About this guide
The Traxxas Stampede 4×4 VXL’s ESC handles either 2S or 3S LiPo, and the chassis takes a 150mm-length pack. Only the Traxxas-branded pack below plugs straight into the stock iD connector – every third-party pack needs an adapter or a connector swap, which is worth knowing before you compare prices.
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The picks, in detail
Traxxas 2872X 3S LiPo (5000mAh, 25C, iD)
The factory pack, and the safe default — the iD connector integrates the balance leads, so there are no fragile balance wires and no external balance board.
- 3S 11.1V, 5000mAh, 25C
- Traxxas iD connector – plug and play
- Sized to fit the Stampede chassis without modification
- No connector swap or adapter needed – the one pack guaranteed to just fit
- Backed by Traxxas’s own battery warranty and support
- Costs more than third-party packs at the same capacity
Why we picked it
Sized as a "7-cell" pack so it drops into the Stampede 4×4 chassis with the wires exiting into the relief channel. (The plain 2872 is the same cells without iD; buy the X if your charger is a Traxxas.)
CNHL Racing Series 5000mAh 3S 30C (TRX Plug)
A CNHL pack sized to fit the Stampede's 150mm pack bay and pre-fitted with a Traxxas-style TRX plug, a direct third-party alternative to the OEM pack.
- 3S 11.1V, 5000mAh, 30C
- TRX plug pre-installed
- 150mm length fits the Stampede 4×4 tray
- Higher discharge rating (30C) than the Traxxas OEM pack at a lower price
- TRX plug means no connector swap
- Third-party cell quality is more variable pack-to-pack than Traxxas’s own
CNHL 3200mAh 3S Shorty LiPo (XT60, 2-pack)
A shorter, lighter 3S pack sold in pairs, aimed at owners who want to keep the front end light or run a spare for back-to-back bashing sessions.
- 3S 11.1V, 3200mAh, 30C
- XT60 connector (adapter needed for stock TRX plug)
- Shorty form factor
- Lighter weight helps with handling versus a full-size 5000mAh pack
- Sold as a 2-pack, so you always have a charged spare
- XT60 connector needs an adapter or a connector swap to plug into the stock Stampede wiring
Gens ace 5000mAh 3S 50C LiPo (Deans/XT60)
A widely-stocked, dual-connector 3S pack marketed directly for the Traxxas TRX platform (Slash VXL, E-Maxx, E-Revo) – the same connector class and voltage as the Stampede 4×4.
- 3S 11.1V, 5000mAh, 50C
- Deans and XT60 connector options
- Hard case construction
- Higher discharge rating than the Traxxas OEM or CNHL packs above
- Widely available with multiple connector choices
- Not TRX-plug by default – needs an adapter or connector swap for the stock Stampede wiring, like most third-party packs
Zeee 3S LiPo 8000mAh 100C (EC5)
A high-capacity 3S pack for owners who want meaningfully longer runtime per charge than the stock-size packs above.
- 3S 11.1V, 8000mAh, 100C
- EC5 connector (adapter needed for stock TRX plug)
- Hard case construction
- Close to double the runtime of a 5000mAh pack
- High 100C discharge rating supports hard acceleration
- Larger, heavier pack changes the Stampede’s weight balance – check chassis fit before buying
Venom 20C 2S 5000mAh LiPo
A budget-friendly 2S option for owners who want a milder power delivery than 3S – useful for younger drivers or tighter spaces where 3S's extra speed isn't wanted.
- 2S 7.4V, 5000mAh, 20C
- Compatible with the Stampede 4×4 VXL’s 2S/3S-capable ESC
- Traxxas-style connector
- Lower cost than most 3S packs
- Milder power delivery – easier to control for new drivers
- Noticeably less top speed and acceleration than any 3S pack on this list
What each one costs
Typical price, cheapest first. Tap a name to jump to that pick and its buy link.
Compare any three
| Traxxas 2872X 3S LiPo (5000mAh, 25C, iD) | CNHL Racing Series 5000mAh 3S 30C (TRX Plug) | CNHL 3200mAh 3S Shorty LiPo (XT60, 2-pack) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $100-$130 | $35-$45 | $30-$40 |
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Buying tips
- Confirm your Stampede 4×4 VXL’s ESC is set to the correct cell count (2S vs 3S) before running a 3S pack – running 3S on a 2S-configured ESC can trigger low-voltage cutoff or damage the ESC.
- Any pack that isn’t Traxxas-branded will likely need either an adapter or a connector swap (XT60, EC5, or Deans to Traxxas’s proprietary iD plug) – factor that into the real cost.
- 150mm is the pack-bay length limit on the Stampede 4×4 – check a third-party pack’s physical dimensions, not just its mAh rating, before buying.
- Higher C-rating packs (Zeee 100C, Gens ace 50C, CNHL 30C) support harder acceleration, but only if your charger and wiring can actually handle the discharge current – don’t buy for the C-rating alone.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.