Mini Kraton Vs Mojave GROM: Specs, Upgrades & Which To Buy

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The Mini Kraton 3S BLX and the Mojave GROM are both 1/16-scale ARRMA 4x4s with 12mm wheel hexes, Spektrum SLT2 radios and Smart LiPo packs with IC2 connectors. Past that, they are different trucks with different electronics, different batteries and different upgrade paths. This comparison uses only Horizon Hobby product pages, the ARRMA manuals and the parts tech packs, linked in the Sources section, so every spec below can be checked.

Quick answer: Pick the Mini Kraton 3S BLX if you want one truck for grass, dirt and jumps, with a 3S brushless system you can tame (PowerGuard Adrenaline Mode) and later unlock (PowerKey, 50+ mph). Pick the Mojave GROM 223S BLX if you want a lighter desert truck that starts on 2S (35+ mph) and steps up to 3S (50+ mph). Skip the brushed Mojave GROM (MEGA) if you already know you will want brushless speed: it is 2S-only and rated 20+ mph.

First, Which Mojave GROM Do You Mean?

Horizon sells two current Mojave GROMs, and the difference matters more than anything else on this page:

Mojave GROM (MEGA, ARA2104): brushed MEGA 380 28T motor, Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 25A ESC/receiver, 2S LiPo only, top speed 20+ mph (Horizon Hobby).
Mojave GROM 223S BLX (ARA2304S): Spektrum 2838 4500Kv brushless motor, SLT 25A brushless 2-in-1 ESC/receiver with DSC, 2S or 3S, 35+ mph on 2S and 50+ mph on 3S (Horizon Hobby).

The Mini Kraton has one current version for this comparison: the Mini Kraton 3S BLX (ARA2508), which is brushless and 3S-only (Horizon Hobby). Most “Mini Kraton vs Mojave GROM” questions are really Mini Kraton 3S BLX vs Mojave GROM 223S BLX, so that pairing gets most of the attention below. If you are comparing the Mini Kraton with the Typhon GROM instead, see our Mini Kraton vs Typhon GROM comparison.

Mini Kraton vs Mojave GROM: Specs Side by Side

Spec	Mini Kraton 3S BLX (ARA2508)	Mojave GROM 223S BLX (ARA2304S)	Mojave GROM MEGA (ARA2104)
Scale/type	1/16 monster truck, 4WD	1/16 desert truck, 4WD	1/16 desert/short course truck, 4WD
Motor	Spektrum Firma 2848 3000Kv brushless (SPMXSM4900)	Spektrum Firma 2838 4500Kv brushless (SPMXSM4400)	ARRMA MEGA 380 28T brushed
ESC/receiver	Spektrum SLT 40A brushless 2-in-1 with DSC and PowerGuard (SPMXSBER1040G)	Spektrum SLT 25A brushless 2-in-1 with DSC (SPMXSBER1025G)	Spektrum SLT 2-in-1 25A waterproof (brushed)
Servo	Spektrum metal gear servo, 20T (SPMSSX114)	Spektrum SX110 waterproof metal gear servo, 20T (SPMSSX110)	Spektrum SX110 waterproof metal gear servo (SPMSSX110)
LiPo	3S only	2S or 3S	2S only
Battery	Smart 11.1V 2000mAh 3S 30C, IC2 (2 packs in ARA2508ST3)	Smart 7.4V 1400mAh 2S 30C, IC2	Smart 7.4V 1400mAh 2S 30C, IC2
Charger	Spektrum S22 MINI USB-C 3S Battery Charger (SPMXC0060)	Spektrum S10 Smart G2 Mini 2S USB-C	Spektrum S10 Smart G2 Mini 2S USB-C
Max battery	112 x 34 x 23 mm	101 x 31 x 21 mm	not listed by Horizon
Top speed	20 to 30+ mph (Adrenaline Mode), 50+ mph (Chaos Mode)	35+ mph on 2S, 50+ mph on 3S	20+ mph
Gearing	24T pinion / 63T spur, Mod 0.5	22T pinion / 59T spur	not listed by Horizon
Size (L x W x H)	321 x 247 x 115 mm	338 x 172 x 120 mm	338 x 172 x 120 mm
Wheelbase	203 mm	196 mm	196 mm
Weight	1.48 kg	1.03 kg	1.03 kg with battery
Wheel hex	12 mm	12 mm	12 mm

Sources: Horizon Hobby product pages (Specs and In the Box tabs), the ARA2508 and ARA2304 manuals, and the ARA2508, ARA2304S and ARA2104 tech packs. Servo and ESC part numbers come from the manuals and tech packs. All checked Oct 8, 2026.

