Unicycles are fun toys. Hoverboards are nice electric toys as well. They are fun to use, fun to play around with; However, wouldn’t it be nicer if you had the best of both worlds?
That is where an electric unicycle comes into play! If you love perusing your local town and if you enjoy the whole balancing act of a unicycle, that this is the gadget for you. It is practical, it is fast, and it looks nice as well. You can get high speeds the same as an electric hoverboard, but you keep the fun of the unicycle as well. It cannot get better than that!
If you have no idea on how to approach the subject, read on. We prepared a nice guide, so you know what to look for in your next on wheel hoverboard. We also give you three of the best electric unicycles of the years 2018, so you do not have to search the whole internet for the best models.
Quick Overview
| Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| InMotion V8 | 4.7/5 | Buy on Amazon |
| Segway One S1 | 4.5/5 | Buy on Amazon |
| SwagTron SwagRoller | 4.0/5 | Buy on Amazon |
One-Wheel Hoverboards: Buying Considerations
As a new user, you might have no idea where to start by buying one wheel Segway. Before presenting you our top picks for this year, we would like to give you a couple of general criteria at which to look at when buying a new electric unicycle. Here they are:
Price
All purchases should start with a budget in mind. If you don’t mind how much a product will cost, then look at the next steps. However, if you are a budget-minded person, set a sum of money you are willing to spend on such a device and try to stick with it. If you do not find any decent products in your budget range, either save up some more and raise the budget or wait for a killer deal from your favorite retailer.
Battery capacity
With battery capacity comes distance range as well. We would say that the more, the merrier. The higher the battery capacity is, the farther you will travel. Just keep an eye on the wattage and the type of battery. Aim for Lithium-Ion batteries. They are highly-used in all industries and are generally easier to replace if something goes wrong with the current one.
Top speed
You might want a one-wheel scooter to cruise around in your local parks. On the other hand, you might want it to travel as fast as such a gadget permits from point A to point B. Take the speed into consideration when you are on the lookout for an electric unicycle. Faster is not always better if speed is not what you are looking for; Moreover, if you gift this to kids, we recommend buying something with smaller max speed. Kids are known for being adventurous, and that could quickly become dangerous at high speeds.
Weight capacity
Know what type of rider the one wheel hoverboard will carry. All these types of gadgets have a weight limit. If you get one that is on the higher side of the limit spectrum than that electric unicycle should be able to withstand more jumps and falls with the user on it. If you get gadgets that can carry less, then use them with more caution. They are not worse than the ones that can carry more, they are actually lighter, but you should not put them in harsh conditions.
Ability to pass different types of terrain
You might want to have a little fun in the woods. At the same time, you might want to just cruise along the streets of your favorite town. Other people might just want to have an electric unicycle for the sole purpose of commuting on asphalt roads.
Know where you want to take your gadget and plan your next purchase around it. If you cannot really decide between pavement and dirt, get something that will make the best of both terrains. The more specific you will be in your terrain choice; the better purchase you will make. Think about it for a second, and you will surely realize where you will be heading with your next one wheel hoverboard.
Top Picks: Electric Unicycles
The Winner – InMotion V8
If speed and portability are on your mind when thinking about a one wheel hoverboard, then look no further. The InMotion V8 has both those two factors dialed-in to near perfection. It is fast, slim and powerful. While slim, it is also beautiful. The black main paint along with the color-changing LEDs are sure to turn some heads in interest. Your next eco-friendly commute will be less sweaty and much more fun if you choose to ride this electric unicycle.
The first thing that got us interested in the InMotion V8 was the maximum speed. At 20 miles per hour, this gadget trumps most eco-friendly commuting vehicles such as hoverboards, bicycles or some electric scooters. Being able of such reaching high speeds, it is not recommended to gift this gadget to children.
As a beginner, you might be discouraged by the speed it can handle. However, don’t be. All you have to do is download the smartphone app available for this electric unicycle and start the beginner-friendly tutorial. It will take you step-by-step on how to use such a device. You will start with slow speeds and pick up the pace in your own rhythm.
If you will still be uncomfortable in pushing the limits, just tweak the device parameters to your liking. You have a lot of options which you can tweak. Just to name a few, you can play around with the max speed, the LEDs color, LEDs patterns, and so on.
Being user-friendly, you can start with the basics and advance along with it. The better you get, the easier it will be to understand this electric unicycle. You will find that it will take some time until you feel like you have pushed the limits of the gadget. This means that it can be a product for enthusiasts as well as first-time users that want something powerful in the long run.
