You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for the best RC drift car for the price. We have written down useful information to consider and to help you choose the right RC car.
We have also listed down and reviewed our top recommendations so be sure to check them all out and hopefully you find one that best suits your style. Check out this video below of a competition for RC drifting:
We understand that there are a lot of options when it comes to buying, it can be complicated and downright overwhelming at times. You may not realize, but we often encounter people that get overwhelmed by all sorts of info related to RC drift cars.
Don’t worry, we’re here to make things easier for you. We’ll leave out all the crappy stuff and focus on important things to consider. You might also be aware that there a lot of models out there to choose from, so we reviewed some of the top ones that we recommend, give them a read and see if any of them are for you.
Here’s a quick navigation list if you want to jump right into any specific info.
Top 10 RC Drifting Cars Reviews
#1 Redcat Racing EPX Drift Car with 7.2V 2000mAh Battery
Manufacturer: Redcat
Suitable for: Age 14 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: 1/10 (This means it is 1/10 the size of an actual car)
Material: Plastic
Battery: 7.4v 3200mAh LiPO
Redcat has come up with a very efficient remote radio for its drift car. Being able to control two cars at once, it is a lot more advanced when compared against other RC drifters. Another very nice thing about the remote radio is that it is 2.4 GhZ. This makes the car itself much easier to control while drifting.
The car itself is also customizable, and it is easy to attach certain things to the motor of the car to make it slightly faster. It is also possible to modify the suspension and handling as well. While it is not as powerful as other RC cars out of the box, the fact that it can be customizable is very nice.
It will probably be necessary to buy different batteries for the car itself, as the battery only lasts about 20 minutes. This is not suitable for racing as well, seeing as the battery will be drained faster when the car is running at full power. While it has a top speed of about 50 MPH, it is questionable as to how long the Redcat can maintain this speed.
While the car is customizable, the rims of the Redcat are not. This is not a good thing as the rims are not very durable. If the rims were able to be replaced, it would make the Redcat that much better.
mazon.com/Blackout-Scale-Electric-Monster-Truck/dp/B00PAJP3IA
#2 Exceed RC Drift Star Electric Powered Drift Racing Car
Manufacturer: Exceed-RC
Suitable for: Adult
Configuration: 4×4 VXL
Charging time: N/A
Because a lot of RC cars are driven and raced off road, dirt getting into the motor and the transmission are common concerns. When designing their RC car, Exceed RC took not of this and made sure to seal them this way dirt does not get into the motor and transmission.
Maintaining this particular RC car is pretty easy to do as well. Accessing the front and rear differentials is done by simply removing only a few screws. This does not take anything away from the durability of the car either; it is still very durable and will not fall apart very easily. It is also possible to install a longer lasting battery if you prefer.
The receiver of Exceed RC’s car is rare and very powerful, being four channels. This makes handling very easy and will ensure that the car can be controlled even when drifting at high speeds.
It is very likely that you will need to use a different battery for Exceed RC’s car, especially if you intend to use it for racing. It lasts 35 minutes on its original battery, but when it needs to be pushed to the limits in a race, this will not be enough power.
Exceed RC’s car has a top speed of about 30 MPH, and many say that it loses a lot of speed while drifting. This can be a major detriment when racing with it, although it can be upgraded.
#3 Traxxas 67076-4 Rustler 4×4 VXL Off Road Electric Remote Control RC
Manufacturer: Traxxas
Suitable for: 3 months and up
Configuration: 4×4 VXL
Size ratio: 1/10
Charging time: N/A (Batteries are sold separately)
Finding an RC car that is able to be modified in more than just a few ways is not as easy as it should be. And if these types exist, it is usually difficult to find them that perform well. Not only is the Traxxas RC car very powerful and fast out of the box, it can be modified to be even more powerful.
While this is good for anybody who is just starting out in the craft of RC car racing, it can be an inconvenience for anybody who is experienced. Fortunately, it is very possible and easy to modify this car to a brushless system without sacrificing anything in terms of its handling. Though that is not a drift car but it is suitable for kids over 3 month.
