A gentle first build: Absima pre-assembles the shocks and gearbox, which are the fiddliest parts, so you get the satisfaction of building a 1:10 4WD buggy without the hardest steps. Dual gear units mean you can fit either a brushed or brushless motor.

Best for: first-time builders on a budget. Watch out for: the electronics. Motor, speed controller, servo, radio, battery and charger are all extra.

Factory Team engineering at 1:14 scale. The Reflex 14B has sealed differentials, aluminium shocks and highly adjustable suspension, so building it teaches you how a race buggy is set up, and the result handles like a much bigger car.

Best for: builders who want race-car engineering in a compact size. Watch out for: the small parts. 1:14 means small screws and a lot of them.

Yokomo’s entry-level touring car, designed to be easy to build and easy to drive. The motor mount takes a brushless motor without modification, and equal-length front and rear belts make it predictable through corners.

Best for: anyone who wants to try on-road racing. Watch out for: the surface. Touring cars need smooth tarmac or a carpet track.

HPI’s Venture as a builder kit, with upgrades included from the start: universal front driveshafts for extra steering angle, aluminium lower links, four-link rear suspension and axle weights. You build it, and you choose the look and set-up.

Best for: crawler fans who want to build their own rig. See our best RC crawler guide for ready-to-run options. Watch out for: the body. You will need to paint and fit one.

The Ultima is one of Kyosho’s most famous buggy platforms, with a long racing history, and the SB Dune Master is a 2WD kit version you build and specify yourself: motor, speed controller, servo, radio and battery are your choice.

Best for: drivers who want a classic Kyosho build with modern parts support. Watch out for: 2WD handling, which rewards smooth driving more than 4WD.

The legendary RC10 look in a 1:24 kit: gold anodised aluminium chassis, independent suspension with fluid-filled shocks and adjustable geometry. It is a proper hobby-grade build in a size that fits on a desk.

Best for: collectors and builders short on space. Watch out for: the scale. Parts are tiny, so build on a tray with good light.

Kyosho’s Legendary Series brings back the Turbo Optima, one of the most iconic buggies in RC history, as a faithful modern kit: shaft-driven 4WD, oil-filled shocks and ball bearings throughout. Building it is half the pleasure.

Best for: enthusiasts who remember the original, and anyone who loves a classic. Watch out for: running it hard. Many owners build it as a display piece as well.

A current race kit from one of the most successful names in off-road racing. The B74.2 has moulded gearboxes, a lower centre of gravity, 13mm big-bore shocks and gull-wing arms for jump and bump handling. This is what club racers build.

Best for: racers ready for a competition kit. Our best 1/10 racing buggies guide compares race kits. Watch out for: the total cost of electronics for a race-level build.