what is the Best Hobby Grade RC Cars [in 2024]

Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Jaxon Mike

If you want to get into radio controlled (RC) cars, choosing a hobby grade RC car is the way to go. Hobby grade RC cars offer an authentic racing experience with durable parts, powerful motors and realistic details that make them faster and more exciting to drive. This article explores the key features to look for and the top hobby RC car models on the market today.

Top 4 picks

	Traxxas Slash	ARRMA Kraton	Losi LMT	Tamiya Subaru Impreza
Type	Short Course Truck	Monster Truck	Monster Truck	Rally/Touring Car
Power	Titan 12T 550 brushed motor	1500KV-1700KV brushless motor	3500KV adjustable brushless motor	CVA oil-filled coil shocks
Top Speed	30+ mph	50+ mph	50+ mph	25 mph
Runtime	10-15 minutes	15-20 minutes	10-15 minutes	15-20 minutes
Terrain	Off-road dirt, trails, tracks	Dirt, mud, jumps, off-road	Dirt, mud, jumps	On-road, smooth dirt, rally tracks
Shocks	Oil filled coil over	Hard anodized aluminum	Steel pivot ball cap	CVA oil-filled coil
Ground Clearance	2.2 inches	3.8 inches	2.6 inches	1.3 inches
Scale/Size	1/10 scale	1/8 scale	1/8 scale	1/10 scale
Weight	5.95 lbs	9.70 lbs	7.05 lbs	4.4 lbs
Body	Polycarbonate realistic scale	Durable hard plastic	Detailed polycarbonate	Extremely detailed Subaru composite
Skill Level	Beginner-Intermediate	Intermediate-Advanced	Advanced	Intermediate-Advanced
Price	$220	$430	$500	$480

What is a Hobby Grade RC Car?

A hobby grade RC car refers to a radio controlled vehicle that replicates the performance, speed and handling of real, full-size race cars. Hobby grade RC cars distinguish themselves from toy grade RC cars in several ways:

Features of Hobby Grade RC Cars

Durable Parts

From the chassis and shocks to the gears and drive train, hobby RC cars feature strong materials and advanced engineering similar to real track cars. Metal parts instead of plastic provide the resilience to withstand high speeds and big jumps.

Powerful Motors

Equipped with brushed or brushless motors, these RC cars deliver a major jolt of power and acceleration. More voltage means hitting 50+ mph speeds for a true racing thrill. Some models allow you to tune the motor for even greater performance.

Detailed Body

The bodies accurately mimic popular real-world cars with crisp paint jobs and decals. Attention is given to replicas of headlights, grills, spoilers and other true-to-life elements. The rugged, high-quality exterior lives up to the extreme racing you’ll put it through.

Advanced Electronics

These RC units boast electronic speed controls, high-capacity battery compartments and heavy duty steering servos for precise handling. Multiple settings allow tuning as your skills improve. Some models feature telemetry allowing real-time data like mph and engine temp.

With an understanding of what makes hobby RC cars so special, let’s explore the top types and models that deliver an unbeatable experience for enthusiasts.

Different Types of Hobby Grade RC Cars

Hobby RC cars generally fall under two categories based on the surfaces they’re designed to race on:

Off-Road RC Cars

If racing on dirt, through mud and over extreme terrain sounds exciting, consider an off-road hobby grade RC car. Two popular types are:

Monster Trucks

Featuring giant tires on top of a truck chassis lifted high off the ground, these beasts conquer rough conditions. With fender flares and scale detailing they closely resemble their monster truck inspirations. Top models to consider are the ARRMA Kraton, Traxxas X-Maxx and Redcat Earthquake.

Rock Crawlers

Low gearing combined with grippy tires allows these highly skilled RC cars to climb over large rocks and challenging obstacles. The Axial SCX10 III, Traxxas TRX-4 and Vaterra Ascender are considered among the best rock crawlers. Custom upgrades are popular with enthusiasts wanting to fine tune performance.

On-Road RC Cars

Prefer racing on smooth, paved surfaces? On-road hobby RC cars are perfect for recreation centers, parking lots and tracks replicating real circuits. Main styles include:

Touring Cars

These are modeled after real-life sports cars and sedans built for performance driving on closed circuits. Featuring low profiles and realistic details, they have immense grip and handling for high speed cornering and straightaways. Leading examples are the Tamiya Subaru Impreza, Losi Tenacity and Team Associated TC6.

Formula RC Cars

Formula cars mimic open-wheeled Grand Prix-style race cars like F1. Designed for competition, they emphasize aerodynamics, ultra-light materials and high RPM engines for blazing velocity. Check out the ARRMA Fazon Voltage, Tamiya Formula E and Losi Formula 22 5.0.

With so many high-caliber hobby grade RC cars to pick from, it helps to clarify factors that play into purchasing decisions.

Factors To Consider When Buying a Hobby Grade RC Car

Intended Use

Will this primarily be for backyard bashing (general recreation), racing against others at a track or honing skills on technical courses? Matching the type of car to where you plan to drive helps identify appropriate options.

Skill Level

As a newer RC enthusiast, consider a durable, harder to break model that offers stability at lower speeds like the durable ARRMA Granite. Intermediate drivers seeking a balance of speed and handling may prefer the fast, versatile Traxxas Rustler. Advanced enthusiasts can exploit the full potential of adjustable suspension, tuning options and 60+ mph speeds from cars like the Losi LMT.

