shortboard Archives - Electric Skateboard HQ

June 27, 2025June 27, 2025 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Mini 3 Max Review – The Best entry-level electric shortboard

The Meepo Mini 3 Max is the shortboard counterpart of the Meepo V3 Max. Both of which are setting the standard that other entry-level electric skateboards—that is, electric skateboards under $500—will be compared to.

Not because using mismatched wheels is fashionable, but because 12s3p boards for $500 is a super amazing deal.

As usual, let’s run through the specs.

Meepo Mini 3 Max Specs:

Price	$454 (with code ESHQ15)
Battery	12S3P 324WH 7.5AH
Controller	LingYi ESC
Top Speed	28 mph (45 km/h)
Range	Up to 20 miles (32 km)
Deck	8 ply maple + 1 ply bamboo veneer
Motor	2 x 800W (full magnetic hub)
Weight	19.8 lbs (9 kg)

Deck – 8 ply maple + 1 ply bamboo veneer:

Starting with the deck, the Meepo Mini 3 Max uses a 30” deck made from 8 layers of Canadian maple with 1 ply of bamboo veneer. It is a stiffer deck with a deep U-shaped concave which helps with board control.

The tail skid pad came pre-installed—something all reputable brands do now.

The kicktail is very easy to engage. Some shortboards are heavier in the front, making it hard to lift the nose, while this Meepo Mini 3 Max’s weight is distributed more toward the tail, making it easier to engage the kicktail. Sometimes we even get into accidental wheelies, though.

ESC – LingYi ESC:

Photo of Meepo Mini 3 Max remote and ESC

After dabbling with their own JK ESC, Meepo went back to Ling Yi ESC for this year’s entry-level lineup. Ling Yi ESC means the familiar 4 speed modes and 4 brake modes that can be set independently of each other. Which means no smart power-on, but push-to-start, where the board automatically powers on once it starts rolling.

This year’s Meepo also comes with a new color remote, named the M6C Remote, which is simple but fairly nice-looking.

It’s always worth mentioning that this Ling Yi ESC has some new tricks up its sleeves too—it allows advanced customization of each speed mode. So if the Pro mode is too strong for you, you can always tone it down to your liking.

Battery – 12S3P 324WH 7.5AH battery:

Living under the same enclosure is the big 12s3p 324Wh battery pack. I’m going to repeat myself and remind you that 12s3p for less than $500 was unheard of before this. For context, Meepo themselves were selling the Mini Extended Range at $599 previously, and that used a smaller 288Wh battery.

Surveying across major electric skateboard brands, you’ll see that Meepo very intentionally priced this year’s 3 Max models to have the biggest pack in this price range.

This battery is marketed to go 20 miles (32km) on a single charge, and our 165lbs (75kg) test rider managed to hit that riding fast.

Motors and Wheels – Dual 800W Full Magnetic Hub Motors and 94mm + 90mm wheels:

Despite being the smaller brother, the Mini 3 Max uses the same 800W dual hub motors as its longboard counterpart. While motor wattage never tells the full story of a motor’s power, most entry-level electric skateboards have motor wattages below 600W.

The V3 Max was marketed to go up to 28 MPH (45kph), which we had no problem reaching. And the torque was strong; strong enough to convert some belt-drive fans who, prior to this, may have exclusively bought belt-driven boards for more reliable torque.

One inescapable shortcoming of hub drives is how much vibration is conducted up through the stiff motors, though. The slightly meatier 94mm rear wheels didn’t help much, unfortunately, so you’ll have to be okay with that aspect of the ride.

Again, it’s 94mm at the back and 90mm in the front, and we did feel the tilt, but not to the extent of finding it unpleasant.

Meepo briefly considered a 105mm setup, which did improve road vibration significantly, but at the expense of strong torque. So, if you live somewhere with rough roads and can afford to lose some torque, swapping to 105mm wheels is an option.

Trucks – Standard 7-Inch Reverse Kingpin Trucks:

Next, for the trucks, Meepo went with standard 7-inch reverse kingpin trucks with double barrel bushings. There isn’t much to be said about Meepo’s Shredder trucks—they’re pretty good, fairly balanced between responsiveness and stability. Although not as precise as the top-tier branded forged trucks, they’re easy to turn, fun to carve, and stable at top speed. You can’t ask for more from a budget board.

Our Meepo Mini 3 Max came out of the box a little looser than we liked, making it easier to turn but wobbly around the 22 mph (35 km/h) mark, but once we tightened them up a bit, it was all perfectly balanced, as all things should be.

While the front trucks are pretty standard, the back trucks on the 3 Max series are new and improved.

Usually, the back trucks are “press-fit” hub motors, which look like this—they actually rely on a bunch of screws to hold them to the “pseudo truck.”

