belt-driven Archives - Page 6 of 9 - Electric Skateboard HQ

July 1, 2023July 8, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo released Wowgo 3E

1 July 2023 – Today, Wowgo launched the Wowgo 3E, a $499 belt-driven electric longboard. It’s rare to see a belt-driven electric longboard launched at a price below $500. All the talks about inflation, yet quality electric skateboards just keep getting cheaper! Good for us!

The Wowgo 3E is the direct successor to the super-popular Wowgo 3X. It sticks to the same winning formula – a flexible deck, smooth Hobbywing ESC, and a dual belt-drive. I’m guessing the “E” in 3E stands for “Economic”, seeing as the Wowgo 3X was launched at around $749 (before receiving a price cut every year after launch). The Wowgo 3E is also a budget-friendly alternative to the mid-range Wowgo Pioneer X4, currently priced at $699.

Specification for the Wowgo 3E:

Model: WowGo 3E
Price: $499 (90mm), $579 (105mm wheels), $599(2 in 1)
Top Speed: 28mph (45kph)
Range: 13miles (21km)
Battery: 12S2P 43.2V 5.0AH 216WH Li-ion
ESC: 12S Hobbywing ESC
Motor Power: 2*650W Belt motors (5055)
Deck: Canadian maple + bamboo + fiberglass
Remote: OLED remote
Trucks: WowGo Truck
Charging Time: 2.5h
Net Weight: 16.5lbs (7.5kg)
Size: 97cm x 22.5cm x 13.5cm
Wheels: 90mm / 105mm ($579)
Bushings: 90A

These are strong specifications for a sub-$500 entry-level electric skateboard featuring a 12s2p 216wh battery and 28mph top speed. (Typically, one might expect 10s2p, 26mph & hub motors for entry-level electric skateboards).

Flexible Deck & Return of the Handle Cut Out

The Wowgo 3E uses Canadian maple + bamboo + fiberglass with a nice concave. A flexible deck will maximize carving smoothness and make rough roads much more tolerable.

The Wowgo 3E also opted to include the handle cutout on the board. This is always a question of look vs utility. We always find having a handle cut out super useful when carrying the board, but it does make the board looks cheap. If you’re a practical person, you’ll love it. The board is very light at 16.5 lbs (7.5kg), and with the handle cutout, it’s really easy to carry the Wowgo 3E when you need to.

12s Hobbywing – Perfect Speed Control

For those who don’t know, the 12s Hobbywing ESC is basically the gold standard for speed control in the electric skateboard world. It delivers great power in acceleration and braking while keeping perfect smoothness. It’s intuitive to control and loved by beginners and veterans alike. It also comes with a smart power-on feature, meaning the board powers up by itself when you switch on the remote.

Battery – Power, Probably Not Range

The 12s system is the new industry standard right now, and the Wowgo 3E keeps up with it. The 12s2p 5AH battery at 216WH is nothing special but is reasonable for a $499 board. The advertised range of 13mi (21km) is likely to be on the conservative side, it should be able to hit that considering the battery size.

Motors – 650W Dual-Belt Motors (5055)

The big selling point for the Wowgo 3E is certainly the belt motors. They’re not super-duper-powerful or anything, but just the fact that it’s using a belt system instead of running on hub motors is the key here.

For those new to the scene, belt-driven electric skateboards are usually more expensive and hence typically pricier. Most of the belt-driven electric skateboards that are priced below $500 are either older models being phased out or they’re poorly made or underpowered boards by lesser-known brands.

Belt-driven boards are a favorite for many since they usually have more torque than their hub counterparts, and they offer a smoother ride compared to hub motors. (The PU sleeves on the hub motors are thin, and the hub motors are stiff; both of these add to more road vibration and a rougher ride.)

Trucks – Wowgo’s Proprietary Trucks

We’d be shocked if the $499 Wowgo 3E used branded Paris trucks like the Wowgo 3X did, but it didn’t. The Wowgo 3E uses Wowgo’s own trucks. Luckily, we know these trucks well, as we’ve tried them on several Wowgos before. They’re pretty good trucks, stable, and easy to turn.

Wheels – 90mm and 105mm

The base version of the Wowgo 3E comes with 90mm wheels, but there’s a 105mm wheels option selling for $579. These 105mm wheels aren’t Cloudwheels, they’re PU wheels.

