Paxson Lim, Author at Electric Skateboard HQ

June 27, 2025June 27, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Mini 3 Max Review – The Best entry-level electric shortboard

The Meepo Mini 3 Max is the shortboard counterpart of the Meepo V3 Max. Both of which are setting the standard that other entry-level electric skateboards—that is, electric skateboards under $500—will be compared to.

Not because using mismatched wheels is fashionable, but because 12s3p boards for $500 is a super amazing deal.

As usual, let’s run through the specs.

Meepo Mini 3 Max Specs:

Price	$454 (with code ESHQ15)
Battery	12S3P 324WH 7.5AH
Controller	LingYi ESC
Top Speed	28 mph (45 km/h)
Range	Up to 20 miles (32 km)
Deck	8 ply maple + 1 ply bamboo veneer
Motor	2 x 800W (full magnetic hub)
Weight	19.8 lbs (9 kg)

Deck – 8 ply maple + 1 ply bamboo veneer:

Starting with the deck, the Meepo Mini 3 Max uses a 30” deck made from 8 layers of Canadian maple with 1 ply of bamboo veneer. It is a stiffer deck with a deep U-shaped concave which helps with board control.

The tail skid pad came pre-installed—something all reputable brands do now.

The kicktail is very easy to engage. Some shortboards are heavier in the front, making it hard to lift the nose, while this Meepo Mini 3 Max’s weight is distributed more toward the tail, making it easier to engage the kicktail. Sometimes we even get into accidental wheelies, though.

ESC – LingYi ESC:

Photo of Meepo Mini 3 Max remote and ESC

After dabbling with their own JK ESC, Meepo went back to Ling Yi ESC for this year’s entry-level lineup. Ling Yi ESC means the familiar 4 speed modes and 4 brake modes that can be set independently of each other. Which means no smart power-on, but push-to-start, where the board automatically powers on once it starts rolling.

This year’s Meepo also comes with a new color remote, named the M6C Remote, which is simple but fairly nice-looking.

It’s always worth mentioning that this Ling Yi ESC has some new tricks up its sleeves too—it allows advanced customization of each speed mode. So if the Pro mode is too strong for you, you can always tone it down to your liking.

Battery – 12S3P 324WH 7.5AH battery:

Living under the same enclosure is the big 12s3p 324Wh battery pack. I’m going to repeat myself and remind you that 12s3p for less than $500 was unheard of before this. For context, Meepo themselves were selling the Mini Extended Range at $599 previously, and that used a smaller 288Wh battery.

Surveying across major electric skateboard brands, you’ll see that Meepo very intentionally priced this year’s 3 Max models to have the biggest pack in this price range.

This battery is marketed to go 20 miles (32km) on a single charge, and our 165lbs (75kg) test rider managed to hit that riding fast.

Motors and Wheels – Dual 800W Full Magnetic Hub Motors and 94mm + 90mm wheels:

Despite being the smaller brother, the Mini 3 Max uses the same 800W dual hub motors as its longboard counterpart. While motor wattage never tells the full story of a motor’s power, most entry-level electric skateboards have motor wattages below 600W.

The V3 Max was marketed to go up to 28 MPH (45kph), which we had no problem reaching. And the torque was strong; strong enough to convert some belt-drive fans who, prior to this, may have exclusively bought belt-driven boards for more reliable torque.

One inescapable shortcoming of hub drives is how much vibration is conducted up through the stiff motors, though. The slightly meatier 94mm rear wheels didn’t help much, unfortunately, so you’ll have to be okay with that aspect of the ride.

Again, it’s 94mm at the back and 90mm in the front, and we did feel the tilt, but not to the extent of finding it unpleasant.

Meepo briefly considered a 105mm setup, which did improve road vibration significantly, but at the expense of strong torque. So, if you live somewhere with rough roads and can afford to lose some torque, swapping to 105mm wheels is an option.

Trucks – Standard 7-Inch Reverse Kingpin Trucks:

Next, for the trucks, Meepo went with standard 7-inch reverse kingpin trucks with double barrel bushings. There isn’t much to be said about Meepo’s Shredder trucks—they’re pretty good, fairly balanced between responsiveness and stability. Although not as precise as the top-tier branded forged trucks, they’re easy to turn, fun to carve, and stable at top speed. You can’t ask for more from a budget board.

