Electric Skateboard Reviews - Electric Skateboard HQ

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Flow Review – Simply The Best Cruiser

Let’s first introduce the elephant in the room: Meepo Flow is the blatant copy of the Evolve Stoke, first released back in 2019. It has the exact look and uses very similar parts – a 35’ cruiser deck paired with double kingpin trucks.

However, a closer look at the specs shows that the $749 Meepo Flow might be quite a lot better than the $999 Evolve Stoke.

Specification – Meepo Flow

Price	$749
Deck	35-inch Bamboo and fibreglass. Stiff, wide concave
Trucks	Double Kingpin Trucks
Wheels	35-inch Bamboo and fiberglass. Stiff, wide concave
ESC	12s Hobbywing ESC
Motors	Dual 2519W belt-drive motors
Battery	12S2P, Molicel P42A, 362.8 Wh, 8.4AH
Top Speed	32mph (52 kph)
Range	24 miles(38 km)
Weight	24.2 lbs/(11 kg)

Deck

The Meepo Flow has the same transparent grip tape as the Evolve Stoke. It has an additional foam grip tape on the kicktail of its slightly longer 35-inch Bamboo and fiberglass composite deck. Similar to the Evolve Stoke, the Meepo deck has a wide concave and is stiff.

Looking at the photo, you might mistake the Flow as a shortboard, but at 35″ by 13.5″, it’s actually a ‘shorter’ longboard with a kicktail or a cruiser board.

Truck: Double Kingpin

The Meepo Flow is equipped with a double-kingpin truck, as per the Evolve Stoke formula. Let’s hope these trucks are good.

Wheels: OEM 105mm wheels

In contrast to the Evolve Stoke’s 85mm wheels, Meepo decided to go big with 105mm wheels. It is good to see these soft 105mm resurfaced to the market. They are the OEM wheels for the late-Boosted 105s, which Boosted previously sold at about $170 a set.

Battery: 12S2P Molicel P42A, 362Wh / 8.4AH

The Meepo Flow, like the NLS 3, has a 12S2P Molicel P42A, 362Wh / 8.4AH battery, which is significantly larger than the Evolve Stoke’s 144Wh battery. The advertised range is 23.6 miles (38km) but in our tests, we got a range of 16 miles (25.4 km) for our 155lb (70kg) rider riding fast. Again, the outcome is similar to that of the NLS 3.

Click here to read our review of the Meepo NLS 3 (AKA Meepo Envy)

ESC (Electronic Speed Controller): 12s Hobbywing ESC

The Meepo Flow uses a 12s Hobbywing ESC, which is smoother than the current-generation LingYi ESC and far superior to any ESC used by Evolve on their boards. This ESC is paired with the Meepo M4s remote, which includes a display which displays your speed and other information.

Motor: Dual 2519W belt-drive motors

This model has the same dual belt system as the NLS 3 and is far more powerful than Evolve Stoke’s dual 1500W motors. The advertised top speed is 32 mph (51.5 km h), and our tests clocked it at 30 mph.

Specs Summary of the Meepo Flow

Meepo Flow is almost the same board as the Meepo NLS 3, just with a new deck and double kingpin trucks. These are good specifications for $749, especially if you put it beside the 10s2p 144wh Evolve Stoke. But, hey, the ride experience is more important than the stats on paper, so let’s get to it.

Riding Experience

Luckily, the Flow did not disappoint. It’s a lot of fun to ride the Meepo Flow.

Speed control on the Meepo Flow is perfect, and that is no surprise at all. After all, it was using the tried and true 12s Hobbywing ESC that delivers perfectly smooth and intuitive controlsWe are also not surprised by the power that the Flow has, since it is using the same exact motors as the NLS 3, which we reviewed a while ago. Much like the NLS 3, Meepo Flow is not insanely powerful, but is powerful and comparable to any board under $900. Accelerating uphill is not gonna be a problem even for the heaviest rider.

The biggest highlight for us is definitely the cruiser deck. We don’t see cruiser boards too often, but more companies ought to make them. The board’s length is somewhere between a shortboard and a longboard. And it offers the best of both worlds; the board is stable at high speeds yet nimble for short turns. Because of the double kingpin trucks and shorter wheelbase, it can make a very tight U-turn.

