Kids young and old love tanks. They look cool, they’re strong and they blow things up. That’s why tanks have been favorite toys for almost as long as the real things have existed, combine that with the ability to control them remotely, and there’s a huge amount of fun to be had. A remote control tank offers realistic sounds and movement without destructive power.
Using only the most trustworthy intel from real online reviews and blasting away any toys with fake ones, we’ve created this shortlist of the twelve best remote control tanks that can take on any mission they are needed for.
1Cheerwing 1:72 German Tiger (Best Budget Option)
The Cheerwing 1:72 German Tiger features a high-quality design to resemble the real thing. It even has a 360° rotating turret and flexible tracks that work along hard surfaces, outdoors, and on carpeted areas. For visual effects, it has a fun recoil effect whenever the cannon artillery “fires”. There are also some cool firing sound effects so kids can fully immerse themselves.
What we love
- Has good maneuverability to go over or around certain objects
- Designed with realistic features such as the rotating turret and the cool sound effects
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some noises can overpower the other sounds so it can be difficult to hear everything at once
25-in-1 Remote Control STEM Building Blocks Car Tank (Best Quality Option)
The STEM Building Blocks Car Tank is one of the 12 best remote control tanks that feature a versatile design. With 402 included pieces, this toy boasts 5 different model combinations so kids can create a multitude of different vehicles for a more diverse play experience. Controlling the vehicle is both straightforward and intuitive thanks to the car’s sensing ability.
What we love
- The remote features a good battery life so kids can play longer
- Well-designed and may drive well on flat and some uneven terrain outdoors
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some pieces such as the axel may fit a bit awkwardly with separate LEGO pieces
3Bo-Toys RC Shooting Tank
The Bo-Toys RC Shooting Tank remarkably includes 1,276 pieces so kids can construct the ultimate faux “Storm of the Desert” shooting tank. It is a great tool to use to encourage patience, communication, and hand-eye coordination in children as they carefully construct the impressive tank. Once the military vehicle is put together, it can serve well for mock battle simulations.
What we love
- Features detailed, step-by-step instructions to guide kids through the setup process
- Includes reliable materials so that the result is sturdy to hold up against frequent play
What We Don't Like That Much
- The tank may only work well when moved indoors on hard, flat surfaces
4POCO DIVO Abrams vs. Terrorist Fort Combat Fight RC Tank
This RC tank is a cool replica of the Abrams vs. Terrorist Fort combat fight that uses a mock M1A2 Abrams USA Battle Tank. Both the tank and the fort are interactive for great immersion and pretend play. To start with the tank, it features fun cannon and engine sounds. It also has a 300° rotating turret, and 4 LED indicator lights.
What we love
- The tank features incredible turret rotation to make the battle more realistic and fun
- When struck, the tank is designed to simulate real damage by turning off certain functions
What We Don't Like That Much
- If used indoors, there is a chance that certain rapid turns can cause the tank tracks to come off
5Haktoys RC 12in. Fighting Battle Tanks
The Haktoys RC 12in. Fighting Battle Tanks are some of the best remote control tanks that come in a pair so kids can instantly jump into simulated wars. Each tank comes with its own remote control, and they are each on different frequencies: 27MHz and 40MHz. This way, there should be no interference so the tanks operate individually with ease. The tanks also differ in design as one is desert camo and the other is woodland camo.
What we love
- Features interactive firing effects using sounds and movements
- Fun separate designs on each tank to easily differentiate them
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might have to readjust the wheel treads if the tanks are used on carpet
6Remote Control M4A3 Sherman IR Battle Tank
Designed after the US M4A3 Sherman battle tank, this full-scale RC tank includes fully functional transmitter controls that allow for seven-way movement. This also features a high-gripping caterpillar design that lets the tank climb steep slopes of up to 45°. Additional functions include left and right turning of the turret and up and down movement of the gun.
What we love
- Can be used well on outdoor and indoor surfaces
- Features wonderful sound effects and motions to simulate real battles
What We Don't Like That Much
- The cannon has to be manually raised or lowered as it can't be done with the controller
7RC Tanks 1:28 M1A2 American Tank Army Tank Toys
The RC Tanks 1:28 M1A2 American Tank is one of the 12 best remote control tanks with hyper-realistic detailing. Modeled after the German Tiger Tank, it is designed in a way that it can be used as an RC toy just as well as it can be set up as part of a collection. This tank moves in multiple directions, going left, right, forward, and backward. The remote has a distance of 25 meters and it also comes with an optional soldier to drive the tank.
What we love
- Comes with a sturdy controller that is easy to navigate
- Handles different terrain and obstacles well
What We Don't Like That Much
- Can be a bit of a hassle to unscrew the compartment to recharge the battery
8STEM Toys Remote Control Building Sets
With the STEM Toys Remote Control Building Sets, children can experience the joy of RC toys while gaining some lifelong skills. Using 353 pieces, this set allows for the creation of three different speedsters all movable with the remote controller. This comes with two strong motors along with textured tires so that the vehicles move well on various surfaces.
What we love
- Quality tires allow it to work great for off-road driving
- Solid pieces that hold together well
What We Don't Like That Much
- Both the controls and range of the controller are limited and basic in use
9Fisca Remote Control Tank
The Fisca Remote Control Tank is one of the best remote control tanks in a high-end design that features 15 full-channel operations. It can perform the usual feats of moving forward, but it also goes backward/forward right, left spin/backward right, and left spin/center-rotate to right. Through the controller, kids can also move it left and rotate the turret, move the muzzle up and down, and shoot out soft bullets.
What we love
- Great recoil simulation when the bullets are fired
- Offers smooth control for indoor use
What We Don't Like That Much
- The remote feels like it could be stronger
10JJRC RC Tank
The JJRC RC Tank is a realistic military tank that can operate like a full-function stunt vehicle. It features a 270° rotating turret, a movable barrel that has a 30° tilt angle, and realistic recoil action and firing sound when the cannon shoots. Alongside that, the tank boasts a motor start-up sound and an engine sound.
What we love
- Features durable construction in a lightweight, easy-to-carry design
- Readily switches angles so that it moves on flat surfaces and inclines well
What We Don't Like That Much
- Controls require some force to use, so young kids may need help
11Mostop Remote Control Crawler High Speed Tank
A robust type of tank, the Mostop Remote Control Crawler gives a high-speed race-like quality in a hefty design. With full-scale control, the tank can move backward, forward, and turn left or right. It’s known to reach speeds greater than 9 mph, and it has a comfortable 80-meter range.
What we love
- Tracks have a good shock-absorption system and the car moves well on multiple terrain types
- Travels at fun high speeds that's easily controlled
What We Don't Like That Much
- There's a chance that the tracks can come off during sharp turns
12Best Choice Products Remote Control Infrared Battling Tanks
Coming in a set of two, the Best Choice Products Remote Control Infrared Battling Tanks are great fun for kids to engage in battle with a sibling, parent, or friend. They come in two different colors with one featuring a desert camo pattern and the other a solid blue tone. There are cool binocular-styled controllers that come with them and they can be paired with up to 10 additional remotes for extreme battles.
What we love
- Fun battle play as the tank will stop functioning if it is hit enough times
- The tanks themselves are well-built with realistic detailing applied throughout
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might be best used on hard surfaces as the treads may slip off on carpet or grass
