Our Methodology
We want to be upfront about where our data comes from and how we handle it.
Data Sources
All specifications are compiled from official manufacturer product pages and spec sheets. When manufacturers provide ranges (e.g., top speed of 30-35 mph), we use the higher-end value. Any specs not published by the manufacturer are marked as N/A rather than estimated.
Price Data
All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) in USD. Street prices may vary depending on retailer, promotions, and regional availability. We do not track real-time pricing or historical price fluctuations.
Speed Claims
Top speed figures come from manufacturer claims. Testing conditions vary between brands. Some test on 3S LiPo, others on 2S. Where known, the battery configuration used for the speed claim is noted in the battery field. We recommend treating published speeds as best-case figures.
Normalization
All dimensions are presented in inches, weight in pounds, and speed in miles per hour. When manufacturers provide specs in metric units, we convert using standard conversion factors (1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 lb = 0.4536 kg, 1 mph = 1.609 km/h). That way every spec is directly comparable no matter the brand.
Comparison Methodology
Head-to-head comparisons are generated between cars in the same category with similar pricing (within 50% of the average price of the pair). Spec rankings highlight which car wins in each measurable category, factoring in which direction is better for each spec (lighter is better for weight, faster is better for top speed, etc.).
Roundup Scoring
Our Best Of roundups use weighted scoring tailored to each category. For example, beginner-focused roundups weight price and ease of use heavily, while basher roundups prioritize durability features like waterproofing and brushless motors. We weight the scores based on what actually matters for that type of driving.
Updates
We review and update specs when manufacturers release new versions or revise their published specifications. The catalog currently covers 62 RC cars from major brands including Traxxas, Arrma, Losi, Yokomo, and Team Associated.
Limitations
We rely on manufacturer-provided data and cannot independently verify all claims. Real-world performance depends on a lot of things: the surface you're driving on, how charged your batteries are, temperature, and whatever mods you've done. We do our best to keep everything accurate so you can shop with confidence.
If you spot a wrong spec or have a question about our data, let us know.