Best Brushless RC Motor

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It’s easy to feel lost in the maze and excitement of RC vehicles. That’s true not only for wide-eyed newcomers but veteran hobbyists as well. The RC scene is a very dynamic field, though, so learning new things is the name of the game. For starters, it means learning about labels, specs, ratings, and types of RC vehicle parts.

If you think that’s a lot to take in, think again. Once you know enough to decide which one you want, say an RC motor, you’ll have to match that with the corresponding labels, specs, ratings, and types of your other parts. But you’re that kind of person—creative, DIY-keen, inspired, and into everything new in the RC scene—aren’t you? You must be, otherwise you wouldn’t be searching for the best brushless RC motor there is.

So what are the things that you have to look for when buying brushless RC motors? Our guide below covers the basics.

Buyers’ Guide for the Best Brushless RC Motors

A working knowledge of the specs of brushless RC motors comes in handy with this hobby. Whether you’re buying a ready-to-run (RTR) car, DIY-ing a custom model, matching a motor with electronic speed control (ESC), or doing an upgrade, you’ll need to assess the specs and suitability of a motor.

These are the specs you need to learn:

kV or constant velocity

We use the kV rating to measure the performance of a motor. kV stands for constant velocity (in math language, “k” conventionally stands for “constant”). The kV rating represents the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) that the motor turns when 1V is applied and when there is no attached load. Mathematically, the relationship between kV, RPM, and voltage is:

RPM – refers to revolutions per minute. Higher RPM means faster rotation, higher power produced, and more speed for your project.

So when looking at an RC car with a motor marked, say, 1800kV and powered by an 11.1V battery, this tells you that the unloaded motor will spin at 19,980 rpm.

kV = RPM/V

RPM = kV * V

RPM = 1800 * 11.1 = 19,980 rpm

Notes:

1. Choose high kV (faster rotation) if speed is your priority.
2. The kV of a motor is constant. The RPM is not – it changes as the delivered voltage changes. Thus, when rating a motor, kV is a better measure than RPM.

Turns or Motor Turns, T

T refers to the number of wire windings or turns around the motor’s poles. The number of turns relates to the torque or strength of a motor. A higher number of turns means higher torque and lower speed. A lower number of turns means lower torque and higher speed. This is an oversimplified description, but there are a lot of complex factors at play here, so it should suffice for a working knowledge.

Torque – is the turning power of a motor. It is dependent on the number of winds on the armature and the strength of the magnets.

Notes (How do all the terms relate?):

1. A motor with low kV has a lower top speed. With higher T, it uses a thinner wire which is wound around the armature many times. It will have higher torque, meaning it has more strength and acceleration power and will be capable of turning a heavier propeller.
2. A motor with higher kV has more speed. It has lower T and uses a thicker wire with fewer winds. The combination of high kV and low torque is compatible with a small propeller and high RPM.
3. In short, your project and your purpose for it, whether it’s an FPV racing drone or heavy-lift quadcopter, must dictate what specs you look for in a motor. Speed should not be your sole consideration when buying a brushless RC motor.

Amps or rated amperage, A

Amperage refers to the maximum current flow that the motor will draw. When you exceed the amp rating of a brushless RC motor, you run the risk of overheating it. Simply put, make sure to choose a motor with an amp rating that matches the application you have in mind for it.

You will normally see the amp rating on the product label or manual. If you don’t find it, this will help you figure it out:

Amp = Watt/Voltage

Let’s illustrate this relationship with a 550W motor and a battery with a peak voltage of 11.1V. So when W=550 and V=11.1, the amp rating is:

Amp = 550/11.1 = 49.55A

The result of this formula is the max amperage that your motor will draw using this setup.

Notes (What’s the importance of knowing the amp rating?):

1. The amp rating tells you that the electronic speed control (ESC) you pick for the motor should have an amp rating higher than 49.55A so that your vehicle will perform at its maximum potential. An ESC with a lower amp rating will hold the motor back.
2. The same goes for the battery pack; it has to have more than 49.55A to provide the motor with enough power.

Watt or watt rating, W

Watt is a measure of power and represents energy per unit time. Electronic devices and appliances are rated for the power they consume or generate. So watt rating indicates the rate at which a motor draws electrical energy from the battery and converts it into mechanical energy and heat.

