Buying Guides

Traxxas 3415 RC tool kit with ratcheting handle and zippered pouch
RC Stocking Stuffers Under $50: 10 Gifts Every RC Driver Will Actually Use
Ten RC stocking stuffers under $50: a LiPo checker, threadlock, shock oil, tire glue, body paint, tool kits and two USB-C chargers, plus what to check. Read more...
Axial SCX30 Jeep Wrangler JLU 1/30 scale RC rock crawler in green
2026 Holiday Gift Guide: Best RC, Drone, Telescope and STEM Gifts by Budget
RC trucks, mini drones, binoculars, telescopes and rocket kits sorted by budget, from under $50 to $300+, with what's in each box and who it suits. Read more...
Infographic: every robot has four parts (brain, muscle, senses, power) and three ways to start (STEM kits, combat bots, competition teams)
Getting Started with Robotics: A Beginner's Roadmap to STEM Kits, Combat Bots and Smart Machines
A plain-English robotics roadmap: the four parts of every robot, which STEM kit fits your age, combat bot classes and the tools to start. Read more...
Getting started with drones infographic: choose a GPS camera drone for smooth photos or an FPV drone for speed, then pass TRUST, register drones 250 g or more with Remote ID, check airspace, and get Part 107 to fly for pay
Getting Started with Drones: A Beginner's Roadmap to Camera Drones and FPV
Camera drone or FPV? Pick your first drone, learn to fly without costly crashes, and follow the 2026 U.S. rules. Read more...
Infographic: three-step ladder of RC car tiers, beginner small-scale ready-to-run, intermediate 1/10 scale 2S-to-3S bashers, advanced 6S and gyro motorcycle, with speed ranges
The Best RC Cars for Every Driver Level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Picks
Our picks for the best RC cars at every driver level, with verified top speeds, battery needs and the gear to go with them. Read more...
New to RC infographic: four steps to choose your first RC car - pick a place to drive, a vehicle type, a scale and a battery type - plus a day-one starter kit
New to RC? Start Here: How to Choose Your First RC Car or Truck
New to RC? Learn RTR vs kits, vehicle types, scales, jargon, NiMH vs LiPo and what to buy for day one. Read more...
Infographic ladder of RC airplane skill steps: simulator, high-wing trainer, bush STOL plane, low-wing warbird, then EDF jets and 3D
RC Airplane Buying Guide: How to Choose Your First (or Next) Plane
How to choose an RC airplane: RTF vs BNF, SAFE and AS3X, wing types, channels, FAA basics and our trainer-to-warbird picks. Read more...
Bat-Safe LiPo battery charging safe box
LiPo Charging Safety Checklist: The Quick Card for Your Charging Station
A quick, printable LiPo charging safety checklist: what to check before, during and after charging, plus storage voltage and Georgia heat tips. Read more...