Budget Electric Skateboard Archives - Page 3 of 13

September 5, 2024May 18, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Maxfind Max 5s Review – RGB everything!

This is the Maxfind Max 5s, Maxfind’s latest refresh of their affordable electric skateboard lineup. It’s priced at $499, which is a bit higher than most affordable e-skateboards that usually hover around the low $400 range. This pricing strategy is in line with Maxfind’s approach of setting a slightly higher price but offering better quality parts in exchange.

Maxfind Max 5s Specs:

Price	$499
Battery	4.4AH 10s2p 18650 cells
Controller	Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	23.6 Mph (38 Kph)
Range	15.5 miles (25 km)
Deck	X Composite deck
Motor	650W*2 Hub drive

Deck – X Composite deck:

Starting with the deck, the Maxfind Max 5s uses the same X composite deck as the Max 6, which is said to be stronger than your average Maple and Bamboo composites. It’s a deck with only a slight flex and is pretty narrow. But we do quite like it’s pronounced U-shape concave, which makes foot placement nice and snug. The design of the shock-absorbing grip tape also looks pleasant in our eyes.

This is an integrated deck with hub motors, so it should be one of the most waterproof budget electric skateboards out there. Many eskate have some IP rating; we don’t trust those with our board, but with an integrated electronic and runs on hub motors, we trust the Max 5s IPX5 splashproof rating a little bit more.

Battery – 4.4ah, 10s2p 18650 Cells:

Moving onto the battery, the Maxfind Max 5s is powered by a 4.4AH, 10s2p configuration using 18650 cells. The marketed range is up to 15.5 miles (25km), but in our tests, we managed to achieve only 7.8 miles (12.6km).

This is a bit underwhelming, especially coming off from reviewing the Max 6, which has an extraordinary range. We expect affordable eskates to have at least a 10-mile (16km) tested range, and the Max 5s fell short of that benchmark.

Maybe, the RGB lights took a small bite out of the battery, affecting the overall range.

Esc And Remote – Hobbywing Esc And Remote:

Next, the Maxfind Max 5s uses the same tried and true Hobbywing ESC as the Max 6. For the remote, it’s likely the standard Hobbywing remote with a custom casing. It has a screen for telemetry, comes with 4 speed settings, and you can also pair it with their mobile app to customize your ride profile.

Motor – Dual 650w Hub Motors:

Moving onto the motors, the Maxfind Max 5s runs on dual 650W hub motors, which is higher than most affordable eskates that typically have around 550W. The marketed top speed is 23.6 mph (38 km/h), which is pretty standard among affordable electric skateboards, and we had no problem hitting this speed during our tests.

Truck and Wheels – 45° Max III Trucks and 90mm PU Wheels:

Photo of Maxfind Max 5s truck and wheels

Next, as for the trucks and wheels, the Maxfind Max 5s uses the same custom 45° Max III Trucks as the Max 6. These are CNC-forged trucks, which are more durable and safer than cast trucks. For some skaters, having a forged truck is a must for safety, and finding one on a $500 board is a big plus for the Max 5s.

However, there is some bad news, too. From our time with the Max 6, we know these trucks weren’t the most responsive and seemed to have a limited range of turning. More on that later.

For the wheels, you get 90mm Polyurethane wheels, which is nothing extraordinary here.

RGB Lights:

The Max 5s also has RGB atmospheric lighting underneath the deck, along the sides.The RGB lights cycle through 3 modes, none of which stay on a single color. You can turn the lights on and off with the remote. It also has a brake light that will turn red when we brake.

Although the lights are not as bright as the LED lights lining the deck, it is still a wonderful addition for a board under $500.

Specs Summary of Maxfind Max 5s:

As we mentioned, Maxfind always prices its board higher than competitors but gives a little bit more in terms of part quality. Max 5s is exactly that. If we judge the Max 5s solely on the motors and battery, it is merely on par with competitors that are priced around $400 and is about $100 overpriced.

