Remote-controlled rock crawlers make the absolute best birthday presents for both adults and kids – they are a great way to have a fabulous time, catch up with family and friends and unwind after a whole of school or work.
They are mainly designed to climb rocks, avoid various types of obstacles, and handle different kinds of surfaces.
Regardless of whether you are an experienced crawler enthusiast or a newbie, picking the best rock crawler could be an overwhelming task.
We've made a deep research and found out 15 of the best RC rock crawlers that you can buy in the market.
Image | Product | |
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Best Choice ![]() | Redcat Racing Orange Gen8 Scout II Scale Rock Crawler
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Very Fast ![]() | Laegendary Remote Control Car 4x4 Off Road Monster Truck
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Cheapest ![]() | Top Race Remote Control Monster Truck RC Rock Crawler
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Tunable ![]() | Redcat Racing Everest GEN7 Rock Crawler
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For Beginners ![]() | DANCHEE RidgeRock - 4WD Electric Rock Crawler
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![]() | Traxxas 1/10 Scale TRX-4 Scale and Trail Crawler
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![]() | 1/8Th Mad Torque Rock Crawler Ready to Run (Orange)
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![]() | Hosim All Terrain Remote Control Truck
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![]() | Altair High Speed Remote Control Truck (48km/h 30MPH)
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![]() | Axial Wraith 4WD RC Rock Racer Off-Road 4x4 Electric
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![]() | Redcat Racing Blackout XTE PRO 1/10 Scale Brushless Electric Monster Truck
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![]() | Axial SCX10 II Jeep Cherokee 4WD RC Rock Crawler
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![]() | Redcat Racing Everest-10 Electric Rock Crawler
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![]() | Traxxas 82024-4 TRX-4 Sport 4X4 1/10 Scale Crawler
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![]() | RC Cars PROTECTOR 1/12 Scale 4WD Off-Road Buggy
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- 1. Redcat Racing Gen8 Scout II Scale Rock Crawler
- 2. 1:10 Scale Large RC Car 4x4 Off-Road Monster Truck
- 3. Top Race Remote Control Rock Crawler
- 4. Redcat Racing Everest Gen 7
- 5. DANCHEE RidgeRock 4WD Electric Rock Crawler
- 6. Traxxas 1/10 Scale TRX-4 Scale and Trail Crawler
- 7. Exceed Mad Torque Rock Crawler
- 8. Hosim All Terrain RC Car
- 9. Altair High-Speed Remote-Control Truck
- 10. Axial Wraith 4WD RC Rock Racer
- 11. Redcat Racing Blackout
- 12. Axial SCX 10 II Jeep Cherokee 4WD RC Rock Crawler
- 13. Redcat Racing Everest-10 Electric Rock Crawler
- 14. Traxxas TRX-4 Sport 4X4 Crawler
- 15. RC Cars PROTECTOR Off-Road Buggy
- 16. Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Rock Crawler
- 17. Final Thought
Redcat Racing Gen8 Scout II Scale Rock Crawler
The Redcat Racing Gen8 Rock Crawler is their first RC car to be developed and designed in house, in the US. The car has quickly taken the rock climbing RC cars’ market by storm.
A search will uncover its mind-boggling acknowledgment into the scale RC crawler network.
With its astonishing performance, the RC car appeals to both the custom build community and the RTR enthusiasts.
The rock crawler is a profoundly competitive pro crawler that incorporates numerous performance features like battery tray, low CG, and C-channel frame rails.
Pros
- Intense power on the motors
- It accompanies real Beadlock rims
- Amazing obstacle-climbing performance
Cons
- Comes with cheap servos
1:10 Scale Large RC Car 4x4 Off-Road Monster Truck
The 1:10 Scale Large RC Car 4x4 Off Road Monster Truck is intended to offer you the best rough terrain performance. It has a stable and robust 4WD, including the rear and front motors.
The motor provides it with a strong-powered torque, which helps it run smoothly on all surfaces.
It is furnished with an independent suspension that averts any damage. The suspension does this by putting all kinds of vibration in check.
The radio system has a range of 260 feet and a frequency of 2.4Ghz. The steering is very responsive and offers better handling.
Pros
- Ergonomic steering
- Independent suspension system
- Ideal for all surfaces
Cons
- Operating time is only 30 minutes
Top Race Remote Control Rock Crawler
Experience the adrenalin of riding a real monster truck with this RC truck.
The Top Race Remote Control Monster Truck comes outfitted with all the features of a full-sized monster truck, including 4WD, ultra-solid shocks, amazing crawling tech, and oversized tires.
