10 Best Remote Control Cars for Kids UK 2024 | Brio, DC Batman and More
Since the fruitful days of the '60s, kids around the world have loved being in the hot seat with a remote control car. Not only are they good tools to improve your child's dexterity, concentration and coordination, but they're also just a whole lot of fun.
Remote control cars have come a long way since their clunky formative years, now including modern touches like rechargeable batteries and, of course, miles of styles. Brands like Vatos, Bezgar and Brio are leading the charge in today's RC cars for 3, 5 and 10-year-olds alike, and you can find all of them and more on this list, as well as where to buy them on Amazon, John Lewis, Argos and eBay.
Quick List - Top Remote Control Cars for Kids
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How to Choose a Remote Control Car for Kids in the UK - Buying Guide
Remote control cars have really evolved in recent years to include many different types designed for kids of all ages. From this simple buying guide, you'll come to know the defining features that separate a great remote control car from an average one and everything in-between.
Looking at Recommended Age and Function Will Help You to Pick a Remote Controlled Winner
The recommended age for a remote control car is an important factor to consider alongside the functions of top speed, scale and range. Coming to terms with the varying degrees of these functions and features will help you to hone in on the ideal car for your kids.
Who a Remote Control Car Is Designed for Will Say a Lot About Its Function and Form
The age recommendation of a car is guided by a number of crucial factors including material, top speed and a child's coordination as they grow into themselves with age.
Some of the most basic RC cars are designed for kids as young as two years old. With simple forward, back, left and right buttons, even the littlest of kids can learn to control one, and both car and controller will have been designed with the child's safety in mind.
Meanwhile, other, higher-spec RC cars are built for children aged eight and over. These have high top speeds, technical joystick controllers and a longer range of play. Other common age recommendations groups are intended for kids aged 3-10. This makes for a wide playing field that requires you to factor in a few other RC car-specific points, like top speed.
A Car's Top Speed Will Indicate Its Power
Not only is top speed a good indicator of an RC car's power, but it'll also help you to understand whether your child is destined for hours of RC fun or whether they'll end up getting bored quickly. With lower-speed models peaking at 4 mph and the fastest reaching up to 24 mph, there's significant variance.
Every kid matures at a different rate, making top speed an important factor to be considered alongside age recommendation. As no one knows your child better than you do, only you can decide whether to give them the keys to hurtling RC speeds or stick them in the slow lane for their first RC car experience.
Scale Indicates the Size of an RC Car Compared to the Real, Road-Driving Deal
The scale of an RC car is a reference to how many times it has been shrunk compared to the actual size of the car it's replicating. Just like the speed, you'll find plenty of options for size too, with the smallest RC cars for kids coming in at 1:24 of the size of the real thing and the largest around 1:14.
Often you will find that as the scale decreases and the car size increases, so do the overall specs of the RC car. This will inherently make the car more suited to older children as they will be able to handle more of what their toy is offering.
However, while most RC cars have a scale linked to them, it's not always so. Some designs aren't based on a real car, instead opting for futuristic designs that are unique, unidentifiable flipping objects. These more obscure RC cars, therefore, can only be understood in terms of their actual size.
The Distance a RC Car Can Function From Its Controller Is Known as the Range
The remote control range refers to the uninterrupted total distance the car will work from its giver of life, a.k.a. 'the controller'. The range is directly linked to the battery power of the controller, the car, and their radio transmission, and can be another barometer of quality when measured against a car's other functions and features.
Quite often RC cars for kids will have a much smaller range than those designed for adults. Typically you will find kids' models to have between 15 and 70 metres of range, which is subject to the children's age in they are built for.
Bear in mind that as the batteries of the controller and car start to drain, so will the range, making these measurements the maximum at full battery capacity.
Rechargeable or AA's? Consider the Battery Type Used to Power the Car
All remote control cars are battery-powered toys that need charge to run. These days you can choose between cars that run off the old and faithful AA and AAA batteries or rechargeable 4.8 V batteries, making how an RC car runs very important indeed.
AA and AAA Batteries Will Cost More but Ensure There's No End to the Fun
You will find that a lot of cheaper, more basic cars use either AA or AAA batteries as they require less power, which results in minimal top speeds and fewer features. They certainly serve a purpose, though, as they get even the youngest of kids interested in remote control cars.
You'll typically be required to fit 2-3 batteries for the car and 2 for the remote. Their drive time is surprisingly similar to rechargeable batteries, with a maximum of 30 minutes per set of batteries. This is a common amount of drive time linked to RC cars designed for kids.
The biggest advantage to these types of cars is the batteries' ability to be swiftly swapped out and replaced, getting your kids car back on the tarmac quicker than a Formula 1 pit stop. However, with this instancy comes additional costs, as you'll either have to buy rechargeable AA or AAA's or keep replacing disposable ones.