However, it does have an interesting integrated composite deck, a safer forged truck, and the RGB ambient light. Even though we already knew the truck wasn’t the most responsive, it is at least durable and safe. And while the lights aren’t the brightest, they do add some spice to the ride.

So, if you value forged trucks and ambient light more than $100, the Max 5s will be pretty good value on paper.

Riding Experience on the Maxfind Max 5s:

The general theme of the Maxfind Max 5s is that it offers an overall comfortable ride but lacks an outstanding personality.

Firstly, the board is comfortable due to the smooth speed control provided by the Hobbywing ESC. As you should already know, Hobbywing ESC is very smooth and precise with both acceleration and braking, giving the industry the gold standard for predictable and smooth control. Plus, the deck’s U-shape concave makes our feet feel snug and secure, adding to the overall comfort.

The torque is respectable for a hub drive. It’s good enough to make the ride fun but not thrilling, and wouldn’t challenge any seasoned riders. Perhaps this is a boon for beginners; you are not likely to hurt yourself with the Max 5s, while it is still plenty strong to go up any incline.

Another aspect that’s good for beginners is the stability of the trucks. This stability makes riding at top speed easy and reassuring. However, the shortfall here is that the trucks are not very responsive and have a limited turning range. We did loosen up the trucks, but it still felt pretty limited. This means the board isn’t the most fun for carving and may feel a bit stiff when trying to make sharper turns.

And about road vibrations, of course, it’s bad. This is expected since the Max 5s is a hub-driven board with a stiffer deck. While the shock-absorbing grip tape helps to some extent, it’s not a game-changer. Road vibrations are about 20% harsher than what we experienced with the Max 6, so you will feel the rougher surfaces more on this board.

Verdict – Maxfind Mas 5s:

It’s not 2017 anymore, and there are plenty of options when it comes to buying an electric skateboard for less than $500. It might sound like a criticism to say that the Max 5s’s best qualities are just its looks, the lights, and perhaps the durability of the deck and the forged truck; however, I’m sure there are people who value these qualities. And, beneath it all, the Max 5s is still a good overall ride.
If you like the looks and need a forged truck, go for it.

If you are interested in buying the Maxfind, 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!

June 17, 2024June 19, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Veymax Roadster X4 Review – $439 electric longboard!

We’ve never heard of Veymax prior, but since we are committed to cover every board under $500, we have to give this $439 hub-board with clean design a try. We already have pretty good options in the all-rounded $399 Wowgo 2s Max and thrilling $439 Meepo v3s, so let’s see if the Veymax Roadster X4 has anything new to offer.

Read our review of the Wowgo 2s Max here.

Read our review of the Meepo V3s here.

Veymax Roadster X4 Specs:

Price	$439
Battery	12S2P 216Wh 18650 25P10S2P 288Wh 21700 Samsung 40T
Controller	LingYi 8.0 ESC
Top Speed	29 Mph (46 Kph)
Range	X4 model – 13 miles / 21kmX4S model – 17.4 miles / 28km
Deck	Canadian Maple and Fiberglass
Motor	550W*2 Hub drive
Net Weight	20.5lbs (9.3kg)

Deck – Canadian Maple and Fibreglass:

Starting with the deck, the deck of Roadster is made up of a mix of Canadian maple and fiberglass. It has a very wide deck, making it very comfortable to stand on, and a wider deck means added stability at high speeds, as well as comfort. The deck is a bit stiff with only a mild flex. Veymax also included nose and tail guards, which is also a nice touch,

Battery – 12S2P 216Wh 18650 25P:

Next, for the battery, you get two options: the X4 model comes with a standard 12s2p using 18650 25P cells, which totals 216Wh battery, while the X4S model comes with 10s2p using 21700 Samsung 40T, which totals 288Wh battery.

This is a little bit interesting as the standard model uses a 12s battery, while the upgraded version X4S uses a lesser 10s battery but with a better 21700 Samsung 40T. 21700 cells are obviously better, but the difference in power for both variants might be narrower than first thought. Anyway, we only received the X4 for the review, so we’ve no way of knowing how X4S compares.

