If you are looking for a great RC car, you may wonder if Traxxas or Arrma is the better option. I like both brands and own a Traxxas Slash and an Arrma Vendetta. Each brand has its pros and cons, and this article will compare Traxxas vs. Arrma and help you decide which is the best for you.
Arrma Vs Traxxas Introduction
Both Traxxas and Arrma produce top-of-the-line products. However, you should know some key differences between the two brands. If you don’t own an RC car, I would advise buying a Traxxas Slash or Traxxas Rustler.
Arrma RC Vehicles
Arrma is known for building affordable, durable bashers and road racers that pack in major bang for the buck. Many Arrma Vehicles come with performance parts like adjustable shocks, motors and ESC fans, and metal parts.
Arrma vehicles are built to last and can take a lot of abuse, making them an excellent choice for people who want an RC car that they can use for years.
Arrma doesn’t make as many models as Traxxas; each vehicle is made for a specific purpose.
I think Arrma cars and trucks are an excellent choice for beginners looking to buy their first hobby-grade RC car. Their flagship model, the Arrma Kraton, comes in three different scale sizes. I wrote a post covering the different Arrma Kraton scale sizes if you are interested in this model.
Traxxas RC Vehicles
Traxxas, on the other hand, produces many different models for beginners, intermediate, and expert drivers. I think it is widely excepted that Traxxas is the largest manufacturer of RC cars today. You can buy a truck, car, buggy, truggy, crawler, basher, road racer…you get the point…from Traxxas. They make a vehicle for anyone and everyone.
Traxxas cars are well-engineered and will last a long time. The Traxxas TQi transmitter and receiver produce a buttery smooth feel that responds fast to the driver inputs. As soon as you hit the throttle or turn the steering wheel, the car immediately responds. There is no lag whatsoever.
Traxxas motors and electronics are also very well designed. Most of their vehicles are waterproof so you don’t have to worry about ruining your brand-new rig if it gets wet.
You won’t be disappointed if you buy either brand. Both are great, but I do own more Traxxas vehicles than Arrma.
Lets take a look at some side by side comparisons!
Arrma Vorteks Vs Traxxas Rustler
The images below show the Traxxas Rustler VXL and the Arrma Vorteks BLX. The VLX model has brushless motors and better components than the standard Rustler. The same can be said for the Arrma Vorteks. The BLX version is the high-octane version of this vehicle.
The Rustler is lighter, does not include cooling fans for the ESC or motor, and has smaller tires. The Arrma Vorteks does include cooling fans on the motor and ESC and has beefier tires. I consider both of these vehicles truggies and both are quick and nimble RC cars.
Do Traxxas or Arrma RC cars Look better?
Traxxas vehicles look better, in my opinion. They usually have more body style variations, and their color schemes are generally more eye-catching. Some Traxxas hobby-grade cars come with metal parts painted to match the body, and I like cars with this type of detail.
Arrma vehicles tend to have fewer body style variations and a simple color scheme. Fewer options are not necessarily bad, but they may not be what you are looking for if you want your RC car to look as flashy as possible.
The image above shows the Arrma Vorteks BLX on the left and the Traxxas Rustler on the right. Both are great-looking cars. However, I think the Traxxas Rustler’s paint job is a bit more detailed.
Arrma Vs Traxxas Motors
Arrma cars and trucks use Spektrum motors and electronic speed controllers, while Traxxas uses the Velineon brand.
In my experience, the Velineon motor produces a ton of clean power. The Spektrum motors that Arrma installs have plenty of power too, but the Velineon motors “feel” smoother to me.
Both Arrma and Traxxas motors and ESCs are waterproof. You can run them in wet conditions without fear of running your vehicle.
Traxxas VS Arrma Performance
Many Arrma RC vehicles are designed for experienced RC drivers and come with advanced components preinstalled.
The 1/8 scale Arrma Kraton is a truck with no base model; what you see is what you get! When I wrote this article, the most affordable Kraton model was well over $400. And the price (and performance) only goes up from there.
The Kraton truck will provide a fantastic driving experience and can reach extreme speeds! The Kraton has every upgrade you can think of. It has brushless motors, adjustable suspension, cooling fans, and metal parts.
If the Kraton is too much truck, Arrma offers a beginner truck called the Arrma Senton 1/10 scale short course truck.
Traxxas also has models that come with advanced parts installed. But, I think Traxxas produces more versions of each vehicle with beginner or advanced models with performance parts.
The Traxxas Slash is an excellent example of a short-course truck with many variations. The base model Traxxas Slash has fewer performance parts. This truck is the perfect choice for beginners looking to buy their first RC truck. I own a Slash, and it is a blast to drive. The four-wheel-drive Traxxas Slash has many performance parts and a steeper price tag. Being a 4×4, it can easily power through grass and rough terrain.
Remember that Traxxas base model cars and trucks often come with brushed motors and can’t reach the speeds their advanced models can. But, the base models are easier to maintain, and replacement parts are cheaper.
When looking at Traxxas and Arrma RC vehicles, It all depends on where you are in your RC car career and what type of driving experience you are looking for. Both brands have great options for both beginners and experts.
If you want an RC car that is fast, powerful, and full of performance parts already installed, Arrma is the way to go. A base model Traxxas is the way to go if you want a more beginner-friendly RC car.
