If you’re looking for something fun that’ll get your child outdoors, a remote control rock crawler is a great choice. RC rock crawlers come in many styles and designs, but there’s one thing they all have in common – they can handle rough terrain, like rocks, mud, and hills. The wide variety of options on the market can make it difficult to figure out which one to buy.
That’s why I’ve gathered the best RC rock crawlers to help you narrow down your choices and pick the one that’s right for you.
Why it’s great: If your child has some experience using a remote control car, but is looking for a new challenge, this rock crawler might be just the thing. It’s easy enough to control, making it a good choice for kids just learning how to drive one of these vehicles. The high-profile design and high tires allow this rock crawler to navigate over and around tough obstacles. It has dual high-torque electric motors and most of the other features are adjustable. The shocks, ride height, toe angle, and more can be adjusted to your preference and for better speed and performance, based on the obstacles or terrain you’ll be navigating. It has front & rear multi-link suspension, front and rear transmission, and multi-select 4-wheel steering. The battery is rechargeable and lasts about 45 minutes, depending on use.
Keep in mind: The transmitter requires AA batteries, which are not included.
Good for: Kids who have some experience with RC vehicles, but want to try out a rock crawler.
Why it’s great: Not only is this an amazing rock crawler, but it’s also a monster truck, designed to look like the Monster Jam truck Grave Digger. Like any monster truck, this vehicle can handle all kinds of obstacles. It’s extremely durable and it has the Axial SMT10 tube frame chassis, which was developed for maximum bashing strength and an extremely detailed appearance. The transmission gears are all made of metal, adding to this truck’s endurance and durability. 4-wheel-drive allows this truck to navigate over dirt, rocks, and other rough terrains. It has forward/brake/reverse, forward/brake, and crawler drive modes – plus, it’s waterproof to handle any weather conditions. If you or your child is a huge fan of Monster Jam, this Grave Digger replica won’t disappoint!
Keep in mind: This one doesn’t come with any batteries or chargers, so you’ll need to purchase a 2S LiPo Battery Pack with an IC3 connector, a battery charger, and four AA batteries for the transmitter.
Good for: Monster Jam lovers and those that want a serious rock crawler.
Why it’s great: If you want a rock crawler that you can play with for longer periods of time, this DEERC monster truck is the one for you. It comes with two batteries, offering double the run time, and each battery lasts about 45 minutes, depending on your usage. It’s highly durable, with a metal outer shell and an anti-collision bumper. It has anti-slip tires for ultimate traction and can climb up to 45-degree angles. It has LED headlights and a range of up to 165 feet. It’s an affordable price, making it a great entry-level option for younger kids to test out and see if they enjoy this type of vehicle.
Keep in mind: This one is not waterproof and not the most durable, but that’s to be expected, given the price point.
Good for: Kids who want to be able to spend a lot of uninterrupted time driving their rock crawler.
Why it’s great: While this rock crawler isn’t the cheapest, it offers the best of both worlds – an affordable, but higher-quality rock crawler. You’ll get all of the benefits of the higher-priced vehicles without breaking the bank. It has a single, high-torque motor, 4-link suspension, and all the electronic parts are protected by waterproof casings, so it can handle any type of weather. It also has a speed regulator that offers maximum control over your speed to help you navigate over obstacles and around barriers. You can also make some adjustments to optimize your vehicle for performance and speed, including selectable upper shock positions, adjustable ride height, and tunable suspension. The high body and large wheels help the vehicle maneuver over obstacles and it comes with a rechargeable battery that can last between 30-60 minutes, depending on speed and other variables.
Keep in mind: You’ll need to purchase four AA batteries for the transmitter, and this one doesn’t have quite as durable a frame as some of the higher-end options.
Good for: Those looking for a high-quality rock crawler at an affordable price.
Why it’s great: While the price might make you think this vehicle is cheaply made, it’s actually pretty durable. It has a crash-proof bumper and it’s shock-proof. The anti-slip tires have plenty of traction, and they have individual suspension, which offers added flexibility and durability. It can climb up to a 45-degree incline and it comes with two batteries, offering up to 40-60 minutes of run time total. It’s easy to operate and has a range of up to 200 feet, making it a great choice for young kids who want to try out a rock crawler. It also comes in three different color designs, so your child can choose the one they like the best.
Keep in mind: Max speed is only about 10 mph, which isn’t very fast, even for a rock crawler.
Good for: Those who are on a budget and want to gauge their child’s interest in rock crawlers.
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Why it’s great: While many of the rock crawlers on this list are trucks, that’s not what you’d normally expect to see for a rock crawler. This vehicle from Bezgar is what a more traditional rock crawler looks like. It can also transform into two different types of vehicles, with just the push of a button – one for on-the-road driving and one for off-roading. It has 4-wheel drive, and the front and rear dual motors provide strong power torque, which is able to conquer various terrains like grassland, sandy beaches, mud puddles, snow, and more. The inner electric parts are all protected by a waterproof rubber ring, adding to its durability and making it weather-proof. It’s reasonably priced and easy for kids to operate, so it’s a great choice for younger kids.
Keep in mind: The rechargeable battery only lasts about 25 minutes before it needs to be charged.
Good for: Those who want a more classic rock crawler design.
Why it’s great: This truck is great for LEGO lovers and anyone who enjoys building their own vehicles. Once you’ve put it all together, it has chunky tires with plenty of traction, a high-rise suspension and body for traversing over obstacles, and realistic sound effects to add to the fun. Unlike the other options, you’ll need to control this one with a smart device app, which allows you to operate the vehicle with just your fingertip, making it great for those that may struggle with other types of controls. You’ll also get real-time data through the app, including speed and tilt log, and there are in-app challenges that are fun to complete.
Keep in mind: This one will take some time and patience to build and isn’t the most durable.
Good for: Those who want to build their rock crawler and have access to challenges and games to complete with their vehicle.
The DANCHEE RidgeRock - 4WD Electric Rock Crawler is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
An RC rock crawler is a specific type of remote control vehicle that’s made to drive over rough terrain – climbing over rocks, dodging obstacles, etc.
Most RC cars are built for speed. They’re made to race and zoom on flat surfaces. Rock crawlers are still a form of remote control vehicle, but they’re built to handle rocks, mud, and other rough terrains. Because of this, they’re usually quite a bit slower than a traditional RC car or vehicle.
As mentioned, rock crawlers are not designed for speed, so they won’t go as fast as a traditional RC vehicle. However, different models can get pretty fast. Rock crawlers can go anywhere from a few miles per hour up to about 40 mph, depending on the model.
If speed is your main concern, you’re better off buying a regular RC car. Keep in mind that low speeds are safer and easier to control for younger kids, anyway. If your child is older, you may want to invest in high-speed vehicles, but young kids will have a blast just learning how to control and do trips with a slower rock crawler.
It’s always best to check the manufacturers’ recommendations for each model of rock crawler. However, younger kids can sometimes still operate these vehicles with adult supervision. As soon as you feel your child has the hand-eye coordination to operate the remote control safely, they can use a rock crawler. It’s still better to find a slower model for younger kids, even with supervision, to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
If your child loves remote control vehicles and is ready to tackle some obstacles and off-road driving, a rock crawler is a great option. You don’t need a lot of space to play and drive these cars, since they’re not meant for racing. Instead, you can build your own obstacle courses for the rock crawler to navigate – either in your backyard or even in your home.
With plenty of options at different price points and for different skill levels, this list should have something for everyone!
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