A Brushless DC (BLDC) motor uses electronic commutation and permanent magnets on the rotor, while a "normal" or brushed motor uses mechanical commutation with brushes and a commutator. BLDC motors are more efficient, quieter, have a longer lifespan, and produce more torque and higher speeds due to the lack of brush friction and arcing. However, they are more expensive because they require complex electronic controllers.  

The fundamental difference between a Brushless DC (BLDC) motor and a conventional "brushed" DC motor lies in their method of commutation—the process of switching the current direction in the motor's coils to create continuous rotation.

A traditional brushed DC motor, often considered the "normal" motor, relies on a mechanical commutation system. Inside the motor, a rotating armature is surrounded by permanent magnets. Physical carbon brushes press against a mechanical commutator, a segmented rotary switch on the armature. As the motor spins, the brushes make and break contact with different commutator segments, continually reversing the current in the armature windings to generate torque. This design is simple and cost-effective but has significant drawbacks. The constant physical contact of the brushes causes friction, leading to energy loss, electrical arcing (sparks), audible noise, and mechanical wear. Consequently, brushed motors are less efficient, have a shorter operational lifespan, and require periodic maintenance to replace the worn-out brushes and commutator.

In contrast, a BLDC motor eliminates this entire mechanical assembly. It operates on the principle of electronic commutation. The permanent magnets are located on the rotor itself, while the copper windings are fixed on the stator. An external electronic controller, equipped with sensors, precisely energizes the stator windings in a sequence that creates a rotating magnetic field. This "pulls" the permanent magnet rotor along without any physical electrical contact. This revolutionary design offers profound advantages. The absence of brush friction and voltage drops makes BLDC motors significantly more efficient, converting more electrical power into mechanical power. They are also quieter, can achieve much higher speeds, and provide a superior torque-to-size ratio. Furthermore, with no brushes to wear out, they boast a dramatically longer lifespan and require minimal maintenance.

The primary trade-off is complexity and cost. The performance of a BLDC motor is entirely dependent on its sophisticated electronic controller, which increases the overall system expense. Therefore, while brushed motors remain a viable option for simple, low-cost applications, BLDC motors are the superior choice for demanding applications where efficiency, reliability, compact power, and long life are critical, such as in electric vehicles, drones, high-end appliances, and industrial automation.