RC monster trucks are one of the most satisfying vehicles in the hobby. They handle virtually any terrain — grass, gravel, dirt, concrete, mud — land big jumps without flinching, and look and sound the part while doing it. Whether you want to bash around a backyard, run tracks at a local club, or do stunts in a car park, a monster truck will handle it.
This guide covers the best RC monster trucks available at AbsoluteHobbyz, organized by use case and experience level. Every vehicle featured here is in stock or incoming, and every recommendation is based on real differences in capability rather than just spec-sheet comparisons.
Monster Truck vs Stunt Truck: What's the Difference?
Before picking a vehicle, it's worth clarifying two related categories that often get grouped together.
RC monster trucks are designed for speed and terrain coverage. They run large-diameter tires, carry high ground clearance, and are built to go fast over any surface — dirt trails, rough grass, gravel tracks, and jumping. The ARRMA Granite, Big Rock, and Kraton are classic examples of this type.
RC stunt trucks are a related category built for tricks — wheelies, flips, and freestyle driving — with wider stances, stiffer suspension tuned for big-air landings, and drivetrains optimized for torque and acceleration. The ARRMA Outcast and Notorious sit in this category. Many buyers prefer stunt trucks over traditional monster trucks for bashing because the wider chassis is more stable during jumps.
Both types are covered in this guide, since most buyers asking about RC monster trucks are choosing between them.
What to Look for When Buying an RC Monster Truck
- RTR or Kit: Ready-to-Run (RTR) vehicles come fully assembled and drive straight out of the box. Kit vehicles require assembly from individual parts. RTR is right for most buyers. Kits are for drivers who want to build and tune their own vehicle — see the Tekno MT410 2.0 below.
- Scale: 1/10 is the most common scale and the best starting point. 1/8 is larger, faster, and more expensive. 1/7 is large-format — imposing size with high performance but harder to transport and more expensive to run.
- Battery cell count: ARRMA vehicles use LiPo batteries rated by cell count — 2S, 3S, 4S, or 6S. Higher cell count means more voltage, more speed, and more power. Most vehicles in this guide are 4S or 6S. A compatible battery and charger are not included in most RTR vehicles — budget for these separately.
- Brushed vs Brushless motor: Brushless motors are faster, more efficient, and longer-lasting than brushed motors. Most vehicles in this guide are brushless. The Gorgon 2WD is the brushed exception — and the only model here that ships with a battery and charger included.
The Best RC Monster Trucks: Our Top Picks
Best Entry-Level Monster Truck: ARRMA Gorgon 2WD
The ARRMA 1/10 Gorgon 2WD RTR is the most accessible point of entry into RC monster trucks — and one of the few vehicles that ships complete with a battery and charger included. Open the box, charge the battery, and drive. The brushed motor and 2WD drivetrain are deliberately simple: easier to understand, easier to fix, and forgiving enough for first-time drivers to learn without destroying the truck.
- Scale: 1/10
- Drive: 2WD
- Motor: Brushed
- Battery: Included
- Best for: First-time RC buyers, younger drivers, no-fuss bashing
Also available in Purple and Blue.
Best Mid-Range Monster Truck: ARRMA Granite 223S DSC
The ARRMA 1/10 Granite 223S DSC 4X4 RTR Brushless Monster Truck is the step-up monster truck for drivers who want proper brushless 4WD performance without jumping to 4S or 6S. The 223S designation means it runs on 2S or 3S LiPo — on 3S it's fast and punchy, with 4WD traction that the Gorgon's 2WD drivetrain can't match. The Drag-Brake Speed Control (DSC) system gives it smooth, predictable throttle response that makes it easier to drive fast with confidence.
- Scale: 1/10
- Drive: 4WD
- Motor: Brushless
- Battery: 2S or 3S LiPo (not included)
- Best for: Intermediate drivers wanting brushless performance at a measured price
Also available in Red.
Best All-Terrain Basher: ARRMA Big Rock 223S DSC
The ARRMA 1/10 Big Rock 223S DSC 4X4 RTR Brushless Monster Truck sits one step above the Granite — same brushless 4WD platform, but with a wider stance, bigger tires, and a chassis designed to absorb harder landings and rougher terrain. If the Granite is a fast everyday driver, the Big Rock is the one you take to rougher spots where the ground isn't predictable. It handles jumps, curb drops, and uneven trails with noticeably more composure than a narrower-track monster truck.
- Scale: 1/10
- Drive: 4WD
- Motor: Brushless
- Battery: 2S or 3S LiPo (not included)
- Best for: Bashing on rough terrain, bigger jumps, drivers who want more truck presence
Also available in Black and Green.
Best Stunt Truck: ARRMA Outcast 4S V2 BLX
The ARRMA 1/10 Outcast 4X4 4S V2 BLX Stunt Truck RTR is built for drivers who care as much about what the truck does in the air as on the ground. The wider-than-standard stance gives the Outcast excellent side-to-side stability during jumps, while the 4S brushless drivetrain delivers the torque needed for wheelies and aggressive launches. The V2 update brought meaningful improvements to drivetrain durability over the original design. If your priority is stunts and freestyle bashing rather than pure top speed, this is the pick.
- Scale: 1/10
- Drive: 4WD
- Motor: Brushless
- Battery: 4S LiPo (not included)
- Best for: Tricks, wheelies, freestyle driving, aggressive bashing
Also available in Gunmetal.
