Two legends, two brands, and two powerful RC monster trucks are in front of you today, Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx, which one would you choose?
Traxxas and Arrma are some of the best RC car brands in the market with legendary RC cars. And some of the best RC cars they have made are the Traxxas X-Maxx and the Arrma Kraton 8s.
These two RC cars have different shapes, different electronics as well as different chassis and construction! Still, they’re having fierce competition in terms of design, performance as well as price!
Now, imagine you’re in front o both these two RC cars, the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx, which one would you choose ad why?
In this article, we will answer this question for you and show you which one you should choose for your next RC run, ready?
Let’s get started in the next few lines…
Read Also: Traxxas X-Maxx Review. Is It The Best One? Is It Worth It?
The Design
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Body
As mentioned earlier, the Kraton 8s and the X-Maxx have completely different bodies.
While the Traxxas X-Maxx comes with a big truck body generally made for off-road, the Kraton 8s is offered with a sporty body that combines speed and off-road as well as the Traxxas Sledge.
The Front
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Headlights & Taillights Design
Both RC cars come with well-designed stickers around their bodies including the headlights and the taillights.
However, if we compare the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx headlights design, you’ll notice that the Arrma design is more modern and goes with the design of today’s cars.
The Arrma Kraton 8s stickers design focus on more details than the Traxxas, and this is something you’ll find in most Arrma RC cars, their design is just incredible!
On the other hand, the Traxxas X-Maxx design is a little bit classic and recalls the old monster trucks that people loved and still love up to this day.
So, in the end, both designs still have a population each, some will prefer the new modern design while others still prefer the old powerful design. What about you? Which one is your favorite?
Read Also: Arrma Kraton 8s BLX Full Review After 1 Month. Everything You Need To Know!
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Middle and the Rear
If you look at the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx bodies, you’ll see that the X-Maxx body is simple and smooth, there is nothing on it.
It doesn’t come with a clip, it’s a clipless body. You can remove the body with one click! The downside though is the fact that there are no skids on top to protect the unfortunate body.
On the other hand, the Kraton 8s comes with h clip on the hood as well as in the rear in addition to some small skids on top for body protection.
The rear is offered with a big double spoiler that adds another taste to the look of this RC car which is something the X-Maxx misses.
Overall, the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx bodies are both great and have different identities, choosing one depends on what you prefer and does not mean that one is better than the other.
Of course, there are different aftermarket bodies you can buy to replace the old ones. So, which RC car would you choose from the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx bodies?
Read Also: TRAXXAS MAXX V2 WideMaxx REVIEW. WHAT’S NEW?
The Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Chassis
As you know, the Kraton 8s and X-Maxx are from different brands, which means that they have different platforms and they use different electronics as well.
At first glance, you’ll notice that the chassis of the Kraton is lower than the X-Maxx’s since the Kraton is sportier than the X-Maxx.
Also, when you will buy the Kraton, you’ll find so many different scales and versions. There is the 1/8, 1/10, and 1/5 scale. Additionally, you’ll find the EXB version which is the fully customizable version that comes with no electronics. It’s for professionals.
The Traxxas X-Maxx on the contrary, comes with one chassis version and one scale which is the 1/5 scale, this version can support the 4s Lipo batteries, 6s Lipo batteries, and 8s Lipo batteries, and there is no customizable version unless you want to remove all the electronics and replace them with your custom configuration.
In addition to that, when you remove the body of the Kraton, you’ll find the name “Spektrum” on most of the electronics. This is a third-party company collaborating with Arrma to create its electronics.
Whereas Traxxas RC cars create their electronics.
This has nothing to do with quality. both electronics quality is good and they are widely available as well.
Read Also: Traxxas UDR VS X-Maxx. Which One Is The Best For You?
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Building Materials
What the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Chassis is made of?
If you’re familiar with Traxxas RC cars, then you already know that high-end RC cars like the X-Maxx and the Maxx come usually with aluminum parts like the shocks and the driveshafts.
