A machine designed to dig through the earth, Excavators are the backbone of the construction world. Consisting of a boom, dipper, bucket, and cab on a rotating platform; these machines are engineering marvels. So it’s no wonder that the experience of wielding your own has been made possible with fully functional RC scale models!
- Our Top Pick: Top Race TR-211
- Budget Pick: Top Race TR-111
- Hobby-Grade: Top Race TR-211M
- 3-in-1: Double E Excavator
- Toy: Take Apart Construction Set
- Mini Scale: Top Race TR-018
- Buying Advice
Looking for more RC Construction? Check out The Best RC Construction Equipment Roundup (2020)
The Top-Rated RC Excavators (2020)
| Editor’s Pick | Model | Type | Scale | Age | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick | Top Race TR-211 | Ready-to-run | 1:14 | 8+ | 4.3 |
| Budget Pick | Top Race TR-111 | Ready-to-run | 1:18 | 3+ | 3.5 |
| Hobby-Grade | Top Race TR 211M | Ready-to-run | 1:14 | 15+ | 4.2 |
Our Top Pick:Top Race TR-211
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
RTR | 1:14 scale | Ages 8+
Radio System: Gamepad style, 2.4GHz 15-channel
Scale: 1:14
Cab Rotation: 680°
Running Time: 25-30 minutes
Charging Time: 80 minutes
Batteries: Rechargeable, 7.2v 400mAh Ni-CD
Control Range: Up to 50ft
Recommended Age: 8+
- The Pros: Sturdy die-cast metal bucket, includes extra attachments
- The Cons: Plastic gears prone to wear, rainbow cab light out of place
Part Top Race’s 200 series, which includes the TR-212 Dump Truck, the TR-213 Bulldozer, the TR-214 Crane and the TR-216 Forklift, the TR-211 is arguably the best all-around RC Excavator under $100.
Construction
The TR-211 is superbly detailed with a high-quality plastic molding, a fully retractable bucket arm, and tread based driving mechanism.
The treads are made from good quality flexible plastic that stood up well to all manner of dirt, water, sand, and mud. And while the workbench is not submersible, owing to the power switch being located on the bottom of the workbench, the treads can go through shallow pools for lifting water with the metal bucket. However, we would recommend cleaning any sand or debris out from the tracks after use to prevent wear.
The reason for its capacity to travel across shallow water is helped by its 7.2v, 400mAh Ni-CD Battery, suitably placed at the top rear of the workbench, rather than below the base. Keeping this nice and high gives enough clearance that you shouldn’t need to worry about water damage. Another benefit of this position is that it can act as a counterweight for the arm, allowing a suitable lift with the die-cast metal bucket.
The TR-211 model has enough strength to lift its own weight akin to a regular excavator, allowing for the sort of maneuvers over steep climbs and dips you would want to attempt. However, there is no limiter on the gearbox to prevent overturning at the weight and articulation limits, which will give a very obvious clicking warning you to stop before the gears begin to wear.
Control
The gamepad style transmitter, requiring 2xAA batteries, allows a range of functions with easy controls all accessible from the remote itself. These control the full rotation and forward/backward movement of the treads, and separate controls manage the arm and bucket movements and the central workbench platform’s rotation. There are also functions for volume control, which is helpful for those who don’t want to listen to the impressively realistic construction noises.
One minor issue we have had with the remote is despite its 2.4GHz transmitter, the signal can be prone to interference. However, we found that simply moving away from other electrical devices such as running microwaves or wireless routers mitigated these problems. In ideal circumstances, the range can reach over 30m.
A 680° motion on the workbench allows for the arm and bucket to be used from any angle, and the arm itself is powered by 3 individual servo motors allowing for precise control of motion. The included metal shovel can lift a few ounces and has no trouble digging into the sand and gravel.
With its 15-channels, the remote can control everything from turning off the relatively loud sounds and lights from the engine and cab, to the dual sticks that allow individual movement of each tread for realistic driving. Routines can also be customized with a dedicated programmable button; Allowing for automated operations that you can tweak for whatever task you set out to accomplish. The build quality of the controller is reasonable, although we did encounter the occasional sticky button.