And now, the back trucks are full axle, which look like this:

While we haven’t heard of any problems with the previous back truck, the new full axle hub motors give us better peace of mind when it comes to mechanical stability.

Riding Experience on the Meepo Mini 3 Max:

As you can see, at under $500, the Meepo 3 Max series dominates the spec sheets with its giant battery, stronger motors, and a more reliable back truck design. And these all add up to a pretty well-rounded riding experience.

Speed control is perfect—perfectly smooth and intuitive. A tad punchier than Hobbywing boards in the highest Pro mode, but this time, nothing is stopping you from going into advanced settings to tune it down. The board is agile and quick to turn. And it’s as powerful as a mid-range belt-driven board.

Verdict on the Meepo Mini 3 Max:

Until the competition catches up, the Meepo Mini 3 Max and V3 Max will remain our go-to recommendation for electric skateboards under $500. In fact, with unmatched specs and a well-rounded ride feel, the Meepo Mini 3 Max is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an electric shortboard, regardless of budget.

And we predict it will take another big brand with enough muscle to dislodge Meepo from its position as the budget king. I don’t see how a smaller brand can match the build quality and polish of this. While many things in the world may have gotten worse over time, at least budget electric skateboards are getting better.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESHQ15” to receive $15 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

December 20, 2023December 20, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Exway Ripple Review – The most practical last-mile options (and it’s affordable!)

Sometimes you want to make a wave, sometimes you just want to make a Ripple.

Today, we’ll be reviewing the Exway Ripple, a very portable, even air travel-friendly mini board for under $400. It has pretty underwhelming specs even for a $349 board, but reviewers all seem to like it, and we are curious to understand why.

Exway Ripple Specifications:

Price	$349
Battery	99Wh Travel Edition battery ($349)159Wh Cruiser Edition battery ($469).
Controller	10s LingYi ESC
Top Speed	16mph (25kph)
Range	7.5 miles (12 km) for Travel Edition battery 11.2 miles (18 km) for Cruiser Edition battery
Deck	30.7 ‘Flexy’ bamboo, maple and fiberglass composite
Motor	Dual 672W Hub drive motors
Net Weight	13.1lbs (5.9 kg)

Deck: 30.7 ‘Flexy’ bamboo, maple and fiberglass composite

Starting with the deck, the Ripple has a wide concave deck constructed of tough composite material made of maple, bamboo, and fiberglass. We love the RGB lights under the deck and the sleek, minimal grip tape design. It features amazing decorative LEDs at the side that indicate the battery level and brake lights that blink like a car.

ESC and Remote: 10s LingYi ESC

Moving onto the ESC, with the 10s Lingyi ESC on the Ripple, this is Lingyi’s first appearance in the Exway line. The 10s Lingyi ESC comes with 4-speed modes and is paired with the generic Lingyi remote which has an OLED display to show the speed, battery, and other info.

Battery: Travel Edition (99Wh) and Cruiser Edition (159Wh)

Photo of Exway Ripple battery and lights

As for the battery, the Ripple comes with two swappable batteries. The travel edition 99Wh battery complies with FAA and other aviation regulations so you can take it to the skies. And the 159Wh cruiser edition, which is still allowed in carry-on baggage with airline approval as most airlines have a limit of up to 160Wh. But even so, some airlines may have their own regulations when it comes to carrying Lithium-ion batteries so be sure to check your airline before traveling.

We thought the battery was hot-swappable like the Exway Wave, but it isn’t. You need to remove 9 screws to swap the battery so carrying extra battery in the backpack for extra range is not an option here.

Read our review of the Exway Wave here!

The marketed range of the Ripple is 13.5 miles or 18 km with the cruiser edition battery and 8 miles or 12 km with the travel edition battery. In our tests, we were able to travel 8 miles or 13 km at high speed using the Cruiser Edition battery, with a rider weighing 154 lbs or 70 kg. The range of the 99wh travel battery is either 6 miles or 10 km, which is a pretty limited range, to be honest, but that’s what you can expect from a battery this small. It’s advertised as a last mile solution as most people walk a mile after their main mode of transport to get to their final destination and eskates like these are a perfect alternative when commuting between college classes, getting to a bus stop, or even a quick trip to the corner shop.

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

Motor: Dual 672W Hub drive motors

The Exway Ripple uses a hub motor drive at 672W max power, which is marketed with a top speed of 16 mph or 25 kph, which means it’s definitely not built for speed but for casual cruising or beginners. But this makes it too slow for shared roads so you’re going to have to use it on pavements and sidewalks only. Surprisingly, when we took it to the road, we managed to hit 20 mph or 32 km/h, which still isn’t that fast but definitely exceeded the advertised top speed. I am guessing that Exway understates its top speed in order to comply with regulations some countries have. For instance, Singapore has 16mph or 25 kph as the speed limit for PEV.

