10 of the best remote-controlled and radio-controlled toys
Cars, boats, robots and flying cartoon characters controlled by remote or radio devices, from top retailers like Toys R Us, Argos, Early Learning Centre and more
Making your child's toys have the wow factor isn't always easy.
Check out our pick of remote controlled or radio controlled cars, drones and other toys…
1. Nerf N-Strike Elite Terrascout Remote Control Drone Blaster, £149.98
Age: 8 – 18 years
What it is: A grey and orange tank drone that can turn 360 degrees, can be controlled remotely, and that has a live video stream your child can watch as it patrols.
Why we love it: It might seem straightforward, but we like that this tank involves creating a strategic plan, and executing it. And yes, executing it does involve using the remote control to fire a spongey dart.
There’s lots good about it: the video stream, the 18-dart blaster, the fact you can record battle footage with a (not included) SD card, the speed and the fact you can drive it across multiple trains.
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Available from: Toys R Us
2. Project Mc2 Remote Control H20 Car, £59.99
Age: 6+
What it is: A 46cm remote-control car that runs on water: you add water to the 'engine' to complete the circuit and allow electricity from the battery to the motor. Designed to carry dolls from the Project Mc2 Netflix series (sold separately) but works just as well with most other dolls and toys. Needs 8 AA batteries (not included).
Why we love it: We liked how easy this car is for a child to set up, and how well it makes science behind it look cool. Our child testers loved filling the tank with water and watching the headlights come on, the side mirrors swivel and steam come out of the exhaust.
Available from: Smyths and ToysRUs
3. Disney Pixar Cars 3 Radio Control 1:32 Single Race Jackson Storm Vehicle, £14.99
Age: 3 – 8 years
What it is: A radio-controlled Jackson Storm from the movie Cars 3. You can get Lightning McQueen, too.
Why we love it: Simple, easy to manoeuvre and great fun – especially if you can make both cars race each other!
Available from: Toys R Us
4. Peppa Pig Radio Control Inflatable Peppa, £24.99
Age: 2 – 5 years
What it is: A theme-song singing, chatting inflatable Peppa who moves around with the help of a remote.
Why we love it: There’s only one button on the remote control, so it’s easy for even the littlest 2 year olds to grasp. They can take Peppa outside, too, in better weather!
Available from: Toys R Us
5. Wow! Stuff Despicable Me 3 Flying Unicorn, £25
BRONZE winner, Best Tech Toy, 2017 MadeForMums Toy Awards
Age: 8+
What it is: A range of 3 characters from Despicable Me with propellers, that fly directed by an infrared sensor in the feet. Your child uses their hands and feet to guide them. Includes an on/off handset, rechargeable battery and cable. Takes 20 minutes to charge and offers 8 minutes play time.
Why we love it: These little flying marvels are just such a good laugh! And the way you can control them with your hand is super-cool. That flying Fluffy Unicorn is ours, all ours...
What our child testers made of it:
- 'It's awesome. It's a little tricky to control at first but it looks cool when you get used to it. It's really fun!' Gracie, 8
Available from: Gift And Gadget Store. Minion version available at Smyths and Amazon
6. Monster Smash-Ups, £34.99
GOLD winner, Best Category, 2017 MadeForMums Toy Awards
Age: 3+
What it is: A range of 3 high-speed radio-controlled tilt-turn monster trucks (choose from Raptor, Viper and Rhino) that, thrillingly, you're actually meant to crash into a wall – or another monster truck – at up to 15 kmph. The rechargeable battery offers up to 30 minutes run time, and the trucks come with stickers, cones and flags.
Why we love it: Our testers went crazy for these crash-and-smash trucks and loved the way the drivers are ejected into the air mid-smash. The easy-to-reassemble building block bodies are a novel idea and make racing against friends extra entertaining. Works equally well over gravel and carpet, and the regulation vroom vroom noises are surprisingly bearable. Bonus!
Available from: Amazon and Very
7. Imaginext Power Rangers Radio Control Dragonzord and Green Ranger, £79.99
Age: 3 – 8 years
What it is: The green Power Ranger figurine slots in to his remote-controlled Dragonzord robot. 6 batteries needed – and included!
Why we love it: A big win for Power Ranger fans. Plus, Dragonzord has plenty of tricks: spiky tail, button-controlled rapid fire missiles, spins around in battle, fun sounds, and a PowerPad opens Dragonzord’s light-up chest.
Available from: Toys R Us
8. Air Hogs Thunder Trax RC Vehicle, £69.99
Age: 8 years +
What it is: A neon machine that transforms from truck to water vehicle.
Why we love it: This toy works everywhere - on the gravel, in your grassy garden, on snowy surfaces, even water. Water's the best, because it turns from track vehicle to boat when it hits the waves and you push a button. (Maybe don't actually put it in the waves.) The remote's also pretty familiar, in a similar style to the PlayStation controller.
Available from: Argos
9. Sphero Green Mini Remote Control Robot Ball, £49.99
Age: TBC
What it is: A mini robot, in the shape of a sphere, full of games and different apps to explore.
Why we love it: Not only is Sphero Mini rather entertaining, he also bumbles about and can be moved around just like a real robot.
Available from: Scan
10. Playmobil 5536 RC Underwater Motor, £36.99
Age: 7 - 12 years
What it is: It's not a toy in its own right - rather a motor you can attach to existing Playmobil boats.
Why we love it: We love this motor because it turns imaginative playtime into a real life watery adventure. Brilliant.
Available from: Argos
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