Drive through mud, dirt, grass, water, or pavement regardless of what the surface is; this powerful RC vehicle can move through it. With its noteworthy crawling tech, this RC truck can even deal with driving up huge rocks.
The four-wheel-drive likewise makes it easy to drive on a wide range of roads without stalling out.
Pros
- Strong shock absorber
- Good for all terrains
- Highly durable
Cons
- A short period of fun
Redcat Racing Everest Gen 7
This Redcat Racing Everest GEN7 Pro embodies lots of value for your money. It features rear and front multilink suspension.
This implies your rock crawler will be more flexible, therefore adjusting to the angle of the landscape better.
This crawler likewise comes with front and rear transmissions and gridlock tires with the sole aim of climbing over anything that it can get a footing on.
The radio transmission system for this RC rock crawler is 2.4 GHz. This implies you won't need to stress over frequency jamming. You and your companions will all be able to run your crawlers together.
Pros
- Suspension system
- High–quality tires
- It’s versatile
- 2.4 GHz radiofrequency
Cons
- Under 20-minute use
DANCHEE RidgeRock 4WD Electric Rock Crawler
If you need a modest RC crawler that will be durable and an excellent introduction to the hobby, then the DANCHEE RidgeRock may be all you need.
It is outfitted to run effortlessly over obstacles, including things that are almost as tall as the crawler.
Also, it features a dual engine to distribute power to the four wheels. To aid in climbing efficiently, Ridgerock also features a hill braking system.
When this system is engaged, it makes the vehicle automatically stop when you stop pressing the throttle.
This is the best bargain Rock Crawler that you can find now.
Pros
- Dual motors
- Relatively cheap
- It’s a good climber
Cons
- It’s not waterproof
Traxxas 1/10 Scale TRX-4 Scale and Trail Crawler
The Traxxas 1/10 Scale TRX-4 Scale and Trail Crawler is perhaps the best crawler on the list and there are several justifications.
This RC rock crawler guarantees versatility, capability, and quite a few features in the right places. Traxxas is a brand prestigious for its quality productions, and this creation doesn't disappoint.
One of the main features of this RC truck is its fantastic build quality. The shocks are oil-filled, and the screws are tightened correctly, and everything works exactly how it should be.
Another important feature is the remote locking diffs with two turning styles. When you unlock the diffs, the RC crawler becomes exceptionally flexible and can do 180 degrees in no time.
Pros
- Great cruise control
- Great smooth ride
- Up to 2 hours use
Cons
- Short shocks for limited articulation
Exceed Mad Torque Rock Crawler
The Exceed 1/8Th Mad Torque Ready-to-Run model is suitable for a newbie, a child looking to harness their abilities, as well as an expert.
It crawls fine, looks great, and it is also affordable. It might not have much to offer compared to other rock crawlers on the list; however, it works admirably with regards to speed.
This RC crawler can smoothly run over obstructions since it has a high torque engine. The engine makes it stay stable in any event when it’s tackling rough surfaces. You’ll be able to drive it over any treacherous terrain.
This is one of the Best starter RC Crawler.
Pros
- Full-ball bearing
- The wheels have a tremendous amount of grip
- The solid axle mount covers the rear shaft
Cons
- Lacks waterproof feature
Hosim All Terrain RC Car
If you’re the kind of person who wants your rock crawler to be able to craw as well as racing, look at the Hosim All Terrain RC Car.
This RC vehicle is a 2WD, rather than a 4WD; however, it compensates for it in speed and power.
It can achieve a top speed of 33 mph, providing it with a lot of power to compete. It is equipped with a GP 390 brushed motor, the biggest in its category.
The tires on this RC crawler are made of rubber with sponge inserted for additional flex and shock absorption.
Pros
- Suitable for every surface
- Waterproof components
- Bead lock rock climbing tires
Cons
- The servo system could give beginners problem
Altair High-Speed Remote-Control Truck
If you are searching for a Ready-to-Run durable crawler that can stand against any obstacle on its way, then the Altair High-Speed Remote-Control Truck is your option.
It is one of the best RC crawlers on the market, and it comes with an independent suspension.
With this system, each wheel singly can conform to obstacles. This makes it an easy task for any user to drive it through difficult surfaces.
Not just that, the RC crawler is very easy to use, and it can last for about 15 minutes, driving at a range of around 250 feet.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Easy to use
- Comes ready to run (RTR)
Cons
- The battery life is somewhat short
Axial Wraith 4WD RC Rock Racer
The Axial Wraith 4WD RC Rock Racer is a popular RC rock crawler which likewise functions as "trail rig" (meaning that it can also be used on nature trails).
It's perfect with numerous aftermarket modifications, and a lot of RC crawlers opt to harden the shock absorber for better speed or change the engine for better crawling.
