Product Reviews - Electric Skateboard HQ

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Acedeck Horizon Review – The Best Electric Skateboard, period.

Acedeck has been making top-of-the-line boards for electric skateboard enthusiasts. The Acedeck Nyx Z3 and the Nomad N3 are both incredible machines that cost a fortune, but Acedeck is pushing the envelope further with their latest flagship model, the Acedeck Horizon.

Check out our review of the Acedeck Nyx Z3.

This board is truly made for the 1% of people who want the absolute best electric skateboard and are willing to spend $2000. You absolutely get what you pay for.

But first, let’s get into the specs.

Acedeck Horizon Specs:

	Horizon (1036Wh) $1,999	Horizon (1036Wh) $2,299	Horizon (1554Wh) $2,999	Horizon Elite (2072Wh) $3,399
Trucks	Precision CNC Trucks 405mm / 16 inches wide	Independent suspension truck with EXA shock absorber
Battery	14S4P Samsung 50S		14S6P Samsung 50S	14S8P Samsung 50S
Range	34.2 miles / 55km		52.8 miles / 85km	68.4 miles / 110km
Motors	DXW 6384 150KV		DXW 6890 150KV
Top Speed	37.5mph / 60kph		43.75mph/ 70kph
Wheels	AT 8 inches (200*50mm) Pneumatic wheels		AT 8.5 inches (215*70mm) Pneumatic wheels
ESC	14s Custom ESC (Hobbywing-ish)
Deck	Maple and Fiberglass Composite
Weight	42 lbs / 19.05kg	46 lbs / 21.06kg	58 lbs / 26.45kg	63 lbs / 28.65kg

Truck Options & Pricing

Photo of Acedeck Horizon precision CNC trucks

Photo of Acedeck Horizon independant suspension trucks

Acedeck Horizon currently has four price points, with the trucks being the first major factor affecting the price.

Here’s the $2000 base version, which comes with channel trucks similar to those found on the Acedeck Nyx Z1. Acedeck calls these the “Nyx channel trucks,” as opposed to a $300 pricier version equipped with “independent suspension trucks.”

Our Acedeck Nyx Z3 was equipped with suspension trucks. These systems allow the four wheels to move independently, providing a smoother ride over rough terrain. If you’re looking for a true off-road board that can handle mountain trails, suspension trucks are the way to go.

For those who prefer a truck and ride feel closer to traditional skateboarding, the Nyx channel trucks offer that experience. They also feel more responsive and easier to turn. However, based on our expertise with Acedeck’s trucks, the suspension trucks are easier to turn than they appear and have a smaller turning radius than you might expect.

Switching from suspension trucks to channel trucks will also reduce the weight by about 4 lbs (2 kg), but going from 46 lbs to 42 lbs (21.06kg to 19.05kg) is hardly noticeable. No matter which truck or battery configuration you choose, this is a very heavy board.

Battery Options & Performance

Now, let’s move on to the power source. The Horizon offers three battery configurations: 14S4P, 14S6P, and 14S8P. All versions use Samsung 50S cells, the most commonly used cell for premium electric skateboards.

Our board is equipped with a 20Ah 1036Wh battery, which provides a range of 34.2 miles (55 km). However, if you go all-in with the 14S8P 40Ah 2072Wh battery, you can extend that range to an incredible 68.4 miles (110 km) on a single charge.

Bigger batteries mean a thicker enclosure, but Acedeck’s design ensures the enclosure remains flexible, maintaining the deck’s natural flex and improving ride comfort.

Deck Design & Features

The deck is another highlight of the Horizon. Made from a combination of maple and fibreglass, it’s both durable and slightly flexible.

It has a mild concave in the middle and raised edges along the sides, which ensure secure foot placement even at high speeds. The deck is also very wide, providing a stable platform for confident riding.