This is the first time we’re getting our hands on these, and we’ll be testing how well they perform in our full review. Considering a flexible deck and dual belt-drive are the best setups to handle road vibration, going for the 105mm option would make the Wowgo 3E one of the best street setups for minimizing road vibrations.

Summary of the Wowgo 3E

Just looking at it, the Wowgo 3E seems like the perfect board for anyone on a budget.

It’s the most affordable belt-driven electric longboard you can find on the market right now, and it’s well put together by a reputable brand. If you’re after a belt-driven board for that silky smooth ride and don’t need a board with extra range, the Wowgo 3E is looking like the best electric skateboard you can snag for under $500.

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo 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!

June 21, 2023July 4, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Mini 3 Pro Review: Very D*mn Strong

Tyneeboard, a well-known electric skateboard company, has recently launched two new shortboards in mid-May 2023: the Tynee Mini 3 and Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

These boards are successors to the popular Tynee Mini 2.

Today, we will be reviewing the $899 Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

Priced at $899, this is a midrange electric skateboard. Unlike entry-level electric skateboards that cost less than $500, boards in this price range usually has no significant weakness, and are well-rounded, with some showcasing unique features.

And once we went through the specs, it became quite clear that the Tynee Mini 3 Pro unique strength is .. its strength!

Specifications of the Tynee Mini 3 PRO

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro boasts some impressive specs for a shortboard, including:

Deck: Canadian Maple with a wide concave, similar to Boosted Mini or Meepo Mini
Trucks: Tynee PE reversed kingpin trucks (based on Paris V3 trucks)
Wheels: 105mm HydroWheels (optional 90mm PU wheels available)
ESC: 13s Hobbywing ESC with smart turn-on and 4-speed modes
Motors: Dual 2775W 6355 belt motors
Battery: Molicel P42A battery (13S2P configuration, 393.12Wh, 54.6V)
Top Speed: Default at 31mph (50kmh), up to 37mph (60kmh) with advanced settings
Range: Up to 26 miles (42km)
Weight: 20.4lbs (9.25kg)

Deck and Trucks: The Foundation of a Smooth Ride

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro features a Canadian Maple deck with a wide concave, shaped similarly to the late-Boosted Mini or Meepo Mini dish-shaped concave, but with a slightly less pronounced curve. This design is widely used on electric shortboards for a reason, it helps with board control, is quite comfortable, and helps to secure footing while riding.

However, we do wish that Tynee went a little bit more aggressive with the concave, as we still find ourselves needing to look down and check our footing when riding fast. A steeper concave like the one on the Boosted Mini or the Meepo Mini would be a little bit better here. But hey, this is just us nitpicking.

The Tynee PE reversed kingpin trucks are Tynee’s proprietary trucks based on Paris V3 trucks. We have ridden them on other Tynee boards and know they are pretty good.

Wheels: Bigger 105mm wheels

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro comes with 105mm HydroWheels.

The hydrowheels are a lot different than cloudwheels, its material is somewhere between rubber and PU. It also has a tire tread on them, so it should grip wet roads much better than traditional PU wheels.

Unlike cloudwheels which were notorious for their tiny contact patch, the hydro wheels have a pretty wide contact patch of 53mm. This is the first debut of the hydrowheels, and it is pretty good! It’s really helpful to reduce the vibration from rough roads, while still feeling pretty similar to the ride feel of traditional PU wheels.

For riders who prefer the traditional 90mm PU wheels, Tynee offers an option to choose these for $100 less than the HydroWheels. However, most reviewers and Tynee itself recommend the 105mm HydroWheels for the best experience.

ESC and Motors: Unleashing the Power

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro is powered by a 13s Hobbywing ESC with smart turn-on and 4-speed modes. This advanced ESC allows for customization through the remote control, including top speed, acceleration, and braking strength adjustments.

The board’s dual 2775W 6355 belt motors are exceptionally powerful for a shortboard, providing smooth yet strong acceleration and a top speed of up to 37mph (60kmh) with advanced settings. This level of power is unparalleled among electric shortboards (you can compare the stats with our data tables here) making the Tynee Mini 3 Pro a standout in its category.

Battery: High-Performing and Long-Lasting

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro uses Molicel P42A cells (they are great cells) in a 13S2P configuration, giving a total capacity of 393.12Wh and 54.6V.