One thing that is very inconvenient about the Traxxas RC car is batteries are not included and they need be bought separately. While it is common to replace the batteries that most RC cars come with, the fact that the Traxxas car does not come with any at all can be inconvenient in that it is not even possible to see how the car runs before going out and getting new batteries.
mazon.com/Rustler-4X4-VXL-Stability-Management/dp/B07K1M4CKV
#4 MadDrift Electric Brushless Limited Edition RTR Ready to Run Drift Car
Manufacturer: Exceed RC
Suitable for: Ages 14 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: ⅛
Charging time: 30 minutes per battery
Exceed RC is not lying when they say that their MadDrift RC car comes ready to run. The power that it contains speaks explicitly to that, as it has a 540L and 2150KV brushless motor that is also equipped with a 100 amp electronic speed control system. This makes the MadDrift the kind of RC car that does not need to be modified in order to compete in races.
If you know how to modify it, it is possible to modify it to go even faster and perform even better, but it can perform just as well on its own.
Another thing that contributes to the MadDrift’s total power is its size. It is a ⅛ scale RC car, which is a bit bigger than most other RC cars, which are usually a 1/10 or 1/12 scale. This makes it durable and fast, which also makes it a decent contender. The low center of gravity design also contributes to its durability.
A lot of RC cars come with their own batteries and their own charger for the batteries. Unfortunately, the MadDrift does not come with a charger. While it does come with two batteries, the charger will need to be purchased separately, which can be an inconvenience.
Something that is out of place when it comes to the MadDrift is the bumper that it contains. Being made of foam, it is designed to protect from impacts. But when something like this is going as fast as 30 miles per hour, it doesn’t seem like it has a purpose as it is doubtful that a foam bumper would protect against anything in a decisive way.
#5 Exceed RC 2.4Ghz MadSpeed Drift King Brushless Edition 1
Manufacturer: Exceed RC
Suitable for: Age 14 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: 1/10
Charging time: 20 minutes
Exceed RC has put together an RC car that is perfect for anybody who is interested in getting an RC car that is extremely customizable. Upgrading the Drift King is much easier than upgrading most other RC cars, with every part being very easy to disassemble and switch out. This makes the Drift King the kind of RC car that can be taken to races or something to have as a hobby.
Being designed for a beginner, the Drift King has completely rubber tires. This allows the user to be able to steer it with confidence, knowing that nothing bad will happen while drifting in the Drift King.
It can be difficult for somebody who is just getting used to RC drift cars to master the art of drift turning, and having pure rubber tires can make things a lot less frustrating for anybody who is new to RC drift cars.
The Drift King is not ideal for racing or competing. It is designed for practicing and learning. It’s battery life is a testament to this, as it only lasts about 20 minutes on a full charge. The parts that the Drift King comes with also leaves a bit to be desired.
Another thing that could be better when it comes to the Drift King are the parts that it comes with. The parts are not as good as the parts of other RC drift cars, which means that upgrading it will be a necessity.
#6 Velocity Toys 2.4 GHz Big Size 1:10 Scale Reaper Racer
Manufacturer: Velocity Toys
Suitable for: Ages 8 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: 1/10
Charging time: 30 minutes
One major concern that many people have with RC cars are the batteries that are needed to power both the car and the remote radio that comes with it. While these batteries can be recharged, it can be troublesome to charge and replace them.
While Velocity’s car itself does require the standard lithium battery, the remote radio just needs a 9v battery. This is much easier to manage compared to most others which usually require multiple batteries. Even though Velocity’s radio only requires one battery, it still contains a 2.4 GhZ system which is standard for most RC cars.
Velocity’s car is a bit bigger than most RC cars, being a 1/10 scale. This makes it look even more lifelike than its smaller counterparts, which is another good thing about it.
There are a few things about Velocity’s car that need improvement. The first of these is the frame. Many users have said that the frame is not durable at all, and the worst part about this is that the parts that make up the frame are very difficult to replace.
Compared against probably half of other RC cars, Velocity’s car does not perform well at all. It can reach maximum speeds of 15 MPH, which wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t a 1/10 scale. If you are choosing an RC car for racing, look elsewhere.
