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The Best RC Drift Cars for Beginners of 2024

Best RC Drift Cars for Beginners

RC Drift Car Reviews

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I had big expectations for the HYPER GO 14301 1/14 RTR Brushless RC Drift Car, and it certainly delivered. This car has been built for power and speed, with a 45A brushless motor, a 1:10 scale and reinforced car shell. It has a maximum speed of over 60 km/h!

While a good option for beginners, this drift car is the largest and most complex of those I’ve recommended.  It has a 2.2 kg high torque servo, proportional steering and throttle. This also allows it to navigate a range of terrains, reaching top speeds smoothly and with the user remaining control. 

It has a brushless motor which generates enough horsepower to maintain those top speeds and a reinforced shell. The chassis is made from nylon and is pretty durable. There’s a 2.2kg high torque servo, as well as proportional steering and speed.

This truck also has an IPX4 waterproof rating. The receiver is splash proof, water resistant and also has overcurrent protection and low voltage cut off profession. This truck can take splashes from multiple directions, meaning small puddles are no bother! 

For drifting, the dual alloy differential helps to reduce resistance when turning. This allows you to drift fairly easily, while also reducing the wear on the tires. 

There’s two batteries included, each with a run time of around 30 minutes. The charge time is frustratingly long, at over 2 hours. 

While there aren’t specific drifting tires, the all terrain wheels are very good quality and offer you more versatility. 

All in all, I’d happily recommend this as the best RC drift car for beginners. It’s actually a pretty advanced machine compared to a lot of beginner-friendly models, so for this reason I’d recommend practicing a lot before you begin hitting those top speeds!

At a glance

Scale
1. 76
Max. Speed
55 kph
Charge Time
3 hours
Run Time
22 mins
Body Material
plastic
Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
4WD

I had big expectations for the HYPER GO 14301 1/14 RTR Brushless RC Drift Car, and it certainly delivered. This car has been built for power and speed, with a 45A brushless motor, a 1:10 scale and reinforced car shell. It has a maximum speed of over 60 km/h!

While a good option for beginners, this drift car is the largest and most complex of those I’ve recommended.  It has a 2.2 kg high torque servo, proportional steering and throttle. This also allows it to navigate a range of terrains, reaching top speeds smoothly and with the user remaining control. 

It has a brushless motor which generates enough horsepower to maintain those top speeds and a reinforced shell. The chassis is made from nylon and is pretty durable. There’s a 2.2kg high torque servo, as well as proportional steering and speed.

This truck also has an IPX4 waterproof rating. The receiver is splash proof, water resistant and also has overcurrent protection and low voltage cut off profession. This truck can take splashes from multiple directions, meaning small puddles are no bother! 

For drifting, the dual alloy differential helps to reduce resistance when turning. This allows you to drift fairly easily, while also reducing the wear on the tires. 

There’s two batteries included, each with a run time of around 30 minutes. The charge time is frustratingly long, at over 2 hours. 

While there aren’t specific drifting tires, the all terrain wheels are very good quality and offer you more versatility. 

All in all, I’d happily recommend this as the best RC drift car for beginners. It’s actually a pretty advanced machine compared to a lot of beginner-friendly models, so for this reason I’d recommend practicing a lot before you begin hitting those top speeds!

Pros

  • Reaches a good top speed of 60 km/h
  • Good shock absorption that allows it to get over bumps easily
  • Comes with 2 batteries included which gives you a decent run time of over 30 minutes
  • Powerful engine means it can get itself out of mud, deep sand and grass
  • It is easy to totally disassemble the car for cleaning and maintenance

Cons

  • Sourcing replacement parts can be difficult
  • Doesn’t have specific drifting tires
  • Battery takes a long time to charge, although there are two included
Our Score:
4.9
Check Price
B0B9S3MYWG

If you’re after a micro RC with great drifting capabilities, look no further than the FLYCOLOR Turbo Racing 1:76 Scale Drift RC Car

This micro RC has been designed for drifting, but it’s small enough to pop in your pocket and take anywhere with you. It’s available in a 1:76 scale, and will appeal to adults just as much as kids. 

