Wowgo Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Electric Skateboard HQ

July 1, 2023July 8, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo released Wowgo 3E

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

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

Specification for the Wowgo 3E:

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

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

Flexible Deck & Return of the Handle Cut Out

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

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

12s Hobbywing – Perfect Speed Control

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

Battery – Power, Probably Not Range

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

Motors – 650W Dual-Belt Motors (5055)

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

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

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

Trucks – Wowgo’s Proprietary Trucks

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

Wheels – 90mm and 105mm

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

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

Summary of the Wowgo 3E

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

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

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $5 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

June 20, 2023July 27, 2023 by Paxson Lim

A Year Later – why the Wowgo 2s Max is still the best entry-level electric skateboard in 2023

Much like smartphones, most budget brands refresh their electric skateboards every year. This year, we have the Backfire Era 2, the Meepo V5 and V3s, and the Maxfind M5 Pro.

We’ve reviewed all of these boards, and in this article, I’m going to tell you why we think that the Wowgo 2s Max, which was released in 2022, remains the best entry-level electric skateboard despite facing competition from much newer models.

The Wowgo 2s Max: A Retrospective

When the Wowgo 2s Max first hit the market in 2022, it set a new standard for budget electric skateboards. Priced at $479, it pushed the boundaries of power and performance for boards in its price range. It was the first budget board that comes with a 12s battery configuration, giving it more power than some of the mid-range ($500-$1000) electric skateboards. It dethroned the Meepo V4S, taking the title of the most potent electric skateboard under $500, thanks to its strong dual 550W hub motors.

Meepo V4S was the strongest affordable electric skateboard before Wowgo 2s Max

But the Wowgo 2s Max wasn’t solely about raw power. It was also a level above its competitors in terms of refinement. While most budget electric skateboard brands had evolved beyond the 2017 practice of merely assembling a board from off-the-shelf parts, slapping on a logo, and calling it a day, the Wowgo team put considerable effort into giving the 2022 Wowgo 2s Max a premium look.

From the looks of the deck to the polishes of the board, the Wowgo 2s Max has a premium look. Nobody would’ve guessed that this is an entry-level electric skateboard. Look at the Wowgo 2s Max and compare them to the Backfire G2 Black or the Ownboard W1s! Yikes!

Wowgo 2s Max in 2023: Still Ahead of the Curve

Fast forward to 2023, and the Wowgo 2s Max is still leading the pack, proving that good design and solid performance never go out of style. Its specs continue to hold their own, even in the face of newer, flashier models.

Here’s a quick comparison of the Wowgo 2s Max with some of its closest competitors in the market today:

Board Model	Top Speed	Range	Battery	Motors	Price
Wowgo 2s Max	28 mph (45 kph)	14 miles (23 km)	5AH 216WH 12s2p	2 x 550W	$429
Meepo V5	28 mph (45 kph)	11 miles (18 km)	4AH 144WH 10s2p	2 x 500W	$429
Meepo V3S	29 mph (47 kph)	17 miles (27 km)	6AH 216WH 10s2p	2 x 540W	$469
Backfire Era 2	26 mph (42 kph)	15 miles (24 km)	5AH 180WH LiPO	2 x 650W	$449
Maxfind Max5 Pro	24 mph (38 kph)	9 miles (15 km)	4.4AH 158.4WH 10s2p	2 x 650W	$427

As you can see, the Wowgo 2s Max still rocks the biggest battery and is the only board amongst the pack that has a 12s set-up. This also means that, while the 550W motors look middle of the pack, the Wowgo 2s Max actually has the strongest power amongst its competitor in real-world riding.

PS: Let’s appreciate the state of budget electric skateboard right now. When we talk about the “typical” specs for a sub-$500 budget electric skateboard, we were expecting a 10s2p 4AH battery with 10 miles(16km), and 24mph(38 kph) top speed. Now, most of the brand offers boards that exceed those standards while still keeping their price low and the built quality high. Nice!

Throwback: The 2018 Wowgo 2S

Riding the Wowgo 2s Max: A Timeless Experience

What truly sets the Wowgo 2s Max apart is not just its impressive specs but also its great ride quality. It uses a 12s Hobbywing ESC, which is the industry standard for perfectly smooth and intuitive speed control. While it’s not as punchy as the Meepos, the smoother acceleration and braking make it a lot more popular and especially ideal for beginners and casual riders.