The marketed range for the X4 model is 13 miles or 21km, while the X4S model is marketed to reach 18 miles (28km). Our range test on the Roadster X4 resulted in 17 miles or 27.36 km with a 119lbs (54 kg) rider riding fast. This is pretty surprising, and the first time, our range test yielded a range that was significantly higher than the marketed range. A heavier rider would probably get the marketed range and no more than that, but this is still pretty good news, considering most brands drastically overstates the range on their board.

ESC and Remote – LingYi 8.0 ESC:

Moving onto the ESC, Veymax went with a Lingyi 8.0 ESC on the Roadster. The Lingyi ESC has a push-to-turn-on feature, four speed modes, and four brake modes. It is paired with the generic Lingyi remote, which has an OLED display to show the speed, battery, and other info.

Motor – Dual 550W Hub Drive:

Next, powering the Roadster is a pair of 550W hub motors, which is about an average amount of power for any eskate in the under $500 price bracket. Hub motors have the upsides of being maintenance-free, and you can kick-push the board if you run out of battery. The Roadster is marketed at a top speed of 29 mph (46 kph), which is above average in the budget board category, and when we took it to the streets, we managed to hit the marketed top speed.

Trucks and Wheels – Reverse Kingpin trucks and 105mm Jellywheels:

Next, let’s talk about the trucks. They are 7.5-inch reverse kingpin trucks with a 45° base plate angle, and the bushings given are 92A durometer. The Roadster also comes with 105mm Jelly wheels, which looks to have a good tread and contact patch. This should help with vibration absorption and slight off-road use. making them big and chunky, which helps absorb vibrations.

Specs summary of the Roadster X4:

To sum it up, most of the specs are on par with the industry leaders – High top speed, above-average battery size, and good 550W motors. Giving entry-level hub boards 105mm wheels makes sense, as beginners to semi-experienced riders would value safety from sticks and stones and road vibrations more than the sticky smooth ride feel offered by premium PU wheels. Another cool feature of the Roadster is its LED tail lights that come with 6 mode settings for additional customization to your ride.

The Roadster weighs in at about 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg), which is a bit on the heavier side for a budget tier board, but it should help with its stability, which is always a plus.

Riding Experience on the Roadster X4:

Starting off with its speed control, the version of LingYi ESC that Veymax uses is probably one of the most current. It is perfectly smooth in both acceleration and braking, making it an intuitive board to ride, even for beginners.

And once you are accustomed to the board, you can turn up to the “Pro” mode, where the gloves come off. The highest “Pro” mode of the Ling Yi ESC gives a thrilling, quick acceleration, more so than your typical $400 electric longboard. It takes off really quickly and gets you to that 29mph top speed very quickly. I like to classify entry-level electric skateboards into two types: the relaxing kind, which wouldn’t hurt you, and the thrilling kind, which gives you a rush. Roadster X4 certainly falls into the latter category.

With the very high 28mph ( kmh) top speed, we have to talk about the stability of the ride.

First, the deck.The deck is about 1.5cm wider than Exway Flex and Meepo V4s. Having a wide deck to place our feet helps, and a stiff deck that doesn’t bounce around helps the board to feel stable during high speed. However, we do wish for more concave on the deck, Roadster only have a pretty mild concave on the very wide deck.

Another factor that affects the stability of the trucks is the trucks. The trucks are pretty average; they were pretty stable until they approached top speed, and we started to feel a bit of wobble around 28mph ( kmh). Tightening the truck would certainly help, but the truck was already pretty average in maneuverability and carving fun, too. Perhaps investing in a pair of better bushing would improve both these aspects. Veymax was well aware of these shortcomings and told us that new trucks are in the works.

Then, there are the wheels.

These 105mm Jellywheels are no cloudwheels. They are harder and don’t soak up as much vibration as we would hope. However, expecting cloudwheels to come in stock for a board just north of $400 might be asking a little bit too much. Compared to 90mm PU, which was the standard for this price, these 105mm were still less rough and more immune to pebbles when riding fast. There is safety in wheel size, and 105mm is better than 90mm in that one aspect.

