Struggling with choosing a reliable and high-performance remote control truck for off-road adventures or casual play?

In this blog, we unveil the best RC trucks currently on the market, perfect for hobbyists and RC enthusiasts who crave durability, power, and realism in their remote control vehicles. We cover a variety of RC trucks, from all-terrain monsters capable of tackling rugged landscapes to more scale models designed for detailed realism and precision. This includes options catering to different age groups, experience levels, and specific interests like racing or rock crawling.

With over 15 years of experience in RC modeling and automotive toys, we’ve assisted numerous clients, from young beginners to seasoned RC racers, in selecting the right RC truck that matches their passion and play style. Our selection of the best RC trucks is grounded in hands-on testing and thorough analysis of performance, build quality, and user experience. These trucks aren’t just about speed; they excel in offering a balanced combination of handling, durability, and authentic features that make each driving experience unique and exciting.

We’ve evaluated them for their off-road capabilities, ease of control, battery life, and overall value for money, finding them ideal for anyone seeking an RC truck that delivers both fun and performance in various terrains.

Best RC Trucks Under $300 of 2024

Tamiya TAM58372 Tamiya 58372 Ford F350 High-Lift Truck Assembly Kit

We might as well address the elephant in the room about this particular RC truck and that would be the price—a whopping $450.00 on Amazon (even though that does include free shipping). Features of the Tamiya TAM58372 include a durable ladder frame chassis that has steel channel and resin cross members for high strength and sturdiness. There is also a 3-speed transmission option that allows for proper gear changing and realistic low-speed driving for entertainment.

There is also an “off-road” option that may be easily locked in place to enable improved off-road performance if you ever want to take it off the street! What you can expect to come with the TAM58372 if you decide to purchase it is a 4-channel transmitter, ESC, running battery, and charger, and you can also choose to purchase a pickup truck multi-function unit separately for that extra touch of fun.

What We Like

  • The Tamiya TAM58372 is definitely easy to build and if you decide to purchase the multi-function add-on, then you will not need to purchase an electronic speed controller as it already comes included with the unit.

What We Don’t Like

  • The price may be a concern for some if you are working with a tight budget; in addition to this, depending on the manufacturer, they may accidentally send the completely wrong truck, which, considering this RC truck costs over $400.00, can be quite upsetting.

Redcat Racing Shockwave Nitro Buggy, Blue, 1/10 Scale

The Redcat nitro-powered monster RC trucks are significantly cheaper than the ones reviewed above, costing only $165.00 on Amazon. Potential buyers should note that this is a NITRO vehicle, meaning that it requires nitro fuel.

You will also need to purchase a glow plug ignitor (we recommend 80142a), AA (you’re going to need 12 of them) batteries, and nitro vehicle experience, which is also recommended but not required.  2.67cc (.16).

The Redcat Nitro buggy has an engine that is equipped with a pull-start 4-wheel drive and a single-speed transmission (without reverse).

There is also a 2.4GHz radio included; in addition to this, you also have the option to run multiple vehicles at the same time for greater entertainment.

What We Like

  • The price is incredibly reasonable and the truck handles very well, no matter the terrain. The radio also works really well with this particular truck.

What We Don’t Like

  • They should have put a dab of Loctite on the differential coupler hex nuts; this needs to be done so the brakes and wheels keep moving, as it could be dangerous if the coupler fails and you can’t stop the car at wide-open throttle.
  • This car also goes through a lot of gas and it may be beneficial if you are mechanically inclined when it comes to buying these cars; it’d make life a lot easier when adjusting and replacing parts.

Redcat Racing Electric Volcano EPX Truck with 2.4GHz Radio, Vehicle Battery and Charger Included (1/10 Scale), Red

The Redcat Electric Volcano EPX Truck costs about $150.00 on Amazon and is electric-brushed with a 27T 540 motor, four-wheel drive, and high-torque servo.

It has a polycarbonate body, aluminum-capped, oil-filled shocks, forward and reverse options, and also includes a charger for convenience. There is a 2.4 GHz radio that comes with this RC truck that requires AA batteries (which are not included).

