7 Incredible Slot Cars Sets
Humans love to compete, and forms of racing are in our genetic makeup. The passion to win is something that starts at a very young age. This guide looks at the exciting, interactive hobby of slot cars. Children can play among themselves, but it’s also a game that brings families together. Parents also appreciate the concept of slot car racing as it gets the kids away from digital screens.
Keep reading if you’re a parent looking for a social alternative to computers and video games. Electric slot sets have been popular in homes for eons, but this new generation is something else. Impressive innovation and advanced technology have replaced the now obsolete kits of yesteryear.
Budget |
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Elongdi Dinosaur World |
4.7/5.0 |
Scale Size: N/A (kid’s cars) |
Technology: Analog |
Safe, durable materials, flexible tracks, rolling rock, dinosaurs, family fun. |
Check Amazon |
Best Value |
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Scalextric America GT |
4.6/5.0 |
Scale Size: 1:32 scale |
Technology: Analog |
Quick setup, 4 different track layouts, speed limiters, headlights, lap counter. |
Check Amazon |
Top Pick |
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Carrera Digital 132 Race Set |
4.8/5.0 |
Scale Size: 1:32 scale |
Technology: Digital |
Two racing cars, multiple car capable, programmable vehicles (includes speed). |
Check Amazon |
Educational and Fun Benefits of Slot Racing
Competition must be fun and rewarding if it’s to capture a child’s attention and imagination. Slot car racing checks all the boxes, and it’s educational to boot. It’s especially beneficial among younger participants for a whole range of reasons.
Competing in a game of slot cars helps to develop the following 7 skills sets in youngsters:
- Develops and maintains socialization skills
- Hand-to-eye coordination
- Risk reward reasoning
- Improves attention span
- Teaches of the potential remunerations of competition
- Improves manual dexterity
- Helps to create positive attitudes
That last point comes from the fun element. Most parents can remember a game that they enjoyed so much they couldn’t wait to play it. That is the hallmark of any good game. Slot cars provide immense entertainment and educational benefits for the kids who play.
Slot Cars Buying Considerations
Not all slot car sets are equal. They vary in price, functionality, cost, and quality. The 4 essential considerations below can help you to make better buying decisions.
- Consider the age of the racers
- Space to set up the track
- Usage and storage
- Digital vs. analog
#1 How old are the slot car racers?
#2 Where will the track go?
#3 Usage & Storage
#4 Digital vs. analog
About My ‘Slot Racing Car Sets’ Guide
This guide reviews 8 incredible slot car racing kits. The fun-filled products on this page cater to all age groups, skill levels, and budgets. I assessed dozens of products to find the best slot car sets around this year. I also took the opinions of industry experts into consideration along with real user feedback. The first three are the Best Budget pick followed by Best Value and the Top Choice.
The table below gives a snapshot of the products as they appear on the page.
Slot Racing Car Sets Comparison Table
Make and Model | Scale Size | Technology | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Elongdi Dinosaur World Slot Car Race for Kids | N/A (kid’s cars) | Analog | Check Price |
Scalextric America GT Slot Car Race Track | 1:32 scale | Analog | Check Price |
Carrera Digital 132 Road Hammers Race Set | 1:32 scale | Digital | Check Price |
Carrera GO GT Contest – Slot Car Race Set | 1:43 scale | Analog | Check Price |
Max Traxxx R/C High-Spped Tracer Racers | N/A (Fantasy cars) | Analog | Check Price |
Scalextric American Racers Slot Car Racers | 1:32 scale | Analog | Check Price |
Carrera Evolution Patrol Slot Car Race Set | 1:32 scale | Analog/Digital | Check Price |
1. Elongdi Dinosaur Slot Car Set for Kids | Best Budget
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5
Our Best Budget slot car set is the Elongdi Dinosaur World aimed at kids 3 years and older. It’s an excellent game to get youngsters interacting and competing on the track.
- Best feature 1: Many structural possibilities
- Best feature 2: Luminous military trucks
- Plus points: Safe, durable materials, flexible tracks, rolling rock, dinosaurs, family fun
- Minus points: Too many pieces
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
This is not a set people typically conjure up in their minds when they think about slot cars. That’s because it’s primarily aimed at toddlers. There’s so much in the box to stir the imagination of youngsters. The structural possibilities seem endless. The makers have used safe, durable materials for all the parts. They include flexible tracks, luminous military trucks, and many other pieces.
The game is centered around the Jurassic World phenomenon. It’s a 165 piece set with more to play with than just the battery-operated trucks. The box includes a rolling rock, 4 trees, 6 soldiers, 2 dinosaurs, a couple of slopes, a wooden bridge, and more besides. It’s the sort of game that can keep kids occupied for hours. It’s also an interactive toy that families can enjoy together.