Best High-Performance Stunt Truck: ARRMA Notorious 6S V6 BLX
The ARRMA 1/8 Notorious 6S V6 4X4 BLX Brushless Stunt Truck RTR is the step-up from the Outcast for experienced drivers who want more vehicle and more power. Moving to 1/8 scale and 6S LiPo brings a significant increase in size, torque, and presence — the Notorious is a large, imposing truck that draws attention wherever it runs. Its oversized tires, retro stunt truck body, and all-metal drivetrain components are built for hard use at 6S power levels. The V6 update improved durability in the areas that experience the most stress under aggressive driving.
- Scale: 1/8
- Drive: 4WD
- Motor: Brushless (6S)
- Battery: 6S LiPo (not included)
- Best for: Experienced drivers, high-power stunt and freestyle driving
Also available in Blue.
Best Competition Kit: Tekno RC MT410 2.0
The Tekno RC MT410 2.0 1/10 Scale Electric Pro Monster 4x4 Truck Kit is a different proposition from every other vehicle on this page. This is not an RTR bashing truck — it is a precision competition monster truck kit designed for club and track racing. The MT410 2.0 requires assembly, and electronics (motor, ESC, radio, servo, battery, and charger) must be sourced separately. In return, you get a chassis built to professional racing tolerances, with a broad range of option parts for tuning setup and an extensive builder community. If you want to race monster trucks seriously at a local track, this is the vehicle for it.
- Scale: 1/10
- Drive: 4WD
- Type: Kit (assembly required, electronics not included)
- Best for: Club racing, track competition, experienced kit builders
Best Large-Scale Monster Truck: CEN Reeper 1/7 RTR
The CEN Reeper Mega Monster Truck 1/7 RTR operates in a category of its own. At 1/7 scale it is significantly larger than any 1/10 or 1/8 monster truck — built to be imposing in real life in a way that smaller scales can't deliver. It is a full-scale brushless RTR monster truck with a high-torque drivetrain and oversized tires capable of handling extreme terrain. For drivers who want the largest, most visually dramatic RC monster truck experience available, the Reeper is the answer. Also available as the American Force Edition with premium licensed wheel styling.
- Scale: 1/7
- Drive: 4WD
- Motor: Brushless
- Best for: Experienced drivers who want maximum scale size and presence
RC Monster Truck Comparison
| Model | Scale | Type | Motor | Max Battery | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARRMA Gorgon 2WD | 1/10 | Monster Truck RTR | Brushed | Included | Beginner |
| ARRMA Granite 223S DSC | 1/10 | Monster Truck RTR | Brushless | 3S LiPo | Beginner – Intermediate |
| ARRMA Big Rock 223S DSC | 1/10 | Monster Truck RTR | Brushless | 3S LiPo | Intermediate |
| ARRMA Outcast 4S V2 BLX | 1/10 | Stunt Truck RTR | Brushless | 4S LiPo | Intermediate |
| ARRMA Notorious 6S V6 BLX | 1/8 | Stunt Truck RTR | Brushless | 6S LiPo | Experienced |
| Tekno RC MT410 2.0 | 1/10 | Monster Truck Kit | Your choice | Your choice | Experienced |
| CEN Reeper 1/7 RTR | 1/7 | Monster Truck RTR | Brushless | LiPo | Experienced |
Which RC Monster Truck Is Right for You?
What is the best RC monster truck for beginners?
The ARRMA Gorgon 2WD is the best RC monster truck for beginners. It comes with a battery and charger included so you can drive it the same day it arrives, and its brushed motor and simple 2WD drivetrain are forgiving and easy to understand. For beginners who want to step straight into brushless performance, the ARRMA Granite 223S DSC is the next step up — 4WD, brushless, and still very manageable.
What is the difference between an RC monster truck and an RC stunt truck?
RC monster trucks are built for speed and terrain coverage, with large-diameter tires and high ground clearance designed to handle any surface at speed. RC stunt trucks like the ARRMA Outcast and Notorious are built for tricks — wheelies, flips, and freestyle driving — with a wider stance, stiffer suspension tuned for big-air landings, and high-torque drivetrains optimized for acceleration rather than outright top speed. Both are capable bashers, but the driving experience is different.
What scale RC monster truck should I buy?
1/10 scale is the best starting point for most buyers. It is the most common scale, parts are widely available, and the size is manageable for transport and storage. 1/8 scale is larger and faster — better for experienced drivers who want more performance. 1/7 scale trucks like the CEN Reeper deliver an imposing real-life presence and high-power performance, but are best suited for drivers with open space and experience handling fast RC vehicles.
Do RC monster trucks need a battery and charger?
Most RTR electric RC monster trucks require a separate battery and charger. The ARRMA Gorgon 2WD is an exception — it includes both in the box. For all other models, you will need a compatible LiPo battery matched to the vehicle's cell count requirement (2S, 3S, 4S, or 6S) and a compatible charger. Always use a LiPo-safe charging bag.
What is the fastest RC monster truck?
Among the RC monster trucks available at AbsoluteHobbyz, the ARRMA Notorious 6S V6 is the fastest stunt truck, capable of speeds exceeding 50 mph on 6S LiPo. The CEN Reeper 1/7 is the fastest large-format monster truck. Speed depends heavily on battery cell count — a 4S battery delivers significantly more power than a 3S in the same vehicle.
What is the best RC monster truck for competition racing?
The Tekno RC MT410 2.0 is the best competition RC monster truck kit available at AbsoluteHobbyz. It is a 1/10 scale 4WD electric kit designed specifically for club and track racing, with precision engineering and extensive option parts for tuning. It is sold as a kit requiring assembly, with electronics sourced separately — suited for experienced hobbyists who tune and maintain their own vehicles.
Browse the full selection of RC monster trucks at AbsoluteHobbyz, and see the complete ARRMA lineup for more monster truck and stunt truck options across every scale and budget.