Our Meepo Mini 3 Max came out of the box a little looser than we liked, making it easier to turn but wobbly around the 22 mph (35 km/h) mark, but once we tightened them up a bit, it was all perfectly balanced, as all things should be.

While the front trucks are pretty standard, the back trucks on the 3 Max series are new and improved.

Usually, the back trucks are “press-fit” hub motors, which look like this—they actually rely on a bunch of screws to hold them to the “pseudo truck.”

And now, the back trucks are full axle, which look like this:

While we haven’t heard of any problems with the previous back truck, the new full axle hub motors give us better peace of mind when it comes to mechanical stability.

Riding Experience on the Meepo Mini 3 Max:

As you can see, at under $500, the Meepo 3 Max series dominates the spec sheets with its giant battery, stronger motors, and a more reliable back truck design. And these all add up to a pretty well-rounded riding experience.

Speed control is perfect—perfectly smooth and intuitive. A tad punchier than Hobbywing boards in the highest Pro mode, but this time, nothing is stopping you from going into advanced settings to tune it down. The board is agile and quick to turn. And it’s as powerful as a mid-range belt-driven board.

Verdict on the Meepo Mini 3 Max:

Until the competition catches up, the Meepo Mini 3 Max and V3 Max will remain our go-to recommendation for electric skateboards under $500. In fact, with unmatched specs and a well-rounded ride feel, the Meepo Mini 3 Max is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an electric shortboard, regardless of budget.

And we predict it will take another big brand with enough muscle to dislodge Meepo from its position as the budget king. I don’t see how a smaller brand can match the build quality and polish of this. While many things in the world may have gotten worse over time, at least budget electric skateboards are getting better.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESHQ15” to receive $15 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Ampboard Review – $299, this couldn’t possibly be good.

A $299 board should be terrible, even if it’s by Meepo. And spoiler alert—the Meepo Amp board does indeed have plenty of shortcomings, but it’s also one of the most fun boards we’ve ever reviewed.

At a glance, the Meepo Amp board is a shorter longboard with drop-down brackets. It looks polished despite its $299 price tag, but there’s definitely a “price” you pay with this setup. Let’s run through the specs as usual.

Meepo Ampboard Specs:

Price	$299
Battery	63Wh, 7S1P battery
Controller	LingYi ESC
Top Speed	14 mph (22.5 km/h)
Range	9 miles (14.5 km) conservative, 5 miles (8 km) normal
Deck	33.74” Canadian maple + fiberglass
Motor	Single 540W hub motor
Weight	13.5lbs (6.1kg)

Deck – 33.74” Canadian Maple + Fiberglass:

Starting with the deck, the Ampboard is actually pretty short, at just 22 inches (57 cm), but the brackets extend the wheelbase, bringing the total length to 33 inches (85 cm).

It’s made from Canadian Maple and has a beautiful concave.

The deck has some flex, but you might wish it didn’t, as this setup offers almost no ground clearance. The design is intended to create an extremely low ride as your feet are just 32 mm from the ground. Pretty wild choice there, Meepo.

This super-low ride height is the defining feature of the Amp board, but there are other crazy design choices, so let’s move on.

Trucks – reverse kingpin Shredder trucks:

Mounted on a double-drop bracket, the Ampboard sports Meepo’s usual reverse kingpin Shredder trucks, which are solid trucks—responsive, yet stable—but stability might not even be necessary, considering how slow the board is. More on that sooner.

ESC and Battery – LingYi ESC and 7s1p 63Wh 2.5Ah Battery:

Closeup Photo of Meep Ampboard esc and battery enclosure

Photo of Meep Ampboard esc and battery enclosure

If you flip the board over, you’ll find a single enclosure housing both the battery and ESC. It’s thin and does its best to stay off the ground, but fails frequently and ends up with scratches. Luckily, it seems tough enough to handle the abuse. The slim enclosure also means a tiny battery, just 7s1p, translating to just 63Wh or 2.5Ah.

