RC Car Reviews
The HYPER GO 14301 1/14 RTR Brushless RC Drift Car tops my list as the best RC car for under $200. I was lucky enough to have a spin with this RC, and it didn’t disappoint.
The best thing about this RC is that it comes with 3 sets of tires, so it is very versatile. Choose from high-grip rubber tires for tarmac, rally tires for dirt roads or slick bale tires for drifting. This means you don’t need to choose between an on-road, off-road or drift car (one of life’s hardest choices!). Instead, you’ve got all three options in one.
It has a brushless model which instantly gives it a lot of power and speed. There’s a dual fan that helps keep the motor cool while the car is in use, and it reaches a decent top speed of 26 mph.
It may be too much for beginners to handle, but those with more experience should find it easy to drive. The independent GYRO allows you to make quick corrections every time you turn, while also helping with stability on straight runs.
The design is also worth mentioning. There are simulated brake lights and turn signals, as well as a 6061 aluminum alloy chassis. The large metal rods support the body, while the large front foam bumper should protect it in case of any collisions.
It’s battery-powered, and it comes with two batteries included, each with a battery life of over 20 minutes. They do take around 3 hours to charge.
Any limitations? Well, it’s pretty small, at 1/14 scale with a low profile. While this is great if you want to use it in smaller spaces, it does struggle on bumpy terrain.
All things considered, I was a big fan of this little drift car. The three options for tires instantly puts it above the other $200 RC vehicles I’ve tested.
At a glance
- Scale
- 1:14
- Max. Speed
- 42 kph
- Charge Time
- 4 hours
- Run Time
- 44 mins
- Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
- 4WD
The HYPER GO 14301 1/14 RTR Brushless RC Drift Car tops my list as the best RC car for under $200. I was lucky enough to have a spin with this RC, and it didn’t disappoint.
The best thing about this RC is that it comes with 3 sets of tires, so it is very versatile. Choose from high-grip rubber tires for tarmac, rally tires for dirt roads or slick bale tires for drifting. This means you don’t need to choose between an on-road, off-road or drift car (one of life’s hardest choices!). Instead, you’ve got all three options in one.
It has a brushless model which instantly gives it a lot of power and speed. There’s a dual fan that helps keep the motor cool while the car is in use, and it reaches a decent top speed of 26 mph.
It may be too much for beginners to handle, but those with more experience should find it easy to drive. The independent GYRO allows you to make quick corrections every time you turn, while also helping with stability on straight runs.
The design is also worth mentioning. There are simulated brake lights and turn signals, as well as a 6061 aluminum alloy chassis. The large metal rods support the body, while the large front foam bumper should protect it in case of any collisions.
It’s battery-powered, and it comes with two batteries included, each with a battery life of over 20 minutes. They do take around 3 hours to charge.
Any limitations? Well, it’s pretty small, at 1/14 scale with a low profile. While this is great if you want to use it in smaller spaces, it does struggle on bumpy terrain.
All things considered, I was a big fan of this little drift car. The three options for tires instantly puts it above the other $200 RC vehicles I’ve tested.
Pros
- Well well-designed and arrives ready to go straight out of the box
- The instruction manual is very detailed and clear
- Comes with both dirt, on-road and off-road tires, as well as replacement springs and a mini screwdriver
- Reaches a decent top speed of 26 mph
- Battery life is decent at over 20 minutes
Cons
- Low profile so can’t be used on tall grass or very bumpy terrain
- A very small option so not for those wanting a larger RC car
- Batteries take around 3 hours to charge
If you’ve got a need for speed, take a look at the HYPER GO H16BM 1:16 4X4 RTR Brushless Fast RC Car. This model has a top speed of 42 mph, so it’s a great choice for those with more experience in the world of RCs.
As you’d expect, it has a powerful brushless motor, with a metal heatsink and cooling fan. It’s easy to upgrade for more speed.
The design is engaging and exciting. It’s 4WD with metal gears and differential that distribute power, while the 16 ball bearings reduce power loss.
You’d want a monster truck to be pretty tough, and this model certainly is. The honeycomb chassis is strong enough to withstand impact, while the zinc-reinforced sheet adds to the impact resistance. It can be used on varying terrains.
When driving at high speeds, a lot of RCs are more susceptible to damage. HYPER GO have prepared this monster truck for such speeds, with tire and oil-filled absorbers that reduce shaking. It can deal with jumps and is fairly stable although, at the top speed, it is easy to flip it over.
Like most of the RC vehicles I’ve tested at this price range, there are two batteries included. These don’t have a huge run time, around 10 minutes each. Many users have opted to upgrade the battery, and this will also give you more speed.
