The 10 Best RC Cars for Kids of All Ages, Kid-Tested and Parent-Approved

Best Stunt

Orrente Off-Road Remote Control Stunt Car

$30 at Amazon

Why We Like It

This 360-degree rotating vehicle moves forward, back, left, and right and even does tumbling flips. It goes pretty fast to support said tricks and has the durability to withstand stunts gone wrong. Designed with anti-crash durable tires, this kids' remote control car is great at the beach and over grass—and just about as all-terrain as it gets.

The Orrente Remote Control Car has two motors and LED lights for bright, exciting play day or night. Between the lights, high top speeds, and easy-to-use controls, this toy is engaging for young kids. Our tester raves about its ability to keep her boys’ attention. “This got both of my kids off their screens, which is a feat in and of itself. I can't recommend this remote control highly enough!”

But Take Note

The Orrente car comes with two batteries, but they have a short life of only about 20 minutes of continuous play. On the plus side, they are rechargeable, so you don't have to constantly buy batteries when they lose their juice. To circumvent this issue, our tester says, “Thankfully, it comes with two rechargeable batteries, so we always had one charging when the other was in the toy.”

The Details:

• Age Recommendation: 6 years and up
• Size: 6.3 x 6.3 x 2.8 inches
• Batteries: 2 rechargeable batteries for car and 2 AAs for controller included

Best for Indoors

Air Hogs 2-in-1 Stunt Vehicle

$48 at Amazon $16 at Walmart

Why We Like It

This RC car is touted as a 2-in-1 because you can flip the vehicle over to change the color. The red side has a design like a muscle car, while the blue side is more reminiscent of a sports car. You don’t have to manually flip the car over to reveal a different side—it’s a function of the toy that can be activated even while driving.

Additionally, our tester notes, “it is a fairly quick remote control car, so [it] got enough speed to have a little bit of air time off a ramp.” However, the biggest selling point for this car is the super soft wheels that act as a bumper. Such large, soft wheels make this RC car incredibly sturdy so little daredevils can attempt whacky stunts without fear.

See It in Action

But Take Note

The battery life of the car itself only lasts about an hour and takes an hour to charge. Only one rechargeable battery is included with the toy so you can’t swap out batteries when one dies either.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 4-10 years
• Size: 8 x 5 x 12 inches
• Batteries: Remote requires 2 AAs, included; rechargeable battery for RC car included.

Best for Toddlers

John Deere Remote Control Johnny Tractor

$29 $27 at Amazon $46 $34 at Walmart $34 at Walmart

Why We Like It

Vehicle enthusiasts and future farmers of America will love this cartoon tractor in the iconic John Deere green. Aside from the charming design, the toy is officially licensed and has a simple controller that’s easy for little hands to hold. This makes it an excellent toy for toddlers.

One of our tester’s favorite aspects of the car is that “it's also made out of an extremely soft material so it's easy for [her son] to grab.” The softness makes the tractor a safe choice for indoor use since it won’t damage walls. However, it’s still durable enough to withstand some offroading adventures and the not-so-gentle play that toddlers are known for.

But Take Note

It’s important to note that the setup is a little more complex with this product. You’ll need a screwdriver to open the battery compartment. And you might not have some of the required batteries at home already: one 9-volt and three AAs.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 18 months and up
• Size: 6.29 x 4.72 x 11.02 inches
• Batteries: Requires one 9-volt and 3 AA batteries, not included

Best Barbie Car

Hot Wheels RC Barbie Corvette

$60 $38 at Amazon

Why We Like It

Fans of The Barbie Movie will go nuts for this miniature edition of the film’s vehicle. It fits two Barbie dolls and has a functioning trunk so kids can recreate their favorite scenes (Margot Robbie not included.) The biggest charm point for the car is its Barbie pink coloring and cute design.

We recommend setting up a designated play area for the toy in order to avoid damage to your walls, trim, or furniture. Since it doesn’t work very well on grass, consider using it in a playpen or garage instead.

See It in Action

But Take Note

All cuteness aside, there are a few issues with the product. The controller uses two joysticks in conjunction to steer the car in the right direction. This can be a little difficult for younger children or kids who haven’t used video game controllers. There are also some minor connectivity issues, according to our parent tester. 

