Arrma Granite 3S BLX vs Traxxas Stampede 4X4 VXLWhich Should You Buy?

The Arrma Granite 3S BLX and Traxxas Stampede 4X4 VXL are probably the two most cross-shopped monster trucks in the hobby right now. Both are 1/10 scale, brushless, 4WD, and waterproof. Both have enormous and helpful aftermarket communities and widely available replacement parts. The Stampede edges the Granite on top speed at 65 mph versus 50 mph. The Granite counters with a lower price compared to the Stampede.

That 15 mph speed gap reflects different power systems and gearing strategies between the two platforms. The Stampede's VXL-3S system paired with a 5000mAh 3S battery is optimized for higher RPM and top-end speed. It pulls hard through the upper speed range. The Granite's BLX system with a 3200mAh 3S battery is tuned for a broader, flatter powerband with more usable low-end and mid-range torque. In daily bashing situations where you're not on a speed run, the Granite's power delivery actually feels more balanced and usable. The Stampede pulls harder at the top end but can feel more abrupt and harder to modulate at low speeds and during precise maneuvering.

Ground clearance is a clear Stampede advantage at 2.75 inches versus 1.97 inches for the Granite. That's nearly a full inch of additional space beneath the chassis, which translates directly to clearing obstacles, rough terrain, tall grass, and deep ruts with less chassis contact and drag. The Stampede's wheelbase is shorter at 10.24 versus 11.3 inches, which makes it more prone to power wheelies under hard acceleration but also lets it pop over obstacles and recover from bad landings more easily.

The Granite is wider at 13.5 versus 12.75 inches, providing additional roll stability during cornering and side-slope driving. It's lighter at 6.2 lbs versus 6.95 lbs, helping it feel nimbler and more responsive to steering inputs, particularly noticeable for newer drivers who are still building muscle memory for throttle and steering coordination. The size difference overall is modest. The Granite is longer at 18.74 versus 16.34 inches while the Stampede has a more compact overall footprint.

Build quality is excellent on both trucks and represents the best each company offers at this price tier. Traxxas holds a genuine edge in parts availability. Virtually every hobby shop in the country stocks Stampede parts, and same-day repairs are often possible. Arrma's parts are widely available through online retailers and growing in brick-and-mortar availability, but Traxxas's distribution network remains unmatched. Both trucks handle crashes gracefully at their respective speeds, with replaceable A-arms, shock towers, and body mounts designed to be the sacrificial failure points that protect more expensive components.

Battery and runtime favor the Stampede on capacity at 5000mAh versus 3200mAh. That's a significant difference that means noticeably longer run sessions without swapping packs, roughly 30 to 35 minutes for the Stampede versus 20 to 25 for the Granite at similar driving intensity. Both are 3S setups, so voltage and performance potential are comparable, but the Granite will benefit from a battery upgrade to a 5000mAh pack to match the Stampede's session length.

The value verdict comes down to priorities. The Granite 3S at its price point offers roughly 90 percent of the Stampede's experience at 79 percent of the price. That's a compelling value proposition. The Stampede 4X4 VXL at its price point is the more polished, faster, higher-clearance truck with better stock battery capacity and the best parts network in the industry. If a modest price matters to your budget, the Granite loses nothing that a beginner or intermediate basher will notice day to day. If you want the maximum spec sheet and easiest ownership experience, the Stampede earns its premium.