These double kingpin trucks are also pretty good among the best; they clearly turn very well, as do all double kingpin trucks, but they aren’t too loose and stay stable at high speeds. We feel comfortable riding them at top speed.

Despite the weight of the board, the kicktail is easy to use, too. However, there is a flaw in this design. The motor guards will rub against the ground when you use the kicktail, so you are bound to get scratches on it.

Another highlight of the board is the 105mm wheels; now we know why the Boosted 105s were so talked about.

Amongst oversized street wheels, they’re the best we’ve tried so far at handling bumps, even better than the 105mm cloudwheels. They are also really grippy, giving the ride that nice sticky feel. If you enjoy soft wheels, you will like these 105mm wheels.

Our team generally likes big wheels because we don’t have the smoothest roads where we ride, and 105mm gives us peace of mind when riding because sticks, stones, and potholes won’t catch the wheels and send us flying.

Having 4 meaty yet soft wheels also takes away most of the road vibrations.

One big downside, though, is that the board is bulky and hard to carry around. Unlike most longboards, you can’t pull it like a suitcase, and lifting it can be a real workout. The board might be shaped like a shortboard, but it is certainly far from portable.

The Verdict

For the past 6 years, we’ve been reviewing electric skateboards, and not many have a cruiser deck. The last cruiser we reviewed was, in fact, the Evolve Stoke! It gave a fantastic ride but was overpriced for what it was. The Meepo Flow, on the other hand, is everything that the Evolve Stoke could be at a lower cost. It’s a comfortable cruiser board with 105mm wheels, has 12s Hobbywing ESC for ultra-smooth speed control, double-kingpin trucks for tight bends, and an easy-to-use kicktail.

Coming into the review, we thought the Meepo Flow was merely a cheap knockoff of the Evolve, but it turned out to be an “Evolve Stoke done right” and is now one of our favorite boards.

If you are interested in buying a 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!

August 23, 2023August 23, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Vokboard Riot V2 Review: The other guys at $449.

Today, we will be reviewing the Vokboard Riot V2.

Priced at $449, the Riot V2 has entered as a contender among other affordable electric skateboards priced below $500. As you may know, the budget segment of electric skateboards has always been dominated by big Chinese brands like Meepo, Wowgo, and Backfire. These giant skateboard manufacturers can usually churn out high-quality skateboards while maintaining affordability due to their large production scale.

So, being a challenger to the status quo, we are interested to see what this new Vokboard brand is bringing to the table. Will it be able to hold on its own among the other heavyweights in the price range of $500 and below?

Vokboard Riot V2 Specifications:

Price: $449
Deck: Canadian Maple; a mild amount of flexibility, no concave
Electronic Speed Controller: LingYi ESC; 4-speed modes, push-to-start
Remote: LingYi with telemetry screen
Battery: 10s3p, 288WH, 8.0 ah
Marketed Range: 21 miles (35 KM)
Motors: Dual 600w Hub
Marketed Top Speed: 28.5 mp/h (46 km/h)
Trucks: Generic RKP trucks
Wheels: 90MM or + 105 mm
Weight: 15 lbs (6.8 kg)

Deck: Broad and Flat

The Vokboard Riot V2’s deck is broad and flat. It’s made of Canadian Maple and has mild flexibility. It is also pretty flat without much concave.

Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) – 10s LingYi ESC

The Riot V2 uses a 10s LingYi ESC, which allows four different riding and braking modes.

If you’ve come across our previous review on any electronic skateboard that uses LingYi ESC, you know that the ESC’s performance is usually pretty consistent and reliable.

It comes paired with the generic LingYi remote that comes with a telemetry display.

Battery: 10s3p Setup

The Riot V2 is equipped with a 10s3p, 288WH, 8.0Ah battery, which stands out in its price range, considering it’s almost two times the size as what we usually see from $500 boards.

Vokboard claims that the battery life can last up to the range of 21miles (35 km), and as we tested it with a rider of 154 lbs (70 kg) cruising at a moderate speed, we managed to cover around 16 miles (26 km) on a single charge.

Motors: Dual 600w Hub Motors

Vokboard Riot V2 comes with dual 600w hub motors. These are respectable numbers, and the boar does have an impressive top speed of 28.5mph (46 kph). We manage to hit the top speed, but it does take time to accelerate up to the top speed.

