Best Cheap Brushless RC Car [with pros&cons]

Last Updated on September 2, 2024 by Jaxon Mike

Brushless RC cars provide an exciting driving experience that can’t be matched by brushed motors. The efficiency and power of brushless motors allow RC cars to reach incredible speeds and acceleration. In the past, brushless RC cars were quite expensive but recent years have seen the prices drop significantly. Now there are great options for best cheap brushless RC cars that provide strong performance at an affordable price point.

In this article, we will look at what makes brushless RC cars so great, factors to consider when choosing one, and review the top picks for best value brushless RC cars. We’ll also provide some tips on getting the most out of your new brushless model. Let’s get started!

Our Top 5 Picks

Model	Type	Scale	Speed	Power System	Battery	Price
[TOP PICK] Arrma Typhon 3S BLX	Buggy	1/8	50 mph	1520Kv brushless motor, 3S capable ESC	11.1V 3S LiPo (sold separately)	CHECK LATEST PRICE
[OVERALL BEST] Traxxas Slash 4X4 Brushless	Short Course Truck	1/10	30+ mph	Velineon 3500kV brushless, XL-5 HV ESC	11.1V 3S LiPo (sold separately)	CHECK LATEST PRICE
ECX Amp MT	Monster Truck	1/10	20+ mph	3600Kv brushless motor, waterproof ESC	7.2V 3000mAh NiMH (included)	CHECK LATEST PRICE
Redcat Lightning EPX Drift	Drift Car	1/10	30 mph	4300Kv brushless motor, waterproof ESC	7.4V 3000mAh LiPo (included)	CHECK LATEST PRICE
[USER CHOICE] Team Associated Reflex 14B	On-Road Buggy	1/14	20+ mph	1400Kv brushless motor, waterproof ESC	7.2V battery & charger (sold separately)	CHECK LATEST PRICE

What is a Brushless RC Car?

Brushless motors have become prevalent in RC cars and trucks due to their superior efficiency, power, speed, and durability compared to old brushed motors.

How Brushless Motors Work

The key difference lies in how brushless motors work. Brushed motors use physical carbon brushes to transfer power from the battery to the spinning armature. This contact causes friction and wear over time.

Brushless motors use electromagnets to spin the motor rather than physical contact. The electronic speed controller (ESC) feeds alternating current to the electromagnets to create a rotating magnetic field that spins the motor. This gives more efficiency, increases lifespan, and eliminates maintenance of changing brushes.

Advantages of Brushless RC Cars

Here are some of the main benefits of brushless RC cars:

• More power and faster acceleration
• Higher top speeds
• Improved efficiency and runtime from batteries
• Generate less heat so run cooler
• Require less maintenance
• More durable and reliable operation
• The increases in power and efficiency are very noticeable when driving brushless RC cars. They deliver a major performance upgrade over brushed motors.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Brushless RC Car

There are a few main factors to weigh when picking out a cheap brushless RC car.

Type of Car

Brushless motors are commonly found in these types of RC vehicles:

• Buggies – Lightweight, low profile, fast acceleration
• Short Course Trucks – Rugged, great for bashing and racing
• Monster Trucks – Big tires, high ground clearance for off-road
• Stadium Trucks – Larger scale, realistic trucks

Consider which style best fits how you plan to drive. Buggies tend to be the fastest while monster trucks can handle rougher terrain.

Scale/Size

Common scales range from 1/10 to 1/8 size. Bigger 1/8 scales can be faster but also more expensive. 1/10 scale is the most common size and provide a good mix of performance and affordability.

Speed and Power

Output can range quite a bit so check motor KV (rpm per volt) and battery specs. Higher KV generally means more speed. Brushless systems also need a compatible ESC capable of handling the power.

Budget

Prices range widely from $100 to $500+ for RTR (ready-to-run) brushless RC cars. Defining your budget will narrow down the options. We’ll focus on the best values under $300.

Parts Support

It’s good to consider the availability of spare parts and upgrades for whatever model you choose. Having the ability to repair and modify adds to the long-term value.

Now let’s take a look at some of the top recommended cheap brushless RC cars…

Reviews of the Best Cheap Brushless RC Cars

Here are our picks for the best values on the market today:

1. Arrma Typhon 3S BLX

One of the best bang-for-buck brushless RC cars is the Arrma Typhon 3S BLX. This 1/8 buggy comes ready to run with a powerful brushless motor and ESC for around $250.

Some key specs:

• 3S capable BLX brushless power system
• 1520Kv motor with sensorless technology
• Waterproof ESC with LiPo low-voltage cutoff
• DBoots Pinhom tires on black wheels
• Tube frame with adjustable coilover shocks
• Top speed around 50 mph

Pros:

• Great speed and power for the price
• Durable and rugged design
• Large 1/8 scale size
• Good run time with 3S LiPo battery

Cons:

• Basic electronics
• Not as fast as more expensive models

For a larger-scale buggy, the Typhon 3S BLX delivers seriously fast speed at a reasonable price. It’s very durable for high speed bashing and racing. The only downside is the basic electronics, but they are still very capable for a ready-to-run car. Overall this is one of the best values for a fast brushless basher.

2. Traxxas Slash 4X4 Brushless

The Traxxas Slash 4X4 with brushless power is arguably the best short course truck under $300. It’s built Traxxas-tough and ready for high speed off-road action right out of the box.

