Which is Better? Arrma Kraton 8S VS Traxxas XMAXX? Side by Side Comparison - TheRcSaylors 

The long awaited much hyped Arrma Kraton 8S is here on our channel! We are here to answer the long awaited question of: Which is better? Is the Arrma Kraton 8S or the Traxxas Xmaxx the better rc car? Join us in this side by side comparison video of these two rc car beasts! We cannot wait to bash these and do more comparison videos for you. Leave video ideas below! Disclosure: This description box contains affiliate links. The products in this video are rated for ages 14+. Check out the Arrma Kraton 8S rc monster truck here: bit.ly/3JM9Jo5 Battery x2: bit.ly/3p2qJhN Charger: bit.ly/3BsM7BU Buy the Traxxas Xmaxx here: amzn.to/2QrQbwB Buy the batteries for the Xmaxx here: www.rcjuice.com/hobbystar-8000mah-14-8v-4s-100c-lipo-battery.html Support TheRcSaylors Patreon & Stickers | www.patreon.com/TheRcSaylors Ebay | goo.gl/xUh1KM Merch | www.thercsaylorsyt.com/shirts Mail | 1140 Carter Ave, P.O. Box 361, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Social Media Facebook | facebook.com/thercsaylors Instagram | instagram.com/thercsaylors Twitter | twitter.com/thercsaylors Vlog Channel | ru-vid.com SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PATREON FAMILY!! Lyle G Kehrer, Ryan Alexander, Gary Zion, Chris Hamlett, Richard Higginson, Ian Coulson, Richard Bereczky, Jack Richardson, Bryan Tyson, Anders Olsen, john salt, Dan Conroy, David Chenzoff, Flosiin, Brandon Tibbetts, Banks McDade, Ron Erickson, Mark Thibodeaux, Terry Kellogg, Jesper Larsen, Michel J. Gaudet, Alan Savage, Matthias, Gary Burt, Michael Califf Sr, Joseph Schauber, Pete Schmitt, Haar Bear, Robert Hipp, walter stimax, Raymond Hausele, Priyan, michael baney, Kent Smotherman, and Chuck R #arrmakraton8s #traxxasxmaxx #rccar

After a lot of bashing and crashing. I have come to the conclusjon: with a lot of plastic parts, comes a really tough truck. With a lot of metal parts, comes a lot of broken parts

Don't underestimate the advantages of plastic..... flex is good when bashing and aluminium only bends once!

Why is no one talking about real Arrma Kraton 8S problems!! I own one, I haven’t done any crazy thing with my 8S. Right out of the box, on very first day of my Kraton 8S, receiver and transmitter were fried. Why? Just because I updated firmware via my Bluetooth module. So first suggestion, DO NOT TRY TO UPDATE FIRMWARE. They took over 2 weeks to revert on the problem and eventually sent replacement for the same. As I start working with new equipment, I realise transmitter has significant delays. There’s a noticeable lag between input and actuations. This makes this truck unsafe. You apply brakes & truck takes its own sweet time (over 0.5 seconds) to respond at times. That is a major disconnect that you realise while playing with your Kraton 8S. I ended up upgrading my radio unit and things are better now. Second concern : Servo on Kraton 8S is amongst the weakest & slowest one. 180s are impossible on paved surface. Kraton 8S feels like and angry dog pretty much out of control!!! Before getting into it, I was confused between XMaxx and Kraton. I chose Kraton just because it looks better & it is bigger. Well, it certainly looks better that XMaxx. It is bigger as well. But I ended up buying XMaxx after facing all these problems with Kraton 8S. Now that I have both of them, I could say it with more certainty that XMaxx is way better truck out of the box than what Kraton 8S is! I fell in love with XMax with first throttle response!! If it is about having fun, it is XMaxx! If it is about going fast and high speed corners, it is Kraton 8S. (Only because it’s more of a low C.G. design.) But surely not out of the box. It needs basic upgrades to work just enough to be safe. 1. Radio upgrade. 2. Servo upgrade. Without these upgrades, Kraton 8S is useless and unsafe vehicle even as a toy!