Truck And Wheels: Reverse Kingpin Trucks And 77mm Polyurethane Wheels

For the trucks, Exway decided to equip Trist 7″ Reverse Kingpin trucks on the Ripple, which sets the Ripple apart from other $400 boards that typically use a cast truck. The back trucks of the Ripple also are made to look much better than most off-the-shelf hub trucks, in which its motors are typically screwed onto a pseudo truck. However, Exway came up with a smarter concept to have the truck’s axles inserted straight into the hub motor wheels, tucking the motor wires away and giving the Ripple a more traditional look.

In general, the trucks on the Ripple are excellent, but for a budget-conscious consumer, this might be overkill because even generic back trucks have shown to be reliable and sturdy enough, and since the Ripple’s power is limited, a reinforced truck is unlikely to be necessary. However, Exway Ripple is not about value for money; rather, it’s about refined quality, and this is just one example of that.

As for the wheels, we believe that Ripple’s tiny 75mm polyurethane wheels are the board’s biggest drawback and a deal-breaker for many. Nowadays, it’s uncommon to encounter boards with wheels smaller than 90 mm, and for good reason. Your ride is essentially limited to sidewalks and well-paved roads with 75mm wheels. Riding over rough asphalt for even a mile would be unpleasant.

Specs Summary – the Exway Ripple is not very competitive:

As you can see, Exway Ripple is a lot more polished than your typical $400 board but comes with much lower specs. We expect a $400 board to have at least a 10s2p 144wh battery and a 25mph or 40kph top speed, and even with promotion prices, Ripple will never compete with similar-priced competitors in specs.

When you compare it to the Meepo Atom 216Wh battery and its top speed of 29 mph or 47 kph, you can see that the stats differ significantly.

Read our review of the Meepo Atom here!

Our expectations for a $400 board are exceeded by the integrated lights and forged trucks. We also really value its exceptionally lightweight—just 13,1 lbs. (5.9 kg)! You will have to construct your own shortboard, as we did with our Orbiter Shrink a few years ago if you want a good one that is any lighter.

Riding Experience on the Exway Ripple

Like a surf skate with surf trucks that allow for sharp turns, the Exway Ripple is an incredibly fun board to ride on smooth roads and pathways. It will wobble a little if you try to ride it straight, so you have to go with the flow and carve things to keep it steady. The deck has a great size, a good tail, and a nice concave. It feels wider than it is, even though it is only 30″. It’s entertaining to use the kicktail, and if we had the skills, we could definitely use Ripple for tricks.

The LingYi ESC performs admirably in terms of speed control. When combined with relatively weak motors, LingYi ESCs were still flawless even years ago, when they still trailed Hobbywing ESCs in terms of smooth speed control. Since Exway Ripple has a tame motor and LingYi ESC has advanced to the point where it performs on par with Hobbywing ESC, it should come as no surprise that the speed control is incredibly smooth and intuitive.

Clearly, Exway Ripple lacks strength and speed. If you dare to join group rides with it, you will be left behind due to its top speed of 20 mph (32 kph). Although it isn’t really fast, riding on it feels very quick and agile.

Although the motors are strong enough to get me up most inclines, I wouldn’t trust them to get me up anything very steep. Keep to flat, well-paved roads and imagine it as a motorized surf skate.

The Verdict – Is Exway Ripple good?

Photo of Exway Ripple underside lights off

Photo of Exway Ripple underside lights on

Exway Ripple is a niche product that everybody can just look at and instantly know if it’s for or not for them.

For instance, Exway Ripple is designed for skaters who make fun of us eskater for our heavy boards, 105mm wheels, and incapacity to ollie up a curb. The board is the most agile and portable available, and its lightweight design should allow it to perform all skate tricks.

Exway Ripple is an enjoyable and useful electric surf skate with a long list of features that are off-limits for those of us who aren’t skilled at ollies. 75mm hub motor wheels are not the right choice if you ride on rough terrain. The larger 159wh battery may not be sufficient if range is a concern. If you need torque or speed, Ripple will be too weak.

But if you live in a place with good public transport or are traveling somewhere with good pavement, the Exway Ripple is the board you should get. A 15 mph speed limit on the sidewalk doesn’t affect the board’s maximum speed, and its agility makes it easier to maneuver among other pedestrians. It always makes sense to trade off extra battery for less weight if you know you will need to carry the board with you for portions of the trip.

If you are interested in buying the Ripple 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!

November 6, 2023November 15, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Basecamp Ghost Review – a $1,599 shortboard!?