The advertised range of the Tynee Mini 3 Pro is up to 26 miles (42km), although our tests only managed to achieve a range of 16 miles (26km) with a 165lbs (75kg) rider at high speed.

You could obviously get a lot more range if you ride slower, but what’s the point? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Additional Features: Brake Lights and More

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro comes with some additional features to enhance the riding experience, including a built-in brake light that lights up during braking and can be manually switched on via the remote control. Built-in light is always great, especially when you consider that you don’t have to charge them separately.

Riding Experience of the Tynee Mini 3 Pro

First and foremost, this is a super duper powerful board.

The Tynee Mini 3 Pro is smooth yet extremely powerful, thanks to its combination of absurdly powerful motors (Dual 2775W 6355 belt motors) and 13s Hobbywing ESC.

The board took off faster than even most electric longboards, making it one of the most powerful electric skateboards, and the most powerful electric shortboard we’ve reviewed. It is as strong as, say, the Meepo Voyager X, which is a longboard specialized for power!

And, the braking is equally smooth and strong, unlike the old 10s Hobbywing which typically has weak brakes.

Maneuvrebility-wise, the Tynee Mini 3 Pro is obviously great, it’s a shortboard after all. The kick-tail is easy to use, allowing for quick kick turns. The 7″ trucks are very stable and equally responsive. It’s a fun board to carve around, while not at all wobbly when going at high speeds. And being stable enough is really important; as I should remind you, the board has a default top speed of 31mph or 50kmh and can even reach up to 37mph or 60kmh.

Unfortunately, we only dared to go up to 28mph or 45kph and decided to call it quits there. The board should be able to surpass the marketed top speed of 31mph once you unshackle its top speed by tweaking the advanced settings.

Not Many Weaknesses to Pick On

As you can see, we’re pretty happy with the Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

If we were forced to say something negative about the board, it would be the deck.

As I said earlier, we feel that the deck could benefit from a more aggressive concave, similar to the late Boosted Mini. It would help us to gauge our foot placement easier.

Another minor drawback is how the board handles rough terrain. Being a shortboard with a stiff deck, the Tynee Mini 3 Pro is still somewhat uncomfortable on unpaved roads.

However, among shortboards, this one is undoubtedly the best at reducing vibration. The 105mm wheels on a belt-drive significantly reduced road vibration, but a longboard is the way to go for a smoother ride on rough roads.

Verdict: Tynee Mini 3 Pro is a great board for the Pros

From the outset, we expect the Tynee Mini 3 Pro to be superbly strong and has a reasonably well ride fee for an $899 board. It hits both of those points.

If you’re looking for an absurdly powerful electric shortboard that has more power than anyone needs, the Tynee Mini 3 Pro is where it’s at, with the $599 Verreal ACE being its more affordable counterpart. However, this also means that the board is overkill for those who are only seeking an easy board to ride around town and would be satisfied with plenty of other cheaper options. However, it is always exciting to have more power than you need, it’s always thrilling to engage the throttle and rocket away, and that’s what the Tynee Mini 3 Pro offers.

In conclusion, the Tynee Mini 3 Pro is an unparalleled electric shortboard that offers an exciting blend of power and agility. It is perfect for riders who want more from their e-skates and appreciate the thrilling feeling of rocketing away with a simple flick of the throttle.

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!

June 2, 2023June 12, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Verreal ACE Review: Is This $599 Electric Skateboard Worth It?

Verreal has recently released a new electric shortboard, the Verreal ACE, priced at $599. This board is considered a mid-tier shortboard, with a price tag that is $200 more than your typical entry-level electric shortboard. So, what makes the Verreal ACE stand out and deserve that higher price? Let’s dive into the specs and features to find out.

Verreal ACE – Key Specifications

Deck: 29″ (75 cm) deck – maple + fiberglass
Truck: Generic RKP trucks
Wheels: 90mm with 105mm Grey Cloudwheels option (+$100)
ESC: 12s Hobbywing ESC, 3-speed mode, with OLED remote
Motor: 1500W x2 Hobbywing 5255 motors,
Top speed – 30 mph (50 km/h)
Battery: 12S2P 8Ah 345.6Wh with Samsung 40T 21700,
Range: 15.5 miles -18.5 miles (25km – 30km)
Weight: 17.6 lbs (8 kg)

Verreal ACE has No IP rating, but it has water-resistant. The board’s enclosure was sealed off with a silicone gasket, and there was a silicone O-ring pad for the charge port and power button.

