Table of Contents
Introduction
Hexbug is a toy brand developed after taking inspiration from a popular US TV show called Battlebots. The show also had a British variant called Robot Wars. Both series were extremely popular and the toy industry went crazy over making toy versions of similar bots that were more tamed and smaller in size as they were aimed for kids, yet were equally brutal and aggressive.
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It is very satisfying to watch something fight when you are controlling it. Equally appealing is watching these robots in a death match with each other. Kids are especially intrigued by such activities so the toy industry wanted to bring the BattleBot experience to their homes and that is where Hexbugs came in.
These robots let you marvel at the robotics and engineering that gets put into them. We hope that with the toys on this list, you will encourage your kids to build real robots in the future.
What are Hexbugs?
Hexbugs are toys that are made to mimic those huge beasty robots used in the American game show Battlebots. These little fearsome-looking toys are aimed at kids. They are operated with a remote control which needs to be first paired to them and then they are subjected to an arena where these bugs fight.
To make it more appealing, Hexbugs use translucent bodies so that you can see all motors and machinery spinning inside during the battle. The engines, circuit boards, and all the wires are visible. What makes them more interesting to kids is that they can see how the mechanism works inside and this gives them a better idea of how things work inside a robotic system; this engages them and increases their curiosity to invent something like that themselves.
The aim of the game is to knock out the other opponent. They can be considered as out if they are not moving for 30 seconds or they have flipped out of the arena or fell into the pit if the arena has one. If none of these conditions work, then the winner will be judged by the amount of aggression during the game, how much the robot engaged in the fight, and how much damage were they able to inflict upon the opponent.
Difference between Hexbugs and Normal Remote Control Cars
Hexbugs work on the same principle as RC cars as they are both controlled by an infrared remote controller. There are, however, major differences between the two. The RC controller is made specifically for that one car that works on a specific frequency range while the Hexbugs have a remote control that can be paired to any of the bugs. Remote control cars are generally cars while Hexbugs are made to look like robots. RC cars normally do not require an arena and don’t battle with other cars unless you have a hot wheels setup, while the sole purpose of Hexbugs is to fight with each other and win. RC cars are only wheel operated but Hexbugs can be shaped differently like ants, scorpions, and etc.
RC cars are not laced with weapons unless you have the knight rider model, while fighting Hexbugs almost always come with weapons. Furthermore, RC cars are made for high speed racing while Hexbugs are made for fighting.
Top 5 Remote Control Hexbugs for 2020
Hexbug Spider
If you are looking for a perfect toy for your child who is between 6 to 9 years old, then the Hexbug spider is the perfect choice. This bug is designed to battle and endure in the arena with other potential opponents. Two of your children can play together for hours with a pair of these.
This battle bot can be controlled with a high quality remote controller with voice and sound effects that will keep your kids engaged. The cool thing is that the game with these bugs has its own rules. The Spider bot fires with high precision at the other bot. Once the opponent bug is hit 10 times, it will stop and the heartbeat light will flash, declaring the other one as the winner.
The shots can be fired up to one meter and accompany a sensor that is accurate at detecting each hit. It features six spider legs that move on a 360-degree rotating head. If you have a two-channel remote control, you can control two spiders at once as well. The package includes a battle spider, a sensor, a rotating head, and batteries.
Features
- Dual channel remote control
- 360-degree rotating head
- Moves in any direction
- High quality batteries
Pros
- Fast-moving spiders
- Durable material
- Easy to operate and pair
- Affordable
Cons
- Small parts not safe for children
- Hit range is small
Verdict
The Hexbug Spider is fit for kids who are 6 or 8 years old. With these toys, you can excite the imaginative faculties of your children and that will be the only limit. It is easy to control and can give hours of entertainment to your children without any issues.
Hexbug Scorpion
Christmas is just months away and you might be thinking of buying new toys for your kids. Hexbug Scorpion is something you should definitely consider. With its unsettling looks and fearsome bouncing tail with swaying claws and fast moving legs, this bug will cast terror into the hearts of the opponent. This high quality bug comes in five different color variations.
While you can use it for battling in the arena, you can also do some tricks on your friends or mom to scare the heck out of them. The movements are very natural and very close to a real scorpion’s. The motors work separately for every leg and every joint has a harmonized movement that makes it look lifelike.
For this bug, you will need three LR-44 batteries which come included in the box; they are very long lasting and make sure that your child gets hours of fun.
Features
- Hours of fun with an autonomous design
- Lightning fast crawler
- Batteries come included
- Available in multiple colors
- Aimed for ages 8 and up
Pros
- Long lasting battery
- Fast crawling motion
- Multiple colors
- Realistic movements
- Durable translucent body
Cons
- Makes a lot of noise
- The joints can be stuck sometimes owing to uneven spacing
Verdict
Aimed at ages 8 and above, the Hexbug Scorpion toy will be the perfect fit for your children. It is durable and at the same time very affordable. If you want to give them a nice present for Christmas, then this is it.
Hexbug Fire Ant
The Hexbug Fire Ant is a controllable high speed robotic bug that you can use to battle with other bots. It comes with LED lighting and with six custom wheels to further enhance its mobility. It is very simple to use and you just need to power it on to use it. With a pretty basic remote control, it is very easy to learn.
It fetters around the floor and spins at your command. Children love its ability to move in fast circular motions. The shaky movement, coupled with fast responsive movements, is especially loved by many kids.
However, it does have some limitations. While it will work well on any flat surface, it will have trouble moving around on rough surfaces.
