The small scale RC tanks can be great fun for the whole family to enjoy. They are small in size and typically less complicated to run. While they may not be as fast as RC trucks or RC cars, they are an especially good option for the younger drivers. The best part is that they are generally less expensive than the larger-scale RC’s tend to be. Here are our picks for the best RC tank.
RC tanks are ideal for both regular RC play and wargames. Modeled after actual battle tanks, these mini bruisers are surprisingly realistic. With multiple special effects and mobile versatility, RC tanks bring realism to the RC tank experience.
Many users may have already decided what they want from their RC tanks before they even buy one. But even if you’re still unsure, there are important features worth considering. They can help to decide what tank functions will work best for the kind of play someone has in mind.
With so many RC tanks to choose from, we thought we’d narrowed the search down some. We’ve chosen the five Best RC Tanks on the market and offered a review for each of them.
Along with the special features listed below, these reviews make a handy comparison guide. Use it as a reference or reminder when out shopping for a new RC tank. Each review lists the special feature details along with other helpful specs and information. Check out our five Best RC Tank picks and what features make them so special below.
Tank Features
Choosing an RC tank is sometimes a difficult undertaking. There are so many things to consider before buying and you may find yourself asking questions like:
- Is it a gift for a child or grandchild to play with?
- Will a combat or war game enthusiast be using it?
- Is it for a single player to use on their own, or in conjunction with other tanks used by family and friends?
- What capabilities does the tank need to have?
- How simple or detailed should its features and functions be?
- How well will it maneuver between floor, tile and carpet surfaces?
- Is child safety a concern for tanks with machine gun firing ability?
These are all important questions to answer before deciding which RC tank to buy. You can find the answers to these questions and more in the special features listed below:
Power
RC Tanks can be fuel, electric, battery, or gas powered. It is important to know which type of power each uses. Also, determining the length and accessibility of charging and recharging is important to consider.
On average, most battery-powered RC’s take an hour to charge. They usually last for 15-30 minutes of continuous runtime.
Radio Controls
There are different functions and capacities with different radio controls. Some may have only one channel. Others may have quite a few more, depending on the capability of the tank.
Some come with more than one speed setting as well. Others have extra features like 4-way independent tanker settings. Or they might have sound and light effects that coordinate with cannon fire or laser hits.
It’s good to be aware of what the RC’s functions do. If you prefer simplicity or more standard control, one setting might due.
If you’re looking for RC’s with many speeds and settings, it’s important to know that in advance, too.
The right RC makes a lot of difference in the kind of enjoyment users experience when running their RC Tanks.
Light/Sound Effects
The lights and sound effects vary greatly between different RC tanks. Some have built-in special effects and are rather basic. Others may have more capacity.
For example, some tanks have sound and light effects that coordinate with firing artillery. Sound and light effects will coincide with a tank taking a “hit” or while the tank is running.
Some have more expansive and realistic-sounding machine-gun firing and engine revving. Some even have music and smoke features included.
These special effects can add realism and versatility to a user’s enjoyment. Whether playing war or zooming through the house, realistic effects can add even more excitement.
Mobility
Barrel/Turret/Grade: The mobility of the tank will dictate the fun level as well. Most RC tanks have gun barrels that rotate. They also have different spinning, turning and climbing capabilities.
The degree radius for each of these can add to the functionality of a tanks mobility.
For instance, some tanks have a turning radius of 360-Degrees. Others may have only 300.
For some tanks, the up and down mobility function of the gun barrel may differ from 20-Degrees to 30-Degrees. This can determine how far cannon fire will reach if the tank has a firing capacity.
The tank’s function ability is a good indicator of whether a tank will suit a user’s needs.
Shooting Capability
Some tanks have no firing capacity, some have laser only, and some have just sound. Some even have the capability to shoot real airsoft bb’s for realistic artillery fire simulation.
Depending on if the tank’s used for war games or not, this could be an important factor to consider.
