When you’re just starting out in the world of remote controlled cars, it can be tough trying to determine which brand is the best for you. There are so many different makes and models on the market, each with its own set of pros and cons. In this blog post, we will discuss the best RC car brands for beginners and why you don’t want to purchase a cheap brand. We’ll also take a look at some popular brands that make affordable entry level cars.
What to Look for in an RC Car Brands for Beginners
When you’re just starting out, there are a few things you’ll want to look for in an beginner RC car brand.
1. Ease of Use
One of the most important things to look for in an RC car brand is ease of use. You don’t want an RC car or truck that’s going to be too complicated or difficult to put together or repair.
Buy from brands that offer ready-to-roll trucks and cars that come with many of the parts an components you need to start driving right away.
To get driving as soon as possible, make sure the car or truck you buy comes with the following components:
- Ready-to-roll car or truck (fully assembled, not a kit)
- Transmitter
- Battery
- Charger
Some ready-to-roll (RTR) vehicles do not comes with a battery and charger. Make sure to check and see if you need to buy these items separately.
I have found that almost all RTR rigs come with a transmitter, but it doesn’t hurt to double check.
You will also need 4 or 8 triple A or double A batteries. It depends on your car and transmitter.
2. Build Quality
Another important factor to consider is the quality of all components on the vehicle. Cheap RC cars are not built with the best materials and electronics, so make sure that the brand you choose makes RC vehicles that are built to last. Look for brands that use high-quality frames materials and have a reputation for making durable products.
You Tube is where I go when looking at a brand I am not familiar with. You can watch a few videos and check out the comments sections. This is a the best way I have found to judge the build quality.
If you see a car or truck bashing around, flipping, and crashing AND it keeps on going, that’s a good brand!
3. A Large Ecosystem
When you’re just starting out, it’s important to choose a brand that has a large ecosystem. The best brands will have spare parts and aftermarket accessories available for purchase and users are posting how-to and repair videos on YouTube. With a robust ecosystem, you can keep your car or truck running without waiting weeks for parts to come in the mail.
As we mentioned before, look for brands that offer good ready-to-roll (RTR) kits. RTR kits come per-assembled and have most of the parts you need to start driving that same day. RTR vehicles are great option for beginners as it takes the guesswork out of matching up the correct ESCs and brushless motors with the proper batteries.
4. Customer Support and Online Community
Customer support is another important factor to consider when choosing an RC car brand. You want to make sure that the company you’re buying from has good customer service in case you have any issues with your car. Look for brands that offer phone and email support, as well as online forums where you can get help from other users.
Online communities can be a great resource for beginners. Look for brands that have active online communities where users can share tips, ask questions, and help each other out.
If you are about to invest in a car or truck, call up the company and talk to support. Did they answer all of your questions? If so, that’s a sign of a good brand.
The Best RC Car Brands for Beginners
Now that you know what to look for in an RC car brand, let’s take a look at some of the best brands for beginners.
1. Best Beginner Traxxas Cars and Trucks
Traxxas is one of the most popular RC car brands on the planet. They offer a wide range of cars, trucks, and buggies that are perfect for beginners. Their vehicles are also very reliable and easy to maintain. The Traxxas Slash is even waterproof!
One of the best things about Traxxas is that they offer a ton of support for their products. If you ever have any issues with your vehicle, you can easily find replacement parts and troubleshooting advice online. Amazon also carries a TON of Traxxas Parts.
Additionally, Traxxas vehicles are generally very affordable. You can find a decent beginner car or truck for around $200.
Online forums are also a great place to find support for Traxxas products. There are many active users who are always willing to help out other beginners.
Some popular beginner RC cars from Traxxas are:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Traxxas Bandit: 1/10 Scale 2WD Buggy
| 9.7 | Check Price On Amazon |
 | Traxxas Stampede 1/10 2WD Monster Truck
| 9.5 | Check Price On Amazon |
 | Traxxas Slash 2WD Short Course Race Truck
| 9.1 | Check Price On Amazon |
 | Traxxas Teton 1/18 Scale 4WD Truck
| 8.8 | Check Price On Amazon |
2. Beginner Arrma RC Models
Arrma actually began their journey with entry-level RC cars. The company was founded in 2009 with the goal of providing RC hobbyists with high-quality, durable products that were also affordable.
