Self-balancing e-scooters are quite common these days, and everyone wants to make them part of their fashion. But, there are many types of self-balancing e-scooters, and people are confused about which one to choose.
Many of those vehicles are inspired by hoverboards like Onewheel, electric skateboards, etc. Some of them are even better than hoverboards because they are improved versions of self-balancing technology.
Hoverboard and Onewheel are self-balancing electric mini vehicles, but their major difference is their wheels. The hoverboard consists of 2 wheels that travel in the forward shoulder direction. But Onewheel has a single big wheel situated in the middle of the footboard and travels like a skateboard.
So, today I will be discussing Hoverboard vs. Onewheel. What are the differences between them? Which of them is best and why? And some common questions relating to Onewheel.
Hoverboard VS Onewheel
Onewheel is a self-balancing single-wheel electric-powered vehicle that both young and adults love. It works on the same hoverboard technology, but a Single Wheel is significantly different than a hoverboard. The driving experience of a Onewheel is as smooth as snowboarding, and it also performs on rough surfaces.
There are many other differences between Hoverboard & Onewheel; let’s discuss some major ones to explore more.
Onewheel Is 27-30” Long While Hoverboard Is 24-30” Wide
Size is one of the significant differences between Hoverboard and Onewheel.
The Hoverboards are approximately 24-30 inches wide, and Onewheels are about 27-30 inches long. Now you must be wondering why hoverboards are measured in width, and Onewheels are measured in length.
Because hoverboards move in the shoulder width direction, but Onewheels move in the perpendicular straight wheel direction. This allows them to take the rider in narrow places easily, like skateboards.
So, Onewheels are considered more convenient self-balancing scooters because of their size.
Also Read: A Quick Guide to Find The Right Hoverboard Size
Handling Of Onewheel Is Difficult Than A Hoverboard
Handling a Onewheel is quite different from a Hoverboard because a rider has to stand on it like a skateboard rider, and the single wheel will be between his feet. The feet will be perpendicular, but on the other hand, a hoverboard rider has to place their feet in a straight direction.
Besides, controls of Oneweel are the same as a hoverboard, and riders have to lean forward to move ahead and lean backward to slow down the speed or stop the machine. The only difference in controls is turning; a rider has to shift its weight from toes to the bottom of his feet to turn the vehicle. But on the other side, a rider has to shift its weight to the left or right foot to take a turn.
Handling a Onewheel can be difficult for beginners because of its single wheel. But, when the rider gets familiar with the controls, it becomes very easy to ride, just like other self-balancing scooters.
Also Read: How to Control a Hoverboard? Detailed Guide
Hoverboards Are Safer Than Onewheel
The safety of a rider is very important while riding any vehicle. The Hoverboard provides a partially safe riding experience, but Onewheels are not considered as safe as hoverboards.
It is harder for a rider to control a Onewheel while riding outside than the hoverboards because of the single wheel.
A rider may easily fall and get injured while riding a single-wheel self-balancing scooter. But there are fewer chances on the Hoverboard. So, Onewheel is not recommended in terms of safety concerns.
If you are a beginner, you should go for Hoverboard, but if you are a professional skateboard and hoverboard rider, you can ride a Onewheel.
OneWheel Is Faster Than A Hoverboard
Another big difference between Hoverboards and Onewheel is their speed. A hoverboard can travel at the top speed of 12-15 KM per hour on a flat or smooth surface.
But, Onewheels can go at the top speed of 20-29 KM per hour on different surfaces.
The speed of any e-vehicle depends on the surface it is moving on. If a surface is not smooth and rough, the speed may decrease, but the speed will increase if a surface is smooth and flat.
So, it all depends on the surface, but Onewheels can perform much better on rough surfaces than hoverboards.
You can imagine how fast it can travel as compared to the Hoverboards. So, if speed is a thrilling factor for you, then Onewheel is perfect for you.
OneWheel Has Better Travel Range Than A Hoverboard.
Onewheel’s travel range is much better than other types of hoverboards. Depending on the surface condition, they can travel up to 19-29 KM in a single full battery charge.
But, hoverboards can only travel 12-15 KM on a single charge. This is a way less travel range than a Onewheel.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take For A Hoverboard to Charge?
The reason behind Onewheel’s good travel range is its single wheel and single motor. Yes, a single wheel and a motor will consume less power than two wheels and 2 motors. That is why they can provide this much travel range.
Hoverboards Have More Models As Compared To OneWheel
Many manufacturers around the world have made hoverboards since 2013, but Onewheels are only made by a single manufacturer. That is why hoverboards are available in different models, colors, and sizes.
But on the other hand, Onewheel only has 4 models, including Onewheel, Onewheel Plus, Onewheel XR, and Onewheel Pint. The first two are discontinued, and only XR and Pint are available right now.
Onewheel Pint is a medium-sized self-balancing scooter having 26 KM per hour of top speed with hill-climbing capability. It can travel up to 10-13 KM in a single fully charged battery (depends on the travel road/surface).
Onewheel XR is a heavy-duty e-vehicle equipped with a heavy motor and battery pack that generates 30 KM per hour of top speed. It can also go uphill and downhill with easy controls. The travel range of a Onewheel XR is 19 to 29 KM, depending on the surface where the vehicle is going.
One-wheel self-balancing e-vehicles have only two options in models, but there are many customization options. You can get genuinely customized Foot Pads, Rail Guards, Float Plates, Bumpers, LED Lights, and Carry Handles from the company.
Let’s discuss which one is best and why?
Hoverboard Or Onewheel – Which Is Best?
Hoverboards and Onewheels are self-balancing electric vehicles that use the same technology. They differ in numerous ways, including size, speed, and range of travel. Their differences have no impact on which is the best and which is not.
