10 Best Slot Car Race Sets 2024 in the United States

Introduction

Amazingly, slot car race sets have entertained children and adults since 1912! At the time, they were marketed by Lionel Corporation, the iconic maker of toy train sets. Although train sets have become more an item for collectors of vintage toys, slot car race sets still are popular. And they have even undergone a hi-tech upgrade!

The idea behind slot cars is simple: the cars have a blade, called the “guide flag”, in the bottom that fits into a slot on the track. The track is powered by wall current or batteries. A handheld controller for the slot regulates the current going through that particular slot. By pressing the trigger on the controller, current flows into your car’s motor, making it go.

But the fun of slot car race sets comes when you race the cars! A slot car race set has a variety of pieces of track, which you piece together yourself. You can make the track more challenging by introducing dangerous turns and loops. Once you master the obstacles, you can race against friends or other family members. And nowadays, you can even race against a “ghost” car that’s run by a phone app!

We’ll take a look at some of the features of the MSN list of the top ten slot car race sets. Depending on the size, cost, and level of difficulty, you’re sure to be able to find something that’ll entertain you for years to come!

We can subdivide slot car race sets into three categories:
    • Without a controller: There are some race car sets that don’t use a controller. You just charge up the cars, place them on the track, and watch them race around. An example is the Far Out Toys Team NASCAR Crash Circuit Road Course. This is for very young children, ages 5 and up.

Far Out Toys Team NASCAR Crash Circuit Road Course

    • Analog: In this type of set, the track receives its current from the speed controller, which you hold in your hand. The harder you press, the more current flows into the track, and the faster your car travels. But your car must remain in the same slot at all times–you’re not able to change lanes, as in digital slot race car sets. A simple example is the Carrera “Onto the Podium GO!!!” 1.43 Slot Car Race Set. It has a 12-foot long track with curves and straight sections, and two cars that are 1:43 scale. It’s highly recommended for beginners who are getting used to slot car racing.

Carrera “Onto the Podium GO!!!” 1.43 Slot Car Race Set
    • Digital: A digital controller uses more advanced electronics that work with a chip inside the car. This allows you to have more control over the car, to the extent that you can even change lanes by pressing a button on the handheld controller. Even though digital race car sets are more expensive, they could be more appropriate for a beginner. Better control over the car means that you won’t fly off the track when going around a curve, or if you go too fast. One offering by Carrera that is digital is their Carrera 30011 GT Race Battle Digital 132 Set. 

Carrera 30011 GT Race Battle Digital 132 Set

How Can I Decide Which Slot Car Race Set Is Best For Me?

• Age-appropriate: You don’t want to get a slot car race set that’s not appropriate for your child’s age. If it’s too simple, they’ll lose interest rather quickly. And if it’s too complicated, they’ll get frustrated at the difficulty. Usually, slot car race sets are good for children ages 8 and up. It will take time to get used to navigating around turns and chicanes without losing control of the car. Once they have mastered the obstacles, they can work on increasing their speed.

• Variety of layouts: Some slot car race sets only allow you one arrangement of the pieces of track. However, others give you the option of constructing the track in a variety of ways. For example, the Auto World Semi-Frozen Extreme Conditions 14’ Slot Race Set can be set up in 4 different geometries. Each configuration offers its own special challenge!

Auto World Semi-Frozen Extreme Conditions 14’ Slot Race Set

• Space considerations: One very important consideration when buying a slot car race set is the amount of space that the set will occupy when fully assembled. It is possible to assemble the track when you want to race, and then take it apart when you’re finished. The problem with this is that there are usually plastic tabs at the edge of each piece of track. If one of them breaks, you might not be able to use that piece of track anymore. Ideally, you should try to devote a space for your slot car race set that you can construct it once and leave it that way undisturbed.

What Features Should I Look For in Slot Race Car Sets?

• Extension sets: Slot car race sets are complete in and of themselves. Just take the parts out of the box, assemble the track, and you’re all set! But you can also make slot car racing a veritable hobby. Depending on the brand, you can buy extension sets, with more pieces of track. For example, if you go to Carrera’s website, you’ll find that you can order additional pieces for your particular set: straight pieces of track, curved pieces, lane change sections, and more!

Carrera 30367 Track Extension Set, Digital 124/132 

Other companies offer complete sets of extra parts. An example is Racemasters AFX Track Pack. You save money by buying such a pack. In fact, it’s half the cost of buying the parts separately. It contains pieces of straight track, curves of varying radii, guard rails, squeeze track (where the track suddenly becomes narrowed), bridge supports, and more! You of course will have to make sure that expansion sets are compatible with your existing set.

Racemasters AFX Track Pack

• Scale: Different sets will be assigned numbers, such as “132” or “124”. That indicates the scale of the car to the original car model. “132” is thus a car that is 1/32 scale, and “124” is a car that is 1/24 scale. The larger cars, such as those offered by Scalextric Sport, are 1/24 scale and are around 17.5” in length. They can have working headlights, a larger layout, and even allow you to make modifications to the car’s parts to make it go faster!

• Turbo button: Many slot car race sets, even the analog ones, come with a “turbo” button. This allows you to go a bit faster on the straight pieces of the track. But be careful: using “turbo” on a turn might cause your car to fly off the track!

• Upgrading to a digital set: If you buy an analog set, you may want to upgrade to a digital set later. Scalextric, a big manufacturer of slot car race sets, notes that analog cars will work on a digital track, even though the analog car won’t be able to change lanes. On the other hand, digital cars will work on an analog track.

Wrap Up

We’ve seen some of the features of analog and digital slot race car sets. If you’re just starting out, an analog set might be easier to set up. But, a digital set might actually be easier to use in practice. Whichever way you choose, they’re a great alternative to computer games. And they let you develop similar skills: hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and even some electronics! Check out the MSN list of the Top 10 Slot Race Car Sets. Or browse another toy set idea among MSN’s buyer’s guides. You’re sure to find something challenging!