To enhance comfort, it comes with EVA foam grip tape, which feels great on longer rides. Plus, like other high-end Acedeck boards, the deck features pre-drilled holes for foot bindings, in case you want to take your off-road adventures to the next level.

Tires & Wheels

The Horizon has two-wheel setups. The lower-tier model has 8-inch wheels, while the higher-tier model uses slightly larger 8.5-inch wheels for better ground clearance.

The 8-inch wheels provide more than enough clearance for road use, but the 8.5-inch setup is a nice upgrade if you plan to ride off-road frequently. Both versions use pneumatic tyres with CNC aluminium hubs, which not only look sleek but also improve durability.

Motors & Drive System

Now, let’s talk about power. The Horizon comes with two motor configurations. The base version features DXW 6384 motors rated at 4500W each, while the higher-tier version upgrades to DXW 6890 motors rated at 7500W each. Both are 150KV motors.

The base model has a gear reduction of 4.0, delivering a top speed of 37.5 mph (60 kph). The higher-tier version has a gear reduction of 4.3 and hits a blistering top speed of 43.75 mph (70 kph).

Acedeck’s ELEMENT AT GearDrive 4.0 system is compact, efficient, and fully enclosed to protect against dust and debris.

ESC & Remote Features

The Horizon uses a 14S custom ESC, which we suspect is based on the Hobbywing ESC. It has four-speed modes and smart turn-on features for added convenience.

The remote allows customization of brake levels, speed modes, and even lighting. The front light features a high-beam white LED at 1600 lumens which is pretty bright! There’s also a yellow low-beam option and tail lights that are constantly on and flash rapidly when braking.

Specs Summary – Acedeck Horizon

The Horizon series is designed to be an ultra-premium product for the most dedicated electric skateboard enthusiasts. While premium products often carry a price tag that exceeds their specs, this is not the case with the Acedeck Horizon.

Think about it—the Lacroix Nazare, one of the boards that made this form factor famous, was $3300 when it launched. It is a lesser board in every way compared to the base version of the Horizon, which costs $1300 more. Lacroix owners love their boards, so it’s easy to imagine that anyone who owns the Horizon will love it even more.

Riding Experience on the Acedeck Horizon

Out of the box, the first thing you notice is how easy this “freight ship” is to turn. It’s a big board, but making L-turns on it is no problem. Carving is easy and fun, though you do lose some high-speed stability. Of course, if you are mostly riding at high speed, you can always tighten the trucks.

After testing three different trucks, the Nyx Z3, Nomad N3, and now the Horizon, we’re impressed with Acedeck’s ability to make large trucks responsive. It’s a pleasant surprise that trucks like these are compatible with city riding, which requires sharp turns.

Check out our review of the Acedeck Nomad N3.

As a side note, the channel truck and suspension truck are similar in responsiveness, so you don’t need to overthink your choice.

The ride is very comfortable, almost like riding on cushions. Although the board is heavy, it feels surprisingly light when cruising.

For urban commuting, the Horizon is capable but not the most practical option.

While it ignores any road imperfection and even lets you ride up a curb, its size and weight were too cumbersome for quick errands, like grabbing a coffee. But for those who enjoy turning heads, this board is a showstopper.

The vehicle’s off-road capabilities are decent, handling dirt paths and light gravel with ease. However, for intense off-road adventures, a mountainboard-style setup like the Nyx Z3 may be a better alternative.

The best way to enjoy the Horizon is, as the name suggests, on open roads with a view of the horizon. That’s where you can fully experience the board—its high speed, smooth ride, and seemingly endless range.

Verdict on the Acedeck Horizon

If you’re looking for the pinnacle of electric skateboards, the Acedeck Horizon is it. Unlike many luxury products that are expensive for the sake of being expensive, this board justifies every dollar with premium build quality, exceptional performance, and unmatched specs.

Most people don’t need the Horizon, but I’m sure everyone wants it. If you’re lucky enough to own one, you won’t be disappointed.

