Introduction
There are various scales of RC vehicles out there in the market. Among them, the two most popular RC vehicles come in 1/8 and 1/10 scale. You might have a hard time choosing between the two if you want to buy one.
So, which one to pick between, 1/8 vs 1/10 scale RC?
The 1/8 is bigger in build and weight than the 1/10 scale RC. 1/8 scale RC usually has heavier components and better performance than the 1/10. However, all these benefits come with a bigger cost and slightly less acceleration.
That’s just the surface of the entire discussion. There is more to it! Why don’t we jump in and know about the major differences in detail?
1/8 vs 1/10 Scale RC: Key Differences
There are a number of varieties of RC that come in the same scale. The same scale RC can be either be a truggy or a buggy. So we’re going to make an overall estimation for everyone’s convenience.
Let’s at first take a look at this table containing key differences between the two scales. This will give us somewhat of an organized idea of the two RC scales.
| Features | 1/8 scale | 1/10 scale |
| Build | Heavier, Durable | Lighter |
| Acceleration | Relatively less | Relatively higher |
| Top-speed | Higher | Lower |
| Weight | 2.45-4.54kg | 1.45-3.1 kg |
| Terrain-suitability | Any sort of terrain | For terrain with fewer bumps and hurdles |
| Tire size | Larger | Smaller |
| Stability | More Stable | Can flip very easily |
| Handling | Easier | Harder |
| Availability | Higher availability | Less available |
| Pricing | Expensive | Cheaper |
1/8 VS 1/10 Scale Vehicles: Detailed Comparison
We now know what the key differences are between the two different RC scales. But that’s still not enough information to go along with. So, we present you with a detailed comparison of the 1/8 and 1/10 scale racing cars. This type of comparison is important for picking between 3s and Arrma Typhon Mega.
Build And Weight
The 1/8 scale RC is a bit scaled-up version of the 1/10. Having a bigger size means that the 1/8 is heavier and weighs more. Every component in the 1/8 is built with more durability and heavy materials. This makes the 1/8 more capable of taking hits and performing well on coarse terrains.
However, the 1/10 usually has a narrower build compared to the 1/8 scale. It suits off-road racing and is relatively lighter. The 1/10 usually comes in 2WD and 4WD versions.
Acceleration and Top-Speed
The 1/10 RC excels in the acceleration department thanks to its smaller build. Compared to the 1/8 scale RC, it reaches its top speed relatively faster.
However, if we’re talking about top speed, the 1/8 scale is the clear winner. With its bigger size, the 1/8 also boasts greater power and has high-end speed. Having better components also means the 1/8 can outperform the 1/10 in other departments.
Sometimes, a good motor can make the difference between a good and a great RC. You might want to check some of these RC motors that we picked for you-
| Product-1 | |
| Product-2 |
Tires
Tire sizes often determine the usability of an RC on certain terrains. Cars with bigger tires have a number of advantages over cars that have smaller tires.
For starters, a bigger wheeled car will have an easier time running through rough surfaces. It offers much-improved handling and control. Such characteristics make 1/8 scale a great RC for driving in snow.
The 1/8 RC mostly uses 17mm tires, whereas the 1/10 comes with 12mm tires.
1/10’s smaller tires make it more prone to flip-off from the smallest of jumps. It will also struggle in harsh terrains. So the 1/10 is more suited for terrains that have fewer bumps. On the other hand, the 1/8 has the better tire for loose-dirt racing.
Availability And Pricing
The 1/8 offers more improved hardware and performance than the 1/10 scale RC. But the higher performance also means the 1/8 has high pricing.
An average 1/8 scale RC can cost you around $400-$500. This price can head all the way up to $950 if you want higher-end.
Compared to the 1/8 scale, the 1/10 is a much cheaper option. You can usually find them in the range of $100-$300. Unfortunately, you won’t have much luck finding one in the market as they are mostly unavailable. The few ones that are still available are high-end cars that’ll cost you a fortune.
Final Verdict
From what we learned so far, the 1.8 scale RC is the clear winner here. It dominates the 1/10 in almost every aspect and should be the go-to choice.
However, if you have a limited budget, 1/10 is the right one for you. But keep in mind that the 1/10 won’t be as durable as the 1/8. You might also need to look deeply for cheap models of 1/10. They are mostly unavailable in the market.
FAQs
Question: Can RC cars run on sand?
Answer: Almost all RC cars can more or less run on sand. But the driving experience depends on the type of RC. Heavy RC with high ground clearance will cruise through the sand without any effort.
Question: How long is the 1/16 scale buggy?
Answer: It is really hard to accurately measure the length of an RC. It is because the scale is just a percentage of the size of the original vehicle.
Question: What is the average top speed of an RC car?
Answer: The average top speed on an RC car is around 35 mph. A number of various build-factors influence this top speed. Power system, battery, gearing, wheels, aerodynamics, etc decide the top speed.
Conclusion
That is all the information we could gather about the 1/8 vs 1/10 scale RC. Depending on your budget, usage, and terrain, you might prefer one over the other.
Hope this article was helpful enough to help you decide the best RC scale to buy. Leave us a comment and let us know if you have any further inquiries.
Have a good day!
