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At this budget you're past the compromises. Premium build quality, serious speed, and durability that lets you push hard without constant repairs.
Our Top 10 Picks
The speed king. 110+ mph with the right electronics. It's a roller, so you pick your own motor, ESC, and servo, which means the ceiling is whatever you're willing to build. The rolling chassis is excellent value for what you get. Just remember: 100+ mph RC cars are not toys.
Best for: Speed run enthusiasts building the fastest thing on wheels with their own electronics.
70 mph on 3S batteries at a budget-friendly price. Most cars need 6S to hit that. The catch is 0.59 inches of ground clearance, so you're locked to smooth pavement. But for budget speed thrills, nothing touches the Vendetta.
Best for: Best budget speed car in the hobby. 70 mph on 3S at this price. Nothing else comes close.
Not the newest design on the block, but it's been refined over years and it works. 65 mph, 4WD, good ground clearance, and probably the most community knowledge of any RC truck ever made. You'll always find someone who's solved whatever problem you're having.
Best for: A proven 4WD monster truck with the biggest support community in RC. Not flashy, but reliable.
65 mph in a mid-priced stadium truck that actually handles well. The wide stance keeps it planted, the VXL system is proven, and it absolutely rips on dirt and grass. One of the fastest RTR vehicles in its price range.
Best for: Get this if you want raw speed on dirt without breaking the bank.
If you only buy one short-course truck, make it this one. 60 mph, 4WD, and the biggest aftermarket in RC means you'll never be stuck waiting on parts. Stock tires are the weak link but that's an easy fix.
Best for: The do-everything short-course truck. If you want one basher and tons of upgrade options, start here.
Think of it as a Maxx lite. Wider stance and beefier build than the Stampede, but you don't pay Maxx money. The awkward part is it's sandwiched between two iconic trucks, which makes it hard to recommend over either one unless the price difference matters to you.
Best for: Right between the Stampede and Maxx in size and price.
Built to go airborne. The Outcast shares the Kraton's 1/8 platform but with a stunt-focused setup that wants to do wheelies, backflips, and massive jumps. If your definition of fun involves a ramp, this is your truck.
Best for: You own a ramp. You want backflips. Get the Outcast.
A licensed Ford Raptor body on Traxxas's proven stadium truck platform. 60 mph, 4WD, looks great. Mechanically it's similar to cheaper Traxxas trucks though, so you're paying a premium for the body style. If you love the Raptor, that premium is worth it. If not, get the Stampede or Rustler.
Best for: Ford Raptor fans. If you don't care about the body, the Rustler 4X4 VXL is more truck for less money.
Stupid good value. Brushless 4WD at 50 mph, and a truck that can take a beating from a beginner. When you break something (and you will), replacement parts are cheap.
Best for: Best entry into brushless 4WD without emptying your wallet.
| # | Car | Price | Speed | Scale | Drive | Motor | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrma Limitless V2 | $469.99 | 110 mph | 1/7 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 2 | Arrma Vendetta 3S BLX | $199.99 | 70 mph | 1/8 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 3 | Traxxas Stampede 4X4 VXL | $379.95 | 65 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 4 | Traxxas Rustler 4X4 VXL | $429.95 | 65 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 5 | Traxxas Slash 4X4 VXL | $399.95 | 60 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 6 | Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL | $429.95 | 60 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 7 | Traxxas Ford Fiesta ST Rally VXL | $429.95 | 60 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 8 | Arrma Outcast 6S BLX | $489.99 | 60 mph | 1/8 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 9 | Traxxas Ford Raptor R 4X4 VXL | $499.95 | 60 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless | |
| 10 | Arrma Senton 3S BLX | $329.99 | 50 mph | 1/10 | 4WD | Brushless |
Before you spend at the higher end, think about what you'll actually do with the car. If you bash in your backyard, a 3S truck is plenty and saves money on batteries. If you want maximum speed, 6S models justify the extra battery cost. In this range, expect metal drivetrain components, waterproof electronics, and well-tuned suspension out of the box. The jump from 3S to 4S or 6S power is significant. More speed, more weight, and more demanding on batteries. Check for EXB or HD upgrade compatibility too. That means the platform can grow with you.
Ready to compare?
Use our comparator to see how any of these cars stack up side by side.
Open RC Car ComparatorWe'd go with the Arrma Limitless V2 ($469.99). It runs 4WD on a brushless motor and tops out at 110 mph.
The cheapest on the list is the Arrma Vendetta 3S BLX at $199.99, with 4WD and a brushless motor.
The fastest on our list is the Arrma Limitless V2 at 110 mph. It's priced at $469.99 and uses a brushless motor with 4WD drivetrain.
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