Battery
The included 7.2v 400mAh USB Rechargeable battery takes about 80 minutes to fully charge. However, one slight complaint we have is that the charging port can be temperamental, with the wires having a disappointingly cheap feel for the price of the package.
The battery can give a respectable 25-30 minutes use on a full charge, although the use of Ni-CD batteries is a bit of a letdown. However, it’s worth noting that they can be upgraded at a later date to higher capacity LiPo cells to avoid the quite lengthy charging times.
The included USB charger is somewhat slow and short and doesn’t come with its own power brick, but any USB power brick or battery bank will work.
The Bad
While the body is made of a high quality and detailed plastic molding, some pieces around the exterior are a little less sturdy, which may break if put through rough treatment or falls. So despite the heft and durability, it is still advised to drive with caution when transversing over steeper terrain.
The Verdict
Actual use is thoroughly enjoyable, with decent running speed and plenty of clearance over dirt, grass, and gravel. However, smoother surfaces with less available traction or high carpets can be less forgiving. Overall, if you’re looking for the best servo equipped RC excavator, without stepping up to it’s bigger brother, the TR-211M, the TR-211 excels at giving you a realistic excavator feel without breaking the bank.
Budget Pick:Top Race TR-111
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
RTR | 1:18 scale | Ages 3+
Radio System: Gamepad style, 2.4GHz 15-channel
Scale: 1:18
Cab Rotation: 360°
Running Time: N/A
Charging Time: N/A
Batteries: 6xAA’s
Control Range: Up to 50ft
Recommended Age: 3+
- The Pros: Easy, intuitive controls for beginners
- The Cons: Shovel bucket made from plastic, non-rechargeable battery
Part of Top Race’s 100 series, which includes the TR-112 Dump Truck, the TR-111 comes in at almost half the price of its bigger brother, but sports a lot of the same design notes and functionality as the more expensive TR-211. There are off course some cutbacks from the more expensive models. But if you’re on a budget and you can live with some of the sacrifices, there’s definitely still fun to be had!
What’s Changed?
As for the cutbacks, the 680° workbench rotation is now limited to 360° of movement. Gone is the metal bucket, which has been replaced for a cheaper plastic alternative, allowing for less weight but still able to grab light objects.
Control of the arm and bucket has been simplified to a predetermined routine, controllable from the more stripped back remote design. However, they do still allow for picking up small, light objects.
Cabin lights and sounds still make the cut, with the realistic, slightly more muffled engine and warning sounds, and a somewhat cheaper tank tread design that still allows for full rotational and forward/backward movement even over soil and dirt.
Another change is the shift from included rechargeable batteries to standard AA batteries, which can be overlooked if using your own rechargeable batteries, but otherwise give a healthy run time.
The Bad
Again, as with the TR-211, The treads sometimes have a tendency to struggle on high pile carpets, and with enough resistance, the tread can slip from the wheels. However, this is easily fixed but may become an annoyance for younger children.
The Verdict
For a younger audience, the TR-111 is still a fantastic introduction to the RC construction world without excavating your bank account!
Hobby-Grade:Top Race TR-211M
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
RTR | 1:14 scale | Ages 15+
Radio System: Gamepad style, 2.4GHz 23-channel
Scale: 1:14
Cab Rotation: Unlimited
Running Time: 45-50 minutes
Charging Time: 2-3 hours
Batteries: Rechargeable 7.4v, 2000mAh Ni-CD
Control Range: Up to 100ft
Recommended Age: 15+
- The Pros: Powerful enough to dig on heavy dirt without softening first
- The Cons: Motors can be a little loud
For the ultimate in excavator action, the all-metal Top Race TR 211-M is a hobbyist grade option for those enthusiasts who really want to push the limits of RC without going into the $1500-$3000 price range of hydraulic RC Excavators. From the moment you open the package, the attention to detail that has gone into presentation impress instantly.
