RC connectors are mostly brand habits: Traxxas trucks use the Traxxas connector (iD on current packs), Arrma and Axial trucks use Spektrum IC connectors (which work with EC3 and EC5), and aftermarket batteries come with XT60, XT90, Deans-style T-plugs or EC5. Match your battery to your ESC's plug, or put the same connector on everything you own. The chart below identifies each one.
How we put this together
We identified the connectors used by current ready-to-run trucks from their manufacturer listings, cross-checked compatibility claims against Spektrum's Smart accessories page and Traxxas's Battery Basics, and looked at Amazon's best-selling connectors and adapters on October 3, 2026. How we research.
RC battery connector chart
| Connector | How to spot it | Common on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JST / PH2.0 | Tiny white or red two-pin plug | Micro crawler packs | Low current only |
| Tamiya | Rectangular white or black plug with a latch | NiMH packs, toy-grade cars | Usually seen on lower-power setups |
| Deans-style T-plug | Small, flat, T-shaped blades, usually red | Aftermarket LiPos | Compact; can be hard to unplug |
| XT60 / XT60H | Yellow, with a bevelled corner for polarity | Aftermarket LiPos, chargers | Easy to solder; XT60H adds a sleeve |
| XT90 | Larger yellow XT shape | Large 4S+ packs | XT90-S anti-spark versions exist |
| EC3 / IC3 | Blue, two round bullets in a housing | Arrma, Axial, Losi 1/10 | IC3 adds a Smart data pin; EC3-compatible |
| EC5 / IC5 | Larger blue, two 5 mm bullets | Arrma 1/8 6S and big trucks | IC5 adds a Smart data pin; EC5-compatible |
| Traxxas / Traxxas iD | Traxxas-only shape, unlike any other plug | All current Traxxas trucks | iD packs are auto-detected by Traxxas iD chargers |
What about amp ratings?
Connector ratings are where most online charts go wrong. The number in "XT60" is often read as 60 amps, but Amass, the original XT maker, lists the XT60H at 30A rated current in the datasheet published by distributors such as TME, with higher short bursts. Clones may differ, and real-world limits also depend on wire gauge and solder quality. Horizon Hobby's own battery safety sheet warns that its preinstalled connectors "do have power limitations" and that it's the owner's job to fit a higher-rated connector if a setup exceeds them (Spektrum lithium battery safety).
The practical rule: use the connector your truck's manufacturer chose for that power level, and if you upgrade to a much more powerful system, move up a size rather than down. A connector that gets hot, discolored or loose is telling you it's undersized or worn.
Which connector does your truck use?
- Traxxas: Traxxas connector; current packs use the iD version. The Traxxas 3064X high-current iD parallel harness joins two packs for trucks that need them.
- Arrma, Axial, Losi (Horizon Hobby brands): Spektrum IC connectors. The Arrma Mojave GROM listing asks for an IC2-compatible battery; larger trucks use IC3 or IC5. Spektrum says EC3 works with IC3 and EC5 with IC5, but the Smart features only work IC-to-IC.
- Redcat and other brands: varies by model; check the ESC lead or the manual before buying packs.
- Toy-grade and older NiMH cars: often Tamiya, or a small proprietary plug.
Adapters vs re-soldering
Adapters are the quick fix, and they're fine for charging leads. For the battery-to-ESC connection that carries full current, many owners prefer one matching connector soldered on, because each extra junction adds resistance and another place to work loose. Popular choices on Amazon this month:
- Traxxas-plug to XT60 adapters (2 pairs): run XT60 aftermarket packs in a Traxxas truck.
- Traxxas-plug to EC5 adapters (2 pairs)
- XT60 to T-plug conversion adapters (400+ bought last month)
- XT60 to EC5 adapters with 14AWG lead
If you'd rather solder: XT60H connector pairs (12 pairs) and Deans-style T-plug pairs are among the best-selling connector packs. Solder one connector at a time, cover every joint with heat shrink, and double-check polarity (red to positive) before plugging in. Spektrum's sheet recommends confirming polarity with a voltmeter if unsure.
The other plug: balance leads
LiPo packs have a second, smaller connector: the balance lead, a multi-wire plug (one wire per cell plus one) that lets a balance charger monitor and equalize each cell. A 2S pack's balance plug has three pins, a 3S pack's four. Most aftermarket packs use JST-XH style balance plugs, and most hobby chargers have matching ports; some brand systems handle balancing through their own connector. Spektrum's safety sheet says to make sure the balance lead is in the correct charger port, and on multi-port chargers to connect the power lead and balance lead to the same channel.
Don't forget the charger side
Your charger needs a lead that matches your packs too. Many hobby chargers come with an XT60 or banana-plug output and an assortment of leads; Traxxas iD chargers come with the Traxxas connector. A multi-plug charge lead such as this 10-in-1 charge cable to XT60H covers most packs. See the best LiPo charger for beginners. Whatever connector you use, the LiPo rules don't change: charge in a fire-resistant container or LiPo bag on a non-flammable surface, and never leave it unattended.
The bottom line
Stick with your truck maker's connector unless you have a reason to switch: Traxxas for Traxxas, Spektrum IC for Arrma and Axial. If you run several brands, pick one connector, such as XT60 for 1/10 trucks or a larger plug for 6S, and put it on everything. Use adapters for charging, solder for driving, and replace any connector that shows heat damage.
Connector details from manufacturer listings and documents, checked October 3, 2026. How we research · Affiliate disclosure