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Who said only kids were allowed to have toys? Big boys can have plenty of fun with toys too. For some of us adults, RC cars are a serious racing hobby.
For some, it’s another cool way to blow off some steam. Either way, if you are into RC cars and thinking of buying one, we might be able to help. In this article, we are going to review the best remote control cars for adults that you can buy in 2020.
Table of Contents
Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Radio Controlled Car for Adults?
We wouldn’t let you wander all alone and clueless in the vast sea of overpriced, sub-par RC cars, would we? Before you read our reviews, quickly go over some things you should look for when buying a radio control car for adults. This way, you will not only understand the reviews better but also be informed enough to develop your own preferences.
Brush or Brushless
Brushless motors are more efficient compared to brush motors, therefore more expensive. If you are going to be racing with your RC car or driving off-road, a brushless motor would be more suitable. It will provide you with the power and support you need.
If your primary purpose is some casual driving and play time, brush motors will do an adequate job. And you’ll also save some money.
4-wheel Drive vs 2-wheel Drive
4-wheel drives are easier to steer and control. They are slightly more expensive too. The only reason to get a 2-wheel drive RC car these days is to challenge and improve yourself as a driver before moving on to 4-wheel drives. It is kind of like learning to drive a manual transmission car before familiarizing yourself with auto transmission.
If you are serious about racing and see yourself partaking in professional races in future, you can start with 2WD. It will make a difference and lay a solid foundation for your driving skills.
On-Road Vs Off-road
On-road vehicles do their best on smooth, even surfaces like the floor or driveway of your house. Off-road vehicles, on the other hand, are designed to run on rocky, sandy, snowy, grassy and hilly terrains. They are equipped to handle the damage that comes from driving and crashing off-road.
Off-road or all-terrain remote control cars are better with stunts too. Typically they are built with more durable material and contain shock suspension. So choose your vehicle type depending on your driving ground and personal preferences.
Speed and Battery Life
In terms of racing, good RC cars for adults are the ones with above average top speed and good battery life. The top speed of a racing RC truck should be at least 30 mph. However, not all RC cars are racing cars. Some are more focused on climbing and stunts rather than speed.
A decent RC car should have a battery life of at least an hour. Li-Po batteries are heavy duty and a plus to have in the top adult rc cars or trucks.
Control Range
Well, the basic criteria for a remote control car is to drive it remotely. The control range determines from how far away you can drive your RC car. What range of control you should go for depends on what you intend to use your RC car for.
For example, if your goal is to race long tracks, you would need a RC car with broader range. Such cars should cover at least a 200-250 meter range. For indoor, short track or backyard driving, you can make do with less than that.
Best Remote Control Car for Adults – 2021 Updated Reviews
1. Traxxas 1/10 Trail Crawler
Features at a glance
- 1:10 Scale realistic model
- 5000mAh battery, up to 2 hours of runtime
- Dual speed transmission
- Top speed up to 7 mph
- Cruise control feature
The Traxxas Crawler is sturdy, detailed and powerful. It can’t go fast or race, but that’s okay because it was built for an entirely different purpose.
The crawler is an off-road RC car designed for stunts and various trail exploration. This car can get around or over almost any ground level obstacles.
There is a high speed and a low speed mode. Whatever speed you’re driving at, if you want to maintain that speed steadily throughout your whole driving session without manually using the throttle to balance it, you have the cruise control option for that. You set a speed and the crawler cruises by itself. Pretty neat!
The batteries and a charger need to be bought separately.
Ideal for driving on challenging trails with rock, water and tight spots. If you want something well-built for off-road with a spectacular runtime, the Traxxas Crawler won’t disappoint.
2. Traxxas Short Course Truck
Features at a glance
This stunning Traxxas RC truck is fast with a runtime on the lower side. On a single charge, it lasts from 20-30 minutes depending on how hard you’re driving it. For racing on short courses, the runtime is adequate and the speed is impressive.
Even though the truck does amazing on concrete, dirt, mud and snow, it cannot do much on thick, tall grass. It comes with a car charger that’s kind of slow and heats up sometimes.