Rechargeable Batteries Are Common in Higher-End Cars and Less Expensive in the Long Run
Rechargeable batteries are measured in terms of their mAh (milliamps per hour) capacity. The mAh will have a direct effect on how many minutes the car's wheels will keep spinning for. Common mAh capacities found in kids RC car batteries are between 600 and 800 mAh, equalling 20-40 minutes of drive time.
Rechargeable batteries do save you money in the long run, as there'll be no ongoing costs. Their main drawback comes when kids want to spend hour after hour with their new favourite toy. Some rechargeable batteries need 4-6 hours to reach full capacity, so it can be a long time between sessions for your over-excited kid.
Some companies have tried to alleviate this problem by including two rechargeable batteries with their RC cars. Even with both batteries, the total drive time will only be around 60 minutes, but hopefully the kids will be exhausted by then!
2.4 GHz Radio Transmission Allows for Multi-Car Pile-Ups With Friends
In the old and golden days of driving, radio interference was a regular occurrence, as using the different radio transmissions of 27, 35 and 40 MHz allows for crosstalk or frequency interference when in the vicinity of other RC cars. This results in one controller trying to control multiple cars, causing absolute carnage and many unhappy kids.
That's why modern cars now use an upgraded 2.4 GHz transmission. This allows up to six RC cars to function together, thus giving kids the ability to join forces with their friends and cause all kinds of remote-controlled chaos.
There are still RC cars for kids using the old MHz transmissions, which are perfectly fine to buy and use as long as your kid isn't planning any RC car rallies with his or her friends. If this is the case, then search for one that has multiple frequencies, which will allow your child to be on one and their friend to be on another.
Top 10 Best Remote Control Cars for Kids in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bezgar RC 4x4 High-Speed Car | | A Righteous RC Car for Kids 8+ With Off and On-Road Function | |
2 | SGILE 4WD Remote Control Car | | A Jack-in-the-Box Car That Can Spin, Flip and Do All Kinds of Tricks | |
3 | Antaprics 4WD Off-Road Truck | | Dual Rechargeable Batteries for More Off-Road Fun | |
4 | BRIO Remote Control Race Car | | Simple, Well Made and a Perfect First Car for Toddlers | |
5 | VATOS High Speed Off-Road Monster Truck | | High-End 4WD RC to Keep the Teens and Adults on Their Toes | |
6 | Monster Jam Remote Control Megalodon 1:24 Scale Truck | | A Monster Jam Megalodon Truck From the Popular Series | |
7 | LOFEE Remote Control Car for 3-9 Years Old | | Small and Simple Car and Controller With a Very Long Range | |
8 | Cars Lightning McQueen 1:24 Radio Controlled Car | | The Official Cars 3 Licensed Lightning McQueen Replica | |
9 | DC Spin Master Batman Launch and Defend Batmobile | | RC Batmobile With Ejectable Batman to the Rescue | |
10 | Rastar RC Beetle Volkswagen Kids Remote Control Car | | Petite and Pink Volkswagen Beetle Replica |
A Righteous RC Car for Kids 8+ With Off and On-Road Function
Another highly sought-after RC car that has 1000's of happy reviewers and users the world over, Bezgar have built an astonishing 1:14 monster-truck-inspired car that has both on and off roast transformability – in other words, it's destined to have the kids in awe!
Reaching speeds of up to 15 mph, this car is not for the faint of heart and is recommended for adrenaline-hungry kids of 8 and above. It comes with a large capacity 800 mAh rechargeable battery and 2.4 GHz radio transmission, allowing a solid amount of drive time with RC car friends and foe alike.
A Jack-in-the-Box Car That Can Spin, Flip and Do All Kinds of Tricks
Also recommended for kids ages 6 - 12 years, this stunt-ready remote-controlled car is in a league of its own. It can morph into all kinds of shapes, allowing for some seriously futuristic driving to be achieved.
The lightweight and compact design lends itself to the 360° flip and spin tricks it's famous for while also making it easy to carry. This is a truly unique and remarkable toy that has taken the RC car world by storm, making the 2.4 GHz radio frequency handy, as chances are your kids' friends are bound to own one or want one too.
Antaprics4WD Off-Road Truck
Dual Rechargeable Batteries for More Off-Road Fun
The Antaprics 1:14 monster truck is a high-grade remote-controlled car with maturity. With dual 600 mAh rechargeable batteries, it boasts a commendable 60 minutes of drive time, giving your children more time to improve their RC car skills.