What We Like

  • The Redcat Electric RC truck is impressively fast with a sturdy frame and chassis; the four-wheel traction on the truck is also amazing and handles amazingly no matter the terrain.
  • It also has a long transmitter so there’s no need to worry about having to stay within 5 feet of the truck when you’re racing it—a huge bonus!

What We Don’t Like

  • The charger that comes with the Redcat is fairly cheap so it’s possible that it may break only after a short period of time; the charger is also a trickle charger, which means that it may take longer than you would like for the truck to charge adequately.
  • The ESC that comes with the Redcat also burns out at a fairly fast rate so you may need to purchase another one, which is obviously additional money spent.
  • If you do find yourself needing to buy additional equipment, you may find that the parts are hard to find locally, depending on your area.

Traxxas 53097 Revo 3.3 4WD Nitro-Powered Monster Truck Ready-To-Race Trucks (1/10 Scale), Colors May Vary

The Traxxas RC trucks 4×4, without a doubt, have a hefty price tag on them, so we might as well get that key point out of the way: the Traxxas will run you a whopping $598.00 on Amazon (and that does not even include shipping, unfortunately, which is another 20 bucks).

What We Like

  • This truck is extremely durable and a blast to drive! It’s perfect for both young and old and works awesome on just about any terrain.

What We Don’t Like

  • Believe it or not, the only real con with this particular truck is the price, but if you are willing to spend a bit, you will definitely get your money’s worth!

AHAHOO 1:12 Scale RC Cars 35MPH+ High-Speed Off-Road Remote Control Vehicle 2.4GHz Radio-Controlled Racing Monster Trucks Rock Climber with LED Light Vision (Red)

The AhaHoon RC off-road vehicle will cost you about $115.00 on Amazon and whose dimensions are 1/12 standard scale: 1:12 full proportional vehicle with a four-wheel-drive (RC trucks 4×4 wheels driving) option, the Ahahoo comes with LED lights and is designed for multi-terrain racing, perfect running on desert, carpet, tile, open road, grass, mud, etc. (even though it is not recommended to drive it in water).

The speed of the Ahahoo is also amazing, with a maximum speed of up to 50 km/h+ (yes, this even means you can do drifting).

The Ahahoo also has a shockproof system that provides a high level of resilience for each wheel to ensure a more steady driving experience. 

What We Like

  • You can definitely expect a long-lasting playing time with the Ahahoo; a 2-3 hour charge will last up to 15–25 minutes on a non-stop operation.
  • It’s also incredibly durable and reasonably priced; it’s a good choice for kids and adults, boys and girls!

What We Don’t Like

  • The charge time may be a bit slower than you would like, as we mentioned above (about a 2-hour charge time for roughly 30 minutes of playtime); there have been some times when even after the battery is supposedly fully charged, it shuts down abruptly, which is a bummer.

RC Truck Comparison H16GT 1:16 Scale GPS RC Truck H16DR 1:16 Scale RC Truck H16BM 1:16 Scale Brushless RC Truck
GPS Bluetooth Module
Motor Brushed 390 Brushed 390 Brushless 2845
2S Max Speed 32 km/h 32 km/h 45 km/h
3S Max Speed 40 km/h 40 km/h 68 km/h
Axle Metal Dog Bone Metal Dog Bone Metal CVD with Nut
2.4GHz Distance 2400 FT 120 FT 120 FT

Best RC Trucks Under $300 Reviews 2024

Will I need to purchase additional items along with my RC truck?

There may be some instances where you will need to purchase fuel and filter oil, depending on the type of truck, so be sure to read the instructions thoroughly.

Will I need to change the remote frequency if I want to race two trucks?

Typically, no

How long do you have to refuel your truck after use?

This depends greatly on the type of truck that you have and how often you take it out for a spin. Just be sure to read the manual to get a good guesstimate on how efficient the fuel usage is.

Conclusion

All in all, I would say that the Traxxas is the winner out of the RC trucks reviewed above; however, that’s only if you do not mind the price that comes along with it. If you are working on a budget, I would recommend the Ahahoo; even with the minor incidences that may happen due to the battery, it seems to be the best choice and reasonably priced.

You may also want to know what kind of fuel your truck runs on. If you get an RC truck that runs on nitro, you may be signing up for more than you planned, so be sure to take that into consideration.

Happy shopping!

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