#7 1/10 2.4Ghz Exceed RC Electric DriftStar RTR Drift Car
Manufacturer: Exceed
Suitable for: Ages 8 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: 1/10
Charging time: 25 minutes
The DriftStar by Exceed is a solid choice for anybody who wants an RC car for racing. While it does come with very powerful features and equipment, these things can easily be replaced with even better components. The DriftStar is an RC car that is very customizable which is great for those who take it to races.
One thing that makes the DriftStar suitable for races is its top speed. Its top speed when moving straight and on regular turns is about 25 MPH. When drifting, this goes down to about 10 to 15, which is impressive, given that it has a brushed drifting system. Most other RC cars have a brushless drifting system, but produce the same kinds of speeds.
The car itself is also very light for its size. Weighing a little over 5 pounds, the DriftStar is a bit lighter than most other RC cars with a 1/10 scale in size.
The DriftStar is extremely powerful, and it requires batteries that are also powerful. The car requires a lithium 1800 mAH battery, which take a long time to charge and can be very costly to replace. Batteries such as this will not last long, even when completely charged. And the more these batteries are charged, the less powerful they get.
Brushed drifting systems can be difficult to steer on their own without making some adjustments. While it is possible to drive the DriftStar out of the box, this is not a good idea if you are intending to race it. Before entering it into a race, it would be a good idea to modify it to steer a bit better with its brushed drift system.
#8 Metakoo CH1 Advanced RC Car, 1/12 Scale 2WD High-Speed Racing Drift Car
Manufacturer: Metakoo
Suitable for: Ages 8-14
Configuration: 2WD Size ratio: 1/12
Charging time: 60 minutes
Metakoo has developed an RC car that not only looks very different than most other RC drift cars that are designed for racing, but also an RC car that is just as powerful as any other RC car that is designed for racing. Because it resembles a monster truck, Metakoo’s RC car has an intimidating and impressive look. Taking this out to a race will get eyes to turn.
The top speed of Metakoo’s RC car is also very impressive, being able to reach speeds up to 30 MPH. Combined with its look and 1/12 figure size, this makes Metakoo’s car a force to contend with on any given track. The wide tires and very solid frame give it very good traction and can absorb impacts as well.
Battery life and the ability to change out batteries are a common concern for any RC car owner. One really nice thing about Metakoo’s car is that it uses a 1000 mAH lithium battery, which makes the car itself run for a much longer time.
However, because this particular car uses such a battery, it can be difficult to find replacement batteries, if it is even possible to replace the battery. The battery is attached to two fuses that connect into the truck, and it can be difficult to find a replacement for this.
The motor on this RC truck is brushed, which can lead to some challenges when it comes to steering, especially when it comes to drift turns. Brushed motors lose a lot of speed when taking drift turns.
#9 1/10 2.4Ghz Exceed RC Electric DriftStar RTR Drift Car (Carbon Yellow)
Manufacturer: Exceed
Suitable for: Ages 8 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: 1/10
Charging time: 15 minutes
While most RC cars contain foam bumpers to protect against impacts if they hit things, most of these are not as durable as they should be. This can be a major issue when racing, as the risk of hitting other cars or the walls of the track is high. Knowing this, Exceed made the bumpers on their DriftStar RTR a little thicker, this way it can withstand greater impacts.
Another thing that the DriftStar RTR does right is come equipped with ball bearings on the base and the chasis. This allows for the drive to be as smooth as possible, which is very useful when taken off road. It is especially useful in off road racing.
The DriftStar RTR is also very light, being only two pounds. This makes it a bit faster than other cars of its kind which may have the same top speed, but are a bit heavier.
Smaller cars like the DriftStar RTR contain two flaws. The first is the ever so common battery issues. The car will run out of power after 15 minutes on a fully charged battery, which means that it will likely need to be replaced after only a few sessions.
The fact that this car is so light also presents an issue. While the thicker bumper is a good effort, severe damage can still be done to the car if it hits something going at full speed. That is not because the bumper is not efficient, but rather because the car itself weighs only 2 pounds.
