If you give a kid a remote control car, it’s pretty much a given they’re going to love it. But these toys have a bad reputation for breaking, and it can be difficult to tell upfront what you’re in for. The best remote control cars ace that crucial combination of function and fun, allowing your little one to zip around without worrying that their new toy will die within days—or even minutes (I’ve been there). Our top choice is the Air Hogs Super Soft Flippin' Frenzy for its cool tricks and durability.
The best remote control cars let kids fulfill their need for speed without breaking. Water Bubble Gun
When selecting a remote control car, keep in mind that “bigger is not always better,” say Mandy Merrell and Mel Craig, toy researchers and founders of the Toy Testing Sisters. They recommend considering in advance how and where your child will use the toy and searching for the right car based on that. “Think about the scale of the vehicle in relation to the area you’ll be using it,” they say. “If you get a smaller scale RC car, you can set up races and obstacle courses in a fairly confined area. A large car would just plow through.”
There’s also a “huge quality difference” between hobby grade remote control cars (often called RC cars) and toys—but there’s also a price difference, Merrell and Craig say. To choose the best remote control car for your child, it’s crucial to factor in elements like power (do you prefer batteries or rechargeable machines?), durability, how rough your child tends to be with toys and, of course, your budget. With that in mind, these are the best remote control cars on the market to set you and your child up for fun times ahead.
The Air Hogs Flippin’ Frenzy has a lot packed into a small package, making it our top all-around pick. This remote control car does all kinds of tricks, including flips and spins, making it a toy that can entertain younger kids (starting at age 4) and their older counterparts alike. This car is built tough, with oversized wheels that cushion a lot of the blow when it’s cruising around—or taking hits. The Flippin’ Frenzy’s tires are soft and—I can attest to this—don’t leave marks on your walls or stairs. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery that gives you about 15 minutes of time before it peters out. While your child may move on to the next toy at that point, you can purchase a backup battery if you want to continue the action. The joystick-style control buttons are easy to use.
My first grader received this remote control set when he was 4, and we still have them. The Prextex cars are impressively durable, with thick plastic exteriors that can handle bumps, drops, throws and pretty much whatever else your toddler can dish out. The set features a cartoon police car and speed racer that little ones can either use to race older siblings, or have a spare to rotate through. The cars offer sounds—sirens and honks—along with flashing lights for an experience that younger kids love. The remote is also easy to use—it’s shaped like a steering wheel (perfect for little hands to grip) and has just two buttons that help the cars go forward and back. The only downside: Each vehicle uses three batteries, while the remotes require two batteries. If you’re giving this as a present, be sure to gift AA batteries along with it.
The FMS RC Crawler is more of a hobby car—meaning, it’s not for little kids (the manufacturer’s recommended age is 14 and up). “This was our first foray into a ‘hobby’ grade vehicle after having countless RC toy cars break,” Merrell says. The battery-powered vintage-style truck is easy to control and has multiple speeds, working both as a rock crawler and racer. It even has specialized mud tires to effortlessly work its way through muck. A two-speed gearbox helps this car climb hills with ease. You can even buy spare parts online if something goes south. While it’s far from the cheapest toy car out there, it’s built to last.
The Kid Galaxy Mega Morphibian Shark Vehicle manages to operate as a remote control car and boat, giving kids options. This toy has thick tires that dig through tough terrain on land and serve as paddles when it’s placed in a pool. While it doesn’t offer up fancy tricks—it just goes forward, back and turns—the excitement of having a car you can run through the pool won’t fade. It’s also easy for younger and older kids to operate thanks to two simple joysticks on the remote. Worth noting: The car requires three AA batteries and the remote two AA batteries that are not included.
Of all the remote control cars my kids have been through—and there have been a lot—this is the biggest crowd-pleaser. The Megladon is large (about the size of a rotisserie chicken) giving it a wow factor right out of the package. It’s water-resistant, so you don’t need to stress about it zipping through puddles, and it also has a surprisingly sturdy top that can handle plenty of tumbles. Huge wheels roll over mud, rocks, grass and toy cars with ease, allowing this truck to move fast regardless of the terrain. The unique shark design makes it fun to look at. The Megladon is USB rechargeable and the controller requires two AAA batteries.
The Trick Truck from Hot Wheels has built up a reputation for being one of the most fun remote control toys on the market. This set features a remote control truck with a detachable back that opens up to feature several ramps your child can arrange (and rearrange) to do a slew of stunts, including drifting, long jumps and back flips. This toy is huge in my neighborhood, where kids have been known to get together with their Trick Trucks to show off what they can do. The truck has an impressive 30-minute battery life and recharges in a half hour. We got our Trick Truck in 2020, and it’s still going strong despite many, many hours of hard use.
I’m a mom of four kids, including two boys who are obsessed with remote control cars. My family has personally used most of the cars on this list and I can vouch for their durability. I’ve unfortunately also experienced subpar remote control cars and have pitched more of these toys in the trash than I’d prefer.
For more insight on what to look for in these beloved toys, I consulted with Mandy Merrell and Mel Craig, toy researchers and founders of the Toy Testing Sisters in Salt Lake City, Utah. They offered input on important features to consider, as well as which cars really excel. Reviews from real users were factored in as well, to ensure we had the best view of how these cars perform across a range of homes and conditions.
I am the editor of three Forbes investment newsletters: Forbes Dividend Investor, Forbes Billionaire Investor and covered call writing advisory service, Forbes Premium Income Report. Prior to joining Forbes in 2001, I was a producer and reporter at CNN Financial News, focusing on stories about entrepreneurship. I've also worked as a field producer for Bloomberg TV in New York, and as a reporter/researcher at Inc. Magazine in Boston. Born in Tampa and raised across the bay, I graduated n 1990 from the University of Florida with a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in finance.
I am the editor of three Forbes investment newsletters: Forbes Dividend Investor, Forbes Billionaire Investor and covered call writing advisory service, Forbes Premium Income Report. Prior to joining Forbes in 2001, I was a producer and reporter at CNN Financial News, focusing on stories about entrepreneurship. I've also worked as a field producer for Bloomberg TV in New York, and as a reporter/researcher at Inc. Magazine in Boston. Born in Tampa and raised across the bay, I graduated n 1990 from the University of Florida with a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in finance.
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Lena Borrelli specializes in all things tech-related as a Forbes contributor. She has spent several years within the tech space, first working for a web marketing company and now as a freelance writer for her company, LilyMarie Creative. Her work has most recently been published on sites like ZDNET, TIME, ADT, and Home Advisor.
I’m a writer, editor, and fashion/beauty/pop culture enthusiast living in New York City. If I’m not in the middle of a Law & Order: SVU marathon, then I’m probably walking my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dexter, shopping, or searching for the best cacio e pepe that the city has to offer. I previously served as Features Editor at InStyle and my writing has appeared in Elle, Refinery29, Vice, and more. I’m always up to discuss celebrity memoirs, emo bands of the early aughts, and the weekly Sakara Life menu; follow me at @samanthajsimon.
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