What Is Actually Different in the Electronics

Older guides (including an earlier version of this page) describe these trucks as sharing one 1/18 platform with identical electronics. That is wrong for the current models. Here is what the manuals and Horizon listings show:

ESC: the Mini Kraton uses a 40A brushless 2-in-1 with PowerGuard. Its manual lists a 6.0V BEC rated 3A continuous, 5A max (ARA2508 manual). The GROM 223S uses a 25A brushless 2-in-1 with a 6.0V/3A max BEC (ARA2304 manual). The MEGA GROM uses a brushed 25A unit.
Motor: the Mini Kraton runs a larger 2848-size 3000Kv Firma motor, while the GROM 223S runs a 2838-size 4500Kv motor. Neither matches the brushed MEGA 380.
Servo: both brushless trucks use Spektrum metal gear servos with a 20T output, but they carry different part numbers: SPMSSX114 for the Mini Kraton and SPMSSX110 for the Mojave GROM.
Driver aids: both brushless trucks have four-mode DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and an SLT2 transmitter with a 50/75/100% throttle limit. Only the Mini Kraton has PowerGuard.
Shared parts: the Mini Kraton and GROM 223S tech packs list the same Mod 0.5 CNC pinion part numbers for 16T to 22T (ARA-2028, ARA-2033, ARA-2031, ARA-2032, ARA-2029, ARA-2030, ARA-2022). Both also list ARA320753, which Horizon sells as the GROM servo mount/radio deck for a standalone ESC and receiver (ARA2508 tech pack, ARA2304S tech pack).

Batteries and Charging: Where Owners Get Caught Out

The trucks do not share a battery plan, and the Mojave GROM’s included charger cannot charge the Mini Kraton’s 3S pack.

The Mojave GROM’s S10 charger is 2S-only. Its manual lists the supported battery type as Smart G2 LiPo 2S (S10 manual). If you move a GROM 223S to 3S, you need a charger that handles 3S Smart packs.
The Mini Kraton’s S22 charger and 2S packs: not confirmed. Horizon ships it as the “Spektrum S22 MINI USB-C 3S Battery Charger” (SPMXC0060), and its accessory listing for the same part number is titled “S22 G2 USB-C G2 2S & 3S LiPo 20W Smart Charger: IC2” (Horizon Hobby). We could not confirm 2S charging in a Spektrum manual, so do not count on it to charge a GROM 2S pack until you have checked the S22 manual.
Power adapter: neither truck includes a USB wall adapter (the ARA2304 manual marks it not supplied; Horizon lists one as needed for the Mini Kraton). Both manuals recommend a 20W+ USB-C adapter with Quick Charge (QC) 2.0/3.0 for the quickest charge (under 1.5 hours). They also say 5V/1A or 5V/2A phone adapters work but charge more slowly, and not to use USB ports on computers or laptops. Horizon also lists a charging bag as needed for the Mini Kraton.
Pack sizes: the Mini Kraton tray takes packs up to 112 x 34 x 23 mm; the GROM 223S tray takes up to 101 x 31 x 21 mm. A Mini Kraton 3S pack is not automatically a GROM 3S pack, so measure before you buy. On the GROM 223S page, Horizon’s suggested 3S pack is the Spektrum 11.1V 1300mAh 3S 30C Smart G2 with IC2 in a SmartFit case (SPMX-1089).
Runtime: Horizon rates the Mini Kraton at 20+ minutes in Adrenaline Mode and 30+ minutes with the transmitter’s lower setting. We did not find a runtime figure on Horizon’s Mojave GROM pages.