I own both and the x maxx and the kraton 8s. A xmaxx frame is $10 vs $120 kraton frame and the x maxx frames are almost impossible to break where the kraton 8s can bend on one bad crash or jump. So for me plastics are the way to go. Ever try removing the screws from the kraton 8s? You are going to have to heat them up with a soldering iron first. Also keep in mind the x maxx is on its forth or so revision. The kraton 8s will get better with time. Just as of tonight they announced the new kratons 8s rtr kits being mailed out now, will have frame braces changes to strenghten the frame. And that is cool but that will cost you folks at least $65 to do those up grades. Here are the parts you will have to buy after already spending almost $1000 ARA320582 - Center Tower ARA320592 - Brace Mount Pin 67mm (2 pcs) ARA320593 - Chassis Brace Bar 164mm ARA320594 - Chassis Brace Bar 211mm ARA320597 - Rear Lower Chassis Brace ARA320477 - Brace Rod Ends w/Pins and Retainers (4 pcs) I am not bashing the kraton 8s I love mine just as much as my x maxx. All I am saying is you have to give Traxxas credit for a solid reworked and awesome truck. For the man or woman that was to ask ME which one is better for bashing and budget wise without a shadow of doubt I would go with the x maxx. For the person that is into racing and likes that racing platform then the kraton 8s is for you. Clearly two different trucks.

Strong plastic can be better than metal sometimes.

I got an xmaxx and it Never brakes it’s is durable

Xmaxx all the way.. Arrma is nice but my goshhh at 8s that aluminum gets bent its over. Plastic bends and flexs back Like John Kudla says 100% Traxxas best for bashing and getting wreckless

I think it’s really cute how you guys are into these cars. You guys are sweet and perfect for each other. I hope you each live to be 100. Don’t lose the magic guys.

I would go for the Xmaxx parts cheaper

Just wondering if I am the only person who is actually in this hobby and knows a thing or to about rc and saw this video as “Arma has engraved metal and three metal braces so it’s really durable! But x max has plastic chasi so it’s weak😢” like read the comments metal is more expensive and bends easily plastic bends and goes right back. Also have you seen how much reinforcements of plastic there are on the x max. The only issue with the x max that you might encounter is if you take it off a 50 ft jump(aka Kevin Talbot) and then bend the, “metal” driveshaft. Honestly I’m just mad that they are not trying to be biased yet clearly are. And Traxxas batteries are not bad they are really good just expensive, the c rating is low because they are specifically tuned to work with Traxxas cars. There are better batteries but the only batteries that are better are more expensive then Traxxas ones like Venom or Max Amps. If you really want a non biased review and actual proof which is better or more durable just watch Kevin Talbot.

I never heard people say the xmaxx is weak and from what I've seen it that they are very strong trucks. The armma on the other hand bends chassis and plastic is a good thing for bashers because it allows flex unlike metal parts.

Y'all always show the love towards your supporters and that's awesome!

Metal bends,Plastic bounces back but less durable,The Kraton looks beautiful!!!!😍,The XMAXX looks mean,Thanks Saylors for making it such a hard decision to choose from 😂.

Now we want to see a side by side bashing comparison! I've seen both in action, and I will enjoy watching y'all put these through the pases!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Arrma’s 3s/4s lineup. But I am just not impressed with the Kraton 8s. Even as a Arrma “fanboy”, the XMAXX would be my choice.

Plastic is better especially when u are getting in to this size truck,, I replaced all the suspension and added stainless steel plates to one of my XMAXX and it’s not a good idea! Parts bend and break every run,, with my stock XMAXX!? I can jump and bash with no problem,,, Metal is not always good on this scale trucks,,👍🏼👍🏼

Traxxas Xmaxx by far I have both

Great content as usual. One of the greatest ideas and definitely one of the best videos you've ever produced. I'm a huge fan of the rest of your content especially your drone views of racing, but this definitely tops them all.

thank you guys for the review. nice trucks, I like them both. surprised to see another video so soon and am happy about it. thanks

I've had the xmaxx for 2 years now and apart from the body taking a bit of a beating the only things broke was the top of one of the suspension and a suspension arm. Only because my son ran it at full speed into a wall. Very durable. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on a kraton though

Like your videos guys. Just got my xmaxx last night and my brother is supposed to be getting the Kraton 8 s soon. Can't wait to be able to do a comparison for myself with the 2 trucks.

