Brushed vs Brushless RC Motors: Which Should You Choose in 2026?

One of the first decisions any RC buyer faces is brushed vs brushless. Both power the same cars and trucks, but they behave differently in speed, upkeep, and price. Here's the plain-English breakdown so you can pick the right one.

LockTech & Gear is an authorized Redcat Racing dealer carrying both brushed and brushless vehicles, shipped free.

The quick answer

Brushed motors are simpler, cheaper, and gentler — ideal for beginners, kids, and scale crawling where low-speed control matters more than top speed. Brushless motors are faster, more efficient, more durable, and need less maintenance — ideal for bashing, racing, and anyone who wants maximum performance.

How they differ

A brushed motor uses physical carbon brushes that contact a spinning commutator to deliver power. Those brushes wear down over time and eventually need replacing. A brushless motor swaps the brushes for an electronic speed controller that energizes the coils, so there's far less friction, no brushes to wear out, more power per charge, and less heat.

Speed and power

Brushless wins decisively. With no brush friction and smarter electronic timing, a brushless system delivers more torque, higher top speed, and better battery efficiency — meaningfully longer runtimes on the same pack. A brushless truck can hit speeds a comparable brushed truck simply can't reach.

Maintenance and durability

Brushed motors need periodic brush and commutator cleaning or replacement, especially with heavy use. Brushless motors have no brushes to service and tend to last far longer — the main upkeep is keeping them clean and cool. For low-maintenance ownership, brushless is the easy winner.

Cost

Brushed setups cost less up front, which is why most entry-level ready-to-run vehicles use them. Brushless systems cost more but deliver more performance and longevity, so the value gap narrows over time — especially if you'd otherwise be replacing brushes.

So which should you buy?

Choose brushed if you're new to RC, buying for a child, focused on scale rock crawling, or want the lowest entry price. Crawlers in particular often favor brushed motors for smooth low-speed control. Choose brushless if you want speed, longer runtimes, less maintenance, and the most durable setup for bashing or racing.

Browse both at LockTech & Gear: shop all Redcat RC vehicles here, or see our best RC bashing trucks guide for brushless picks and our beginner crawler guide for brushed options.