Upgrade Paths That Fit Each Truck

Mojave GROM MEGA (brushed): durability parts first, brushless only if the math works

Horizon lists four ARRMA upgrade parts for the MEGA GROM: a Metal Axle & Wheel Hub Set (ARA311231), an Aluminum Shock Set (ARA-1567), Adjustable Steering Links (ARA340217) and an assembled Oil-Filled Differential Set (ARA311193) (Horizon Hobby). Those are the parts ARRMA itself installs on the 223S BLX for 3S use, so they are the safest first upgrades.

Going brushless is a bigger job. The MEGA and 223S tech packs list different ESCs, motors and pinions, and we found no ARRMA-documented brushless conversion for the MEGA (ARA2104 tech pack, ARA2304S tech pack). You would also need the four parts above to match the 223S, plus a new charger for 3S. Before you start, add up the parts and compare that with buying the 223S BLX. For most people the 223S is the cleaner route.

Mojave GROM 223S BLX: the 3S step is already engineered in

Horizon says the upgrades needed for 3S are already included and installed on the 223S: the oil-filled diffs, metal axles and hubs, aluminum shocks and adjustable steering links (Horizon Hobby). The realistic upgrade path is:

A 3S Smart pack that fits the 101 x 31 x 21 mm tray (Horizon suggests SPMX-1089).
A charger that handles 3S Smart packs, because the included S10 does not.
Run the throttle limit at 50% or 75% and DSC on a higher setting while you get used to 3S.
Gearing changes only with the tech pack chart. It lists Mod 0.5 pinions from 16T to 22T, and 22T is stock (ARA2304S tech pack). For more on pinion choice, see our GROM pinion guide.

Mini Kraton 3S BLX: unlock it in stages

Stage 1, out of the box: Adrenaline Mode, rated 20 to 30+ mph. Use the transmitter throttle limit and DSC while learning.
Stage 2, PowerKey: the included PowerKey plugs into PowerGuard and unlocks Chaos Mode, rated 50+ mph, with shorter runs. The manual notes that the ESC goes into temperature protection above 110°C, so let it cool between runs.
Spare packs: a second Spektrum 11.1V 2000mAh 3S Smart pack with IC2 (SPMX203S30H2) is the simplest way to get more drive time. The ARA2508ST3 bundle ships with two.
Gearing: the tech pack chart covers 15T to 31T Mod 0.5 pinions (24T stock) with a 63T stock spur and an optional 65T spur (ARA2508 tech pack). Gear down, not up, if the ESC is reaching temperature protection.
Steering: the stock servo is a 20T metal gear Spektrum unit (SPMSSX114), and the truck already has a heavy-duty servo saver. For servo saver problems, see our Mini Kraton servo saver guide.

Swapping parts between the two trucks

Only a few things are documented as shared. The 16T to 22T pinions and the ARA320753 radio deck appear in both brushless trucks’ tech packs, and both use IC2 Smart packs and 12 mm hexes. The motors, ESCs and servo part numbers differ, and so does the battery tray. Treat any other swap as unverified until the part number appears in your truck’s tech pack.

Pros and Cons

Mini Kraton 3S BLX

Pro: PowerGuard gives a tame mode and a 50+ mph mode on one 3S pack, without buying 2S packs first.
Pro: bigger footprint (247 mm wide, 203 mm wheelbase), monster truck tires and stock aluminum shocks, bash bar and 12 mm hexes.
Pro: S versions include the 3S Smart pack and the S22 USB-C charger, and the ARA2508ST3 bundle adds a second pack.
Con: 3S only, so there is no low-voltage pack option.
Con: heavier (1.48 kg), and you still need a USB-C adapter and a charging bag.

