Best 3 Forward Controls in 2026

Daisy
Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 3 Forward Controls

Traxxas 3018R XL-5 Waterproof FWD/REV ESC with LVD
#TOP1
Traxxas 3018R Xl-5 Waterproof Fwd/Rev Esc With Lvd
9.7
PM SCORE
Traxxas 3025 XL-5 HV Electronic Speed Control
#TOP2
Traxxas 3025 Xl-5 Hv Electronic Speed Control
9.5
PM SCORE
Traxxas VXL-3S Brushless ESC - Waterproof
#TOP3
Traxxas Vxl-3S Brushless Esc - Waterproof
9.5
PM SCORE

* PickSmartly editors independently research, review, and endorse the top products through comprehensive data analysis. We may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through our product links.

Summary of the Best 3 Forward Controls of 2026

Traxxas 3018R Xl-5 Waterproof Fwd/Rev Esc With Lvd

TRAXXAS
3018R
5.38 X 2.19 X 3.00 Inches
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Dollar Hobbyz 9.87

Features

Integrated two-stage low voltage detection for Lithium Polymer (LiPO) battery use with fully-proportional forward, reverse, and braking control

EZ-Set push-button setup with three programmable drive profiles: Sport, Race, and Training

High-capacity heat sink with efficient, low-loss MOSFET design and thermal shutdown protection

15-turn motor limit for 540 size motors; 12-turn motor limit for 550 size motors

Backed by the Traxxas Lifetime Electronics warranty

Traxxas 3025 Xl-5 Hv Electronic Speed Control

TRAXXAS
3025
11.00 X 6.00 X 1.50 Inches
0.19 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Dollar Hobbyz 9.87

Features

ESC features 11.1V 3-cell LiPo compatibility and works with brushed motors only

Fully waterproof design with Traxxas EZ-Set one-button setup and large, efficient heat sink

Wide voltage latitude 6–7 cell NiMH (7.2–8.4V) and 2–3S LiPo (7.4–11.1V) with two stage low voltage protection (LVD)

Features five drive profiles including Trail Mode (forward / brake / reverse / with trail-tuned drag brake in neutral)

Special Crawl Mode features forward / instant reverse - no neutral with hill holding brake

Traxxas Vxl-3S Brushless Esc - Waterproof

TRAXXAS
3355R
5.50 X 3.00 X 2.13 Inches
0.20 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Dollar Hobbyz 9.87

Features

Waterproof Velineon VXL-3s forward/reverse electronic speed control simplifies brushless technology with easy operation

Training Mode limits power to 50% allowing young or new drivers to develop their control skills before unleashing full-throttle

Built-in two-stage low voltage detection for Lithium Polymer (LiPO) battery

Two-stage thermal shutdown protection protects the VXL-3s from overheating

Gold plated 3.5mm bullet connectors on 12-gauge Maxx Cable

Traxxas Bandit Vxl Waterproof Vxl-3S Velineon Esc & 3500Kv Brushless Motor

TRAXXAS
DHZ4561
0.00 X 0.00 X 2.25 Inches
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
MV&H | Authorized Dealer✅ 9.78

Features

VXL-3S Waterproof Brushless Electronic Speed Control (ESC) (Part # 3355R) Updated (November 2014) with iD Battery Connector Also 100% Compatible With Old Style TRX HC Connectors Updated (May 2014) VXL-3S ESC for use with the Velineon # 3351R Motor (NOT included) ESC is NOT compatible with older style 3500 Brushless Motor (#3351) Forward, Reverse and Brake Battery Over Voltage Protection Three Drive Profiles. Sport, Race and Training Mode with a 50% Throttle Limit EZ-Set

Includes: VXL-3S Waterproof Brushless ESC (Part # 3355R) Velineon 3500Kv Sensorless Brushless Motor (Part # 3351R) - This product is NEW in OEM Retail Packaging.

Important Note: The first image is for illustration purposes only. Please refer to the product description for exact contents.

Requires Assembly: This product is NOT ASSEMBLED. Any assembly pictured is for illustration purposes only.