The Wowgo 2s Max also features a deck with a mild flex, which, combined with its stable trucks, makes for a comfortable ride. While it’s true that road vibrations can be an issue (as is the case with most hub-driven boards), the option to upgrade to 105mm wheels provides a viable solution for a smoother ride on rough roads.

Wowgo 2s Max 105mm wheels — 105mm wheels

While the Wowgo 2s Max uses non-branded (Wowgo proprietary trucks) trucks, they are not too shabby either. The trucks on the Wowgo 2s Max provide a good balance between stability and responsiveness, making it fun to carve. (More bias towards stability than ease of turning)

Wowgo 2s Max – still the best affordable electric skateboard in 2023

In March 2022, we said that ‘for any rider who wants an entry-level affordable hub board, the Wowgo 2S Max should be the first consideration.’ As of June 2023, that statement remains as true as ever, a no-brainer considering that all the great features of the board remain great, while its price has become slightly cheaper.

Our video review of the Wowgo 2s Max back in 2020.

So if you’re looking for an affordable electric skateboard, the Wowgo 2s Max should still be your first default option. It might not be the newest kid on the block, but it’s certainly one of the best.

You can now get Wowgo 2s Max on Amazon! (Click Here)

April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Review – A Great All-Around Board

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

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

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

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

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

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Build and Specs

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

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

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

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

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

More Range From Pioneer X4

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

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

Effortless 28 mph Top Speed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wowgo Pioneer X4 Ride Experience

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compare the Exway Flex ER in this review.

Wowgo Trucks Work Just As Well As Paris Trucks

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more about Meepo Voyager X here.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 VS Exway Flex ER – Riot

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wowgo Pioneer X4 VERDICT

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

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

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive $5 off during checkout.
It will help you get a small monetary discount and help us out too. On top of that, you’ll be tagged as an Electric Skateboard HQ customer and probably be treated better. Cheers!

November 12, 2022March 14, 2024 by Paxson Lim

Introducing Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Pioneer X4

On October 2022, Wowgo announced a set of new boards, the Wowgo Pioneer 4($649) and Pioneer X4($699). Wowgo Pioneer 4 and the X4 share the same specs, with the only major difference being the drive train they use. In case it wasn’t clear, Pioneer 4 – hub motors; Pioneer X4 – belt motors.

TLDR; Wowgo Pioneer 4(hub) and Pioneer X4(belt) are designed to be smooth rides that maximizes carving fun. The pair also has competitive specs for its asking price (starting at $649).

Click here to go to Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 product page.

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Pioneer X4 with the remote on top of the deck

Despite the new name, the Wowgo Pioneers series is actually not a new line of products, but the 2022 iteration of Wowgo 3 and Wowgo 3x. For those who are new to the sport, Wowgo 3 and 3x were first launched back in October 2019 (time flies!), and are wildly popular for their buttery smooth riding experience.

Looking for a trip down memory lane? Click here to read our review of the Wowgo 3.

What was improved? Everything.

The old Wowgo 3 and 3x were well-rounded boards. Besides the silky smooth riding experience that they were known for, they were completed with above-average power, battery, and polish. So it is easy to see why Wowgo took an ‘ if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it ‘ approach and went for incremental upgrades over a proven formula.

Specification of Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4

Deck: 38.5 inch x11.2 inch (98CM x 28.5CM)
Electronic Speed Controller: 12s Hobbywing ESC; 4-speed modes, smart turn-on
Battery: 8AH; 12S2P; 345 Wh Samsung 40T (21700)
Marketed Range: 21-22miles (33~35 km)
Motors: 2 x 680W hub-motor(Pioneer 4), 2 x 700W belt-motor(Pioneer X4)
Marketed Top Speed: 28mph (46kmh)
Trucks: Wowgo’s Proprietary Trucks (45° truck)
Wheels: 90mm streets, 105mm cloudwheels
Weight: 18lbs/8.2kg (Pioneer 4) ,18.5lbs/ 8.4kg (Pioneer X4)
Price: $649 (Pioneer 4) & $699 (Pioneer X4)

Retaining the silky smooth riding experience

Going with a flexible deck, Hobbywing ESC, and responsive trucks means the Wowgo Pioneers are going to be buttery smooth in both speed control and in carving.