Having such a slick design and a slick wheel, we do not recommend going off-road with the InMotion V8. It is clearly a gadget made for the streets. Pavement, asphalt, and paving blocks are the ideal terrains on which you can feel the speed. At the same time, you should be wary of the bigger potholes and bigger curbs that come your way. This one wheel scooter has a low profile wheel. While it does look nice and keeps the speed in high numbers, it also implies you need to be more careful where you travel.
Another impressive aspect is the miles you get per one charge of the gadget. With 30 miles under the belt of the device, all you have to do is think of where you want to go and worry no more. You are sure to get wherever you feel like going around town, without fearing you might be left with an empty battery on your way to the destination. You will sure have enough battery left when you want to get home as well.
High speeds, great design, and amazing mileage. These are the three criteria that describe best the InMotion V8. While it is pricier than other models, it is sure worth every penny. You get an amazing device that can get you almost everywhere around town without the fear of going slow or stopping because of a dead battery.
Specs and features
- Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 5.8 inches
- Weight: 31 pounds
- Wheels type: Rubber tires 16”
- Frame: Aluminum Alloy
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Miles per charge: 30 miles
- Maximum Speed: 20 miles per hour
- Motor: 800 W capacity motor
Pros
- you can travel longer distances
- fast speed for fast travels
- has a beginner training guide
Cons
- with great speed comes greater responsibility
- you cannot really use it off-road since it has a slick tire
- pricier than the other models we listed
Our star rating – 4.7 out of 5 stars.
It is fast, it is nice looking, and it is… fast! In our opinion, this is the best and sleekiest electric unicycle you can get. Travel wherever you need to go at the highest speed and get to your destination with almost no effort. You will get used to the device in no time at all with the beginner-friendly tutorial. Rediscover your city and its lovely sceneries while traveling on the InMotion V8. Did we tell you it is fast?
The Runner-Up – Segway One S1
The Segway One S1 is hands down one of the best electric unicycles on the market. It has everything you would want from this type of gadget: it is fast, it is lightweight, good battery, good speed, and great price. You simply cannot deny the sheer performance you get out of this one-wheel scooter.
If there was one aspect that stood out for us that has to be the speed of this one-wheel scooter. With a maximum of 12.5 miles per hour, you will fly across the town streets, arriving at your destination in no time. The device is fast and safe while riding, passing small potholes, curbs, or other small obstacles with little to no effort.
The battery size is not to be disregarded either. While you can achieve nice speed on this one-wheel scooter, the autonomy of the device is right around four hours of usage. That should last you for close to 15 miles, if not more than that, depending on the type of terrain that you ride in your journeys. However, to achieve this distance, you will need to keep the gadget in charge mode for four hours. That is somewhat understandable since it packs two 155W lithium-ion batteries.
One this is sure though: the long charging time sure does’ makeup in riding experience. If you use the Segway One S1 as your daily commuter, you might be possible to go to work and get back in one single charge. That all depends on the distance, you have to make from your home to your work. It might take a while to charge, we do not deny that, but this one wheel hoverboard makes it worth your while.
Another aspect that really impressed us is, in fact, two elements that cannot be presented separately. We are talking about the smartphone app and the beginner-friendly tutorial. This comes as great news for users that have never used such a device and need some training in order to ride safely.
After you download and install the device’s app on your smartphone (Android and iOS are both supported), you need to connect the app with the electric unicycle via Bluetooth. The first time you connect the device, your speed will be limited to only 2.5 miles per hour. This speed will gradually increase as you complete the beginner’s tutorials. This comes as a compensation for the lack of training wheels.
You cannot attach such things on this one-wheel scooter. However, you will not need them. The tutorial is well thought and designed so that you get the hang of the S1 without harming yourself in the process.
The overall design is slick and thin, making it easy to transport. Not only does it feel nice when using it. It is also built to turn heads. But do not let the slick design fool you about its toughness. It is durable and can withstand falls and scratches without damaging the internals of the device.