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 4 years and up
• Size: 16.8 x 7.2 x 4.7 inches
• Batteries: Requires 7 AA batteries, not included

Best Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels RC Lamborghini Revuelto

$20 $14 at Amazon $33 at Target

Why We Like It

Luxury car fanatics will enjoy this 1:64 scale recreation of the Lamborghini Revuelto, a super sports car that boasts more than 1,000 horsepower—if your family is anything like mine, the Hot Wheels version of this Lambo is just a tad more accessible. At least the Hot Wheels Lamborghini Revuelto is a pretty good visual lookalike, aside from the obvious size difference. It shares the same bold colors and iconic outline as its luxury counterpart. 

Our kids' favorite feature is that this RC car is compatible with other Hot Wheels ramps and sets, and it can race on or off the track with surprising precision and speed for something so small. Its miniature size is actually another perk: “I've never seen such a tiny RC car, but the boys loved that it could go under and then out of the fridge and into so many little nooks and crannies of our house,” our tester says. “I also love… that it's something you could throw in a bag and bring [on the go].”

See It in Action

But Take Note

While it’s pretty entertaining to drive a car into a hidden nook in your home, we suggest you have a plan to retrieve it in case it gets stuck. Also, note that the car’s battery life is only around an hour, so you might need to interrupt playtime to plug it in. Ramps and tracks are not included.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 5 years and up
• Size: 6 x 6.5 x 2.25 inches
• Batteries: Remote requires 2 AAAs, not included; car includes 1 rechargeable Lithium-ion battery

Best Lego

Lego Porsche GT4 e-Performance Race Car

$170 $150 at Amazon $170 at Target $148 at Walmart

Why We Like It

This toy is the perfect combination of a Lego set, a science kit, and a remote control car. Because the required assembly involves using simple robotics components, it also functions as an exciting STEM learning activity. And, as Lego fanatics know, the process of building the kit is sometimes even more fun than playing with the finished product. With 834 pieces, i.e. significantly larger than most Lego Minecraft builds, this project is challenging in the best way possible. 

Once assembled, the car has features like headlights that turn on and off, hinged doors, and an attractive design with plenty of charming details. To drive the car, simply download the free app and use your smartphone as a controller. It also allows the driver to choose which interface works best for them: There’s an interface that looks like a standard controller, and one that mimics a steering wheel in which you tilt the phone to steer.

But Take Note

An 834-piece build is a significant challenge; we suggest parents help out their younger kids with the build to minimize frustration. Additionally, note that the set does not include a charger or cable, so you’ll need your own USB-C charger components. And while this vehicle is sturdy for a Lego build, it’s still relatively fragile compared to other RC car options on the market. Just make sure everything is fully assembled and secure before driving and only operate indoors.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 10 years and up
• Size: 15.04 x 10.32 x 3.7 inches
• Batteries: Includes a rechargeable battery but no charger

Best Monster

Hot Wheels MEGA-Wrex Alive Remote-Control Vehicle

$54 $31 at Amazon $42 at Target $50 $31 at Walmart

Why We Like It

Monster trucks are timelessly cool. When I was a kid, I loved stealing my older brothers’ monster truck toys and pretending my Barbies were extreme sports daredevils. Luckily, unlike the toys of the ‘90s, this RC truck is a bit more advanced. 

The Mega-Wrex has three different modes depending on the type of activity. There’s “hunt mode” in which the truck cruises relatively quietly (compared to other modes, at least) as if to mimic stalking prey. If it encounters enough obstacles on the drive, the toy automatically switches to “smasher mode” in which it ramps up the lights, sounds, and overall power. This is the best setting for tricks, stunts, and, more realistically, running over small objects and crashing into things. The last mode is “guard mode,” in which the toy emits ambient light to show it’s ready to jump into action.

The controls are intuitive and easy enough for our tester’s 5-year-old twins to use without a problem. The vehicle also has relatively good shock absorption so it handles offroading excursions just as well as indoor adventures. Plus, the sturdy exterior makes it a solid choice for the kind of rough-and-tumble play monster truck enthusiasts love.

