Whether you love or hate war, nothing is quite as fascinating as looking at a massive tank rumbling down the road. Tanks have gained a lot of popularity during war times, but nowadays, we only look at them as weapons of destruction. However, the best RC tanks are not as violent and your favorite war tanks can now be in your control.
Tanks are off-road vehicles and they have the ability to take on virtually any terrain with ease. A tank is designed to withstand the forces of nature and give you an experience like never before. You can now reach those tough destinations that no racer will ever reach with your off-road tank.
There is a multitude of RC vehicles on the market today, but nothing stands out quite as much as the tank. With its ability to navigate new terrains, it strikes fear into the heart of any soldier. These RC tanks can help you have some fun outdoors.
Here are some of the top RC tanks that are currently available on the market today:
Top 10 Best RC Tanks
1. German Leopard II A5 Main Battle RC Tank
The first tank we have is one of the toughest German tanks to ever be designed. With a 1:24 scale, the German Leopard II A5 Main Battle Tank is fully scaled with a turret that can turn for around 320-degrees. The model is really durable, but can still be upgraded with metal gears and tracks if you want to take on the worst conditions.
Tanks are not always known for their climbing ability, but this one can do just that. It can easily climb slopes of up to 35-degrees. The 9.6-volt battery that is used can hold a massive charge of around 1000mAh. This gives you ample playing time, but the massive charging time will be something you need to keep in mind.
Additionally, the tank can also emulate war sounds and play some music. For a child, this can be the perfect war simulation toy. Unfortunately, it is rather expensive to buy, but you do receive it already assembled and ready to run. We would recommend it with the upgraded metal tracks to ensure even more functionality.
Pros
- Barrel turns 320-degrees
- The battery can hold a 1000mAh charge
- Includes war sound simulations
- Climbs slopes of up to 35-degrees
Cons
- A little expensive
2. US M1A2 Abrams Air Soft RC Battle Tank
One of the more elegant tanks is made in the US. The M1A2 Abrams Air Soft Battle Tank is a state of the art modern tank that offers a lot of maneuverability, even as an RC model. It features 7.4V 1800mAh Li-On battery that will hold enough charge for a full war simulation. According to the manufacturer, the run time should be around 15-minutes.
What makes this tank so special is the ability to fire Airsoft bullets and features realistic smoke function. The BB bullets can be fired a staggering 25 meters and maximum side turning angel of turret is 320 degree. The tank can run at multiple different speeds and also includes the sounds of the engine and the rounds being fired through the main barrel.
If you plan to wage your own small war with friends, this should be an excellent option to consider.
Pros
- Fires Airsoft Rounds
- Realistic design with sounds
- 4 sound effects
- Realistic smoke function
Cons
- Not designed for rough terrains
3. Russian T-34/85 Air Soft RC Battle Tank
The Russians might have a few older or decommissioned tanks, but the Russian T-34/85 RC Air soft Battle Tank is still one of our favorites. This model has been scaled to 1:16, making it the ideal size for children to play with.
The barrel can turn 320-degrees and the tank has the ability to actually climb 35-degree angles with a lot of ease. Additionally, it has the same effect as you would see on the normal tank when it fires and the sounds are also emulated. This also includes the tank driving and the barrel turning in different directions.
As for the price, it has been priced quite reasonably when you take into account that many of these tanks can be a little expensive. If you are looking for a great tank that can be used for your war simulation games, this is the one we would have to recommend.
Pros
- Emulates the sounds of the real tank
- Turret turns 320-degrees
- Climbs 35-degree angles with ease
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- The remote burns through batteries rapidly
4. Cheerwing German Tiger I Panzer Tank
Another great German tank is the Cheerwing German Tiger I Panzer Tank that is built to a small scale of 1:72. It features a 3.7-volt battery, which is rather small but can still hold a charge of around 110mAh. This might not seem like much, but with the smaller size, the tank does not really need a lot of power to function correctly.
One of the best features is the turret and even though the tank does look extremely realistic and like collector’s item, the remote control also gives you turret access. It is noted that the turret can actually turn the full 360-degrees by simply using the remove. Unfortunately, the size does not permit it to actually climb all that much.
Since this tank is designed with most of the basic features, it is also one of the more affordable options. In fact, this is probably one of the cheapest models that you can find. We would highly recommend it to beginners and those looking to start collecting RC tanks. It should also make the perfect give for younger children.
Pros
- Really affordable
- Realistic design
- Runs for 10-15 minutes
- Fast charging time
Cons
- Not ideal for climbing
- A little too small
5. M1A2 Abrams USA Battle Tank
We have already seen this tank on the list, but since it is such an amazing tank, we simply had to include the M1A2 Abrams USA Battle Tank once again. This one is a little and it still features the same type of battery that allows it to run for up to 20-minutes when fully charged. In addition, the charging time is only around 2-hours.
What makes this one so special is the desert camouflage that has been integrated into the design. The remote is the same and it features multiple speed control options, while the sounds and the turrets will allow you to have an authentic tank that sounds like the real thing. It can shoot standard BB bullets for up to 9-feet.
While it is the same tank as the previous model, it is still a little more expensive, but when you are looking for something more authentic, this will be the model to go with. Additionally, you can buy one of each and they can be used to wage war against one another.
Pros
- Desert camouflage
- 20-minutes running time
- Shoots BB bullets
- Authentic sound
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not the best model for rough terrains
6. Liberty Imports RC Fighting Battle Tanks
Kids should love these tanks. Since it comes in a pack of 2, the Liberty Imports RC Fighting Battle Tanks have been scaled to small models and they can be used by all children. With the Abrams design, they also look authentic on the battleground. Since these tanks don’t use a lot of battery, they do works for quite sometimes.
