What is a good RC car for a beginner?
Recommended remote control cars for beginners，The Best Hobby Grade RC Cars for Beginners，What kind of remote control car is better for a novice to buy, is the remote control off-road vehicle easy to break?
Anyone can enjoy a remote-controlled car. But true hobbyists develop RC skills and collect cars. Here are the best RC cars for beginners. Just about anyone can operate a radio-controlled (RC) car, right? Stepping it up to hobby-grade RC, though, takes patience and skill. Do-it-Yourself RC models take a lot of time and know-how.
There’s quite a bit of engineering that goes into an RC car. In fact, Grand Canyon University’s Principles of Mechanical Design class requires senior mechanical engineering students to design and build RC cars.
Like anything, there’s a learning curve. Newcomers to RC racing need an entry-level vehicle. The best RC cars for beginners have two features that benefit the novice. The first is Ready-to-Run and Electric. Let’s find out more.
Ready-To-Run RC Cars for Beginners
A Ready-to-Run (RTR) RC car or truck comes with everything you need. Some models don’t come with everything included. You have to supply a few components yourself, like a battery or transmitter.
A more experienced person has easy access to such components. For the novice, the best beginner RC car is an RTR. An RTR has everything you need to start driving. Right from the box, the vehicle is just about put together.
You may have a few tasks to complete like attaching the body. You may also have to glue that tires. All that’s left is to charge the battery pack and go.
Electric RC for Beginners An electric RC’s motor runs off a battery pack. Thus, it’s easier to operate than a nitro-fueled RC. It’s much safer for the beginner. Electric RCs require less prep time and assembly than a nitro RC. This applies to RTR models as well.
The Best RC Cars for Beginners
Next, let’s take a look at some of the most popular RC cars and trucks for beginners, and see which one is for you.
Traxxas Slash Short Course Truck
The Traxxas Slash Short Course Truck is a solid beginner RC truck. While it does not complete fully ready-to-run, it is electric. Out of the box, it’s fully assembled. Though, you’ll need to purchase a transmitter, receiver, and battery.
You can paint the clear polycarbonate body any color. The GTR shocks are hard-anodized and PTFE-coated aluminum and thus deliver track-ready suspension. The Traxxas Slash is known for reaching high speeds of over 60mph.
These speeds are possible because of the brushless motor and rigid chassis with a low center of gravity. This added stability allows you to maintain those speeds around corners.
This RC truck enables the beginner to reach high speeds right from the start. It’s optimized for smooth performance with refined control capabilities.
The Redcat Racing Shredder XTE
The Redcat Racing Shredder XTE is a favorite across the RC community. This is an RTR model with both forward and reverse transmission.
It also features aluminum-capped oil filled shocks and a 2.4GHz radio. Note that you will need to purchase the battery separately.
This truck is a fantastic value for the beginner. Redcat Racing’s goal is to provide RC enthusiasts of all skill levels the opportunity for large-scale fun without an inflated price. The truck weighs in at 15.2 pounds. The truck is 1/4 scale.
It’s heavy and stocky, with thick tires and larger shocks than other models. All the muscle gives it an extra edge on the tack. Yet, you can control it easily. It’s also waterproof so that you can maintain that control in any weather.
Redcat Racing is known for producing sturdy trucks that you can upgrade for more power. And, the Shredder is no exception. Out of the box, the brushless motor can reach speeds up to 40mph.
You can upgrade the motor for something more powerful. The same applies to batteries and other components.
Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer
The Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer is notable, to say the least. This RC Race Truck is a 1/7 RTR and weighs about 13.4 pounds. It does not come with a battery, unfortunately. So, you will need to purchase one separately.
It has a four-link rear suspension with a solid link axel. It also has GTR shocks at each corner that replicate actual desert truck performance. The extreme suspension provides impressive off-road stability.
You take large jumps and other obstacles with confidence. The Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer is as close to the real thing as you can find when it comes to function.
It precisely replicates the design as well as the performance of an actual desert racer. Thanks to the brushless motor, you can reach up to 50mph and still maintain fine control. Talk about an adrenaline-charged drive!
Now, this model is more expensive. Though, you get some bang for your buck when you consider the stunning framework and quality parts that come ready to ride.
The Redcat Racing Everest-10 Rock Crawler
The Redcat Racing Everest-10 Rock Crawler is a striking 1/10 RC truck that comes in red, red and black, blue, and blue and black. It’s tough, super sturdy, and easy on the eye. It’s a fun drive and well-suited for beginners.
It comes RTR, included batt.
Best Hobby-Grade RC Vehicle for Beginners
Radio controlled toys are suitable for almost anyone. But when you step up to a hobby-grade RC, it can require more time and patience to develop the skills to successfully operate and care for the vehicle. An entry level RC vehicle has features suitable for those new to radio controlled vehicles.
There are two specific features to look for in an entry-level RC car or truck: RTR and electric.
FEATURED VIDEO
0 seconds of 2 minutes, 3 secondsVolume 0%Loading ad
How to Buy a Fuel-Efficient VehicleReady-To-Run RC for Beginners
An RTR or Ready-to-Run RC car or truck usually comes with everything you need to get started right in the box. The vehicle is mostly put together—you might have to attach the body and glue the tires, but that’s usually about it. You can be up and running in as long as it takes to charge up a battery pack. Whether or not you choose a vehicle specifically designated as an entry-level RC, look for an RTR over a kit.
Electric RC for Beginners
An electric RC has a motor that runs off a battery pack. For the beginner, the electric RC is generally safer and easier to maintain than a nitro-fueled RC. And even in the Ready-to-Run category, an electric RC requires less assembly and prep time than a nitro RC.
Other RC Features for Beginners
Beyond an electric RTR, the other features suitable in an entry-level RC for beginners depend on how much you’re willing to spend, how and where you plan to use the RC, and what you like: sedan, sports car, drifting car, monster truck, buggy, truggy, stadium truck, etc.
Here is a sampling of some RC cars and trucks with a brief description of features that tend to make them beginner-friendly.
Traxxas 4-TEC -This is a 4WD 1:10 scale sedan for racing. For younger and new drivers, it allows you to run it at reduced power (up to 50%) to allow time for the driver’s skills to improve. This feature makes it suitable as both an entry-level beginner RC and one that you can continue to enjoy as you become more proficient.
Losi Micro-T Stadium Truck – One thing that beginners often want is low cost. Who wants to spend hundreds of dollars only to find out that maybe they aren’t all that into hobby-grade RCs after all? At under $100, the tiny, 1:36 scale Micro-T is one way to find out without spending a lot. But it’s still tons of great driving fun. Plus, its small size means it can operate in places most other hobby-grade RCs can’t, including your living room.
Compare Prices Traxxas Bandit XL-5 and Traxxas Stampede XL-5 and Traxxas Rustler XL-5 – One of the cool features of these 1:10 scale, 2WD RCs (buggy, monster truck, stadium truck) is that they have waterproof electronics. For anyone, beginner or not, this means no hassle racing in water, mud, or snow. For beginners, this means that with the watertight, sealed electronics, there is less risk of damage and less maintenance required. (When purchasing, make sure you are getting the waterproof version and not an earlier model.)
HPI E10 Car – Billed as an entry-level 1:10 scale RC car, it is built with the beginner in mind from its cost (under $200US) to its sturdy construction to its operation. There are a drift and a touring version and, in addition to the RTR version, there is an assembled version for those who already have their own radio system and don’t mind a little bit of assembly—namely, just adding the electronics.