You’ll get about 9 miles (15 km) per charge if you’re conservative, and about 5 miles (8 km) in normal riding conditions. And because of this small battery, be prepared to kick-push the board frequently. It actually begs you to kick-push since the single hub motor creates almost no rolling resistance. And you’ll have to kick-push from a stop every time — not just to save battery, but also because a single hub motor takes forever to launch.

Also, since it’s using a LingYi ESC, the board automatically powers on once you start rolling.

LingYi ESCs typically deliver punchy acceleration on powerful dual hubs, but on this single hub setup, they have no choice but to feel gentle and smooth. The Amp board does come with Meepo’s new M6C remote which comes as a nice surprise, given this is Meepo’s cheapest board.

Motors and Wheels – 540W Single Hub Motor and Standard 94mm Wheels:

Powering the Ampboard is a single hub motor of 540W. Yes, single. You only get one of them.

It’ll get you up to 14 mph (22.5 km/h), which is just about faster than you can run, but only half as fast as Usain Bolt. To be fair, 14 mph is the legal limit in some places for personal mobility vehicles—good guy Meepo is just trying to help you to keep you out of trouble with the law.

And, forget about inclines with the Amp board, at least nothing steeper than you can comfortably kick-push up. Even if the board can manage, it’ll drain the battery so fast you’ll be pushing for the rest of the journey.

The standard wheels are 94 mm, not the 90mm shown here, but if you are willing to sacrifice even more torque and range, you can consider tinkering it to 105 mm wheels. This is important because of, well, ground clearance.

Ground Clearance:

If you love ultra-low ride height and are willing to sacrifice literally everything, the Amp board is exactly what you’re looking for. The clearance is so low that Meepo includes warnings: don’t ride over speed bumps, and don’t go down slopes. The board just can’t handle the angle.

You can’t bounce on the deck, either, because any bounce and it bottoms out. With our even lower 90 mm prototype setup, even carving hard scrapes the side of the deck. Still, riding this low is as fun as it looks —you feel practically on the road.

What separates you and the road is really thin. It’s a very intimate, “real feel” kind of experience.

Spec Summary of the Meepo Ampboard

By now, it’s clear that the Amp board has some big weaknesses—but also standout strengths.

The super-low ground clearance is either a deal breaker or a key feature, depending on who you ask.
A small battery and single motor means limited power, but also makes the board incredibly light, at just 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg), like a regular longboard.
The price. There are many unpowered longboards that cost much more. And Meepo didn’t cut corners on the parts either.

Verdict on the Meepo Ampboard

Ride free. Push less.

With the Amp board, you’re free to ride—as long as the ground is flat. You’ll push less, but you will still have to push.

The Amp board is best categorized as an electric-assist board, reducing your need to kick-push, rather than a fully-powered electric skateboard. For 80% of riders, this is absolutely not the board to get. But if you love ultra-low ride height, nothing else comes close.

And if you’re choosing between a regular longboard and your first electric ride, why not start with this fun little guy?

If you are interested in buying the Meepo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $10 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

June 15, 2025June 27, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo V3 Max Review – Maximum value

We all know that Meepo made plenty of considerations in this 2025 version of their entry-level electric skateboard. We know this because we first reviewed the prototype, which then had its ESC changed, had its wheels changed, and had its motor upgraded.

And, at the end of the day, two numbers will probably define the board: the $454 price tag and the 324Wh battery.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. As usual, let’s run through the specs.

Meepo V3 Max Specs:

Price	$469 (with ESHQ15)
Battery	12S3P 324Wh battery
Controller	LingYi ESC
Top Speed	28 mph (45 km/h)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	8 ply maple + 1 ply bamboo veneer
Motor	2 x 800W (full magnetic hub)
Weight	19.8 lbs (9 kg)

Deck – 8 ply maple + 1 ply bamboo veneer:

Starting with the deck, Meepo V3 Max uses a 38” deck made from 8 layers of Canadian maple with 1 ply of bamboo veneers. It is a bit on the stiffer side, with only a very mild flex to it. And it has a modest concave profile, nothing too crazy here.