But Take Note

This toy is a (monster) truckload of fun, but the playtime is unfortunately short-lived. “The issue with this is that the charge doesn't last long—like 15 minutes. So [my kids] did lose interest when we had to keep charging it after just using it for a little bit,” says our tester.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 5 years and up
• Size: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
• Batteries: Includes a rechargeable battery

Best Wall Climber

Hex Bots Wallcrawler Gecko Remote Control Toy

$30 $25 at Amazon $27 at Target $30 $25 at Walmart

Why We Like It

While not technically an RC car, this crossover between a robot toy and a remote-controlled vehicle provides the same amount of entertainment. This TikTok-viral remote-controlled lizard flips the RC vehicle genre on its head, literally. Instead of being ground-bound, this toy uses a tiny vacuum to suction onto your walls, allowing it to move vertically too. While a mini vacuum may seem loud, the toy actually moves pretty quietly. It doesn’t automatically transition from floor mode to wall mode, but it changes easily with a single switch. 

From an aesthetic standpoint, the toy features glowing LED eyes, textured silicon limbs, and a face reptile enthusiasts will swoon for. In terms of specs, we love that the product has a 25-foot range, is capable of drifting, and has easy-to-use controls. Since it’s made to go up walls, we’re also glad that it can withstand some minor falls—our kid testers let it drop a few times and the gecko was still good to go.

See It in Action

But Take Note

While it can withstand falls to a degree, it’s important to bring the gecko down to a lower height if its battery gets low. Our tester notes that “if the battery dies when the gecko is on the wall, it will fall, so you have to make sure to keep an eye out for the flashing lights that indicate low battery.“ 

Lastly, you’ll want to operate this lizard on a smooth surface for best results. This little guy performs best on hard floors and smooth walls.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 4 years and up
• Size: 14 x 9 x 1.57 inches
• Batteries: Rechargeable battery for gecko included; remote requires 2 AAs, not included

Coolest Tricks

Prepop Gesture Sensing RC Stunt Car

$50 at Amazon $46 at Walmart

Why We Like It

This car boasts some pretty neat features, like four-wheel drive, 360-rotating tires, and double-sided driving. Its bionic joints help the vehicle absorb shock and conquer some tough terrain like gravel. These features also allow it to withstand some serious falls or failed stunts. “The way it's constructed, this car feels sturdy and can handle collisions well since the large tires are almost always first to make contact when crashing into things,” our tester says. “As it hits bumps and ramps, it can flip over and continue running without any issues.” Not sure how to successfully execute a trick? There’s also an automated demonstration that makes the car perform tricks on its own. 

Another unique part of the toy is the ability to switch between a traditional controller or a gesture-sensing device that can be worn like a watch. Aside from the novelty of directing a tiny car with the flick of a wrist, there are some potential benefits to using gesture controls. This method only needs one hand to operate, so it can be a more accessible option for some folks.

But Take Note

While we love the increased accessibility and overall entertainment of a gesture control option, there may be a learning curve for some users. Our tester notes that his 7-year-old was often frustrated by the gesture controls. “Controlling the car in this method proved to be a bit difficult and takes a bit of getting used to. Even I had a difficult time driving it the way I wanted it.“ Luckily, this issue is easily circumvented by opting to use the traditional controller instead.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 6 years and up
• Size: 6 x 4 x 9 inches
• Batteries: 2 rechargeable batteries included

Best for Preschoolers

Fisher-Price My Easy RC Remote Controlled Car

$30 $28 at Amazon View on Mattel.com

Why We Like It

We love how easy to use and even easier to set up this RC car is. The toy turns on with one button, making it simple for little ones to figure out. In terms of setup, just pop in some batteries and it’s ready to play. And to preserve said batteries, the car automatically turns off when not in use.

The intuitive controls make it a great option for little ones who may have a harder time with complex remotes or advanced features. There’s also no need to worry about joy sticks that can be harder for preschoolers to control. There are four arrows that indicate where the car goes. To turn, you don’t need to press multiple buttons either.

Even better, our tester notes the car is “very durable, as my kids enjoy ramming this into all parts of our kitchen.” Its sturdiness, ease of use, and how engaging it is make it an excellent choice for little ones who are still mastering cause and effect and refining their fine motor skills.

But Take Note

Depending on how coordinated your kids are, turning can take a second to get the hang of, according to our tester.

The Details

• Age Recommendation: 3 years and up
• Size: 8.86 x 14 x 7.75 inches
• Batteries: Requires 6 AA batteries, not included