However, I wouldn’t ride it on wet roads anyways, as battery durability suffers when wet, and skateboard wheels don’t grip well on wet roads. (Don’t ask me how I found out about that).

Motor and Battery

After examining the specs, it’s clear that a significant portion of the budget has gone into the large, powerful motors and the high-quality Samsung 40T battery. Verreal always prioritizes specs over styles and did the same with the Verreal ACE. This board has a look of an entry-level electric shortboard but has a lot of battery and an outrageously powerful motor for the $599 price tag.

Speed Control and Performance

The Verreal ACE uses the familiar 12s Hobbywing ESC, which provides smooth and intuitive speed controls. However, the powerful acceleration can be tricky to handle on a shortboard. The board tends to do a wheelie when the throttle is pulled. We have to really brace ourselves and make sure we didn’t put weights on the kicktail, or else the strong acceleration will put weight on the back foot, engaging the kicktail, raising the nose of the deck, and throw us off the board.

This may scare inexperienced riders, but experienced riders who love power and are comfortable with shortboards will likely appreciate this feature.

The kicktail is easy to use (when intended to), and the board turns easily, as most shortboards do. The trucks are relatively stable, which we are comfortable pushing to around 20mph(30km/h). Once passed that speed, it became quite scary. That said, we did not and are not planning to verify the marketed top speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). The board is faster than it needs to be, really.

We do know, however, that Verreal did not overstate the range. Our 220 lbs (100 kg) test rider achieved the promised 15 miles (24 km) in a single charge.

Deck and Ride Comfort

The deck is 11.8 inches (30 cm) wide, providing enough room for even new riders to feel comfortable. As with most shortboards, the stiff deck can make for a less comfortable ride on rough roads due to road vibrations.

Verreal ACE on rough road — We were blessed with super rough road.

However, the belt-driven Verreal ACE performs better in this regard than hub-driven shortboards. Switching to cloud wheels can improve ride comfort on rough roads without sacrificing torque, as the Verreal ACE has plenty of power to spare.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to competitors like the Tynee Mini 2 and the Exway Wave, the Verreal ACE excels in stability, has a more useful kicktail, and offers superior power. The Tynee Mini 2 is more stable at high speeds but is heavier to kick the tail. The Exway Wave is more maneuverable, fun to carve, and easy to kick-turn but less stable.

Click here to read our review on the Tynee Mini 2 and Exway Wave!

Verdict – Verreal ACE

The Verreal ACE is a mini powerhouse with incredible torque and power. For beginners looking for a fun electric shortboard to ride around, the power may be overkill and make the board less relaxing to ride.

However, seasoned skateboarders who want a shortboard with ridiculous power, or heavier riders who need every bit of power for uphill rides, will find that the Verreal ACE is tailor-made for them.

If you are interested in buying the Backfire, 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!

May 28, 2023June 4, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Backfire Zealot S2 Review: A Premium Electric Skateboard Under $1000

In our previous post, we reviewed the impressive Backfire Zealot X, a $1200 belt-driven electric skateboard that excelled in power, aesthetics, build quality, and riding enjoyment. Today, we’re taking a closer look at its more affordable sibling, the $849 Backfire Zealot S2. If you haven’t read our review of the Backfire Zealot X yet, we recommend checking it out first.

Main Differences Between Zealot S2 and Zealot X

The two boards share many similarities, but three key differences make the Zealot S2 $400 cheaper.

Specification	Zealot X	Zealot S2
Price	$1,199	$849
Deck	38″ x 10.6″ Composite Deck – Glass Fiber, Maple. Stiff, minimal concave	Similar
ESC	14s Hobbywing ESC; smart turn-on	Similar
Remote	Halo Remote, OLED display, 4-speed modes	Similar
Battery	Samsung 50S 14S2P, 504Wh, 50.4V	Samsung 40T 14S2P, 403.2Wh
Motors	1500W x2 – Belt Motors	875W x2 – Belt Motors
Marketed Range	34 miles / 55 km	30 miles / 48 km
Marketed Top Speed	31 mph or 50 km/h	30 mph or 48 km/h
Trucks	8.5″ Forged Truck (10.6 inch / 270 mm CNC Precision Forging)	8″ Cast Trucks
Wheels	96MM / 80A Street wheels	Similar
Other Features	Ice Blue Board Light, Smartphone App	Similar, but with Purple LED lights

1. Battery Size and Range

First, the Zealot S2 has a slightly smaller battery, using Samsung 40T cells instead of the Zealot X’s Samsung 50S, resulting in a 403.2Wh battery compared to the Zealot X’s 504Wh. Fortunately, the Zealot S2 maintains the 14s2p configuration, giving it an advantage in power and torque over other boards in this price range, which typically use 12s configurations.

