Over the past ten years, the brushless has become the industry standard for engines. It is now widely accepted that brushless engines offer more power and better efficiency than a brushed motor. With such a motor, you’ll achieve longer flight times and higher top speeds, but even though the technology is superior, a brushless motor isn’t necessarily the answer for every situation. We’ve written this guide to help RC enthusiasts weigh the pros and cons of brushless motors and make the right choice for their setup.
What is the difference between a brushless motor and a brushed motor?
How does an electric motor work?
The internal operation of brushless motors and brushed motors is based on the same principle. An electric motor always contains a stator (the stationary part of the motor) and a rotor (the rotating part of the motor). It operates by generating magnetic fields, whose attractive force and opposing poles induce a torque that causes the central rotor—and thus the motor—to rotate. The difference between a brushed motor and a brushless motor lies mainly in the placement of the magnets and coils and in how current is supplied to the coils.
How a brushed motor works
In a brushed motor, the stator is equipped with magnets and the rotor contains coils. These two parts generate magnetic fluxes that must interact to produce the rotational force of the rotor, which drives the motor shaft and, consequently, the wheels. This commutation occurs through the constant friction of graphite conductors—the carbon brushes—against the stator’s magnets. This is why the brushed motor, brushed motor, is also called a brushed motor or a direct-current (DC) motor.
The friction between the carbon brushes and the stator is why this motor is less efficient than a brushless motor. This friction also causes greater wear and tear. Because of their affordable price, brushed motors are generally included with most entry-level or mid-range radio-controlled cars.
How a brushless motor works
In a brushless motor, the positions of the coils and permanent magnets are reversed—that is, the rotor is equipped with magnets, and the stator contains the coils. As its name suggests, the brushless motor operates without brushes, so the interaction between these two components is managed by a microprocessor that synchronizes the positions of the magnets and coils so that their magnetic fields are constantly opposed, generating a force that drives the motor shaft.
The lack of friction in this type of motor means virtually no maintenance and excellent performance. brushless motors have been used in high-end radio-controlled cars since 2003–2004.
How can you identify a brushless motor?
The first clue can be found in the product descriptions, where we always specify the type of motor used. We also offer category filters so you can select only cars with a brushless motor or cars with an brushed motor.
Alternatively, you can identify the motor type by counting the wires connecting the ESC to the motor: A brushed motor will generally have only two wires, whereas a brushless motor will have three or more wires.
What are the advantages of a brushless motor?
The advantages of a brushless motor
- Efficiency: Battery life is generally longer, and heat generation is lower.
- Higher top speed: Thanks to reduced friction and efficient torque delivery, higher speeds can be achieved.
- Reduced wear: Aside from bearing replacement, these motors brushless require minimal maintenance car—there are no Brushed parts to wear out.
Disadvantages of a brushless motor
- Cost: brushless engines are more expensive.
- Complexity: Requires a more advanced ESC.
- A “jump” sensation between poles is possible if the motor does not have enough of them.
Which engine should you choose between brushless and brushed?
If you enjoy driving a crawler (such as the Traxxas Defender) that requires you to climb over rocks at low speeds, a brushed motor will be a perfect fit. This type of motor is also perfect for children looking for a sturdy and easily controllable system. Furthermore, if you want a high-speed, high-power model (such as the Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer), a brushless motor will be more suitable (click here to view our brushless motor buying guide).
Note that in addition to the motor and ESC, many manufacturers also select components such as bearings and drive shafts that can handle the power of the brushless. It is therefore not uncommon to find a car that closely resembles a brushed car—but at a lower price—while offering the added benefit of significant performance enhancements.
A powerful engine = a powerful battery
Keep in mind that to get the most out of a brushless car, you’ll likely end up buying more expensive, high-energy-density LiPo batteries. These require more complicated and expensive equipment for charging, balancing, using, and storing them safely.
Improper use of these batteries can result in permanent damage or, if mishandled, cause a fire. We do not recommend that children handle batteries without adult supervision, but this is even more important when dealing with extremely powerful LiPo batteries.
