Brushless and brushed are the two types of motors you would see in an RC car. Many people new to RC vehicles are often confused about their differences and how they affect the performance of their RC car. As a result, a lot of people want to know which of the two motors is ultimately better.
Brushless motors have a longer lifespan and faster response, while brushed motors have better control at low speed. Off-Road RC cars tend to use brushed motors for better control. While most of the touring and racing RCs use brushless for efficiency and speed.
“What is better, brushed or brushless RC cars?” is a common question among many new RC hobbyists. To this day, there’s no definitive answer to it because they serve different roles and outperform each other in certain situations.
There’s also the matter of maintenance and efficiency. I shall touch on all of these topics and explain them in detail so that you can judge them yourself and figure out which would be the best for you.
![Three offroad RC cars turning into a sharp turn](https://radiocontrolledworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Three-offroad-RC-cars-turning-into-a-sharp-turn-1280x720.jpg)
Brushed Vs. Brushless RC Cars
Brushed and brushless RC cars are both equally popular, but they have varying degrees of impact on an RC car’s performance. Strictly speaking, a brushless RC car will have better acceleration than a brushed RC.
That’s because a brushed RC has a slight lag once you press the throttle. On the other hand, a Brushless will start as soon as the command reaches the ESC.
RC monster trucks, for example, almost always use brushless motors. These large cars require a lot of power, which is something a brushed motor can not provide.
The speed that an RC car can reach depends greatly on the size of the motor. However, bigger is not always better. That’s why most monster trucks do not have gigantic motors. They are usually modest in terms of size.
RC touring cars or recreation cars rely on brushless motors for the most part. They have lowered bodies that are mainly suited to on-road travel.
There’s no logical reason for them to be using brushed motors over brushless. They gain absolutely no benefit from the low-speed movement control of a brushed motor. Usually, cheaper on-road RC cars have brushed motors.
RC trucks, crawlers, buggy, and any other off-road cars will often use brushed motors.
Brushed motors are indeed cheap, but that doesn’t mean there are no high-quality brushed motors. Rock crawlers, in particular, almost exclusively use brushed motors because of the low-speed movement control.
Off-road RC cars are less about raw speed and acceleration, more about control and handling. Brushed motors are peerless when it comes to better control systems compared to brushless motors.
The performance difference between brushed and brushless motors becomes especially evident when going over rocky terrain.
Off-road RC cars often get into sticky situations, like being stuck over large rocks or in a hole.
When you transition from being stopped, especially when you are putting uphill or downhill, brushed motors will offer unrivaled control.
The brushes of a brushed motor will drag over the commutator, which makes the transition very gentle.
![](https://radiocontrolledworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rc-toy-car-rally-on-dirt-track.jpg)
Brushed Motor vs. Brushless Motor
I explained which motor works best for which type of RC car. But in terms of just the motor, which is better? Let’s break it down from the very basics.
Brushed Motors
Brushed motors are cheap. They are easy to replace and come with a very simple ESC module. However, performance-wise, Brushed motors have plenty of downsides. Brushed motors require a significant amount of maintenance to perform at their best. Their only redeeming quality is their control mechanics.
Brushes
Brushed motors have a set of brushes in them that wear off over time. You would need to replace these brushes often. An average Brushed motor would last anywhere from 5 hours to 30 hours. But that depends on the speed of your RC car.
A fast rig like a Slash 4×4 can wear a brush down to a mere thirty minutes. A rig’s weight also plays a significant role. The heavier the rig, the more power a motor needs to power it.
In certain cases, it’s better to use a low-powered brushed motor over a high-powered one. Something with a lower power output will always produce slower rotation.
It will ultimately reduce the rate of deterioration of the brushes. These motors also happen to be dirt cheap so replacing them is not that costly.
Heat
Brushed motors produce a significant amount of friction. The brushes inside the motor constantly grind on the lamination, resulting in heat. Managing the heat is a headache in most cases.
A fast car will overheat a brushed motor in a matter of minutes. It is a significant drawback and is the reason why you won’t see the brushed motor in most speed-focused RC cars.
However, most off-road cars prefer a gentler pace, so this constitution fits perfectly with them. Relatively cheaper brushed motors have very wide laminations, which cause a lot of steel loss. But that’s still manageable to some extent.
ESC
The ESC or electronic speed controller of a brushed motor is easy to modify and program. That’s why almost every regular RC car comes with a brushed motor instead of a brushless one.
Since it’s easier to set-up, replacing these motors becomes a lot less troublesome.
Speed
The speed of a brushed motor is a lot slower than brushless motors. Since the brushes cause a bit of hindrance, they also reduce the torque density quite a bit.
![](https://radiocontrolledworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Traxxas-XO-1-Front-End.jpg)
Brushless Motors
Brushless motors are peerless in terms of efficiency. They have an extremely long runtime and faster output. That’s why almost every high-end on-road RC car uses brushless motors.