The Zealot S2 boasts an advertised range of 30 miles or 48km, and our 155lb 70kg rider achieved 23 miles or 37km while riding at high speeds. Surprisingly, this is slightly better than the range we got on the Zealot X. With a heavier 220 lbs 100kg rider, the Zealot X managed only 20 miles or 32 km. This highlights the impact of rider weight on mileage and, perhaps, the smaller motors on the Zealot S2 limit how fast one can drain the battery.

2. Motor Power

That brings us to the second difference, the motors: the Backfire Zealot S2 uses a pair of 875W 5255 motors, while the Zealot X features 1500W 6358 motors. Even with smaller 875W motors, the Backfire Zealot S2 never feels underpowered.

We reached a top speed of 30.5mph or 49km/h in turbo mode, practically identical to the Zealot X. The only difference is that the Zealot X accelerates rapidly from the start, while the Zealot S2’s acceleration isn’t as aggressive. For some context, the Zealot S2’s power and torque are slightly behind the Meepo Voyager X and neck and neck to the Exway Flex Pro.

You can read our reviews on Meepo Voyager X (here), and Exway Flex Pro (here).

3. Trucks

The third distinction lies in the trucks. The Zealot S2 utilizes a pair of cast trucks, while the Zealot X has forged trucks, which, unsurprisingly, perform better besides being more durable. When we reviewed the Zealot X, we were impressed by how good the trucks are. The Zealot X turns easily like a double kingpin truck while still amazingly stable at top speeds. In comparison, the Zealot S2’s 8″ reverse kingpin trucks felt slightly tighter and less responsive, sacrificing a bit of carving fun in favor of stability.

However, this is not to say that these trucks were bad. They are still very good; it just goes to show how exceptional the trucks on the Zealot X are.

Shared Features with the Zealot X

Apart from these differences, the Backfire Zealot S2 shares all the fantastic features and outstanding build quality of the Zealot X. This means the Zealot S2 boasts cool elements like the LED light strips along the deck, this time in purple; the premium-feeling halo remote, and the included Kegel pulley for easy wheel swaps.

The ESC remains the 14s Hobbywing ESC, which is well-known for being smooth, intuitive, and powerful in both acceleration and braking.

Shared Drawbacks with the Zealot X

However, the similarities between the two boards also extend to certain drawbacks. For instance, the Zealot S2 shares the same deck as the Zealot X, which is a 39-inch composite deck made of ABS, glass fiber, and maple.

The deck is stiff and mostly flat, featuring only a subtle concave at the edges. Consequently, it can be challenging to gauge foot placement without looking down or readjusting during the ride. The stiff deck also doesn’t provide much comfort when riding on rough terrain.

Thankfully, as a belt-driven board with sizable 96mm wheels, the ride isn’t too uncomfortable on rough roads, but there is room for improvement. Upgrading to larger wheels would enhance the board’s vibration-dampening capabilities, as well as increase top speed and ground clearance – rather important, as the motor mounts currently sit quite close to the ground.

By the way, we tested Backfire’s 120mm wheels and were pretty impressed. They provided excellent vibration absorption and maintained a solid grip even on wet roads.

Comparison with Competitors

So, how does the Backfire Zealot S2 fare in comparison to its competitors?

Priced at $849, the Zealot S2 is likely to be compared with the $899 Exway Flex Pro and the $999 Meepo Voyager. Among these, the Zealot S2 holds its ground quite well. Although it offers slightly less exhilarating acceleration and a lower top speed than the Meepo Voyager, the Zealot S2 and Flex Pro both surpass the Meepo in terms of smooth speed control. Moreover, the Backfire and Exway boards boast a more premium feel in their build and design.