Part number(s) included (in factory packaging): 3355R 3351R

#TOP5

Traxxas 3375 Vxl-3M Brushless Esc, Waterproof

TRAXXAS
3375
3.22 X 0.22 X 98.00 Inches
0.21 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Dollar Hobbyz 9.87

Features

Waterproof Velineon VXL-3m forward/reverse electronic speed control

Simplifies brushless technology with easy, built-in profiles and intuitive programming

Uses advanced circuit design that allows sensorless brushless motors to operate with the smoothness and precision of the best brushed systems

Traxxas' exclusive patented Training Mode is also included to limit full throttle to 50% for young or inexperienced drivers

Equipped with two-stage low voltage detection to allow LiPo battery use, including powerful 11.1-volt 3S packs

Vgoohobby 60A Esc Rc Car Brushed Esc Electric Speed Controller 6V/2A Compatible With Traxxas Trx-4 Trx-6 D90 Hsp Tamiya Redcat Axial Scx10 Hpi 1/10 Rc Truck Car Crawler (T Plug)

VGOOHOBBY
XZ251
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Vgoodhobby 9.91

Features

The rc car 60A esc compatible with Traxxas TRX-4 TRX-6 D90 HSP Tamiya Redcat Axial SCX10 HPI 1/10 rc truck car crawler buggy short course truck

Supported Motor:2S Lipo /6cells NiMH: 540 /550 motor(≥12T or RPM less than 30000 @7.2V);3S Lipo /9cells NiMH: 540 /550motor (≥18T or RPM less than 20000 @7.2V).

It has multiple protection functions such as lithium battery low voltage protection, cell quantity automatic detection, high temperature protection, and throttle signal loss protection.

Built-in heat sink, good heat dissipation efficiency, can quickly reduce the Esc temperature.Automatic throttle stroke adjustment, automatic throttle neutral adjustment, easy to use.

Connector Type:XT60/T Plug/Tamiya-Style(Optional);Running mode: forward brake and reverse brake / forward drag brake and drag brake.

Traxxas 3485 Velineon Vxl-6S Electronic Speed Control Waterproof (Brushless)

TRAXXAS
TRX3485
5.25 X 4.63 X 2.38 Inches
0.46 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
MV&H | Authorized Dealer✅ 9.77

Features

Traxxas 3485 - Velineon VXL-6s Waterproof Brushless ESC

Features: Integrated telemetry for speed, RPM, voltage, and ESC temperature. Bright multi-color LED status lights provide clear feedback. Two-stage thermal shutdown protection with integrated cooling fan protects the VXL-6s from overheating. Built-in two-stage low voltage detection for Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery use provides a clear signal to the driver that the batteries are nearing their minimum voltage threshold. Wide range of battery options from NiMH packs up to 6s L

Includes: (1) ESC

Specs: Input Voltage: 2x 2s/3s LiPo (Max 25.2 volts) 2x 7-cell/8-cell NiMH* Case Size: 2.23in (58mm) x 2.83in (72mm) x 1.81in (46mm) Weight: 206.5g (7.28oz) Motor Connectors: Traxxas 6.5mm Bullet Connectors On Resistance Forward: 0.00075 Ohms On Resistance Reverse: 0.00075 Ohms BEC Voltage: 6.0 V BEC Continuous Current: 10A BEC Peak Current: 20A Power Wire: 10-Gauge Maxx Cable Input Harness Wire: 26 Gauge / 295mm Low Voltage Detection: 2-Sta

Part number(s) included (in factory packaging): 3485

Treehobby Rc Car 60A Brushed Esc Electric Speed Controller With Cooling Fan Compatible With Traxxas Trx4 Trx6 D90 Hsp Tamiya Redcat Axial Scx10 Hpi 4Wd Truck 1/10 Rc Truck Car Crawler (Tamiya Plug)

TREEHOBBY
AS204
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Treehobby 7.60

Features

➤Easy to install,It Has Multiple Protection Functions Such as Lithium Battery Low Voltage Protection, Battery Automatic Detection of The Number of Cells, High Temperature Protection, and Throttle Signal Loss Protection.

Compatibility:Compatible With Traxxas TRX4 TRX6 D90 HSP Tamiya Redcat Axial SCX10 HPI 4WD Truck 1/10 RC Car(TAMIYA Plug).

Using High-Quality Aluminum Alloy Heat Dissipation with Cooling Fan, good heat dissipation efficiency, can quickly reduce the motor temperature.

➤Running mode: Forward and Reverse/Crawler mode, suitable for Use in Car and Boat Models.

➤ 100% New quality Treehobby RC products, exquisite workmanship and durable, safe to buy, 24 hours customer service.