Traxxas VS Arrma: The Bandit and The Typhon
If you are a beginner and want a beginner RC car, the Traxxas Bandit and ARRMA Typhon are two great options. Both of these vehicles can drive on the pavement and go off-road. They are also close to the same price.
From my experience, the Traxxas Bandit is fast and snappy in short grass and can handle small jumps. On the other hand, the Typhon has an aggressive-looking truggy body style that will perform well on the race track.
If you get one of these entry-level cars and find that you want more power and better performance, both of these vehicles can be upgraded with performance parts.
RC Ecosystem, parts, and Accessories
Traxxas wins this one. They have a much more extensive selection of RC cars, trucks, and upgrade components. They also have a more developed ecosystem, like the Traxxas Link app and their own radio system.
Traxxas’ larger ecosystem means you will easily find what you need. Batteries, connectors, and other accessories are available on Amazon, so you may not have to take a trip up to the hobby shop if something breaks.
For Arrma, many parts, like battery connectors, are universal. This means you aren’t necessarily tied to one brand of parts, and you can run a variety of batteries on an Arrma vehicle. It is a plus not to be tied to one specific brand.
If possible, I like to try and run all Traxxas brand parts with my Traxxas trucks. You don’t have to, but that is my personal preference.
Traxxas VS Arrma Durability
In the durability department, It’s a tie between Arrma and Traxxas. Both brands can take a beating and keep on going.
I don’t know how many times I have rolled over my Traxxas Slash. It gets back up and keeps on going.
Yea, I will break a steering linkage or suspension component occasionally. But, I crash and get back up more often than a mechanical breakdown.
Arrma VS Traxxas Weight Management
Generally speaking, Traxxas vehicles are lightweight and high-performance RC vehicles. They use plastic components on their base model, and the plastic helps cut down on the weight.
In the video below, there is an excellent comparison between a Traxxas and Arrma stadium truck. You can see where Traxxas is trying to cut down on weight and where Arrma chooses heavier, more durable parts.
So, regarding weight management, Traxxas has a clear advantage. Arrma, on the other hand, focuses more on durability than weight reduction. So, Arrma’s RC vehicles are usually heavier than Traxxas RCs.
The Arrma Vortek’s added weight makes it stronger than the Traxxas Rustler. But, when you add weight, you can expect the max speeds to come down.
The Traxxas Rustler VXL can top out at 66 MPH with upgraded pinion gear! That is probably thanks to the weight difference between the two cars.
The key takeaway here is the lighter the weight, the faster your car can go. But you may sacrifice a bit of durability.
Maintenance and Part Replacement
It is cheaper to maintain and replace Traxxas parts. This is because the company offers a wide variety of aftermarket parts and accessories. Arrma, on the other hand, focuses on OEM parts. This means that their parts are more expensive and harder to find.
Also, plastic is cheaper than steel or aluminum. So, if you do have to replace a part on your Traxxas car, it will be less expensive than replacing a similar part on an Arrma car.
Arrma Vs Traxxas Upgrades and Modifications
When it comes to upgrades and modifications, Traxxas is the clear winner. Their cars are designed to be easily modified and upgraded. Arrma, on the other hand, focuses on making its cars as durable as possible. This means that their cars are not as easy to upgrade or modify.
Traxxas also makes a lot of aftermarket parts and accessories. This means you can easily find the parts you need to upgrade or modify your Traxxas car. Arrma, on the other hand, does not make as many aftermarket parts. So, if you want to upgrade or modify your Arrma car, you might have to buy OEM parts.
Arrma upgrades its models for issues every year. So if you have an Arrma car from last year, it might not be compatible with this year’s parts.
Traxxas VS ARRMA Price Breakdown
Arrma vehicles are generally more expensive than Traxxas vehicles. This is because they are designed for experienced RC car drivers who want a car that can keep up with them.
Traxxas vehicles are more beginner-friendly. They are not as fast or powerful as Arrma vehicles, but they are easier to drive and control. This makes them an excellent choice for people who want an RC car that they can use for years to come.
Traxxas VS ARRMA FAQs
What electronics come in Traxxas RCs?
Traxxas uses Velineon ESC and motors in their lineup. They have their own Traxxas TQi brand transmitters and receivers
What electronics come in ARRMA RCs?
ARRMA uses Spektrum motors, ESCs, transmitters, and receivers in their models.
Are Traxxas or ARRMA RC cars more expensive?
Traxxas RC vehicles tend to be more expensive than a comparable ARRMA model. I think ARRMA is able to keep costs a bit lower by using Spektrum brand electronic components.
Is Traxxas or ARRMA better for beginners?
Both RC manufacturers produce vehicles for all skill levels. Whether you choose ARRMA or Traxxas, there will be entry-level and expert-level vehicles to choose from. If you want an entry-level Traxxas RC car, check out the Traxxas Bandit. The ARRMA Typhon is a great entry-level RC for new drivers that want an ARRMA RC.
The Verdict
So, which is better? Traxxas or ARRMA?
It depends on what you are looking for in an RC car or truck. If you want a fast and powerful RC vehicle packed with all the best Velineon components, then Traxxas is the way to go. But if you want an affordable RC car and can handle abuse, Arrma is the better choice.
Both companies make great RC cars. So, it comes down to what you want and what you are willing to pay for it. Whichever company you choose, you are sure to get an excellent RC car.
