Which remote control car should I buy?

Naturally this is a personal choice but we have remote control cars suitable for various terrains and budgets. The majority of our cars come ‘ready to run’ often only requiring batteries and a charger to get started, but note that some are ‘kit’ form requiring construction and extra components before they can be driven.

Off-Road cars

These are our most popular range of cars and can cope with mixed surfaces such as gravel, dirt and grass. They vary in capability to buggies that will cope with gardens to stadium trucks that can handle the beach, right up to serious crawlers that can ford rivers and traverse rock faces. If you intend to use the car in a wet environment we strongly advise looking at waterproof models designed for this.

On-Road Cars

On-road cars are commonly 1/10th in scale and have a realistic appearance. This sector includes spec touring race cars ideal for club racing at the track. Modellers customise their cars by switching the body and swapping out the wheels and tyres.

Drift Cars

We are big fans of RC Drifting where on-road cars are setup to race in controlled slides, as is very popular in Japan. Our electric drift cars are 1/10th scale and feature hard rubber tyres, adjustable suspension plus locked differentials to allow for good drifting characteristics.

Here are Some Key Features to Consider When Buying an RC Car:

⚙️ Drive System

• Two-Wheel Drive (2WD): Offers a realistic, dynamic driving feel. Popular in drift and on-road cars where controlled oversteer is part of the fun.

• Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): Delivers improved traction and stability across most surfaces - ideal for beginners and great for off-road or all-round use.

⚡ Motor Type

• Brushed Motors: Affordable, easy to maintain, and perfect for newcomers or casual use.

• Brushless Motors: More powerful and efficient. Ideal for hobbyists wanting higher speeds, better performance, and longer-lasting components.

🔋 Battery Life

Most RC cars run for 10-30 minutes per charge, depending on battery capacity, motor type, and driving style. Many models support quick-swap batteries, so you can keep driving with minimal downtime. 

🏎️ Speed

Speeds can range from 10mph to over 50mph, depending on the model and setup.

• Beginner-friendly cars tend to cap out around 15–25mph.

• Brushless or performance models can hit 30–50mph or more, suited for open spaces and advanced control.

Beginner Models

Designed for easy handling and durability, beginner cars are ideal for younger drivers and those new to the sport:

RCG Racing RC 1/16 Rock Crawler Pro: Great for beginners, the RCG Racing 1/16 Rock Crawler Pro offers steady 4WD control and impressive off-road capability straight out of the box.

Intermediate Models

Ideal for those looking to level up, intermediate RC cars offer a great balance of speed, control, and versatility-perfect for tackling more challenging terrain with confidence:

RCG Racing Storm Rider 1/16 Buggy: With 4WD grip, tough suspension, and up to 15mph speed, the Storm Riders Buggy is built for drivers ready to push further off-road.

Advanced Models

Advanced models are built for performance, featuring powerful motors and high precision:

RCG Racing MT 1/10 Brushless Monster Truck - Piranha: This beast packs a powerful brushless motor, 4WD drivetrain, and rugged suspension-designed for advanced drivers who crave speed and serious off-road thrills

Popular Car Models at RC Geeks

Here’s a quick overview of some top RC cars available at RC Geeks:

RCG Racing MT-One 1/16 Monster Truck: Compact, with adjustable speed and splash-proof electronics.	RCG Racing Wind Speed 1/16 Buggy: A fast, 1/16 scale 4WD buggy with a 2000mAh battery - perfect for off-road fun.
RCG Racing Micro DC 1/43 Drift Car: Featuring a built-in gyro and interchangeable drift and on-road tyres, perfect for indoor drifting fun.	RCG Racing Retro EVO30 1/16 Drift Car: Retro styling, LED lights, and up to 15mph speed-perfect for indoor drifting fun.

Each of these models has unique features suited for different skill levels, so be sure to choose one that aligns with your drifting goals and experience.

Are remote control cars expensive?