The V3 Max has a handle cut-out, as most entry-level electric skateboards do, which, again, while making the board look cheap, is actually infinitely convenient.

As per standard, tail guards are included even for budget electric skateboards now.

ESC – LingYi ESC:

Next, after dabbling with their own JK ESC, Meepo went back to Ling Yi ESC for this one. Which means the same old 4 speed modes and 4 brake modes that can be set independently of each other, meaning no smart power-on but push to start, where the board automatically powers on once it starts rolling.

This year’s Meepo does come with a new color remote, named M6C Remote, though, which is simple but fairly nice looking. But wait, this Ling Yi ESC has some new tricks up its sleeves too—it does allow advanced customization of each speed mode, so if the pro mode is too strong for you, you can always tone it down to your liking.

Battery – 12s3p 324Wh battery cell:

And beside the ESC enclosure, we have the highlight of the board—the 12s3p 324Wh battery cell. 12s3p for less than $500 is pretty much unheard of before this. For context, Meepo themselves were selling the V3 Extended Range at $599 previously. And the Extended Range series was using a smaller 288Wh battery.

Surveying across major electric skateboard brands, you will see that Meepo very intentionally priced this year’s V3 Max series to have the biggest pack in this price range.

This battery is marketed to go 20 miles (32km) in a single charge, and our 165lbs (75kg) test rider managed to get 19.5 miles (31km) riding fast.

Motors and Wheels – 800W dual hub motors and 90-94mm wheels???:

Another number that drew our attention was the 800W dual hub motors. While motor wattage never tells the full story on a motor’s power, rarely does an entry-level electric skateboard have motor wattages above 600W.

Between the prototype and production board, Meepo also upgraded the hubs from a half magnetic to a full-magnetic system, which should be better in performance and heat dissipation.

The V3 Max was marketed to go up to 28 MPH (45kph), which we had no problem reaching.

And the torque was pretty strong. We live in the world of belt drives now, so even the strongest hub motors wouldn’t have blown us away. But we can say that these hub drives have enough torque to make you not miss belt drives.

It can do steep hills without breaking a sweat. And Ling Yi ESC Pro mode made sure that you get your thrills of being rocketed forward when at full throttle from a standstill.

Fun fact: Did you know why Meepo named the board V3 Max instead of moving forward with V6, after already making V5? This is because V3’s over-the-top torque and thrill were so groundbreaking at that time that V3 is still a fan favorite to this day. That’s why Meepo was so insistent on keeping their V3 boards powerful with both the previous V3S and now the V3 Max.

What they began to do, for the first time, was to have mismatched sizes for the front wheels vs the back wheels. The front wheels of the Meepo V3 Max are both smaller at 90mm and narrower at 60 mm as compared to the back wheels, which use hub sleeves of 94mm and are 66mm wide.

The thicker back wheels reduce road vibrations through the stiff hub motors up to your leg, and wider back wheels give better grip. This actually does improve the riding experience, slightly, as one of the most frequent complaints of hub boards is how stiff the back wheels are and how badly they grip due to the stiffness.

I’m sure you could imagine a 2mm difference between front and back wheel height isn’t noticeable in any way, but it remains a mystery to us why Meepo doesn’t just make the front wheels 94mm too. Probably to save cost to hit that under $500 price tag, but we’re just guessing here.

For those who hate mismatching wheels, do know that the wheels are compatible with Cloudwheels, and the board certainly is powerful enough to drive bigger wheels—we know, we tried the 105mm prototype.

Trucks – Standard 7-Inch Reverse Kingpin Trucks:

As for the trucks, Meepo went with standard 7-inch reverse kingpin trucks with double barrel bushings. There isn’t much to be said about Meepo’s Shredder trucks—they are pretty good, pretty balanced between responsiveness and stability. It’s not as precise as the top-tier branded forged trucks, but it is easy to turn, fun to carve, and stable at top speed. You can’t ask for more from a budget board.

The back trucks on the V3 Max series are new and improved, though.

Usually, the back trucks are “press-fit” hub motors, which look like this—it actually relies on a bunch of screws to hold it to the “pseudo truck”.