The Not So Good
The only downside to the Elongdi Dinosaur Track Set is that it has a lot going on. There’s such a thing as too many choices, especially for toddlers. It can take a while to pack it all away after the kids have finished with it as well. That’s a high-class problem on the scope of negatives, though.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 13 x 20 x 30” |
Product Weight: 2.45 lbs. |
Technology Type: Battery (not included) |
Model Scale Size: N/A |
Replica Cars: Military-style trucks |
Number of Cars: 2 + other accessories |
Scale Speed: N/A (slow) |
Track Length: 144 pieces |
Makers Recommended Age: Toddlers |
The Pros |
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Many structural possibilities |
Helps to develop creative minds |
Safe, durable materials |
Luminous military trucks |
Flexible tracks |
20+ fun accessories |
Enjoyment for all the family |
The Cons |
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Too many pieces (overwhelming) |
2. Scalextric America GT Slot Car Race Track | Best Value
Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5
The Best Value pick goes to the quality Scalextric brand. This one is the America GT Slot Car Race Track C1361T Playset. It’s a superb choice for the over 8s and older getting into the hobby.
- Best feature 1: GT Lightning and GT Eagle slot cars
- Best feature 2: Sticky tires & traction magnets
- Plus points: Quick setup, 4 different track layouts, speed limiters, headlights, lap counter
- Minus points: Fragile cars, overly sensitive controller
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
The American GT slot car set comes with two matching 1/32 scale racers. They are the sleek, colorful GT Lightning and GT Eagle. The vehicles have sticky tires and traction magnets to help keep the action firmly on the track. There are almost 16 feet of track and four layouts to choose from. Scalextric is well-known for easy assembly. The setup time for any track configuration is only 15–20 minutes max.
Slot car newbies are sure to welcome the speed limiters. The limiters allow them to practice at a slower setting until they have the confidence to move on. Other valued features are the vehicle headlights, lap counter, and easy-change pickups. Scalextric suggests first-timers start with the standard track layout before the others. Advanced users can buy extension packs and really go to town.
The Not So Good
The cars look great, but they’re also a tad fragile according to some users. The slot cars can potentially suffer damage if they come off the tracks at high speed. That brings me on to the second point which is the controller. Its accelerator button is overly sensitive. That’s something that’s more troublesome with younger and less experienced racers.
The set is still excellent value overall, and there are solutions to the above setbacks. You can invest in better 1:32 cars and or protect the vehicles with guard rails (not included).
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 29 x 5 x 20” |
Product Weight: 9.92 lbs. |
Technology Type: Analog |
Model Scale Size: 1:32 |
Replica Cars: GT Lightning, GT Eagle |
Number of Cars: 2 |
Scale Speed: Not specified (fast) |
Track Length: 16 ft. |
Makers Recommended Age: 8+ years |
The Pros |
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Sleek, matching 1/32 slot cars |
Sticky tires & traction magnets |
Quick setup time |
4 different track layouts |
Extension packs available |
Speed limiters |
lap counter |
Car headlights |
Easy change pickups |
The Cons |
---|
Fragile cars |
Sensitive accelerator button |
3. Carrera Digital 132 Road Hammers Race Set | Top Pick
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5
The Carrera Digital 132 Road Hammers race set makes the Top Pick. Anyone who buys this has already got the bug and wants a bigger, faster slot car setup than the one they have.
- Best feature 1: Race up to 4 slot cars
- Best feature 2: 350 mph scale speed
- Plus points: Two racing cars, multiple car capable, programmable vehicles (includes speed)
- Minus points: Needs space to play
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
This slot car race set is a brilliant choice for Can-Am fans or Canadian-American Challenge Cup. It’s also an excellent option for analog racers who are ready to upgrade to digital. It comes with two 1/24 scale racers; a Porsche 917/30 and Lola T222. Digital systems are more advanced than analog and open a whole new world of opportunities. It’s possible to race up to 4 slot cars for one.
The stock cars can reach scale speeds up to 350 mph. It’s possible to program each vehicle’s speed which is ideal for learner drivers. Users can mix & match the Road Hammers arrangement. That means other tracks and cars from the Carrera Digital 132 Series. You can quickly expand the set if you have the room and ambition to use more than the 18.04 linear feet (5.5 M) of supplied track.