Not only RC cars, even RC boats, and aircraft use Brushless motors. On the flip side, these are far more expensive than brushed motors.
Brushless
As the name suggests, these motors do not have brushes. Just this fact alone would make your life significantly more comfortable because you wouldn’t need to change these parts on the motor constantly.
The inner laminations do not decay, and they can last indefinitely as long as you do not let them rust or overheat excessively. The initial cost of these motors might be a bit high. But in the long run, your overall expense would be lower.
Heat
The inner body of a brushless motor has no parts that produce friction. That’s why they produce significantly less heat than a brushless motor. Since they take a long time to overheat, most of the faster RC cars use them.
ESC
Brushless motors do not need any dedicated maintenance but setting them up can be a bit difficult. The electric brushless motors have complex ESC setups.
Speed
Brushless motor has no friction and can increase its speed based on the amount of power it gets. They usually have optimized laminations to reduce steel loss as much as possible.
That’s why they can generate significantly more RPM than a brushed motor without burning out.
Brushless motors will naturally have higher runtime than brushed motors. But if you use too much power, the runtime might be lower than a high-end brushed motor.
Final Thoughts on What is Better Brushed or Brushless RC Cars
I hope that after going through all that, you have a clear idea about what is better, brushed or brushless RC cars. Brushless RC cars are easy to maintain, produce more torque, and are generally harder to control.
On the other hand, brushed RC cars have a slower speed, more control, and are high maintenance. Thanks for reading till the end.
RC Car Options Available on Amazon
Image | Manufacturer | Description | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ARRMA | ARRMA 1/7 Felony 6S BLX Street Bash All-Road Muscle Car RTR (Ready-to-Run Transmitter and Receiver Included, Batteries and Charger Required), Black, ARA7617V2T1 | Prime | Buy Now | |
Top![]() | Traxxas | Traxxas XO-1 1/7 Scale AWD Supercar with TQi 2.4GHz Radio & TSM, Black | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | Losi | Losi RC Truck 1/6 Super Rock Rey 4WD Brushless Rock Racer RTR (Ready-to-Run) with AVC, Baja Designs, LOS05016T1 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
![]() | Traxxas | Traxxas 67076-4 Rustler 4x4 VXL Off Road Electric Remote Control RC Car with Remote Control for Adults and Kids, Red | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | ARRMA | ARRMA RC Truck 1/8 KRATON 6S V5 4WD BLX Speed Monster Truck with Spektrum Firma RTR, Red, ARA8608V5T1 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
![]() | Redcat | Redcat Racing Shredder XTE Electric Truck, 1/6 Scale, Red | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
![]() | Traxxas | Traxxas 67076-4 Rustler 4x4 VXL Off Road Electric Remote Control RC Car Chassis Body with Remote Control for Adults and Kids, Green | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | ARRMA | ARRMA RC Car 1/8 Typhon 6S V5 4WD BLX Buggy with Spektrum Firma RTR (Ready-to-Run), Black and Red, ARA8606V5 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Helpful Links
For all your RC Questions, Click HERE
If you are interested in RC cars and trucks, RC World has you covered.
For RC boats and watercraft, check these articles out.
For all your RC Airborne endeavors, we have everything you need.
6 Quick Tips to Slash Your E-bike Commuting Time
Imagine a faster, more efficient way to commute each day – one where you avoid the stress of traffic, reduce your carbon footprint, and even get in a…
How Do RC Boats Work?
If you’re considering purchasing an RC boat, you may be wondering: how do RC boats work? Well, this article will discuss the parts of RC boats, from the…
Boost Electric Skateboard Power
Electric skateboards offer a seamless blend of technology and thrill, propelling riders with the simple push of a throttle. Yet, enthusiasts like us yearn for more – more…
Mastering Mountain E-bikes on Thrilling Trails
As technology continues to advance and become more ingrained into every aspect of our lives, it’s only logical that it also finds its way into our recreation. One…
Mastering Regenerative Braking on E-Skateboards
Regenerative braking is a fascinating blend of innovation and practicality, seamlessly integrating into the world of electric and hybrid vehicles as well as electric skateboards. It represents a…
Guide to Gas, Electric, or Nitro for Best RC Performance
Being around RC cars almost all my life, I had developed a special inclination towards their working mechanics trying to make sure I stay up to date. RC…
Shake off woes with Shock-Absorbing Electric Skateboards
From offering an eco-friendly commute alternative to serving as a thrilling recreation sport, electric skateboards continue to evolve, improving performance and safety features with each upgrade. Chief among…
Ultimate Guide to E-Bike Charging Stations
Electric bikes, commonly known as e-bikes, are revolutionizing urban travel, offering riders a sustainable and efficient mode of transport. At the heart of every e-bike is its battery,…
8 Must-Have High Torque Motors for Electric Skateboards
Electric skateboarding is not just a means of transportation, it’s a lifestyle. Embracing the futuristic blend of technology and excitement, it captivates enthusiasts worldwide. At the heart of…