A four-channel wheel radio with receiver for about £35, using Absima’s frequency-hopping system. It has a beginner mode that limits throttle, which makes it a good choice for a child’s first hobby car.

Best for: replacing a broken radio or building a first kit. Watch out for: the receiver. Extra receivers must be the matching V2 type.

A straightforward four-channel 2.4GHz wheel radio for cars and boats, with a listed range of up to 200 metres. It uses frequency hopping so it will not clash with other drivers.

Best for: basic cars, boats and kit builds. Watch out for: the fourth channel, which shares the receiver’s battery port.

The Pro version of the EX4G adds programmability, so you can fine-tune throttle and steering settings and store them, which helps once you start tuning your car.

Best for: drivers who want adjustable settings without a big spend. Watch out for: reading the manual. Programmable radios have more menus.

HPI’s own radio set: the TF-41 transmitter with the RF-41WP receiver. If you run HPI cars, a matching set keeps things simple and replaces a lost or broken original.

Best for: HPI owners replacing or adding a radio. Watch out for: compatibility with other receivers, which is limited to HPI’s system.

One of the most popular hobby radios there is. The FS-i6X is a six-channel stick transmitter with FlySky’s AFHDS 2A system and an iA6B receiver, used for planes, boats, construction models and cars. This is the mode 1 version.

Best for: planes, boats and multi-function models. Watch out for: the mode. Mode 1 and mode 2 put the throttle on different sticks; pick the one you learned on.

An eight-channel FlySky system with the SR8 receiver and a receiver set-up menu. Eight channels are useful for construction models, crawlers with winches and lights, and anything with more functions than steering and throttle.

Best for: crawlers, diggers and models with extra functions. Watch out for: overkill for a simple car.

Sanwa is one of the big names in car racing radios, and the MX-6 is its entry point: three channels on Sanwa’s FH-E system, a light 290g transmitter and an RX391W waterproof receiver. It feels like a proper race radio for a sensible price.

Best for: club racers and drivers upgrading from a supplied radio. Watch out for: receiver choice. Extra receivers must support FH-E.

The Noble NB4+ is a high-end wheel transmitter, and this set is put together for Kyosho Mini-Z racing. If you race Mini-Z seriously, a top-end radio is one of the biggest upgrades you can make.

Best for: Mini-Z racers. Watch out for: the listing for exactly what the set includes and which cars it suits.