Choosing between the Axial Wraith and the SCX10 is difficult. This is due to the many characteristics they share. I want to offer a more complete picture to make the decision an easy one for you.
So, which one should you choose: Axial Wraith vs SCX10?
Axial Wraith boasts a higher speed but the SCX 10 has a higher runtime. The SCX 10 is smaller and more agile but the Wraith has more traction and durability owing to its larger size. Furthermore, the SCX 10 has a stronger overall build compared to the Wraith but comes at a higher price.
This will not suffice on its own. You’ll require more information in order to select your ideal RC. So, why not spare us a few minutes?
Without further ado, let’s start!
Axial Wraith vs SCX10: Basic Differences
Here’s a quick peek at the summary before I get into the finer details. If you are looking to save some time, this may be useful-
| Feature | Axial Wraith | Axial SCX10 |
| Dimension | 19.25 x 11.2 x 9.1 Inches | 18.1 x 8.8 x 9 Inches |
| Weight | 5.45 lbs | 4.65 lbs |
| Engine(Horsepower) | 700+ | 800+ |
| Axles | 9.56 Inches | 7.62 Inches |
| Wheelbase | 14 inches | 12 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 3.15 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Top Speed | 11.5 mph | 7 mph |
| Runtime (with a 2000mah battery) | 25 mins | 35 mins |
| Durability | Strong | Robust |
| Price | Around $400 | Around $500 |
I hope now you’ve got a basic idea about these two RC crawlers. Let’s now move on to the in-depth comparison.
Moreover, here’s a graph based on my personal rating out of 5 for the crawlers.
The graph is based on the specifications of both the crawlers. With that out of the way, I’ll move on to the details.
The graph and the table all translate to these pros and cons for both the Crawlers.
| Axial Model | Pros | Cons |
| Axial Wraith | A heavier and larger body gives it better traction | Lower acceleration makes it a worse crawler than SCX 10. |
| Not easily flipped over because of its heavier weight | The production is now discontinued. | |
| Great handling because of the larger tires | Has better competitors for the price. | |
| Axial SCX 10 | The better acceleration makes it a better crawler | Can easily flip due to the lower weight |
| Higher runtime, due to lighter body and better motor efficiency | Lower top speed | |
| It can make more jumps thanks to the lighter body | Is expensive |
With that out of the way, I’ll get into the meat of the matter now.
Axial Wraith vs SCX10: Head-to-Head Battle
I recommend you read till the end of this article before deciding which RC crawler to get. The light at the end of the tunnel will be much more visible.
Which Axial Crawler Has Stronger Axles?
The axles of Axial Wraith are 9.56 inches wide, whereas the axles of Axial SCX10 are 7.62 inches wide. That gives the Wraith an edge over the SCX10 instability, and steering clearance.
Don’t know about car axles?
Axles basically support the weight of the entire vehicle. Your RC needs to have a strong axle so that it can take the rock crawling without falling apart. Let’s look at the difference in axles in SCX10 and Wraith.
The offset pumpkin design on the Wraith gives the truck additional ground clearance. Not just that, the design also provides a better driveshaft angle. The axle’s tubes are strengthened with a truss. This helps distribute stress when driving over a larger area.
The axle design is one of the SCX10’s best features. It prioritizes visual appeal, torque twist reduction, and durability. Despite the fact that the axle housing size has been reduced, performance hasn’t been compromised.
So the takeaway is, that both SCX 10 and Axial Wraith have competent axles. However, Wraith has an edge over the SCX 10.
Which Axial Crawler Has Sturdier Build?
Here’s a size chart explaining the dimensions of both the crawlers-
| Dimensions | Axial Wraith | Axial SCX10 |
| Length | 19.25 inches | 18.1 inches |
| Width | 11.2 inches | 8.8 inches |
| Height | 9.1 inches | 9 inches |
| Weight | 5.45 lbs | 4.65 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 14 inches | 12 inches |
The area of the Axial Wraith is 215.6 sq. inches. Whereas, the area of Axial SCX 10 is 159.3 sq. inches.
As a result of the bigger size, the Wraith is much heavier than the SCX 10. The heavier weight gives wraith more traction over SCX 10 and less of a chance to flip over. It loses out some of its mobility due to that weight and size.
Furthermore, the wheelbase of SCX 10 is 12 inches, just 2 inches shy of the 14-inch wheelbase of the Wraith. This allows the SCX 10 to go into the gaps where the Wraith gets stuck. So, bigger is not always better.
Whereas the lighter weight of SCX 10 gives it the ability to make jumps the Wraith can’t. However, it flips over easily because of its lower weight.
Moving on to durability, The Axial Wraith naturally commands better durability thanks to its larger, and heavier body. It can take some beating, to say the least.
