RC Motors Explained: Brushed, Brushless, KV, Turns & What It All Means

Brushless, brushed, 12T, 3800KV, 2-pole, 4-pole… At some point, you just want to know:
What motor should I get and what do these numbers mean?

This guide exists for that exact reason. You don’t need an engineering degree to enjoy the hobby - but if you’ve ever wondered why one truck explodes off the line while another barely makes it up a hill, it usually comes down to the motor.

Motor specs directly affect your speed, control, battery life, and how long your drivetrain survives. And once you understand the basics (KV vs. T, brushed vs. brushless) you’ll make better decisions, save money, and enjoy driving more.

In this post, you’ll get:

• RC motors explained in plain English

• How to match specs to your driving style

• Answers to common RC motor questions (the kind that show up in every forum thread)

Let’s make sense of the numbers so your next upgrade doesn’t fry your ESC or underwhelm on the first pull.

What Is an RC Motor and How Does It Work?

Before we get into upgrades and motor pairings, let’s get the basics down - RC motors explained from the ground up.

At its core, an RC motor does what any motor does: it converts electricity into motion. Electricity from your battery powers the motor, which spins a shaft that drives your wheels. But what separates a solid RC setup from a smoke show is how aggressively it does that.

There are two main types of RC motors: brushed and brushless.

Brushed Motors (The Simpler Kind)

These use physical brushes to transfer power to a spinning armature. They’re inexpensive, beginner-friendly, and relatively low-maintenance - until the brushes wear out. Brushed motors are great for slower speeds, trail driving, and anyone just starting out.

• Pros: Cheap, easy to control, widely supported

• Cons: Brushes wear out, lower efficiency, generate more heat
  
  

You’ll see brushed motors rated by turns (T). Lower turns = higher speed. Higher turns = more torque and control.

Brushless Motors (The Performance Kind)

Brushless motors use a more efficient electronic system to generate motion. They’re faster, more durable, and cooler-running. Most high-end RC trucks (especially 4S, 6S, and 8S setups) use brushless motors.

• Pros: More power, longer lifespan, less heat

• Cons: More expensive, requires a brushless ESC, harder on drivetrains

Brushless motors are rated by KV - which measures how many RPMs the motor turns per volt. More on that in the next section.

2-Pole vs. 4-Pole Motors

Another thing you’ll see: pole count. It’s not about how many magnets you have lying around - it’s about torque.

• 2-pole motors: Higher RPM, less torque

• 4-pole motors: Lower RPM, but more torque and smoother power delivery

If you’re into crawling or need low-end grunt for big trucks, 4-pole is often better. If you want raw top-end speed, 2-pole can work (though less common in heavy rigs).

Brushed vs. Brushless: Which One Should You Get?

The first big decision most RC buyers face isn’t scale or tire size - it’s motor type.

Do you go with a brushed motor, which is simple and affordable? Or a brushless setup, which brings more power, more speed?

But the real answer depends on how you drive. So instead of asking, “Which one is better?”, ask: “What am I trying to do with this truck?”

If you’re crawling, trail driving, or learning throttle control - brushed might be the smarter move. If you want top speed, full-throttle bash sessions, or high-end upgrades - brushless is your lane.

Comparison Table

When to Choose Brushed:

• You’re buying your first truck and want to keep costs low

• You’re more interested in trails, crawling, or backyard driving than speed

• You want to get familiar with battery charging and ESC basics before scaling up
  
  

When to Choose Brushless:

• You want serious speed, jump power, and long-term reliability

• You’re bashing, racing, or upgrading an older machine

• You’re running 3S, 4S, 6S or even 8S batteries and want to push performance limits
  
  

What Do the Numbers on RC Motors Mean?

If you’ve ever browsed RC motors and wondered what “12T” or “3300KV” means, you’re not alone. These numbers aren’t just product names - they tell you how the motor behaves.

Let’s break down the two most common formats:

Turns (T) - Used for Brushed Motors

In a brushed model, the “T” stands for turns. It refers to how many times the copper wire is wound around the armature inside the motor.

• Lower turns (e.g., 12T, 15T) = higher speed, less torque

• Higher turns (e.g., 27T, 55T) = lower speed, more torque
  
  

So a 12T brushed motor will spin faster than a 27T but it’ll also get hotter, drain your battery faster, and offer less fine control at low speeds. That’s why high-turn motors are preferred in crawlers, and low-turn motors are used for racing or bashing.

KV Rating - Used for Brushless Motors

For brushless motors, “KV” means RPM per volt. A 3300KV motor will spin at 3,300 revolutions per minute for every volt you send it.

• Higher KV (e.g., 4000KV-6000KV) = more speed, less torque

• Lower KV (e.g., 1800KV-2500KV) = more torque, better control, cooler temps

It’s easy to assume a higher KV is better but that depends on the vehicle. For a 1/10 basher? Sure. For a 1/5 crawler or something built for torque? You want lower KV.

What Motor Size Do I Need for My RC Truck?

Motor size affects how much power your truck can handle, how efficiently it runs, and how it fits in your chassis. If you’re upgrading or building from scratch, choosing the right size is one of the most important steps.

RC motors are usually labeled by can size (like 540, 550, 3650, 4068), which refers to the physical dimensions of the motor. You’ll also see length and diameter specs that can help align the motor to your setup.

