mid-tier 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 25, 2025April 25, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Explorer Pro Hub Review – Best Powerful Hub All Terrain

Not many brands dare to make high-end hub-driven all-terrain electric skateboards, as people came to expect anything more than $1000 to come with a belt or gear drive system. In fact, the Backfire Ranger X5 was the only worthwhile mention in this category until Tynee decided to make this $1,299 Tynee Explorer Pro.

The Tynee Explorer Pro did come with both belt and hub version, but we will be reviewing the hub version today.

As usual, let’s run through the specs

Tynee Explorer Pro Hub Specs:

Price	$1,299
Battery	14S4P 1008Wh Samsung 50S battery
Controller	14S Hobbywing ESC
Top Speed	31 mph (50 km/h)
Range	50 miles (80 km)
Deck	Multi-layer composite of Canadian maple, bamboo, and fiberglass
Motor	Dual 2500W Hobbywing hub motors

Deck – Multi-layer composite of Canadian maple, bamboo, and fiberglass:

Starting with the deck, it measures 38” long and 10” wide. What makes the Tynee Explorer Pro Hub unique is that it uses a multi-layer composite deck made from Canadian maple, bamboo, and fiberglass, which makes for one of the most flexible decks on an all-terrain setup, with a flex level akin to the Backfire Ranger X5.

This is also a drop-down deck, as is almost always the case with AT boards, to keep the ride lower and more stable. Tynee also added 3mm padded shock-absorbing grip tape to cut down on vibrations. The deck has some good concave, which is nice. We hate flat decks here.

ESC and Battery – 14S Hobbywing ESC and 14S4P 1008Wh Samsung 50S battery:

Photo of Tynee Explorer Pro Hub esc enclosure

Following the deck build, the electronic enclosure is also just as flexible which allows the deck to flex naturally with it. Inside, there’s a 14S4P battery and a 14S Hobbywing ESC. The Hobbywing ESC isn’t a surprise—every Tynee board comes with one—but opting for a 14S configuration instead of 12S is an interesting choice. At the very least, it shows an intention to provide as much voltage as possible to drive torque, compensating for the lack of gear reduction in a hub motor system. For context, most setups get by just fine with a 12S configuration.

The Explorer Pro also uses high-quality Samsung 50S cells, adding up to 1008Wh of battery capacity. And for the more energy-efficient hub version, Tynee claims a range of 50 miles (80km) on a single charge, while the belt version, which is less energy-efficient, is marketed to go 37 miles (60 km) on a single charge.

The Explorer Pro also comes with the standard Hobbywing remote. From there, you can tweak some settings, like speed profiles, top speed, etc. Alternatively, you can also use the mobile phone app for advanced customization.

Motors and Wheels – Dual 2,500W Hobbywing hub motors and 7” (165mm) airless all-terrain wheels:

Photo of Tynee Explorer Pro Hub hub motors

Powering the Tynee Explorer Pro Hub is a pair of 2,500W hub motors. While numbers aren’t everything, the fact that these are the highest-wattage hub motors we’ve seen in the market speaks volumes.

Interestingly, the hub setup comes with smaller 165mm airless wheels, which slightly lowers the top speed in contrast to the belt setup, which uses 175mm pneumatic wheels. The hub version tops out at 31 mph (50 km/h), while the belt version can reach 37 mph (60 km/h).

We’re guessing Tynee chose to trade top speed for better acceleration when opting for smaller wheels on the hub version to boost low-end torque, especially during takeoff. In all honesty, it was the right call because the Tynee Explorer Pro takes off strong.

You really have to brace yourself and press against the deck if you go full throttle from a standstill—otherwise, you’re getting thrown off. Besides good acceleration, the board brakes pretty strongly, too.

We’re pretty impressed that a hub drive can produce that kind of power. Sure, at this price, it’s still a step back compared to powerful belt and gear drives, but for a hub drive? This is impressive.

While belt and gear drive systems are often preferred for their higher torque and aggressive acceleration, hub motors have their own advantages. It’s more power-efficient, which means better range per charge; it requires lower maintenance, since there are no belts to replace or adjust and lastly it’s a quieter operation.