The Not So Good
It’s hard to beat the Carrera Digital 132 Road Hammers for the price. The only real negative is that you need plenty of space to get the most out of it. Still, that’s not an issue unique to this set.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 96 x 60 x 1” |
Product Weight: 22.5 lbs. |
Technology Type: Digital |
Model Scale Size: 1:32 |
Replica Cars: Porsche 917/30, Lola T222 |
Number of Cars: 2 |
Scale Speed: 350 mph |
Track Length: 18.04 ft. (5.5 meters) |
Makers Recommended Age: 8+ years |
The Pros |
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Includes two sleek cars |
Race up to 4 slot cars at a time |
Fast top speed and acceleration |
Programmable vehicles |
Adjustable speed control |
Spare contact brushes |
Spare track connection clips |
Guardrail end pieces |
The Cons |
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Track needs plenty of space |
4. Carrera GO! GT Contest – Slot Car Race Set
Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5
This is the Carrera GO!!! GT Contest. It’s an affordable analog slot car racing set. The box includes two popular 1:43 scale vehicles. One is a Ferrari 458 GT Italia and the other a Chevrolet Corvette C7 R.
- Best feature 1: 12 feet of flexible track
- Best feature 2: Incredible scale speeds
- Plus points: Italian/American slot cars, speed controls, hotspot junction, multiple player fun
- Minus points: Unnecessary turbo button, flimsy guardrail
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
This is a battle of the American against the Italian, and who wins depends on user skills. The set comes with dual speed controllers so novice players can learn at a slower pace. More experienced racers can enjoy scale speeds up to an incredible 370 mph. The hotspot junction is a favorite part of this track. It’s where those breathtaking near misses and collisions happen.
The Carrera GO GT Contest, slot car set is an interactive game for everyone at any age. It’s fun for individuals, two racers, and entire families competing against each other. It doesn’t ever have to get boring either. Users can invest in track expansions, accessories, and a selection of different racing cars. That’s why this box set is so popular among fans of analog systems.
The Not So Good
There’s plenty to love with the Carrera GO!!! GT Contest race set, but it’s not perfect. The turbo button is more of a selling gimmick than a useful tool. It works too well. Few will be able to keep the car on the track when they press it such is the force. It’s also easy to hit by accident, and that’s annoying. The other con is that the guardrail tends to be on the flimsy side and thus prone to damage.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 19.7 x 2.8 |
Product Weight: 5 lbs. |
Technology Type: Analog |
Model Scale Size: 1:43 |
Replica Cars: Ferrari 458 GT Italia, Chevrolet Corvette C7.R |
Number of Cars: 2 (other available) |
Scale Speed: 370 mph |
Track Length: 12 ft. (3.65 meters) |
Makers Recommended Age: 8+ years |
The Pros |
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Track expansions available |
Other cars available |
Wide range of accessories |
Italian/American slot cars |
2 Dual-speed controllers |
Incredible scale speeds |
Speed controls |
Hotspot junction |
Multiple player fun |
The Cons |
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Unnecessary turbo button |
Flimsy guardrail |
5. Max Traxxx R/C High-Speed Tracer Racers
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5
The Max Traxxx R/C Tracer Racers is a slot car racing set with a difference. It’s unique because it uses something called ‘Light Trace Technology’ (see below), but there’s more.
- Best feature 1: Light Trace Technology
- Best feature 2: Breakneck scale speeds
- Plus points: Variable speed controllers, lots of track, adjustable track height, twin loops
- Minus points: Needs plenty of space, flimsy track
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
There aren’t many slot car tracks you can play in the dark. The Light Tracing Technology leaves bright glowing streaks as cars speed around the track. Speed is the right word too, clocking up the scale equivalent of 500 mph which is faster than many rivals. Don’t let the power deter you. The controllers have variable speed settings so that new or novice users can start at a slower pace.
They call the vehicles Tracer Racers which are cool looking fantasy cars. Max Traxxx’s RC Tracer Racers set comes with 36 ft. (11 M) of glow-in-the-dark track. You can also customize the track height to add further challenges. The twin loops add more excitement to races as competitors battle it out.
The Not So Good
Make sure you have the space for this car set. It’s something that a lot of people overlook going by the reviews. It’s easy to put together, but 36 ft. is a lot of track. The material is also quite flimsy. It does a great job but feels as though it wouldn’t stand up to too much rough treatment.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 43.3 x 78.7 x 12” |
Product Weight: 4.3 lbs. |
Technology Type: Wireless |
Model Scale Size: N/A |
Replica Cars: No. Fantasy cars |
Number of Cars: 2 |
Scale Speed: 500 mph (805 km/h) |
Track Length: 36 ft. (11 meters) |
Makers Recommended Age: 8+ years |
The Pros |
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Light Trace Technology |
Dual lane racing |
Breakneck scale speeds |
Variable speed controllers |
Lots of track |
Adjustable track height |
Twin loops |
The Cons |
---|
Needs plenty of space |
Flimsy track |
6. Scalextric American Racers C1364T Slot Car Racers
Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5
Scalextric American Racers is a 1:32 scale analog slot car set with a lap timer. The models are a Corvette and a Camaro which are two of America’s most iconic racers to date.