You guys are about to have too much fun!!! Those big rigs are awesome.!

I picked up some of those Lipo savers you recommended. They work great and have already warned me in 2 of my batteries. Thanks again you guys are great!!!!!

One of the coolest comparison videos.

Early squad where you guys at (:

Xmaxx seems like it's better for all around bashing

899$ for xmaxx at my local shop

PLASTIC IS MEANT TO FLEX WHICH IS PERFECT IN A HEAVY VEHICLE... ALUMINIUM WILL BEND!!!!!!!!!! ESPECIALLY IN THIS HEAVY VEHICLE

Yes they are the same size, but serve different purposes. So really one is not better than the other! They are not direct competitors. The kraton is more of a track, jump truck, will be superior there. The x maxx is more off road rough terrain, and will perform better over larger Rocks, roots, mud. The chassis design tells the difference. The high centre chassis helps with larger obstacles. The flat chassis will get hung up. The flat chassis helps if you case a jump a bit, and minimizes tumbles on track.

Thanks for this video! You know that I'm pretty focused on airplanes but I like many like watching videos about other RC's. 👍

You guys make me want to get into the RC hobby so wish me luck getting into it

I'm not a fanboy of ANY brand however you as reviewers CLEARLY are biased against traxxas because they scared you a while back with a lawsuit. I'm not saying I wouldn't be however please don't BS us and claim you are being open-minded. Your views seem clearly skewed already on this comparison. I dont owm either vehicle but I do know companies like m2c racing and just bash it rc have built almost their entire business because of the arrma folding chassis. For a guy that flies styrofoam planes you seem awfully tough on a plastic truck that hasn't broken. I'm more disappointed that you've clearly already have a favorite without a proper comparison then which one is your favorite. Love the channel just not this opinion video.

Don’t know about the Aarma. I just bought the X max and have only run it once at a construction site where the foundation was being dug for a house. 6 foot walls of dirt. When running the X max in the hole and running it back out of the exit ramp put in by the excavator, I’d run it up the ramp, raced the 200’ perimeter of the foundation at full speed then jumped it back into the 6’ deep hole, did a 360 donut, then back up the ramp and out the hole again....repeatedly until the batteries gave out. Running on two 4S Traxxas batteries. They lasted a full hour. Impressive! Must have made 40 - 50 laps. Blew out a wheel bearing. Not really expected, but I ran it pretty hard. Must not be very good bearings. Rolled it about a dozen times. 2 out of 3 flips, the Xmaxx landed back on its feet. Something I wouldn’t expect the Aarma Kraton to do very often. The extra $30 for the Xmaxx is worth it for that alone. I’ve had several rc’s. The Xmaxx is my new favorite by a long shot. I have not had as much fun with another vehicle.

Finally the e-Revo is mentioned great job 👍 love the channel

If it's not too much! I would love to see a race and tug of war between these two powerful trucks! Thanks for the great content and keep up the good work!⚓👍⚓

Xmax can handle more abuse and parts are actually cheaper. Kraton handles better and flies better.

One thing everyone should know about RC cars is that metal is not necessarily better than plastic. Metal bends too and when it does it's ruined, it permanently deforms. When plastic bends it snaps back to it's shape as soon as the load is taken off of it. You should only use metal on pieces that must have rigidity... such as the powertrain and steering linkages. The metal chassis on the Kraton looks nice but it's a mistake. There are tons of stories of people bending the Kraton chassis and having to spend a lot to replace it. Very few people break the xMaxx chassis and if they do it's less than half the cost of the Kratons. In fact the biggest weakness of the xMaxx is the metal center driveshaft... not any of the plastic parts.