And now, the back trucks are full axle, which look like this:

While we haven’t heard there were problems with the previous back truck, the new full axle hub motors would give us better peace of mind when it comes to mechanical stability.

Riding Experience of the Meepo V3 Max:

Speed control on the Meepo V3 Max is as smooth as it comes—intuitive. Thanks to the responsive trucks, carving around is fun. And the board gives you enough power to accelerate up to top speed with a push of the throttle. The acceleration remains strong at high speed all the way up to the top speed—we always feel like the board has enough muscle to go faster.

The ride is slightly smoother and slightly less vibrative compared to other versions of hub wheels, thanks to its meatier back wheels. It’s a marginal difference, frankly, but we are always happy to see attempts at improvement, however minor.

Verdict on the Meepo V3 Max:

To put it simply, until the competition catches up, the Meepo V3 Max is not only the board to get for electric skateboards under $500, but also for anyone considering getting their first electric skateboard, regardless of the budget.

A 12s3p at a price below $500 is hard to come by and if it does, they won’t be as put together as well as the Meepo V3 Max, with its full-axled rear trucks and powerful hub motors.

Good board at a great price. Period.

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Uditer Pixel Rider Review – Hey! It is actually a good electric skateboard!

The Uditer Pixel Rider might just be the most visually striking electric skateboard we’ve ever reviewed. Its standout feature? A fully customizable LED deck powered by the iPixel app. Users can choose from a variety of preset animations—or better yet, upload their own designs for a more personal touch. While the default graphics may not be to everyone’s taste, the ability to tailor the visuals gives it a creative edge.

But let’s be honest—cool lights alone won’t cut it. Priced at $425, the Uditer Pixel sits squarely in the entry-level category, where competition is fierce. To justify its place beyond novelty, it needs to back up the flashy visuals with solid performance.

So, let’s get into the specs, they actually looks promising.

Uditer Pixel Rider Specs:

Price	$425 (after $50 off with ESKATEHQ50)
Battery	10S3P 328Wh 7.8Ah
Controller	LingYi ESC
Top Speed	28 mph (45 km/h)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	Canadian maple + fiberglass composite
Motor	2 x 600W Hub motors
Weight	26.5lbs (12kg)

Deck – Canadian Maple and Fiberglass Composite:

Starting with the deck, this LED deck measures 38” and is made from Canadian Maple and Fiberglass. To no surprise, it’s completely stiff, and because of the embedded LED components, it’s also entirely flat. Not our favorite characteristic for a skateboard deck, but an unavoidable tradeoff to make the LED feature happen.

The good news is that the deck’s surface remains grippy despite lacking traditional grip tape. It feels like clear rubber placed over the LEDs, providing excellent grip, so no complaints here. The deck looks quite ordinary when the LEDs are off, similar to Cinderella after midnight, so you’ll likely keep them on all the time, which brings us to the battery.

Battery and ESC – 10S3P 328Wh 7.8Ah and LingYi ESC

Photo of Uditer Pixel Rider esc enclosure

Photo of Uditer Pixel Rider battery enclosure

To sustain the LED display, the Uditer Pixel Rider packs a respectable 10s3p battery with 328Wh and 7.8Ah capacity, which is above-average for boards under $500. To top it off, the battery is easily swappable, which gets a thumbs up from us.

The board is marketed to reach a 25-mile (40 km) range per charge, but realistically, you should expect about 18 miles (29 km) if you ride aggressively with the LEDs on.

Our only minor nitpick is the appearance of the battery enclosure, though the practicality of the swappable feature outweighs aesthetic concerns. I’m also not a fan of the orange silicone seals, but I’ll forgive this, as they provide an IP55 waterproof rating for the electronics.

Next to the battery enclosure is the ESC. It uses a LingYi ESC, featuring the familiar 4-speed modes and 4 independent brake modes. There’s no smart power-on feature, but it includes push-to-start functionality. The remote it uses is familiar. It’s nothing fancy but gets the job done.

