Gravity-Defying Laser RC Car

It drives up the wall. That is the whole trick, and it works.

A fan in the base pulls air through the underside and holds the car against a flat surface hard enough to carry its own weight. Put it on the floor and it is a small RC car. Put it on a smooth wall and it climbs, turns, and keeps going onto the ceiling.

There is no app and no pairing. Charge it over USB, switch it on, and point.

You steer it by pointing, and you have to be close

The car follows a red laser dot. You move the dot, the car chases it. Children work this out in about ten seconds, which is most of why it holds their attention.

The part worth knowing before you buy: the dot has to land within about 8 inches of the car for it to steer. This is not a toy you drive from the sofa — you follow it around the room, keeping the beam just ahead of it. Plan on being on your feet.

The surface decides whether it works

Suction needs something flat and sealed to grip. Painted plaster, glass, tiles, gloss doors, fridges and whiteboards all work. Wallpaper, brick, textured render and bare plaster do not — the air leaks out around the base and the car slides down. It is worth testing a wall in your own home early rather than finding out on Christmas morning.

Ceilings are the bit that gets the reaction

Driving across a ceiling upside down is the moment that makes people call other people into the room. It holds as long as the ceiling is smooth and the battery is charged — as the charge drops, the grip goes before the speed does, so bring it down when it starts to feel slow rather than waiting for it to fall.

Three colours, same car

Red, blue, or grey with green trim. The controller matches the car it comes with. Nothing else changes between them.

Specifications

• In the box: car, laser controller, USB charging cable, manual
• Car size: 5.9 × 3.3 × 1.8 in (15 × 8.5 × 4.5 cm)
• Controller size: 5.7 × 5.1 in (14.5 × 13 cm)
• Car power: built-in rechargeable battery, 30–40 minutes to charge over USB
• Controller power: 3 × AAA batteries, not included
• Laser steering range: the dot must land within 0–8 in (0–20 cm) of the car
• Controller range: 10–16 ft (3–5 m)
• Manufacturer's age rating: 3+

The controller emits a visible laser. Never aim it at anyone's eyes, at a pet, or at a mirror, and keep younger children supervised while they use it. Run time per charge is not specified by the manufacturer, so we do not quote one.