Remote- & App-Controlled Toys

Remote- & App-Controlled Toys has over 180 toys you drive, steer or programme. Most are vehicles: RC cars, 2.4GHz excavators, front loaders, tractors and remote-control trains with lights and sound. There are also about 50 building sets you motorise yourself, including app-controlled LEGO and Mould King kits, programmable STEM robots, and remote-control dinosaurs and walking, barking pets.

Types

• RC vehicles – cars, trucks and construction vehicles. Find more on Remote Control Toys.
• Buildable and programmable – app or remote builds and coding robots. See also STEM & Coding Toys.
• Interactive animals – remote dinosaurs and robotic pets.

Ages and prices

Of the toys with an age grade, about 43% are rated from 3–4 years (simple toddler RC cars), 25% at 5–7 and 25% at 8–11, which is where most programmable builds sit. These are pricier than most toys. The entry price is £21, a mid-range model costs about £72, and most sit between £32 and £123.

Battery and charging safety

Many RC toys use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries charged by USB. Use the supplied cable, don't leave toys charging unattended overnight, and stop using any battery that swells or gets hot. Remote controls and small robots may use button or coin cell batteries, so check that covers are screwed shut and keep spare cells out of reach.

FAQs

Do RC toys come with batteries?

Many include a rechargeable pack, but the remote control often needs AA batteries. Check the listing.

What does 2.4GHz mean?

It's the radio frequency that lets several RC toys run at the same time without interfering with each other.

Does app control need a phone?

Yes. App-controlled toys need a compatible smartphone or tablet, and the listing names the app.

Are RC toys suitable for indoors?

Small RC cars, robots and walking pets are fine indoors. Faster cars and excavators are better on patios and hard ground outside, and the listing gives the size in centimetres.

Use all categories or brands A–Z to keep exploring. Prefer to build it yourself? LEGO, magnetic tiles and construction kits are in Building & Construction Toys.