On the other hand, Arrma RC Cars come mostly with plastic parts but with metal chassis!
This doesn’t mean that this one is better than the other, you can buy aluminum parts for the Kraton as well as you can buy metal skids for the X-Maxx. Now, they’re equal!
By the way, a metal chassis doesn’t mean better! A metal chassis can bend with one high wrong jump! It is expensive to replace. While a plastic chassis may have better resistance to crashes, and even if it cracks, you can replace it with an affordable one.
In conclusion, the chassis of the X-Maxx may be better in endurance than the Chassis of the Kraton. The X-Maxx is considered one of the few RC cars that are hard to break!
Read Also: Traxxas E-Revo vs X-Maxx. Which Monster Is Better For You?
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Performance
Regarding the performance, the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx both will make you have a lot of fun and enjoyment driving them.
There are some things that one can do while the other can’t though!
But, before getting into that, let’s jump into the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx stats and specs…
When it comes to the Kraton, there is so many version with different performances and speeds as well.
However, since we mentioned the 8s version in the title, we will take it as an example in this Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx comparison.
The Kraton 8s is the strongest version of all the other available versions (Unless you create a stronger Kraton from the EXB customizable version).
If you would like to know more details about the rest of the models, you can check the full review of the Arrma Kraton 8s.
This RC monster truck can reach up to 55+ mph using a Spektrum™ Firma™ 1250Kv Brushless Motor and a Spektrum™ Firma™ 160A Smart ESC in addition to two 4s Lipo batteries as well as a pinion gear.
On the flip side, the X-Maxx can reach up to 50+ mph using a Velineon 1200XL Brushless motor, a VXL-8s speed controller as well as two 4s Lipo batteries.
So, as you see, both RC cars have almost the same top speed. But speed isn’t everything when we talk about performance!
If you love jumping with your RC car, the X-Maxx might be the most convenient one for this since it has a plastic chassis that handles the pressure of a hard landing.
The problem with the Kraton is the fact that it can do high jumps as well, the metal chassis can hardly handle that since it is much heavier than the X-Maxx.
Therefore, there is always a risk that the chassis will bend, if it didn’t in the first jump, it will be bent in the second.
It’s just a matter of time until you support it with another layer of a metal skid plate.
Other than that, if you want to drive the Kraton 8s on-road, off-road or in racing, it will be the best.
So, in conclusion, there are some differences in the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx performance that each one is powerful in a specific field.
If you want to have an all-terrain RC car with almost no risks of breaking, go for the X-Maxx. If you want more racing and speed, go for the Kraton 8s.
What about you? What do you think about that? Let me know in the comments below!
Read Also: MAXX VS X-MAXX Comparison | Which One Is Better For You?
Handling
Handling is an important part of the performance of any RC car. After all, it is useless to buy an expensive RC car that can’t turn some corners!
For the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx handling, they’re similar a little bit to the Kraton in the first place.
As you know, the chassis and the ground clearance have an important role in the power of handling in any RC car.
Since the Kraton 8s comes with a lower ground chassis with wide tires and suspension arms than the Traxxas X-Maxx, it is more likely to make it in a corner while going with a high speed, unlike its rival.
This doesn’t mean that the handling of the Traxxas X-Maxx is bad, it is also one of the best in the Traxxas Fleet! But, Arrma Kraton is doing it better! It’s as simple as that!
Read Also: Traxxas Maxx Review. The Best RC Car You Should Have!
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Systems
What we mean by systems is all the electric systems and software that interfere with the driving of the RC car to make the driver’s experience better and easier.
Since these two RC cars are from different brands, they will have different built-in systems with different names. (They may be the same systems with different names, it’s branding!)
The X-Maxx comes with some cool systems like the Traxxas Stability Management as well as the self-righting system.
The TSM or Traxxas Stability Management helps you, the driver, control the RC car easier and thus making the RC car go in a straight line to maintain the balance.