Weight: 17.6 lbs (8 kg)

Despite having a larger battery and dual hub motors, the Riot V2 manages to keep its weight at 17.6 lbs or 8 kg.

Vokboard Riot V2’s Specification Summary

In general, the Riot V2 is not a sophisticated board; it has simple features to go with its simple looks. Much like other smaller brands, the Riot V2 was assembled using off-the-shelf parts.

Saving money from having to invest in special molds probably allows Vokboard to put a bigger battery in the Riot V2. However, range means nothing if the board is no fun to ride. This, then, brings us to the next section, the riding experience.

The Riding Experience of Vokboard Riot V2

The VokboardRiot V2 uses LingYi ESC, which has a reputation for being smooth in the first three speed modes and raw a jerky with its highest speed mode. Well, this wasn’t the case with the Riot V2, most likely because the motors on the Riot V2 aren’t the most powerful.

On paper, the dual 600w hub motors should be very powerful, but we know that motor wattage isn’t exactly a good indicator of a board’s torque and power, and Riot V2 is a good example of that. While the board really is able to achieve a top speed of 28.5 mp/h (46 km/h), it doesn’t accelerate super fast and will take some time before it gets there.\With that said, these motors are still strong enough to make your everyday rides fun, and beginners might even appreciate the tamer profile of the ride.

The Riot V2 does offer a stable handle when going fast, and there are no speed wobbles. The trucks were on the tighter side, and the board was especially stable when going straight. However, this does make it resistant to steer and makes it hard to make very tight turns.

In the aspect of road vibrations, the Riot V2 does a decent job of reducing the vibrations despite its stiff deck. Although it doesn’t give you the “floating” sensation that those premium boards with shock-absorbing features provide, it’s considered comfortably smooth, especially for boards at this price point. That being said, the larger battery packs lowered the ground clearance and might lead to occasional scrapes over speed bumps.

Verdict: The Vokboard Riot V2 – A Competitive Choice Under $500

When all is said and done, the Vokboard Riot V2 does offer a respectable riding experience while boasting a range far beyond what’s expected for its price. While it lacks exciting power or an extraordinary ride feel, it delivers where it counts: the range. If you’re in search of a budget board that can take you the extra mile, the Vokboard Riot V2 is a board worth considering.

If you are interested in buying the Vokboard be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ23” 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!

August 14, 2023August 19, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Propel Pivot S Electric Skateboard Review: A Balanced Perspective

Today, we will be reviewing the Propel Pivot S.

On July 2023, Propel, a brand that’s gained quite a following for its powerful off-terrain suspension boards and its top-tier post-sales service, is now stepping into the 2-in-1 arena with the Pivot S and the Pivot GT.

There are many boards out there that have adopted the Evolve formula (Double drop deck + DKP trucks + 2 in 1 wheel), but we haven’t seen any brand make one at the price that Propel is selling Pivot S for.

Pivot S starts at $799 for the base version and $999 for the 2-in-1 package.
(The 2-in-1 package comes with both the 97mm street wheels and the 155mm wheels.)

Now, a lower price means nothing if Propel skimmed on the specs, but this doesn’t seem to be the case here.

Propel Pivot S – Specifications

Price	$799 (Street) $999 (2 in 1)
Battery	518Wh, 12S3P, Lishen LR2170SA
Controller	55A LingYi ESC
Top Speed	36mph(60kph)
Range	97mm: 26.5miles (44km) 155mm: 54 miles (87km)
Deck	Carbon hybrid BVR Unibody
Motor	2×6374 Motors/ Belt Drive
Net Weight	25.3lbs (11.5KG)

Deck – “BVR Deck”

At first glance, the Pivot S’s double-drop deck immediately grabs your attention with its carbon fiber and fiberglass build. It has that sleek, unibody design with no unsightly enclosure sticking out. Propel called this deck BVR “Bad Vibe Reduction” deck and said that by including fiberglass in the deck material, it would dampen road vibrations. Will it work? We shall see.

On the deck, there is the foam tape padding which gives a helping hand in cushioning those road vibrations on this stiff deck.

Stepping on Propel Pivot S — *Foam grip tape*

It’s around 43 inches long and 10.7 inches wide, broader than most longboard decks. And while it does have a sweet concave, the center of the deck stays pretty flat.

ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) – LingYi ESC:

Flipping the board over, you’re met with easy access to the ESC compartment, which can be popped open with five screws. Propel went for the LingYi ESC in this model, and currently, it’s paired with the standard LingYi ESC remote.

Propel Pivot S ESC assess point — 5 screws to access the ESC

It’s rather jarring that a premium carbon fiber board ended with the most generic and cheap looking remote, but luckily a new remote is on its way to replace this one soon. We’ve seen the prototype, and it’s better. Anyways, this is just a cosmetic issue, as the generic LingYi ESC was functionally perfect, no connectivity issues, durable, good battery life.

Generic Remote of the Propel Pivot S — something better-looking will replace this remote, soon.

As always, the LingYi ESC comes with ‘push to start’ features meaning the board fires up as soon as those back wheels start rolling. Like other boards with LingYi ESC, you get to choose amongst 4 acceleration modes and 4 braking modes separately, and we will talk about how they felt later.

Battery – Lishen LR2170SA

The Pivot S draws its power from a 12S3P pack with Lishen LR2170SA, 21700 cells. These cells, like those found in other premium boards such as the Exway Atlas Pro and Evolve Hadean.

This gives the board a healthy 518Wh battery, similar to Exway Atlas, and bigger than Evolve GTR’s 504Wh battery.

Propel also went further by adopting a Printed Circuit Board Assembly design with its battery, which eliminates wires. The benefit of the PCBA design is that the battery pack will be more durable, as wire could get dislodged from vibrations.

Range – A healthy 27 miles

The marketing range is 27.3 miles (44km) with 97mm wheels;
and 15.5 miles (25km) with 155mm wheels.

As usual, Propel did not exaggerate the range; our range test with 145lb (65 kg) riders yielded an impressive 14 miles (22km) on the 155mm wheels.

Double-Kingpin Truck – We’ve seen them around.

The Pivot S, like all 2-in-1 electric skateboards, has a double-kingpin truck. It appears to be one of those off-the-shelf double kingpin trucks that work well and are widely used.

Motors – Definitely Powerful!

The Propel Pivot S is powered by two 1375W belt motors. These are huge 6374 motors, and they are incredibly powerful. The board’s top speed is an impressive 37 mph (60 km/h), though we only got up to 28 mph (45 kph) before it got too scary for us. Keep in mind, at high speeds, double kingpin trucks can get wobbly.

Wheels – 97mm or 155mm

The base version features 97mm PU wheels, while the optional $200 upgrade offers 155mm wheels with a Bravura alloy hub.

Accessories – Lights & Pull bars

Pivot S, like many of Propel’s boards, came with integrated brake light, which lights up during brakes. The $999 two-in-one option also comes with a pull bar which you can install.

It should be noted that the board may only be pulled when it is in the AT configuration; pulling it in the street configuration will cause the motor to scrape the ground.

Propel Pivot S motor guard scraping the ground — *In street wheel configuration, the board shouldn’t be pulled.*

You can also buy a headlight kit, which can be integrated into the board, but it’s an additional $150 investment.

Spec Summary:

Propel Pivot S (Street) – $799:

A 12s3p carbon fiber board built with high-quality materials from a brand recognized for excellent customer service feels like a value at $799. In reality, there isn’t another product that compares. A better match would be the $849 14s2p Backfire Zealot S2 or the $999 12s3p Meepo Voyager X. Both boards are more expensive and, as you will see, provide different riding experiences. They also are not carbon fiber electric skateboards.

Read our review of the Backfire Zealot S2 here.

Read our review of the Meepo Voyager X here.

Propel Pivot S (2-in-1) – $999:

Pivot S as a carbon fiber two-in-one all-terrain electric skateboard, on the other hand, competes directly with the similarly priced Exway Atlas at $999. Both have a 518wh battery, and the devil is in the details when it comes to choosing between the two. So let’s next talk about how the board rides.

Riding Experience of the Propel Pivot S:

The Pivot S, like many other electric skateboards debuted this year, is focused on power. When you equip a skateboard built for propelling AT wheels upwards with 97mm urethane wheels, you get a skateboard with plenty of power.