For younger users with more safety concerns, real bb’s may be an issue.
Limited sound/light simulated firing capacity might be preferable for tanks used by younger children.
5 Best RC Tank Reviews
Now that you know a little bit about RC Tanks and what to look for when purchasing one, here are our top five picks for the best RC tank and our RC Tank Reviews of each.
Cheerwing 1:72 German Tiger I Panzer Tank
Specifications
- Scale: 1:72
- Size: 3.5 x 2 x 1.6 inches
- Weight: 0.65 pounds
Features
- Power: Built-In Rechargeable 3.7V 110 mAh
- RC: One Setting & “Super Speed” Button
- Light/Sound Effects: Tank and Machine Gun Sound
- Gun Barrel: Up/Down/Recoil
- Turn Radius: 360-degree Rotation
- Shooting: None
Designed after the 1942 WWII German Tank, the Cheerwing German Tiger I Panzer Tank is a realistic tank replica. However, this RC this small. It’s so tiny; it can fit easily in the palm of your hand.
Extremely fast already, this speed demon has a “Super Speed” button option. This adds 50% more adrenaline to its already quick speed.
It’s well priced and even possible to purchase for free if you open a new Amazon Rewards Card. This will earn buyers an automatic $50 gift card upon approval of credit. They can then apply the price of the tank to their $50 gift card.
At $19.99 a piece, you can even buy two and still come out ahead. This tank makes a great birthday gift for any child interested in RC tanking.
For such a small cruiser, it navigates well between floor and rug surfaces. It holds up under pet hair and dust build-up better than most mini RC tanks as well.
It can even traverse over small objects between ¼ to ½ an inch high without taking too much of a beating. It has realistic and enthusiastic sound effects also. This mini RC tank is a great option for any age, especially younger users.
iPlay RC Battling Tanks
Specifications
- Scale: 1:24
- Size: 10 x 2 x 10 inches (Each)
- Weight: 1.00 pound (Each)
Features
- Power: 4.8 VNI-CD Battery with AC Wall (IDV)
- RC: 4LED “Lives” Full-Function Controller
- Light/Sound Effects: Tank & Gunfire & Flashing Lights
- Gun Barrel: 30-degree Up/Down/Recoil
- Turn Radius: 320-degree Rotation with 35-degree Climbing Radius
- Shooting: Laser Only
The iPlay RC Battling Tanks come as a set of two tanks. This makes them ideal for playing with a friend or a family member.
The machine gun barrel rotates 30-degrees up or down. The tank itself drives forward, backward, left or right with a 320-Degree turning capacity. This lends itself to some solid maneuvering.
It has timed special effects that roar and send out infrared beams every time the gun lasers fire. Once hit by the laser fire cannons, the tank lights start flashing. There are 4 flashing LED indicators for 4 “Lives” allotted to each tank.
For every hit made, the tanker loses one of its “Lives.” This makes for fun combat score keeping with a partner or with opposing teams at play.
The rechargeable 4.8 VNI-CD battery can hold its charge for a phenomenal 15 to 30 minutes of continuous play
This is a great RC tank choice for two siblings or two friends to use. It’s an affordable option for a pair of 2 full tanks that come in one package.
1:16 US M4A3 Sherman RC Tank
Specifications
- Scale: 1:16
- Size: 15 x 6.8 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 7.7 pounds
Features
- Power: 4.8vNi-Cd Battery Pack
- RC: 6-Channel + Auto Program
- Light/Sound Effects: Simulated Motor Start-Up with Music/Smoke
- Gun Barrel: 30-degree Up/Down
- Turn Radius: 320-degree Rotation with 35-degree Climb Gradient
- Shooting: 6mm BB’s
Clearly the most expensive choice, the US M4A3 Sherman Tank has many extra features. These features seem to more than justify this higher price tag. This tank is modeled after the M4 Sherman Tank used in WWII.
