Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids
Jan 04, 2021 Racing track toys are a great option for children of all ages to play with together. Toddlers as young as 18 months can easily grasp the concept of rolling a car along the tracks or watching a car fall down various ramps, and older children enjoy racing their younger siblings or rebuilding racetracks into new configurations. This is the first Anki model in our review. It's made as a 3.5' x 8.5' roll-up mat with one available race track. This slot car set is the best choice for children, as they can easily use it without their parents' help. The Anki Drive Starter Kit is a slotless race track, which allows cars to ride along the whole track with no limits. REMOKING RC Track Car, Rail Race RC Track Car Toys 860cm Build Your Own 3D Super Track Ultimate Slot Car Playset 2 Cars 2 Remote Controller Party Game Kids Friends 3.5 out of 5 stars 181 $89.99. List of Best Slot Car Sets for Kids of 2020. REMOKING Rail Race RC Track Car Toys. Check Price on Amazon. This car slot set is one of the most popular choices so far. The set is full of interesting features together with more connection points, allowing your child to connect the tracks with ease.
- Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids Near Me
- Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids 2020
- Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids Electric
- Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids 2019
This article is a little less bot-like and little more for the hobbyists out there. We’ve got all the best slot car set options to add to your collection this year. It’s great to live in an age when the ‘frivolous’ fun of youth gets retooled and upgraded. Many things that were thought of as toys are now series machines that support careers. Slot car racing might not quite be useful as a job, but it certainly has come a long way.
Slot cars provide the thrill of participating in a competition based on control and instinct. The feeling of hard-fought victory may explain some of slot car racings remarkable history and growth. Today the best slot car set combines the simple pleasures of old with new levels of realism. Branded sets give a glimpse into car culture and the world of racing.
Whether you are starting as a beginner or developing a collection as an enthusiast, slot cars have a lot to offer.
10 Best Slot Car Set Picks
Now that you have a grasp of the ins and outs of the hobby, we’ll look at some great picks for getting started in slot car racing.
Best Slot Car Set for Kids
This set from the Go!!! line makes an excellent starter set for kids. The 1:43 scale is compatible with Carrera’s Digital 143 hobbyist line but geared for children. They will love the character representations and the easy-to-learn analog controls. The set features a lap counter, three difficulty modes, and a loop. Prices are reasonable and the durability will hold up to some aggressive usage from the eight and up crowd.
Best Slot Car Track
The use of the word ‘giant’ on the box actually undersells this amazing 62.5-foot track. A combination of risers, curves, and overlaps let you really push the endurance of a race. A digital lap counter and three difficulty modes provide a way to throttle up the difficulty. The cars and track will break under rough handling but can survive some rough and tumble starts. Controls can get set to digital or analog.
You get a lot in the box but the drawback of this system is its lack of major compatibility as it’s not provided by one of the frontrunner companies. This is one of the best slot car track to buy because of it’s size for the price.
Best Slot Car Set for the Money
This middle tier (in size and difficulty) product from Carrera features 1:25 scale cars and tracks. The smaller cars make the track look long and winding without taking up too much space. This size also allows for more reaction time and skill improvement in comparison to the 1:34 line.
The included Mustang GT and Shelby Cobra cars are fun. They have great detail and identical performance. It’s a shame that the cars don’t have different handling or speeds. Carrera’s track kit comes with risers and a combination of cure grades to create some solid skill-building tracks. The guard rails protect most of the track so you will have few problems will fly-offs.
Best Slot Car Set for Beginners
Geared for children but with compatibility to other 1:32 Scalextric products, comes the Fast and Furious set. The cars have a bit of bulk in comparison to some other slot car products. This provides them with some needed heft when going over the signature jump of this set.
The track provides some incredible competitive features usually found in larger sets. Aside from the jump, the set includes a crossover section and a sideswipe area. This narrowing of the track can allow one car to shove the other off the track to devastating effect.
Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids Near Me
Finally, the set comes with analog controls but has a digital plug ready to upgrade or if you want to use the cars elsewhere.
