From awesome brushless RC cars to fast remote control jets and everything in between, there are RC vehicles out there for everyone, but nothing compares to the versatility and off-road capability of a nitro RC buggy or other off road RC cars.
Unlike street RC cars that are limited to driveways and smoothly paved roads or RC off road monster trucks that are big, heavy, and have less zip, RC buggies are lightweight, extremely fast, and built specifically for off-roading, making them much more popular than many on road RC cars.
Unfortunately, the popularity of these off road remote control cars has led to a saturated market with hundreds of models to sort through in an attempt to find “the one”. Since that’s no way to spend a Saturday afternoon, let’s take a look at what I’ve picked for you as five of the best off-road RC machines on the market today!
NITRO | PICTURE | QUALITY | HOW IT LOOKS | POPULARITY | PRICE | OUR OVERALL RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redca Racing Nitro Shockwave Buggy with 2.4 GHz Radio |  | 5 | 5 | 5 | $$$ | 5 |
| Traxxas RTR 1/10 Bandit Extreme Sports |  | 5 | 5 | 3 | $$$$ | 4.3 |
| Redcat Racing Rampage XB Gas Buggy |  | 5 | 5 | 1 | $$$$$ | 3.6 |
| Exceed RC Hyper Speed Beginner Version Nitro Powered Off Road Buggy |  | 5 | 4 | 2 | $$$ | 3.6 |
| Tamiya Grasshopper RC Car |  | 3 | 3 | 3 | $$ | 3 |
1. Redcat Racing Nitro Shockwave Buggy with 2.4GHz Radio
If you ever saw the Redcat Racing Nitro Shockwave Buggy in action, you would never believe it was possible to pack such power, agility, and general off-road ability into such a modestly priced RC nitro buggy!
In addition to being boldly designed at 1/10-scale to look like an RC buggy should, the Nitro Shockwave also comes equipped with a powerful 2.67cc Vertex engine that puts most brushless RC cars to shame.
Also equipped with composite disc brakes, aluminum-capped shocks, and a laundry list of other high-performance features, this is definitely one of the best off road RC cars available. While other RC cars with similar features often sell for at least twice as much, the Shockwave’s modest price tag is simply the icing on the cake.
Like most nitro on road RC cars and RC off road vehicles, you’ll need to invest in a few things, but these items are inexpensive and a must if you plan on enjoying nitro RC cars for any length of time.
All in all, the Redcat Racing Nitro Shockwave Buggy is a great nitro RC buggy if you’re just getting started in this exciting hobby. Not only is it extremely fast and cool looking, but it’s affordable and tough as nails as well, making it one of the most popular off road RC cars on the market today.
“Very popular and affordable”
OOR: 5
2. Traxxas RTR 1/10 Bandit Extreme Sports
If you have a few more bucks to spend and want a sleek and traditional looking RC off road that packs a powerful, high-performance punch, the Traxxas RTR 1/10 Bandit Extreme Sports will knock your socks off.
Like other top-quality brush less RC cars, the Bandit features a roaring Titan 12T 550 motor with an internal cooling fan to keep it dusting the competition all day long.
While this combined with its stylish design may be enough to end your off road RC cars search once and for all, the Bandit also features a Power Cell Battery Pack, XL-5 electronic speed control, a wickedly responsive 2056 high-torque servo, a lightweight chassis, and much more.
Some off road RC cars require modification after modification in order to get their performance up to snuff, but the Bandit can hit speeds in excess of 40 mph right out of the box.
Simply pull the trigger on the 2.4GHz remote and watch this little monster of a nitro RC buggy rip huge rooster tails, fly high over jumps, and put the power to the ground for pure off-road performance! Seriously, what else could you ask for?
“Pure performance and a classic design”
OOR: 4.3
3. Redcat Racing Rampage XB Gas Buggy
Okay, although the first two RC buggies on this list are fine examples of affordable craftsmanship and performance, if your budget allows and you want nothing but the biggest and baddest RC buggy in a sea of sometimes diminutive brush less RC cars and nitro off road RC cars, the Redcat Racing Rampage XB Gas Buggy has your name all over it!
At 1/5-scale, the Rampage XB Gas Buggy is large and in charge. It features a massive 30cc HY gas engine, tuned exhaust, single speed transmission, 6V 2500mAh battery as well as a charger, and a 2.4GHz radio receiver.
While these components alone will surely get your adrenaline pumping, the big and fast buggy is incredibly durable as well. Unlike smaller electric brush less RC cars and nitro RC cars, this gas-powered buggy uses actual metal gears, allowing it to take a licking and keep on ticking.
When it comes to RC buggies bigger isn’t always better, but in this case it is!
“Expensive but well worth it”
OOR: 3.6
4. Exceed RC Hyper Speed Beginner Version Nitro Powered Off Road Buggy
At the other end of the spectrum, the Exceed RC Hyper Speed Nitro Powered Off Road Buggy may not make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up like the Rampage XB or look as rugged and cool as the similarly priced Nitro Shockwave, but this 1/10-scale nitro RC buggy proves that looks can be deceiving.
The Exceed RC Hyper Speed Nitro Powered Off Road Buggy comes equipped with a high-torque VX16 nitro engine, adjustable wishbone suspension, high-impact wheels, oil-filled big bore shocks, all-wheel drive system, and much more, making it a more than capable buggy for any RC enthusiast.
Overall, this buggy runs incredibly well. Simply pop on the glow plug igniter and give the pull-cord a yank or two. Instantaneously, the engine will come to life and begin purring like a dream.
So, if you’re willing to overlook flashy brush less RC cars for a fun and very capable buggy that straight up performs, you should definitely keep the Exceed RC Hyper Speed on your short list.
“Inexpensive but well-crafted”
OOR: 3.6
5. Tamiya Grasshopper RC Car
It only seemed fitting to round out the list with one of the best-selling brush less RC cars of all time.
Originating in the 1980’s, thousands of models of the Tamiya Grasshopper RC Car have been sold over the years, and today’s Grasshopper is nearly identical to the original. Granted it primarily features 1980’s technology, the Grasshopper RC Car is still quite capable of tearing up a trail or two.
Whether you decide to take it out for an occasional joy ride or want to add a piece of RC history to your collection, the Tamiya Grasshopper RC Car is a timeless off-road beauty definitely worthy of consideration.
“Classic piece of RC history”
OOR: 3
Off Road RC Cars: Get the Best Today
There are tons of brushless RC cars, gas-powered RC cars, and other RC off road vehicles out there that will satisfy your urge to jump over rocks, pull rooster tails, and carve up the terrain. However, like on road RC cars, not all of these off road RC cars are created equal. So, rather than waste another minute shopping, use this list and straight up pick the best nitro RC buggy for you!
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