T Titan 550, which will give your car both acceleration power and speed. The shocks and suspension links come pre-assembled, but everything else is up to you to build. There’s an excellent, full-color instruction manual to help you, though. 

If you want to build a high-quality car, you can’t beat the Traxxas Trail and Scale Crawler kit.

Pros

• Includes a powerful motor
• Easy-to-follow instruction manual means even newbie builders can build the car
• All electronics are waterproof

Cons

• Expensive
• Doesn’t come with batteries, body, or charger

9. Best for Doing Tricks: ORRENTE 360° Rotating RC Cars Stunt Car

The ORRENTE is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly car that isn’t super fancy but is tons of fun. 

It has two motors, so it has more power than you think it would for such an inexpensive car. 

It also comes with two batteries. Sadly, each battery only provides you with about 22 minutes of run time, which is less than ideal. Still, using both, you get nearly 45 minutes of fun before needing to recharge.

The car is durable and shockproof, and it’s both fast and fun. It can reach speeds of about ten mph (16 kph), and you can also use it to climb, jump, off-road, and do all kinds of amazing tricks. Doing tricks is really what it’s built to do. It can flip, spin, turn, run on two wheels, etc. It’s a great stunt car.

It features working LED lights and comes in three different colors. If you want to see some of what the ORRENTE can do, check out this video:

Pros

• Excellent price
• One of the best options for tricks and stunts
• Relatively fast

Cons

• Run time isn’t great
• Driving range of only 130 feet (40 m)

10. Best for the Water: ALTAIR Brushless RC Boat

Just in case you’re looking for a high-quality RC vehicle for the water, I decided to showcase one of my favorites, the ALTAIR Brushless RC Boat. It comes ready to run, and thanks to the brushless motor, it reaches speeds of about 25 mph (40 km) on the water. 

It features an anti-capsize hull system, which means you’ll never lose your boat if the battery goes dead. Once the battery starts getting low, the remote will sound an alarm to alert you. The same thing happens if you start heading out of range with the boat. 

It’s also durable and comes with everything you need to operate it, including the battery and the charger. 

Pros

• Super fast
• Features anti-capsize warning system
• Comes with everything included

Cons

• A little pricey
• Smaller than some RC boats

Final Thoughts

Although there are many great RC cars available, the Hosim Large Size RC Truck is my favorite. It reaches decent speeds, is durable and rugged, can be used indoors or outdoors, and isn’t outrageously expensive. 

Of course, if you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, you might want to go with the SPESXFUN 1:14 Scale Car or the ORRENTE 360° Stunt Car instead. If you’re looking for the coolest option for nerdy LEGO collectors, the LEGO Technic Off-Road Kit is incredible, too.

Honestly, any of these ten would be a good choice. 

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