The 2.4 GHz frequency coupled with a range of 50 metres ensures it's also the perfect weapon for your kids to zip around with and race their mates. The controller is of a more technical design that lends itself well to the recommended age of 6 - 12 years.
Simple, Well Made and a Perfect First Car for Toddlers
Recommended for toddlers aged 2 and over, this simple yet stylish RC car by Brio is designed to improve children's coordination and dexterity from the get-go. With large, easy to press buttons, the controller gives toddlers a fighting chance at joining in the fun.
It has a very minimal range of 15 metres and an unknown top speed, so it's best suited to in-house racing. That said, knowing it uses the modern 2.4 GHz radio frequency allows for toddlers to get together and race their little hearts out.
VATOSHigh Speed Off-Road Monster Truck
High-End 4WD RC to Keep the Teens and Adults on Their Toes
The Spirit from Vatos toes the line between a remote control car for kids and one for adults. Its most notable difference from the other cars on this list is its incredible top speed of 22 mph. This is seriously quick, making it one for older kids and teenagers who know their way around an RC car.
It's a large 4WD monster truck replica with a scale of 1:16, making for a weighty piece of RC engineering. Vatos really drive home the Spirit's ability to handle all types of terrain, while also benefiting from a level of waterproof protection. All in, this is a quality RC car which is certainly reflected in its price.
Monster JamRemote Control Megalodon 1:24 Scale Truck
A Monster Jam Megalodon Truck From the Popular Series
Your kids can revel in their very own Megalodon monster truck with this spitting image 1:24 replica. From the ever-popular monster truck series Monster Jam, this remote-controlled beast will capture the imagination of future rev-heads wherever it lands.
With an impressive range of 76 m and monster truck wheels to boot, your children can enjoy this Megalodon RC car to its full extent. Unfortunately, the top speed hasn't been stated and with it using AAA batteries, you can safely assume it won't have the highest of top speeds.
Small and Simple Car and Controller With a Very Long Range
This compact remote control car from Lofee has a recommended age of between 3 and 9 years. This is because of its simple forward, back and left-right controller that older kids may lose interest with.
Its simplicity extends to the radio frequency too, making for a lonely ride of just one. It does, however, boast an incredible 150 m range, which seems too good to be true for the price, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt. It's certainly pleasing many happy reviewers on Amazon, so it must be doing something right.
The Official Cars 3 Licensed Lightning McQueen Replica
A little car with a big heart, this Lightning McQueen remote control car is enthralling kids the nation over. It's an ideal choice for any Cars-loving kid aged 4 and over, with an easy-to-use controller to help keep them interested.
Being powered through the preferable 2.4 GHz radio frequency allows for a serious speedway to be built around the house, parents permitting. However, it does require five AA batteries to get moving, and with a drive time of 20 minutes, it'll certainly cost you to go to the speedway.
DCSpin Master Batman Launch and Defend Batmobile
RC Batmobile With Ejectable Batman to the Rescue
Launch Batman into action with this 1:16 stylised replica of the famed Batmobile. This clever design features a spring-loaded seat that catapults the 10 cm Batman figurine across the room, finishing off any villains in his way.
With a very impressive range of 75 m, this rechargeable Batmobile has what it takes to go the distance against the crime of the streets. Although without 4WD wheels, it has the potential to get stuck in all kinds of muck and especially at that distance. Also, the higher-than-average price makes you question, is Batman worth it?
RastarRC Beetle Volkswagen Kids Remote Control Car
Petite and Pink Volkswagen Beetle Replica
This is a classically-styled remote control car designed for kids aged 3 and above. It's an officially licensed Beetle replica that's scaled down to 1:24 the size of the real thing.
With a top speed of 4 mph, it won't be winning any races, but it's definitely destined to harness the imagination of any little girl with future Beetle dreams. The main drawback is that it still uses the MHz frequencies. Granted it has 27 and 40, enabling play with one friend, but that is unfortunately it.
More Toys to Keep the Kids Engaged and Entertained
Toys help to develop children's creativity and imagination while also keeping them away from various devices, which can be a monumental task in a world geared toward screen-time. That's why we've got a few more top 10's of toys that engage and entertain your kids all at the same fun-filled time. Check them out below!
Summary
Remote control cars are a great gift that give kids the power to drive well before they can see over the steering wheel. We hope this article was helpful in finding your children's next remote control car, one that will help them improve their motor skills in a fun, engaging and safe manner.
Author: Connor Macanally
Top 5 Remote Control Cars for Kids
No. 1: Bezgar｜RC 4x4 High-Speed Car
No. 2: SGILE｜4WD Remote Control Car
No. 3: Antaprics｜4WD Off-Road Truck
No. 4: BRIO｜Remote Control Race Car
No. 5: VATOS｜High Speed Off-Road Monster Truck
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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