BEST BUDGET RC DRIFT CAR FROM $25-$200
Updated Nov. 14, 2024
Looking to have fun without breaking the bank? You can find non-brand RC drift cars for as little as $25 or as high as $200 like the better known Kyosho Mini-Z. Below you will find all the pros and cons of each RC drift car:
$25 RC DRIFT CAR
First on the list is a 1:24 scale-sized RC drift car. You can find this super cheap RC drift car for as little as $25 on Amazon.
FULL SPECS
AWD Locked Diff
2 sets of tires (slicks/rubber)
3.7V 500mAh Rechargeable Battery via USB charger
Standard 2.4Ghz Remote (AA Batteries) / non-proportional steering/throttle
No Gyroscope
Don’t let this low cost all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration fool you. With the right drifting surface and slick tires you can drift this little guy around with ease. I’d also recommend purchasing spare batteries because the included battery will last a good 15-20 minutes of non-stop sliding.
PROS & CONS
The pro is the price, but the remote control trigger has only full throttle forward and reverse, so no proportional or steering. This means it takes lots of practice and patience not to constantly perform just donuts. But for an entry-level $25 RC drift car, it’s fun. You can also purchase up to 4 of these RC cars and drift them around with your buddies.
A big con is if something breaks, there are no replacement parts. You will more than likely have to purchase a replacement car. It also doesn’t have a gyroscope which you’ll find in higher-priced RC drift cars.
A gyroscope in an RC drift car will detect rear-end slippage and will automatically counter steer to help perform a drift.
$45 RC DRIFT CAR
Second on the list is a larger 1:16 scale drift RC car that even spits smoke out its tailpipe selling for around $45 on Amazon.
FULL SPECS
AWD Locked Diff
2 sets of tires (slicks/rubber)
7.4V 500mAh Rechargeable Battery via USB charger
Standard 2.4Ghz Remote (AA Batteries) / non-proportional steering/throttle
No Gyroscope
This RC drift car has a bit more torque than the previous option. It doesn’t have a gyroscope, or proportional steering/throttle, but feels a bit easier to perform a figure eight drift under a fully charged battery. It also has a rear-locked diff, which helps the rear end slide much better.
PROS & CONS
The pro is the body shell held in with pins can be swapped with other 1:16 shells as long as the wheelbase of your different body matches. It drifts pretty easy which is great for beginners.
Some of the cons are with the bigger electric motor, more torque, and weight the battery drains quick. You’ll get a good 10 minutes of solid drifting, but the car will start to get a little slower. You can get another 15 minutes out of it, but it’s not as fun. I recommend getting another battery or two. And just like the cheapest $25 option, if something breaks there are no replacement parts.
$70 RC DRIFT CAR
Third on the list is the 1:28 WL Toys 969 drift car on amazon for around $70. This drift car has a nice metal chassis. It’s a bit more built up than the cheaper drift cars which are just solid plastic unibodies.
FULL SPECS
AWD Locked Rear Diff
1 set of tires (slicks)
7.4V 400 mAh Rechargeable Battery via USB cord
Standard 2.4Ghz Remote (AA Batteries) w/proportional steering and throttle
Option to add a Gyroscope
PROS & CONS
The pros on the WL Toys 969 is that it’s upgradeable and you can find replaceable parts too. The body shell is also swappable. Some folks have also installed a gyroscope, but it will cost another $45 bucks for an AGFRC mini gyro. The steering angle can also be adjusted fairly easy.
The cons are its battery life. Make sure you get a few spare batteries because the included 400 mAh battery won’t last long at all.
$90 RC DRIFT CAR
A new RC drift car on the list is the Turbo Racing C62 1:76 Scale Drift RC Car. At 1:76 scale its around the size of a Hot Wheels 1:64 car. It might be small, but it can drift. It’s tiny size is great for people who have less floor space to drift.
FULL SPECS
RWD
Slick tires
3.7V 55mAh LiPo built in battery w/usb-c on car charging
Standard 2.4Ghz Remote (AAA Batteries) w/proportional steering and throttle
Gyroscope Included
PROS & CONS
The pros with the Turbo Racing RC Drift car is that it includes a gyro and has a few adjustments on the remote for things like throttle. This allows you to fine tune settings to help nail some nice drifting.
The cons are its tiny size. Don’t expect to be able to drift this on the same flat surfaces that other RC drift cars can drift on with no problem. If you have slight bumps on your surface that will make drifting difficult. The best surface is a completely smooth surface like a table top.
$200 RC DRIFT CAR
The last carries a much higher premium than the first $25 dollar drift car, but this one is 1:28 scale, has premium parts, is highly customizable, and comes with a gyroscope already installed. It’s the Kyosho Mini-Z AWD Drift with Gyro coming in at $200.
FULL SPECS
AWD Open Rear Diff
1 set of tires (slicks)
Takes 4 AAA batteries not included
Standard 2.4Ghz Remote (AAA Batteries) w/proportional steering and throttle
Gyroscope included
PROS & CONS
The best thing about the Kyosho Mini-Z AWD drifting spec version is that it comes with a gyroscope as part of the package making drifting out of the box much easier. You’ll want to lock the rear diff by adding glue into it or shoving some small pieces of tape into it.
The Mini-Z has a bit of a cult following, which is great because there are lots of aftermarket parts and mods.
The biggest downside is that it uses 4 AAA batteries. It would be nice to have a standard modular LiPo battery, although there is a conversion kit.
HIGHER BUDGET?
If you’re looking for an RC drift car that is a bit larger in scale (like 1:10), ready to run, and fully customizable check out our list of the best RC Drift cars. The 1/10 RTR cars a little more expensive, but it’s a great higher-end starter RC drift car.
RELATED POSTS