For a new company to enter the eskate scene with a premium board, especially a premium shortboard, is a rather bold move, but that’s exactly what Basecamp has done with the Basecamp Ghost. In 2022, Basecamp had just begun producing electric skateboards, and in 2024, they will introduce the $1,599 Basecamp Ghost, an electric shortboard. Even though it’s on pre-order for $1,299, it’s still one of the most expensive electric shortboards available. We expect premium parts throughout the board because of the hefty price tag.

Basecamp Ghost Specifications

Price	$1299
Battery	12S2P, Molicel P42A, 373 Wh, 8.4AH
Controller	Basecamp custom ESC
Top Speed	34mph (55kph)
Range	25 miles (40 km)
Deck	31.1 inches T700 3K Carbon Fiber
Motor	Belt, 2 x 3000W Hobbywing 5255
Net Weight	19 LBS / 8.6 KG

Deck: 31.1 inches T700 3K Carbon Fiber

Close up photo of Basecamp Ghost deck print

Starting off with the deck, it’s a sleek 31.1-inch Carbon Fibre Deck with a unibody design and no bulging electronic enclosures. The deck of the Meepo Hurricane is also built of T700 3K Carbon Fibre, but unlike many carbon fiber decks, which are designed to be perfectly flat, the Ghost has a nice concave to it.

The Basecamp Ghost also has a tiny kicktail, which means two things:
1) It’s more for show than anything else, and
2) Despite the deck’s overall length of 31.1 inches, which is comparable to a mini-board, the wheelbase and stance are actually quite wide, resembling cruiser boards like the Tynee Stinger and Meepo Flow.

Click here to read our review of the Tynee Stinger.
Click her to read our review of the Meepo Flow.

This means it is far more stable than a typical mini board without expanding the footprint or compromising portability.

Portability is also a unique strength of this board; the carbon fiber material allows the deck to be lighter, and the whole board comes together at a carry-friendly 19 lbs or 8.6 KG.

Truck and Wheels: 7075 aluminum alloy and 90 MM 76A PU Wheels

Now let’s talk about trucks. These are high-quality CNC trucks that are engraved from 7075 aluminum alloy, so they should perform incredibly well and be a lot more durable than conventional cast trucks.

The wheels are 90 MM 76A PU Wheels and despite being advertised as the most comfortable wheels available, these seem very standard to us despite using the late-Boosted Hemotox technology.

Battery: 12S2P, Molicel P42A, 373 Wh

Photo of Basecamp Ghost battery enclosure

Close up photo of Basecamp Ghost battery enclosure

For the battery, Basecamp went with a 12S2P, Molicel P42A, 373 Wh. On one hand, this is pretty underwhelming for any board over $700, but on the other hand, a bigger battery will reduce the portability, which is one of the unique upsides Ghost has going for itself.

At the very least, it’s using the best cell possible with Molicel P42A. The Ghost is marketed at a range of 25 miles or 40 km. In our tests, we managed to reach 19 miles or 30 km with a 154 lbs or 70 kg rider riding fast modes 3 and 4, which is still a healthy range.

ESC: Basecamp Customized ESC

Close up photo of Basecamp Ghost label sticker

Close up photo of Basecamp Ghost ESC enclosure

Moving onto the ESC, Basecamp decided to design their own for the Ghost.

Initially, we were wary of the claim, as there had been many small brands that launched boards with quote-unquote customized ESC but, in truth, were just using a version of Lingyi ESC.However, this is not the case with Ghost; what is within the Ghost gave us the impression of a VESC. It includes smart turn-on features, which let the board to switch on automatically when the remote is turned on, like many VESC do nowadays. It also came with 4-speed modes.

So we reached out to Basecamp, and they told us that it is an XESC and claims that it is superior to VESC. This Basecamp XESC does provide for the same customizing capabilities as a VESC, although we don’t like to compare the two. It allows for customization of almost everything, including swapping out motors, batteries, etc. And you can change the settings straight from the remote, very convenient. I think this is where Ghost tries to set itself apart and try to be as custom-friendly as possible, catering to the DIY crowd. Caution, though, the advanced customization with the pro settings will void the 1 year warranty, so play around at your own risk.

The remote is very nice, too, it’s very ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The throttle dial has a lot of travel, which always translates to more precise control.

Motor: Belt, 2 x 3000W Hobbywing 5255

Last but not least is the motors; the Basecamp Ghost uses a belt drive system with two 3000W Hobbywing 5255. These are pretty good motors and can go up to 34 mph or 55kph.In our tests, we managed to hit 30 mph or 48 kph before we ran out of road, but the board feels like it could really go to 55 kph, which is crazy for a shortboard.

Specs Summary:

To sum it up, Basecamp Ghost was well assembled and is truly built of high-quality components. Additionally, the board features a 1-year guarantee and an IP 65 waterproof rating.

Just going through the specs made it clear that this definitely wasn’t a board that budget shoppers would reach for, as a 12s2p battery for $1,299 is pretty steep. However, since people used to purchase Boosted for similar specs at a higher price, we know that some consumers are willing to pay more for a premium experience.