If you are interested in buying the Acedeck, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $25 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!

February 1, 2025February 1, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Edge Review – Highly recommended.

In November 2024, Meepo finally launched its first pair of affordable belt-driven electric skateboards: the Meepo Go and the Meepo Edge. Both of which are priced at just over $500.

We’ve already reviewed the longboard Meepo Go, so now it’s time to take a look at the Meepo Edge.

Meepo Edge Specs:

Price	$519
Battery	12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells
Controller	JK ESC
Top Speed	26 mph (42 km/h)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	30” Bamboo and fiberglass composite
Motor	Dual 1500W 4230 belt motors

Deck – 30” Bamboo and fibreglass composite:

Starting with the deck, the Meepo Edge features a 30-inch deck with a mild concave. It comes with a kicktail with a pre-installed braking pad, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the tail when doing kick turns and tail brakes.

The deck is made of a bamboo and fibreglass composite, and we really like its simple, sleek design.

Battery – 12S2P 345Wh:

Next, let’s discuss the battery. The Meepo Edge is powered by a 12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells, the same as the Meepo Go. This is also the same ER battery pack used in the Meepo V5 and Mini 5.

The marketed range is 20 miles (32 km), which is much more than the 10 miles (16 km) we’ve come to expect from a typical $400 entry-level electric skateboard. It also has a bit more juice than some other $500 boards.

It’s surprising to me that Meepo included a bigger battery instead of the typical 18650 cells and kept the price below $500. I thought that would have made the Meepo Edge easier to sell as an entry-level electric shortboard. However, it seems Meepo wanted to ensure that the board had enough power to accommodate heavier riders.

Speaking of which, let’s talk about power.

Motor – Dual 1500W 4230 belt motors:

The battery powers dual 1500W motors.

These 4230 motors can reach a top speed of 26 mph (42 km/h), which is pretty average for boards at this price. The board effortlessly achieves this speed.

That being said, it does also have this one annoying feature: the top two of the four-speed modes are locked for the first 6 miles (10 km) of riding as part of a mandatory “practice mode.” Unfortunately, there’s no way to bypass it. We’re hoping they remove this “feature” in the future.

But what’s nice about the Meepo Edge is not the top speed but the torque, which, for most people, is the biggest reason to upgrade from hub drives to belt drives. The board takes off quickly, is zappy, and is very fun to ride. Going uphill is practically effortless.

Most brands now prioritize torque over high-top speed, and we absolutely agree with that. Having more torque is also more fun and practical.

ESC and Remote – JK ESC:

For the ESC, the Meepo Edge uses the JK ESC, a new ESC developed by the ex-chief engineer of Hobbywing. Unsurprisingly, there are many similarities between the two. Both ESCs also have 4-speed modes and smart power-on features, where turning on the remote will automatically power on the board.

The new JK ESC also pairs with a new remote that is different from the typical Hobbywing or Lingyi remote. Some of the differences we didn’t like, for example, switching speed modes by double-pressing the power button do feel odd. But it’s a minor issue. What really matters is the speed control, and in our tests, the JK ESC is just as perfect as the Hobbywing ESC. Acceleration and braking are both super smooth and super precise. New riders will find this a very easy board to learn.

Wheels – Orangatang Kegel wheels:

Speaking of acceleration, it feels sharp—partly thanks to the quote-unquote “smaller” 80mm wheels.

Meepo currently equips the Edge with orange Orangatang Kegel wheels, which have made a name for themselves in the community. They are soft, grippy, and a joy to ride on. Meepo may or may not change the wheels in the future, but we certainly hope they stick with these.

For those who want bigger wheels for rougher terrain, the Meepo Edge is compatible with Meepo Cyclone 105mm and 110mm wheels.

Trucks – 7-inch, 45-degree reverse kingpin truck:

As for the trucks, the Meepo Edge uses a familiar 7-inch, 45-degree reverse kingpin truck.