This set brings a little more gimmick than performance over other top sets. The track is made of a durable light absorbing material that glows in the dark. Kids will love watching the cars zipping through the near total darkness on a futuristic glowing roadway. The cars and the track are extremely durable and even a bit rubbery over other sets.
The controls are analog only and a bit heavy on the battery power. The set itself uses batteries instead of an adapter setup. The 46 feet of track store well and come apart without the usual concern for edges as the power is in the cars via the controller chargers. A good beginner set if rough-playing children is a concern for more delicate products.
Another in the line of big boxes loaded with some competent and durable beginners equipment. The 1:43 scale of the track and cars are perfect for many Carrerra products but won’t necessarily be compatible.
Analog controls and hard to break cars make it easy to deal with the ostentatious track. LEDs installed under the tracks or on the loop configurations add some spectacular color. This set only has two-speed modes. The jump between the two can be a bit much for smaller children. Watch out for that frustration when swapping modes!
Best Digital Slot Car Set
The track only allows for a simple oval without purchasing more track. But with the track at 1:43 scale, this can be easy to find. For those looking to supply a larger competitive experience, this set comes with four cars and controllers. The cars use dynamic racing technology to allow them to jump slots on the track and move back and forth across lanes easily. This creates a heated competitive experience.
The durability of the track and cars is surprisingly high with all the grooves in the track.
Another from the kid-friendly Go!!! line but with some added pizazz. The 1:43 scale cars have a lot of detail from the stock car world with branding and logos galore. The track features loops, banked turns, and a 70-degree raised bank. The lower speed is just enough to keep the cars on the track across the more dynamic features.
The set comes with spacers for the controllers that work as throttle limiters. This makes changing speed settings even more intuitive. The excitement kicks in when you go to the intermediate or advanced settings. Controls are analog with digital ready options.
Best Slot Car Race Track
This simple entry in the best slot car track to buy list builds skill like no other. The track has a few turns and weaves but no frills. The controllers are where the real dynamic action lies. The controllers are digital and come with power selector for on the fly adjustments. Similar to changing gears, you can also swap the power levels on the fly. Most sets require the levels to be set through the power supply between races.
At 1:32 scale it is compatible with other Scalextric products even those in the ARC line. The cars have beautiful and intricate detailing and run like a dream.
Best Slot Car Set for Enthusiasts
For the serious enthusiast looking to get started in the digital control and competition world comes the Platinum GT. The set comes with four cars and supports up to six.The provided cars accurately simulate high-end vehicles from several manufacturers. Feel the power of a Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin, or Porsche. A tablet app and stand provide a scoreboard.
As a starter for the ARC Pro line, this also gets you a toehold which can be expanded by adding more track. It already has a stellar set of features built in including pit stops, tire wear, lane changing, and even weather. More features can be added with additional programming.
Best Slot Car Set Features
Ask an expert what makes the best of anything and they’ll start spitting jargon and fuzzy metrics at you. They’re not dodging the question, they just happen to need to answer it with the knowledge you might not have. Armed with this information, we’ll highlight a few of the best sets currently on the market, much as we’ve done with electric trains.
Brands
Brands of slot car racing sets matter. In part, the brand offers a window into the rich history of the hobby. More importantly, it tells you something about the compatibility of products. In a wise move, each company ensures that sets within a certain timeframe work together. This means you can start with a brand and continue to purchase new sets without fear your new pieces will no longer be compatible with the old sets.
The top brands currently offering slot car excitement include:
- Ninco
- SCX
- Carrera
- Scalextric
Scalextric and Carrera lead the market in terms of sales, branded deals, and history.
Controls
Controls come in digital and analog formats. Some companies even use smartphone apps as controllers.
- Analog controls connect to the track and set the power fed to a specific lane. These controllers use a pressure switch to regulate power and go back to the start of slot car racing.
- Digital controls are newer and provide more options, overall. These control specific cars. With these options for track changes and more competitive elements became possible. Digital controllers also free up internal components, since these are on the car and not the track. This allows sets to support four to six cars instead of the standard two.