Riding Experience

Basecamp Ghost rides more like a cruiser board and less like a shortboard. The wheelbase is wider than most minis, and it reminds us of the Tynee Stinger and Meepo Flow we just reviewed, just with a narrower deck and a milder concave.

What Basecamp Ghost did better than those cruisers is the speed control. Whatever ESC Basecamp put into this board, it really does its job well, even better than the latest gen of Hobbywing ESC.

First, you get perfect smoothness in how the speed ramps up. Second, how the speed mode was designed makes sense too. The third speed mode allows you to access the highest top speed while accelerating smoothly up to the top speed. The 4th speed mode was configured to be very intuitive, too. It has a smooth and gentle initial initiation, but if you push the throttle all the way up, it gives you the extra power and the kick.

And, the throttle has a lot of travel and hence gives you more precise control of the acceleration. You can keep the throttle in the midpoint, and it’s already plenty strong, and there is a lot more room for you to push the dial all the way up, and the acceleration just ramps up precisely as strongly as you want it to. And if somehow you want the speed control to behave differently, you can always tinker with it yourself.

Power

Besides a better-than-most speed control, Basecamp Ghost is more powerful than most shortboards too, and we are expecting nothing less from a premium board at this price. The powerful dual 3000W Hobbywing motors do not let you down. For context, the Basecamp Ghost is still one of the most powerful mini boards we evaluated, but not being as mad as certain powerhouses like the Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

It can go up to 34 mph or 55 kph, and the setup is pretty stable. Although we do not have a long, straight, safe road to reach the board’s limits, we can imagine riding that fast on this 31-inch board. And that brings us to the point, the Basecamp Ghost prioritizes stability over responsiveness.

Responsiveness and Stability

Because of its longer wheelbase and lack of a kicktail, the board is more stable than the average micro board and rides like a 35-inch cruiser board with a kicktail. The CNC trucks are great; they are precise but also more biased toward stability than responsiveness. We think this leaning towards stability makes sense as Ghost clearly should be ridden fast, and any board this length has no problem turning tight corners anyway. Although carving is clearly not this board’s strong suit—it is not a longboard with a flexible deck and twin kingpin trucks— but it is still pretty enjoyable though.

Vibration

So, the riding experience on the Ghost is pretty amazing, however, it does have one weakness that came with the design, which is road vibration. With 90mm wheels and a carbon fiber deck, the board conducts unpleasant road vibrations too well. Additionally, since you would typically lay your foot squarely on top of the trucks, the vibration would pass directly from the wheels to the trucks to your knee. Although it can’t be helped, purchasing a small board comes with this inconvenience. Wearing larger wheels might be beneficial.

Verdict of Basecamp Ghost:

The Basecamp Ghost is undoubtedly a premium board and, hence not for everyone.

If you want a carbon fiber short cruiser that is light and portable, powerful and stable, with perfect speed control, then Basecamp Ghost will be what you build. It is also one of the rare non-boutique boards that are DIY-friendly, as it has an ESC that allows tinkering with its parts.

All in all, it is not a board that we value-counting plebs at ESHQ would buy, but if we are stealing one board from an electric shortboard store, we will definitely be taking this one.

If you are interested in buying the Basecamp be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $150 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!

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Mini 2s Review: How much of an upgrade?

Today, we are reviewing the Wowgo Mini 2s, a new belt-driven electric shortboard from Wowgo.

In July 2023, Wowgo launched the Wowgo Mini 2s into stiff competition. Just this year, we saw a ton of new electric skateboards occupying what I called the mid-tier price segment ($500 – $800). For shortboards, we have the Tynee Mini 3 ($569) and Tynee Mini 3 Pro ($869), and for cruisers, we have the very good Meepo Flow ($729), Meepo Envy ($699) and Backfire Zealot S2 ($849).

And now, the Wowgo Mini 2s. Priced at $699, it is the upgraded sibling of the Wowgo Mini 2. However, with the Mini 2 now selling for $469, does the Wowgo Mini 2s do enough to justify that extra $200?

Wowgo Mini 2s Specifications:

Price	$699 (Street) $819 (2 in 1)
Battery	12S2P, 260Wh, 6.0Ah, Samsung 30Q
Controller	Hobbywing ESC V5.0
Top Speed	28 mph (45 kph)
Range	18.6 miles (30km)
Deck	Canadian Maple, Bamboo, and Fibreglass
Motor	2 x 700W Motors/Belt Drive
Net Weight	17 lbs (7.7 kg)

Deck – Same!

The deck remains largely unchanged from the Wowgo Mini 2, using a blend of bamboo, and fiberglass. It is completely stiff; the full-length enclosure underneath the deck makes sure of that.