Today, while Arrma focusses on high performance RC cars, they have not forgotten their roots. The company offers a wide range of beginner RC cars that are perfect for beginners. Typhon, Senton and Granite are just a few of the models that Arrma offers for those new to the RC world.
What sets Arrma beginner RC cars apart from other brands is the quality. Even though these are entry level RC cars, they are made with the same attention to detail and precision as Arrma’s high performance models. They are known for bashing speeds and being able to handle rough terrain, making them perfect for those who want to explore the world of RC off-roading.
This means that you can enjoy a durable, high-quality RC car even if you are just starting out.
Some great beginner rc cars from Arrma include the:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ARRMA SENTON 1/10 Scale 4X4 V3
| 9.7 | Check Price On Amazon |
 | ARRMA Typhon 1/10 Scale 4X4 V3
| 9.5 | Check Price On Amazon |
 | ARRMA KRATON 1/10 Scale 4X4 4S V2 BLX
| 9.1 | Check Price On Amazon |
 | ARRMA Mojave 1/7 Scale 6S BLX Desert Racer
| 8.8 | Check Price On Amazon |
3. Beginner Team Associated RC models
With a wide range of RTR (ready-to-run) and build-your-own kits available, Team Associated is a great option for those just getting into the RC car hobby. Their vehicles are known for being easy to assemble and reliable, making them ideal for beginners.
Their 2WD, RTR models are easy on the pocket and can sustain a fair amount of abuse, making them perfect for those just starting out. TA’s cars usually offer more value for your money than other brands in the same price range.
Aftermarket support for Team Associated vehicles is also excellent, so you’ll be able to find parts and upgrades down the line should you need them.
A few of the best beginner friendly RC models from Team Associated are the:
4. HPI Racing
HPI Racing’s USP is making miniatures of actual cars that you will find on roads. HPI is known for engineering and design, which is why their products are a step up from the rest, in terms of both quality and detail.
HPI is well-known for their kit cars that come with pre-assembled parts, which makes the building process much easier and quicker for beginners. Their products are also quite durable and reliable, making them ideal for those who are just starting out in RC car racing.
HPI’s primary focus has always been enthusiasts and not beginners, which is why their products are a bit more expensive than the average RC car. However, we think that their products are worth the extra money, especially if you’re serious about getting into RC car racing.
The only downside to HPI is that they don’t have as many different models to choose from as some of the other brands on this list. However, they do have a good selection of both on-road and off-road vehicles, so you should be able to find something that suits your needs.
The Vorza Flux RTR is one of the most iconic, albeit expensive, RC cars on the market. It’s a great choice for beginners as it’s both easy to use and reliable.
The top beginner HPI Vehicles are:
Avoiding Cheap Brands (And Why)
When you’re first getting into RC cars, it can be tempting to buy the cheapest option available. However, we would strongly advise against this for a number of reasons.
The first reason is quality. Cheap RC cars are just that – cheap. They are made with lower quality materials and components, which means they will break more easily and won’t last as long. In addition, they often don’t come with replacement parts or support from the manufacturer, so you’ll be on your own if something breaks.
Another prominent reason to avoid cheap brands is performance. Cheap RC cars simply don’t perform as well as more expensive ones. They are slower, less durable and generally just not as much fun to drive.
They are difficult to control and spin out easily, which can be frustrating for beginners. In addition, they often don’t come with features that more expensive RC cars have, such as adjustable suspension or different driving modes.
The worst part about cheap RC cars is that they often end up costing more in the long run. This is because you’ll have to replace them more often and you won’t be able to upgrade them as easily.
Online support and replacement parts or upgrades will be a challenge with a cheap RC car.
So, while it might be tempting to save some money in the beginning, we would recommend avoiding cheap toy RC cars altogether. It’s simply not worth it in the long run.
I think you would be blown away at how the Traxxas Slash or Arrma Senton preforms compared to a toy RC car that costs around 40 or 50 dollars.
Final Thoughts For Beginner RC Car Brands
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it helpful! To recap, here are the main takeaways:
- There are a few key things to look for when choosing an RC car brand, including durability, customer support, and replacement parts.
- While there are many cheap RC car brands out there, they are often not worth it in the long run because they lack quality and customer support.
- Some of the best (and reliable) RC car brands for beginners include Traxxas, Arrma, Team Associated, and HPI Racing.
Thanks for reading and happy bashing!