Verdict – Should you buy the Veymax Roadster X4 ?

The Roadster is a pretty board that went for a ride profile similar to that of the Meepo V3s.

It’s definitely a thrilling board that has one of the highest top speeds in this category. Compared to the big dogs, the Veymax Roadster may be a little bit less refined when it comes to its trucks and deck, but it has a better range than most, and the practicality of its big 105mm wheels is another plus. It’s a good alternative to the Meepo V3s, especially if you like the practicality of big wheels.

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!

February 21, 2024March 7, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Acedeck Stella S3 Review – I couldn’t believe it!

Acedeck Stella S3 is one of those rare belt-driven longboards that’s priced under $500.

Before the Stella S3, the only other belt drive under $500 was the $449 Wowgo 3E, which we considered the best entry-level electric skateboard, and now we are looking to see if this Acedeck Stella S3 is going to take its throne. And judging by the specs, it just might, as Acedeck really put some crazy stuff in it.

Acedeck Stella S3 Specs:

Price	$499
Battery	13s2p 374Wh Samsung 40T battery
Controller	Acedeck Customized ESC
Top Speed	28 Mph / 45 Kph
Range	22 Miles / 35 Km
Deck	Bamboo and Maple Composite
Motor	Dual 1500W 6355 Belt drive Motors
Net Weight	9.5kg / 20.1lbs

Deck – Canadian Maple And Bamboo Composite:

Starting with the deck, the Acedeck Stella S3 is made of a Canadian Maple and bamboo composite deck with a mild flex and an aggressive concave, which is ideal for foot placement. It has a simple and clean design, going with the grey color scheme that’s universal to most Acedeck lineups.

ESC – Similar to Hobbywing ESC:

Photo of Acedeck Stella s3 ESC enclosure

Moving onto the ESC, Acedeck used their own customized ESC, but it felt really similar to the tried and true Hobbywing ESC. This comes with four-speed settings. For those who are not familiar with Hobbywing ESC, it is the most popular electronic speed controller that’s proven to deliver perfectly smooth and intuitive speed control. It also has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when its standard Hobywing remote is turned on.

Battery – 13s2p 374Wh Samsung 40T battery:

And now for the biggest surprise: the battery. It’s a 13s2p battery. A 13-s battery is above average for a $500 board and would provide the board with a lot of power. But going with 21700 cells with Samsung 40T, too? We were super surprised, and we don’t remember any other $500 having a battery setup as good as this.

This battery pack is marketed to have a range of up to 22 miles (35 km), and in our tests, we managed to reach 17.4 miles (28km) with a 150 lbs (70kg) rider riding fast, which is astonishingly higher than the 10miles or 18km we anticipated from a sub- $500 belt-driven eskate.

Motor – Dual 1500W 6355 Belt drive Motors:

Another big surprise with the Stella S3 is its big motors. These are 6355 motors with a 1500W rating each. And although motor wattage is never the full story, it still means something. The gear ratio is also quite high at 1:2.7, so it is more to a recipe that prioritizes torque over top speed. That being said, these motors are still marketed with a healthy top speed of 28 mph or 45 kph, which is pretty standard for boards at this price, and we managed to come in just under 28mph at 27.3mph or 44 kph.

Trucks and Wheels – 45-degree Reverse Kingpin trucks:

Photo of Acedeck Stella s3 truck and wheels

As for the trucks, Acedeck uses a standard casted 45-degree reverse Kingpin truck with double barrel bushings of 100A and 96A, which looks like a combination built with stability in mind.

As for the wheels, these are pretty standard 90mm wheels rated 76A.

The board weighs about 20 lbs or 9.5kg.

Specs Summary of the Acedeck Stella S3:

As you can see, with this 13s2p Samsung 40T battery and these motors, Stella S3 has to completely flop in the riding experience department to not be one of the best, if not the best eskate under $500. So, let’s hit the road and see how the board rides.

