Brushed vs Brushless RC Motors: Which should you buy?

When shopping for an RC motor, it’s usually for an upgrade, but you might also be comparing two RC models trying to decide which is the best RC car or truck for you while one is brushed and the other is brushless. Here, we’ll explain the key differences between brushed and brushless RC motors, help you decide which you should buy, and give you a quick-reference buying guide to aid you on your journey deeper into the RC hobby.

What is a Brushed RC Motor?

Let’s dive in with brushed motors first as these are the most common motor type in entry-level radio control vehicles. And the design is simple – inside the motor are a set of brushes. These carbon brushes makes direct physical contact with a rotating component called the commutator, which switches the direction of electrical current through the motor's coils to keep it spinning. The commutation is entirely mechanical in a brushed motor. This simple design keeps brushed motors more affordable and give them better compatibility with speed controllers.

But at the same time, those brushes inside the motor create heat and friction and this can wear the brushes down over time, needing the brushes or entire motor to be replaced eventually.

What is a Brushless RC Motor?

A brushless RC motor lacks those carbon brushes inside the motor. The communication the brushes would have provided is shifted over to the Electronic Speed Control (ESC). This technology actually helps the motor run cooler while converting more of the energy from motor into actual speed.

Brushless motors come in two varieties, sensored and sensorless. Sensorless motors are cheaper and handle bashing and high-speed running well but can feel jerky at very slow speeds. Sensored motors add a small sensor board that gives the ESC precise rotor position data, making low-speed throttle response smooth and consistent — a feature that matters a lot for RC crawlers and drift cars, less so for backyard bashers.

Brushed vs. Brushless Motors – a Quick Comparison

Which RC Motor is Best for Beginners?

Brushed motors are best for beginners in the RC hobby. They’re dependable, compatible most of the time, durable to common beginner mistakes like over-gearing, and affordable. You’ll find brushed motors are the most common option available in Ready-to-Run RC car and truck models as these are meant to be ready to go out-of-the-box for those new to the hobby.

When Should I Upgrade to Brushless?

The most obvious reason to upgrade is when you are ready for more speed. When you’ve mastered handling your RC vehicle with a brushed motor, you’re likely ready to upgrade to brushless. Many RC crawling enthusiasts stick with a brushed motor longer simply because crawling doesn’t need more speed.

It may be time to upgrade from a brushed to brushless motor when your first brushed RC motor fails. Brushed motors suffer from higher temperatures and more wear and tear due to the brushes in the motor making direct contact with a spinning element. Brushed motors simply wear out faster. If you’re serious about your RC hobby and have simply work out your brushed motor, take a look at a durable brushless RC motor.

A Buying Guide to Brushed and Brushless RC Motors

Here are a few of our favorite brushed and brushless RC motors that have wider compatibility (you’ll find a lot of RC motors for sale fit a specific vehicle) and why we love them to help you shop.