Upon opening a wonderfully premium case with molded foam packaging, you’ll find the behemoth 22lbs TR-211M.
The Improvements
Following similar designs to it’s lighter TR-211 cousin. The all-metal TR-211M will look familiar to anyone who’s previously used Top Race’s midrange line-up, but boasting a few impressive upgrades that really pushes this to the next level.
The workbench features infinitely rotating motors, no longer limited to the 680-degrees of past models. The plastic gears that would find themselves stripped under pressure? Replaced with metal screw motors with limiting switches, activated when the arms have reached the end of their range of motion. This prevents not only wear on the arms at full extension but also when the bucket is encumbered, allowing you to reposition without risking damage.
The tracks, cabin, workbench, arm, and tools are all die-cast metal and able to hold their own against any surfaces or angles. With some exceptions, being around the cabin and some hoses for flair, there’s hardly a piece of plastic to be found.
All the usual bells and whistles are to be found too, with lights and sounds toggleable via the remote. Despite this, the actual sound of operation is almost enough to drown out the speaker noise anyway. For an added touch of realism, there’s also a faux smoke emitter, using an oil-soaked pad on the rear of the workbench.
Construction
This impressive build quality translates to some serious strength. With motors that’ll take 180 lbs of weight on the back of the cabin, and a digging force able to pierce through dirt and mud with ease.
With over a pound of digging pressure per cubic inch, the TR-211M can carve some seriously impressive holes. And with it’s included extra arm heads, able to be swapped in and out with the included tools, you can also break through harder soil with the pneumatic hammer or lift timber and more with the motorized claw grip.
Battery
Backing all of this up is the 2000mAh battery giving close to an hour and a half of use on a single full charge. And with its XT30 connector, additional batteries can be swapped in and out in a pinch. Run time is a healthy 45-50 minutes from a 2-3 hour charge.
Control
Manipulation of the arms is easy, following CAT style controls for the sticks, and the shoulder buttons for the left and right tank-style controls for movement of the cabin. The arm articulation and proportional controls allow for the kind of tricks and maneuvers you’ll see experts pull in real excavators — everything from lifting itself up on steps and platforms, to traversing hills and slopes.
The remote, with an LCD screen, can wirelessly monitor the power and battery life from right within your hands. Not only that, but included are password and timer locking functions for the controls, enabling monitoring of playtime for the kids, or for timers with kiosk operation in a yard.
The Bad
Our only gripe is a minor one, with the hammer tool having a bit of a softer edge than we’d have liked to see, really allowing it only to break up drier soil. However, extras such as rippers, stump pullers, ditching buckets, and hitching extensions are available from external sellers supporting the line. The TR-211M is built using the Huina 1850 design. So anything produced for the same bucket mounting pin will work across both Top Race and Hunia models.
While some reports of part failures have been shared, Top Race’s customer support is quick to deal with any issues, and with the hardware improvements made to the latest V3 models, including better parts on the motherboards that are more resistant to burning out, overload and better traces, these issues are hopefully a thing of the past.
The Verdict
For the premium price, you should expect a premium product, and the TR-211M does not disappoint.
3-in-1:Double E Excavator
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
RTR | 1:16 scale | Ages 8+
Radio System: Gamepad style, 2.4GHz 17-channel
Scale: 1:16
Cab Rotation: 680°
Running Time: 25-35 minutes
Charging Time: 80 minutes
Batteries: Rechargeable 4.8v, 800mAh Ni-CD
Control Range: Up to 50ft
Recommended Age: 8+
- The Pros: Includes shovel, breaker, and grabber accessories
- The Cons: Awkward battery access
For those looking for a little more than meets the eye, this transforming excavator from Double E includes all the bells and whistles of other popular models, but also includes a few extra features to really help bring the model to life.
Construction
As standard, it comes equipped with a metal bucket capable of lifting a full load of sand with ease. However, also included are a working pneumatic drill and extendable and controllable claw attachment! With just a simple bolt removed from the end of the arm, parts are easily switched, and a simple cable connects the powered attachments with a port on the arm, enabling working controls for these extra parts.