Fortunately, the latest version of LingYi ESC has pretty smooth controls. The first three acceleration modes are, as always, pleasant and easy to use, while the fourth ‘PRO mode’ feels too powerful for the average street rider.

When the throttle is pushed, it punches strongly. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy it, but most riders won’t need to switch to PRO mode unless they’re riding in an all-terrain setup.

The stronger brakes are another advantage of the LingYi ESC. On an incline, LingYi ESC can better stop the wheels, whereas Hobbywing ESC usually can’t hold the board in place and will roll down the slope. This function will be useful if you plan on doing some uphill longboarding, and the Pivot S certainly offers plenty of power for uphill runs!

Besides the nuances of LingYi ESC, the board rides pretty much as well as one would expect from what we’ve seen on paper. The double-drop carbon fiber deck reduces ride height, and we always enjoy riding near the ground.

Some reviewers mentioned that the deck may be too wide and too flat in the middle, and it was uncomfortable for them as they couldn’t feel the deck concave when riding. We don’t share that opinion. The deck is comfortable for us, so I guess this is pretty subjective.

Pivot S’s large, stiff deck helps with the board’s stability, which is important because the dual kingpin trucks can feel wobbly at high speed.

You might feel more comfortable at high speeds if you’re a better rider than us or tighten the trucks further, but I’d recommend against having twin kingpin trucks if your primary goal is to ride quickly. These trucks are undoubtedly great for carving.

BVR “Bad Vibe Reduction” – Still lots of Bad Vibe

Let’s talk about the vibration now. Even with Propel’s best efforts, even going as far as branding the deck THE “Bad Vibe Reduction” deck, foam grip tape, and those massive 97mm wheels, stiff decks feel terrible on uneven roads. We can hear rattling noises and feel road vibrations in our knees. This is just part of the bargain when getting a carbon fiber street setup, so be prepared.

riding shots of Propel Pivot S on poor roads

However, switching to the 155mm all-terrain wheels makes a huge difference. They absorb a lot of road vibrations while maintaining a low-to-the-ground ride experience. It’s quite nice. We’d go so far as to suggest that the AT setup is a must-have for anyone who rides on unpaved roads regularly.

Propel Pivot S versus Exway Atlas:

As previously said, the Propel Pivot S with 155mm wheels will almost certainly be compared to the Exway Atlas. In their all-terrain configuration, both boards will set you back $999.

In comparison, the Exway Atlas has a smoother ride thanks to its Hobbywing ESC and precision CNC-forged axles. It also appears more sophisticated, thanks to its style and abundance of add-on accessories. However, the Propel Pivot S has greater power, while the Exway Atlas has a reputation for being an underpowered all-terrain board. Propel also appears to offer stronger post-sale service at the moment.

Propel Pivot S Verdict:

Once again, Propel didn’t disappoint with the Propel Pivot S. It is a powerful board built well by a reliable brand. For $999, the 2-in-1 package is a pretty good deal for anyone looking for something similar (and better) to the Evolve Carbon GTR.

When it comes to value proposition, the 97mm street set-up of the Pivot S is even better.

Unlike the 2 in 1 setup, which has competition, the street setup Pivot S is virtually unparalleled at $799. There is no other board that comes close to matching the value offered by the Pivot S. If you want a carbon fiber board with double kingpin trucks, Propel Pivot S should be the first choice for anyone shopping in this price range.

If you are interested in buying a Propel, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive 3% 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!

July 23, 2023July 31, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Mini 3S Review (Meepo Atom): Powerful and Affordable!

Today we will be reviewing the Meepo Mini 3s, also known as the Meepo Atom.

The Mini 3s, priced at $469, is essentially the do-over of the $429 Meepo Mini 5, a few-month-old predecessor. For those who might be confused about the naming, the Mini 3s and the Meepo V3s were both released as successors to the much-loved 2020 Meepo V3, a board that gained notoriety as the most powerful affordable electric longboard on the market.

Check out our review of the Meepo V3s here!