Overall, this is a great little RC monster truck. It packs a real punch when it comes to power and speed, but it may be too much for inexperienced users to handle.
At a glance
- Scale
- 1:16
- Max. Speed
- 45 kph
- Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
- 4WD
If you’ve got a need for speed, take a look at the HYPER GO H16BM 1:16 4X4 RTR Brushless Fast RC Car. This model has a top speed of 42 mph, so it’s a great choice for those with more experience in the world of RCs.
As you’d expect, it has a powerful brushless motor, with a metal heatsink and cooling fan. It’s easy to upgrade for more speed.
The design is engaging and exciting. It’s 4WD with metal gears and differential that distribute power, while the 16 ball bearings reduce power loss.
You’d want a monster truck to be pretty tough, and this model certainly is. The honeycomb chassis is strong enough to withstand impact, while the zinc-reinforced sheet adds to the impact resistance. It can be used on varying terrains.
When driving at high speeds, a lot of RCs are more susceptible to damage. HYPER GO have prepared this monster truck for such speeds, with tire and oil-filled absorbers that reduce shaking. It can deal with jumps and is fairly stable although, at the top speed, it is easy to flip it over.
Like most of the RC vehicles I’ve tested at this price range, there are two batteries included. These don’t have a huge run time, around 10 minutes each. Many users have opted to upgrade the battery, and this will also give you more speed.
Overall, this is a great little RC monster truck. It packs a real punch when it comes to power and speed, but it may be too much for inexperienced users to handle.
Pros
- High torque motor with cooling is good quality and gives the car lots of power
- Tire and oil-filled absorbers reduce the shaking of the truck when driving at higher speeds
- Options to upgrade to reach higher speeds, such as using a 3S LiPo battery
- Good quality chassis should be able to withstand the odd knock
- Has an ultra-fast top speed of 42 mph
Cons
- May run too fast for those without much experience
- As it’s a brushless motor, it may be too much for beginners to handle
- It’s easy to flip it over when driven on full throttle
The LAEGENDARY 4×4 Off-Road RC Car is, as the name suggests, pretty legendary. It has an incredibly engaging design, with a low profile and large wheels that allow it to tackle a variety of terrains. It comes in a 1/10 scale, so it’s a lot bigger than others I’ve tested out.
Powered by a brushless motor, this truck can reach a maximum speed of 31 mph. The reinforced chassis should keep it safe at these top speeds.
This off-road RC has been designed for tough trails. It’s fully weather resistant which allows you to drive it through water, mud and snow, as well as on dirt tracks. It handles uneven surfaces brilliantly. It can cope with tight turns at high speeds without flipping over, thanks to the large wheels and wide wheelbase.
While not the fastest I’ve recommended, it’s still pretty speedy. With this in mind, it may be too much for beginners to handle. There are high and low-speed options, but the speed can be increased with 3S batteries.
There are 2 batteries included, each with a decent run time of 20 minutes. The charge time is a couple of hours.
While replacement parts are easy to source, it has to be said that some parts feel a little cheap. The transmitter, for instance, I’d expect to be better quality given the price.
Overall, the price is good for what you’ve got. It’s fast, nimble and responsive on a range of terrains, while the 6 oil-filled shocks provide great suspension. The LED lights are bright and engaging, while the remote range is very impressive. It’s a yes from me!
At a glance
- Scale
- 1:10
- Max. Speed
- 50 kph
- Run Time
- 40 mins
- Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
- 4WD
The LAEGENDARY 4×4 Off-Road RC Car is, as the name suggests, pretty legendary. It has an incredibly engaging design, with a low profile and large wheels that allow it to tackle a variety of terrains. It comes in a 1/10 scale, so it’s a lot bigger than others I’ve tested out.
Powered by a brushless motor, this truck can reach a maximum speed of 31 mph. The reinforced chassis should keep it safe at these top speeds.
This off-road RC has been designed for tough trails. It’s fully weather resistant which allows you to drive it through water, mud and snow, as well as on dirt tracks. It handles uneven surfaces brilliantly. It can cope with tight turns at high speeds without flipping over, thanks to the large wheels and wide wheelbase.
While not the fastest I’ve recommended, it’s still pretty speedy. With this in mind, it may be too much for beginners to handle. There are high and low-speed options, but the speed can be increased with 3S batteries.
There are 2 batteries included, each with a decent run time of 20 minutes. The charge time is a couple of hours.
While replacement parts are easy to source, it has to be said that some parts feel a little cheap. The transmitter, for instance, I’d expect to be better quality given the price.
Overall, the price is good for what you’ve got. It’s fast, nimble and responsive on a range of terrains, while the 6 oil-filled shocks provide great suspension. The LED lights are bright and engaging, while the remote range is very impressive. It’s a yes from me!