Due to the small size, it’s really only suitable for use indoors or on hard surfaces. But its drifting capabilities are decent. It has smooth metal drift tires and proportional steering which allows the driver to make micro adjustments through the turn. 

Another good feature is the gyro steering correction. This delivers the exact amount of counter-steering needed to control the car around a corner, and it can be tuned via the remote. This can also be turned off if needed, giving you more speed around corners. 

The chassis itself is bright and engaging. There’s simulated headlights, with a spotlight effect and strobe function. Channel 3 can be used to control the lights. 

The battery life is 30 minutes, and you can charge the car using the remote control. The controller requires 4 AAA batteries. 

This little car is worlds away from cheaper RC cars on the market. It’s packed full of exciting features that you’d only expect to see in larger models, although the rather large price tag does reflect this! 

At a glance

Scale
1:76
Charge Time
40 mins
Run Time
30 mins
Body Material
plastic
Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
2WD

If you’re after a micro RC with great drifting capabilities, look no further than the FLYCOLOR Turbo Racing 1:76 Scale Drift RC Car

This micro RC has been designed for drifting, but it’s small enough to pop in your pocket and take anywhere with you. It’s available in a 1:76 scale, and will appeal to adults just as much as kids. 

Due to the small size, it’s really only suitable for use indoors or on hard surfaces. But its drifting capabilities are decent. It has smooth metal drift tires and proportional steering which allows the driver to make micro adjustments through the turn. 

Another good feature is the gyro steering correction. This delivers the exact amount of counter-steering needed to control the car around a corner, and it can be tuned via the remote. This can also be turned off if needed, giving you more speed around corners. 

The chassis itself is bright and engaging. There’s simulated headlights, with a spotlight effect and strobe function. Channel 3 can be used to control the lights. 

The battery life is 30 minutes, and you can charge the car using the remote control. The controller requires 4 AAA batteries. 

This little car is worlds away from cheaper RC cars on the market. It’s packed full of exciting features that you’d only expect to see in larger models, although the rather large price tag does reflect this! 

Pros

  • Has a decent battery life of over 30 minutes
  • Comes with good instructions including a drift instructional e-book
  • Ideal for tabletop drifting - suitable for tables, desks and even custom drift tracks
  • Built in gyro stabilization offers good balance and control
  • Comes with 2 replaceable body shells so you can customize the appearance

Cons

  • 1:76 scale is very small and for this reason it has limited speed and power compared to larger models
  • Not suitable for outdoor use or to be used on rough surfaces
  • As a less mainstream RC model, finding spare parts or upgrade can be challenging
Our Score:
4.85
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B09XBJJ6N3

Made in a 1:24 scale, the Desdondi RC Drift Car 2.4GHz 1:24 Scale offers a happy medium between micro RCs and larger, heavier models. It’s also very versatile, able to be used for drifting and standard driving, thanks to the two included sets of tires. 

You’ve got both drift tires and racing tires included, as well a rechargeable battery and USB charging cable. You’ve also got 6 traffic cones so you can practice your drifting and accuracy around corners, and set up races. 

You’ll likely be able to reach speeds of up to 10 mph, which isn’t too bad for such a budget model. It’s equipped with a 4WD system which, although will limit its drifting capabilities, does allow you to tackle varying terrain. 

The remote control is easy to use. It can go forward, backwards, left or right, and you’ve got a range of around 45 meters. 

Finally, the chassis. This RC car comes with awesome LED lights for night driving, as well as a durable shell. 

Just a note that you will need a screwdriver for changing the tires, as well as batteries for the remote. 

All things considered, I’d happily recommend this model as one of the best RC drift cars for beginners. It’s fast, affordable and easy to control.

At a glance

Scale
1:24
Max. Speed
15 kph
Charge Time
2 hours
Run Time
30 mins
Body Material
plastic
Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
4WD

Made in a 1:24 scale, the Desdondi RC Drift Car 2.4GHz 1:24 Scale offers a happy medium between micro RCs and larger, heavier models. It’s also very versatile, able to be used for drifting and standard driving, thanks to the two included sets of tires. 