#10 Exceed RC 1/10 2.4Ghz Electric DriftStar RTR Drift Car Light Blue Version
Manufacturer: Exceed
Suitable for: Ages 8 and up
Configuration: 4WD
Size ratio: 1/10
Charging time: 35 minutes
If there is one thing that Exceed does well with its RC cars, it is making sure that they are extremely fast. Some users have claimed that this particular RC car can reach speeds upwards of 30 MPH, which is unheard of for a drifter RC car, especially one with a brushed motor.
Exceed’s DriftStar Blue is also easy to upgrade, with most of the parts being easy to remove and other parts that could make it more efficient being very easy to find. It is not uncommon to see some users of it swap out the body with a completely different body using just a few tools.
The parts themselves on the DriftStar Blue are pretty durable and are made of high quality in their own right. They are made of aluminum, which proves that they are high quality.
Battery life and efficiency remains a constant struggle for anyone who owns an RC car, and fortunately the battery for the DriftStar Blue lasts a lot longer than most other batteries. On a full charge, it is possible for the car to operate for right around 35 minutes.
A new charger for the battery of the DriftStar Blue will be absolutely necessary. Users have complained that it takes a very long time to charge the battery, which is problematic.
Things to Consider before Buying RC Drift Cars
Your Budget
Your budget would probably be the first thing you should consider. You can shop around your neighborhood to check shops for make and models that fit your style. This will give you an idea of what the current pricing is in the market.
Always check or inquire for bundled items like rechargeable batteries, spare parts and accessories as these bundles affect cost and may make your purchase cheaper.
RC Motor Type
Faster doesn’t mean better. “Wait, what did you say?” I can hear you saying this right now. This is actually true when it comes to RC drifting, it simply means that the faster your RC drift car is, the more difficult it is to control. A higher torque with slower speed makes it easier to drift the car, this means that an out-of-the-box motor is recommended for beginners.
You will find that RC motors will have a number included in their model name, such as 7.5T, 13.5T or 27T, this represents the number of turns. Simply put, a higher number of turns means higher torque and longer battery life, resulting to a slower speed but much easier control. In contrast, less turns means there’s less torque, resulting to faster speeds but it will be harder to control.
Brushed Motors
Most RTR (Ready-to-Run) models come with a brushed motor so they’re not hard to find.Since these are mostly stock motors, these are good for beginners who are somewhat testing the waters in this hobby.
However, due to the mechanical nature of brushed motors, regular cleaning and maintenance is required to keep it in good running condition and extend its life.
Brushless Motors
These motors utilize magnets for rotation and they don’t have mechanical parts, which also means they need very little maintenance.The best thing about them is the consistent power they deliver, but we recommend upgrading to a Li-Po battery to fully maximize it.
Take note though, brushless motors are generally more expensive than brushed motors. There’s also the compatibility with the ESC you’re using, so make sure you do some research first before upgrading.
Drift Tires
Even outside the RC racing hobby, we all know that tires play a major role when it comes to car drifting. Although drift tires are based on user preference and would largely depend on the surface you’ll be running your RC drift car, below are some of the best RC drift tires that we recommend.
The most common ones, HPI T-Drifts are equipped on most units, these are good all-around tires and are very dependable. Another set would be the GoolRC Drift Car tires, which provide great and smooth control on asphalt surfaces where RC drift cars are usually driven.
Additionally, you burn through tires depending on the surface type, with this in mind, you can go for softer tires on smooth surfaces and hard-compound tires if you plan to run on rough surfaces. Take note also that when using higher compound tires, there’s more free spin so try and setup your unit with lower RPMs for better drift.
Battery Types
When it comes to battery type, you can choose between one of two, which is the Li-Po (Lithium-Polymer) and the NiMH (Nickel-Metal-Hydride) type. There are other ones out there you can use, but these two are highly recommended and are efficient.
Conclusion
There’s quite a lot if information to go through, but ultimately we hope we’re able to answer some of your questions when it comes to picking your RC drift car. We’re quite confident that you’ll be making a solid choice after going through what we wrote.
We included some recommendations for you that we believe will be great starter units or good addition to your RC collection. Always remember that drifting has a bit of learning curve, just keep practicing and we’re sure you’ll be enjoying this hobby in no time.
More of an outdoor person – how about trying out RC crawlers? We’ve reviewed a few of the best RC rock crawlers and wrote a buying guide which we’re sure will help you decide.