- Best feature 1: Adjustable speed controllers
- Best feature 2: Four unique track configurations
- Plus points: Quick setup time, detailed replica cars, lap counter
- Minus points: Limited straight track, hard to keep control at higher speeds
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
The Scalextric Camaro is a beautiful replica of the classic American car. The racy red Corvette C6 is equally impressive with details that are faithful to the original. Scalextric targets this slot car set to younger racers, but it’s also great fun for all the family. The scale speed is around 300 mph, but it’s optional. The adjustable speed controllers let new users select a slower pace while they learn.
There are 4 unique race configurations to choose from with around 16 ft. (4.8 M) of track. It doesn’t take more than 30 minutes to put a game together. You need a 6.7 x 4.8 ft. area to accommodate the set. Slot racing is a family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy. Scalextric uses adjustable controllers. They allow younger drivers to match the right amount of power to their driving ability.
The Not So Good
The track configurations are creative and fun, but they do have a lot of bends. A few extra straight pieces would have made it easier for newbies and given extra circuit choices. It’s also hard to keep the cars on the track at higher speeds because of fishtailing around bends.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 29 x 6 x 19” |
Product Weight: 10.05 lbs. |
Technology Type: Analog |
Model Scale Size: 1:32 |
Replica Cars: Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro C6 |
Number of Cars: 2 |
Scale Speed: 300 mph |
Track Length: 15.87 ft. (4.83 meters) |
Makers Recommended Age: 8+ years |
The Pros |
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Adjustable speed controllers |
16 ft. of track |
4 unique track configurations |
Quick setup time |
Detailed replica cars |
Lap counter |
The Cons |
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Lacks straight track pieces |
Hard to control at high speeds |
7. Carrera Evolution Patrol Slot Car Race Set
Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5
The last of our seven reviews looks at the Carrera Evolution Speed Patrol slot car race set. The car scale is 1/32 and includes a Porsche 911 Polizei and Lamborghini Huracán.
- Best feature 1: Analog set upgradeable to digital
- Best feature 2: Expandable racing options
- Plus points: Ready to run, detailed racing cars, fast scale speed, double traction magnets
- Minus points: No Adjustable speed controllers, vague instructions
Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
Everything you need to race is right there in the box. Head-to-head battles don’t get much better than a Porsche 911 Polizei vs. a Lamborghini Huracán. Both cars have powerful inline E200 motors capable of scale speeds exceeding 370 mph. The double traction magnets do a great job at improving surface contact. The set comes with 23.6 ft. (7.19 M) of 1:24 scale customizable analog track.
The exciting thing about this analog set is that you can upgrade it to digital if you want to. A digital decoder chip is all it takes to update the cars to run on digital 124 and 132 track. The customization options are endless. It’s possible to use other vehicles too. You can also expand the layout with extra track and choose from a range of accessories.
The Not So Good
The controllers don’t have speed adjustments like many of the rival sets, and that’s a shame. A low-speed option can prove invaluable for first-time slot car racers as they learn. Another complaint is that the user manual is too vague in parts. That can be frustrating for inexperienced users.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 28.9 x 19.1 x 4.5” |
Product Weight: 13 lbs. |
Technology Type: Analog |
Model Scale: 1:32 |
Replica Cars: Porsche 911 Polizei, Lamborghini Huracán |
Number of Cars: 2 |
Scale Speed: 370 mph |
Track Length: 23.6 ft. (7.19 meters) |
Makers Recommended Age: 8+ years |
The Pros |
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Analog set upgradeable to digital |
Expandable racing options |
Ready to run set |
Detailed racing cars |
Inline E200 motors |
Fast scale speed |
Double traction magnets |
The Cons |
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Speed controllers not adjustable |
Vague instructions |
Contents
- Educational and Fun Benefits of Slot Racing
- Slot Cars Buying Considerations
- #1 How old are the slot car racers?
- #2 Where will the track go?
- #3 Usage & Storage
- #4 Digital vs. analog
- About My ‘Slot Racing Car Sets’ Guide
- Slot Racing Car Sets Comparison Table
- 1. Elongdi Dinosaur Slot Car Set for Kids | Best Budget
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good
- 2. Scalextric America GT Slot Car Race Track | Best Value
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good
- 3. Carrera Digital 132 Road Hammers Race Set | Top Pick
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good
- 4. Carrera GO! GT Contest – Slot Car Race Set
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good
- 5. Max Traxxx R/C High-Speed Tracer Racers
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good
- 6. Scalextric American Racers C1364T Slot Car Racers
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good
- 7. Carrera Evolution Patrol Slot Car Race Set
- Reasons to Consider this Slot Car Race Set
- The Not So Good