You’ve got both drift tires and racing tires included, as well a rechargeable battery and USB charging cable. You’ve also got 6 traffic cones so you can practice your drifting and accuracy around corners, and set up races. 

You’ll likely be able to reach speeds of up to 10 mph, which isn’t too bad for such a budget model. It’s equipped with a 4WD system which, although will limit its drifting capabilities, does allow you to tackle varying terrain. 

The remote control is easy to use. It can go forward, backwards, left or right, and you’ve got a range of around 45 meters. 

Finally, the chassis. This RC car comes with awesome LED lights for night driving, as well as a durable shell. 

Just a note that you will need a screwdriver for changing the tires, as well as batteries for the remote. 

All things considered, I’d happily recommend this model as one of the best RC drift cars for beginners. It’s fast, affordable and easy to control.

Pros

  • Comes with both rubber and drift tires included, and these are easy to swap between with a screwdriver
  • Works best on hard surfaces
  • Lights on the car are an engaging extra feature and work well
  • Comes with 6 cones included for drifting

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a compatible screwdriver included for changing the tires over
  • Although it’s a drift car, it’s hard to drift when you’re already in motion as the speed cannot be adjusted
  • Steering is very loose which makes it tougher to drive than other RCs
Our Score:
4.8
Check Price
B07GPCRX5C
0801310997017

I’m a huge fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, so it was great to be able to test out the Fast & Furious Brian’s Nissan Skyline GT-R RC Drift Car

This affordable drift car comes in a 1:24 scale and measures just 20 cm. This makes it a great size for beginners who aren’t yet used to the power and speed of a larger model. 

It’s very affordable, although the features are slightly lacking in comparison to other models. Drifting capabilities are slightly limited, but should still be possible on hard surfaces. 

For added excitement, there’s a boost button on the remote that’ll give you that extra burst of speed!

While easy to use, the turning radius is larger than other models. This makes it better for beginners, but does mean ultra-tight turns around cones and other obstacles aren’t really possible. 

The steering and throttle aren’t proportional, meaning you can either go at full speed forwards or backwards. More advanced drifting RCs would have proportional steering for greater control. 

While it sounds as though there’s a lot of negatives, I was actually very impressed with this drift car. The design is bright and engaging, the chassis is fairly durable, and it’s very easy to use. For those who are used to more advanced RCs however, the functionality may be a little simple.

At a glance

Scale
1:10
Charge Time
30 mins
Run Time
15 mins
Body Material
plastic

I’m a huge fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, so it was great to be able to test out the Fast & Furious Brian’s Nissan Skyline GT-R RC Drift Car

This affordable drift car comes in a 1:24 scale and measures just 20 cm. This makes it a great size for beginners who aren’t yet used to the power and speed of a larger model. 

It’s very affordable, although the features are slightly lacking in comparison to other models. Drifting capabilities are slightly limited, but should still be possible on hard surfaces. 

For added excitement, there’s a boost button on the remote that’ll give you that extra burst of speed!

While easy to use, the turning radius is larger than other models. This makes it better for beginners, but does mean ultra-tight turns around cones and other obstacles aren’t really possible. 

The steering and throttle aren’t proportional, meaning you can either go at full speed forwards or backwards. More advanced drifting RCs would have proportional steering for greater control. 

While it sounds as though there’s a lot of negatives, I was actually very impressed with this drift car. The design is bright and engaging, the chassis is fairly durable, and it’s very easy to use. For those who are used to more advanced RCs however, the functionality may be a little simple.

Pros

  • Boost button gives you an extra burst of speed
  • Very good value for money when compared to other RCs of a similar size
  • Official Fast & Furious design is more engaging

Cons

  • Has a large radius for turning although this does make it a better option for beginners
  • Uses disposable batteries which can end up being more expensive than a rechargeable battery
  • No proportional steering or throttle, which gives you less control
Our Score:
4.75
Check Price
B08P3YK9KX
0817210026177

The Liberty Imports RC Drift Car 1/24 2.4GHz 4WD is a budget RC car that offers great drifting capacities. It’s in a 1:24 scale and it has a reinforced, good quality body. 