In our example, W = 550.

Notes:

1. The watt rating gives you an idea of the motor’s performance, although you’ll also have to consider efficiency and heat generated. There’s more about that under the next spec.
2. Since the motor is rated for that power, exceeding the maximum will be tantamount to working it too hard, which may result in premature damage.

Efficiency rating

The efficiency rating pretty much sums up how well the motor makes use of power. It’s the ratio of how much of the electrical input power the motor is capable of converting into mechanical output power. It also shows how much energy the motor loses as heat.

Example: A motor rated at 550W with 90% efficiency generates 495W (.90 * 550) of mechanical power and loses only 55W (.10 * 550) as heat. Compare this to another 550W motor which has lower efficiency, say 70%. This low-efficiency motor will only produce 385W (.70 * 550) as kinetic energy and stands to lose 165W (.30 * 550) as heat.

Note: This highlights the fact that, with a less-efficient motor, the greater heat produced not only risks damage to parts but also reduces performance.

Standard numbering and labeling format

Different brands of brushless RC motors have different labels, but they mostly adopt one standard format that describes the motor size and kV rating. The format is eight numerals followed by kV.

For example, a label may have these characters: 3670 2150kV.

36 – This means 36mm, which refers to the diameter of the RC motor’s housing.

70 – This means 70mm, which refers to the length of the RC motor’s housing.

2150kV – is the motor’s kV rating.

We’ve noticed, though, that while most motor brands follow this format, some don’t.

Sensored or Sensorless

You’ll meet the terms “sensored” and “sensorless” in the brushless RC scene pretty often, so we’ll help you make the distinction between the two clear. Sensored brushless RC motors have hall sensors to tell the ESC the exact position of the rotor in the motor. These sensors give more “feel” to the motor and consequently, it performs more smoothly than the sensorless motor does. There will be no cogging or jerky starts, which are common issues with sensorless motors. You can recognize sensored motors by their appearance alone, as they have an extra multi-wire sensor loom. Somewhere on the housing’s exterior, there will be a port for this sensor loom. Inside the case of the motor, you will find the sensors.

Sensorless brushless RC motors, as the name implies, have no sensors. Instead, they use back- or counter-electromotive force (back-EMF or counter-EMF), which tell the ESC the likely position of the rotor. Sensorless motors are less delicate to handle and less costly to maintain. They are more efficient than the sensored models at high speeds. For general racing and bashing purposes, these setups do an amazing job. However, if your vehicle does a lot of rock crawling, you’re better off using sensored brushless motors.

You’re doing well so far. We’ve skimmed through the most important things to know before getting started, but don’t relax yet. Next, we need to find the right brushless RC motor for you.

Below is our list of the top 7 best brushless RC motors which we’ve compiled based on how their specs compare with each other and their suitability for common projects. We’ve picked out models from both sensored and sensorless categories. Some of these RC motors come with ESC, which may or may not be what you need. One advantage with combo brushless RC motors and ESC, though, is that you have an ESC that’s designed to handle the maximum amperage that the motor draws.

Our Picks for the Top 6 Best Brushless RC motors

1. Kinexsis 1/10 4-Pole 4000kV ESC/Motor Combo

If you’re looking to upgrade to a brushless platform, out top recommendation is Kinexsis’ 1/10 4000kV model. This motor is fast and tough! Users find it perfect for general on-road racing and bashing, and it’s all muscle on 4WD off-road courses.

With all that speed and power, the motor remains quiet and cool to the touch. Likewise, the waterproof ESC operates quietly. Overall, this is a combo that’s pretty hard to beat with its powerful performance, trouble-free setup, and inexpensive price tag. It runs on NiMH (4 to 9 cells) and LiPo (2S or 3S).

Here’s a quick look at its specs and features:

Specs

• kV: 4000
• Amp rating: 70
• Efficiency: 90%

Other features

• Sensored: No
• ESC: Yes
• Scale: 1/10
• Compatability: ECX, Losi, HPI, Traxxas, others

Buy at Amazon.com

2. ARRAROWN 540 Brushless Motor

ARRAROWN’s 540 has a higher kV than Kinexsis’ motor and possesses the perfect top speed for racing-focused drift cars. This impressive little motor is a good budget options that provides high speed on command and exhibits good torque when needed. For rock crawling, though, you’ll need a motor with higher torque.