Riding Experience of the Acedeck Stella S3:

The Acedeck Stella S3 feels a lot like a Wowgo 3E with a 10% tilt towards stability and a lot more torque.

And that amazing torque is definitely the highlight of the Stella S3. Since then, a lot of brands have come to the realization that torque—rather than power or top speed—is what really the fun factor for a board. Tynee with its Tynee Mini 3 Pro and Meepo with its Vader and Voyager are all boards that went torque over power, and they are pretty popular for that.

The Stella S3 is one of those boards that rocket off from a standstill at the push of the throttle, you can definitely feel the 13s battery in action. And it wields that torque well, which is not a surprise as it is Hobbywing ESC, after all. Acceleration is strong but smooth, speed controls are intuitive. What’s notable is that braking is equally strong, something that not all boards with Hobbywing ESC are capable of. You can brake to a halt pretty quickly with this board.

The skate parts come together to support the aggressiveness of the board, too. First, the deck is on the stiffer side, and the pronounced concave helps keep our feet snug and secure.

Next, the trucks are more stable than responsive, too. Sadly, the tradeoff here is that the Stella S3 is less responsive and less fun for carving in comparison to the Wowgo 3E with its flexible deck and responsive trucks. But I digress, these trucks add another layer to the stability.

You know the board is stable when it feels slow to be riding at 28mph or 44kph. And on top of that, you don’t notice the board got to top speed as it felt effortless both on your part and the board’s part.

The very significant road vibration of the board is one obvious flaw, especially when compared to other belt drives with larger wheels or a more flexible deck. Having said that, it is still, without a doubt, far more comfortable than any hub-driven board on difficult terrain. If riding on rough roads is what you do often, consider swapping to bigger wheels, there are tons of good 105 and 120mm in the market right now.

Verdict of Acedeck Stella S3:

We are accustomed to seeing no-name brands attempt to break into the market by making a board with over-the-top specs for its price. Those boards usually have weaker build quality, and most of those brands didn’t last long enough to support their customers.

However, I believe Acedeck has moved past that point as it established itself with the Nyx lineup, stayed in business long enough to demonstrate that they care about their customers, and built their boards really well. For that reason, I find it funny that they are still aggressively undercutting their rivals on price.

This is how we see Acedeck Stella S3 for $500.
S Tier torque, S Tier battery, A tier stability, B+ in responsiveness, and A in power and build quality.

If the Stella S3 were priced at $650, it would likely still be the best-value purchase. As such, if you’re looking for an electric skateboard that falls into the entry to mid-tier, there’s not much reason to get anything else. It really is the best electric skateboard we have ever reviewed for under $500.

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!

January 31, 2024March 7, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Mini 3 SL review – $359 !! Literally the most affordable electric skateboard.

The Tynee Mini 3 SL is outrageous.

In the electric skateboard world, brands have two tried and true methods to make their product successful. Make a board unique, or sell it at a really, really low price. Tynee with the Tynee Mini 3 Pro managed to stand out in the shortboard niche for its outrageously high torque and power, and now, with the Tynee Mini 3 SL, it will try to do the latter, be the lowest price electric shortboard, period.

Click to read our review of the Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

Just a little context: Since 2018, an entry-level electric skateboard has had a $400 price tag. Then the price crept up to $450, with increased quality, of course. However, last year, 2023, we started seeing brands offering their entry line-up at $399, which this $359 Tynee Mini 3SL one-upped.

The price war is real, and we consumers love it. The best part is the boards aren’t shabby either. Take a look at the specs.

Tynee Mini 3 SL Specs:

Price	$359.00 (216Wh)$399.00 (281Wh)
Battery	10S3P 6Ah 216Wh10S3P 7.8Ah 281Wh
Controller	12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	30 mph/48 kph
Range	17 miles/ 27 km (216Wh) 20 miles/ 32 km (281Wh)
Deck	8 Ply Canadian Maple
Motor	2*550W hub motors
Net Weight	8.4 kg / 18.5 lbs

Deck – 8 Ply Canadian Maple

Starting with the deck, the Mini SL is made with an 8-ply Canadian maple and is unsurprisingly similar to the Tynee Mini 3 but with a longer kicktail. Its wide concave makes it pleasant to stand on.

