Home Toys 25 Best Remote Control Cars & Trucks under $20, $50, $100 (2024)

25 Best Remote Control Cars & Trucks under $20, $50, $100 (2024)

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It’s a small occasion and you need to gift something small for a young boys. What better way to bring a smile on young boy’s face than with a remote control car for kids. Well, now deciding a suitable one can be a task considering the variety of brands available in the market.

To ensure that our list covers RC cars that appeal to the wide range of customers, we felt it would be only fair if we split this into sections based on the price bracket. What follows is our top picks for RC cars and trucks in the under $20, $30, $50 and $100 categories.

Remote Toys Under $20

A prior disclaimer is that, unlike other products, RC car manufacturers tend to make a lot of cuts in their product to price it under $20. With that being said,

we sincerely hope that you go for one of these products if you are adamant on sticking to the under $20 price point. Know that compromises are unavoidable when making budget friendly cheap remote control cars.

1. RW 1/24 Scale Lamborghini Veneno Racing Car  Lamborghini Veneno Car

Every product on this list is budget considering its below $20 price range and comes with a set of necessary compromises made to suit the price. This product requires 3AAA batteries and remote 2AAbatteries.

For a under $20 product, the car boasts of an headlight that shines as it moves forward and a tail light when the car reverses which came as a pleasant surprise. The Lamborghini Veneno comes with a fully functional forward, reverse, right and left and has a speed of 8-10mph. With a 3.7 rating the car comes at a price point of $14.05.

Pros

  • Budget friendly
  • Suitable for children

Cons

  • Not very durable as per customer reviews

2. Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale 1967 Ford Mustang Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale 1967 Ford Mustang

Maisto has released a fantastic product in this 1:24 scale Ford Mustang RC vehicle. It comes with a price tag of $16.14 and is officially licensed. The RC controller has a dashboard style layout which is unusual for products in such a low price tag.

It requires two AA batteries for the car and two of the same for the controller. Unlike our previous product, this does not have any fancy lighting but does it job pretty well nonetheless.

Pros

  • Appealing look
  • Sturdy built

Cons

  • Not very fast

3. Haktoys Light Up 1:24 Scale RC Sports Car Haktoys Light Up 1:24 Scale RC Sports Car

When you think of RC sports cars, you might think of a smiling boy. Well, this one product is designed to appeal to both boys and girls. It has lights all around the car and is fully functional in forward, backward, left and right. It is ASTM certified and is supposedly made of non-toxic materials.

It boasts of a controller distance of 100 feet and requires 5 AA batteries to function. The car comes in a flashy red color made to appeal to kids for sure. It comes with a price tag of $14.95 which is definitely cheap and worth it.

Pros

  • Flashy lights
  • Unisex appeal

Cons

  • Some complaints about the antenna

4. Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale Ferrari 458 Italia  Maisto R/C 1:24 Scale Ferrari 458 Italia

Similar to other products by Maisto, this product offers a wonderful replica of a world famous car. The product is similar to others by Maisto and requires 2 AA batteries for the remote and two for the car. It has left-right and forward-reverse steering.

Priced at $20, it falls right on the upper end of our budget but the look of the car seems to justify the cost. It is recommended for ages 8 and older. The colors are not too bold and can easily blend with the aesthetic of your room.

Pros

  • Detailed features
  • Decent quality

Cons

  • Non proportional steering

Also Read: 34 Best Transformers Toys for Kids & Adults To Buy In 2020


 5. Maisto R/C Rock Crawler Extreme Maisto R/C Rock Crawler Extreme

Yes, we aren’t bored of featuring products by Maisto. This one unlike the others is meant for those in love with rugged off-roading. Although it maybe not as classy as the earlier products featured, this one screams power right from the looks. Priced at $30, it is above the budget but you know that we love to always fit one item into a list that it doesn’t belong.

It sports huge off-road style wheels that ensures it doesn’t get stuck inside small puddles of mud or gravel. This larger remote control vehicle requires 6 AA batteries while the remote requires 3 AA batteries. If you aren’t a fan of batteries, this product will give you little relief. It’s a good buy nonetheless.

