Age appropriate RC cars

Looking for an RC car for your child? Struggling to know what to get them based on their age and skill set? Or unsure what to get your partner or even yourself? Our customer service team get asked daily what the best model is for RC enthusiasts of all ages and capabilities, and hopefully this can point you in the right direction.

Disclaimer: please take this as a guide only. Everyone is different and has different skill sets so this must be taken into consideration when making your choice. Please ensure you read and understand any and all manuals in full before you begin using your RC car.

For children ages 3-5 

For our younger RC fans, we have a small range with a number of different styles.

CAT Concrete Mixer, Dump Truck and Grader 3 Pack

The CAT construction range features push along cars such as the CAT Concrete Mixer, Dump Truck and Grader which are excellent for young children who aren’t quite ready for the remote controlled ranges. These small push powered models are fully articulated and officially licenced.

CAT Lil Mighty RC Dump Truck

The battery powered CAT Lil Mighty RC Dump Truck is a great addition to the younger RC fans collection. With a 10” remote controller designed to help develop your child’s fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, these toys are built to withstand the tough demands of a child’s play.

Rastar range

We also stock the officially licensed Rastar range, grab your child the small version of your favourite car including the Rastar Land Rover Defender, Ferrari F40  and many more.

All of these models have full drive and are suitable for indoor or smooth track use. With a collector’s window style box, they even make a great display piece.

For children ages 6-11

The majority of our very own RCG Racing range is aimed towards children within this age group. With many models coming ready to run out of the box with everything included (except some AAA or AA batteries for the transmitter), these are perfect models for younger hobbyists. This range features many different styles of remote control cars from buggies, trucks and crawlers to stunt cars and speedy on road racers as well as everything in between. There is so much to choose from but hopefully we can help to narrow down your search.

RCG Racing Wind Speed 1/14 Buggy RTR Yellow

Our most popular models to date are the RCG Racing Wind Speed and Storm Rider. 

These are perfect for children looking to get into the RC hobby without being thrown in the deep end. These 1/14^th scale RC buggies measuring 27cm long and 23cm wide are suitable for children over 8 years of age. Ready to run, you need only supply three AA batteries to get racing. Great beginner models, they are durable, speedy and easy to maintain with a great availability of spare parts for the inevitable bumps and knocks. 

RCG Racing 1/16 4WD Rock Crawler RTR

Looking for something with slower speeds that can handle the most uneven of surfaces, the RCG Racing 1/16 4WD Rock Crawler RTR is a hybrid rock crawler/short course truck and is a great toy for kids. We love the details from the body panels screwed to an exoskeleton design with faux light bar mounted to the roof. Don’t be fooled by it’s size. With a twin motor AWD design, the truck can actually scale garden obstacles and take on a lawn with ease thanks to its oversized tyres and long shock absorbers. Check out our other crawlers that we have available.

For ages 12–15 and beginner hobby grade users

Now we are getting into the hobby grade and faster models aimed towards older children and beginners in the RC hobby. These are also our most popular, long-term, and reliable remote control car models.

FTX Tracer 1/16 RTR Truck and Truggy and BlackZon Slyder 1/16 Stadium Truck and Monster Truck

Get ready for some big r/c off road action from the pocket rocket FTX Tracer & BlackZon Slyder, the perfect entry into a world of r/c fun. Great for the those on a budget.

If you are a RC fan you will have no doubt heard of these models. We get asked all the time, what is the difference between the two and the honest answer here is – their physical design. Both models are powered by a 390 sized brushed motor and micro 2S Li-Ion battery and include everything you need to get moving. Simply pick your preferred design and away you go. If you need a spare battery look no further. 

FTX Carnage 2.0 1/10 Brushed 4WD Truck Red

Staying with the FTX brand, our next step up from the Tracer is the FTX brushed motor range such as the FTX Carnage 2.0 Brushed Truck. These models are huge favourites with older beginners and feature a 550 brushed motor, 60A waterproof ESC and Voltz 1800mAh 7.2v NiMH battery. With a slightly higher price tag than the Tracer, these are a great introduction to the hobby for those on a higher budget. Are you looking for a beginner hobbyist looking for off road model, age 14+, budget of £150, something with relatively easy maintenance? – these are the models for you.

Don’t like the look of the FTX Carnage? Check out the FTX brushed models such as the FTX Outlaw, Vantage 2.0, Bugsta. 

Maverick Phantom XB 1/10 Buggy Black/Green

Maverick is the sister brand to the well known HPI Racing. HPI are known for their fast, powerful and aggressive RC cars and the Maverick range doesn’t disappoint even in the brushed form. The Phantom XB has enough speed to keep you on your toes, whilst being super easy to drive, in an awesome, fun package, giving a great taster for the RC hobby. Featuring the MM-550 Brushed electric 550 high torque motor powering a tough shaft drivetrain spinning all 4 wheels for awesome 4WD action.

Wanting something with a higher ground clearance? Take a look at the other Maverick brushed models such as the Maverick Quantum MT or XT and the Phantom XT.

For ages 16+ and experienced hobby grade users

Welcome to the world of fast paced, high powered and intense experienced hobby grade remote control cars. These are models that pack a punch and are not for the faint hearted.

Maverick Quantum MT Flux V2 80A 1/10 4WD Monster Truck – Blue

Moving into the brushless motor range, these are a great upgrade to those beginner brushed models. With its beefed up driveshafts and 3300KV Brushless Motor, the Quantum Flux V2 is capable of taking a thrilling 3S of LiPo power. Select your battery and charger of choice and pull the trigger for white knuckle speed runs.

Traxxas Bandit VXL Brushless Buggy Green

Traxxas are the leading manufacturer when it comes to high speed and powerful RC cars and these models are not to be taken lightly. The Traxxas Bandit brushless buggy features Traxxas’ famous Velineon® Brushless Power, Waterproof electronics and Traxxas Stability Management®. With the right set up this model is capable of speeds over an enormous 70mph+.

Traxxas E-Revo 2.0 Brushless VXL 6S Orange

Not wanting to leave all the fun to the buggies, the Traxxas E-Revo is powered by 2x 3S LiPo batteries to utilise the huge 6S LiPo power feature. Boasting the Velineon® Brushless Power, Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) and Self-righting ability, stadium truck fans can match the whopping 70+mph. A large model coming in at 585mm x 465mm x 221mm and weighing just over 5kg, do not underestimate the power of a Traxxas RC car.

HPI Savage X Flux V2 GT-6 6S RTR

Hot on the heels of Traxxas is HPI Racing with their Savage X Flux V2 GT-6. Featuring 6S power and the ELH-6S 150A ESC & MLH-2200KV Brushless Motor, this is an intense rival for the Traxxas E-Revo 2.0. Capable of Standing backflips with a mere blip of the throttle, tyre shredding and terrain destroying power, this HPI model is great for anyone looking for a model to get your teeth into.