On the flip side, we find the Zealot S2’s deck to be the least appealing among the three, as it’s too flat for foot comfort and too stiff for enjoyable carving. In contrast, the Flex Pro features the most flexible deck with a comfortable concave, enhancing carving fun at the expense of high-speed stability. Meanwhile, the Voyager’s deck strikes a balance between the two, offering slightly more flex than the Zealot’s deck and a comfortable concave.

In terms of battery capacity, the Zealot S2’s 403Wh battery outperforms the 345Wh battery in the Exway Flex Pro but falls short of the Meepo Voyager’s 544.3Wh.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Backfire might argue that the Zealot S2 has better spec than the Exway Flex Pro Belt and offers a more enjoyable riding experience than the Meepo Voyager – and, indeed, there is truth to that claim.

Conclusion

If you’re seeking a stylish, sub-$1000 electric skateboard with a premium appearance, solid specs, and stability at high speeds, the Backfire Zealot S2 could be an ideal choice.

It may not be the perfect fit for those who prefer a more flexible deck with a pronounced concave, but this minor shortcoming is easy to overlook when everything else is near perfection. Undoubtedly, the Backfire Zealot S2 will be a popular pick for the best electric skateboard under $1000.

If you are interested in buying the Backfire, 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 6, 2023April 6, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Review – A Great All-Around Board

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Wowgo Pioneer X4. This board was released in November 2022 and is the successor to the popular Wowgo 3X.

Previously, the Wowgo 3X was known for its silky smooth riding experience thanks to its flexible deck, genuine Paris V2 trucks, and smooth urethane wheels. It was even touted as the best spiritual successor of the Boosted board.

With this in mind, another thing we’re excited about in this review is the comparison between Pioneer 4 and X4.

Pioneer X4 features a belt-driven motor unlike the hub-driven Wowgo Pioneer 4. Other than that, the two boards are identical in every other aspect. It’s only natural for e-skaters with $400 entry-level boards to consider upgrading to the Pioneer X4 at $699.

So, enough of the context. Let’s see if the Wowgo Pioneer X4 provides a similar riding feel.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Build and Specs

Deck: Canadian maple, bamboo, fiberglass; mild concave
Electronic Speed Controller: Hobbywing V5.0 ESC; 4-speed modes, remote w/ display screen
Battery: 12S2P Samsung 40T battery
Marketed Range: 20.5 miles or 33 km
Motors: 4230 2*700W Belt
Marketed Top Speed: 28 mph or 45 kp/h
Trucks: Wowgo Trucks
Wheels: 90mm Polyurethane Wheels (can upgrade to 105mm Cloudwheels)

Let’s start with the deck. The Wowgo Pioneer X4 uses the same deck as the Wowgo Pioneer 4. The deck is a combination of Canadian Maple, bamboo, and fiberglass. Unlike the very flexible deck of the Exway Flex ER, the Pioneer X4 has a mild flex that still provides a comfortable ride without sacrificing stability.

The deck has a mild concave and is flat without any camber or rocker. This Pioneer X4 deck is less flexible than the Wowgo 3x, but it provides more stability at high speeds. The board still rocks the Boosted look, featuring an orange and black color scheme.

As for the electronics, the Pioneer X4 uses a Hobbywing ESC with four riding modes with a top speed of up to 28 mph (45 km/h). The remote control is easy to use and has a clear screen that displays speed, battery life, and riding mode.

About the battery, the Wowgo Pioneer X4 is equipped with a 12S2P Samsung 40T battery that provides a capacity of 345Wh. This battery configuration is similar to the Exway Flex ER which also features a 345Wh battery.

More Range From Pioneer X4

The Pioneer X4 has a marketed range of 20.5 miles (33 km). Riding the Pioneer X4 aggressively in the highest speed mode, our 165 lbs (75 kg) test rider managed to get 17 miles (28km) on a single charge. This is surprisingly more than what we get from the hub version Wowgo Pioneer 4.

This goes to show that your mileage may vary depending on how hard you ride the board, the road condition, and how much you just ate. If you ride conservatively, you probably can achieve the 20.5 miles (33 km) as advertised.

Effortless 28 mph Top Speed

Now, let’s talk about the motors and top speed of the Pioneer X4. The board uses 4230 700W dual belt-driven motors, which are powerful enough to take on steep hills and handle rough terrains.

The Pioneer X4 has a healthy marketed top speed of 28 mph (46 kp/h). During our top-speed test, we managed to hit exactly 28 mph (46 km/h). Nice!