You guys are great I love your videos I just had to subscribe

Wow you guys are almost at 200k. congrats guys

The xmaxx may be plastic but it’s very heavy duty plastic,,very heavy duty,,,,,,I run xt90 connectors on all my trucks. I’m not going to be held hostage to buying just their batteries,,,,and there is no problems getting adaptors for the xmaxx connectors..... I m definitely going to get the armma,,but I’m going to wait till they have the full line of parts available,,,also I’m going to have to buy tools to work on it because the screws are a lot different than the usual hex hardware......have fun.....xmaxx also has driver adjustment as well......xmaxx is a breeze to work on when needed,,,I bash mine very hard,,,,with just the usual damages. Definitely NOT excessive......

Ah! Please get the E-Revo 2.0. Please! I have one and I absolutley love it.

These are awesome!

So awsome you guys.Big surprise for me.sooo cool

I’m getting the Xmaxx with the traxxas batteries and charger. Traxxas is better

Like the RC sailors, I am not a big fan of Traxxas. I do not like their politics or the manner in which they conduct their business. That being said, I give credit where credit is due. Even though the X-Maxx is mostly plastic, it is a very fun truck to run and watch on video. It is a little overpriced, in my opinion, but it is a fun truck nonetheless. I am not fortunate enough to own one, but I must confess I am very tempted to pick one up. I am an Arrma guy. I own several of their 6S lineup, including a heavily modified Kraton 6S. Which I can now run on 8S, thanks to a Max6 ESC. I will also confess, that I was, and still am on the fence when it comes to the Kraton 8S. I was disappointed in Arrma, for not introducing an MT, instead of another truggy. That is probably the only reason I am even considering an X-Maxx. But whichever truck you have the most fun with, that is the truck you should buy. Just remember, opinions are like A-holes, everyone is got one. Just buy whatever feels good to you.

Those 2 trucks are awesome! Excellent video Nate & Abby!! 😊⚓⚓

Loving this one thanks for sharing very important information giving thanks blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🙏🙏🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲💪💪💪

Witch one is making you more money? What if it's traxxas will you change your feelings about them?😄

You need a little trailer to pull Popeye around on.

Awesome video! Just heard about the 8s Kraron and that’s the second video i wanted to see of a comparison to it’s obvious competitor.

Awesome. Would like to invest in one of these but out of my budget range. Looking forward to seeing them run together.

X-maxx

That is so cool that your wife is on board with the love of this hobby.

Will need to do a tug-of-war between them two!!

Ive had 3 Xmaxx's and hand down they are monsters had many arrma's and they too are monsters.. both great rigs but I do like the style of the sure size of a monster truck the xmaxx over the Kraton.

Your comparison is obviously from some ARRMA fanboys....

Plastic is better than metal in these applications in many ways... 1)cheaper 2) plastic elasticity...instead of bending and denting like metal it flexes and absorbs impact 3) weight savings....biggest thing for me is the impact resistance

nice review guys! and btw Nate I love your shirt kinda says it all ;-)

Just purchased the X-MAXX! thanks for all the videos you guys helped me decide, love the tug-of-war video.

TUG-O-WAR PLEASE 🙏🦶🦶

I wouldn't judge somebody and called them stupid for using Traxxas batteries even though I myself use smart battery on my Traxxas X Maxx, you failed to mention that the plastic saves you a hell of amount of weight that's what makes the truck so durable and if you cannot be troubled to solder on your own preferred connectors thats on you !

Two very cool cars guys can hardly wait to see them race.

Keep up the awesome work! I have been quietly following you guys for.... at least 5 years now. Bought my first Furibee f36 because of you guys! Amazing to see the channel grow. I know the whole Traxxas thing is going to bring some negativity from keyboard warriors. Just here to say keep positive and do what y'all do best! Smile, keep us entertained, and always keep your integrity. You guys rock!

you better be very careful what you say about Traxxas or any other brands anymore everyone is out to sue everyone

Wheel base on the arrma looks longer

Great comparison video! I like the X color scheme better! Can't wait to see a drive comparison video!