The deck uses the same U-shaped concave design popularized by the late-boost Mini. Compared to other models like the Boosted Mini or Exway Wave, the Tynee Mini 3 SL has a wider concave.

ESC and Remote – Hobbywing ESC

Next, moving onto the ESC, Tynee went with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which comes with four-speed settings. And like all Hobbywing ESCs, it has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when the remote is turned on. It’s paired with the standard Hobbywing remote and a mobile app where you can customize the ride profile.

Battery – 6Ah 216Wh battery or 7.8Ah 281Wh:

Photo of Tynee Mini 3 SL battery enclosure

As for the battery, the Mini 3 SL comes with a 6Ah 216Wh battery or a larger 7.8Ah 281Wh battery for an extra $40.

The Mini SL Hub has a marketed range of 17 miles or 27 km using the standard 6AH battery and 20 miles or 32 km with the larger 7.8AH battery. Our unit was the smaller 216Wh version, and in our range test, we only managed to reach 11 miles or 18km with a 154 lbs or 70 kg rider riding fast. This is slightly lesser than the marketed range, as is always the case when we try to push the speed, but even then, 10 miles and 18km is what we were expecting from a $400 board, so we aren’t disappointed here.

In the worst-case scenario, it is a hub board so you can kick-push if you run a full 20 miles.

Motor – Dual 550W Hub Motors:

The Tynee Mini 3 SL, uses a dual hub motor drive at 550W max power, which is marketed with a top speed of 30 mph ( 48 kph), which is also impressive at that price point. When we took it to the road, we managed to hit 28 mph (45kph), just a hair shy of the marketed top speed.

Truck and Wheels – Tynee diamond truck 7” 43° RKP:

For the trucks, Tynee uses their Tynee PE truck, which is short of Paris Electric trucks. These were made by Tynee and were said to be designed based on Paris Trucks. Since we reviewed the other Tynee, we are familiar with Tynee PE trucks and know they are decent trucks, but unlike Paris Trucks, which were known for their responsiveness, Tynee’s trucks were designed with stability in mind.

As for the wheels, the Mini 3 SL comes with standard 90mm street wheels. 90mm wheels are pretty standard for electric skateboards; however, if you usually ride on rougher pavement, you might want to spend an extra $80 for the 105mm Donut wheels for a smoother ride.

Specs Summary of the Tynee Mini 3 SL:

As you can see, Tynee Mini 3 SL’s specs are also pretty solid. Much like the Tynee Ultra SL Hub, the range and top speed are both pretty good and is on par with boards that cost $100 more. Besides putting up decent numbers, Tynee spared no expense on the other parts either, going with the industry-standard Hobbywing ESC and a decent pair of trucks.

In short, this board, at least on paper, is a good deal for the price it’s asking. Now, it just needs to be a good ride to complete the package, and that’s what we’ll discuss next.

Riding Experience on the Tynee Mini 3 SL:

All things considered, the Tynee Mini 3 SL is a smooth, comfortable board, a good board for beginners.

First, let’s talk about speed control. To cut costs, a budget board will occasionally go with an older generation LingYi ESC that wasn’t the smoothest in speed control. And no, I am not calling out Exway Ripple or Meepo V3s here. Those two still use the latest generation of LingYi ESC, which is actually good. I am referring to those no-name brands from Amazon.

Click to read our review of the Exway Ripple.

Click to read our review of the Meepo V3s.

I am glad that Tynee didn’t do that. Tynee Mini 3 SL sticks with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which should come as no surprise that the controls are buttery smooth thanks to the trusty Hobbywing ESC. For those who are new to electric skateboarding, Hobbywing ESC always gives very intuitive speed control, and both the acceleration and braking ramps smoothly without any unexpected jolts.