We recently tested the Tynee Mini 3 Max, which features wider 8-inch trucks optimized for speed and stability. In contrast, Meepo seems to have prioritized responsiveness and agility for the Edge with its standard 7-inch trucks—and that’s exactly what we experienced.

The board is easy to turn and fun to carve on. However, beginners might find it wobbly at high speeds unless they tighten the trucks.

That said, we’re fully on board with this configuration. Most people want a shortboard to be agile. If you’re chasing high speeds, you’d probably opt for a longboard or an all-terrain board.

Verdict of the Meepo Edge

At $519, the Meepo Edge stands out as the most affordable belt-driven electric shortboard on the market. If you’re considering shortboards with similar specs, you’d be looking at the Tynee Mini 3 or the Exway Wave Riot, both of which cost over $700.

Beyond being a fantastic value, the Meepo Edge is also a solid ride. It has enough power for heavier riders, is nimble and agile for urban commuting, and offers smooth control for first-time e-skaters.

Meepo Edge is a fun board to ride and an easy product to recommend.

Unless you’re looking for something highly specialized—like extreme top speeds or extraordinary range—the Meepo Edge should suit nine out of ten people who are looking for a shortboard.

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!

January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Mini 3 Max Review – Unreal power!

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro was—and still is—one of our favorite electric shortboards of all time. It’s a true pocket rocket with more power and torque than anyone could ever need, especially from a shortboard. So, what’s the most logical thing for Tynee to do? Obviously, it’s to add a gear drive and give it even more power.

And that’s exactly what the $979 Tynee Mini 3 Max is all about. And man, we so stoked for this one.

Tynee Mini 3 Max Specs:

Price	$979
Battery	14s2p Samsung 50S
Controller	14s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	38mph (62kmh)
Range	32 miles (52km)
Deck	31” Canadian Maple
Motor	Dual 3000W helical 6360 Hobbywing gear drive motors

Deck – 31” Canadian Maple:

Starting with the deck, the Tynee Mini 3 Max sports the same deck as the Tynee Mini 3 Pro. If it aint broke, don’t fix it, right?

This deck is made from Canadian maple and features a wide concave. While the concave isn’t as aggressive as the dish-shaped decks popularized by the Boosted Mini, it’s still pretty comfortable.

And, as always, the kicktail is there for easy kick turns and tail braking. Plus, the pre-installed braking pad is a nice touch.

There’s also an integrated brake light that lights up when you brake using the remote which adds a layer of safety and style.

ESC – 14s Hobbywing ESC:

For the ESC, the Tynee Mini 3 Max uses a 14s Hobbywing ESC—no surprises here. As expected, it comes with 4-speed modes and a smart turn-on feature, which means the board powers on automatically when you turn on the remote.

This ESC also allows for advanced customization, either through the mobile app or directly on the remote.

Battery – 14s2p Samsung 50S:

The Mini 3 Max comes equipped with a 14s2p Samsung 50S cell battery, providing a total of 504Wh, and is marketed to produce a range of 32 miles (52 km).

This was a welcome surprise! When we reviewed the Mini 3 Pro at launch, we were already satisfied with its smaller 13s2p Molicel P42A battery, which packed plenty of punch.

But now, with the 3 Max, you get even more juice.

Motors – Dual 3000w Helical 6360 Hobbywing Motors:

Speaking of juice, all that extra power is channeled into two massive helical 6360 Hobbywing motors, paired with a brand-new gear drive system—the star of this board.

Each motor is rated at 3000W, making them absolutely insane—even crazier than the motors on the Mini 3 Pro, if you can imagine that. The acceleration is a thrill, but you’ll want to brace yourself before hitting the throttle.

Just like the Mini 3 Pro, the 3 Max has a default top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h), but it can reach up to 38 mph (62 km/h) if unlocked via the remote or app. It’s wild, and while we didn’t dare push it to 38 mph, we did manage 33.5 mph (54 km/h) before chickening out. That’s just an insane top speed for a shortboard.