An additional benefit when using hub motors on an all-terrain board is that you don’t have to worry about debris—no sand, sticks, or leaves clogging up the drivetrain. It’s a hassle-free setup that works well for both urban and off-road riding.

Another worry-free option are the 6-inch (165mm) airless rubber tires, which eliminate the need to adjust air pressure or deal with flats. Pneumatic tires may provide a little smoother ride, but they also carry the risk of punctures and pressure loss, which can cause serious problems while riding.

We rode on grass without getting stuck thanks to these tires’ respectable grip.

Trucks – Precision TKP trucks:

As for the trucks, the Explorer Pro uses TKP trucks, which are becoming more and more popular in high-performance builds, instead of the more conventional double kingpin setups.

For those who prefer DKP trucks, Tynee offers a DKP baseplate, allowing riders to swap to a DKP setup if they want. They also offer a lifetime warranty on all their trucks, which is a nice touch.

These TKP trucks perform as expected—more carvy than reverse kingpin trucks but not as extreme as DKP trucks. That also means more stability than DKP, making high-speed riding easier and more reliable.

We can see why Tynee went with TKP trucks here. Since they designed the board for both hub and belt setups, and the belt version can hit 37 mph or 60 km/h, hence prioritizing stability makes sense. Riding the Explorer Pro at 31 mph feels comfortable and controlled, thanks to the extra effort in keeping the board stable.

Tynee Explorer Pro Hub – Specs Summary and Verdict:

To put it short, at $1,299, the Tynee Explorer Pro is a solid value buy.

Take a look at this chart I made for our blog post on the best affordable all-terrain electric skateboards:

You can see that the Tynee Explorer Pro gives you a lot more battery for the price.

I’d assume that hub systems cost less, which frees up more budget for the battery, but then again, the Ranger X5 and the Maxfind FF AT also use hub motors but don’t give you nearly as much juice.

The Tynee Explorer Pro Hub is most obviously comparable to the Backfire Ranger X5. Both have flexible decks, airless wheels, and hub-driven all-terrain boards. Both are excellent for riders who want a comfortable, low-maintenance board that is stress-free. They aren’t ideal for riding on steep mountain routes, but they are decent enough to glide over gravel roads, grass, cracks, and bumps.

The Ranger X5 has more style, thanks to its beautiful lighting, but the Tynee Explorer Pro is notably more powerful. It has stronger torque, a higher top speed, and significantly more range. The Explorer Pro also sits lower to the ground, whereas the Ranger X5 rides a bit higher.

For casual riders who just want a big-wheel board without the hassle, a hub-driven all-terrain board makes a lot of sense. The Tynee Explorer Pro and even the $999 non-Pro version offer exactly what you need—without having to pay a premium tax. This is a board that we can wholeheartedly recommend.

Tynee made its name with powerful premium shortboards, but the Explorer series shows they can do all-terrain longboards just as well. Let’s see if stepping outside of their specialty pays off!

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!

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.

January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Tynee Mini 3 Max Review – Unreal power!

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

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

Tynee Mini 3 Max Specs:

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

Deck – 31” Canadian Maple:

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

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

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

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

ESC – 14s Hobbywing ESC:

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

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

Battery – 14s2p Samsung 50S:

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

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

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

Motors – Dual 3000w Helical 6360 Hobbywing Motors:

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

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

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

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

Trucks – 8” Forged & CNC-machined trucks:

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

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

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

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

Wheels – Boosted 105s:

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

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

Verdict:

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 8, 2024February 1, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Pioneer X5 Review – Unexpected!

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

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

But first, let’s get into the specs.

Wowgo Pioneer X5 Specs:

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

Deck – 8-Ply Canadian Maple And Fiberglass Composite:

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

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

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

ESC and Remote – Hobbywing 14s:

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

Motor – Dual 2500w 6368 160kv Belt Motors:

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

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

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

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

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

Wheels – 105mm Galaxy Cloudwheels:

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

Lights:

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

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

Specs Summary of the Wowgo Pioneer X5

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

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

Ride Experience on the Wowgo Pioneer X5

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

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

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

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

Click here to read our review of the Meepo Voyager Limited

Click here to read our review of the Backfire Zealot X

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

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

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

Verdict – Wowgo Pioneer X5

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

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $15 off during checkout.
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