The U-shaped concave design, popularized by the late-boost Mini, can be seen here, though with a more subtle concave compared to others like the Boosted Mini or Exway Wave. This concave provides a responsive yet comfortable stance for riders.

Material: Bamboo, and fiberglass hybrid.
Design: A milder U-shaped concave compared to the Boosted Mini or Exway Wave.

ESC and Remote – 12s Hobbywing ESC

The Wowgo Mini 2s employ the 12s Hobbywing ESC, offering four-speed modes and ensuring a smooth ride. Hobbywing ESC comes with a smart power-on feature ( the board power on automatically when you switch on the remote). The ESC pairs with the latest Hobbywing remote instead of going with the usual Wowgo remote. This is a bit sad, we like the Wowgo remote; it has an elegant look.

A smartphone app is now available for the 12s Hobbywing ESC, thanks to a recent update. You can select one of four preset speeds or download the Tuya app and adjust the speed profile.

Powered by the 12s Hobbywing ESC, the Mini 2s provides four-speed settings.
Supported by a smartphone app, users can modify their speed profile via the Tuya app.

Battery – Disappointing

The Mini 2s comes with a 12S2P battery using Samsung 30Q cells. This is bigger than the 10s2p of the Wowgo Mini 2, which gives the Mini 2s a larger 260 wh battery as compared to the Mini 2’s 10s2p 187 wh battery. Not gonna lie, we were a little disappointed here seeing the $729 Tynee Mini 3 Belt have a much bigger 393 Wh battery in 13S2P configuration and also use a 21700 battery in the Molicel P42A. I was expecting Wowgo to at least go with 21700 cells instead of 18650 cells in the Samsung 30Q, which, don’t get me wrong, are one of the best cells for an electric skateboard, but it’s not that juicy.

At the very least, it outperforms the Exway Wave, which costs the same $699 and has a measly 180-watt-hour battery.

Fortunately, this 12S2P pack still performs well. It’s claimed to last 19 miles (30km); however, in our tests, our 155-pound (70 kg) rider got to 15 miles (24km) by riding fast. While longer is always better (that’s what she said), 15 miles of range should be enough for a shortboard.

Click here to read our review of the Tynee Mini 3 (hub)

Despite this, the 12S2P promised a range of 19 miles (31 km), which, in real-world tests, translated to about 15 miles (24 km) at top speed.

Equipped with a 12S2P battery using Samsung 30Q cells, totals to 260 Wh, bigger than the 187 Wh of its predecessor.
Advertised range: 19 miles (31 km).
Real-world test: 15 miles (24 km) riding fast.

Motor Type – The Star of The Tale

The belt drive is without a doubt, the biggest improvement going from the Mini 2 to the Mini 2s. The Mini 2s uses two 700-watt belt motors compared to the Wowgo Mini 2’s two 680-watt hub motors. These are the same size as those in the Wowgo Pioneer X4!

The motor is significantly more powerful, and the Mini 2s has a marketed top speed of 28 mph, or 45 kph, and we hit that in our test. This is definitely a lot faster than most riders need, but I’m sure some of you have an appetite for the adrenaline rush.

Although the extra power is exciting, the belt drive’s main advantage is a smoother ride. The original Wowgo Mini 2 was already incredibly powerful with efficient large hub motors; however, they have a tendency to transfer road vibrations a little too well.

A significant leap from the Mini 2, the Mini 2s is powered by two 700-watt belt motors.
Marketed top speed: 28 mph, which was consistent with our tests.

Trucks – Wowgo’s Proprietary Trucks

The trucks are Wowgo 45-degree RKP trucks with double barrel bushings. These are the same trucks seen on the Wowgo 3E and Wowgo Pioneer X4, and we already know they are pretty good.

Wheels – Cloudwheels Compatible

The board comes with standard 78A 90mm polyurethane wheels, and you can upgrade to 105mm cloud wheels for an additional $100 or get both wheels for $819.

Standard: 78A 90mm polyurethane wheels.
Optional: 105mm cloud wheels for an additional $100 or bundled at $819.

Weight

The board weighs 17 pounds (7.7 kg), making it slightly lighter than typical electric longboards but heavier than the Wowgo Mini 2, which weighs 15.32 pounds (6.95 kg).

Summing Up the Specs

To summarise, the $699 Wowgo Mini 2s is essentially a drivetrain and battery upgrade over the $469 Wowgo Mini 2.

At $699, the competition is fierce, with shortboards like the Exway Wave and Tynee Mini 3 and cruiser boards like the Meepo Flow all competing. The Wowgo Mini 2s features a decent battery for the price and two powerful motors. It looks nice, so let’s see if it rides better than the competition.

