Which Is Better Traxxas Slash Or Rustler?

If you are in the market for a new RC car or are simply trying to win an argument about which is better then you are in the right place. Both Traxxas Slash and the Traxxas Rustler are excellent RC vehicles that you should be able to enjoy for many years, but which is better? 

For most people the Traxxas Slash is a better choice since it sits further off the ground which means it can be used on a wider variety of terrains. The Slash also is more durable because of the size of the body however it is more prone to turning over than the Rustler. 

Whether the Traxxas Slash is better than the Traxxas Rustler or vice versa almost totally depends on your individual needs and preferences. The truth is, both the Traxxas Slash and the Traxxas Rustler come with some really excellent features that make them some of the best choices when it comes to RC racing.

To know which of the two works better for you, you would have to pay attention to the individual features of each RC vehicle. So, let’s take a more detailed look at each of these two RC vehicles.

Before we get into that you can also check out the video below for a comparison between the two Traxxas models. To see the most popular Traxxas Rustler models just click here.

The Traxxas Slash

The high performing Traxxas Slash Short-Course Race Truck comes with a top speed of up to 30+ mph for the more inexpensive models and up to 60+mph for the better ones. With either model you are sure to get high-flying and intense off-road action. 

With its extreme brushes or bird helped engines (depending on which you choose) full-throttle, giant suspension travel, dirt-roosting power slides, and Supercross-style big-air jumps, the Traxxas Slash is sure to give you very impressive performance as you fly through the track or neighborhood park. It is designed with waterproof electronics for fun in any kind of weather and comes ready-to-race right out of the box with a transmitter and an already painted and decaled body. 

The TQ 2.4GHz Radio System comes with no channels or frequencies to manage, and all you need to do is switch it on and drive. Its sleek lines are enhanced by an internal damage-resistant antenna. Also, with its Titan 12T Motor and XL-5 Electronic Speed Control, this car is sure to offer top performance and mind-blowing speed for unlimited racing action. 

Its long wheelbase chassis offers up to 3.5 inches of ground clearance and includes drain holes and a battery tray channel to route servo wires to the receiver. Plus, its precision rubber-sealed bearings deliver super low-friction performance and complete protection in dusty environments. Not to mention it has a high-torque waterproof steering servo for very responsive performance and it has oil-filled ultra shocks to take all the abuse of the roads or other terrain you are using it one. 

Its high-torque servo ensures that this vehicle can provide all the responsiveness that you need for a smooth and comfortable ride.

You can see the exact specs of this model as well as read some additional reviews by clicking here. 

The Traxxas Rustler 

The Rustler is a stadium truck that comes with  great speed, agility, and increased durability. Right under its reinforced clipless body is an all-new wider, lower, and longer chassis to provide more stability. The waterproof XL-5 electronic speed control and Titan motor make sure to provide high-octane horsepower and protection in any weather. 

Its large Talon EXT tires have a versatile grip on any terrain, and with its transmitter, battery, charger, and painted and decaled body all included, this car comes ready-to-race right out of the box. The 7-cell, 8.4-volt battery pack ensures that you get more speed and acceleration and its Traxxas Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, which come with twice the capacity of standard batteries provide you with longer runtimes. 

What’s more? Its 4-amp fast charger will get your battery full in 45 minutes or less. 

Its TQ radio system doesn’t bother you with channels or frequencies to manage, and all you need to do is switch it on and drive. Its sleek lines are enhanced by a damage-resistant internal antenna. Its Titan 12T motor and XL-5 Electronic Speed Control are sure to deliver all the power, performance, and speed that you expect. Plus, it also comes with a high-torque waterproof steering servo for very responsive performance and its oil-filled ultra shocks to take all the abuse of the roads. 

Seeing as it’s an all-terrain truck, it requires a powerful steering servo for responsive performance, and its high-torque servo provides just that.

You can learn more about the Rustler as well as read additional reviews on Amazon here. 

Comparison Between the Traxxas Slash and the Traxxas Rustler

Generally, the body, tires, and chassis of the Traxxas Slash and the Traxxas Rustler are obviously different.

You will also find that the Traxxas Rustler is lighter, and it also comes with bigger tires compared to the smaller ones on the Slash. Also, seeing as the chassis of the Rustler is smaller, the Rustler is quite a bit lighter than the Slash. 

Now, it is quite obvious why the Slash is heavier than the Rustler even though the Rustler has bigger tires. 

The Slash comes with a bigger and taller chassis and also has large front and rear bumpers, as well as a much larger body. Also, seeing as the Slash is a lot less aerodynamic as a result of its size, it is slower than the Rustler (at least when comparing the low end models). 

So, even though you might expect the one with smaller tires to be lighter and faster, the Slash proves otherwise because of its other components. While it actually offers good speed, it does not offer as much speed as the Rustler does.

Also, the Traxxas Rustler has a shorter wheelbase with its wheelbase being about 1-2 inches shorter than the Slash.

Even though both cars share the same front a-arms, the rear bearing carriers at the back of the Slash have some toe-in compared to the ones in the Rustler which do not have any.

But, just like the Slash, the Rustler makes use of wider offset wheels in front, than it on the rear part of it.

The Rustler has very little ground clearance compared to the Slash, and seeing as this is the case, it is not a good option for all-round bashing (normal use). The Rustler is better to use on pavement if you’re thinking of bashing.

The Rustler comes geared higher, and what this means is that it offers a lot more top speed even though both cars actually have very fast gearing.

The shocks on both cars are the same and are interchangeable, as most of the parts are. The Slash has narrower rear A-arms as well as a higher tendency to flip.

Conclusion 

As we have seen, the Traxxas Slash and the Traxxas Rustler each come with their unique features as well as their similar features, and to say that one is the best may be a difficult proposition. If you’re trying to pick the best option between the two, you will want to put your specific needs and preferences down as you go through the features of each model and see which meets them the best. 

For most people the Slash will be a better option if you can’t decide otherwise simply because of the extra versatility that it offers.