News — RC Vehicles

What Makes a Great RC Rock CrawlerRock crawling is the fastest-growing corner of the RC hobby — it's less about speed and more about technical skill, scale realism, and conquering terrain. The best RC rock crawlers share a few traits: portal or solid axles for ground clearance, locked or selectable differentials for grip, a low center of gravity, and quality suspension articulation. Here are our top picks for 2026 across every budget.Best Overall Value: Redcat Ascent-18The Redcat Ascent-18 is our top pick for most buyers. This 1/18 scale crawler packs technology usually reserved for larger, pricier rigs: portal axles, an...

RC Is Not Just for Kids AnymoreThe fastest-growing RC segment in 2026 is adults ages 25–50. High-performance brushless vehicles, scale realism, and the technical challenge of rock crawling have turned RC into a serious adult hobby. Here are the best RC cars for adults across every category and budget.Best Budget RC Car for Adults: Redcat Volcano-16For adults new to RC or looking for maximum fun per dollar, the Redcat Volcano-16 1/16 scale monster truck delivers real performance under $100. It's fast, tough, and comes ready-to-run with battery included. A genuine starting point for adult hobbyists who don't want to invest...

Redcat Racing vs Traxxas: The Bottom LineChoosing between Redcat Racing and Traxxas comes down to one question: how much do you want to spend? Traxxas dominates the premium RC market with superior durability and a massive parts ecosystem. Redcat competes by offering comparable performance at significantly lower price points — and for most hobbyists, the value argument is hard to ignore.Price ComparisonTraxxas vehicles typically run $200–$500+ for entry to mid-range models. Redcat's lineup covers $50–$300 for comparable scale and feature sets. A 1/10 scale Traxxas Slash 4x4 runs ~$450; the Redcat Everest-10 rock crawler runs under $200. You pay a...

Redcat Ascent-18: Quick VerdictThe Redcat Ascent-18 is the best 1/18 scale rock crawler available today. At its price point, no other micro crawler comes close to matching its portal axles, aluminum chassis, LiPo battery, and metal-gear servo combination. It punches far above its weight class.Redcat Ascent-18 Specs Scale: 1:18 Drive: 4WD with portal axles Chassis: 2mm flat-rail aluminum Motor: RC180 brushed (brushless version available) ESC/Receiver: 2-in-1 combo unit Servo: Hexfly HX-M4K 4kg coreless metal gear Battery: 7.4V 750mAh LiPo (included) Wheelbase: 155mm Ground Clearance: 42mm Warranty: 1 year Why Portal Axles Are a Big DealPortal axles — where the axle...