There’s both speed and drift tires included, and it’s very easy to switch between the two. Use the speed tires for races, as these have good grip around corners, and the drifting tires for showing off your skill. The drifting tires have less grip, which allows you to get an awesome drift around corners. 

You’ve also got a 2.4GHz remote control included which allows you to race against multiple cars at the same time with no interference. The reinforced frame means it should withstand the odd collision with another RC. 

There’s also plenty of engaging features on the chassis itself, including front and rear lights that allow for night driving. 

In terms of battery life, you’ve got around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the speeds you’re choosing. The charge time is 2 hours. 

Many users have been surprised that they’ve been able to pull off some pretty impressive drifts with this vehicle. I certainly found the drifting tires worked well and made this car well worth the money.

At a glance

Scale
1:24
Max. Speed
15 kph
Charge Time
2 hours
Run Time
30 mins
Body Material
plastic
Drive Type (2WD or 4WD)
4WD

The Liberty Imports RC Drift Car 1/24 2.4GHz 4WD is a budget RC car that offers great drifting capacities. It’s in a 1:24 scale and it has a reinforced, good quality body. 

There’s both speed and drift tires included, and it’s very easy to switch between the two. Use the speed tires for races, as these have good grip around corners, and the drifting tires for showing off your skill. The drifting tires have less grip, which allows you to get an awesome drift around corners. 

You’ve also got a 2.4GHz remote control included which allows you to race against multiple cars at the same time with no interference. The reinforced frame means it should withstand the odd collision with another RC. 

There’s also plenty of engaging features on the chassis itself, including front and rear lights that allow for night driving. 

In terms of battery life, you’ve got around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the speeds you’re choosing. The charge time is 2 hours. 

Many users have been surprised that they’ve been able to pull off some pretty impressive drifts with this vehicle. I certainly found the drifting tires worked well and made this car well worth the money.

Pros

  • Comes with both speed and drift tires included
  • Front and rear lights are engaging and allow you to use this car in the dark
  • Changing the tires is very easy and doesn’t require a screwdriver
  • A good option for kids and beginners thanks to the ease of use

Cons

  • Not the best quality - wheels are a little wobbly and remote feels cheaply made
Our Score:
4.7
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Tips for Buying a Beginner RC Drift Car

  1. First, ensure your RC is specifically designed for drifting. It should have low friction tires for optimal drift control. Some come with two sets of tires included. 
  2. Beginners should opt for an entry level RC drift car. Ensure it’s been designed for easy handling and control. Purchasing a car that’s outside of your skill set can be a costly mistake! Some standard RC cars are able to drift, so this is a good option. 
  3. Consider the surface you will most likely be using your RC on. Some RC drift cars come with adjustable tire compounds or allow modification.
  4. You should also think about the size. I’ve recommended a range of sizes, from those at 1:76 scale to larger models. The best RC drift cars for beginners tend to be on the smaller scale.
  5. Finally, think about the battery life and charge time. Most RCs have a battery life of around 20 minutes, so if this isn’t enough then you may want to look for one with a better battery, or purchase a spare.

FAQs

Which RC car is best for drifting? 

Drifting is a technique as opposed to a certain car, but there are hundreds of RC cars which are specifically designed for drifting, with special tires and other great features. 

However, the best drifting car will usually come down to the skill of the handler. To cause your RC drift, you need to intentionally oversteer, lose traction on the tires and reduce your speed. 

Good drifting RCs will be rear wheel drive with drift tires as opposed to standard tires. You’ll also need a powerful motor. 

How fast are RC drift cars? 

RC drift cars can reach some serious speeds. Most are designed to handle fast drifting, with top speeds of around 30 mph. Many are equipped with two motors to help them get to these top speeds. 

Where can I use an RC drifter? 

For best results, you’ll need to use your RC drift car on a hard, level and smooth surface, or a dedicated drift track. A specific drift track will allow you to build your skillset much faster.

15 Best Places to Buy RC Cars

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