Another thing we love about the gear drive system is how well the board free-rolls. While it doesn’t free-roll as smoothly as hub drives, it’s noticeably better than belt drives, meaning the board doesn’t decelerate too much when you let go of the throttle.

Trucks – 8” Forged & CNC-machined trucks:

Next up, let’s talk about the trucks, which feature some unexpected changes.

The Tynee Mini 3 Max uses 8” trucks instead of the more common 7” trucks found on most shortboards, including the Mini 3 Pro. These new trucks are Forged & CNC-machined, making them more durable and safer.

We were initially worried that the wider trucks might make the board harder to turn or less maneuverable, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

Tynee made the right call here. The wider trucks give the shortboard the stability of a longboard at high speeds, while the shorter wheelbase keeps it agile and easy to turn. And, of course, you can always rely on the kicktail for tight turns.

Wheels – Boosted 105s:

Finally, let’s talk wheels. The Mini 3 Max comes with Boosted 105s, which Tynee has now made the stock wheels for both the Mini 3 Pro and 3 Max which is great news.

While we liked the 105mm Hydrowheels, we love the Boosted 105s. These wheels are big, meaty, and provide a soft, grippy ride. It’s great to see more brands adopting them.

Verdict:

Like the Tynee Mini 3 Pro, the Mini 3 Max is built exceptionally well, featuring top-notch specs like:

A 14s2p battery,
Gear drive system,
Forged CNC trucks, and
Boosted 105s wheels.

It’s also worth noting that this is one of the least portable shortboards, with its larger battery pushing the weight up to 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg)

When it comes to price and value, you’d typically expect a board with these specs to cost around $1100–$1200, similar to the Backfire Zealot X. So at $979, the Tynee Mini 3 Max is a fantastic deal.

And the Mini 3 Max did deliver on what’s promised with the specs; it’s the most thrilling shortboard while also a perfectly good and comfortable casual ride when you just wanna relax and carve down the road.

Previously if you’re looking for the craziest electric shortboard, the Tynee Mini 3 Pro was the top pick. Now, the Tynee Mini 3 Max has taken that crown. It’s great.

If you are interested in buying the Tynee, 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!

December 27, 2024January 17, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Go Review – Affordable belt-driven electric skateboard

Meepoboard is the OG affordable electric skateboard brand that has shaped today’s eskate scene, so we were quite puzzled that it took them until now to introduce their affordable belt-driven electric longboard. But finally, in November 2024, they released the Meepo Go and the Meepo Edge, a pair of belt-driven electric longboards and shortboards priced at just over $500.

Today, we’ll be looking at the Meepo Go, the longboard, and as usual, let’s dive into the specs.

Meepo Go Specs:

Price	$519
Battery	12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells
Controller	JK ESC
Top Speed	28 Mph (45 Kph)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	Bamboo and Fibreglass Composite
Motor	Dual 1500w 4230 Belt Motors

Deck – Bamboo and Fiberglass Composite:

Starting with the deck, the Meepo Go features a simple design with a handle cut-out. Unfortunately, this downgrades the board, giving it a slightly cheap vibe, but it’s undoubtedly a practical feature.

The deck is made of Bamboo and Fiberglass composite, which isn’t as flexible as the material implied. It only has a mild flex and a rather subtle concave.

Battery – 12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells:

Next, for the battery, Meepo Go is powered by a 12S2P 345Wh battery using 21700 cells which is the same ER battery pack used in the $499 Meepo V5 ER.

It has a marketed range of 20 miles (32 km), much more than the 10 miles (16km) we expected from a typical $400 entry-level electric skateboard and on par with the range of other $500 boards. As always, the actual range depends on rider weight, terrain, and how hard you ride.