This also means that the Tynee Mini 3 SL is the opposite of a ‘thrilling board.’ The acceleration curves weren’t aggressive enough to give you an adrenaline rush, and the power of the motors wasn’t strong enough to scare you either. If you were hoping that the board might be top of its class for its torque, just like how the Tynee Mini 3 Pro was, then you will be disappointed.

It does have enough power for a mini-board to get an average-weight rider uphill, but that’s just about it.

The board was clearly designed to be comfortable, not thrilling, and the other thing that helped it to be a comfortable ride was its trucks. As we mentioned in the introduction, the Tynee PE trucks are pretty good trucks that lean toward stability. Going fast on this small board isn’t scary, thanks to both these stable trucks and also the smooth speed control.

Turning obviously is easy; this is a shortboard, after all. The kicktail on the Tynee Mini 3 SL is also somewhat longer than average, longer than the Tynee Mini 3 and 3 Pro, for instance. Clearly, Tynee expects you to use kick turn more. We also like shortboards with good concave; it just makes the board more responsive to control and allows us to better gauge where our feet are.

So far, we like how Tynee put the Mini 3 SL together; all parts were designed with comfort in mind, except one thing: the hub motors. Hub motors are more battery efficient, quiet, require less maintenance, are more cost-effective, and free rolls better; hence can be kick pushed, They are also “very good” at passing road vibration to your knee. Shortboards with hub motors are especially uncomfortable on rough roads, and also, they also make annoying sounds on rough roads, which is, annoying.

This gets better if you pay that extra $80 to upgrade to the 105mm wheels, but if you’re just planning on cruising smooth pavements, you should be good to go.

Verdict:

With a price tag of $400, we typically look for flaws rather than hoping for a board with a big upside. And the Tynee Mini 3 SL is indeed that, a board that’s overall decent and without major flaws.

The slight disappointment here would be that the bigger 10s3p battery didn’t result in a significantly better real-world range but instead ended up only marginally outperforming its $359 price tag.

With that said, we still find that Tynee Mini 3 SL offers excellent value for money. It is a very easy ride and put together well. You can do much worse for $400, and Tynee Mini 3 SL is amongst the boards that give you the best bang for your buck.

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!

January 20, 2024January 20, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Ultra SL Hub Review – The best $400 eskate, period.

Tynee just released a Student Life series, a pair of affordable electric skateboards, including the longboard Tynee Ultra SL and a mini-board Tynee Mini 3 SL.

Today, we will be reviewing the Tynee Ultra SL, a hub-driven electric longboard priced at $399, making it among the most affordable electric longboards out there. Competition in the under $500 affordable category is pretty stiff right now, with both Meepo and Wowgo having a few really good boards at this price, so let’s see how well the Tynee Ultra SL fares against them.

Tynee Ultra SL Hub Specifications:

Price	$399
Battery	12S 50.4V 6Ah 259.2WH battery
Controller	12s Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	28 mph (45 kph)
Range	20 miles (32 km)
Deck	8 Ply Canadian Maple
Motor	2*550W hub motors
Net Weight	8.3 kg / 18.3 lbs

Deck – 8 Ply Canadian Maple:

Starting with the deck, the Ultra SL is made with an 8-ply Canadian maple with a wide concave that’s comfortable to stand on. It has a good amount of flex, which we generally prefer over stiff decks, especially when it comes to hub-driven electric skateboards. The grip tape design is nothing special. As is often the case, Tynee likes to play it simple with a minimalistic monochrome print.

It’s also pretty nice of them to include a nose and tail protector on each end.

ESC and Remote – 12s Hobbywing ESC:

Moving onto the ESC, Tynee went with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC, which comes with four-speed settings. And like all Hobbywing ESCs, it has a smart turn-on feature, meaning the board powers on automatically when the remote is turned on. It’s paired with the standard Hobbywing remote, and there’s also a mobile app that allows you to customize the ride profile.