The cabin and arms are made from high-quality plastic molding, heavily influenced by actual CAT excavators, giving the entire model a realistic look and feel, and at 1/16 scale, the model has a decent size and weight.
The pneumatic drill is competent enough to break apart clumps of wet sand, and the claw has enough control and grip to pick up objects such as ping pong sized balls, pens, small rocks, and more. Turn a pencil case into a logging station in minutes!
Control
All 17 channel functions are found on the dual stick remote, which includes a remote start, horn, and mute functions, 3 points of control for the bucket arm, and the attachment controls, as well as standard controls of the rotation and momentum of the cabin and tracks themselves. Unfortunately, the plastics on the remote feel a little cheap when measured against the better quality ABS plastic of the excavator itself.
The cabin has its own LEDs that flash during function, but don’t expect these to light a room.
Battery
Battery life is decent with a sizeable 800mAh battery, which after an 80-minute charge gave a respectable 25-35 minute run time. This power allows the Double E to reach impressive speeds across surfaces such as dirt, sand, and flat floors.
The only downside is that the battery compartment must be unscrewed and disconnected each time to recharge the battery with the included USB cable, which can be inconvenient. A second battery helps sting the pain a little, but what would have really completed the package would have been a USB port directly on the excavator itself.
The Verdict
Overall, the transforming excavator from Double E is a great little package for someone wanting a bit more than to simply dig, but to experience a whole range of construction equipment.
Toy:Take Apart Construction Set
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
RTR | Ages 2-5
Radio System: Gamepad style, 2.4GHz 2-channel ( forward, backward)
Scale: N/A
Cab Rotation: N/A
Running Time: N/A
Charging Time: N/A
Batteries: 6xAA’s (Included)
Control Range: Up to 50ft
Recommended Age: 2-5
- The Pros: Great STEM learning toy for young children, creative and multifunctional
- The Cons: Screws can be too short, no turning via remote
For kids just growing up, and finding themselves interested in the more technical side of things, the TPS Top Fans Take Apart Remote Construction Set is the perfect introduction to mechanics. With an innovative, modular design that comes included with 3 separate utility designs to pick and choose from, this truck is much more than meets the eye.
What’s Included?
Included is a combination of a remote and electric drill, which can be used with the included pieces to build your own design of trucks from a variety of plastic shells and accessories. Everything from the wheels, bumpers, cabin, and tools can be mixed and matched, not only letting your child express their creativity but also to give them their first experience building and taking apart a vehicle. Choices include a bulldozer, excavator, and a crane winch.
Construction
Each part is held together with some simple plastic screws that all combine into the chassis base to hold the finished truck. Once complete, the screwdriver can be removed from the drill, removing the motor assembly, and when inserted into the bottom of the chassis, provides power for the wheels. The handle of the electric drill then becomes the remote control, Seamlessly combining creation and action with instant satisfaction.
Our only fault with the construction is that some of the screws can have a hard time securing into the car, owing to their slightly too short size. The modular design also poses a risk of pieces becoming lost, leaving an incomplete set that could frustrate both kids and parents.
Control
With an impressive 30m range due to its 2.4GHz radio, there’ll be no problem driving all over the house and beyond, and the 6xAA batteries required for both the drill/engine motor and the remote control give a lengthy playtime. Not only that but TPS includes the batteries in the box!
Unfortunately, due to the lack of controls and the rigid wheel design, movement is limited to simple forward and backward momentum and there are no additional controls or servos for the excavator’s arm, meaning that while looking the part, it might disappoint those hoping to get some practical digging out of the truck.
There is also an option for continuous forward movement, for those who don’t want to bother using the radio controls and just want something for the kids to run along with. The action itself, while slow, is accompanied by sounds along the way.
The Verdict
If your child is careful, the TPS Top Fans Take Apart Remote Dump Truck will be a set that will give endless hours of fun and creativity.