ESC and Remote – JK ESC

The ESC is where it gets interesting. Most e-skates run on either Hobbywing or LingYi ESCs, but Meepo decided to introduce a new competitor: the JK ESC. The ex-chief engineer of Hobbywing developed this ESC, so it’s no surprise it behaves very similarly to Hobbywing ESCs.

The JK ESC includes a smart power-on feature, where turning on the remote powers up the board, and comes with four-speed modes. However, the top two speed modes are locked for the first 6 miles (10 km) of riding — a mandatory “practice mode” with no bypass. This is annoying, and we hope they eventually drop this “feature” in the future.

The remote also takes some getting used to, as it operates a bit differently from other ESCs. For instance, switching speed modes requires double-pressing the power button, which isn’t our preferred method but isn’t a major issue either.

Motor – Dual 1500w 4230 Belt Motors

As for the motors, the Meepo Go is equipped with dual 1500W 4230 belt motors which are marketed at a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), which is pretty standard for boards in this price range. And we have no problem hitting 28mph with our board.

Trucks And Wheels – 7” 45 degree Reverse Kingpin Shredder Trucks With 90mm Wheels

The board uses Meepo’s 7-inch 45-degree reverse kingpin Shredder trucks with 100A bushings. We are familiar with Shredder trucks, as Meepo puts them in most of their boards. They are good and give a good balance between stability and maneuverability.

The wheels are standard 90mm with a 76A durometer and we have nothing much to say about them.

Specs Summary of the Meepo Go

We initially thought Meepo would aim to make the Meepo Go the most affordable belt-driven electric longboard, but we were wrong. Instead of stripping down the specs to the bare minimum and creating a belt-driven version of the $359 Meepo V5, the Meepo Go is based on the $499 Meepo V5 ER, featuring the same upgraded 21700 battery.

The rest of the components are familiar—while not particularly exciting, they have proven to be reliable and contribute to a solid riding experience which we will dive into next.

Riding Experience on the Meepo Go

When it comes to riding, the Meepo Go is a practical and straightforward board.

Let’s first talk about the new guy in town, the JK ESC. This JK ESC actually feels indistinguishable from Hobbywing ESCs, which means perfectly smooth acceleration and perfectly smooth braking. Everybody loves Hobbywing ESC, and hence, everybody will love this JK ESC. New riders will definitely find this an easy board to learn.

The second focus we have for this board would be these belt motors. And they are alright. They deliver strong torque—better than any hub—but nothing to write home about. For those who are considering between hub drives and belt drives, definitely get belt drives unless you are allergic to belt maintenance. Belt drives have better torque, better battery efficiency when going uphill, and a smoother ride on rough roads. When all else is equal, there is little reason to pick a hub drive over belts.

Belt drives also kick off from a stop stronger, which is the best feeling on an electric skateboard, and they get to the top speed faster.
On Meepo Go, we reached its top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) easily, but staying there is a bit sketchy, and we blame it on the lack of a pronounced deck concave. We felt less sure about where our feet were.

Otherwise, the Shredder trucks did their job well. They are stable and have a good return to center. Shredder trucks have a pretty good balance between maneuverability and stability. Carving is smooth and fun, but it would have been more fun had the deck been more flexible, but that’s just my personal preference.

Verdict of the Meepo Go

Overall, what you get from the Meepo Go is reflected well by the vibe of its name — simple and utilitarian.

It’s not the cheapest belt-driven electric longboard out there, though Meepo could’ve achieved that by using a smaller 12S2P 18650 battery and pricing it at $450. However, instead of cutting corners and potentially leaving some riders dissatisfied, the Meepo Go comes with a setup that packs enough power and battery to meet the needs of even the most demanding riders.

While not at all fancy and maybe a little bit boring, it’s an inoffensive board and a safe buy for anyone looking for an entry-level belt-driven electric longboard.

December 8, 2024February 1, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Pioneer X5 Review – Unexpected!