Specs and features
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Frame: Magnesium Alloy Frame
- Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
- Dimensions: 16.6 x 7.2 x 17.6 inches
- Wheels type: Rubber Tires
- Miles per charge: 15 miles
- Maximum Speed: 12.5 miles per hour
- Battery Type: two 155W Lithium-Ion batteries
Pros
- great battery life for long rids
- comfortable max speed to get where you need fast and safe
- great price for what you buy
Cons
- lack of training wheels
- takes a little more than usual to get used to how it rides
- takes a little while to charge the two batteries it has
Our star rating – 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The only thing that bothers us about this device is the charging time. You sure need to plan ahead if you happen to use this electric unicycle frequently. Most of us do not have 4 hours to wait around for charging a device. Other than that, it is such an amazing product for such an amazing price. We wholeheartedly recommend it. If it ever crossed your mind to get such a product, this would be your best choice without any second thought given.
Last But Not Least – Swagtron SwagRoller
What could be better than on wheel in the center of the electric unicycle? We will tell you: two wheels! This kind of rules it out from the unicycle category, but the concept remains the same. Both wheels are in the middle. You will have to balance it out while traveling with it, but it will be a tad easier because of the extra wheel.
What makes the Swagtron SwagRoller really stand out is its capabilities of off-road traveling. Sure, you will not go over hard roots and rocks, but it sure is a nice companion for trekking. Most middle-sized obstacles are easy to surpass with this gadget. It is the best choice if you want to do a little bit of both on-road and off-road traveling.
While out on a ride, you can blast your favorite tunes directly from the incorporated Bluetooth speaker. It is a nice sounding speaker that will sure announce a party when you pass by; You can connect your device via Bluetooth. Pair it with the scooter, and off you go. Enjoy the ride and enjoy the music as well. It makes any trip much more fun.
There is also a smartphone app for the one-wheel scooter as well. If you give the gadget to your child, the app can become a handy parental control tool. The max speed is not that high, but you can still have full control over it. Your child will be safe, and you will enjoy the time with him.
The LEDs on this electric unicycle can be controlled via the app as well. You can change their color, the pattern in which they illuminate and the number of LEDs that stay on. If you travel on badly illuminated paths, the LEDs can be controlled for higher brightness so they can light up the road ahead. The light looks cool during the day and keeps you safe during the night.
At 30 lbs, there is no question that this one wheel hoverboard is on the heavier spectrum. However, you need not despair. If you do not want to use it, or if you have to transport it somewhere inside a building, just pop-up the handle and off you go. It is easier to roll around 30 lbs by the handle rather than just carrying it under your arm (or, realistically speaking, carrying it in both your arms). The handle makes the gadget an excellent portable speaker as well. You can start up a party whenever you feel like it. All you need is some music, a little bit of Bluetooth and you can get the party started.
To be fair, all this functionality and fun comes at a fair price. You obviously get a lot for your money. You have an electric unicycle for when you feel like traveling or a portable speaker for when you feel like partying. The app is intuitive and straightforward to use. The setup process takes little to no effort at all. You also get used to the gadget quite fast, since the slow speeds are perfect for learning and enjoying the scenery as well.
Specs and features
- Dimensions: 20.5 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Wheels type: Rubber tires 14”
- Frame: Aluminum frame
- Weight Capacity: 265 pounds
- Miles per charge: 12.4 miles
- Maximum Speed: 9 miles per hour
- Motor: 450 W capacity motor
Pros
- sturdy wheels that can withstand all terrain
- fast to get used to
- nice battery autonomy
Cons
- a little on the heavy side
- it is not built for speed
- you need to pay attention to the speaker’s volume so you don’t disturb other people
Our star rating – 4 out of 5 stars.
The versatility of this device makes one amazing piece of tech. You can go almost anywhere with it, from parks to forests and even sandy areas. While the top speed is not that great compared to the other two models listed in this article, it sure does’ makeup in places where you can go with it. It super responsive and you will have a blast traveling on it!
Verdict: One-Wheel Scooters
There is no doubt that each of our picks comes as a response to the needs of the user. We do think that the Segway One S1 is a great all-around buy for the beginner or the veteran user of an electric unicycle. However, that should not stray you from picking any of the other two models.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose which one you would like. Budget wise, the S1 comes at a very impressive price. The Swagtron SwagRoller is close to the S1 in terms of price, and it does work a little better on off-road sections than any other of the picked models.
If you are looking for greater speed and distance overall, and you also have a little extra cash, we recommend you buy the InMotion V8. It has a nice big wheel, great top speed and a great battery that will last you for those long distances you want to travel.
All of these models are great for a specific thing. Choose the main aspect that your future one wheel scooter absolutely needs to have and pick according to that aspect. It is easy to buy a one wheel hoverboard, or anything for that matter if you at least know a couple of things that you might like your product to have before purchasing it.