The Riding Experience of Wowgo Mini 2s

It’s no surprise that the Wowgo Mini 2S has flawlessly smooth and intuitive speed control; after all, it’s powered by a Hobbywing 12S ESC.

The Wowgo Mini 2s, like many of this year’s shortboard debuts, offer a lot of power and torque, even more than most electric longboards. It’s always exciting to take off from a standstill, and the Mini 2s accelerate quickly but smoothly, owing to the Hobbywing ESC. It is still punchy and quick, but the acceleration ramped up smoothly enough that it wasn’t jerky. It can also accelerate quickly to near top speed. And, as a powerful board with belt drive, traveling uphill would be no problem for even the heaviest rider. In terms of power, the Wowgo Mini 2s outperforms the Exway Wave and falls somewhere in between the Tynee Mini 3 Hub and the Tynee Mini 3 Pro.

Click here to read our review on the Exway Wave

And just like Uncle Ben said, with great power come great needs for stability, especially for a shortboard. The Wowgo Mini 2s performed well in this aspect; it has a short, narrow deck, but the trucks are well-balanced in terms of stability and ease of turning. We feel pretty comfortable going 25 mph or 40 km/h on it, but afterward, it starts to get scary for us. Again, we believe that no one should ride a shortboard this fast.

After all, most people ride shortboards for the agility they provide, such as maneuvering around pedestrians on the sidewalk and rounding tight corners. And these are the things that the Wowgo Mini 2s excelled at. The truck is responsive and easy to control, and the kicktail, despite its tiny size, is useful for kick turns.

When it comes to reducing road vibrations, the Wowgo Mini 2s outperforms the hub version of the Mini 2, but that’s obviously a very low bar to clear. On uneven roads, all shortboards felt awful, but those with belt drives fared significantly better than those with hubs. The 105mm cloud wheels helped a lot, but we still wouldn’t recommend owning a shortboard if you mostly ride on rough roads.

Verdict – Should you buy the Wowgo Mini 2s?

We really enjoy riding the Wowgo Mini 2s. I mean, we like the Wowgo Mini 2, and the Mini 2s is a lot more powerful and has a smoother ride after switching hub motors for belt drive. Black and grey also look better to our eyes than the purple color of the Wowgo Mini 2. For $699, we wish it came with a bigger battery, but if you are not that concerned about maximizing battery per dollar, the Wowgo Mini 2s is a great electric shortboard to get.

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo, check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $15 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Meepo Mini 5 Review – Best affordable electric skateboard?

If you’ve been keeping up with Meepo Board, you’re probably aware that they’ve been dominating the budget electric skateboard market since 2017. Among their boards, the Meepo Mini 2 has been one of the most popular electric shortboards since 2019.

In 2023, Meepo finally unveiled the Meepo Mini 5 – the newest addition to their electric shortboard lineup.

Priced at $469 for the standard version and $599 for the Extended Range version, we’re eager to delve into this review and discover what upgrades the 2023 Meepo Mini 5 brings to the table.

Will Meepo still be the top pick for an affordable electric shortboard? Let’s find out!

Meepo Mini 5 Build and Specs

Deck: 8-ply Canadian maple
Electronic Speed Controller: LingYi ESC; 4-speed modes, push-to-start
Batteries: Standard version – 144Wh battery; ER version – 288Wh battery
Marketed Range: Standard version – 11 miles (18 km); ER version – 19.8 miles (32 km)
Motors: 500×2 Hub
Marketed Top Speed: 28 mph (45 kp/h)
Trucks: 5th Gen Shredder 45° Truck
Wheels: 90x60mm, 78A

The specs of the Meepo Mini 5 might be a little familiar to the fans of the brand. Meepo Mini 5 shares the same electronic components as the recent Meepo V5. Both models have the same ESC, battery, motors, and trucks – the only distinction is the deck.

The Meepo Mini 5 deck is crafted from 8-ply Canadian maple and is completely rigid, with no flex. At 30 inches long, it boasts a functional kicktail and a fairly deep concave. This aggressive deep dish-shaped concave popularized by the late Boosted Mini has become the standard for all-electric shortboards. An aggressive concave makes the shortboard even more responsive and fun to ride.

In the design category, the 2023 Meepo boards stick to the same color theme – black and gray. This look creates a simple, tasteful, and polished vibe that we appreciate.

The board weighs 17.9 lbs (8.12 kg), so carrying it around is not too difficult.

Speed control – Punchy 4th Speed Mode

Like the Meepo V5, the Mini 5 is equipped with a LingYi Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). It comes with a push-to-start feature, so the board powers up automatically when you push it forward. The ESC has 4-speed modes and 4 braking modes that can be adjusted independently. Known for its gentle, smooth acceleration in the first three speed modes and punchy 4th mode, the LingYi ESC can cater to its control profile for any rider.

Want to learn more about Meepo V5? Read our verdict here.