Tracks and Customization
As we just touched on, tracks come in 2, 4, or 6 car configurations. Tracks no longer conform to simple ovals and eights but can be built out to cover dramatic shapes and recreations of real-world courses. Components such as pit areas, risers, and different slopes for corners all increase the excitement and the skill level of slot car racing. Amazing features such as loop da loops and lane switching panels add to the danger.
Also taking a page from model trains, slot car sets provide even more entertainment when dolled up. Combine accessories and miniatures to create a facsimile of the real world.
The most advanced sets leave space for a monitor, tablet, or smartphone to be used as a digital scoreboard. These display number of laps, lap times, and other information. Pace cars and AI controlled opponents provide ways of improving skills. Pit areas go from fun visual additions to necessary tools when you add in fuel limits (power limits) to the cars.
Tire wear, car damage, and incidents programmed into the race bring up the realism.
Durability
Having a lot of customization and parts comes with a hit to durability. Cars, now heavier and laden with internal control mechanisms (for digital controllers) become easier to break. They also go up in price to replace. The track edges fit together snuggly to prevent lines and grooves which could trip up a speeding car. This makes them easier to put together than pull apart. When pulling apart a track, the edges need to be pristine or it will interrupt power flow.
Power Needs
Power bases work double duty in the best slot car racing sets. They provide power to the track and/or cars but also manage elements of the race program. A power base can be configured to provide power to the 2, 4, or 6 cars and also for which control scheme is preferred. In this way, the power base is essentially the computer running the rest of the track.
Cars
Slot cars retain a surprising level of backward compatibility even with the new technology. Not the most key reason collections of vintage models grow in popularity and price, but it is worth consideration. Adjustments kits for tweaking the tires, weight of the car, and the connection to the track all provide more nuance to a race. While track pieces stay compatible only within a specific brand, cars can be widely used across different sets.
Accessories
Finally, third-party accessories (a staple in hobbyist circles) give more options in the aftermarket. PC controllers simulate realistic racetrack options and run from a computer. AI-programmed cars find their ways into shops.
Kids or kids at heart will surely enjoy this list as we are about to give you the best slot car tracks this 2021. Playing car tracks is great alternative entertainment that you can do with your children, especially if you both love cars and racing. To level up the experience of the slot car racing, we have the list of the top-notch car tracks that you can use to upgrade the racing experience.
Top 15 Best Slot Car Tracks in 2021 Reviews & Guides:
1. Hot Wheels Slot Car Track Pack
Hot Wheels collectors will definitely love this product because it can be an additional collection for them. This best slot car track from Hot Wheels is a 40 feet single-car tracks and connectors that you can connect together. Unleashed your creativity and build your own track, you can also use this as an extension of the track builder sets.
It has the orange color of tracks and blue connectors, the tracks are straight with two sizes. This is great for children who love to create race tracks since this is a straight track, they can easily play with this. This product is suitable for ages 4 years old and above since it has small content like the connectors.
Extra Features:
- Compatible with all Hot Wheels cars
- It comes with 1 Hot Wheels car
- With 43 connectors included
2. Carrera First Disney Cars 3 Slot Car Track Set
Children will definitely love this slot car track set from Carrera because lightning McQueen and Dinoco Cruz is in this set. A battery-operated slot car together with the 8-shaped race track is perfect for beginners.
They can control the speed of the cars, so they can win the race with their skills. The included race track has a size of 7.87 geet and 1:50 scale cars. Everything that you need to set this up is already in the box including the cars.
Extra Features:
- The race track can fit two cars at a time
- Themed decor race track
- Children 3 years old and above can play this
3. Carrera Go!!! 61600 Extension Set 1
Isn’t it nice to have a race track that doesn’t only have a straight lane? The set 1 extension set from Carerra comes with both straight and curve lanes to give the cars a little bend. The set 1 extension consists of 2 curves, 2 straight lanes with a size of 14.46 inches, and 2 lane changers.