Meepo Mini 3S Specifications:

Price: $469
Deck: 30″ 8-ply Canadian maple; a comfortable amount of flex, mild concave
Electronic Speed Controller: LingYi ESC; 4-speed modes, push-to-start
Remote: M4s remote with telemetry screen
Battery: 10s2p battery with 21700 cells (Molicel P42A), 216Wh
Marketed Range: Standard – 17 miles (27km)
Motors: Dual 540W Hub
Marketed Top Speed: 29mph (47kph)
Trucks: Meepo Signature Shredder Trucks (7-inch 45°)
Wheels: 90mm PU (Compatible with 105mm donut wheels)
Weight: 18.5 lbs (8.4kg).

As you can see, Meepo Atom (Mini 3s) wasn’t trying to be groundbreaking in design. It has the same color scheme as the Meepo V3s, which also was pretty similar to the 2020 Meepo V3. It also uses the same electronic enclosure.

This is obviously how Meepo keeps its cost down. Now, let’s take a deeper look at each of the parts.

Deck: Broad for a shortboard (12.6″)

The deck of the Mini 3S measures 30″ x 12.6″, which is considered wide for a shortboard. It’s a stiff deck made from Canadian Maple and features a dish-shaped concave with a spacious kicktail. Meepo also included a skid plate on the kicktail to allow for worry-free use of the kicktail or tail brakes.

Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) – LingYi ESC

The Mini 3S uses the 10S LingYi ESC, known for its punchy acceleration. There’s also a push-to-start feature, so the board automatically turns on when you start rolling. Additionally, the Mini 3S is paired with the Meepo M4S remote, which comes with a display that shows telemetry. The ESC allows switching between 4 acceleration modes and 4 brake modes, independent of each other.

Battery: 10s2p Molicel P42A

Meepo Mini 3s is equipped with a 10s2p 216Wh battery, using 21700 cells. These cells hold more power than the 18650 cells used in the Meepo Mini 5 and most other entry-level electric skateboards.

Meepo claims the Mini 3S can go 17 miles or 27 km on a single charge. However, in our testing, a 165lbs (75kg) rider achieved 13 miles (21km) on the highest speed mode. This range is slightly better than most entry-level electric skateboards.

Big Motors – Dual 540W Hub

The Mini 3S uses dual 540W hub motors, a step up from the 500W motors found on the Mini 5. Meepo lists the Mini 3S as having a top speed of 29 mph (47 kph).

We did not have the courage to get to that top speed. We got to 22mph (35 kph), and aborted there. .

Shredder Trucks and 90mm Wheels

Just like Meepo Mini 5, the Mini 3s use Meepo’s Shredder trucks, 7” 45° RKP trucks.

The trucks come right out of the box with firm 100A bushings but Meepo also included \a set of 92A bushings for those who prefer softer trucks.

The wheels are standard 90mm street wheels, but these are compatible with 105mm donut wheels.

The Riding Experience of Meepo Mini 3s (Meepo Atom)

First impression of the Mini 3s? This board is powerful.

In recent times, ‘power’ seems to be the aim of brands when designing new electric shortboards. Boards like the $899 Tynee Mini 3 Pro, the $699 Verreal Ace, and the $469 Meepo Mini 3s Atom all embrace this trend. Fortunately, Meepo Mini 3s handles the power with grace.

While the highest speed mode of the LingYi ESC is punchy and thrilling, the board’s wide 7” trucks, stiffer bushing, and wider deck with a comfortable concave all contribute to a stable and smooth ride. The board performs well up to speeds of around 22mph (35 kph), after which the ride might become a bit intimidating for us.

For those who prefer a shortboard for a relaxing commute, the Mini 3s can do that too. The first three speed modes offer gentle and smooth rides, perfect for beginners and for those who enjoy carefree cruising.

It’s great for riding on sidewalks too, The trucks are nimble enough for tight turns, and the kicktail is easy to use for kick turns and tail brakes. (We had come across some other shortboard that kicktail was way too short, making it borderline unusable and was merely ‘decorative’.)

This board is pretty addictive to ride. It’s fun to have this much power on your ‘thumb tips’. Besides that, the board is also fun to just ride around, as it is agile and responsive.

However, as with all hub-driven electric shortboards, Meepo Mini 3s is NOT fun when the roads are rough. The vibration will travel up the trucks, through the stiff deck, and straight into your knee.

