RC cars are blast to drive in your driveway, hit jumps at the RC race track, and drag race with your friends. But are there any cheap RC cars that are fast? The answer is, yes! With new manufacturing technology, cheap fast RC cars are more reliable than before.
There are many RC car manufactures that are building cheap RC cars that have great qualities and are built with good parts and electrical components. In this post, we will take a close look at the best cheap RC cars and find the car that is perfect for you. Let’s dive in and find the right cheap RC car based on my experience.
Our Picks For Cheap RC Cars That Are Fast in 2024
Cheap And Fast RC Cars Should Have These Components
If you want a cheap RC car that is fast, look for a vehicle that runs on a 7.4 volt 2S battery at minimum. 11.1 volt 3S electrical systems are even faster than 2S systems, but they tend to be more expensive. If you happen to run across an affordable 3S car or truck, it will be faster than the 2S version.
Most affordable RC cars will run a brushed motor. Brushed motors provide plenty of power and help keep costs down. If you want max power and speeds, brushless motors are even faster. However, as you start to look at vehicles with brushless motors capable of speeds over 50 mph, you will notice the price tag starts to creep up out of your budget.
Also, look for vehicles that run on LiPo batteries. LiPos will produce more power and speed compared to NiMH batteries. LiPos also weigh less.
If you can check off these three following characteristics, your RC car should have the right parts for max speed.
- 2S 7.4 Volt Electrical System
- Brushless Motor
- LiPo Batteries
What factors should I consider when looking for a cheap fast RC car?
When researching cheaper RC cars, think about the type of terrain you’ll be driving on, and if you’re looking to get into RC, consider the vehicle’s speed capabilities. All RC cars can drive on flat pavement, but only RC trucks can handle off road driving.
Off Road Vs On Road Vehicles
On road, or road racer style RC cars, can go very fast on flat pavement and they tend to be cheaper than off road monster trucks. This is because monster trucks and truggies need larger wheels, better suspension, and powerful motors to power through grass and loose dirt.
If you are looking for a cheap but fast RC car that you only drive on pavement, I would buy an electric road racer RC car capable of hitting 50 mph. If you want to drive in the grass and dirt, take a look at trucks, buggies, and truggies that are made to drive off road.
Electric VS Nitro Vehicles
Nitro RC cars and trucks are not suited for beginners and are usually more expensive than electric vehicles. You can find cheap nitro cars online, but it probably will break down more often than not, unlike more reliable fast RC cars for adults. Nitro engines don’t like to sit for long periods of time without being started up and driven.
On the other hand, electric RC vehicles are better for beginners. They also require less maintenance and can sit for longer periods of time without being run. You do need to make sure you are store your LiPo battery properly if you aren’t going to be driving your car for a while.
Cheap Brushless RC cars
Brushless RC cars will perform better than brushed vehicles. But, the brushless motor and improved performance will increase the price of the vehicle slightly. You can expect the spend about $40 or $60 more dollars for the same model with an upgraded brushless motor.
It will be hard to find a brushless RC car or truck under $150 dollars. But, there are several models that come in right at this price tag. Here are our top picks:
1. Hosim 2845 4WD 1/16 Scale RC Monster Truck
is a 1/16 scale monster truck that is capable of speeds up to 60 KMH/35MPH. For a 1/16 scale truck, that is some serious speed for the price tag, rivaling many fast RC cars 50 mph. This vehicles comes with the following components:
- 2 1000mAH LiPo Batteries
- 2 Packs RC Car Shell Body
- 2.4Ghz Radio Transmitter and Receiver
- LiPo Battery storage bag
So If you are looking for a cheap RC car that is fast, the Hosim 2845 has all of the right components to reach high speeds.
Cheap Brushed RC cars
1. HAIBOXING Hailstorm 1/18 Scale RC Truggy
The HAIBOXING Hailstorm is a compact 1/18 scale truggy that can reach speeds up to 35 KMH / 22MPH. I think these speeds are impressive considering the small size of this truck! The vehicle will make a great birthday present and is small enough to fit in your car. This is a cheap and fast RC car that you can find for under 100 dollars.
This cheap fast RC car is ready to roll and comes with:
- Shaft-Driven 4WD drivetrain
- 2 LiPo Batteries
- Transmitter and Receiver
- Independent suspension for each wheel
- Metal gear servos
The HAIBOXING Hailstorm keeps costs to a minimum by running a brushed motor and 2wd, but the kit does come with LiPo batteries which will help power this fast little truggy from HAIBOXING.