Budget

Hobby grade RC prices run the gamut from a couple hundred dollars for solid starter units to $1,000+ for elite racers. Competing and regularly replacing parts demands more upfront and ongoing investment. Determine how much performance is essential for your goals versus overall affordability.

With a clearer sense of your RC needs, let’s reveal manufacturers producing today’s best hobby RC cars across styles and skill levels.

Best Hobby Grade RC Cars

1. Traxxas Slash

As one of the best-selling RC trucks ever made, the Traxxas Slash combines durability, power and performance at a reasonable price. It’s known for its versatile off-road abilities, hitting over 30 mph out of the box thanks to the Titan 12-turn 550 motor. Handling shines via the long wheelbase chassis and center slipper clutch, allowing high traction cornering and stability over jumps. Upgrade to the LCG Slash for even greater control via the low center of gravity design.

Pros

• Great speed and power out of the box
• Durable and capable on various terrains
• Good stability and handling for jumps
• Tons of customizability and parts availability

Cons

• Battery and charger sold separately
• You may want to upgrade tires and shocks
• Parts can add up in cost

2. ARRMA Kraton

Few RC monster trucks rival the rugged power of ARRMA’s mighty Kraton series optimized for giant leaps and all day bashing endurance. Its oversized diff lockers provide an extra blast of low end torque, while the beefy turnbuckle suspension absorbs massive impacts across uneven terrain. Even when flipping at speed, the Roll Cage design shrugs off abrasion that would destroy exposed components on rival trucks. Choose between 4S and 6S models packing 1500KV to 1700KV engines screaming over 50mph on 6S LiPo packs!

Pros

• Nearly indestructible with Roll Cage design
• Massive air off jumps thanks to torquey power system
• Fast gearing allows 50+ mph speeds
• Upgrade potential to 6S power

Cons

• Very heavy, hard on other cars in a crash
• Can be harder to control at top speed
• More costly than some rival monster trucks

3. Losi LMT

As a fusion of extreme 1:10 monster truck versatility with scalable race-level performance, Losi’s LMT sits firmly in the RC elite. Out-torque and outrun nearly any rival via the adjustable 3500KV brushless motor and Smart tech holding maximum power band efficiency across 4S or 6S voltage configurations. Independent double wishbone suspension soaks up terrain while the center-mounted servo provides Ackermann steering geometry for pinpoint directional changes at full throttle. Expect podium chasing customization via a full array of tuning parts from Losi’s racing division.

Pros

• Insane power from 3500KV adjustable brushless motor
• Suspension soaks up big jumps and hard landings
• Servo delivers precise low/high speed handling
• Tuning options close to race-level

Cons

• High initial cost doesn’t include battery or charger
• Advanced settings demand some RC knowledge
• Low ride height risks flipping if landings are off axis

4. Tamiya Subaru Impreza

Detail obsessed enthusiasts who demand realistic models should shortlist the Tamiya Subaru Impreza based on the iconic WRC rally championship racer. Despite the composite frame favoring durability over featherweight minimalism, it still tears up tracks with precise cornering and stability thanks to the locked diffs and multi-plate slipper clutch handling hard launches. Novices can exploit the simple layout, while experts extensively customize gearing, suspension dampers and electronics settings chasing fractional performance gains.

Pros

• Incredibly realistic Subaru rally car body
• Great scale details appeal to collectors
• Excellent traction and stability from diffs and slipper clutch

Cons

• Composite frame is durable but adds weight
• Geared more for acceleration than top speed
• Considerable expertise needed to exploit tuning

FAQs

What is the difference between hobby grade and toy grade RC cars?

Hobby grade RC cars use metal parts, advanced electronics, powerful motors and realistic bodies modeled after real sports and race cars for authentic performance. Toy grades focus on affordability using more plastic parts and slower speeds best for younger casual users.

What features make hobby RC cars so fast?

Hobby RC cars achieve blazing speed via lithium polymer batteries, high voltage brushed and brushless motors, multiple gear ratios to maximize powerband efficiency and low center gravity chassis balanced through weight distribution.

What causes hobby RC cars to break?

Many factors like collisions, incorrectly executing jumps, poor maintenance and using low-quality replacement parts can damage hobby RC cars. Choosing durable models and learning expert driving/repair skills minimizes breakage issues long-term.

How much does it cost to get started in hobby RC racing?

You can buy advanced Ready-To-Run hobby RC cars for $300 to $500 and up. Ongoing costs include replacement parts/tires, multiple battery packs and better radio gear. Consider buying used then upgrading from hobbyists selling older models as skills improve.

Should I start with hobby grade or toy grade RC cars?

If new to RC, less expensive toy grades help learn basic controls more safely. But upgrading quickly is common – hobby grades offer far more speed and customization. Determine your commitment level, then consider hobby grade models with settings adaptable to match developing skills.

Conclusion

When looking for authentic performance, durability and excitement that toy store RC cars can’t deliver, hobby grade models should top your list. Their extensive tuning controls, customizable upgrades and realistic details mirror the same advanced engineering used by professional RC racers worldwide. Carefully consider what RC adventures interest you most, then explore manufacturers like Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi and Team Associated to uncover your ideal blend of affordability and extreme off-road or on-road capabilities. Start living the hobby grade RC lifestyle and enjoy commanding these incre.