Mojave GROM 223S BLX

Pro: starts on the included 2S pack (35+ mph) and grows into 3S (50+ mph) with the upgrades already installed.
Pro: lighter (1.03 kg) and narrower desert truck body, with DSC and a throttle limit for learning.
Con: the included S10 charger is 2S-only, so 3S means buying a new charger and a pack that fits a smaller 101 x 31 x 21 mm tray.
Con: it is a desert truck, not a monster truck. For grass and rough ground, Horizon positions the Mini Kraton for asphalt, dirt, gravel and grass.

Mojave GROM MEGA (brushed)

Pro: the slowest of the three (20+ mph), which suits young or first-time drivers.
Pro: V2 metal-gear diffs, a 25 mm cooling fan and a clear list of ARRMA upgrade parts.
Con: 2S only and brushed, so there is no documented 3S or brushless path.

Which Should You Buy?

Grass, dirt, jumps, one truck for everything: Mini Kraton 3S BLX.
Street, hard-packed dirt, desert truck looks, and a 2S-to-3S learning curve: Mojave GROM 223S BLX.
A young driver or a first RC car, where top speed does not matter: Mojave GROM MEGA.

Products Mentioned (Check Current Price)

ARRMA Mini Kraton 3S BLX RTR (ARA2508)

1/16 4×4 monster truck, 3S brushless, PowerGuard
Smart 2000mAh 3S pack and S22 charger in S versions (ST3: two packs)

Check current price

ARRMA Mojave GROM 223S BLX RTR (ARA2304)

1/16 4×4 desert truck, 2S/3S brushless, DSC
Smart 1400mAh 2S pack and S10 2S charger in S versions

Check current price

ARRMA Mojave GROM (MEGA) RTR (ARA2104)

1/16 4×4, brushed MEGA 380, 2S only, 20+ mph
Smart 1400mAh 2S pack and S10 charger included

Check current price

Spektrum 11.1V 2000mAh 3S 30C Smart G2 LiPo, IC2 (SPMX203S30H2)

The Mini Kraton’s stock pack size: a spare means more drive time
Check dimensions before using it in any other truck

Check current price

Spektrum 11.1V 1300mAh 3S 30C Smart G2 LiPo, IC2 SmartFit (SPMX-1089)

Horizon’s suggested 3S pack on the Mojave GROM 223S page
GROM 223S tray limit: 101 x 31 x 21 mm

Check current price

Spektrum S155 55W AC G2 Smart Charger (SPMXC2050)

Listed by Horizon as an accessory on both the Mini Kraton and GROM 223S pages
Confirm 3S Smart support in its manual before buying for a GROM 223S on 3S (the included S10 is 2S-only)

Check current price

20W+ USB-C power adapter with Quick Charge 3.0 (not included with either truck)

Both manuals recommend 20W+ QC 2.0/3.0 for the quickest charge
Do not charge from computer or laptop USB ports

Check current price

ARRMA GROM upgrade parts (Mojave GROM MEGA) (ARA311231 / ARA-1567 / ARA340217 / ARA311193)

Metal axles and hubs, aluminum shocks, adjustable links, oil-filled diffs
Already installed on the 223S BLX

Check current price

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mini Kraton 3S brushless?

Yes. The Mini Kraton 3S BLX uses a Spektrum Firma 2848 3000Kv brushless motor and a Spektrum SLT 40A brushless 2-in-1 ESC/receiver with DSC and PowerGuard, according to Horizon Hobby.

What scale are the Mini Kraton and Mojave GROM?

Both are 1/16 scale according to Horizon Hobby, not 1/18.

Can the Mojave GROM run 3S?

The Mojave GROM 223S BLX can run 2S or 3S (Horizon rates it at 35+ mph on 2S and 50+ mph on 3S). The brushed Mojave GROM (MEGA) is 2S only.

Can I charge a 3S pack with the Mojave GROM charger?

No. The included Spektrum S10 charger supports Smart G2 2S LiPo packs only, so a 3S pack needs a 3S-capable charger.

Which is faster, the Mini Kraton or the Mojave GROM?

Horizon rates both the Mini Kraton 3S BLX (in Chaos Mode with the PowerKey) and the Mojave GROM 223S BLX (on 3S) at 50+ mph. The brushed Mojave GROM is rated at 20+ mph.