Specs

• kV:5900
• Max RPM: 50,000
• Amp rating: 75
• Watt (max output): 900

Other features

• Sensored: No
• ESC: Yes
• Scale: 1/10
• Dimensions: 36mm diameter, 50mm length

Buy at Amazon.com

3. GoolRC Surpass Hobby 3660 2600KV Brushless Motor with Heat Sink 1/8 1/10

GoolRC’s 3660 combines brute strength and high efficiency, making it compatible with monster trucks like E-Revo and the trophy trucks of Yeti. As expected from its kV, it has lower RPM but more torque. Due to this high torque, it manages to provide incredible speed to relatively heavy cars.

What makes that more amazing is how coolly it handles the stress and intensity of 4WD racing. After a half-hour full-throttle run it hardly gets warm. That says a lot about its compact and temperature-resistant construction. This high-quality brushless RC motor has solid protection from overloading and overheating. It runs on 2S or 3S LiPo.

Specs

• kV: 2600
• Amp rating: 63
• Efficiency: 90%
• Watt (max output): 1200

Other features

• Sensored: No
• ESC: Yes
• Scale: 1/8, 1/10
• Dimensions: 36mm diameter, 60mm length
• Compatability: Traxxas, Yeti, Losi

Buy at Amazon.com

4. HobbyWing 38020403 XeRun Zero Spec Combo Js6 – 21.5T Toy

For rock crawlers and trucks that are more focused on off-road sports racing, you’ll find no better option than this heavy-duty sensored high-torque brushless RC motor from HobbyWing. This updated version, which is the second generation of model 3650 21.5T, now uses high-grade aluminum. The new design greatly improves on ventilation and heat dissipation.

This motor offers awesome acceleration power for dirt-road racing, with positively no cogging at low speeds. Expect power and smoothness because HobbyWing’s 21.5T delivers superbly. However, if you need speed, then pick sensorless – it wins every time, and it’s a lot less costly, too. Use 2S-3S LiPo for this motor.

Specs

• kV: 3330
• T: 12
• Amp rating: 48
• Watt (max output): 500

Other features

• Sensored: No
• ESC: No
• Scale: 1/10
• Dimensions: 36mm diameter, 50mm length
• Compatability: Trucks, boats, others

Buy at Amazon.com

5. Spektrum Firma 85A Brushless Smart ESC / 4000Kv Sensorless Motor Combo, SPMXSEMC02

Spektrum’s Firma model is a higher end rc motor, with a focus on quality and durability. The 4000Kv rating and brushless design make this motor capable of delivering high speeds and acceleration, making it ideal for high-performance RC vehicles. Additionally, the sensorless design eliminates the need for extra sensors and wiring, which can simplify installation and maintenance. It’s compatible with a range of vehicles including cars, trucks, and buggies.

Specs

• kV: 4000
• Amp rating: 85

Other features

• Sensored: No
• ESC: Yes
• Scale: 1/10

Buy at Amazon.com

6. Hobbypower 3650 12t 3330kV Brushless Motor for 1/10 RC Auto Car Truck

The specs for Hobbypower’s 3330kV motor are more or less similar to Gentman’s 3000kV model. They even have the same dimensions, and both use copper wire windings. The 3330 kV rating is a wise choice for your racing buggy or speedboat.

The motor has high-quality magnets housed in an aluminum casing. Power this motor with 2S-3S LiPo or 6-9 cells NiMH/NiCd.

Specs

• kV: 3330
• T: 12
• Amp rating: 48
• Watt (max output): 500

Other features

• Sensored: No
• ESC: No
• Scale: 1/10
• Dimensions: 36mm diameter, 50mm length
• Compatability: Trucks, boats, others

Buy at Amazon.com

Base your decision on what’s more important to you

The final decision depends on which holds more weight for you – high top speed or formidable torque. The middle ground would be within the range of 3000kV to 3500kV, which is suitable for brushless dune buggy racers. On-road racing models will need higher kV, while off-roaders generally need lower kV.

So there you have it! We hope we have provided you with a valuable resource on how to find the best brushless RC motors for your next model.