In their own way, each is the best.
However, a rider can choose which one is best for them based on their needs and circumstances. Let’s discuss some situations where Hoverboard or Onewheel will be the best choice for anyone.
Onewheel Is Best For Adults
If you are an adult and have extensive experience of riding a hoverboard/skateboard. In that case, Onewheel will be the best choice for you because there will be fewer chances of downfall when an experienced rider is driving the Onewheel.
But on the other hand, if you are a kid/adult and unaware of any self-balancing e-vehicle or skateboard, then Onewheel will be very difficult for you. There will be a high risk of downfall and injury if a beginner starts riding a Onewheel.
So, in this case, the Hoverboard will be the smart and best choice because there is less chance of beginners getting hurt while riding.
Kids are not recommended to ride Onewheel because of safety concerns, and it’s difficult to handle.
Onewheel Is Best For Outside Rides
The most important factor of deciding while choosing a self-balancing e-vehicle is a rider’s purpose. Yes, your purpose of buying is the most important, this will help you decide which one you should choose.
If you want an e-vehicle to do fun activities at home or inside, there is no need to buy Onewheel. In this case, any good-quality Hoverboard will be the best choice according to the situation.
If you want a mini e-vehicle that will get you around the town daily and have good travel speed, including a good travel range, then Onewheel is best.
Similarly, if your kid wants an e-vehicle that can be his fun activities partner, then a small 6.5 inches wheel-size Hoverboard will be the best choice because handling a hoverboard for a kid is much easier than handling a Onewheel.
So, when it comes to determining the best self-balancing scooter, it is always up to you.
Following are some common questions about Onewheel that come into everyone’s mind. Let’s discuss
Is Onewheel Safe?
Onewheel is not safe as compared to hoverboards. It’s designed to move as fast as possible and go off-road while riding, making turning tough. As a result, if you are a beginner, you will have difficulty getting used to the Onewheel controls. Many injuries have been reported since its release in 2015.
Onewheel has a good quality lithium-ion battery that is Ul2272 certified. That is why there is no overheating, fire-catching, or exploding incident of Onewheel reported yet.
In this aspect, Onewheel is a little safer. But, for riders, it is unsafe.
Is A Onewheel Easier To Ride Than A Hoverboard?
Onewheel is not easier to ride. It is much more complicated than riding a hoverboard because hoverboards have two wheels that support the rider and make it easy for a rider to maintain balance.
But Onewheel has one big tire that is situated in the center of the footboard. And the rider has to stand in a perpendicular direction to control the movement. This makes it very difficult to ride the onewheel.
So, riding a hoverboard is much easier than riding a Onewheel.
How Fast Does A Onewheel Go?
Onewheel can travel much faster than a hoverboard. Its powerful battery and wheel motor can achieve up to the top speed of 30 KM per hour. The battery and motor jointly produce a high amount of torque that boosts the acceleration and gives a faster speed.
The Onewheel is faster than the Hoverboard because hoverboards have a single battery pack with double wheel motors.
But on the other hand, Onewheel has a single battery with a single but powerful wheel motor. That is why they produce high torque that provides maximum speed.
How Far Can A Onewheel Go?
Onewheel not only has a fantastic speed, but they also have a good travel range. With a fully charged battery, they can travel more than 25 kilometers.
However, it is dependent on the type of surface that Onewheel is driving on. There will be a good travel range if it is flat and smooth. However, if the path is bumpy and full of obstacles, there will be less travel range.
However, Onewheel’s travel range is greater than any hoverboard.
Isn’t it great?
This is possible due to the single motor that powers a single wheel. Hoverboards feature two motors that quickly consume the battery, whereas Onewheel just has one. Because of this, it can travel further on a single charge.
Does Onewheel Go Backward?
Onewheel can travel backward. To do so, go into the Onewheel App and change the Simplestop feature. By just leaning or transferring your weight backward, you will be able to go backward.
However, going backward on a Onewheel is not a necessary skill. If you disable the Simplestop option in the App, you might open up the chances of falling down because there will be no way to stop the Onewheel. It can cause you severe injuries.
Can Onewheel Go Uphill?
Onewheel is designed in a way that they can easily go uphill up to a 30-degree incline road. The reason behind this is a powerful battery and a powerful motor. They both jointly produce a good amount of torque that helps the wheel go uphill while bearing the rider’s weight.
The Onewheel is considered best for an uphill ride as compared to the Hoverboard. It is hard to climb incline roads with the help of a hoverboard because Hoverboard’s battery and motor produce less torque.
Is Onewheel Waterproof?
They are not waterproof, but they are water-resistant. This means that they can withstand soft rain/dazzling, but they can’t stand against rain.
Besides, there is no waterproof self-balancing e-vehicle introduced yet. So, there is no chance of getting any hoverboard or Onewheel into the rain or water.
Can I Leave My Onewheel Charging Overnight?
Leaving your Onewheel on charge overnight runs the danger of the battery overheating and catching fire. Onewheel contains a lithium-ion battery, which can overheat if overcharged. An overheated battery has a high risk of exploding. So, never leave it charging overnight; instead, charge it entirely in front of you.
Conclusion
Self-balancing e-vehicles are adored by everyone these days, and there are different kinds of self-balancing scooters being sold in the market. You must be confused about which mini-vehicle is better than the other and best for your personality. So, I have briefly discussed Hoverboards and Onewheel, their differences, capabilities, and which one you should buy.
Also, there were some questions that people were asking on the internet about Onewheel. I have answered some of those, and I hope you have got all the information you were looking for.
If there is something else in your mind regarding this topic, you can directly ask me in the comment section below. I will answer all your questions as fast as I will receive them.