Flexible deck with wide concave

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 uses a 38.5″ deck made from maple, fiberglass, and bamboo. The deck has a good amount of flex, roughly the same amount as the Wowgo 3 and 3X. It has a healthy concave, nothing crazy, just enough to help your feet feel comfortable on it.

Hobbywing V5.0 ESC

At this point, Hobbywing ESC needs no further introduction as it has been the gold standard of smooth and intuitive control for close to half a decade now. The smart power-on feature where the board automatically powers on when switching on the remote is also a universally loved feature that’s available with Hobbywing ESC. With the newer iteration of the Hobbywing V5.0 ESC, we can expect improved power and stronger braking.

Goodbye Paris trucks

Unlike its predecessor, the Pioneer series moved away from using branded Paris trucks. Both are now using Wowgo’s own proprietary trucks. The Pioneer 4 and X4 went with the same set of trucks as the Wowgo Mini 2, with some adjustments being made on the X4 for the belt system.

We reviewed the Wowgo Mini 2 a while back, so while we mourn the loss of Paris trucks, we can vouch for the quality of Wowgo’s proprietary trucks. That trucks are well-balanced and nimble on the feet, and stable at high speed. The Wowgo trucks should do just as well as the Paris, and keep the carving experience smooth and fun.

Wheels – 90mm wheels with 105mm cloudwheels options

Unsurprisingly, the Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 come with standard 90mm wheels with the option of including the 105mm cloudwheels for $100 more.

The 90mm wheels are pretty good, all major electric skateboard brand nowadays uses high-quality wheels that are both soft and durable. Soft wheels are keeping with the theme here, as they provide the final touch for a buttery smooth carving experience.

With that said, 105mm cloudwheels, as good as they are, do take away some of the carving fun. Unlike soft urethane wheels, the narrow contact patch of the cloudwheels doesn’t have that ‘sticky ride feel’ that makes carving fun.

Pioneer 4 vs Pioneer X4 – Hub vs Belt

Also, for those who are not familiar with the difference between drive-train. Hub motors, in this case, Pioneer 4, give a stiffer ride as the hub motors are embedded inside the rear wheels, and that means less soft urethane to absorb vibration.

Hub motors also generate less torque compared to belt-system.The reason? Unlike belt system, there isn’t any gear reduction to amplify the torque.

So why would anyone choose hub(Pioneer 4) over belt(Pioneer X4)?

Well, hub motors (Pioneer 4) are more battery efficient, meaning more range. You also don’t have to replace or maintain the belts, which will break or come loose after some time. Oh also, hubs are silent and free rolls without resistance, making it easier to kick push like a regular longboard.

With all that said, amongst all the variations and combinations, Pioneer X4 with 90mm street will give you the most carving fun, while the Pioneer 4 will get the most from the 105mm cloudwheels, as the extra size helps cushion off harsh bumps from the stiff hub wheels.

Wowgo Pioneer X4 with 105mm cloudwheels on sand terrain

Upgraded specs – Bigger battery, stronger motor.

To keep up with the times, Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 have received a small boost in both departments.

Bigger battery – 12s2p Samsung 40T

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 are now rocking 12s2p battery (Wowgo 3 used 10s2p), with Samsung 40T no less (vs 18650 cells previously)!

This gives the pair a 345wh battery, with 21-22miles (32-35km) of range.

These are competitive numbers for the price. For context, its closest competitor, the Exway Flex ER ($799) has a similar battery package (12s2p 345wh) while costing $100 extra.

Wanna see the numbers? Check out the data chart that we have painstakingly compiled.

Bigger hobbywing motors – 680W & 700W Hobbywing

So, the Wowgo Pioneer 4 uses a set of 680W hub motors and the Pioneer X4 has a pair of 700W belt motors.

While wattage number is not the best way to reliably compare motor performance, this is the only information we have at the moment. So, based on the motor wattage, the Pioneer 4 and X4 are 20% stronger than their predecessor and about as strong as any of their similarly priced competitors.

This basically means that the Wowgo Pioneer 4 and X4 are not going to struggle on power and torque, as they improved over the previous Wowgos which were already plenty strong. However, they are also unlikely to give thrilling accelerations or win many drag races as those are not the strongest motor out there. Thrill and power weren’t the ride profile that the series are going for anyways.