2. Hyper GO 16107 1/16 Scale RC Car 4WD
The Hyper GO 1/16 scale is a four wheel drive brushed cheap rc car. It comes with a 35A ESC that can support 2S and 3S and has a 390 strong magnetic brushed motor. The 2.4 GHz transmitter is included in the box as well as a 7.4 volt LiPo battery.
The 16107 buggy also features strong metal shocks that connect to the Hyper GO new honeycomb aluminum alloy chassis.
I think this car is packed with a lot of excellent features and can be found for under 100 dollars! That is a deal you can’t beat!
This buggy comes ready to roll and is equipped with:
- 4WD drivetrain
- LiPo Battery
- Transmitter and Receiver
- Metal shocks
- Strong brushed motor
Are There Any Cheap Good RC Cars?
RC cars come in a wide range of prices. You can find cars and trucks for as low as 20 dollars and as high as several thousand dollars. Of course cheaper RC cars will not compare to more expensive hobby grade brands like Traxxas or Arrma. So who should buy a cheaper RC car?
Affordable RC cars are made for Beginners and kids. There are many moving parts that require maintenance and can wear out over time. It might make more sense to stick with cheaper models if you are not sure if the person you are buying the car for wants to drive RC cars long term.
I suggest sticking with RC cars in the 75 dollar to 150 dollar range if you are buying them for kids or if its your first RC car.
Some great options in this price range are:
- AMORIL 1:14 Scale Hyper Fast RC Car
- Losbenco 1/16 Scale 4WD Drift RC Car
- HAIBOXING 2995 1/12 Scale RC Buggy
If you notice the person really likes RC cars and is constantly driving the vehicle, you can always upgrade and get something like a Traxxas Slash or Rustler.
The last thing you want to do is buy a hobby grade RC car that sits in the garage and gathers dust.
What Is The Cheapest And Fastest RC Car?
There are many cheap and fast RC cars on the market. But, if you want a fast RC car that is cheap, then you want to look for a road racer, which often reaches speeds of 50 mph. These types of RC cars are made to run on pavement and do not do well off-road on the dirt. The cheapest and fastest RC car on the market is the Arrma Vendetta.
This car is not the cheapest on our list, but it is the fast car for the money. I own an Arrma Vendetta, and it is a blast to drive. From my personal experience, this car can reach speeds over 60 miles per hour. If you install the high-speed pinion gear, it can reach even higher speeds, potentially exceeding 50 mph.
Cheap and fast are two words that don’t always go together in the RC car world. But the Arrma Vendetta will be the fastest and cheapest fast RC car for adults you can buy.
FAQs For Cheap RC Cars That Are Fast
What are some good options for affordable, fast RC cars?
There are a so many great options for fast RC cars that are also affordable. Some my favorite cheap models include the Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Pro, the Traxxas Rustler XL-5, and the Exceed RC MadTorque. These cars are not toys and are considered hobby grade RC vehicles. They won’t have all the bells and whistles that more expensive models have, but they are the perfect first RC car if you are new to the hobby.
Are Electric RC Cars Cheap?
Yes, electric RC cars are affordable and the most popular type of RC car on the market. There are more electric RC car models than nitro since LiPo battery technology has progressed over the years.
What Should I Avoid When Buying A Cheap RC car?
I consider RC cars under 50 dollars toys. They will run for a little while, but may break before you get your money’s worth. You get what you pay for in the RC car world. I suggest investing between 80 and 150 dollars for your first RC car.
Conclusion For Cheap RC Cars That Are Fast
To wrap up, finding a cheap RC car that is fast can be tough for new drivers. You want a nice car that isn’t a total waste of money. Luckily, there are several great options on the market that are built for new and beginner drivers.
Make sure the car you pick runs on at least 2S 7.4-volt electrical system, has a brushless motor, and uses LiPo batteries.
You should also take a few moments to think about where you want to drive your car. Consider the terrain you think you will be driving most of the time, and then pick between off-road or on-road vehicles. I’d also recommend buying electric over nitro if you are shopping for your first car.
Finally, if you can’t decide which car or truck to get, get an off-road basher that is four-wheel drive. You will be able to drive it anywhere. From my experience, I enjoy driving my Traxxas Slash and other bashers over my road racers. Happy driving!