Common RC Motor Sizes & What They’re Best For:

How to Choose the Right Motor Size:

• Match your scale: Don’t stuff a 4274 motor into a 1/10 chassis unless you want broken gears.

• Know your ESC limits: Bigger motors draw more amps. Make sure your ESC can handle the current load.

• Consider weight + terrain: Heavier trucks and rough terrain need more torque = bigger motor.

• Mind fitment: Some larger cans won’t physically fit in certain trucks without modification.
  
  

Quick Rule of Thumb:

• 1/18–1/16 scale → 380-size brushed or brushless

• 1/10 scale → 540-550 brushed / 3650-3660 brushless

• 1/8–1/7 scale → 4074-4092 brushless

• 1/5 scale → 4274+ brushless monsters
  
  

If you’re not sure, check your manual or look at what others are running in the same model. Motor swaps can seriously boost performance but only if your truck can handle it.

RC Motor & Truck Pairings: What Setup Works Best?

Not every “upgrade” works in every setup.

Too small? You’ll overheat it. Too big? You’ll fry your ESC or snap a driveshaft.

So let’s keep it simple. No tech rabbit holes. Just RC motors explained the practical way - with the right pairings to prove it.

1/18 Scale Trucks - Best With Brushed 370–380 Motors

Truck: Traxxas LaTrax Teton 1/18 4WD Monster Truck (RTR)
Motor Type: Brushed 370-size
Why it fits: Lightweight, compact, and beginner-friendly. A great match for a smaller brushed motor with enough torque to learn throttle control.

1/10 Scale Trucks - Ideal for 550 Brushed or 3650 Brushless

Truck: Arrma Senton 4X4 Mega 550 1/10 Short Course Truck (RTR)
Motor Type: Brushed 550
Why it fits: Designed for all-terrain speed with a strong 4WD chassis. A perfect starting point for new drivers who want upgrade potential.

Truck: Losi 22S SCT 1/10 RTR 2WD Truck
Motor Type: Brushed (upgradable to 3650 brushless)
Why it fits: Great for short course control with a mod-friendly layout. Easy to upgrade as your skills grow.

1/8 Scale Bashers - Built for 4074 Brushless

Truck: Arrma Kraton 6S BLX 1/8 Monster Truck
Motor Type: 4074 Brushless
Why it fits: This beast is meant to take hits, launch jumps, and deliver serious speed. Built for power-hungry setups that still need runtime.

1/5 Scale Monsters – Made for 4274+ Brushless

Truck: Traxxas X-Maxx 8S 4WD Monster Truck (Brushless RTR)
Motor Type: 1600KV 1275-size motor (oversized can)
Why it fits: When you’re pushing 20+ pounds at 50+ mph, you need a motor that can handle serious heat, current, and abuse. This is that motor.

When in doubt, follow proven pairings like these and check your manual before you swap anything. A smart motor match won’t just boost performance. It’ll keep your ESC happy, your drivetrain alive, and your weekends crash-free (at least electronically).

Wrapping It Up: Motor Specs, Made Simple

You don’t need to decode specs - just RC motors explained the way hobbyists use them. A basic grip on what makes sense for your truck.

Brushed or brushless? Depends on speed, budget, and how hard you drive.
KV or turns? One gives you RPM, the other gives you control.
Size? Just make sure it fits - and your ESC can keep up.

Whether you’re upgrading your basher or building your first custom kit - we’re here to help you power it right.

Need help picking the right motor? Contact RC Visions or visit our RC motors collection.

FAQ

1. What do the numbers on RC motors mean?

They usually indicate either turns (T) for brushed motors or KV rating for brushless. Turns tell you how many times the wire is wound inside the motor (lower turns mean more speed, higher turns mean more torque). KV tells you how many RPMs the motor will spin per volt (higher KV = faster, lower KV = more torque).

2. How does an RC motor work?

An RC motor converts electricity into motion. When current flows from your battery, it spins a shaft inside the motor that turns your wheels. Brushed motors do this using physical brushes; brushless motors use a more efficient magnetic system.

3. What does 12T mean on an RC motor?

12T means the motor has 12 turns of wire around its armature. In general, fewer turns (like 12T) mean the motor spins faster but with less torque and less fine control at low speed. It’s common in faster, entry-level brushed setups.

4. Is a higher KV RC motor better?

Not always. Higher KV means more RPM per volt, so it’s better for speed, but not necessarily for torque, control, or heat management. A lower KV motor might perform better in heavy rigs, crawlers, or high-torque situations.

5. What’s the difference between 2-pole and 4-pole RC motors?

2-pole motors spin faster and are lighter but provide less torque. 4-pole motors spin slower, but deliver more torque and smoother power. If you're building a crawler or large truck, 4-pole is usually the way to go.

6. How do I know what size motor I need for my RC truck?

Match the motor to your truck’s scale. For example:

• 1/18 scale → 370-380 motors

• 1/10 scale → 540-550 brushed or 3650 brushless

• 1/8 scale → 4074 brushless

• 1/5 scale → 4274+ brushless
  

Also make sure it fits in your chassis and works with your ESC.

7. Can you put a brushless motor in a brushed RC car?

Yes, but you’ll need to upgrade the ESC too. A brushed ESC won’t work with a brushless motor. Also double-check fitment, gearing, and battery voltage limits before swapping.