No, we have electric cars for all budgets. Our range starts from hobby grade ready-to-run cars, moving through customisable chassis right up to sport models capable of over 70mph. As with any hobby the costs can rise, but we are here to advise you on the best components for your budget should you wish to improve your setup.

Do I need anything extra to start driving?

Models on our website will show if any additional items are required for operation, but (besides some AA batteries for the controller) the majority of our vehicles are ready to run.

That is to say they include the core components (transmitter, receiver, speed controller, motor and battery) required to power and control the car. Many will have combo options available so you can customise your kit to include a battery, charger or radio gear if they are not included as standard.

How fast are remote control cars?

With minor alterations, some of our top-of-the-line cars will push past 60mph, yet the majority of our models are designed to be driven at approximately 20mph, a more sedate and crucially controllable pace.

Note that some sites quote scale speed, we avoid this as we feel it is misleading. They might say that a 1:10 car can travel at 120 mph (the top speed of the actual full-size car) when in reality, the model version will only hit 12 mph.

How long do the batteries last?

This is ultimately both model (specification) and driver (style) dependant, so it is impossible to put an absolute value on it. We suggest checking the products specifications for an indication of model specific data.

Do you sell spare batteries?

Many of our ready-to-run cars tend to come with relatively small capacity batteries, but larger (or direct) replacement batteries are available for most models. Be sure to check the cell’s specification in terms of dimensions, capacity, output and crucially the connector to ensure compatibility. Do get in touch if you would like purchase advice regarding batteries and chargers as it can be complex.

How long does it take to charge?

This will vary and is dependent on both the battery and charger specifications so please refer to the manufacturer's documentation. Charging time can be worked out by dividing the batteries capacity by the charge rate. Cheaper models include basic ‘trickle’ chargers that can take 6-8hrs+ to fill the included battery. We stock several high-powered chargers that not only charge cells in a fraction of that time but can also handle the charging/discharging/balancing processes associated with advanced LiPo batteries.

How can I upgrade my car?

We offer a large selection of upgrades, should you wish to switch wheels, tyres, bodies or electronics for improved components. 

Does my car come with a warranty?

Our models come with a warranty to cover any manufacturer defects, warranty length varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you have a problem with your brand-new car please get in touch and we will do our utmost to resolve the situation.

What happens if I break the car?

Crashes are a common experience in RC car ownership but do not fear. Should you crash your car we have a wide range of spares for each model and always ensure the more popular parts are in stock. These can be found on the 'item spares' tab for the relevant model.

Do you sell Nitro or Petrol cars?

Whilst we do offer spare parts for certain fuel-powered chassis, we no longer stock or support fuel-based vehicles.

What is all this noise about Brushless?

Electric cars are often defined as 'brushed' or 'brushless', with the difference being their motor technology. Brushed remote control cars feature ‘standard’ motors with brushes and are often powered by a 7.2v NiMh battery; They are aimed at entry level users. Brushless RC Cars feature powerful 'brushless' motors paired with advanced speed controllers to maximise performance. These are often coupled with Li-Polymer batteries which can supply instant bursts of power for quick acceleration and fast top-speeds.

Do you stock spare parts?

Yes, we stock a wide range of spare parts for most of the RC drift cars we sell. Whether it’s tyres, body shells, gears or electronics, you’ll find parts to keep your car running and ready to drift.

Do you offer any discounts or deals?

We offer bundle options on many of our RC drift cars - perfect for saving money on extras like batteries, chargers, and upgrades. Look out for the “Bundle & Save” options on product pages, or check our Offers section for the latest deals.

At RC Geeks, we offer top-quality RC products with expert advice and reliable service to help you get the most from your hobby. Shopping with us means peace of mind and support every step of the way, from purchase to play.

• ✅ UK-based customer service
  
  

• 🚚 Fast, tracked delivery
  
  

• 🛠️ Expert tech support
  
  

• 🏁 Exclusive RCG Racing models
  
  

• 💰 Competitive prices on all RC products
  
  

• 🔄 No-fuss returns & warranty