All alone, the wraith gives a tremendous amount of control in dubious surfaces and enables for highly exact inputs. It likewise has extraordinary tires and a very sturdy frame made of high-quality composite materials.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Easy to upgrade
- Great tires
- Precise controls
Cons
- The battery is not included
Redcat Racing Blackout
With regards to rock stomping, rock crunching crawlers, maybe no RC truck can compare with Redcat Racing Blackout.
The durable aluminum chassis is lightweight and gives the stability required to overcome the hardest rocks without being excessively heavy.
Only intended for RC fan, it comes with waterproof components to enable you to cover a wide range of surfaces.
The brushed motor and the 4WD guarantee you get the best out of this stone rock-crawling monster.
Pros
- Fully assembled and ready to run
- Has a clearance of around 90 mm
- Suitable for every terrain
Cons
- The servo system might create issues for newbies
Axial SCX 10 II Jeep Cherokee 4WD RC Rock Crawler
The Axial SCX10 II Jeep Cherokee is a unique type that is made with high-quality materials, which provides it with the power and strength to perform phenomenally even in the harshest conditions.
This RC truck is equipped with a robust steel c-channel rail chassis, modifiable coil-over absorber, adjustable Ax10 transmission, and four LED sets.
The 4WD truck has the incomprehensible capacity to thread on any surface. It very well may be used during the dark as it comes with LED light to enable you to drive through any path effectively without running into any obstacle.
Pros
- Ultra-compact transmission
- Wb8 HD Wild-boar driveshafts
- AR44 single piece axle
Cons
- Could be too much for beginners
Redcat Racing Everest-10 Electric Rock Crawler
The Redcat Racing Everest-10 Electric Rock Crawler is a good value for money, and you couldn’t have asked for more awesome features in an RC vehicle.
The speed machine comes with rear and front multilink suspensions. It gives the rock crawler more climbing ability, and it will automatically adjust to the demand of any surface.
Amongst the fantastic features that you will find on this RC car are the deadlock tires and rear and front transmissions.
The radio system on this RC is a 2.4 GHz and also comes with oil-filled and aluminum capped shocks for additional stability.
Pros
- It comes ready to run
- It is fully assembled
- Good on every terrain
Cons
- There could be issues with the servo system
Traxxas TRX-4 Sport 4X4 Crawler
If you’re looking for a rock crawler that practically resembles a Land Rover, this could be it.
Traxxas 82024-4 TRX-4 Sport 4X4 1/10 Scale Crawler likewise comes with a spare tire simply like the full-sized land rover and other utilitarian accessories.
If you are about similarity, this could be your buy. Traxxas TRX is equipped with a colossal ground clearance offered by the advanced portal axles. The portal axles also basically remove chassis torque twist.
Moreover, it comes with 21T 550 powerful motors and an extra-large 5 HV ESC.
Pros
- Very detailed body
- It has a spare tire
- It can run on any terrain
Cons
- The batteries are sold separately
RC Cars PROTECTOR Off-Road Buggy
The RC Cars PROTECTOR 1/12 Scale 4WD Off-Road Buggy is a 4x4 RC truck that provides a tremendous and tight grip for the wheels.
The alloy suspension link bars are intended to strengthen the captured ends even more. It is durable, and it doesn't break easily once it knocks against trees or walls.
The durable axles that are located at the rear and front shaft offer a sturdier base for the vehicle to resist flip overs, crashes, bumps.
It's a stunning vehicle that every RC crawler enthusiast will love. It also has a multilink suspension that provides you with a smooth crawling feel when you drive it out.
Pros
- 4WD
- Supports three channels
- Three gear mounted transmission
Cons
- The charger could be better
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Rock Crawler
There are a lot of RC car types available on the market; however, choosing the kind of RC car rock crawler you need isn't such a simple decision. There are many things you need to take into consideration.
To settle on an ideal decision, you should consider whether you need to buy a hobby-grade vehicle or not.
Think about the simplicity of handling and differentials you need.
Low-quality RC rock crawlers can't meet such advanced needs; therefore, if you need an RC car that can overcome surface challenges, at that point, you need to buy the best RC rock crawler available on the market.
The followings are some of the things you need to think about:
Budget: The first thing you need to think about is how much you are willing to spend on an RC crawler. An interesting point is how frequently you will use it.
If you are going to be spending much time on it, then maybe you should go for a more durable model.
These might be costly; in any case, they compensate for it in their durability. Toys are best if your pocket size is small, or you are not going to be using it frequently.
Purpose: If you are aiming to race with an RC crawler, then maybe a rock racer is an ideal choice for you.
