1. Redcat Racing Everest-10 Crawler
Why do you need the Best RC Rock Crawler?
Rock crawlers, as the name implies, are scaled-down versions of monster trucks and cars that can be controlled by radio frequency through a small remote. The best RC rock crawler is fun and safe for people of all ages and sizes: they can be used by kids, adult hobbyists, to competitive professionals. Although they don’t have to be scaled-down replicates of real-life automobiles, many of them are and even include model plastic drivers.
RC rock crawlers aren’t just an average everyday toy for your kids: they are serious and powerful radio-controlled vehicles. Many of the more expensive models have alloy multi-link full suspension, solid axle mounts, aggressive treading, road rash-resistant body and frame, and more. Although these RC rock crawlers vary in terms of build, they all essentially work the same way: they are four-wheel miniature vehicles that are controlled via a radio remote control and powered through a rechargeable battery pack.
A few features you should look into while choosing the best RC rock crawler is cost, power, battery life, durability, and build quality. Durability is quite important because you aren’t just going to drive these things around your paved driveway. You will be pushing these rock crawlers to the absolute limit by taking them to the great outdoors and smashing it up on dirt roads, rocks, and jumps. You will need a rock crawler that can handle maximum impact without parts breaking or falling off.
This is also where build quality comes into play. The type of suspension, tires, wheel weight, steering system, flex, and body trim all have to do with how the rock crawler can handle itself out in the wild. A rock crawler with good build quality has the power to go over steep inclines and bumps, and will not tip over when you make sharp turns. We have taken all of these factors into consideration when reviewing the best RC rock crawler. Please read below for some of our favorite picks.
Best RC Rock Crawler Reviews
- Redcat Racing Everest-10 Crawler 1/10 Scale (Top Pick)
- Laegendary RC Cars for Adults and Kids
- Axial 1/10 Yeti Rock Racer Ready to Run (RTR) RC Crawler
1. Redcat Racing Everest-10 Crawler 1/10 Scale (Under $200)
The Redcat Racing Everest 10 is the best RC rock crawler if you want a solid all-around entry-level vehicle. Just bear in mind, the Everest 10 is by no means a total thrasher. First of all, it is the 1:10 scale, which means it is sort of a mini version of the real-sized rock crawlers for professionals (1:10 scale). It runs off of a 7.2V 2000mAh NiMH Battery that is rechargeable. It comes with a NiMH charger and requires 4-AA batteries for transmitter
We recommend it is because it has great value, increased speed, and is the perfect entry-level gadget. First of all, if you don’t really know if you like rock crawling, or you if want to try it out or buy it for your kid, we recommend you look into this scale rock crawler. It comes at a much cheaper price tag than traditional 1:10 crawlers and many can be found for under $200.
Here are some of the other pros of using the Everest-10 other than price: it can be easily upgraded/modded and gear switched; it runs faster than many 1:10 scale models because of the lower weight/size (so this is good for off-road speed runs, speed trail runs, and bashing). Some of the cons are as follows: it is not so good for heavy-duty rock crawling and slow trail runs; it does not handle rough terrain as well and does not have enough torque to make it up some steep inclines; it is generally not as fun to crawl around the terrain in a 1:10 ( in our opinion). So there you have it: if you want speed, bashing, and affordability, get the Everst-10.
Overall, we think the Everest-10 is the best RC crawler for its size. It comes loaded with premium features like a 4WD drivetrain, spring coil shock absorbers, suspension lifted, and aggressive threaded mud tires. It is about one foot long, just to give you an idea of its relative size. The battery is charged to full in 8 hours and runs longer than expected with about an hour of continuous play.
2. Laegendary RC Cars for Adults and Kids
If you want the best RC rock crawler that is very affordable, you should look into the Laegendary RC Cars. First and foremost, we believe that you should have a car built to thread all terrains. The reason is simple. If you want to have more fun with a bigger vehicle that crawls over steep inclines, large cocks, mud, dirt, and jumps, then this car is for you.
The car has much more endurance, power, and crawling ability and makes up for the lost speed when compared to other vehicles. This cannot be classified as a kid’s toy, although you can definitely still buy it for your child. The Laegendary is the perfect entry-level pro rock crawler.
It comes loaded with quality gear including 4-wheel drive, ally lower suspension link bars, solid axle mount, multi-link suspension, full ball bearing, and much more. It is ready to run (RTR) so you don’t have to assemble anything from scratch or from a kit. This makes it simple to get into the hobby. In terms of stock battery life, we got a good 45 minutes of continuous play with it, which is pretty good compared to other similar models.
Although it is not the top model for rock crawlers, the Laegendary RC is packed in a decent amount of power for the price. It has no problem going up and over large rocks, tall grass, and other obstacles with lots of friction. Its 4-wheel drive really helps power the crawler through all terrain and prevents it from tipping over when making sharp turns. All in all, it is the best RC rock crawler if you want to get an entry-level scale unit that is affordable and packs in lots of value.
3. Axial 1/10 Yeti Rock Racer Ready to Run (RTR) RC Crawler ($200+)
The Yeti Rock Racer is the best RC rock crawler if you are looking for a top-of-the-line crawler and you are willing to pay premium dollars. If you are considering buying this beast of a vehicle, you should at least know some of the basics of this hobby, including how to mod gear and understand industry specs and stats.
This rock crawler comes Ready to run (RTR) which means it is ready to operate right out of the box, no assembly required. There is also a kit version that does not come with a motor you can buy if you are into assembling rock crawlers yourself. If you do choose to assemble a rock crawler yourself, please carefully read up and research how to do so before buying one of these kits. The Axial Yeti Rock Racer is a quality piece of engineering and definitely should not be classified as a toy.
First of all let’s talk about some specs: 1:10 scale (about 20 inches long), 4WD, front differential open, back differential locked, slipper clutch, plastic driveshaft with metal joint, oil-filled aluminum threaded, single rate spring shock absorbers, Axial 2.2 BFGoodrich Krawler tires, Axial 4-Pole 3150kv motor, waterproof, and 32 mph top speed. If you understood all of that, please read further. We highly recommend you get a 3S Lip battery for a better overall experience. Don’t worry, with a push of a few pins, you can swap out the battery easily. Playing with the Yeti Rock Racer is awesome with its amazing top speed.
Axial has made it incredibly easy to mod to crap out of it as well, which is always a plus. Also, the thing is incredibly durable: bashing the Yeti and taking it out on rough terrain rarely puts any major dents on it. Going through bumps at high speeds is no problem with its EXO suspension up front. With the 3S Lip battery installed, you will pull some serious power. The only thing we worry about is the handling, which tends to be a little nose heavy on jumps and a bit hard to turn tight. In terms of value, even though you are paying quite a bit, we think you get it back in terms of build quality. It is also not nearly the most expensive rock crawler on the market, so excellent dollar-to-value here. Overall, we say the Yeti Rock Racer is the best RC rock crawler if you can afford it!
References:
https://www.nankinhobby.com/an-introduction-to-scale-crawling-trail-finding-part-1/