Features
- Available in multiple colors
- Includes a high quality I/R remote control
- Batteries included
- For ages 8 years and up
Pros
- Translucent body
- Includes an I/R remote control
- Super-fast movement
- Batteries included
Cons
- Only suitable for flat surfaces
- Small parts might prove to be a choking hazard
Verdict
The Hexbug Fire Ant is one of the most budget-friendly and high quality Hexbug you can get right now and it is loved by children and adults alike.
Hexbug BattleBots Arena Bronco Set
The Hexbug BattleBots Arena Bronco Set is the flagship of our list. It is modeled after the fan favorites Tombstone and Witch Doctor. They resemble the Battlebots competitors but have their own unique design and features.
Since they come with unique weapons, they are the only ones like them. These weapons will help them crush opponents with fury and style. With this set, Bronco and Biteforce are also available which can be bought separately for your collection as well. What gives these bots their uniqueness is their tethered handles that activate their unique weaponry.
The arena is a trimmed down version of Battlebot’s metallic war zone. But beware as it requires adult help to build but it shouldn’t take too long. The arena also has hammers in the corners that players can use to smash their opponents with by just the push of a button.
To give a more realistic Battlebot feeling to the arena, the parts of the bots are magnetic which come apart on hitting but are highly durable; this allows for more realistic gameplay. With the hammers destroying the bots’ parts, it becomes more like a nice gladiator type fight to watch. But don’t worry as the parts are magnetic and can be put back together with ease.
Features
- 6-inch Superstar scale battle bots
- Highly durable armor
- Ability to add multiple figures
- Damage simulation
Pros
- Compliant with CPSIA standards
- Push activated hammers
- Realistic protective walls
- Fold-out game board
Cons
- Issue with magnets
- Parts tend to come off without any impact
Verdict
The Hexbug BattleBots Arena Bronco Set is a full set of battlebot bugs that are inspired by America’s famous television show Battlebots and the British series Robot Wars. The set comes with an infrared controlled Bronco and a Witch Doctor bot that are designed for 8 year olds but can be enjoyed by adults as well. The arena is made to simulate the realistic ground of Battlebots and the pieces come apart to give a natural and vivid feeling. This is the best for value and high in quality.
Hexbug Scarab
The Hexbug Scarab is definitely one of the most fun Hexbug out there. It is fast and never flips on its own so we will give it ten out of ten for speed and stability. If you want to get savvier and go all Madmax, you can also remove the clear casing above the engine.
This bug is specially designed for children to give them a positive experience with robotics so that they can be encouraged to invent something like this on their own someday. With an eye-catching packaging and colorful bug-like appearance, your children will be drawn towards it.
Features
- Available in multiple colors
- High speed bug
- Advance leg design
- Batteries included
- Auto flips over
Pros
- Auto flip protection
- Durable
- High speed
- Fun Egyptian scarab design
- Lots of colors to choose from
Cons
- I/R range is a bit low
- Slips a lot while spinning
Verdict
The Hexbug Scarab is built to inspire your children for pursuing the field of robotics. It shows in their design that they were inspired by the epic robot fighting series Battlebots. This is designed for children aged 8 years or above and is made to simulate the original game at the comfort of your own room.
What to Look for When Choosing Remote Control Hexbugs
Hexbugs are gladiator fighting machines that are designed for brutal fighting matches. With the Battlebots, the culture has spread beyond just the show and has reached kids’ toys. There is a lot of craze going on for these so you may want to get these for your kids. However, before you buy, here are a few things you should know before your purchase:
Size and Scope
Hexbugs are a reincarnation of the bionic beauties that we saw in Battlebots. They are divided into categories based on their weight and built. They come as lightweight, medium-weight, and heavyweight. All of them have their advantages over one another.
Regarding their scope, they utilize a different range of assault tools; some use saws, some have wedges to flip the opponent, while others can swing balls or hit with the hammer. The heavyweight bugs can use a spiky outer shell which is aimed at taking up a defensive position in the arena if you want endurance to play its game.
Know Your Bots
The Hexbugs come in two ranges: ones that are motorized and ones that are push activated. It is best if you know how these work and how they are different.
They also come with two kinds of remote controls: the witch doctor and the tombstone. They can be purchased separately as well.
There is also a unique tarantula pack that has two RC robots. They are slow-moving enduring spider robots that help you win your game. Also, if you are buying push activated robots like Bronco, beware of the flying parts.
Frame and Armor
Most of the heavyweight bots will have a spiky protective armor to protect against impacts. These are especially useful if you are playing on the defensive side against hammerheads and saw piercing bots.
Battery
Always consider buying bots with a long battery life. You don’t want the bot to stop during the battle. Furthermore, the Li-Ion batteries are the industry standard as they don’t require memory charging and last way longer.
Recommendation
While all the toy bots on this list are high quality and highly durable battlebots, we think that the BattleBots Arena Bronco Set is the best considering its overall value. It is a complete set that comes with a lot in one package. The good thing is that you can buy the parts separately and add them to the collection. Your kids will love them owing to their wide range of features specifically designed for entertainment.
Final Words
Hexbugs looks like bots coming straight out of the US TV show Battlebots. The Hexbugs battlebots are back with Bronco and Witch Doctor unleashing their fury, while the old Scarabs, Scorpions, and Fire Ants are also gaming up. With a video gamestyle controller that uses infrared technology, these toys are some of the most highly acclaimed pieces of machines you can buy for your children.
This is the best time for you to pick up these remote controlled toys for your children. Whether it is the foldable sets or the ultimate collection, your children are going to love them. The products on this list are designed to be easy to use and mobile so you can store them anywhere with ease and also take them out with you during picnic trips. These are one of those toys which are enjoyed not only by kids but also by adults alike.
We would suggest going through our list and buying guide, and choosing whichever one appeals to you the best.
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