Trucks – 8-inch reverse kingpin trucks:

Next, Uditer equipped the board with standard 8-inch reverse kingpin trucks. Nothing extraordinary here, but they’re decent. Although they lack the precision of premium trucks, they handle high speeds and carve adequately. Impressively, these are forged trucks rather than the less durable cast trucks typically found on boards under $700.

Motors And Wheels – Dual 600w Hub Motors And 105mm Wheels:

For the motors, the Pixel Rider comes with dual 600W hub motors. These are pretty big numbers, and while motor wattage never tells the full story about a motor’s power, most entry-level electric skateboards typically have motors rated below 600W.

It has a modest top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), which we had no problem reaching.

Uditer also equipped the Pixel Rider with 105mm Cloudwheel clones, another pleasant surprise for a board priced under $500. The board definitely needs this cushioning, considering the completely stiff deck and hub motors. With 105mm wheels, road vibrations are still strong but considerably tolerable. It would’ve been a lot worse and borderline unrideable if it’s on 90 mm.

Riding Experience of the Uditer Pixel Rider:

Overall, the Pixel Rider provides a decent ride.

The LingYi ESC gives a smooth and intuitive control, though it didn’t come with the same punch and torque typically associated with LingYi systems. Which is also expected as this is a 10s setup instead of a 12s setup, and big wheels take away torque.

The dual 600W motors aren’t exhilarating but are sufficient to drive the 105mm wheels uphill comfortably. We didn’t actually feel anything amiss while riding the Pixel Rider; nothing felt lacking in the riding experience.

It offers a well-rounded ride, as any good entry-level electric skateboard should, without being particularly impressive in any aspect, which is also typical of most entry-level electric skateboards.

Verdict on the Uditer Pixel Rider:

Coming into this review, I was fully expecting the Uditer Pixel Rider to be a gimmicky board that would force buyers to choose between style and actual substance.

Then, we looked under the hood and found ourselves pretty impressed by the substance this $425 board brings to the table: a 10s3p swappable battery, forged trucks, and 105mm wheels. Even without the gimmicky LED deck, the Pixel Rider actually offers plenty for its price.

It also helps that the board delivers a riding experience that’s on par with any board under $500.

So, here’s our verdict: if you fancy yourself a board with an LED deck, go for it. And in case you’re worried about the brand, fret not—Uditer has been around for years now. They used to have some really … unusual products…, like the Uditer W3 back in 2021, but it’s good to see they’ve grown past that!

If you are interested in buying the Backfire, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $50 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

April 25, 2025April 25, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Veymax Merlin Review – Best Value Mid-range Electric Skateboard

Today, we’re taking a look at the Veymax Merlin, a $649 belt-driven electric skateboard from the emerging brand Veymax.

The mid-tier market, that being of boards priced between $500-$800, is pretty crowded, and already features popular boards like the Meepo Flow, Wowgo Pioneer X4 and Tynee Ultra. So, the Merlin has its work cut out if it wants to stand out from the crowd.

Check out our review of the Wowgo Pioneer X4.

But first, let’s dive into the specs.

Veymax Merlin Specs:

Price	$649
Battery	12S2P Samsung 21700 50S, 432Wh
Controller	LY-FOC 8.0
Top Speed	30 mph (48 km/h)
Range	29 miles (46 km)
Deck	2-ply Canadian maple, 2-ply fiberglass, 2-ply bamboo
Motor	Dual 1400W belt-driven motors

Deck – 2-ply Canadian maple, 2-ply fiberglass, 2-ply bamboo

Starting with the deck, Merlin’s deck is made with 2-ply Canadian maple, 2-ply fiberglass, and 2-ply bamboo and measures 37.8” long and 9.8” wide. Its flexibility is moderate — not quite as flexible as the Meepo Envy or Pioneer X4, but comparable to the Meepo Voyager. The deck provides decent comfort and enough concave to keep your feet secure.

Battery – 12S2P Samsung 21700 50S, 432Wh

Beneath the deck is a 432Wh battery in a 12S2P configuration. But what stands out here is the battery cells, in which Veymax has opted for top-tier Samsung 21700 50S cells. These cells are highly rated for their high capacity, strong continuous discharge, and minimal voltage sag, making them popular among premium boards. Besides, it’s pretty rare to see Samsung 50s in a $600 board.

