Traxxas
Traxxas is an American RC brand that has been producing high-quality remote control vehicles for hobbyists and enthusiasts for over 35 years. Originally based in Texas in 1986, the company has earned one of the premium places in the RC world and is well-known for its top-of-the-line products that are designed to deliver impressive performance, speed, and durability.
It has a wide range of products including trucks, cars, speedboats, and quadcopters along with accessories for a personalized experience.
Traxxas models come fully assembled with feature-rich radio systems and are ready-to-drive in just minutes, including the 100mph Traxxas XO-1 supercar that has set a number of RC records.
The company is known for their innovative designs and multiple achievements, such as:
- First electric powered stadium truck and buggy models in 1986
- First radio-controlled boat, the Villan IV, in 1989
- First RTR nitro model, the Nitro Hawk, in 1992
- First full-sized monster truck model, the T-Maxx, in 1999
- Traxxas XO-1 – The World’s Fastest Ready-To-Race Supercar to break 100 mph speed and make 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds!, in 2002
- Introduced a self-righting system and launched their first aircraft products, the ready-to-fly DR-1 Helicopter and QR-1 Quadcopter, in November 2012.
Team Associated
Team Associated is a well-known brand in the remote control (RC) hobbyist community, specializing in producing high-quality RC vehicles since 1965. Based in California, USA, the company is known for its top-notch products that cater to hobbyists and enthusiasts of all skill levels.
With decades-long history, Team Associated has established itself as one of the most iconic RC brands in the market, both in the US and internationally.
Their vehicles are designed to deliver exceptional performance, durability, and precision. Their products are widely recognized for their high-quality construction, innovative technology, and advanced features. From entry-level models to racing and competition-grade machines, Team Associated has a diverse lineup of RC vehicles that cater to different preferences and skill levels. At the same time, they are mostly known for their championship winning buggies.
To make sure the RC buggy can win tournaments, Team Associated focuses on exceptional handling and control. Many of their models feature advanced suspension systems, optimized weight distribution, and precise steering mechanisms that allow users to maintain maximum control even on rough terrain.
HPI Racing
HPI Racing is a well-established brand that has been delivering high-quality remote control (RC) vehicles for over three decades.
It is a brand with a rich history that dates back to 1986. The company was founded by Tatsuro Watanabe in Japan, initially operating as a small radio control (RC) car shop named “Hobby Products International” (HPI). From its humble beginnings, HPI quickly gained popularity among RC enthusiasts for its high-quality, innovative, and performance-oriented RC cars and trucks.
In 1987, HPI introduced its first RC car kit, the “Super F1,” which was a 1/10 scale Formula 1 car that featured a realistic design and advanced features. This kit marked the beginning of HPI’s journey as a pioneer in the RC industry, known for pushing the boundaries of RC technology and design.
In 2003, HPI Racing was acquired by the global hobby products company, Hobbico, Inc., which further fueled its growth and global presence. HPI continued to innovate and introduce new models, earning a reputation for its exceptional performance, durability, and attention to detail.
Nowadays, the brand is most known for making one of the most iconic monster trucks in the industry – the Savage. They come with nitro big block power or electric engines capable of taking the beating and doing wheelies.
HPI Racing offers one of the widest ranges of RC vehicles, including on road and drift cars, trucks, buggies, and even mini RC cars for home, catering to different preferences and skill levels.
Kyosho
Kyosho is a prominent Japanese company that has been a significant player in the remote control hobby industry since its inception in 1963. The company was founded by Yasuhiro “Yoshi” Umino in Tokyo, Japan, with the initial goal of producing model cars for static display. However, Kyosho quickly ventured into the world of RC, pioneering new technologies and design concepts that would revolutionize the RC hobby.
In 1970, Kyosho introduced its first RC model, the “Dash 1” dune buggy, which was powered by a gasoline engine and featured a revolutionary chain-drive system. This groundbreaking model set the stage for Kyosho’s future success in the RC market, establishing the brand as an innovator in RC vehicle design and technology.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kyosho continued to push the boundaries of RC innovation, introducing a wide range of innovative products that gained popularity among RC enthusiasts. Notable releases during this period included the “Scorpion,” a 1/10 scale off-road buggy that became a classic among collectors, and the “Optima,” a 1/10 scale 4WD racing buggy that set new standards in performance and durability.
In the 1990s, Kyosho expanded its product lineup to include a wide range of RC vehicles, including cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters, and boats, catering to various types of RC hobbyists. The company also ventured into other areas of the RC hobby, producing high-quality accessories, upgrades, and spare parts to enhance the performance and customization of their products.
Kyosho has also been a pioneer in RC racing, producing high-performance racing cars that have won numerous championships and accolades. The brand has a strong presence in various RC racing disciplines, including on-road racing, off-road racing, and especially mini scale RC cars for indoor racing, with a reputation for producing competitive and reliable racing machines.
Tamiya
Tamiya is a Japanese company that has been a pioneer in the remote control (RC) hobby industry since its establishment in 1946. It is the oldest RC company still operating in the current days.
The company was originally founded by Yoshio Tamiya as a sawmill and woodworking business in Shizuoka, Japan, and later expanded its operations to include plastic model kits, which would eventually lead to its entry into the RC market.
In the 1960s, Tamiya introduced its first RC model, the “Porsche 956” racing car, which featured a groundbreaking 1/12 scale design and realistic details. This model was a significant success and established Tamiya as a leading brand in the emerging RC hobby market. Tamiya continued to innovate, introducing various RC models and expanding its product lineup to include cars, trucks, tanks, boats, airplanes, and other RC vehicles.
In the 1970s, Tamiya released the iconic “Rough Rider” and “Sand Scorcher” off-road buggies, which became instant classics and gained a cult following among RC enthusiasts. These models featured innovative design elements, such as independent suspension and realistic scale details, setting new standards for RC vehicle performance and durability.
