When you’re purchasing an RC car, it can be really difficult to know the difference between the specifications online. If you’re not experienced or knowledgeable about RC’s or cars in general, then a lot of the language can be really confusing.
Brushed and brushless is one of the most commonly misunderstood things about RC cars. What’s the difference between the two? And is one a better choice for me than the other, or is there really no difference in the long run? Well, one of them will likely be a better option for you. But, it all really depends on what you want.
So, lets look at the difference between brushless and brushed RC cars and see which one would make a better option for you.
Brushed vs Brushless Motors
The main difference between brushed and brushless motors is that brushless motor don’t use brushes when converting electricity in the motor. This give a brushless engine much more efficiency in comparison to a brushed motor.
When deciding which type of motor is going to be a better choice for you, you’ll need to consider a few different things. We’ll look at the benefits of each type of motor, so that you can decide which would be a better option for your needs.
Advantages of Brushed Motors
- Cheaper – Generally, the main advantage of brushed motors is that they are significantly cheaper than brushless motors. They’ll usually retail quite a bit cheaper than their brushless equivalents.
- Simplicity – The system in a brushed motor is much more simple than in a brushless. This simplicity of wiring is the thing that makes them a more cost efficient option.
Brushed motors are commonly used in cheaper RC cars, mainly because they cost less to produce. Here’s a great video to check out if you want some more information on the performance differences between the two different types of motors.
Advantages of Brushless Motors
- Less maintenance – A brushless motor requires far less maintenance in comparison to a brushed motor. With a brushed motor, you’ll have to clear it out for dust and other possible stuff, especially if you’re driving on surfaces like sand.
- Speed – Of course, the main reason that most people want to go for a brushless motor is the fact that they’re significantly fast. You can get higher speeds with a brushless motor, which you’ll struggle to reach with a brushed motor.
- Long run times – With a brushless motor, you’re going to get longer run times due to the better efficiency of brushless motors.
Although you might think that a brushless motor would be the best option, this often isn’t the case if you’re new to RC cars. Brushless RC cars are often designed with experienced users in mind, so it’s not just the high speed and power that you’ll need to take into account. Brushless motors often use LiPo batteries, which need more care than a beginner is likely going to know how to give, and it can be a little overwhelming.
However if you’ve had brushed RC cars before, then it might be worth considering upgrading. Usually brushless RC cars are a lot more expensive, but this is because all areas of the car have been upgraded too, not just the motor. The steering and suspension is usually better on brushless RC cars to match the motor, so keep this in mind if you’re confused about the high price tag.
Conclusion
Overall, for beginners a brushed motor is still the optimal choice. It’s much better for people new to RC cars, as the car itself will likely require much less maintenance than a brushless motor (although the motor itself doesn’t need as much maintenance). You can still get tons of speed with a brushed motor, so that’s nothing to worry about.
For more experiencing RC car users, then a brushless motor is usually a sign of better internals overall, as well as the better motoring experience and a faster RC car. So, brushless can be a better choice for advanced racers.