You can control the power of this system, you can make it 100% help you, or you can disable it completely and enjoy controlling the RC wild bull in front of you.
This system is also available in the Arrma Kraton 8s under the name of Active Vehicle Control (AVC), it has generally the same function.
Unfortunately, this is the only helpful driving system you’ll find in the Kraton 8s. The X-Maxx has more, which is the self-righting system.
In case your X-Maxx has been flipped over, it can come back on its wheels on its own, you don’t need to go all the way where it is.
All you need is to press a little button in your remote to make it bounce to the front and the back using the combined power and come back on the wheels using that momentum. Smart move, right?
So, in the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx systems, it seems like the X-Maxx has the upper hand.
Read Also: Best Traxxas X-Maxx Upgrades That You Must Really Have in 2021
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Transmitter and Receiver
As mentioned earlier, the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx electronics differ since Traxxas makes its own while Arrma uses Spektrum Electronics.
When it comes to Traxxas X-Maxx, it is offered with the most advanced transmitter and receiver which are the TQi™ 2.4GHz High Output Radio System.
This system includes the Traxxas Link which makes you able to track your RC car speed, RPM, and temperature as well as so many other settings using your smartphone, Traxxas App, and Traxxas Link device that you buy aftermarket.
The Kraton 8s on the other hand comes with the SR6100AT AVC receiver and Spektrum™DX3 3-channel transmitter. It comes also with the ability to track your RC car using the Spektrum Dashboard App.
So, in conclusion, the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx systems are pretty much the same. The only disadvantage is the Traxxas Link device that you need to buy aftermarket for the Traxxas.
For the Arrma, you can connect it directly, it is included in the transmitter.
Read Also: Traxxas T Maxx Review. This is Why You Should Still Buy It!
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Upgrades
As always, since we have different brands in this article, we will have different upgrades and parts in terms of building.
However, in terms of availability, the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx upgrades are both widely available in the market, they’re not all cheap though!
After all, we are talking about some of the most expensive RC cars in Arrma and Traxxas if not the most expensive ones!
Other than that, you’re free to upgrade, replace or change anything in these two RC cars. All you need to do is to buy the part you want and fix it on your RC car.
Some people do this for customization and personalization like changing the body, adding more metal and aluminum to the chassis and internal parts, and so on.
After all, you’re free to upgrade these two RC cars however you want.
If you would like to have a fully customizable RC car, you better go for the Arrma Kraton EXB, it comes with no electronics and it is cheap as well.
Read Also: Traxxas Sledge vs Maxx. Which One Is Better For You?
Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx Price
As mentioned earlier, the Kraton 8s and the X-Maxx are some of the most expensive RC cars in their brands if not the most expensive ones.
The Kraton comes with so many versions at different prices, which means that you have a variety of choices, if you can’t afford the 8s which is the most expensive, you can go for smaller scales which are nowhere near this price.
However, for the X-Maxx, there is only one version with one premium price that almost reaches the 4 figures mark.
Here are the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx prices:
Read Also: Traxxas Maxx VS Rustler 4×4 VXL. Which One is Better For You?
So, Which One Should You Buy?
Despite being from different brands and having different structures, concepts, and internal parts, the Kraton 8s and the X-Maxx still have fierce competition.
But, we should have a winner in this comparison which is what we promised in the introduction.
Buying one of these depends on what you want. If you want speed, and great design, on and off-road, you can go for the Kraton 8s.
However, if you want speed, performance, high jumps, great systems, incredible handling, and the most important thing, the honor of having the biggest king in the Traxxas fleet, just go and buy the Traxxas X-Maxx. It’s worth it!
So, what do you think about the Kraton 8s VS X-Maxx? Which one would you buy?
Let me know in the comments below!
Read Also: Traxxas Maxx vs E-Revo | Which is better? E-Revo vs Maxx Best Comparison
