1/10 Scale vs 1/8 Scale RC Cars

What does the "1/10" or "1/8" number actually mean?

The number is a ratio to a real, full-size vehicle. A 1/10-scale truck is one-tenth the size of the full-size vehicle it is modeled after in each dimension, and a 1/8-scale truck is one-eighth the size, meaning 1/8 is the larger model since it is a smaller fraction of full size. The practical size jump from 1/10 to 1/8 works out to roughly 25 percent larger in length, width, and height, which does not sound dramatic on paper but adds up quickly in weight, since volume (and therefore mass) scales with the cube of linear size. A 25 percent larger truck in each dimension can end up considerably heavier, which is part of why 1/8-scale trucks generally need bigger motors, bigger batteries, and bigger tires just to move the added mass effectively.

How does battery and cell count differ between the scales?

1/10-scale trucks in this catalog most commonly run 2S LiPo (7.4V) as the standard, with 3S as a common upgrade or factory option on higher trims. 1/8-scale trucks and buggies trend toward higher voltage as standard: many current 1/8 Arrma BLX models list 4S as their base spec, and flagship 1/8 trucks like the ARRMA Kraton 4X4 6S BLX run 6S (22.2V) from the factory. Higher voltage means significantly more motor RPM for the same KV rating (RPM = KV x volts), which is part of why 1/8-scale flagship trucks post such high top-speed numbers, but it also means bigger, heavier, and more expensive battery packs: a 6S pack in this catalog runs $69.99 to $175.99 versus $18.99 to $76.49 for a typical 2S pack. Use the motor KV to RPM calculator to see exactly how cell count changes RPM for a given motor.

How much more does 1/8 scale cost to run over time?

The upfront RTR price gap between comparable 1/10 and 1/8 trucks is often smaller than expected, the entry-level ARRMA Typhon 4X4 1/8 Buggy at $339.99 is close to the Traxxas Slash 2WD Brushless at $329.95. The real cost difference shows up afterward, in tires and batteries specifically. A set of 1/8-scale monster truck tires like the pre-glued 3.8 in 1/8 monster truck wheel and tire set runs $58.99, compared to $21.99-$36.99 for a typical set of 1/10-scale tires. Batteries follow the same pattern, higher cell count packs cost more per pack and generally need replacing at a similar rate to smaller packs, so the ongoing cost of running an 1/8-scale truck is meaningfully higher than a comparable 1/10-scale one, even when the initial truck price is similar.

Which scale should you buy?

For a first hobby-grade truck, 1/10 scale remains the more sensible choice for the vast majority of buyers: lower parts costs, lower battery costs, lighter weight for easy transport and storage, and the widest possible selection of RTR trucks across every price point and brand. It is also easier to find open space to run a 1/10-scale truck, since it needs less room to reach a safe speed than a heavier, more powerful 1/8-scale truck.

1/8 scale is worth the step up for a driver who has already spent time with a 1/10-scale truck, understands the running costs, and wants the added stability and raw power that come with the extra size and typically higher cell count. It is not a beginner's first truck in most cases, not because it is unsafe, but because the ongoing cost of tires and batteries adds up faster than a new hobbyist typically expects.