The boards have a modest top speed of 28mph (45kmh).

Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Wowgo Pioneer X4 side by side

Takeaways – Wowgo Pioneer 4 and Wowgo Pioneer 4x

It was quite the irony that the Pioneer series is quite the antithesis of innovation. Both the Pioneer 4 and 4X offers nothing new and merely improve over the popular Wowgo 3 and 3X. However, this is not to say that the Pioneers aren’t good boards or weren’t competitive. Actually, it is quite the contrary.

With slight improvements over Wowgo 3’s already very refined riding experience, coupled with well-rounded specs that are competitive at $649-$699, the Wowgo Pioneers 4 and X4 are the definition of a ‘safe choice’ for those who are looking for an enjoyable ride without breaking the bank.

You can now get Wowgo Pioneer 4 from Amazon (Click here).

If you are interested in buying a Wowgo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here to receive $5 off during check out.
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!

March 10, 2022July 27, 2023 by Paxson Lim

Wowgo 2S Max Review – The best budget electric skateboard.

Not too long ago, we crowned the Wowgo 2S Pro as the best budget electric skateboard under $500. So imagine our surprise that just after 7 months, Wowgo find the need to one-up themselves and released Wowgo 2S Max as an update for the 2s Pro.

From Wowgo 2s Pro to 2s Max:

The obvious key changes are

slight upgrade in motor wattage (500W -> 550W) and top speed (25mph ->28mph),
giving the option of 105mm Honeycomb wheels for an extra $120.
update in ESC

Unfortunately, the improvement doesn’t come free, as the $479 Wowgo 2S Max also saw a small price bump from $429 of the 2S Pro to $479.99 for the 2S Max. While it is a pretty foregone conclusion that the 2S Max will inherit the throne of being the best budget electric skateboard, we will have to examine if there is any flaw to the package.

As usual, let’s run through the specs to be clear about those theoretical upgrades…

Build and specs – Wowgo 2s Max

Deck: Canadian Maple, bamboo, and fiberglass; subtle concave with no camber/rocker
ESC: Hobbywing ESC; 4-speed modes, smart power-on
Marketed Top Speed: 28 mph / 45 kph
Motors: 550 W * 2 hub motors
Batteries: 12s2p, 5.0Ah, 50.4V
Marketed Range: 14.3 miles / 23 km (90mm wheels)
Trucks: Poseidon Trucks
Wheels: 90mm street wheels / 105mm honeycomb wheels
Board Weight: 18lbs / 8.2kg

Design & Deck – Wowgo 2s Max

The WowGo 2S Max’s deck is a combination of Canadian Maple, bamboo, and fiberglass. It only has a mild flex to it, and it’s even slightly stiffer than the 2S Pro. It also has a wide but subtle concave and is flat without any camber or rocker. As an upgrade, Wowgo put on a foam grip tape to improve vibration absorption for the 2S Max. However, this made the concave of the deck less prominent and our feet felt less secure during carving and rides.

The design on the grip tapes and the backside of the deck is pretty nice, too. The trident graphic gets to stay, and there’s another option of a new black design which looks pretty cool as well.

Trident underneath the deck (photo of 2s Pro)

For the electronic speed controller, the WowGo 2S Max used the 12s Hobbywing ESC which received minor updates from the one on 2S Pro. It also has the smart power-on feature, of course.

Hobbywing ESC Turbo

It is a given that speed control with the 12s Hobbywing ESC is going to be strong, silky smooth, and intuitive, but we are still looking to see if the “minor update” did anything to improve on that.

There are 4-speed modes, with the highest speed mode named Turbo.

And per usual, it uses the elegant remote that comes with telemetry.

Now, let’s look at the trucks. These are the same Poseidon trucks that Wowgo developed for the Wowgo 2S Pro. The trucks look to be Caliber II clones, are 8- inches 50° with 85 A bushing. From our previous review, we know it is a truck that prioritizes stability over maneuverability.

To check out our Wowgo 2S Pro review, click here.