The Wowgo Pioneer X5 is a prototypical street-wheeled $1000 flagship electric skateboard, which comes with a lot more power, battery, and bells and whistles than the Pioneer X4, a mid-range board selling at $579.

Judging by the look and the $979 to $1079 price tag, it was designed to be the latest rival to the Backfire Zealot X and Meepo Voyager Limited, which all look especially similar at night with the board lights on.

But first, let’s get into the specs.

Wowgo Pioneer X5 Specs:

Price	$979 – $1079
Battery	504wh 14s2p 58.8v Samsung 50s Cell
Controller	Hobbywing 14s ESC
Top Speed	34 Mph (55 Kph)
Range	22 miles (35 km)
Deck	8-Ply Canadian Maple And Fiberglass Composite
Motor	Dual 2500w 6368 160kv Belt Motors

Deck – 8-Ply Canadian Maple And Fiberglass Composite:

Starting with the deck, the Pioneer X5 deck is composed of an 8-ply Canadian maple and fiberglass composite, with a prominent concave similar to that of the Exway Flex. The deck is also layered with padded foam grip tape which helps dampen road vibrations. The deck has a medium flex—more than the Backfire Zealot X and about as much as the Meepo Voyager.

Battery – 504wh 14s2p 58.8v Samsung 50s Cell:

Next, the Pioneer X5 is powered by a 504Wh 58.8V Samsung 50s cell battery with a 14s2p configuration, an interesting choice as it’s similar to the 14s2p on the Zealot X but has eight fewer cells than the 12s3p on the Meepo Voyager Limited. It’s marketed at a range of 22 miles (35 km) and we managed to hit just that in our tests.

ESC and Remote – Hobbywing 14s:

As for the ESC, Wowgo sticks with the golden standard Hobbywing 14s ESC which is paired with a standard OLED remote. Unless you’re a newbie to the eskate scene, you’d know that the Hobbywing ESC provides smooth and intuitive control, from rocketing off from a standstill to buttery-smooth braking. The X5 Pro also comes with the Tuya Smart App so you can customize your ride profile on your smartphone, including key settings such as top speed, acceleration, and braking power.

Motor – Dual 2500w 6368 160kv Belt Motors:

Next, the Pioneer X5 runs on some hefty dual 2500W 6368 160KV belt Motors and Wowgo came up with a unique design choice and put covers over the belt drive, which is something you’d usually see on gear drive motors, which protects them from dust and debris. The board provides substantial power and is marketed to hit a top speed of 34mph (55 kph), which we managed to reach when we took it to the streets.

Trucks – 45-Degree Casting Trucks Or 50-Degree Cnc Trucks:

Moving onto the trucks, the X5 offers two options: 45-degree casting trucks for $979 or 50-degree CNC trucks for an extra $100. Wowgo sent us the 50-degree CNC truck option to review. These are 50° CNC aluminum reverse kingpin precision trucks that are quite wide at 9.2 inches. For reference, 8-inch trucks are more common with builds like this, and the extra width significantly impacts the ride profile, as we’ll explain later.

For those who don’t need the extra durability and peace of mind provided by CNC trucks, you can save $100 with the cast truck variant for $979. However, for a board that can go 34 mph, we recommend the CNC trucks for safety. An interesting feature of the X5 Pro’s truck setup is the difference in base plate angles: the Pro model has a 50° angle, while the standard version has a 45° angle.

A 50-degree truck should turn more sharply and quickly than a 45-degree truck if all else is kept equal. If you are getting a Pioneer X5, just get the CNC 50-degree trucks. The reason will become quite clear later.

Wheels – 105mm Galaxy Cloudwheels:

Next, the Pioneer X5 uses 105mm Galaxy Cloudwheels, different from other 105mm wheels like Madwheelz 105 or Cloudwheel Discovery. This was our first experience with the Cloudwheel Galaxy, which seems to have a larger contact patch and is grippier than the Discovery Cloudwheels, though a bit less soft.