However, while the build quality of SCX 10 is robust, its durability ultimately falls short of the Wraith. It
To sum the body segment up, SCX 10 wins in versatility and agility whereas Wraith wins in durability, traction, and handling.
Which Axial Crawler Has Stronger Engine?
SCX10’s engine power exceeds that of Wraith. High-quality nitro engines are used in SCX10. If you’re planning to enter a race, SCX10 will give you a good chance of winning it.
Wraith uses a commendable 700+ horsepower engine. But, SCX10’s 800+ full throttle engine blows it out of the water.
Your RC car’s engine plays a role in acceleration. This is the reason why SCX10 will provide you with faster acceleration.
Acceleration matters the most when climbing, so even if the Wraith is faster, SCX10 is better at climbing.
Which Axial Crawler Has More Runtime?
The Axial Wraith runtime is of about 25 minutes on the same 2000mah battery the SCX10 can get 35 minutes out of. This number relies on the battery you’ll use, but the general idea is that The Axial SCX10 gets a better runtime on any battery.
Here’s a table containing the runtime of both the crawlers with different batteries.
| Battery | Axial Wraith | Axial SCX10 |
| 2000 mah | 25 minutes | 35 minutes |
| 3800 mah | 45 minutes | 1.2-1.5 hours |
| 5000 mah | 1.5 hours | 2.5-3 hours |
The runtime of any crawler usually relies on the battery capacity and weight. Another factor would be the efficiency of the motor/engine.
Which Axial Crawler Has A Higher Top Speed?
The top speed of Axial Wraith is 11.5 mph whereas the top speed of Axial SCX 10 is 7 mph. However, rock crawlers are generally slow, to begin with since their primary usage is climbing.
The faster Axial Wraith Spawn with 11.5 mph easily tops the 7 mph of SCX 10. However, that comes at a steep cost of power efficiency.
Furthermore, top speed has nothing to do with the use of crawlers. Higher acceleration and throttle are essential instead of climbing obstacles.
So, although the Wraith wins in the speed department, it’s not really a victory as a crawler.
Which Axial Crawler Has More Durable Tires?
Tires are another feature that makes Wraith and SCX10 stand apart.
Just looking at Wraith’s tires will fill with awe. The 2.2-inch Ripsaw tires are used on the realistic 8-Spoke Rebel wheels. These provide amazing ground-covering ability.
The tires’ traction is enhanced by their durability and R35 compound construction. This makes them one of the top-quality RCs for snow.
SCX10’s tires should also be noted. Their S30 compound tires provide decent performance even in the toughest of terrains. But they aren’t as powerful as the ones Wraith has.
In short, the Axial Wraith is the clear winner in the tire department. However, the SCX 10 is not too far behind either.
Which Axial Crawler Is Worth The Price?
SCX 10 wins the availability wars as the Axial Wraith is now discontinued. The Axial SCX10 furthermore has two more successors, the latest one being SCX10 III.
However, things change when it comes to costs. The Axial Wraith costs ~$400 whereas the SCX 10 costs ~$500.
The cost difference is the only reason why Wraith vs SCX 10 is even considered. This concludes the last bit of information that can further aid your decision.
Which One to Pick?
It’s now time to pop the question, which one do you pick? By now, it is very clear that SCX10 is the winner across the board.
To further help your decision, This YouTube video further shows the real-world performance of the two.
That being said, it’s time for my verdict on Axial Wraith vs SCX 10,
The SCX 10 beats the Wraith in acceleration, runtime, versatility- almost everything that makes a crawler. So, SCX 10 is the objective winner between the two. But if you’re tight on the budget, you can get the Wraith for around $100 cheaper, which makes it a great choice nonetheless.
Finally, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions before concluding the article.
FAQs
Will SCX10’s tires fit on Wraith?
No, it won’t. The steering axle on the SCX10 is smaller than that on the Wraith. Furthermore, the arms are smaller. Larger tires cannot be accommodated. Tires are specifically made for each RC.
What kind of motor do Wraith and SCX10 use?
Both of these RCs use very powerful motors. Wraith comes with a brushed T20 motor while SCX10 uses a 35T brushed motor. Additionally, both of their motors can be upgraded to brushless.
Why is my SCX10 running slower all of a sudden?
The first thing you should look at is the battery. Check to see if it has run out of juice. If your battery has failed, you may need to replace it. There could be issues with your engine as well.
Final Words
That’s all the information we’ve for you today. Do you now know everything about the Axial Wraith vs SCX10 battle?
We hope our comprehensive guide made your mind a little less hazy. Don’t stress yourself out deciding which RC to buy.
We’re excited to see you again. Until then, bye!