Wowgo 2s Max have one of the strongest hubs

As for the motors, the 2S Max received a 50W boost per motor and now uses 550W dual hub motors. Judging by the numbers on paper, 550W motors will be amongst the strongest hub motors of all entry-level hub boards, with only the Meepo V4 Shuffle beating it at 620W x 2. To give you more context, most entry-level eskates use 400-450W hubs.

As a result, this 550W gave an improved marketed top speed of 28 mph (45 kph) and it did exactly that on our top-speed test.

There are also 105mm hub-sleeves and semi-all terrain wheels available. We will talk about how they perform later.

For the standard wheels, WowGo 2S Max is using 78A soft PU wheels, which is pretty usual for entry-level boards.

And when it comes to power, Wowgo 2S Max uses a 12S2P 5.0 AH battery. This gave a battery pack of 216wh in size and had a marketed range of 14.3miles (23km).

With regular street wheels, our 200lbs (90kg) test rider managed to get only 10miles(16km).
With the 105mm honeycomb wheels installed, our test rider got 8.6miles (14km) out of a full charge.

The range is exactly the same as what we get from the previous Wowgo 2S Pro which has very similar battery stats at 5.2AH. Although Wowgo kind of overstated the range, 10miles is the usual range for boards below $500, so we weren’t exactly disappointed or surprised here.

Battery size vs price, you can see that everybody <$500 has a similar battery size.
(Bubble size = motor wattage, bigger is more powerful)

The board weighed in at 18 lbs (8.2kg) and comes with a 6-month warranty.

Riding Experience of Wowgo 2s Max

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

First, let’s talk about speed control. Wowgo 2S Max’s speed and speed control are perfect as expected of the 12s Hobbywing ESC. Both acceleration and braking of the 2S Max are buttery smooth and intuitive. The brake strength is very strong, even stronger than the previous 2S Pro. This is great news as most riders eventually learn to love and prefer strong brakes, especially when the brakes are smooth and intuitive like they always are with Hobbywing ESC.

To know more about electronic speed controllers (ESCs), click here.

Powerful Even With Semi-AT Wheels

When it comes to the torque, the 550W hub motors perform incredibly well. By using one of the strongest hub motors amongst the entry-level hub boards, Wowgo 2S Max is powerful enough for any hills on your path. Although the torque and thrill are still a step behind what a set of powerful belt motors could offer, the Wowgo 2S Max is still one of the strongest hub boards amongst all the entry-level boards we’ve tested.

Having a powerful motor is important especially when you plan to put on the bigger 105mm wheels. With the semi-AT wheels, torque, and braking from Wowgo 2s Max goes from quite strong to just “strong”. A board with lesser power would have a ride feel of “no power” at all if installed with semi-AT wheels.

Stability over responsiveness

When it comes to maneuvering the board, it was, unsurprisingly, the same as it was with the older 2S Pro. Carving is fairly fun but more on the tight side, as the Poseidon trucks prioritized stability over maneuverability. The board has a good return to center and feels very stable at high speed.

Honeycomb Wheels Reduces Around 20% of Road Vibrations

The honeycomb wheels are alright, too. On smooth roads, it’s less fun to carve with the 105mm honeycomb wheels as it takes away the silky smoothness of soft urethane wheels. On rough pavement, however, the honeycomb wheels definitely had an impact in reducing vibration at around 20%, in our opinion. This, plus the foam grip tape makes Wowgo 2S Max a good board for those who have the unfortunate fate of living where roads are terrible.

However, if we were to compare these Honeycomb wheels with the Cloudwheels Donut, we would prefer the Donuts over this ‘Cloudwheel-clone’, as Donuts are better in vibration dampening.

The VERDICT – Wowgo 2s Max

So, the verdict seems like the brand with the funny name has done it again. Wowgo is going to retain its throne three times in a row for making the best affordable electric skateboard (first, the Wowgo Knight, then the 2S Pro, now 2s Max.)

Wowgo 2S Max has the performance that either matched or outmatched its competitors, the ride feels that leads the affordable segment and the polish that is much beyond the asking price.

Simply put, for any rider who wants an entry-level affordable hub board, Wowgo 2S Max (for now) should be the first consideration.

Oh! and the board is now available on Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3MRyli8

If you are interested in buying the Wowgo, be sure to check out our affiliate discount link here and use code: “ESKATEHQ” to receive 5% off during check out.
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!