Pros

  • Can travel through rougher terrain

Cons

  • Higher price point
  • Requires more batteries than usual

What we have featured are just five products and there is a reason as to why our number is lower than usual. When a product is listed under $20, there must be significant compromises made to cut down the price. We feel that remote controls cars under $20 tend to last only for a very short time with the products featured here being the few exceptions we’ve found.

So if you oh so desperately need to buy a RC car or truck for under $20, then we suggest you pick one of these. And if none of these seem to appeal to you, we suggest you increase your budget rather than settling on a bad product. Ask yourself this, “Am I looking for a good buy on the long run or am I looking for just momentary happiness?”


Remote Toys Under $30

Moving a tad up a bit on our budget, we find ourselves with products that have improved quality.

1. KidiRace RC Fire Engine Truck  KidiRace RC Fire Engine Truck

This product definitely stands out from the rest and for a very obvious reason, it’s a darn firetruck. It’s definitely targeting a younger audience but this does not mean it lacks any functionality of a normal R/C car. It runs on a 2.4GHz band meaning it won’t be susceptible to interference when racing with your mates on their R/C cars.

And what is a firetruck without the loud blaring sounds and emergency lights. This product doesn’t disappoint in that section either with realistic lights and sounds designed to a smile on your kid’s face. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that can be charged via micro-USB. A full charge can last around 30 minutes which is by no means long.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Not too expensive
  • Handles terrain transition well

Cons

  • 30 min of run-time

2. SZJJX RC Rock Crawler Truck  SZJJX RC Rock Crawler Truck

Another off-road RC vehicle, priced at $29.89 just about fits our under $30 category. The wheels of this product have independent suspension giving it the flexibility it requires. This car comes with a direction spinner in the bottom which gives it the ability to be adjusted when it appears to not be driving along a straight line.

It has a top speed of 25km\h and has an above average horsepower meaning it can drive through the different types of terrain with ease. Another feature is the range of this RC car which is much larger than usual and nobody seems to be complaining either. The lithium battery is made to last a good amount of time to ensure maximum enjoyment.

Pros

  • Large remote control range
  • Water-proof body ensure durability
  • Higher speed

Cons

  • Not the most attractive packaging

3. Click N’ Play RC Rock Crawler  Click N’ Play RC Rock Crawler

Another honorable mention is this RC car by Click N’ Play. It is yet again an off-road rock crawler. This product is surprisingly lighter than most of the other cars we’ve reviewed which can be either a good or bad sign.

We would like to give it the benefit of the doubt by saying that lighter means better. It comes with a price tag of just $22.39 which is cheaper than the others mentioned in this section. This rock crawler comes with oversized anti-skid tyres which ensures a comfortable drive. It requires 4 AA batteries to run the car and another 3 to power the remote.

Pros

  • Colourful design
  • Good suspension

Cons

  • Considerably less run time per charge.

4. Haktoy Invincible Tornado RC Car  Haktoy Invincible Tornado RC Car

Haktoy has introduced their upgraded invincible tornado acrobatic RC car with a price tag of $25. They have brought up considerable improvements in their upgrade. Most importantly the charging time has reduced whereas the run time for the car has improved. This is definitely most welcome to all Haktoy fans who had slight disappointments in the previous versions.

This product has been designed with kid’s safety being the topmost of priorities and hence the antennas have been made flexible thereby posing a much less risk of causing harm to kids. It comes with added music that can be turned on or off depending on convenience. Considering it is a stunt car, this features tricks involving spinning and drifting that is guaranteed to bring a smile onto anyone and everyone irrespective of the age.

Pros

  • Improved charge and run times
  • Colourful and plays music
  • Kid friendly

Cons

  • Music can be annoying (optional)

5. Kid Galaxy Amphibious RC Car  Kid Galaxy Amphibious RC Car

Ever see a puddle of water and see your RC car stop right at the edge fearing a possible short circuit should it attempt to drive through the considerably deep puddle? If you did, then fear not because Kid Galaxy’s Amphibious RC car is here to save the day. This 4×4 is priced at $27.30 and is worth every penny in our opinion.