You can combine this with your existing Carrera track, with these extensions you can create your dream race track. This product is compatible with the Carrera Go, Digital 143, and Carrera racing system. The recommended age to use this item is from 8 years old and up, you can expand your race track up to 49 feet.
Extra Features:
- Compatible with both analog and digital
- The item’s weight 1.5 pounds
- Can add with other extension sets
4. NKOK Sonic & Shadow RC Slot Car Track Set
Is your child a fanatic of Sonic and Shadow? Or maybe you are a fan of this tandem? Sonic is an iconic character that is still famous until today. Know which one is the fastest in the slot car by using this set of best slot car track.
This is not just a slot car track as it comes with two slot cars which are Sonic and Shadow, so choose your team and start the race. The track’s design is like an infinity sign or number 8. The package includes 16 pieces of track pieces, 2 vehicles, and 2 controllers. This is a great gift to all Sonic lovers out there, especially to children ages 5 years old and above.
Extra Features:
- 3 C batteries for the battery
- With working lights
- Licensed toy
5. Carrera 1:24 Slot Car Track Extension
Carrera’s next best slot car track is the 12 pieces 1:24 tracks. You can use it with your digital 1:24, 1:32, and evolution slot car track system. The good thing about Carrera’s product is that you can combine it with other extensions or set as long as it is compatible with each other.
Inside the package, it comes with 4 straights, 4 curves, 2 lane changers, and 2 chicanes. You can create any track design with the use of this; use your imagination to create the most challenging track with this product. The toy’s recommended age is 8 years old and above, as this requires electricity products.
Extra Features:
- The track’s weight is 5.56 pounds
- One of the best-selling brand in the market
- The curves are good for 4, 6, or 8 extensions of the lane
6. Carrera Go!!! 62492 Mario Kart Slot Car Track Set
If you are looking for not just an extension, but a complete set of a slot car track, check out this set from Carrera with the Mario Kart Mach 8. Kids and young at heart will love this set because who doesn’t love Mario and Luigi.
Aside from the cute cars included in the package, the race track itself is pretty awesome. It is not just a simple track; it is a 17-feet track with loop, narrow section, junction, and fly over. Watching Mario and Luigi running along the track with the speed that can reach up to 379mph is remarkable. You can use the other extension from Carrera with this track set.
Extra Features:
- Lap counter included in the package
- Mario and Luigi Car
- Speed controllers
7. Scalextric C1383T Slot Car Track Set
The C1383T from Scalextric is one of the best slot car track set because this features the Chevy Monte Carlo. When you buy this set of a slot car track, you will get a pair of the ’86 Aero Coupe Monte Carlo, and that makes it perfect not only for children but for car collectors too.
It comes with the 15.8 feet flat track; this track can fit a foot space of 6.4 x 4.3. You can customize the track depending on what you desire; you can make up to 4 different layouts with this. Since it comes with two Chevy cars, you can place two cars at a time because the track has 2 lanes.
Extra Features:
- It is an analog racing system
- Banked curves track
- Exclusive only with Scalextric
8. Carrera 20020613 Hairpin Slot Car Tracks
If you want to add some interesting curve to your track, Carrera’s 20020613 is the best slot car track when it comes to that. When it comes to its design, it is near to the natural race track, it has the paint of red and white which you can commonly see on the real race tracks.
Inside the box, it consists of 2 standard straight tracks with 2/4 size, 3 outside shoulder curve, and 3 inside shoulder curve for the 1/60° curve. To give the race track vibe, it has the tire piles. It is a great gift since the packaging comes with a box, it has the presentable look.
Extra Features:
- Compatible with Carrera’s Digital 124 and 132, and Evolution
- The item’s weight is 5.44 pounds
- Recommended age is 8 years old and up
9. Scalextric C1399T LMP and GT Slot Car Track Set
The next entry from Scalextric is another analog race track set, but this time the cars included in the package are LMP and GT. This set is perfect for beginners and professionals as it comes with a 4-speed setting to level up in case you want to speed up the game.
It has the oval race track with a size of 8 feet and 4 inches. The design and size allow you to do the racing even on smaller space availability. It has two lanes where you can place two cars at a time to give you the real race car experience.
