Many kids who grew up playing with remote control cars have grown up to become true RC enthusiasts. Of course, as they became older, their toys also got way more sophisticated. That’s why it’s no wonder that there are a lot of high-end remote control cars for adults currently on the market.
What sets these RC cars for adults apart from their toy remote control predecessors is the way they’re built. The best RC cars for adults now feature high-quality materials, elaborate mechanical components and sophisticated engineering that allows them to offer ultimate excitement to their owners.
But what is the top pick for the best remote control car for adults? Let’s browse some top selling RC cars and find our answer.
Know what You’re Looking for
Before you whip out your credit card and start spending your adult money left and right, you should first think about what exactly you want from your RC vehicle.
Are you going for speed? Or are off-road adventures more your style? Are you after sports car models, buggies or trucks? Do you want a 2wd RC car or a 4wd one?
Answering all of these questions will help you get your priorities straight and narrow down your search. And now, let’s look at some top RC car picks based on specific interests.
Beginner-Friendly RC Cars for Adults
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of RC cars, there’s no need to go all in right off the bat. Instead, a far wiser option is to ease your way into this hobby and start off by purchasing your very first RC car.
It’s not that these models are in any way inferior compared to others, but they are somewhat easier to understand and learn how to handle properly.
Once you get the hang of it and learn how to control more beginner-friendly models, you can easily move onto the more elaborate options.
The most popular models in this category include:
- Traxxas Rustler XL-5 RTR RC Stadium Truck
- FTX Tracer 1/16 4WD Monster Truck
- Traxxas Bandit XL-5 RTR 1/10 RC Buggy
- RCG Racing Storm Rider 1/16 Buggy
- Traxxas 1/16 E-Revo Brushed 4WD RTR RC Monster Truck
Best RC Cars for Adults who Love Speed
If you have the need - the need for speed, look for models that have brushless power systems and can easily reach high velocity.
Additionally, handling is very important when it comes to high-speed racing, so you should look for models with quality servos that offer quick steering responses.
Our top picks in this category include:
- Traxxas Bandit VXL Brushless RTR RC Buggy
- Losi 1969 Camaro Drag Car RTR
- Traxxas 1/16 E-Revo VXL Brushless 4WD RTR RC Truck
- Arrma Infraction V2 6S BLX Brushless 1/7 RTR Electric 4WD Street Bash Truck
- Traxxas XO-1 AWD 1/7 Scale RTR RC Supercar
Gas Powered Remote Control Cars for Adults
Alt text: An image of a red Traxxas Jato 3.3 2WD Nitro Stadium Truck.
For hobbyists who enjoy the smell and the sound of real-size cars all packed into a smaller model, gas powered RC cars are the way to go.
These models usually use the same type of gasoline like real-size cars, and deliver power, torque and that irresistible sound of engine revving.
If you’re after an excellent gas powered RC car model, look no further than:
- Traxxas Revo 3.3 Nitro 4WD RC Monster Truck
- Losi 5IVE-T V2
- Traxxas Jato 3.3 2WD Nitro Stadium Truck
- Losi DBXL 2.0 Desert Buggy
- Traxxas Slayer Pro 4x4 Nitro RTR Short Course RC Truck
Electric Remote Control Cars for Adults
Unlike gas or nitro RC cars, electric models don’t need to have theri motors tuned. Additionally, these are generally some of the quietest RC cars on the market, so you don’t have to worry about making too much noise if you opt for them.
Electric RC cars come with a rechargeable battery pack, but many hobbyists like to replace the stock motor as it usually only offers about 10 to 15 minutes of drive time.
The models that stand out the most in this category are:
- Traxxas X-Maxx 8S 4WD RTR Monster Truck Combo
- Losi 1969 Chevy Camaro V100
- Traxxas Sledge 6S 4WD Brushless RTR Monster Truck
- Arrma Felony 6S BLX Brushless 1/7 RTR Electric 4WD Street Bash Muscle Car
- Traxxas Slash 4x4 Ultimate Short Course Truck
Best Off-Road RC Cars for Adrenaline Junkies
When it comes to off-road cars, it’s no wonder that Traxxas RC car models reign supreme. Thanks to their exceptional build quality and incredible resilience these models can easily handle any type of terrain.
No matter if you decide to go with RC cars, buggies or monster trucks, these off-road models will be able to overcome any ramp, jump or bump in the road.