Moreover, its Oppenheim Gold Seal Best Toy Award is here to prove the earlier said line. The possible skidding can be prevented by pushing both levers forward and your RC car should easily pass through puddles. Not happy with just puddles? Well, you dump this in a bucket of water and it should still be able to travel with its paddle wheel treads. What more can you ask from it? Oh and this requires 2 AAA batteries for the car and 3 AA batteries.

Pros

  • Can travel through land and water
  • Durable and waterproof

Cons

  • Batteries not included

6. Top Race RC Monster Truck  Top Race RC Monster Truck

Priced at $30, it falls right at the top end of this budget and makes a perfect final choice for an under $30 product. It has features resembling the others here, with its anti-collision structure and anti-skid tyres. It is built on a 1:18 scale and has powerful dual motors meant to traverse through the toughest of terrains.

Something we would like to mention is the 7 AA batteries that are required to power both the car and the remote come included which is not very common lately. It weighs around 2.7lbs which is decent and proves that it has above average build quality and is definitely durable.

Pros

  • Well built
  • Comes included with batteries
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • A bit heavy

Remote Toys Under $50

Unlike the earlier budgets you can expect better quality products in this price bracket of under $50. So, let us get right into it shall we?

1. Hapinic Off Road RC Car Hapinic Off Road RC Car

We would like to kick it off with Hapinic’s RC car that comes with a modest $32.99 price tag. It has 1:18 scale and comes with two 4.8V rechargeable batteries. It takes about 60 minutes to charge and yields about 30 minutes of playtime.

This crawler runs in the 2.4 GHz radio frequency and has a top speed of 15km/h. It has a wide control range of 80m-100m. The rubber wheels of the Off Road vehicle ensures no skidding and an easy traverse through most terrain; and by all terrain we mean land, grass and sand. The product weighs 1.3kg and doesn’t come with the batteries needed to operate the remote.

Pros

  • Car uses rechargeable batteries
  • Wider control range

Cons

  • Controller eats up battery

2. Fierce Knight Pickup RC Truck  Fierce Knight Pickup RC Truck

The Fierce Knight RC car by Velocity Toys come with a price tag of $34 and caught our eye for a reason we aren’t really sure of yet. The green and black colour combination is definitely something we like and the 100 feet control feet is definitely bringing smiles to all our faces. The semi-pneumatic tyres and the lightweight body makes this product all too desirable.

Both the cars and the remote require batteries which are not included and it is not something to boast about but it is what it is. The remote and the car need to be paired before use and this pairing prevents interference when racing with other RC cars. The car is built on a 1:16 scale and weighs in at just 1.75 pounds.

Pros

  • Available in green and orange
  • Pairing of remote ensures no interference

Cons

  • Durability issues
  • Batteries not included

3. DOUBLE E Off Road RC Truck Rock Crawler  DOUBLE E Off Road RC Truck Rock Crawler

Another product we felt that has managed to stand out or at least attempt to stand out is Double E’s new off-road RC truck. With its rad design, this truck does a decent job being something to look at.

For those of you out there that want heads to turn when you’re busing playing with a RC car, this is definitely a product for you. With the personality graffiti car shell, every car seems to look unique and we are totally in love with it. It runs on a rechargeable 4.8V 800mAh battery that ensures everyone a long lasting performance. It has a detailed interior that proves the level of effort put in by the team at Double E. It comes priced at $42.99 and weighs in at 2.05 pounds.

The remote requires just 1 AA battery and it comes included in the package. The car is scaled to a 1:18 and the front as well as rear dual motors ensure easy rock climbing. The bumpers of the car is designed to ensure the car and the all the electronics are kept safe in case of any crash. The car is expected to give about 30 min of run time before needing a recharge.

Pros

  • Beautiful design
  • Powerful motor
  • Requires minimal battery

Cons

  • No noticeable flaws

4. SXJJX RC Off-Road Race Crawler Truck  SXJJX RC Off-Road Race Crawler Truck

Coming with a price tag of $33.89 and built to a 1:18 scale, SXJJX has released their new green electric buggy RC car meant to appeal to children of all ages. The company has not compromised on durability and have made it a point to use maximum number of screws to ensure durability.