Throughout the years, Tamiya has continued to push the boundaries of RC innovation, introducing numerous groundbreaking technologies and design concepts.
In addition to its RC vehicles, Tamiya has also been a major player in the static plastic model kit industry, producing highly detailed models of tanks, airplanes, ships, and other subjects.
Lastly, Tamiya has always been actively involved in RC racing, producing high-performance racing cars that have achieved success in various competitions and championships.
Losi
Founded in 1980 by Gil Losi Sr., Losi initially focused on producing high-quality aftermarket parts for RC cars. However, the company quickly gained a reputation for its innovation and superior product quality, leading to the development of their own line of RC vehicles.
In 1987, Losi released their first complete RC car kit, the JRX2, which was a pioneering 1/10 scale 2WD off-road racing buggy. The JRX2 featured numerous innovative design elements, such as adjustable suspension, ball differentials, and a durable graphite chassis, setting a new standard for performance and durability in the RC racing scene.
The company also developed groundbreaking technologies, such as the patented Active Vehicle Control (AVC) system that provides enhanced stability and control for RC cars, and the innovative 4WD electric brushless system that delivers unrivaled power and speed.
Losi has been a prominent brand in competitive RC racing, with many of its vehicles achieving success in various competitions and championships around the world. The company has also collaborated with renowned professional RC racers to develop signature edition vehicles that are specifically designed for racing at the highest level.
In 1999, Losi was acquired by Horizon Hobby, a leading distributor of RC products, which has helped to further strengthen the brand and expand its global reach. Today, Losi continues to be a prominent player in the RC hobby market, offering a diverse range of high-performance RC vehicles, upgrades, and accessories for hobbyists of all levels of experience.
Axial
Axial was founded in 2005 by Jeff Johns and Jeff “PeeWee” Toland, who shared a passion for RC vehicles and a vision for creating innovative and authentic products for the growing scale RC community.
The brand has quickly gained popularity among RC enthusiasts for their attention to detail, realistic designs, and durable construction. The brand’s first product, the AX10 Scorpion, was a groundbreaking 1/10 scale rock crawler that featured a unique tube chassis design, realistic scale details, and advanced suspension system, setting a new standard for the scale RC crawling scene. Since then, the company still got it and are still producing some of the best RC crawlers on the market.
Since then, Axial has continued to innovate and expand its product lineup, offering a wide range of scale RC vehicles, including rock crawlers, which they are mostly known for, trail trucks, and scale replicas of popular off-road vehicles.
One of the key factors that set Axial apart is their commitment to authenticity. The brand has established numerous licensing agreements with popular off-road vehicle manufacturers, such as Jeep, Chevrolet, and Ford, allowing them to create highly detailed scale replicas that accurately capture the look and feel of the real vehicles. This attention to authenticity has earned Axial a reputation for producing some of the most realistic and scale-worthy RC vehicles in the industry.
Axial has also been actively involved in the RC crawling and off-road community, sponsoring events, competitions, and supporting a passionate community of RC enthusiasts.
In 2018, Axial was acquired by Horizon Hobby, a leading distributor of RC products, which has provided the brand with additional resources and support for further growth and development.
Redcat Racing
The brand was founded in 2005 by a group of dedicated RC enthusiasts who aimed to create accessible and enjoyable RC products for hobbyists of all skill levels.
Redcat Racing started with a focus on developing nitro-powered RC vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buggies. Their first product, the Redcat Racing Hurricane XP, gained popularity for its performance, durability, and affordability. This success paved the way for the brand to expand its product lineup and establish a strong presence in the RC market.
In the following years, Redcat Racing continued to introduce a variety of RC vehicles, including electric-powered cars, trucks, and rock crawlers, catering to different segments of the RC community.
One of the key factors that set Redcat Racing apart is their commitment to innovation. The brand has introduced several unique features in their RC vehicles, such as four-wheel steering, adjustable suspension systems, and realistic scale details, providing users with enhanced performance and customization options.
Lastly, they have one of the best customer service you can find in the RC niche.
ARRMA
ARRMA may be one of the most well-known brand in remote control (RC) hobbyists currently. The brand is quickly gaining attention for their high-quality and robust vehicles.
ARRMA is a relatively new player in the RC scene, having only been established in 2009 and is based in Ladson, South Carolina. But despite their short history, they have quickly become known for producing some of the toughest and most capable RC vehicles on the market.
ARRMA was launched as a standalone brand under the Hobbico umbrella to cater specifically to the needs of the off-road and bashing RC community.
ARRMA’s mission from the beginning has been to create RC vehicles that are “Designed to be Fast, Designed to be Tough.”
The RC vehicles are purpose-built by a team of experts who recognize the significance of durability, speed, and outstanding value. With a focus on performance, these vehicles are meticulously crafted from scratch, designed to excel in speed and durability, making them ideal for those seeking both power and resilience.
ECX
ECX, short for Electrix RC, is a brand that focuses on manufacturing entry-level and budget-friendly remote control (RC) vehicles for the RC hobby industry. The brand was founded in 2010 and is part of the Horizon Hobby family, which is a leading distributor of RC products based in the United States.
ECX’s history can be traced back to the increasing demand for affordable yet reliable RC vehicles that cater to beginners and those looking to enter the hobby without breaking the bank.
One of the defining aspects of ECX’s history is their commitment to making RC vehicles that are easy to use and maintain. Their products are designed with simplicity in mind, featuring user-friendly controls, durable components, and straightforward assembly processes, making them ideal for newcomers to the hobby or those on a budget.
Their vehicles are typically powered by brushed motors, which provide a good balance between performance and affordability.