I just like the look of the Xmaxx better. Not a fan of the wing on Kraton. Would like either. If I was buying one tomorrow, I'd go X.

Firstly 2 very impressive looking vehicles and even though I hate Traxxas the company, I like the look of the Xmaxx better than the Kraton when side by side. Since having had experience with 3 new Arrma vehicles this year including a Kraton 4s, Kraton 6s and a Typhon 3s, I've unfortunately lost some of my love for Arrma mainly due to assembly quality issues and the cheap Spectrum radios.

For the same price “I” believe XMAXX win all the way! Time will tell i guess ✌🏼😎👍🏼

Always great content. I’m ready to get a big 1/5 today. Torn between these 2. I am limited to medium grass backyard play. If you were limited to one (for now) which of these (or big Outcast) may better suit my needs?

Crazey!cool stuff !

The plastic on the xmaxx bends and gives where the metal on the aarma will just bend and stay bent!

Xmax been out for years. Tested and proven years ago

Love it!

I think the Arrma Kraton wins this one. Your little dog is so cute!

Wow! But ya know what will blow both of those away?! The new Losi deser buggy Fox edition 1/5 scale in orange black !! Holy 🤬!! You guys gotta get that soon !!😃😃😃

x Maxx❤❤❤

Wow guys y’all have hit the big time there I have to say I’m more a armor person than just have more metal parts than the Traxxas but both are awesome great video can’t wait to see them go head to head, good job guys 👍

Cant wait to see some bashing of the kraton then a bashing vs comparison

I just got the xmaxx

Damn Nate really hates Traxxas eh !!😂

Great review not to mention Arrma sells their Wheelie Bar for the Kraton 8s separately! For $25...

🤝🏾👍🏾hoping to see a proper bashing with both of these.....💥💥💥💥💥

Xmaxx is way better. It take a beating way better than the kraton. The first time you hit something hard its bent. Plus you can do huge wheelies with the x maxx. X maxx ,Way better truck

Based on my interpretation of the Internet: Wanna bash hard and replace an ESC?: Xmaxx (Thou shalt buy a Hobbywing Max6!) Wanna bash hard and bend a chassis?: Kraton 8s (Thou shalt buy a M2C chassis!)

Both amazing trucks, I'd personally go for the X maxx I love the way it moves and handles.

I think I'll buy Kraton 8s. Since I have limitless roller i can swap the esc n motor when I do upgrade ..

It's a shame the issue you had with Traxxas really shows in your comparison. You two are so biased. You said "You've heard things tend to break with the Xmaxx and that it comes pre broken for you" proves my point and you talk about doing honest reviews. What a joke that is. All rc's can break parts but the Xmaxx is a proven reliable and durable vehicle. Time will tell if the kraton will be as durable. By the way comparing the 2 is goofy anyway, the only thing they have in common is their both 1/5th scale

Xmaxx end of story..

Bravo guys👍!!!

I want Nates shirt! (Not that exact one 😂😂) but that shirt design! Funny actually

should compare replacement part prices. the arrma is nearly twice as expensive.

I like arrma but the xmaxx is king

Excellent Review, I felt the body clips to remove to change the battery is the hardest part for aarma, what you think?

Cool comparison video. I would think size wise, wheel base is a more important measurement than length and ground clearance is more important than height. Plastic flexes, aluminium bends, they both look beefy so I would say that's a wash. Modular design is nice for repairs. No matter what you choose you will break something. Some "drop" clips would have been cool. Drop them side by side from same height to see suspension work.

I own 1 Kratson and 2 x max and kratson breaks easier then x maxx not to mention x-maxx parts are way cheaper to buy then kratson parts. Also the frame on kratson is nice but bends too easy. But to be honest they are two different rigs Traxxas is a basher.

I think these two thought Xmax was gonna lose since they are clearly in bed with Arrma.

I LOVE YOUR SHIRT. I’m a second grade math teacher and want to were that shirt to class just for the comments my students and colleagues would make. 😀😀😀

if you can include what battery charger that you use for the battery's