The car has its wheels with independent suspension to make it more flexible and shockproof. The charger adapter does not come included and the reasoning behind it is that every country requires different kinds of chargers but we aren’t biting into that excuse just yet but then again it is priced at just $33 so let’s just take it as it is.

Pros

  • Economical
  • Bright green colour

Cons

  • No charger adapter included

5. FSTgo Electric Racing Buggy Truck  FSTgo Electric Racing Buggy Truck

FSTgo’s new electric RC buggy looks like an absolute beast in comparison for the money you are paying. As far as pricing goes, it comes in at $35.99 and weighs 2kg which is definitely heavy.

It charges a 6V 700mAh battery and the remote requires 3 1.5V AA batteries. It takes 3 hours to charge the car and gives about 30 minutes of playing time. It has a control range of more than 100m and that’s something we welcome with arms wide open.

Pros

  • Economical
  • Stunning looks
  • Longer playtime

Cons

  • Lengthy charging time

6. LaFerrari Model Car R/C  LaFerrari Model Car R

Rastar’s new LaFerrari RC car looks very much like the real thing and Ferrari enthusiasts are going to love this feature. Coming in with a price tag of $30, it should fit well in the under $30 but we’re going to keep it in this section for all the grammar checkers out there. This product is an officially licensed product and is imported.

The doors of the car can be opened and the car features headlight as well as rear lights. The car sports an all independent suspension system guaranteed to ensure smooth working of the car in all terrain. It’s a comparatively light car considering it weighs only 2 pounds. The car requires 5 AA batteries to function. Something we did notice from customers who have purchased this is that, the frequency is not variable and hence if you do buy two of them, the closest controller of the two (in terms of distance) will control both of them. So we do not recommend buying more than one per household.

Pros

  • It sporty sleek design
  • Opening doors and realistic lights
  • Zippy performance

Cons

  • Can interfere with similar car if racing

Remote Toys Under $100

Making our way into the highest of our price bracket, under $100, let’s just say that we have the Crème de la crème of RC cars. They may all not be the most bang for the buck but we can assure you, that you will be receiving a durable and powerful “beast” inside the packaging. The items that follow are very easily the best remote control cars for adults and children alike.

1. Abask Off-road Racing Remote Control  Abask Off-road Racing Remote Control  

If we had to describe this product in word, it would be ‘fast’. The new off-roading RC car by Abask comes with a price tag of $99.99 which technically sneaks its way into our list for best remote control cars under $100. While every other car featured in our list until now has a top speeds in the range of 20km/h, Abask has theirs at a top speed of 40km/h.

It comes equipped with bright lights to enable playing with it in the dark. It has a range of around 260 feet and boasts a very responsive transmission system that gives it superior controlling. Except for swimming in complete water, this beast of a RC car can traverse through anything else with relative ease.

With a 2.4 GHz transmitter and a three stage differential gear system, you are bound to have a good experience with no interference whatsoever. Abask also points out that the wheels are designed to prevent any damage in case of unexpected falls which ensures maximum durability.

Pros

  • A top speed of 40km/h
  • Excellent durability
  • Excellent range (260 feet)

Cons

  • A higher price tag

2. KINGBOT RC Car DK1801  KINGBOT RC Car DK1801

Kingbot has a nice looking RC car that we feel would fit better in our previous section of under $50 but the $52.99 price tag forces us to feature it here. Requiring two 9.6V rechargeable batteries (included) and 3 AA batteries (not included), it features a 4-channel radio interface.