For context, this is the top speed that most mid-tier electric skateboards can reach but Pioneer X4 got there without a sweat (more on that later).

Lastly, let’s talk about the wheels. The board comes with 78A soft 90mm polyurethane wheels which are pretty good and provide a smooth ride on the tarmac.

For those who plan to ride on less perfect terrain, there is an option to switch to 105mm Cloudwheels.

The Wowgo Pioneer X4 weighs in at 18 lbs (8.4kg) which is pretty standard for an electric skateboard of this size.

As you can see, the board was put together very well, as to be expected from a veteran brand.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Ride Experience

Now that we know the build and specs, it’s time to ride!

When it comes to speed control, the Wowgo Pioneer X4 has a smooth and intuitive acceleration and braking system. The 12s Hobbywing ESC provides really smooth acceleration and braking on all four-speed modes. Nothing is surprising here as it is expected from the Hobbywing ESC.

The 12s ESC combined with a strong belt motor system should make the board feel powerful and torquey, yet it is all smooth sailing with the Wowgo Pioneer X4. It’s strong, and powerful, but not jerky even in turbo mode.

During our test, we can accelerate to 25 mph (40 km/h) in just a few seconds without sacrificing comfort. The speed ramped up so smoothly.

To put this into context, the Pioneer X4 felt a bit stronger than the higher-priced Exway Flex ER-Riot. Although, it is not as strong as the power-specialist Meepo Voyager.

Also, voltage sag was not an issue for the Pioneer X4. The board can still reach its top speed at 25% battery.

Compare the Exway Flex ER in this review.

Wowgo Trucks Work Just As Well As Paris Trucks

The Pioneer X4 is a great board for carving, too. The trucks are pretty responsive and have a good return to center. Carving on the board is a lot of fun.

However, we did notice that the trucks came out of the box on the tighter side. This made sharp turns a bit difficult. It’s possible that Wowgo designed the trucks for heavier riders, or maybe they just wanted to prioritize stability.

Nonetheless, after loosening up the trucks a bit, we were able to find the perfect balance between stability and ease of turning. The trucks rode just as well as Paris trucks.

In terms of road vibration and ride-smoothness, the Wowgo Pioneer X4 also performed well. The belt drive system provides a comfortable ride even on poorly paved roads. Plus, the mild flex of the deck helps ease out the road vibrations. However, we did wish that the deck had a bit more flex (it’s personal preference) but it will also make the board even more comfortable when riding on rougher roads.

We think that most riders won’t need to upgrade to Cloudwheels. The stock wheels perform pretty well, as long as you’re not going off-road.

Learn more about Meepo Voyager X here.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 VS Exway Flex ER – Riot

There is no doubt that the Wowgo Pioneer X4 is an excellent electric skateboard and the best value-for-money choice for those who are looking for a premium ride feel on a belt-driven board.

However, is it the best board in the mid-range ($400-$800) market?

Just as the Exway Flex ER looms over the Wowgo Pioneer 4, Exway Flex ER – Riot ($799) casts its long shadow over Wowgo Pioneer X4 ($699). Exway Flex ER – Riot is approximately $150 pricier than the Wowgo Pioneer X4 after factoring shipping fee, but comes with a smartphone app, a waterproof rating, and a fast charger out of the box.

Otherwise, both boards have similar specs, the same battery size, the same 12s Hobbywing ESC, similar ride profile, similar built quality, and post-sale service.

Exway Flex ER has the more flexible deck out of the two, and Wowgo Pioneer X4 has stronger power right out of the box.

Well, it is a close call, and both are really great boards that nobody ever regrets buying. All the improvements of the Exway Flex ER are nice to have, but not really enough to sway a decision one way or the other. In the end, I guess the optimal choice comes down to things like ongoing promotion, waiting time, and stock availability.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 VERDICT

Overall, Wowgo Pioneer X4 is an excellent electric skateboard and the best value-for-money choice for those who are looking for a premium ride feel on a belt-driven board. For $699, the specs are right and the built quality is great. Whether you’re going fast or riding casually, the board delivers great power while maintaining perfect smoothness and stability.

It is easy to see the Wowgo Pioneer X4 be a board that’s universally loved, by beginners and veterans alike, just like Wowgo 3X was. Good job on this one, Wowgo.

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo, 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!