Verdict: The Meepo Mini 3s – One of the Best Under $500

All things considered, we think the Meepo Mini 3s Atom is one of the best electric shortboards under $500. It’s not just powerful, but it handles everything else rather well, too. It’s a fun and agile board for sidewalk cruising, a comfortable ride for relaxed carving, and an exhilarating machine to race down straight roads. At this point, the Meepo Mini 5 is completely overshadowed by the Mini 3s. So if you’re in the market for an entry-level electric shortboard that delivers on all fronts, the Meepo Mini 3s should be among your first consideration.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo 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!

July 16, 2023July 20, 2023 by Paxson Lim

The Meepo NLS 3 Review: Power, but not Only!

Today, we’re diving deep into the $699 Meepo NLS 3, AKA Meepo Envy. It’s the successor to the popular Meepo NLS and NLS Pro, which were famous for being the strongest hub-driven electric longboards at their launch.

As a mid-range electric skateboard ($500-$900), the Meepo NLS 3 was designed for those who want something better than the entry-level boards (e.g., Meepo V3s) but are not quite ready to spend the big bucks on the flagship (e.g., the super powerful Meepo Voyager X $999). Meepo NLS and NLS Pro fit the bill quite nicely; their over-the-top power and fun & flexible deck make them quite popular back in their days. However, as you’re about to see, the NLS 3 is very different from the previous NLS models. For starters, it is now using belt drive rather than hub motors!

Specifications of the Meepo NLS 3

Price: $699
Deck: Bamboo and fiberglass. Very flexible with a good concave.
Trucks: 8” 50° Reverse Kingpin (RKP)
Wheels: 90mm wheels with a 65mm contact patch, 78A durometer
ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC
Motors: Dual 2519W belt-drive motors
Battery: 12S2P, Molicel P42A, 362.8 Wh, 8.4AH
Top Speed: 32mph (52kph)
Range: 24 miles(38 km)
Weight: 21.4 lbs/(9.7 kg)

Aesthetics and First Impressions of the Meepo NLS 3

And it was all yell… green. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of the palm tree graphic on the grip tape, and neither am I a fan of the green color. The only part I am a fan of is the green color base plate, I think it makes the trucks look more interesting.

However, despite my ire about the color scheme, the built quality of the NLS 3 is nonetheless great. We also like that it includes built-in bash guards on the nose and tail of the deck, this is a nice touch.

The NLS deck – Flexible Bamboo Deck with nice concave.

The Meepo NLS 3 Electric Skateboard uses a similar deck to the NLS Pro, which is great news since its predecessor had a fantastic deck. The deck is a combination of bamboo and fiberglass and is really flexible. It also has a good amount of concave, which makes it easier to control the board and gauge where our feet are.

Trucks and Wheels

The Meepo NLS 3 rides on 8″ 50° Reverse Kingpin Trucks. The stock bushings are 96A double barrels, good for lighter riders. Most of us in Electric Skateboard HQ weigh around 155 lbs (65kg), and the stock bushing works just nicely for us. Heavier riders or those who prefer a more rigid setup can opt for the extra set of 100A bushings included in the box. The trucks are incredibly stable at high speeds and offer responsive carving.

The board features 90mm polyurethane wheels with a 65mm contact area and a soft 78A durometer.

ESC and Remote – Mum, look! It’s Hobbywing!

What surprised us was Meepo’s decision to use a 12S Hobbywing ESC on the NLS 3, departing from their controversial habit of sticking to LingYi ESC in their entire lineup.

This tells us that the NLS 3 is prioritizing a buttery smooth ride over aggressive power. For those who don’t know, LingYi ESC is known to give a punchy and untamed acceleration at its highest speed mode; while Hobbywing ESC is known for its perfectly intuitively smooth speed control throughout all its speed modes. Both have their fans; most of us here prefer Hobbywing ESC (we are not adrenaline junkies :P).

This ESC comes with four-speed modes and a smart turn-on feature and pairs with Meepo’s M5S remote. This remote houses an OLED display, providing essential stats such as battery levels, current speed, odometer, and trip length.

Motors and Performance

The Meepo NLS 3 is powered by dual 2519W belt-drive motors, promising a thrilling top speed of 32mph / 52kph. The motors also provide a pleasant whizzing sound during rides, which is far more appealing than the harsh screech often associated with lower-quality boards.

The hill-climbing ability is specified at 26%, making it suitable for heavier riders or those living in hilly areas.

