If you’re looking to get invested in the wide world of RC drift cars, there are quite a few things you should know. When selecting a car for your first project, you’ll need to decide if you want a ready-made car or a DIY kit. You’ll also probably want to know what your selected car’s top speed is out of the box versus what it could be with a few modifications.
There is almost endless research you could do, but if you just want to know your best option at the moment, you’ll find a few of them on this list of the Top 5 Best RC Drift Cars of 2024.
1. Redcat Racing Thunder Drift Car
This first RC drift car has quite a few unique features that make it ideal for new users. Firstly, it is waterproofed, so if you drift through the occasional puddle or its undercarriage gets splashed, it won’t mean the end of your car. It also has both forward and reverse transmission, so if you get stuck you can back up with your controller instead of walking over and picking it up manually. However, the battery is only rated for a disappointingly short 10-minute runtime.
2. FSTgo High-Speed RC Car
This FSTgo RC car is a great deal at under $100. Because of its price point, it is a slightly smaller car than usual at a 1:12 scale, which also means it has a smaller motor. However, it is capable of reaching a top speed of 16 mph, which is nothing to sneeze at. It does use 2-wheel drive, so it is more suited for indoor and pavement use rather than offroading situations where you’d want 4-wheel drive.
3. Exceed RC Drift Star 350 Red
The Drift Star 350 Red houses a powerful KV3300 brushless motor that has great durability and potential. The car is held back by its cheap plastic wheels, but replacing them with an upgraded set can increase the top speed from a measly 5 mph to around 15 mph. If you’re looking for a moderately priced RC drift car with great potential, this should be on your list.
4. Exceed RC Electric Drift Star RTR
The Electric Drift Star RTR is another Exceed RC car, but this one is significantly more expensive with a feature set to match. The car is relatively heavy for its class, but that is due to the quality of its many aluminum parts. Its RC540 motor powers the four-wheel-drive car to a potent 15 mph right out of the box. Its high quality and power make it a good choice for new users if they are able to stomach the price.
5. Redcat Racing EPX
If you just want something that goes crazy fast, look no further than the Redcat Racing EPX. This four-wheel-drive rocket can take off at speeds up to 23 mph right out of the box. It doesn’t have the aluminum parts of the Electric Drift Star RTR, but they can be upgraded at a later point to make the car even better. For the price, the Redcat Racing EPX is the best RC drift car you can get right now.
If you enjoy RC Drift Cars, why not check out the Drifting Games section of Drifted.com? There are plenty of games to choose from, and even a few RC-flavored ones as well.