If your children love competing, these tanks can be something for them to use. It comes with a life indicator and it uses infrared to indicate if one has been hit. Once you hit the other tank 3-times, the life indicator will reset and you have a clear winner. It is worth noting that it features realistic shooting sounds.
These tanks are really affordable for what you receive and this does make it an excellent buy. The tanks are stylish, but they lack some of the more advanced features that actually make the tank authentic. Nevertheless, we would still recommend it to children who love war and want to have some competition.
Pros
- Great for competition
- Really cheap
- Easy to maneuver
- 15-20 minutes plying time
Cons
- Lacks a few authentic features of the more expensive versions
7. iPlay RC Battling Tanks
It is no secret that we all have a competitive streak in us and the iPlay RC Battling Tanks are one of the top options that can help you with this streak. It features 2 tanks that have been designed with infrared lasers and can actually attach one another. If you are hit three times, you lose and the indicator will reset on both tanks.
The turrets on these small tanks can turn 320-degrees, but if you find your opponent climbing up a slope somewhere, the turret can also shoot up or down. With a 30-degree up and down motion, these tanks are fully functional for all-out war. Once you add more infrared tanks, you will have a war on your hands.
Much like some of the other combination packs, these tanks are really affordable and since you get two in a package, you can actually buy 4 for even more fun. The tank has authentic sounds and includes machine gun fire as well if you are looking to have the full experience of using a tank in the midst of a war.
Pros
- Really affordable
- 20-minutes play time
- Authentic sounds, including the machine gun
- Easy to maneuver
- Multifunctional turret moves 320-degrees
Cons
- The models are a little small
8. Midea US M1A2 Abrams Air Soft RC Battle Tank
If you are a tank enthusiast, the Midea US M1A2 Abrams Air Soft RC Battle Tank will be one of your favorites. We have seen quite a bit of the US M1A2 Abrams Air Soft RC Battle Tank, but this is one of the best looking designs. It features the standard look that you would picture in your mind if you simply close your eyes and imagine.
While it can still turn 320-degrees with the turret, or move up down for an additional 30-degrees, the tank features metal incorporation for the tracks, this makes it perfect for climbing at those 35-degree angles and taking on tough terrains. Once again, it features the same durability level and real tank sounds.
Unfortunately, this tank might be perfect, but it does have one downfall at the price. The tank is not designed for those simply looking to have fun and all of the features are made to look authentic. If you don’t like battling tanks, this should not deter you, as it can also work well as a collector’s edition on your shelves.
Pros
- Extremely authentic
- Metal incorporation add to the durability
- Works on most tough terrains
- The turret is fully functional
Cons
- Really expensive
9. Leopard IIA5 German Battle Tank
Once again, we have another model that should work well for both kids and adults. The POCO DIVO Leopard IIA5 German Battle Tank are designed for dual battling as they come with both infrared battling & BB shooting features, you can get value for your money.
The tanks also features realistic firing sounds and recoil action when cannons fire. It has vital force 4 LED indicator for infrared battling. It is also very affordable and it won’t don’t break your budget too much. Though it might lack some of the advanced functionality such as the ability to move on different terrain, but we still recommend them for the value.
Pros
- Infrared turrets for battle
- Fully maneuverable
- The turret can be moved
- Playing time up to 60 mins
- Really affordable
Cons
- Lacks the ability to navigate tough terrains
10. Russian T-90 Air Soft RC Tank
Last but certainly not least, The Russian T-90 Air Soft RC Tank has been widely regarded as one of the best things ever made in Russia. It comes with a 1:16 scale design that makes it look extremely real.
The tanks also feature the ability to fire your Airsoft bullets and the turret has full functionality when it comes to moving. According to the manufacturer, it can move 320-degrees to the sides, with the additional 30-degrees up and down. This makes it ideal for some of your war simulations, especially with the sounds included.
It is the most expensive tank we have on this list, but when looking at the features, it is also one of the most versatile. If you love different terrains, this tank will allow you to easily navigate them and find the perfect location.
Pros
- Exceptional durability
- Authentic design
- Fires standard BB bullets
- The turret can be moved a lot
Cons
- Really expensive
Key Features To Consider When Choosing The Best RC Tanks:
Now that you have seen all of the top tanks, you might be wondering how we actually chose them. However, we did a lot of research and had some fun playing with them as well. If you would like to find out which features are the most important, you should keep this buyer’s guide in mind:
Authenticity
Nothing is as important as having an authentic model. If your tank is authentic, it will look much better. The scale is something to keep in mind and if the tank is too small, it might not allow the manufacturer to add everything. Things like real engine sounds and the barrel actually moving when firing is another thing to look for when you think of authenticity.
Battery Quality
No matter which RC vehicle you choose, the battery is important. Lithium-ion is generally considered a better battery with a longer durability record. However, we recommend looking in the range of 7.4-volts as this means the battery will last for around 20-minutes of playing time as well. You do need to keep in mind that the sounds also use up batteries.
Design
The design of the model not only refers to the type but also the set of wheels that have been used. Some of the newer models include steel rails for the wheels and this does give it a little more durability on tougher terrains. However, the price does have an influence and choosing these durable materials tends to spike the price a little.
Combination Sets
Lastly, you can look at a couple of combination sets. The combo sets include 2 tanks that make it possible for you to battle one another. Since they use infrared light to indicate if one has been hit, they are a little more affordable. However, you might like something more authentic and models that fire Airsoft rounds are also available nowadays.
Wrap-Up
The Best RC tanks are not made for the faint of heart and even though they are considered toys, they still offer you a unique experience. We highly recommend all of these models, but the US Abrams M1A2 is one of the best models you can pick.