Best RC Rock Crawlers of 2021

This officially licensed Jeep Wrangler RC rock crawler from Axial is everything you look for in a larger vehicle but in a small, well-formed package.

The chassis has c-channel steel frame rails with bracing. The motor mount is also made from steel, keeping flex to a minimum and minimizing the potential of damage to the gears.

A jumper on the receiver allows you to choose one of two brake options — either brake or instant reverse. The controller lets you choose between a low, medium, and high-speed setting.

The Axial has KMC XD Machete wheels that are molded in black and feature an impressive level of detail. Consequently, this little Jeep can take on rocky terrain, sand, and grass, as well as being an excellent indoor option.

It is also water-resistant so you don’t have to worry about a drop of rain, or a splash through a shallow puddle, although a good soaking is to be avoided.

There’s no option to switch between four- and two-wheel drive. You have permanent 4WD, but it does have 4-link rear suspension. Extra links are included should you want to adjust the length of your wheelbase.

Everything you need to get started is in the box, including batteries for the remote.

Part-way between hobby-grade and toy, the Danchee RidgeRock is an excellent entry-level RC rock crawler for beginners. There are plenty of adjustable components so your child will not grow out of it quickly as they become more experienced.

This model has just over 3 inches of ground clearance which makes it capable of navigating a wide range of obstacles. You can easily swap steering modes between front-wheel-steering, rear-wheel-steering, four-wheel-steering, or four-wheel-crab-steering.

The batteries take approximately five hours to fully charge if you are using the USB charger included with the crawler and connecting it to a computer, battery bank, or USB outlet plug. If you plug the cable into your smartphone charger adapter, you’ll cut the charging time to about three and one-half hours.

A full charge will provide between 45 minutes and an hour run-time, depending on how fast you are driving. If you are looking for a longer run time it is easy to upgrade the batteries.

The RidgeRock comes with a rechargeable battery pack for the vehicle, a USB charging cable, and a pistol-grip style remote. The battery bay is large enough for you to upgrade the batteries at a later date if you wish.

The remote requires three AA batteries which are not included.

The DEE RC rock crawler is a reasonably well-built example of a toy-grade remote control vehicle that is suitable for younger kids. It is sturdy enough to take some rough and tumble play, but doesn’t cost so much that you don’t want to let the kids play with it.

Chunky rubber tires, big wheels, and shock absorbers make this rock crawler capable of tackling uneven surfaces with up to a 45-degree angle. The metal, scratch-resistant body panels mean it will maintain a like-new appearance even after the occasional rollover.

The controller is a 2.4 GHz model, so you can run more than one truck in the same area without encountering interference. The smaller-than-average remote is suitable for the hands of smaller children.

However, the controller is smaller than most because there’s no speed control. You turn the vehicle on and it builds up to a top speed of approximately 4 miles per hour and stays there until you hit the brake. This can be frustrating when navigating some obstacles.

The SteamPrime is a higher-end scale rock crawler that is best suited for those who know they will love having a rock crawler. It is not the kind of vehicle you buy on the off-chance your child might like one.

At 10.8 inches long, 3.5 inches high, and 6.8 inches wide, the SteamPrime is capable of tackling more difficult terrain than others.

Designed to rip through the toughest trails, it is capable of dual-mode for indoor and outdoor adventure. Its front and rear dual motors provide powerful torque.

The Everest-10 has a single motor mounted in the center of the chassis. It utilizes telescopic drive shafts to deliver power to the front and the rear axles, allowing the suspension to articulate at the same time.

Two aluminum beadlock rings hold the big, aggressively chunky tires firmly in place on the wheels. This negates the need to use glue to hold the tires in place.

A Ni-Mh battery is included in the box. This battery pack will provide you with between 30 and 60 minutes of run time, depending on whether you are driving across a flat surface or moving slowly and carefully over uneven terrain.

The speed regulator allows you to maintain exceptional control over your speed. That is critical for rock crawling, and the high torque motor provides a level of crawling power unparalleled in other RC vehicles in this price range.

All of the important electronics are protected by waterproof casings so fording the occasional creek or stream while navigating your obstacles is not an issue.

When not rock crawling, the Everest-10 moves at a steady walking pace, but you won’t see much in the way of speed, and the turning circle is huge. This isn’t a problem outside, but if you drive it indoors expect to do some extensive forward and reverse maneuvers.