Mini Scale:Top Race TR-018
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
RTR | 1:64 | Ages 3+
Radio System: Gamepad style, IR 4-channel, IR ( forward, backward, right and left)
Scale: 1:64
Cab Rotation: N/A
Running Time: N/A
Charging Time: N/A
Batteries: 120mAh
Control Range: Up to 10ft
Recommended Age: 3+
- The Pros: Excellent detail on a tiny scale!
- The Cons: No turning via remote
At 4 inches long, the Top Race’s tiny TR-000 series is an excellent option for those looking for some construction-themed miniatures. With a range of miniaturized models from excavators, dump trucks, and cranes, there’s something for everyone.
With a charger built into the controller, everything is compact and accessible and while there are no extra functions like moving arms or lifting buckets, if you just want a tiny little model that also moves around, this is a great budget pick.
RC Excavator Buying Advice
- Expandability
- Accessories
- Turning style – Pivoting wheels vs Tank-style
- Volume
- Interactive Functions
- Construction & Scale
- Run time & Batteries
- Remote Control Types
- Connectivity
Expandability
Looking to expand your RC collection? check out our Curated Buyers Guides, or check out our roundup of all the Best RC Construction Models From 2020.
- All the Best RC Construction Models of 2021
- Best RC Forklifts of 2021
- Best RC Tractors of 2021
- Best RC Dump Trucks of 2021
- Best RC Snow Plows of 2021
- Best RC Excavators of 2021
- Best RC Cranes of 2021
- Best RC Bulldozers of 2021
Accessories
While many excavators will come with the basics to get going, you may find some models that include optional extras to sweeten the deal. Accessories ranging from customizable attachments and tools to faux rubble, logs and plastic that can be used to enhance the experience and give you some practice targets to perfect your aim.
Turning style – Pivoting wheels vs Tank-style
Steering control will take a number of forms depending on the type of truck and its drivetrain.
Tank-style – Vehicles using tracks or fixed wheels will use a tank-style control system, assigning both sides of the truck’s drivetrain to a stick on the control pad. This allows for much tighter turns and more flexible control, just like the real thing.
Pivoting wheels – Vehicles with wheels that pivot will use relative controls, where one stick will control throttle and reverse, and another will be dedicated to turning the front wheels left and right.
Volume
Depending on if your kids will be playing in your vicinity, and how much noise you can tolerate, one thing to consider is the option of a mute button to allow your kids to play while also keeping yourself sane. While this might not be a problem if your child plays with their toys in their own room. If they are instead frequently playing in areas with other people, having a mute switch can be a lifesaver.
Interactive Functions
With excavators, you’re looking for a little bit more than simple remote-control steering. Many models include lights and sound functions, with some higher-end models including individual controls for sections of the arm, and even remote startup. These functions are commonly found on the remote control, although they can also be relegated to buttons on the actual model itself, so it pays to make sure you get exactly what functions you want, where you want.
Construction & Scale
Depending on how deep into the rough you want to go, the build material will make a big difference in how durable and the range of power you can expect from the excavating action. A lighter plastic is going to have trouble lifting more than the lightest loads, whereas die-cast metal bodies and heavier plastics will give more stability when it comes to carrying heavier loads. This also can come at the cost of more power requirement, requiring either bigger batteries, or sacrificing playtime under heavier loads. This is important to consider as if the load attempting to be lifted is heavier than the model is designed for, this can put excess wear on the motors and gears, resulting in premature failure of parts.
Most models range from a 1:26 scale at the lower end, to 1:16 and 1:14 scale for the larger excavators at this price range. The bigger you go, the more weight and lifting you can expect to find.
If you’re looking for something a little more powerful, you may want to consider looking into Hydraulic powered RC Excavators.
Run time & Batteries
Batteries. Nobody likes to run on empty, which is why knowing what powers your vehicle is important if you like long uninterrupted play sessions.
Many cheaper remote control models will use simple AA batteries that can be replaced easily. However, some may include rechargeable batteries, either being able to charge by USB or by using a proprietary charger.