Honestly, I think Meepo could have removed the fourth mode from the Mini 5. Only a small percentage of e-skaters would want their shortboard to have such a punch.

Beginners are advised to stick to the first three speed modes, which offer smoother acceleration.

We have to say that Hobbywing ESC still does provide slightly better smoothness in control compared to this latest version of LingYi ESC. It’s a small difference, though. Only eskate reviewers will probably notice it.

Strong Brake

Many, however, prefer the braking profile provided by the LingYi ESC. The brake can be adjusted to the very strong 4th mode that some eskaters refuse to ride without.

As we mentioned in our Meepo V5 review, we’re a bit puzzled by the choice of the remote controller. Meepo designed its remote to resemble the generic Hobbywing ESC remote rather than sticking with the default LingYi remote with a screen.

Unfortunately, this remote lacks a screen to display speed and range. If you really want a screen on the remote, you’ll have to purchase the Meepo 5s remote ($69) or pair your Mini 5 with another LingYi ESC-compatible remote.

Interested in a longboard instead? Check out our Meepo Voyager X review here.

The Meepo Mini 5 offers two battery options: a standard 4AH 144Wh battery with a claimed range of 11 miles (18km) and an extended range version with a 288Wh battery boasting a range of 19.8 miles (32km).

We received the ER version and yielded 13.5 miles or 22km with our 188 lbs (85 kg) test rider while riding at high speeds. This result meets our expectations. You can expect 10 miles or 16 km of range from the 4AH base version of the Meepo Mini 5 and V5. Obviously, it’s possible to get a lot more mileage out of a single charge if you ride slow or go on a diet.

The board is powered by 500W dual hub motors, which are pretty generous for an entry-level electric shortboard. These motors are undoubtedly more powerful than necessary for a shortboard, and they should be capable of tackling steep inclines even for heavier riders.

Fastest Top Speed for a Shortboard

Meepo claims that the motors can reach a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 km/h). During our test, we indeed hit a top speed of 27 mph (44 km/h). This is definitely faster than anyone should go on an electric shortboard.

As for the trucks, Meepo has updated its signature Shredder trucks. These 7-inch trucks, angled at 45 degrees and made by Meepo, are very responsive with a good return to center.

In our Meepo V5 review, we mentioned these trucks come out of the box fairly loose and carve-y. This made the board nimble and easy to navigate through tight spaces – perfect for maneuvering around pedestrians or executing sharp turns.

Of course, there’s the kicktail for tight turns, but we understand that not everyone knows how to use a kicktail. That’s okay, we won’t be judging.

This also means that if you want to ride at high speeds, you should take the extra step of tightening the trucks. The default configuration is too wobbly for that.

Another mini-board champion on our list would be the Tynee Mini 2. Check out our review here.

Meepo Mini 5 utilizes 90mm wheels. The front wheels are of pretty good quality. We heard that they were made by the same wheel manufacturer as the late Boosted.

However, the urethane on the hub motors is still quite thin. Road vibrations can be harsh. Keep in mind that the board also lacks flex, so that doesn’t help.

This can be torture when riding on rough pavements for an extended period, especially on an electric shortboard with hub motors. So, If that describes your typical route, consider getting the 105mm donut wheels either from Meepo at $89 or Cloudwheels. This upgrade will save you from needing knee replacement surgery in the long run.

Alternatively, you might want to opt out of getting a shortboard with hub motors; anything with flexible deck and belt motors might be a good place to start.

Farewell, Meepo Mini 2

Initially, we thought the Meepo Mini 5 would be the same board as the Mini 2, with a fresh paint job, updated design, higher quality parts, better polish, and waterproofing. After reviewing the board, we realized that they are, in fact, very different shortboards.

I like to say that the Meepo Mini 2 rides like an electric longboard that is short. It is stupidly powerful yet stable, as the truck configuration prioritizes stability over ease of turning. It doesn’t make much sense for a shortboard to focus on power and stability, but it was pretty unique compared to other electric shortboards. I was fond of the Meepo Mini 2 for that uniqueness.

Meepo Mini 5 VERDICT – Best Choice for Power and Portability

I’m sad to see the Meepo Mini 2 go, but let’s not dwell on the past – here’s our verdict on the Mini 5.

For $469, the Meepo Mini 5 checks all the boxes for a solid electric skateboard. It is agile and nimble. It has a decent range, speed control that’s easy to get used to, impressive power, and high top speed. All of these combined make the Meepo Mini 5 an easy pick-up for anyone seeking a portable electric skateboard to ride in style.

However, don’t buy this board if you primarily ride on rough roads or are looking for the fastest shortboard – that’s not what the Mini 5 was designed for.

If you are interested in buying the Meepo, be sure to use our affiliate discount link here.
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!