Material quality has improved since their earlier RC cars and the new colour scheme is definitely going to turn some in the heads. The bright blue and orange on the car helps it stand out from the rest of the RC cars available in the market and if you want to be noticed while playing with a RC car, we strongly suggest you check this one out. It has a maximum speed of 25km/h and has a climbing angle of around 35o. To ensure maximum protection and long last functioning, the car also sports an anti-collision front.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Bright and colourful paint job

Cons

  • Heavier than some others featured

3. AMOSTING RC Cars Remote Control Car  AMOSTING RC Cars Remote Control Car

Coming in with a top speed of 33km/h and a price tag of $92.95, this is definitely not something you buy on a fancy. Amosting boasts of a powerful brush 390 motor which is one of the largest in its section. The new suspensions brought to this RC car ensures a much more easier and comfortable handling of the car without much hassle.

It has an IPX5 certification meaning it is not completely water proof but that does not mean small puddles should pose a huge problem. It runs on the standard 2.4GHz channel and has a control range of 100m. The car runs on a 9.6V rechargeable battery and is built on a 1:12 scale. As per Amosting, the car can run for about 20 min on a single charge that takes more than an hour.

Pros

  • Top speed of 33km/h

Cons

  • Short run time
  • A bit heavy

4. TOZO Battleax High-Speed Buggy  TOZO Battleax High-Speed Buggy

The new buggy by TOZO has got us all excited to be honest. Their new model comes in a beautifully designed grey chassis built on a 1:22 scale. Similar to most of the other RC cars on our list, this too runs in the 2.4GHz channel and has a 100m control range which is pretty decent. It has a top speed of 30km/h and has a shockproof system that helps prevent any sort of damage. As mentioned the 30km/h is no joke and the Hi-Q rubber wheel ensures an anti-skid and perfect experience.

Individual pairing allows for different cars to race together without any interference. It weighs 2.15 pounds which is an ideal weight for a RC car. The car also sports some fancy red and white LED lights to ensure the car looks fabulous when running around in the night. Batteries needed for the functioning come included which definitely brings a smile to our faces. The TOZO Battleax comes at a price of $69.99 and is quiet easily one of the very decent electric remote control cars.

Pros

  • Top speed of 30km/h
  • Not too heavy

Cons

  • No mention of run time

5. Hosim High-Speed RC Off-Road Car Hosim High-Speed RC Off-Road Car

Hosim is no stranger to RC cars and this product doesn’t surprise us one bit. This 9112 model also sports a powerful 390 brush motor giving you speeds up to 38km/h making it a perfect candidate for falling under best off road control cars under $100. And if you thought that Hosim compromises on control range, they don’t.

The Hosim RC car has a 260 feet range and boasts of superior control and throttling. This is no RC car for a beginner because of the possible high speeds and this fits more into the hobby car. It is equipped with a 2.4GHz channel meaning you can race with no interference with other racers. The car takes about 2-3 hours to charge and gives about 12 min of run time which is not great but hobby car enthusiasts will compromise.

It weighs in at around 4 pounds and comes with a price tag of $72.99 which is economical. It has an IPX5 waterproof which means it can travel though small puddles of sorts but can’t be dumped underwater as such.

Pros

  • Very fast (38km/h)
  • 260 feet control range

Cons

  • A short run time

6. Novcolxya Model RC Electric Racing Car  Novcolxya Model RC Electric Racing Car

This 1:18 scale RC car by Novcolxya can be used both indoors and outdoors since it leaves no marks on the floor or furniture. Coming in to this list with a price tag of $89.99 this electric car comes in an attractive white colour and has a brushed 380 motor that gives it the power it requires to run through almost any terrain.

It runs on a 7.4V battery and can reach speeds of up to 20mph. The car weighs about 2.25 pounds and is recommended for ages 14 and above. The remote requires 3 AA batteries that do not come included and like many other such RC cars is a hassle if you don’t have a couple of them laying around the house. All in all this makes for a good rechargeable remote control car.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Attractive white design

Cons

  • Pricey considering no fancy features
  • No included batteries for remote

Every pick of ours in each of these sections are ones that we feel deserve to be featured for one reason or another. None of the cars mentioned here are perfect and we aren’t trying to paint any such picture but these cars do have something to offer in terms of bang for the buck and we feel you as readers deserve to know which do and which don’t Know that everyone’s tastes are different and there is a car somewhere in this list that will fit perfectly in your budget as well as what you expect from a RC car or truck.

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