Full Comparison · Side by Side · Decision Guide
Standard vs Pro
Two versions of the same 1/16 hobby-grade platform, separated by motor technology, top speed, and £80. Here's the honest answer to which one you should buy.
The MemTrex Standard and Pro share the same 1/16 scale off-road chassis, 4WD drivetrain, 2.4GHz radio system, and LED headlights. Both are ready-to-run with battery, charger, and transmitter included. The differences that matter: motor technology, top speed, battery compatibility, electronics weatherproofing, and price. The Standard uses a brushed 390-class motor (~40km/h); the Pro uses a brushless motor (~80km/h factory, unlockable via five-press transmitter). The Standard takes a 2S LiPo; the Pro is compatible with 2S and 3S LiPo. The Standard's runtime is approximately 20 minutes on mixed throttle; the Pro's runtime at full throttle is approximately 12 minutes. The Standard's electronics are not rated for water exposure; the Pro's electronics are splashproof. The Standard costs £69; the Pro costs £149. Both carry a two-year UK chassis warranty and six months on motor and electronics.
Side by Side
Full specification comparison
| Specification | MemTrex Standard | MemTrex Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1/16 | 1/16 |
| Drive system | 4WD | 4WD |
| Motor type | Brushed 390-class | Brushless |
| Top speed | ~40km/h | ~80km/h (factory, unlockable) |
| Speed unlock | No | Yes — 5-press transmitter |
| Battery included | 2S LiPo | 2S LiPo |
| Battery compatibility | 2S only | 2S / 3S LiPo |
| Runtime | ~20 min mixed throttle | ~12 min full throttle |
| Electronics | Standard | Splashproof |
| Headlights | LED | LED |
| Radio | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz |
| Ready-to-run | Yes | Yes |
| Recommended age | 7–13 | 14+ |
| Chassis warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Electronics warranty | 6 months | 6 months |
| UK parts | Lancashire, 48h | Lancashire, 48h |
| Price | £69 | £149 |
Motor Technology
Understanding brushed vs brushless
Brushed and brushless describe the type of electric motor inside the RC car. A brushed motor has physical carbon brushes that press against a rotating commutator to transfer electrical current. Brushless motors achieve the same result electronically, without any contact between moving and stationary parts. The consequence: brushless motors run cooler, lose less energy to friction, produce more consistent torque across their RPM range, and last longer before requiring maintenance. The performance consequence at the MemTrex price points: the brushed Standard produces approximately 40km/h; the brushless Pro produces approximately 80km/h. That is a fundamental change in how the car behaves — in acceleration, in sustained speed, and in the level of driver skill required to manage it confidently.
According to EuroRC's hobby-grade RC car guide, the conventional UK editorial consensus is that brushed is appropriate sub-£100, brushless becomes expected between £100 and £150, and brushless is mandatory above £150. MemTrex Standard at £69 and Pro at £149 are both priced correctly for their motor technology.
Decision Guide
Pick your car in three questions
Question 1: Who is driving this car?
Question 2: What is the budget?
Question 3: Where will it be driven?
Pick Standard if…
The right call for most families
Pick the MemTrex Standard if the primary driver is a child aged 7–12, if the budget is firmly under £90, or if the buyer wants a first hobby-grade RC car with the lowest barrier to entry. The Standard is also the right call when the gift occasion does not justify the Pro's price, when there is genuine uncertainty about whether the child will engage with the hobby long-term, and when the parent buying the car wants maximum peace of mind about speed safety. A child who receives the Standard at 9 and still drives it at 12 has had four years of genuine hobby enjoyment.
See MemTrex Standard — £69 → Pick Pro if…
The serious hobbyist's car
Pick the MemTrex Pro if the primary driver is a teenager aged 14 or over, an adult entering the hobby with clear intent, or a current Standard owner who has been driving regularly for a year and wants more performance. The Pro is also the correct choice for buyers who will drive in British wet-weather conditions regularly, because the splashproof electronics provide meaningful protection. The additional £80 over the Standard reflects genuine specification — a brushless motor that runs faster, cooler, and longer, a five-press speed unlock, and 3S LiPo compatibility.
See MemTrex Pro — £149 → Battery Runtime
20 minutes vs 12 minutes — the real story
The Standard runs for approximately 20 minutes on mixed throttle. The Pro runs for approximately 12 minutes at full throttle. That sounds like a significant disadvantage for the Pro — and it is, if you only have one battery. A brushless motor running at 80km/h draws significantly more current than a brushed motor at 40km/h. The practical solution — recommended universally in the hobby community — is to buy a spare battery on day one. A spare 2S LiPo for the Pro swaps in under 60 seconds. With two batteries, you have approximately 24 minutes of combined Pro runtime.
Common Questions
Standard vs Pro — answered
Is brushless worth the extra £80?
For the right buyer, yes. A teenager aged 14 or over, or an adult hobbyist, will notice and use the full performance difference between a brushed 40km/h car and a brushless 80km/h car. The brushless motor also runs cooler and lasts longer under sustained use. For a child aged 7–12, no — the Standard provides a complete hobby experience at the right scale and speed.
Can a 13-year-old handle the MemTrex Pro?
With supervision and in an appropriate open space, yes. Without supervision, the Standard is the safer default at 13. A 13-year-old who has driven the Standard for a year and manages its speed confidently is ready for the Pro under supervision. A 13-year-old who has not previously driven a hobby-grade RC car should start with the Standard regardless of confidence level.
Will the Standard feel slow next to the Pro?
In isolation, no. The Standard at 40km/h is genuinely fast — noticeably faster than a sprinting adult — and drivers who have not experienced brushless performance find it entirely exciting. If you drive both back-to-back, the Pro's acceleration and top speed are clearly different. But a Standard owner who has never driven a Pro is typically not experiencing a speed deficiency.
Do I need a spare battery on day one?
For the Pro, strongly recommended. With approximately 12 minutes at full throttle, a single Pro battery gives a session that ends faster than most drivers would choose. For the Standard at approximately 20 minutes, a spare is useful but less urgent.
Can a Standard owner upgrade to the Pro later?
Yes. The Standard and Pro share the same 1/16 scale platform. A Standard owner upgrading to the Pro does not need to learn a new chassis. The upgrade adds brushless performance; it does not change the fundamental handling or operating principles. Most Standard owners upgrade after approximately 12–18 months of regular driving.