You don’t have to be a fan of LEGO to enjoy building and driving their RC Technic 4×4 but it helps.

This model benefits from realistic sound effects, high rise suspension, and big wheels encased in chunky tires. It’s powered by three motors for precise control.

Don’t let the 224 pages of building instructions put you off. Labeled as a set for 11 years and older, this build requires some patience but is not overly taxing.

Controlling the vehicle via the smart device app takes a little practice if you are already used to a regular stick or pistol grip control. However, this is not a case of difficulty, just of overcoming established habits. If you don’t have any experience, you can be up and running in moments.

The innovative use of an app to control this rock crawler provides additional benefits, including the ability to get real-time data such as a speed and tilt log. There is also the ability to control the vehicle with your fingertip, a bonus for those who struggle with multiple inputs.

Finally, there are in-app challenges to complete, and doing so wins you a variety of achievement badges. This is a great option for keeping your kids interested beyond the initial novelty period.

For fans of hardcore, off-road military vehicles who want to carry their obsession over into their RC hobby, there is the Axial UMG10 6×6 RC rock crawler.

While traditional rock crawlers are designed to replicate their highly articulated full-size cousins, the Axial UMG is made to take on the rigors of traversing rocky, off-road areas in much the same way a Unimog might.

The wheels on the UMG are an injection molded, three-piece, bead-lock design, encased in symmetrically patterned, big block tires. These tires are capable of carrying the truck across loose gravel, mud, sand, and snow, as well as running smoothly on a variety of road surfaces.

There’s even a functional spare-tire mounted in the two-part truck bed.

High pinioned gears allow for superior driveshaft angles and increased gear surface while larger load bearings provide reduced flex and a strengthened drive chain.

Remove the two clips under the cab and you can raise the hinged body for easy access to the battery compartment, or for maintenance and upgrades. Meanwhile, the cab itself has an authentic-looking, military-style double crew cab.

A large proportion of the marketing for this 1:10 scale rock crawler from Legendary appears to be focused on its speed. That’s odd, because you do not choose a rock crawler for its speed.

However, the controller for the Legendary does have a function for you to switch between high speed and low-speed modes. This allows beginners or those who want to tackle crawling courses to go slow.

The truck can tackle slopes of up to 45 degrees, and the oil-filled shocks and foam-filled tires react well to “off-road” terrain.

If you choose to use the high-speed mode, beware. Running a truck like this at a high speed for a sustained period is likely to burn out the gears or other engine parts. Full speed also increases your risk of crashing and your truck sustaining other types of damage.

If you do encounter breakages, Legendary has an extensive line of replacement parts for sale. That almost makes it feel like they tout their high speed knowing that driving the vehicle too fast will cause damage, requiring the purchase of new parts.

Like most things, as you go down the price range for RC rock crawlers, you get less for your money. However, not everyone wants or is able to spend a lot of money on a toy. That’s especially true if it is not guaranteed to hold your child’s interest for long.

That’s where the Click N’ Play RC rock crawler comes in. The tires are big and chunky, it has a decent level of ground clearance, and there is some suspension. It also has a look that appeals to kids.

Some people complain that this model is slow, but then rock crawlers are supposed to be and that is a big plus for the Click N’ Play. In addition, it doesn’t lose traction on wet grass or small gravel, and it is capable of coping with rocks roughly half the height of a standard soda can.

The downside? The quality is what you would expect from a more affordable, mass-produced RC toy. This model does not stand up well when it meets a wall at top speed, and falls from more than 18 inches may be enough to render it inoperable.

With the provision that you can’t expect a top tier RC car for a bottom tier price, this buggy-style rock crawler is a good option if you want to run more than one in the same area.

The controller is a 2.4GHz model that allows you to play with multiple models at the same time, without the signals interfering with each other. This is an important consideration if you have more than one child who would like an RC vehicle.

The rock crawler itself weighs about two pounds and is predominately plastic, with metal springs in the suspension. The battery pack has to be removed for charging, and several owners have had issues with either the battery compartment door breaking or the screws stripping.

The battery packs take approximately three hours to charge. A full charge gives roughly 20 minutes of play. There are two battery packs included, so if you have both fully charged before you begin, you’ll get maybe 40 minutes of use at any one time.

Listed as water-resistant, you’ll be okay running the crawler through a shallow puddle, or getting caught in some light rain. But it is by no means waterproof.