Highlights of the Slash 4X4 Brushless include:

• Velineon 3500kV brushless system
• Waterproof XL-5 HV ESC
• Low-CG chassis with long travel suspension
• Rear dogbones and 4WD drivetrain
• 11.1V 3S LiPo compatible
• 30+ mph top speed

Pros:

• Proven 4WD chassis design
• Tough and durable for bashing
• Massive parts support from Traxxas
• Excellent traction and control

Cons:

• Not the fastest top speed
• Difficult to work on and repair
• Parts can be expensive

As a bonus, the Slash 4X4 is compatible with the huge range of Traxxas parts and upgrades. This rugged truck is tons of fun to bash around off-road. The extra traction of 4WD really improves acceleration and control. Definitely one of the top picks for a cheap brushless basher.

3. ECX Amp MT

For a budget-friendly monster truck, check out the ECX Amp MT. It comes ready to run with a powerful brushless system for under $250.

Some of the key features include:

• 3600Kv brushless motor
• Waterproof brushless ESC
• Beefy suspension arms with oil-filled shocks
• Aggressive dBoots radials on black chrome wheels
• Durable composite chassis and body
• 20+ mph top speed

Pros:

• Great monster truck abilities
• Waterproof electronics
• Included battery and charger
• Durable composite materials

Cons:

• Lower top speed than others
• NiMH battery has less runtime than LiPo

The Amp MT can traverse rough terrain and delivers good runtime from the included NiMH battery. While not the fastest truck, it provides good monster truck abilities at an affordable RTR price. Spare parts are readily available from ECX too.

4. Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Drift

If you want a budget-priced drift machine, look at the Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Drift. It’s designed for drifting around corners thanks to quality suspension and slick drift tires.

Key features of this affordable drift car:

• 4300Kv brushless motor with xt60 connector
• Waterproof brushless ESC with drag brake
• Rear wheel drive drifting setup
• Independent front and solid rear axle
• Low center of gravity drift chassis
• Rubber drift tires on included rims
• Top speed around 30 mph

Pros:

• Tuned specifically for drifting
• Low cost RTR package
• Fun and easy to drift right away
• Good upgrade potential

Cons:

• Lower power brushless system
• Short runtime with included battery

For around $180 RTR, the Lightning EPX Drift delivers very capable drifting performance right out of the box. It’s a great entry-level option to try out drifting without a huge investment.

5. Team Associated Reflex 14B

The Team Associated Reflex 14B is a proven 1/14 scale brushless RC car ready for competitive racing or recreational driving.

Some notable features:

• 1400Kv brushless motor
• Waterproof brushless ESC
• Precision ball bearings throughout
• Oil-filled coilover shocks
• Adjustable turnbuckles for tuning
• Dual bellcrank steering system
• 20+ mph top speed

Pros:

• Proven race pedigree and performance
• Precise and optimized design
• Great handling and control
• Huge selection of tuning options

Cons:

• Small 1/14 scale can be harder to work on
• Not the fastest top speed

Despite the small size, the Reflex 14B has big performance thanks to the potent brushless powerplant. This 2WD buggy handles very well and is a joy to drive both on-road and off. The Team Associated pedigree shines through in the refined design. around $160 makes this one of the best micro brushless RC cars available.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Brushless RC Car

To maximize performance and enjoyment of your new brushless car, here are some helpful tips:

Batteries and Chargers

Be sure to use a high-quality LiPo battery pack designed for RC use. Pay attention to the battery specs like discharge rating (C rating) and capacity (mAh). Match this to the ESC requirements. Also invest in a suitable LiPo charger to properly charge and maintain the batteries. This gives the car sufficient clean current to run optimally.

Gearing

One advantage of brushless systems is the ease of changing gear ratios by swapping spur gears and pinion gears. Experiment with different gearing combinations to optimize for torque, top speed, or acceleration as desired.

Suspension Setup

The suspension can be tuned by adjusting oil weight in the shocks, spring rates, ride height and more. Adjusting these will alter the handling characteristics. Focus on balance rather than extremes for the best control.

General Maintenance

Keep your car clean by washing off any dirt and grime after running it. Inspect for damage and replace any broken parts. Check screw tightness. Lubricate drive train components to prevent binding and wear. Perform these basic maintenance habits regularly to keep your car running smoothly.

FAQ

Q: What is the main advantage of brushless RC cars?

A: Brushless motors provide more efficiency, power, speed, and durability than brushed motors. This gives a big performance upgrade.

Q: Are brushless RC cars good for beginners?

A: Brushless can be more complex but RTR models work well for beginners. Focus on 1/10 scale trucks which are more durable and slower than fast buggies.

Q: How long do brushless RC car batteries last?

A: Run times vary based on the capacity (mAh) of LiPo batteries. Higher capacity batteries will give longer run times, usually 10-20 minutes depending on driving style.

Q: What maintenance do brushless motors need?

A: The big benefit is brushless motors require no brush changes or commutator cleaning. Just keep them clean and inspect for damage. Re-grease bearings when needed.

Q: Can you upgrade a brushed RC car to brushless?

A: Yes, but you’ll need to upgrade the ESC, motor, and likely the drivetrain, battery, and charger. It’s often more cost-effective to buy a ready-to-run brushless model.

Conclusion

Going brushless delivers a huge performance increase for RC cars and trucks compared to old brushed systems. Recent years have seen excellent ready-to-run brushless models hit the market at very reasonable prices. This makes them more accessible than ever to casual hobbyists and RC enthusiasts alike.

The Arrma Typhon 3S BLX, Traxxas Slash 4X4, ECX Amp MT, Redcat Lightning EPX Drift, and Team Associated Reflex 14B stand out as some of the best cheap brushless RC cars available today. They provide exciting speed and power at affordable prices ranging from $160-$300 RTR. Consider the type of vehicle and features that appeal to your interests.

To maximize enjoyment with your new brushless car, be mindful of battery selection, gearing, suspension tuning, and maintenance. This will help optimize the performance and reliability. Brushless RC cars deliver an amazing driving experience that any RC fan is sure to love. Give one of these models a try and feel the brushless power firsthand!