Lights:

The board also integrates an LED lighting system that emits a bright orange glow and flashes when braking, adding both style and safety for night riding. The LEDs give off a distinct orange glow, bright enough to turn heads during daylight but truly shining during low-light and nighttime rides.

In terms of functionality, the LED system offers three modes: constant, breathing, and flashing. These are no ordinary LEDs; the board uses COB (Chip-On-Board) LEDs, which are densely packed, offering much more intense light than typical LED strips you’d find online. But they do drain your battery, so to maximize range, you might want to tone down the light show.

Specs Summary of the Wowgo Pioneer X5

It’s clear that the WowGo Pioneer X5 isn’t competing on price, as there are many $1000 boards with 12s3p or even 12s4p batteries, similarly powerful motors, forged trucks, and branded wheels. That being said, on specs alone, it is still on par with the likes of Backfire Zealot X, one of the most popular boards for this price.

It certainly has a complete spec sheet that promises a great—if not unique—ride, so let’s discuss that next.

Ride Experience on the Wowgo Pioneer X5

As we said before, the Pioneer X5 was built with power in mind. From our experience, its torque and power rivals even the likes of the Meepo Voyager X Limited, which in turn feels more powerful than the Backfire Zealot X. And this was done on purpose as the board was set up specifically to harness that power.

This power is firstly complemented by the board’s stability with the choice of wider 9.2-inch trucks, which, as we mentioned, are significantly wider than the 8-inch trucks found on Meepo and Backfire counterparts. Secondly, thanks to the Hobbywing ESC, the Pioneer X5 delivers very intuitive and smooth speed control and is paired with the grippy 105mm wheels that keep you secure on rougher roads. This 14s Hobbywing is certainly tuned to maximize power. And powerful it is, you will need to brace yourself for the acceleration that the board has to offer.

Next, the deck’s medium flex isn’t bouncy enough to feel unstable at high speeds, and the pronounced concave helps us lock our feet onto the deck while going fast.

We are pretty surprised that Wowgo packed so much power on the X5. It felt more powerful than Zealot X, and Meepo Voyager Limited, and those boards are already extremely powerful.

Click here to read our review of the Meepo Voyager Limited

Click here to read our review of the Backfire Zealot X

We are especially surprised because this was not what Wowgo tends to do. When we talk about packing a lot of heat on the board, we typically think of Meepo, and perhaps Tynee with their shortboards, but this is the first time a Wowgo board went in this direction.

However, this power-oriented setup also means the board isn’t exactly made for carving. Despite the 50-degree trucks, the turning radius is still wide, and the board isn’t very nimble with turns. Rider weight might make a difference: most of our team weighs 154 lbs and found the board hard to turn, while one of our 198 lbs friends found it quite manageable. We think the 9.2-inch trucks might be overkill, making the board too stable and not maneuverable enough, but we heard switching to softer bushings can help with this.

As for road feel, the 105mm Galaxy wheels are decent at handling vibrations. Unlike the Cloudwheel Discovery which has a foam core, the 105mm Galaxy feels harder and takes away less vibration. Luckily, the wheels aren’t working alone here. The flexible deck and the foam grip tape all contribute in making the board comfortable even when the road conditions are otherwise.

Verdict – Wowgo Pioneer X5

We are a bit saddened that Wowgo chose not to stick with the ride profile that started with the WowGo X3 and continued with the Pioneer X4. Those predecessors were known for silky smooth ride and buttery smooth carving, emphasizing softer wheels, more flexible deck, and very responsive trucks. Instead, for the Pioneer X5, Wowgo took a different turn entirely making it an absolute beast. It has one of, if not the most powerful acceleration amongst its competitors. And to cater to power, it uses wide trucks that keep you straight and steady. With that said, we see Wowgo Pioneer X5 as a board best for a smaller set of people—those who want extreme power while prioritizing stability or, in other words, those who want a board that beats even Meepo in the thrill game.

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