belt-driven Archives - Electric Skateboard HQ

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!

April 14, 2025April 14, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Veymax Mini Monster Review

Today, we’re reviewing the Veymax Mini Monster, a $759 electric shortboard from a smaller brand.

Even if you’re unfamiliar with electric skateboards, a quick search will tell you that the electric shortboard market is packed, especially in the $500-$1000 price range. That means the Veymax Mini Monster has its work cut out for it.

But first, let’s run through the specs and see what your $759 gets you.

Veymax Mini Monster Specs:

Price	$759
Battery	403Wh Samsung 40T battery504Wh Samsung 50S battery
Controller	Custom 14S Hobbywing ESC:
Top Speed	32 mph (52 km/h)
Range	28 miles (45 km)
Deck	8-ply Canadian maple and fiberglass
Motor	Dual 3000W belt motors

Deck – 8-ply Canadian maple and fiberglass.

Starting with the deck, the Veymax Mini Monster features an 8-ply Canadian maple construction with a layer of fiberglass.

It’s a pretty typical shortboard deck, measuring 30 inches long and 9.6 inches wide. It has a functional kicktail, which is always a plus. Veymax has also pre-installed a tail puck, a nice touch that wasn’t common a few years ago but is now almost expected.

It also has a mild concave, which is nothing too crazy here.

Battery – 403Wh Samsung 40T or 504Wh Samsung 50S battery:

Next up, let’s talk about the battery. The Veymax Mini Monster comes in two battery variants, so you can choose one that fits your needs and best suits your budget

The $759 standard version comes with a 403Wh battery using Samsung 40T cells. This setup gives a range of 28 miles (45 km), but for an extra $200, you can upgrade to the 504Wh Samsung 50S battery for more range.

What’s interesting is that Veymax decided to follow the recent trend of premium electric shortboards and go with a 14s2p configuration instead of arranging the same number of cells in a 10s3p configuration, which would give the board a higher Ah. This means they would prefer the Mini Monster to have monster power and no voltage sag rather than maximizing the range.

Meanwhile, lesser-known brands that are trying to break into the market often configure their boards with higher AH ratings and range figures, as first-time e-skate buyers tend to focus on numbers on specs sheets —without realizing that power and torque don’t show up on the spec sheet.

So, I’m happy to see Veymax using a 114-volt battery. This at least means that we can take them seriously. Plus, as far as we know, the only other shortboard with a 114-volt battery is Tynee’s flagship, The Tynee Mini 3 Max——and that thing is a rocket.

Motor – Dual 3000W belt motors:

Photo of Veymax Mini Monster belt motors

All that battery power flows into a pair of 5255 3000W motors. These motors are 140KV, and for those unfamiliar, lower KV ratings mean better torque.

The belt-drive system features a 2.4:1 gear reduction.

With a top speed of 32 mph (52 km/h), the Mini Monster isn’t the fastest shortboard out there, but it’s still faster than what most riders would ever need from a board this size.

And the ride performance is pretty much as expected. The combination of a high-voltage 14S battery, large motors, and a 140KV setup gives the Veymax Mini Monster the monstrous torque it was clearly named after. It launches from a standstill very fast, which is an absolute thrill.

However, what’s more noteworthy here is that the board has extraordinarily strong brakes—strong and sharp, stronger than any other electric shortboard that we’ve tested.

Trucks – 8-inch, 45-degree RKP trucks

Veymax uses 8-inch, 45-degree reverse kingpin cast trucks with CNC finishing.

Most electric shortboards use narrower 7-inch trucks unless they are specifically designed for high-speed stability—in which case, they use 8-inch trucks, like the Tynee Mini 3 Max.

We generally prefer wider trucks on shortboards. Wider trucks give a 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 kick-turn for the tightest turns.

There’s no way we’d ride a shortboard at 30 mph on 7-inch trucks.

ESC and Remote – Custom 14S Hobbywing ESC:

For the ESC, Veymax went with a custom 14S Hobbywing ESC.

If you’ve ridden a Hobbywing-powered board before, you know what to expect—buttery smooth acceleration and precise braking. It also has a smart power-on feature, meaning the board turns on automatically when you power up the remote.

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

Wheels – 90 x 60 mm, 78A durometer or 105mm Cozy Wheels

The base Mini Monster has 90mm 78A wheels, while the upgraded version features 105mm PU wheels, which Veymax calls Cozy Wheels. We’re not familiar with these wheels, but larger wheels can be useful or those looking for higher top speeds and better safety on rough roads,

The 90mm 78A wheels are fairly standard—similar to the stock 90mm wheels used by most major brands today.

Specs Summary of Veymax Mini Monster

For mid-market electric shortboards around $759, the Tynee Mini 3 Pro sets the standard.

The Veymax Mini Monster enters the scene with competitive specs but ups the ante with a 14S2P Samsung 40T battery, compared to the 13S2P Molicel in the Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

It seems Veymax is following Tynee’s proven formula of building a torquey and powerful electric shortboard while adding its own small twists—a 14S battery instead of 13S, wider 8-inch trucks, and different wheel options. Tynee does have the Tynee Mini 3 Max, which also features a 14S battery and wide 8-inch trucks, but with the added advantage of forged and CNC-finished trucks and a gear-drive system—though it comes at a higher price of $959.

As you can see, Veymax is taking a lot of inspiration from the two Tynees there.
The main drawback is that Veymax is still a lesser-known brand. However, that’s less of a concern because it uses proven components like Samsung battery cells, a Hobbywing ESC, and Hobbywing motors. The board is also well-built and relatively portable, at 19 lbs (8.6 kg).

Riding experience of Veymax Mini Monster

It’s become a trend to make electric shortboards with extreme torque, and Veymax seems to have gotten the memo.

The Mini Monster rockets off the start line, likely thanks to its low KV motors and high-voltage battery. In fact, it’s the second most powerful shortboard we’ve tested, just behind the $200 pricier Tynee Mini 3 Max. The acceleration is incredibly fast and thrilling—most riders probably won’t go full throttle from a standstill, but just knowing that much power is available at a flick of the throttle is exciting.

To handle the high torque and power, the trucks are configured for straight-line stability out of the box. Perhaps because we are lightweight Asians, it took more effort to lean and get the board turning. We ended up loosening the trucks slightly to make carving easier.

Otherwise, the wider trucks help compensate for the short wheelbase, adding stability at higher speeds.

Aside from that, the other aspect of the ride is pretty standard. The Hobbywing ESC delivers smooth and intuitive speed control, while road vibrations are as harsh as expected from a shortboard with 90mm wheels.

Verdict of the Veymax Mini Monster

The Veymax Mini Monster is a well-built board with specs and a riding experience that holds its own against other shortboards on the market.

It’s a solid choice for those who want more kick and range than a $500 budget board but aren’t ready to shell out $900–$1,000 for a luxury ride. If you’re looking for a little more bite without breaking the bank, the Mini Monster might just be the beast for you.

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!

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.

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