Our favorites include:
- Traxxas TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco 4WD RTR Crawler Trail Truck
- Traxxas TRX-4 Deep-Terrain Traxx Trail RC 4x4 Crawler RTR
- Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer 4WD Brushless RTR RC Truck
- Arrma Kraton 1/5 EXB Roller
- Arrma Big Rock 4X4 V3 3S BLX 1/10 RTR Brushless Monster Truck
Best RC Car Picks for Drifting Extravaganza
Drifting is an art in and of itself, but your personal skill level isn’t the only thing that will determine the success of your drift.
Instead, you should look for RC car models that have specialized tires, drivetrain configurations and suspension designed specifically for drifting. All of these components aim to enable the RC car to oversteer and lose traction, so that it can perform controlled slides which result in drifts.
Some of the most noteworthy mentions include:
- Traxxas Toyota GR Supra GT4
- FTX Banzai 4WD 1/10 Brushed Drift Car
- MST RMX 2.5 1/10 2WD Brushless RTR Drift Car
- FTX Havok 1/14 4WD Drift Roadster
- Traxxas 4-Tec 3.0 Chevrolet Stingray 1/10 AWD Supercar
Best Picks for Large Remote Control Cars for Adults
You know what they say, “Go big, or go home”. And if you don’t really feel like going home, check out some of the biggest RC cars for adults!
These usually come in three sizes - 1/5, 1/6 and 1/7 scale - and are best suited for experienced RC car enthusiasts, mainly due to their size and power.
So, if you’re looking for some real large-scale excitement, look no further than:
- Arrma Kraton 1/5 EXB EXtreme Bash Roller Speed 4WD Monster Truck
- Losi (DBXLE) 2.0 1/5 Scale Desert Buggy
- Axial SCX6 Trail Honcho 1/6 4WD RTR Electric Rock Crawler w/DX3 Radio & Smart ESC
- Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer (UDR)
- Losi 1/6 Super Baja Rey 2.0 4X4 Desert Truck Brushless RTR
Best Customizable RC Cars for Adult Hobbyists
Although there are many excellent options out there to choose from, you may simply want to make your RC car truly your own by customizing anything and everything you can.
That’s where Arrma RC steps in. Built to last and truly be ‘Faster. Tougher', this brand puts a special emphasis on customization, aside from the mandatory durability and performance.
Although many of their vehicles come ready-to-run, you can easily play around with pinion tooth count and wheel hex size to fine-tune your vehicle and adjust its performance to your specific needs.
So, How Do You Choose Which RC Car to Go With?
Going back to the point we’ve made earlier, finding the best RC car model for you will require some thought. But once you get a general idea about what exactly it is that you want, you should have an easier time choosing a specific model.
To get the most bang for your buck, make sure you always go with hobby-grade RC cars, as the majority of these will offer replacement and upgrade parts, so that you can enjoy your vehicle longer.
And remember, no matter if you choose a ready-to-ride model or decide to build your own, your main goal should be to enjoy the experience and have fun. Besides, there’s no rule that states you can only have one RC car; Therefore, feel free to experiment with different models, sizes and builds until you find your favorite.
Enhance Your RC Car Experience with RC Visions
Indulge in the thrill of RC car adventures with RC Visions, your one-stop shop for anything and everything RC car-related. Jump straight into the action with our ready-to-run models, or get creative and experiment with making your own custom builds.
With our massive selection of RC vehicles, spare and replacement parts, and other accessories, any RC hobbyist will surely find something suitable when browsing our products.
Don’t hesitate to maximize your RC experience at RC Visions and rely on our top-notch support to help you out with any questions, issues or concerns.
Conclusion
Just because you’re now an adult, that doesn't mean you can’t reconnect with a beloved childhood hobby and find a good remote control car for adults. These models feature advanced engineering and design that aim to take your favorite pastime to a whole new level of fun! So, go ahead - embrace your inner enthusiast and explore the vast possibilities and options that RC cars have to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults play remote control cars?
Of course! Not only is playing with RC cars a great hobby but it can also be a good opportunity to spend some quality time with your friends or kids. What’s more, this hobby can even help boost your creativity, especially if you decide to build your own tracks or obstacle courses.
What is considered a fast remote control car?
Since the majority of RC cars develop speeds of around 10 to 20 mph, anything faster than that can be considered fast. But some of the fastest RC drag cars can quickly develop top speeds of around 60 to 70 mph, which makes them some of the fastest models out there.
What is a hobby grade remote control car?
Unlike toy-grade RC cars that are usually made from cheaper and less durable materials and are mostly designed for kids, hobby-grade RC cars are more durable, built from high-quality materials and promise better performance overall.
How many types of RC cars are there?
There are two main categories of RC cars: on-road and off-road. However, giving a specific number would almost be impossible, as there are as many RC cars as there are their real-size equivalents, and that’s not counting custom and eccentric models built by passionate and creative RC car enthusiasts.