Pros
- Comes with two batteries included, so you can swap them over when one runs out of juice
- Good battery run time of around 20 minutes each
- Reaches an impressive top speed of 31 mph
- Replacement parts are easy to source
Cons
- The transmitter feels poor quality and cheap, although the rest of the vehicle is very good quality
- May be too much for beginners to handle
- Takes a long time to charge
- Some users have noticed the wheels feeling wobbly
If you don’t want an enormous RC vehicle, and instead want something smaller to whizz around, the HAIBOXING 1/18 Brushless Fast RC Car 18859A is worth considering.
At 1/18 scale, this model is smaller than others I’ve looked at, but it still reaches some decent speeds. The 30 mph top speed feels even more impressive given the size!
It boasts all the features you’d expect from an RC monster truck at this price level. Aluminum oil-filled shocks, a 3-wire metal gear servo and full metal parts make it perfect for running on sand, grass, concrete and gravel.
There’s also front and rear independent suspension that makes it easy to handle and prevents damage at the very top speeds. It feels very durable, with a flexible yet solid construction that should protect it from collisions.
It can be hard to reach the top speeds due to the narrow wheelbase, and controlling it can be tricky. On high traction surfaces you should be able to pull wheelies, while on low traction surfaces you can spin very quickly. The acceleration isn’t as sharp as others I’ve tested, and instead, this RC builds up speed.
It’s splashproof, with an IPX4 rating which allows you to drive through puddles or on wetter tracks.
While very responsive, beginners should get to grips with this model fairly quickly. The only real downside is that replacement parts are difficult to source, and upgrades are pretty limited.
There are two batteries included, as well as a charger. The total battery life is around 40 minutes.
Overall, this is arguably one of the best value small RCs you can get. The top speeds are even more impressive given the size, and it thrives on a range of terrains.
At a glance
- Scale
- 1:18
- Max. Speed
- 48 kph
- Charge Time
- 2 hours
- Run Time
- 40 mins
- Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
- 4WD
If you don’t want an enormous RC vehicle, and instead want something smaller to whizz around, the HAIBOXING 1/18 Brushless Fast RC Car 18859A is worth considering.
At 1/18 scale, this model is smaller than others I’ve looked at, but it still reaches some decent speeds. The 30 mph top speed feels even more impressive given the size!
It boasts all the features you’d expect from an RC monster truck at this price level. Aluminum oil-filled shocks, a 3-wire metal gear servo and full metal parts make it perfect for running on sand, grass, concrete and gravel.
There’s also front and rear independent suspension that makes it easy to handle and prevents damage at the very top speeds. It feels very durable, with a flexible yet solid construction that should protect it from collisions.
It can be hard to reach the top speeds due to the narrow wheelbase, and controlling it can be tricky. On high traction surfaces you should be able to pull wheelies, while on low traction surfaces you can spin very quickly. The acceleration isn’t as sharp as others I’ve tested, and instead, this RC builds up speed.
It’s splashproof, with an IPX4 rating which allows you to drive through puddles or on wetter tracks.
While very responsive, beginners should get to grips with this model fairly quickly. The only real downside is that replacement parts are difficult to source, and upgrades are pretty limited.
There are two batteries included, as well as a charger. The total battery life is around 40 minutes.
Overall, this is arguably one of the best value small RCs you can get. The top speeds are even more impressive given the size, and it thrives on a range of terrains.
Pros
- Comes with two batteries included, each with a run time of 20 minutes
- Very durable chassis so should be able to handle beginner driving
- Has a decent top speed of 30 mph
Cons
- At 1/18 scale, it’s much smaller than standard RCs
- Difficult to source spare parts
One of the fastest I’ve tested, with a maximum speed of 43 mph, the AMORIL 1:14 Fast RC Racing Buggy has been designed for fast-paced thrills. At a 1/14 scale, it’s fairly compact and it’s packed full of awesome features.
This buggy is capable of tackling a range of terrains, including dirt tracks, concrete and grass. The durable body can withstand impact, while the design is bound to delight any RC enthusiast!
Although it can reach speeds of up to 43 mph, there are 30% and 70% throttle limit options that allow beginners to get a feel for the controls at a slower pace.
There are oil-filled shocks that absorb vibration and keep the RC stable on a range of terrains, while the powder-gear drive system also assists with this. There’s a splash-proof electronic speed controller that features both overheating and overcurrent protection.
It comes with spare parts and tools included, such as a crossing wrench, a screwdriver, spare body pins and a tire screw set. There’s a 2S battery included, although it is compatible with 3S batteries if you want to get some more power. The run time is around 15 minutes, but it’s got a long charge time of 3-4 hours.