Battery – 12s2p Molicel P42A

The NLS 3 is powered by a Molicel P42A in a 12s2p setup, providing 362.8 Wh of energy. The company advertises a range of 24 miles (38 km), but we get a slightly lower range of 16.5 miles (26.5 km) with a 155lbs (70 kg) rider riding fast.

Obviously, we are slightly disappointed, but this result is not unexpected. Boards with big belt motors tend to drain batteries fast, for instance, we get the same range on our Tynee Mini 3 Pro too, and that board has a higher 393WH battery.

Read our review of the Tynee Mini 3 Pro here!

For context, the 12s2p setup with 21700 cells is quite standard for mid-range electric skateboards at present. If you’re looking for more range, Meepo essentially nudges you towards their $999 Voyager X with its 12s3p 544Wh battery.

While the battery size of NLS 3 didn’t particularly exceed our expectations, the inclusion of a 4.5A fast charger right out of the box is great news. It allows you to charge your board fully in just two hours, which is a significant convenience. Most other brands would charge extra for such a fast charger, often over $80.

Furthermore, the ESC and battery are well-protected. Both are housed in their own sealed enclosures, making the NLS 3 fairly water-resistant, although there is no official waterproof rating.

The Motor – From Hubs to Belts

The most substantial shift from the previous NLS models is the motor type. The NLS 3 uses a belt motor system as opposed to the hub motors used in its predecessors.

These are a pair of powerful motors, each with a power rating of 2519 Watts.

Meepo loves to pack over the top top speed for their boards, and as expected, the NLS 3 can reach an impressive top speed of 32 mph (or 52 kph). We manage to hit that in our testing.

For those who don’t know the difference between hub and belt: the belt-drive system gives the board more torque [thanks to gear reduction] and also a smoother ride [thanks to having four real PU wheels as opposed to 2 stiff hub backwheels]. However, belt drives are also less energy efficient, are noisier, cost more, and have more maintenance needed, such as belt change. If you care about the ride feels, you’d want a belt-driven board.

Truck and Wheels

Meepo uses their trusted Shredder truck, which are 8” 50° RKP trucks with 96A double barrel bushings and includes an additional set of 100A bushings for heavier riders.

The wheels are 90mm and 78A with a 65mm contact patch.

Meepo NLS 3 Ride Experience – Smooth and Powerful

The shift to Hobbywing ESC signals that Meepo wants the NLS 3 to be as smooth of a ride as it could be. After all, smooth speed control + flexible deck + responsive truck + belt drives are all ingredients for a butter smooth ride and also maximum carving fun.

And the result does not disappoint! 12s Hobbywing ESC gives the NLS 3 a perfectly intuitive and smooth acceleration and braking. It is quite powerful too! Not to the level of power specialists such as Voyager X or Backfire Zealot X, but certainly on par with pricier boards such as the Zealot S2, and certainly more powerful than the board of the same price tier such as the Wowgo Pioneer X4 and the Exway Flex ER Riot.

Read our review of the Meepo Voyager X here!

Or read our review of the Backfire Zealot X here!

The deck of the NLS 3 especially stands out, it is quite flexible, and the more pronounced concave makes the board more responsive to control. The concave also makes it easy for us to gauge where our feet are.

The trucks are responsive and easy to turn; they feel a little bit tighter than genuine Paris Trucks. It’s stable enough for us to ride up to 30mph before it becomes scary.

To no one surprise, the NLS 3 does well in reducing road vibration, too, thanks to having a flexible deck and going with a belt system.

Verdict on the Meepo NLS 3

The Meepo NLS 3 is a well-rounded and reliable electric skateboard that is well-constructed, offers excellent speed control thanks to Hobbywing ESC, and a smooth ride, thanks to its super nice deck. It also has more power and speed than its similarly priced competitors.

I think Meepo NLS 3 biggest weakness is lacking any “wow” factors such as ride profile customizations, integrated lights, or mobile apps. It also didn’t overdeliver on battery size and range as some smaller budget brands might do. Also, I’m not a fan of the palm tree theme and the color green.

With all that said, if you’re looking for a well-rounded board with great power and a super comfortable ride, the Meepo NLS 3 is a perfectly good choice. Plus, you know you’re not paying for extra features that you won’t use.