Choosing between brushed and brushless RC cars can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the hobby. Both motor types have pros and cons, but they behave very differently on the track. In this guide, we’ll explain the key differences, how each affects speed, torque, battery life, maintenance, and help you decide which is right for your driving style.
How does a brushless motor differ from a brushed one?
In RC, brushless refers to the design of the motor in the model. If a model motor is not labelled as 'brushless' it is normal to assume that it is a basic brushed motor.
Both brushed and brushless motors use 'charged' coil windings to attract and repel permanent magnets of fixed polarisation and create a rotating force.
Brushed motors use a rotating switch called a commutator to periodically reverse the current direction in the coil, switching that side of the armature to attract or repel the fixed magnets in the motor. This commutator physically rubs against brushes to make and break the connection required and this is where the name comes from. The diagram above (created by Abnormaal and taken from wikipedia) shows a brushed DC motor in action. Note the copper coloured brushes around the central shaft, changing the polarisation of charge in the armature windings.
As you can see from the above diagram, brushless motors differ in design removing the contacting brushes. Many attaching the magnets to the shaft and fixing the coils in place. With no commutator, a controller is required to alternate the current. The majority of RC car brushless motors operate in this manner, requiring an external intelligent ESC to operate the motor.
How can I spot a brushless RC Car?
Beyond selecting 'brushless' or just reading the description when browsing our web-store, the first sign of a car with a brushless motor are three or more wires running from the ESC to the motor as seen below.
Whilst in a brushed motor there is typically a red positive and a black negative wire connected (as seen in the photo below), brushless motors rely on the ESC to switch up the power signals sent down these three wires.
What is motor Kv and turns about?
RC motors are typically listed along with their 'turn' and/or 'Kv' numbers.
Turns (often stated just as T) refers to the number of times the internal wiring wraps around the armature. As a rule of thumb higher turn motors have higher torque and less RPM thus '55T' units are suited to RC crawlers. Lower turn motors have less torque but more RPM so '15T' motors are often fitted to beach buggies and other zippy models such as the Jumpshot below.
Kv numbers help explain the number of theoretical rotations you can expect from inputting 1 volt of power to an unloaded motor, aka RPM per volt. The higher the Kv number, the faster the motor can potentially spin. The key takeaway is that this is the unloaded value which only gives suggestions to the design/capability of the unit.
Brushed vs Brushless
Brushed and brushless motors may look similar, but they deliver very different performance. From speed and efficiency to maintenance and cost, understanding the differences will help you choose the right setup for your needs.
Pros of Brushed Motors:
✔️ Lower cost
✔️ Reliable and widely used
✔️ Gentle acceleration (good for beginners)
Cons of Brushed Motors:
❌ Slower top speed
❌ Less efficient (drains batteries faster)
❌ Wears out faster due to brushes
Pros of Brushless Motors:
✔️ Higher top speed and stronger torque
✔️ More energy-efficient (longer battery life)
✔️Lower maintenance (no brushes to replace)
Cons of Brushless Motors:
❌ Higher upfront cost
❌ Requires a more advanced speed controller
❌ Slightly more complex setup
Which Should You Choose?
- Beginners / Casual Drivers: Brushed motors are cost-effective, easier to manage, and forgiving on mishaps.
- Racers / Hobbyists: Brushless motors provide the performance boost and durability you’ll notice in speed, climbing, and long-term usage.
Consider your requirements
If you like to drive at controlled, lower speeds, a high-turn brushed RC setup like the RCG Racing MT-One 1/16 Monster Truck is just fine. They are also ideal for children looking for a an easily controllable, robust system.
Alternatively if you want a high-speed and high-power model such as the RCG Racing MT-One 1/16 Brushless Monster Truck, then the brushless setup will be best for you.
Note that beyond the motor/ESC, many manufacturers will also select upgraded components such as shocks and driveshafts that can cope with the output of the brushless 'heart'.
More powerful motors require more powerful batteries
Remember that to get the most out of a brushless car you will also likely end up buying more expensive, energy dense, high-burst-rate, lithium-chemistry batteries.
These require more complicated equipment to charge, balance, use and safely store. Miss-use of these cells can end in terminally damaging them. We do not recommend children handle batteries without adult supervision but this is even more important when dealing with extremely powerful LiPo cells.
FAQ – Brushed vs Brushless RC Cars
Q: Are brushless RC cars faster than brushed?
A: Yes, brushless motors provide higher top speeds and better acceleration.
Q: Do brushless motors drain batteries faster?
A: No, brushless motors are more efficient and typically give longer runtime than brushed motors.
Q: Can I upgrade a brushed RC car to brushless?
A: Yes, but you’ll need a compatible brushless motor, ESC, a suitable battery and possibly upgraded shocks and driveshafts to handle the extra power.
Q: Which motor is better for beginners?
A: Brushed motors are easier to manage, making them ideal for beginners.
Where can I buy a brushless car?
We stock a wide range of brushless RC cars, check out our webstore to explore the full range. However, here are some of our current favourite brushless cars, across different price points.
- RCG Racing Storm Rider 1/16 Brushless Monster Truck is great for all-round off-road fun
- If you are after a buggy, the RCG Racing Wind Speed 1/16 Brushless Buggy is a great choice for speed and precise handling.
- If you prefer controlled speed, the RCG Racing MT-One 1/16 Brushless Monster Truck includes an adjustable speed dial
- For a larger scale truck we recommend the RCG Racing 10-Series 1/10 Brushless Monster Truck
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to brushed vs brushless RC cars - it all depends on what you’re looking for.
Brushed motors are affordable, simple, and great for beginners, while brushless motors offer more speed, power, and efficiency for those wanting higher performance.
Both have their place - it’s just about choosing what suits your driving style and budget best.
👉 Explore our full range of brushed and brushless RC cars to find the right one for your driving style.