Some smaller micro models may also include a charging function from the remote itself. Whereas many larger models can also include removable battery packs that can be inserted into an external charger for faster, more reliable charging times.
There may also be times where the battery is of a much more obscure, even unique type, which may require sourcing replacements directly from the manufacturer.
The main three forms of rechargeable batteries:
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) offering powerful output and capacity but can be more volatile and the most expensive.
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) is the middle of the road and most common in mid-range price points, offering a good balance between price and performance.
Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) is an older form of battery that still sees some use in lower-end models but has the lowest capacity.
When comparing capacity, look for the rated milliampere-hour (mAh) of the battery. A higher mAh will give longer run times with a greater charge capacity.
Remote Control Types
Dual Stick
The most common remotes you will find come in 2 distinct styles. One is the more traditional “Dual stick” type transmitter, using a more familiar gamepad style layout, with steering and acceleration placed on individual sticks, with any extra functions placed around these.
Gun Style
The alternative is the more recent “Gun” style transmitter. With a trigger for acceleration and braking, and a steering wheel style dial for turning left and right.
App Control
Most camera-enabled RC Cars can be controlled using an included remote. However, you may find some include extra options when paired with a companion smartphone app.
Some may allow for things like Gyroscopic or Touch controlled steering via the app, which may or may not be more responsive than using the included remote.
Connectivity
Connectivity is an important factor to consider depending on your ideal use scenario.
Most radio-controlled models today tend to use 2.4GHz connections, which are much more user-friendly, enable more devices to be used simultaneously and are less prone to interference.
Another connection type that is becoming more common is Bluetooth remote control models, which can be controlled using a smartphone via an app often included with the car itself.
However, for camera-enabled cars, most will use an Ad-Hoc Connection to your device using WiFi. In some cases (See the SunFounder Pi enabled car) models can also be controlled via web servers for even greater range limited only by the connection to the car itself.
On limited occasions, you may find Infrared (IR) remotes being used, which can be limited by factors such as distance and line of sight.
In rare instances, controls may also be tethered to the device physically with a cable.
The control range is dependent on a lot of factors, ranging from the connection type, distance, obstructing objects or walls, and the strength of the antenna in your device or smartphone.
Channels
In most cases when talking about RC remote channels, most are referring to the number of channels you can assign each car and remote to. This is to prevent signals from one remote affecting an unintended car.
However within the context of RC products such as Excavators, and other such vehicles that are doing more than just turning and steering, the term “Channels” is referring to the individual signals, and therefore the individual commands that the transmitter can send and receive.
For example, an RC Car that only turns and accelerates, will typically only have 2-channels. One for each function. With an Excavator that has many functions that require additional motors, such as rotating the cab, these will all be assigned a different radio frequency channel. This allows it to control that function independently without affecting other parts of the excavator.
With this in mind, the number of “Channels”, is referring to the number of individual controls available to the user.
Frequency Numbers
The second thing to consider is the frequency numbers. If devices all use the same frequency, multiple vehicles will all receive the same signal from a single remote. This makes it impossible for multiple children to use different models at the same time.
Some models may have their radios linked to a specific vehicle itself, while others will have selectable channels on both the remote control and the model itself to allow users to pick and choose who controls which vehicle.
Some models may have their radios linked to a specific vehicle itself, while others will have selectable channels on both the remote control and the model itself to allow users to pick and choose who controls which vehicle.
MHz Crystal radios Vs 2.4GHz
A much more obsolete and now rarely seen with the advent of 2.4GHz transmitters are FM Crystal synced transmitters, which work by using the oscillating signal from a tiny quartz crystal.
These work by sending specific frequencies to a receiver set to listen for a signal from the same frequency. They are however prone to all sorts of interference, are limited in the number of available channels due to a set range within government-regulated standards, and require physically modifying the hardware to change signals between devices.
2.4GHz based devices are not limited by these setbacks as they are encoded to listen specifically for it’s set receiver and transmitter when paired together, Thus have widely overtaken the market for modern devices.
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