While there’s a lot to love about this car, I wouldn’t describe it as perfect. The steering is incredibly sensitive which makes controlling it at top speeds very difficult. The motor also gets hot when used on full power. While others have effective cooling systems, this does not.
While the throttle limit options make it a good option for inexperienced users, I’d still be wary of giving this RC to a total beginner. It goes fast and the steering is very sensitive, which means it’s easy to spin out of control.
All in all, I was a big fan of this little RC. The high speeds and compact design make it a lot of fun to use, while the durable body is a real reassurance.
At a glance
- Scale
- 1:14
- Max. Speed
- 70 kph
- Charge Time
- 3-4 hours
- Run Time
- 15 mins
- Body Material
- metal
- Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
- 4WD
One of the fastest I’ve tested, with a maximum speed of 43 mph, the AMORIL 1:14 Fast RC Racing Buggy has been designed for fast-paced thrills. At a 1/14 scale, it’s fairly compact and it’s packed full of awesome features.
This buggy is capable of tackling a range of terrains, including dirt tracks, concrete and grass. The durable body can withstand impact, while the design is bound to delight any RC enthusiast!
Although it can reach speeds of up to 43 mph, there are 30% and 70% throttle limit options that allow beginners to get a feel for the controls at a slower pace.
There are oil-filled shocks that absorb vibration and keep the RC stable on a range of terrains, while the powder-gear drive system also assists with this. There’s a splash-proof electronic speed controller that features both overheating and overcurrent protection.
It comes with spare parts and tools included, such as a crossing wrench, a screwdriver, spare body pins and a tire screw set. There’s a 2S battery included, although it is compatible with 3S batteries if you want to get some more power. The run time is around 15 minutes, but it’s got a long charge time of 3-4 hours.
While there’s a lot to love about this car, I wouldn’t describe it as perfect. The steering is incredibly sensitive which makes controlling it at top speeds very difficult. The motor also gets hot when used on full power. While others have effective cooling systems, this does not.
While the throttle limit options make it a good option for inexperienced users, I’d still be wary of giving this RC to a total beginner. It goes fast and the steering is very sensitive, which means it’s easy to spin out of control.
All in all, I was a big fan of this little RC. The high speeds and compact design make it a lot of fun to use, while the durable body is a real reassurance.
Pros
- One of the fastest I’ve tested with a top speed of 43 mph
- Capable of tackling different terrains including dirt, concrete and grass
- Extremely durable body can withstand crashes
- Throttle limit options (30% and 70%) allow beginners to get used to the controls at a slower pace
Cons
- Steering is very sensitive which makes controlling it at high speeds difficult
- The motor gets very hot when used on full power so breaks are needed to call it down
- Receiver range isn’t as good as other models on the market
- Charge time is long - up to 4 hours
Tips for Buying The Best RC Car Under $200
- With a budget of under $200, you’ve still got a lot of choices when it comes to your vehicle. Choose from on or off-road RC cars, trucks and buggies, depending on whether you would like to race or not.
- You may even have a choice between an electric or gas-powered RC (although I have only recommended battery powered models). While gas-powered cars are more expensive, they are more powerful and faster. Beginners should opt for an electric RC.
- You should also consider whether you want a DIY or ready-to-run vehicle. If you want to get stuck into the mechanics of your new vehicle, while ready to run RCs are best if you want to get going straight away.
- You could also think about upgradable options. RC cars that allow room for upgrade and customization allow you to enhance the performance or add new features in the future
- Finally, check the speed and control. Look for adjustable speed settings and precise control features that match your skill level and preferences.
FAQs
What are the types of RC cars?
There is a huge range of RC vehicles available on the market. You’ve got on-road RC cars which are designed for racing, as well as off-road RC cars which have been built to handle tough terrains.
If you fancy taking on ultra-smooth turns at speed, you could opt for an RC drift car. These are designed for precision handling.
Alternatively, opt for an RC monster truck or buggy for off-road thrills. These are great for scaling challenging terrain and they can still reach some very decent speeds!
What does RC stand for?
RC stands for either ‘radio controlled’ or ‘remote controlled’. It essentially means a vehicle that can be controlled from a distance using a transmitter.
Are RC cars good for kids?
In short, yes! RC cars are great for kids and can provide them with hours of fun. Plus, as they are often used outside, they will encourage them to get out into the fresh air and get active.
Why are RCs so expensive?
RC cars are expensive because they are expensive to manufacture. However, they can still be purchased fairly cheaply. Budget RC cars are unlikely to have the power and quality of more expensive models, but they can still provide you with huge amounts of fun!