Battery – 12s 50.4v 6ah 259.2wh Battery:

As for the battery, the Ultra SL Hub is equipped with a 12S 50.4V 6Ah 259.2WH battery and has a marketed range of 20 miles (32 km). And in our range test, we managed to cover 11 miles (17km) with a 154 lbs (70 kg) rider riding fast. As is usually the case with the marketed range, you’d need to ride conservatively at a slower pace if you really need to get to the marketed 20-mile range in a single charge.

Although this wasn’t an amazing range, it is on par with what we expected out of a $400 board. For context, the 10-mile (18-km) tested range is what is considered standard from boards from the affordable categories.

And when worse comes to worse, it is a hub board, so you can kick-push if you completely run out of juice.

Motor – Dual 550w Hub Motors:

The Tynee Ultra SL uses a pair of 550W hub motors, which are marketed with a top speed of 28 mph (45 kph). This is also above average at this price point. When we took it to the road, we actually managed to reach THE 28 mph (45kph) threshold, so it didn’t underperform here.

Truck And Wheels – 7” 43° Reverse Kingpin Trucks And 90mm Street Wheels:

Speaking of trucks, Tynee uses their 7” 43° Reverse kingpin trucks. We are familiar with Tynee PE trucks from reviewing the other Tynee, and we know it is a decent truck that is geared more toward stability.

As for the wheels, the Ultra SL comes with standard 90mm street wheels, providing a smooth ride on various terrains. However, for riders who frequently encounter rough roads, you might want to pay that extra $109 for the 105mm Donut wheels.

Specs Summary:

As you can see, for less than $400, Tynee Ultra SL Hub has pretty good specs.

It’s not every day you can find a 12s board for that price. The range and top speed are both pretty impressive and could easily compete with boards that cost $100 more. The bigger battery and big motors are great, but Tynee didn’t skimp on the other parts either, going with the tried and true Hobbywing ESC and a decent pair of trucks.

In short, the board is above-average in value if judged solely by the numbers and the part used. So far, we see no shortcuts taken.

Riding Experience:

Overall, the Tynee Ultra SL is an easy board to ride. It is a comfortable board to ride in all but one aspect.

First, let’s talk about speed control. The acceleration and braking are both super smooth. This should come as no surprise, as you probably already know how Hobbywing ESC consistently gives the board a buttery smooth, intuitive control.

The trucks also contribute to this smoothness. Tynee’s PE trucks strike a pretty good balance between stability and responsiveness. They’re responsive and fun for carving but are undoubtedly geared more towards stability. Testing top speed on these trucks is pretty easy for us, as they remain stable all the way without speed wobbles.

The flexibility of the deck adds a bit to the ride’s smoothness, too. A flexible deck always feels more fun to carve on for us and also helps dampen road vibrations. We hate flat decks. Although this deck doesn’t have an aggressive concave, it has just enough for us.

There’s only one feature of the Tynee Ultra SL that detracts from ride comfort: the hub motors. As with all hub motor boards, riding on rough roads produces annoying noises, and road vibrations are still fairly strong despite the deck’s flexibility. It’s not the worst board in this sense, but it is a problem nonetheless.

These 550W hubs, however, do their job well. They might not have as much torque as a belt-driven board, such as the Wowgo 3E, but they’re certainly powerful enough to get you up any hills. The 12s battery also gives the board an extra edge in power over other 10s hubs, such as the Wowgo 2s max.

Verdict:

Without a doubt, the Tynee Ultra SL really stands out in the $400 board category, thanks to its 12s battery. But while its 12s2p battery is bigger than what you’ll find in most rivals, it doesn’t really add much to the range. Instead, it’s the power where this board really gains an edge.

Now, I’ve got to say, Tynee might have done a bit of a disservice by labeling this as just a student or beginner board. Sure, it’s an easy ride – super comfortable and incredibly smooth – which makes it a great fit for beginners. But, even seasoned eskaters would probably love how they can just turn off their brain and comfortably cruise at top speed on this board.

In short – good value, comfortable ride, Tynee Ultra SL is one of the better budget electric skateboards on the market right now.