Traxxas 1/10 E-Revo 16.8V Waterproof Evx-2 Esc & 2 Titan 550 Motors Fwd Rev

TRAXXAS
DHZ3686
1.63 X 7.00 X 8.00 Inches
1.55 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Dollar Hobbyz 9.86

Features

EVX-2 16.8V Waterproof Forward/Reverse Electronic Speed Control (ESC) (Part # 3019R) Low Voltage Detection (LVD) Traxxas High Current Detector Traxxas iD Battery Connectors Battery Input NiCd / NiMh: 6 -14 Cell. 7.2v -14.4v Battery Input LiPo: 2S - 4S, 7.4v - 14.8v Case Size 2.27 x 2.0 x 1.05" (58 x 21 x 57mm) Weight 4.1 oz (116gr) w/Heat Sink, 3.6 oz (102 gr) w/o Heat Sink Motor Limit (550 size) 12 turns On Resistance Forward, Reverse (@Trans) 0.004 ohms Rated

Includes: EVX-2 ESC - Waterproof Fwd/Rev (Part # 3019R) Titan 550 Reverse Rotation Motor (Part # 3975R) Titan 550 Motor (Part # 3975) - This product is NEW in OEM Retail Packaging.

Important Note: The first image is for illustration purposes only. Please refer to the product description for exact contents.

Requires Assembly: This product is NOT ASSEMBLED. Any assembly pictured is for illustration purposes only.

Part number(s) included (in factory packaging): 3019R 3975R 3975

Rc 60A Brushed Esc Electric Speed Controller 6V/2A Bec For 1/10 Rc Car Traxxas Trx4 Trx6 D90 Hsp Redcat 4Wd Truck Monster Crawler

ZECKTECK
B38
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
YoungRC 8.01

Features

Running mode: forward brake and reverse brake / forward drag brake and drag brake.

Built-in heat sink, good heat dissipation efficiency, can quickly reduce the motor temperature.

Automatic throttle stroke adjustment, automatic throttle neutral adjustment, easy to use.

Jumper cap setting mode applied for battery type, which is simple and clear.

It has multiple protection functions such as lithium battery low voltage protection, cell quantity automatic detection, high temperature protection, and throttle signal loss protection.

Vgoohobby Rc Car 60A Brushed Esc Electric Speed Controller 6V/3A With Cooling Fan Compatible With Traxxas Trx-4 Rc4Wd D90 Hsp Tamiya Redcat Axial Scx10 Hpi 1/10 Rc Crawler Car Truck,T Plug

VGOOHOBBY
XZ313
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Vgoodhobby 9.91

Features

Compatible with Traxxas TRX-4 TRX-6 D90 HSP Tamiya Redcat Axial SCX10 HPI 1/10 rc truck car crawler cuggy short course truck touring car monster truggy tank

Supported Motor:2-3S Lipo / 5-9 cells NiMH battery;Forward: Persistent current/peak current60A/360A;Reverse: Persistent current/peak curren 30A/360A;Note: The system has no ESC reverse connection protection, it would cause damage for ESC and battery if reverse connected. Pay attention to battery polarity when connect.

It has multiple protection functions such as lithium battery low voltage protection, cell quantity automatic detection, high temperature protection, and throttle signal loss protection.

Come with heat sink cooling fan, good heat dissipation efficiency, can quickly reduce the Esc temperature.Automatic throttle stroke adjustment, automatic throttle neutral adjustment, easy to use.

Connector Type:XT60;Running mode: Fwd/Br, Fwd/Rev/Br and Fwd/Rev ;BEC output: 3A / 6V (Switch Mode)

Top 10 forward controls Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top-rated brands that were evaluated by PM.

Brand Count
Traxxas 7
Vgoohobby 2
Treehobby 1
Zeckteck 1

Top 10 forward controls Brands Pie Chart


We've carried out a comprehensive analysis of 976 reviews on forward controls, using our selection criteria to identify the best options in the categories. Our findings reveal that most customers typically select forward controls priced around $86.68, with top brands including and

Our team of expert editors reviewed these high-quality items and handpicked the top 11 forward controls for your consideration. We've also done extensive research on numerous sellers, identifying the best ones in the categories category. These include and .

We are dedicated to assisting our users in finding the right controls Products based on their needs, saving them considerable time when choosing which forward controls to buy. We take pride in the number of satisfied users we've helped through our thorough and insightful reviews.