If you only wish to tear apart trick surfaces and rocks, then you can go for any RC rock crawler. Take a look at the ground clearance and the wheelbase, so you could know which one to pick.
The ground clearance offers you the perfect idea of how high the RC car rock crawling can climb.
Kit/RTR: Another thing to think about is whether you’re willing to assemble your RC rock crawler or need to get it premade.
The kit models offer you an opportunity to learn how the crawler functions and permits you the freedom to make adjustments as you wish. In the event that it gets damaged, you’ll know precisely how to fix it.
The RTR or ready-to-run version is much better if you need a hassle-free arrangement.
2WD or 4WD: If you’re worried about your pocket, picking between these two choices can be a test sometimes.
We suggest the 4WD for the rough surfaces. The 2WD may work once in a while; however, it will restrict you to a few surfaces. If you’d like the one that will give you value for the money spent, we recommend you go for the 4WD.
Expertise: If you're a newbie at RC vehicles and still haven't aced them entirely, we suggest that you stick to it.
RC rock crawlers are difficult to deal with and can be precarious with regards to climbing. It is smarter, to begin with, RTR toy crawlers as they're cheap, and crashing them in the learning process won't hurt you.
For seasoned users, we'd recommend a gas-powered kit crawler as they give users more freedom.
Ease of use: This depends on the RC user and their inclinations. The RC trucks rock crawling range from the ones intended to be used by kids of young ages, which are easier to use than the advanced RC trucks.
There are those RC enthusiasts who like overcoming technical challenges when they use their RC trucks, and they are probably going to find the advanced trucks more exciting.
When buying most RC rock crawlers, the age limit is visible on the product description. The manufacturer provides a recommendation for the truck's age support.
If you aren't sure which type of RC cars you are interested in - this categorized guide with the best remote-controlled RC cars and trucks should help you.
Electric Crawler or Nitro Crawler
The main types of scale RC crawlers on the market are electric and nitro crawler. Ensure you know the difference between the two before going for one.
If you’re a newbie, you should go for an electric RC crawler. It is waterproof and easy to use, rechargeable, and environment-friendly.
Nitro, then again, is best for experienced users because it’s faster than its electric counterparts, longer run times, high-powered, aluminum chassis, and can be repaired cheaply.
They’re likewise complex to run, expensive to maintain, which may not be entirely suitable for newbies.
Types of RC Rock Crawler
Mainly, there are three types of RC rock crawlers:
- Technical RC rock crawlers overcome almost impossible obstacles and surfaces
- Rock racers are made in view of speed, so they’re faster, and they go past obstacles
- Trail rigs are slower, however, more powerful than the rest. They tackle even the trickiest of terrains and the highest of boulders. These are not meant for competitions.
You Don't Want To Compromise On Speed?
RC Rock crawlers are excellent for certain hobbyists; however, they may not be a perfect option for other people. If you are interested in seeing truck scale impossible terrain seemingly, then you're going to love the RC crawler.
Then again, if speed is your best interest, at that point, going for an RC crawler would be a poor move. I recommend you to read our article about Fast RC Cars and Trucks. It can be closer to your needs.
Fortunately, there’s another type of crawler to pick from that offers excellent off-road performance but intended for higher speeds than rock crawlers — the monster RC truck. Monster RC trucks are the eye-catchers of the world of RC trucks.
They feature monstrous, powerful motors, and profoundly-treaded tires, the combination of which is equipped for driving them up and over some truly impossible terrains, from rocky surface incline to sloppy tracks and sandy hills.
While they might not have as many low-end torques as certain RC crawlers, they compensate for it with astute power. Since they are quicker than crawlers, they can use their speed to overcome rocks that crawlers carefully climb over.
This makes for a few crashes, however.
Monster trucks are likewise more fun on level surfaces than rock crawlers, since they’re generally quick enough to keep you entertained mainly by speed.
This makes them an excellent choice for the person that likes off-road adventures but does not live close to rough terrain to go there every time.
Final Thought
Obviously, there are numerous RC crawlers on the market; however, we have narrowed it down to the Top 15 Best rock crawlers we think will suit different people; kids, novices, professionals alike.
Since RC rock crawlers are not meant for speed rides but for crawling over obstacles, you have to consider the crawlers that will withstand everything they come across on rough terrains.
When looking for an RC rock crawler, additional quality features like a robust outer shell, shock tolerant, durability, and versatility should be your priority.
The aim is to have fun with your rock crawler without an intermittent breakdown.
Moreover, you should focus on buying a crawler that will be a good value for the money.
Regardless of whether you’re joining the rock crawlers’ world, or you have experienced the excitement, there’s something for everyone.
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