Best Battery Options for the Traxxas Mini Slash 4X4 – Why the CNHL 2200mAh 2S Fits Just Right

It’s been 16 years since the first Mini Slash VXL showed up. Wild to think about. Now Traxxas is back with a brand-new Mini Slash 4X4, and it hits that sweet spot between nostalgia and “finally, something new.” If you’re about to run one, here’s the truth most owners learn on day one: your battery choice makes or breaks the experience.

So…is this a brand-new series, or just the old 1/16 in a different outfit?

This question started a hundred comment threads. Let’s clear it up without the spec-sheet vibe. The old Mini Slash was a 1/16 scale platform. The new one stretches to a 235 mm wheelbase and the chassis is redone from the ground up—sealed driveline, clipless body, the whole deal. It’s not the old car. And no, it isn’t a full 1/10 either.

Where the confusion starts is Traxxas mentioning a “1/10-grade powertrain.” Read that as: the BL-2s brushless system and 32-pitch gears are legit 1/10-spec components. That’s the guts, not the size of the chassis. You’ll even see folks joke it’s a “big 1/10 motor in a 1/16 truck.” Close, but not quite—it’s a modern mini platform that borrows 1/10 drivetrain DNA without being 1/10 in footprint.

The choke point everyone runs into: battery fitment

The battery tray gives you roughly 113 × 41 × 22 mm of space—and believe me, it’s tight. If your pack is even a hair longer or taller, the latch just won’t shut. Don’t bother forcing it; you’ll only end up scratching the tray and getting frustrated. That’s why the Traxxas Mini Slash 4X4 battery talk always starts with what actually drops in.

What fits cleanly (and why 2200mAh 2S feels better than stock)

The RTR ships with a 2S 3500mAh pack. It’ll keep you running for a while, no doubt—but you feel that extra weight every time you turn in or land a jump. Swap in a CNHL 2200mAh 2S LiPo and the truck suddenly feels alive: sharper steering, quicker direction changes, and softer landings. Runtime is shorter on a single pack, but rotating two or three affordable 2200s beats lugging one heavy brick all afternoon.

If you want a quick route with solid fitment and price, start here: best batteries for the Traxxas Mini Slash 4X4.

30C or 40C? Pick based on how you actually drive

• CNHL 2200mAh 2S 30C (Deans/T) — budget-friendly, smooth punch, perfect for casual bashing if you run multiple packs back-to-back.
• CNHL 2200mAh 2S 40C (Deans/T) — hits harder off the line; grab this if you live for full-throttle launches and quick stabs of power.

Both are drop-in friendly for the tray size, and both are easy to run on the Traxxas high-current/iD system with a simple adapter. If you want everything in one place, we keep our picks updated on the Mini Slash 4X4 battery collection.

Plugs that play nice: Deans/T, Traxxas iD, and XT60

CNHL ships these batteries with Deans/T plugs—good news if you run mixed brands, because Deans/T is still the most universal non-Traxxas connector in a lot of RC garages. A cheap adapter gets you into the Traxxas iD/high-current ecosystem in seconds. XT60 is common too (especially if you also fly or run drones), but if your fleet spans Traxxas, Kyosho, Axial, and Arrma, Deans/T keeps pack swapping simple.

“But what about the Mojave Grom?” (and why people compare them)

It’s natural to put the Mini Slash 4X4 next to the Arrma Mojave Grom. They’re both mini desert/short course style rigs with RTR bundles that bring a lot of fun out of the box. Just remember: the Grom is a true 1/16, while the Mini Slash sits in its own mini footprint with that 235 mm wheelbase and a different feel on dirt and grass. Price-wise, the brushed Mojave Grom RTR usually shows up around $169.99 in the US, while the brushless Grom 223S BLX pushes closer to $269.99. The new Traxxas Mini Slash 4X4 sits a bit higher than the brushed Grom—which honestly makes sense once you see the bigger chassis and those 1/10-grade powertrain parts inside.

Our quick picks (drop-in fit)

• CNHL 2200mAh 7.4V 2S 30C LiPo (Deans/T) — light, affordable, easy to stock in twos and threes.
• CNHL 2200mAh 7.4V 2S 40C LiPo (Deans/T) — a bit more punch for drivers who like aggressive throttle.

Still wondering if it’s 1/10 or 1/16?

Short version, without the jargon: the Mini Slash 4X4 is a new-school mini chassis, not the old 1/16, and not a 1/10 either. The reason “1/10” keeps popping up is the hardware—1/10-grade powertrain parts inside a smaller chassis. Once you feel how the truck steers and lands with a lighter pack like a CNHL 2200mAh 2S LiPo, the label matters less than the grin on your face.

Wrap-up (and where to start)

If there’s one thing every Mini Slash 4X4 owner should tattoo on their brain, it’s this: that 113 × 41 × 22 mm tray rules everything. Nail the battery fit and the truck feels amazing. Miss it, and you’ll be fighting with the latch more than driving. For most setups, a couple of CNHL 2200mAh 2S packs are the sweet spot—fit, feel, and price all line up. Want the latest recommendations and adapter tips in one place? Jump to our curated list: best batteries for Traxxas Mini Slash 4X4.