Extra Features:
- You can expand the track with the use of extension packs
- The car can speed up to 300mph
- Magnatraction magnets to keep the cars on track
10. Carrera 61612 High Banked Curve Track
The 61612 banked curve track from Carrera is compatible with most of their sets like the Carerra Go!!!, digital 143, and the Carrera racing system. Carrera products the best slot car track extensions that allow you to create a more exciting course.
This high banked curve gives the car the bending experience and not just the straight track. The package includes 4 pieces of curves with support to keep the racing on the track. It has the 1/45° bend design, and these overall curves only weigh 7 ounces. It is a great gift for a child or even an adult who loves expanding and creating unique race tracks.
Extra Features:
- It keeps the car on the track better
- Great as banked corners
- Can mix and match with other extensions from Carrera
11. ScalextricC8555 Slot Cark Track Extension
If you already own one of the Scalextric slot car track set and you want to expand it to create a more compelling race track, the C8555 track extension is the answer with that. You can use this for both analog and digital Scalextric which gives it a wider range of use.
This is a 1:32 Radius 3 curves in 22.5°, so if the extension that you are looking are curves, this is perfect. Inside the box are the 8 pieces of curves that you can combine with the old set you have, and it can extend the layout for over 5 feet.
Extra Features:
- The curves are flexible
- The product’s weight is 2.07 pounds
- Suitable for 8 years and above
12. AFX AFX21045 Track Pack
The AFX21045 is the ultimate track pack for this list of the best slot car track. It consists of the popular and challenging to find tracks, but don’t worry because all of these are in this package. It comes with 26 tracks, and with the use of this extension, you can turn the smallest track into a giant one of up to 34.5 feet.
Inside the box, you will see 11 pieces of 15 straight track, 3 pieces of 9 inches squeeze track, 6 pieces of 12 inches radius curve track, and 6 pieces of 15 inches radius curve track. All of these tracks are in one purchasing, so you can create a much difficult and fun course.
Extra Features:
- Compatible with the entire AFX track
- With extra bridge support
- Specifically made for HO scale
13. Carrera 21130 Tire Stack Slot Car Track
Aiming for a more realistic track? This Carrera 21130 gives you the real race track vibe when you attach these curves as your extension. The design of this track is the tire stacks guardrail wall, it is common on most race tracks in real life.
The package comes with 6 sets of tire stacks and each of them has a size of 10 inches long. There is a 24 tire wall that will support the tire section in one place. You can use this extension to other Carrera track set like the digital 124, 132, and evolution.
Extra Features:
- This is a 1:24 race track
- Comes with a box for presentable packaging
- The item is 10.6 ounces
14. Scalextric American Police Slot Car Track Set
Scalextric knows how to make the track race much interesting, and one of their best slot car tracks is the American police chasing the Didge Challenger on a 17 feet 5 inches race track.
The track has crash borders and barriers to make it look realistic. This race track has the 1:32 scale track system, meaning any cars from Scalextric or even not form Scalextric with 1:32 scale is good in this track. Start the chasing and see who will win the race.
Extra Features:
- Two cars included in the package
- Light controllers with ergonomic design
- Easy magnatraction
15. Scalextric Lamborghini C1386T Slot Car Race Track Set
The C1386T is the last entry for our best slot car track, and this track set is not just the typical track set that you can buy. This set comes with the Lamborghini Rampage Centenarios with 1:32 scale, this is a great toy not only for children but for adults too.
Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids 2020
The size of the track is 15 feet 9 inches, and you can do 4 layouts of tracks for an endless amount of fun. Connecting the tracks together is very easy; it will just take a couple of minutes to connect it all together.
Extra Features:
- Standard analog set
- Lap counter
- Can give you the speed of 0-60mph in just 3 seconds
Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids Electric
Conclusion:
Best Slot Car Race Tracks For Kids 2019
Slot car tracks are not just only for children, but also for people who are young at hearts. These best slot car tracks can give you the genuine race track feeling that you and your children can enjoy at home.