This setup claims a range of up to 29 miles (46 km) per charge, which is quite a bit higher than its direct competitors.

ESC and Remote – LY-FOC 8.0 with Standard LingYi remote:

In the other enclosure, you’ll find the Merlin sports a LingYi-FOC 8.0 ESC. This choice surprised us, as Veymax previously used Hobbywing ESCs in their Mini Monster. Brands that typically select LingYi ESCs are often going for a punchier, more aggressive ride feel, sometimes at the cost of smoothness and precise throttle control found in Hobbywing ESCs.

Another trade-off here is the lack of smart turn-on; however, the LingYi ESC in Merlin features push-to-start functionality in which you simply roll the board forward to power it on. The Merlin ships with a standard LingYi remote, which isn’t particularly exciting, but it has always worked reliably.

Motor – Dual 1400W Belt Driven Motors:

The Merlin is powered by dual 1400W belt-driven motors. 1400W stands pretty average among the competition, delivering a top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h), which is also a pretty average number. These motors do bark louder than most belt motors, though.

And they’re not just loud for the sake of it. The combination of LingYi ESC and the 1400W motors gives very strong acceleration from a standstill. You really have to press your foot down firmly if you want to go full throttle in the highest speed mode.

Another thing we appreciate about the Merlin is that it keeps that strong acceleration even at 20 mph. You can continue to accelerate all the way up to top speed without feeling a power drop-off. It’s a satisfying feeling—being able to summon more power with a flick of the throttle, even when you’re already moving fast.

Another plus with this ESC and motor setup is the braking behavior. LingYi ESCs usually give stronger brakes, and that’s the case here. Where Hobbywing ESCs tend to feel weaker toward the end of braking—just before coming to a stop — the Merlin with its LingYi ESC is fully capable of stopping and locking the motors.

Most seasoned riders prefer this kind of braking response, though of course, it’s a matter of personal preference.

Trucks – 8” 45 degree Reverse Kingpin Trucks:

Veymax has equipped the Merlin with 8-inch, 45-degree reverse kingpin trucks which isn’t particularly special. They’re solid, stable at speed, and still responsive enough to make carving fun. Overall, they seem designed for high-speed riding, thanks to their stability.

Wheels – 90mm 78A Polyurethane Wheels or 105mm Cozy Wheels:

The Merlin comes standard with 90mm 78A polyurethane wheels, with an option to upgrade to 105mm Cozy Wheels for just $30 more. Personally, I would’ve gone for the 105mm setup, especially since we have pretty rough roads where we are.

The Merlin clearly has enough torque to drive bigger wheels anyway. Veymax ships the 90mm setup with a 36T pulley, giving a 2.4:1 gear ratio, and ships the 105mm setup with a 40T pulley to maintain strong torque with a 2.6:1 gear ratio.

That said, the 90mm wheels on our review unit were fine too. In fact, they feel slightly softer than most 90mm wheels, so riding them on rough pavement is still manageable.

Veymax Merlin Specs Summary & Verdict:

Honestly, the $500–$700 price segment is pretty uninteresting for a reviewer like us. Unlike the sub-$500 category, where it’s all about making trade-offs to hit a low price, or the premium category, where we get wowed by over-the-top features, most boards in this range are just plain, well-rounded electric skateboards. And the Merlin fits that description.

What Veymax Merlin does offer, though, is a slightly better battery, stronger torque, and more power than its competitors—boards like the Tynee Ultra Belt, Meepo Flow, and Wowgo Pioneer X4. Veymax is probably hoping that edge is enough to sway buyers toward the Merlin.

In that sense, we usually approach newer e-skate brands with some skepticism, but this isn’t the first Veymax board we’ve reviewed—we also tried the Mini Monster—and both times, the results have been solid. That gives us a bit more confidence that Veymax can keep up with the competition and is likely here to stay.

All in all, if you’re looking for a Boosted-style electric skateboard with solid power, the Veymax Merlin is a board we can recommend. It’s one of the good ones—no complaints here.

If you are interested in buying the Veymax, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive 5% off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!