The first one to mention is the metal gear and tracks additions. Alongside a 35-degree climbing gradient, these upgrades make the Sherman Tank one dependable roller. It can bulldoze its way across varied and frequently changing floor surfaces with ease. The extra capabilities make it a great intro tank into larger scale RC tanks.
It has six groups of automated program functions on its RC. These include realistic engine and gunfire simulations and a music option.
It even has a smoke feature for more realistic combat injury simulations for tanks during battle.
This RC Tank shoots real 6mm airsoft bb’s out of its cannon and comes with lots of other tank accessories.
These include knapsacks, shovels, and extra cannon balls to fire.
Meant for ages 14 and up, the Sherman Tank is a realistic 1:24 replica of the 105mm Howitzer.
It’s a wonderful choice for adding realism to any war play or simulated tank battle. This tank is ideal for battle play and WWII tank enthusiasts.
M1A2 Abrams RC Tank
Specifications
- Scale: 1:24
- Size: 17.7 x 11.9 x 7.9 inches
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
Features
- Power: Battery
- RC: Turret and Barrel Position Direction Control
- Light/Sound Effects: Engine/Cannon/Machine Gun Fire with Working Lights & Adjustable Volume
- Gun Barrel: Up/Down /Recoil
- Turn Radius: 330-degree Rotation
- Shooting: Sound Only
The RC M1A2 Abrams Tank forces is a state-of-the-art and extremely accurate replica.
It’s a small scaled version of a modern heavily armored M1A2 Abrams tank that was designed especially for ground warfare.
It uses JP8 Jet Fuel to power its turbine engine.
The multi-faceted RC functions help create an added sense of realism.
Impressive sound effects have an adjustable volume setting for hi/low/on/off options. This makes it friendlier on the ears when using the M1A2 Abrams indoors.
It comes equipped with working lights and built-in engine and cannon fire noise simulations.
This well-made tank has a sophisticated, highly detailed design that is fun for ages 14 and up to use. This tank is great for simulated battle play users as well as individual use.
M1A2 Abrams USA Battle RC Tank
Specifications
- Scale: 1:24
- Size: 20.2 x 13.2 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 5.1 pounds
Features
- Power: Battery
- RC: Multi-Speed with Gripping Caterpillar
- Light/Sound Effects: Simulated Engine/Cannon Sound
- Gun Barrel: 20-degree Up/Down & Recoil
- Turn Radius: 300-degree Rotation
- Shoots: 6mm BB Bullets
The M1A2 Abrams USA Battle Tank RC is a powerful little replica of a M1A2 Abrams USA Main Battle Tank.
It has some highly accurate-sounding engine and gunfire sound effects. With recoil action upon firing, this RC tank adds an extra level of realism to the fight.
It has a 20-degree angle up/down actions to its cannon barrel. Its 6mm BB bullets can hit an impressive maximum firing range of as far as 9ft. away.
The artillery hatch can also hold loads of up to 50 bullets for continuous firing.
It has a 30-Degree Climbing Gradient which means it’s reliable on changeable multi-floor surfaces. The high-grip Caterpillar Multi-Speed RC maneuvers and shoots with accuracy and dependability.
The long-lasting battery keeps running longer and shooting farther than most other 1:24 RC’s.
The M1A2 Abrams USA Battle Tank RC is a great option for combat role-playing. With heavy-duty, continuous firing abilities and extreme accuracy means more continued fun. Best for adults and children ages 14 & up.
Conclusion
Whether a WWII Tank enthusiast or just love playing with tanks, there’s plenty for all to enjoy
There are so many great RC small scaled tank options out there to discover and try. From young and old to family and friends, everyone is sure to find an RC tanker they love.
These 5 top picks for the Best RC Tank offer a wide range of features for different types of users. They give a great place to start looking for and comparing feature options.
Happy hunting on the search for the next best RC tank to buy. These solid picks set the bar high, pointing users in the right direction. Why not go out and get one today?
What about the Tamiya and Henglong and Taigen tanks?