If you are planning to buy this Traxxas truck, pair it up with an adapter for quicker charging.
It is easy to drive. The chassis is durable enough to survive countless crashings without so much as a scratch.
Ideal for beginner short course racers.
3. Axial Capra Rock Crawler Trail Buggy RTR
Features at a glance
The Axial Capra is pretty fast for a crawler with its top speed up to 15 mph. Its inner mechanical wiring is one of the finest and provides remarkable ground clearance. The four link suspension makes sure after climbing, jumping or stunts your crawler lands swiftly.
The chassis is solid with a close representation of the interior. It covers a decent distance and hurdles on despite frequent crashes. The LED light bar is a nice touch and provides ample lighting during night time crawling sessions.
The battery and charger need to be purchased separately. The runtime of this crawler would hugely depend on the battery you choose. However, It is Li-Po compatible.
Ideal for intense rock crawling.
4. Redcat Racing GEN8 Scout II Axe Edition
Features at a glance
The RedCat Gen 8 AXE edition distinguishes itself from the regular Gen 8. It has upgradable parts, a solid body and high performance crawling. If you want a crawler that you can upgrade whenever need be, the Redcat is worth a look.
The inner wiring is impeccable with precise controls. It’s a bit disappointing that an RC car of its price range doesn’t come with batteries and a charger.
Some 3s Li-Po batteries pair well with this crawler. It has good range. It climbs up anything and the body, even though plastic, does not succumb to bashing.
Ideal for intermediate to advanced level hobbyists.
5. ARRMA KRATON Speed Monster Truck Rtr
Features at a glance
The Arrma Kraton is truly a monster. This thing has unbeatable speed and durability. If you’re only beginning your journey in the world of RC cars, you might struggle a lot trying to handle the speed at first. The internal electronics are waterproof so driving it in rain or across wet surfaces shouldn’t be a problem.
You will need to spend some more on batteries for the truck and the remote control. If you want to increase the Arrma Kraton’s speed even more, pair it up with 6S Li-Po batteries and get the pinion gear.
Even without these, this truck flies and flips! If you’re just starting out, 4S Li-po batteries might be a better idea.
Ideal for long track or all terrain racing.
6. Cheetah High Speed RTR
Features at a Glance
The Cheetah is a big, speedy beast and not for the faint-hearted. Even if you are somewhat experienced, you might need to spend the first few days learning how to tame its speed.
The included batteries are adequate and do a good enough job. On full throttle, it lasts about half an hour. It is advisable to get a spare battery for uninterrupted driving.
This RC car is waterproof with well designed shock absorbers and suspension. The remote controller has a lot of options for adjustment. Consider buying this RC car only if you have a large enough area to operate it on, due to its high speed and motor power.
However, the outer chassis of this truck may incur some damage upon heavy impact. But it will mostly be minor scratches. The important parts should be safe and sound. It is an all terrain electric racing truck and immensely fun to drive.
Ideal for long course and off-road racing.
7. Laegendary Remote Control Car
Features at a glance
This Laegendary truck looks absolutely gorgeous. It is not as speedy as the Cheetah and the Arrma at 35 mph. But maybe that’s a good thing because those cars are harder to control at top speed. This one is still pretty fast and can be used for racing.
The truck is waterproof and does not slow down on wet tracks. It is truly an all terrain car with a control range of up to 250 meters. The makers are considerate enough to include two batteries and two spare tires.
The RC is super resistant to abuse. It is much smoother to drive and control. If you would like a remote control car to share with your kid or a younger sibling, this one is an infallible option.
Ideal for beginners and intermediate hobbyists.
Verdict
In this article, you have had a glimpse of some of the cool remote control cars for adults. You have also gained a better understanding of how to choose an RC car for yourself.
We believe you are now more than able to decide which RC car among the ones we have reviewed fits your needs the best. In case you’re still a bit confused, we have come up with some final recommendations to help you further along your search.
TRAXXAS TRX4 Slow Motion Video