Introduction
Razor Hoverboards are here to stay for a long time.
When Hoverboard literally rolled into the market for the first time, I was quite disappointed, because it resembled nothing which could actually ‘hover’. At that moment, I did not show much interest in actually to own one. And back then, those were quite expensive as well. However, I soon started noticing people on hoverboards everywhere. There were kids riding them in the park, students riding them to school and adults to work.
Still, I was quite skeptical about whether to really spend some money on it or not. But after noticing the mass appeal of these tiny vehicles, I decided to give it a try. And honestly, nobody loves to get excluded from the trend. After years of attempts and many hoverboards later, I finally landed on one, which really caught my attention.
It was a Razor Hovertrax 2.0. It looked quite awesome and had cool LED lights. The concept and experience appealed to me. It was unlike anything I have ridden before. It was nothing like other hoverboards. And despite the similarities in appearance, the experience greatly differed from other hoverboards I had. And most importantly, what attracted me the most was the self-balancing features, which is really helpful for beginners.
Hence, I decided to try and review all the Razor hoverboards. There are presently three Razor hoverboards available on the market. These are –
- Hovertrax 1.5
- Hovertrax 2.0
- Hovertrax DLX 2.0
Hovertrax 1.5
I happen to go for Hovertrax 1.5 for first. It is the most basic hoverboard offered by Razor. It comes in three colors – white, black and blue. Even though it is a very basic Razor product, yet the specifications and features are quite many. The frame is made of steel, with a shatter resisted polymer body. I think that is what makes it safe from damages, especially if kids are using it. There are also LED light bars.
It has silent dual motors (actually all the Razor hoverboards have silent motors), which is of great convenience for me. I do not like to startle everyone while strolling in the neighborhood. The motors consume 135-watt in normal cruising power, and 350 watts in peak power (this is the same for all the other Razor Hoverboards too).
While mentioning the peak power, I should also mention the peak speed. The Razor Hoverboard Hovertrax 1.5 can speed up to max six mph or 10km/h, which is a little slower than other hoverboards and relatively very low if you compare it with other vehicles. But still, it is very fast for a beginner, and even one might get injured if not properly handled. But there is an advantage for choosing Razor Hoverboard as a beginner.
All the Razor Hoverboards are installed with EverBalance technology, which makes it easier to mount and has auto self-balancing facilities. It is also equipped with Gyrosensor. This can particularly help them who have just started riding on hoverboards for the first time through some reviewers complain that they could not find it much helpful.
But I think that varies from individuals to individuals. For most of the users I have met online, and in real life, they all seem to love this feature. It also makes it quite safe for your kids to use. Like most other hoverboards, Razor hoverboard Hovertrax 1.5 is steered using your feet. If you are a veteran hoverboarder, you would not have any problem. And if you are a beginner, then it might take a little time to get the hang of it.
As for the battery, it has a 25.2V lithium-ion pack rechargeable battery. It can run up to 45 min at full speed. It has a UL2272 certificate. So it is very much safe. In fact, Razor Hoverboard was the first US brand to receive the UL2272 certificate. UL2272 is a certificate which ensures that the product passes all the battery-related safety issues.
The footpads are made of rubber and have a strong grip to prevent slip. So your kids and you, both can be assured of not falling off while trying this out for the first time. The tires are quite big for trying on various types of terrain and are made of rubber. If you are buying it for kids, it is recommended that they are older than 8. Because handling Razor hoverboards requires certain skills.
Also, keep in mind that Razor hoverboard Hovertrax 1.5 can only carry up to 176 lb or 80 kg. Above that, it would not be able to tolerate it. Presently there are two modes available in the hoverboard. These are – Normal and Training.
I tested both these modes myself, and I can surely say that for a beginner, the Training mode is very much helpful. The Razor Hoverboard Hovertrax 1.5 costs $299.99 on their site and $249 on Amazon, which is in a quite affordable range. The dimensions of the whole hoverboard are 23 x 7 x 6.9 inches and weigh around 15 pounds. The product comes with various indicators for easy operating experiences, which are battery power indicator, modes indicator, and balance indicator. This Razor Hoverboard comes with a 90-day warranty and full parts support.
Specifications:
- Cruise speed: up to 6 mph or 10 km/h
- Shatterproof polymer body
- Auto balancing with EverBalance technology
- Dual silent motors and blue LED lights
- 25.2 lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Training and Normal modes
Hovetrax DLX 2.0
While Hovertrax 1.5 is the most basic level hoverboard offered by Razor, on the other side, Hovertrax DLX 2.0 is the premium model of Razor Hoverboard. It is the dream machine of every experienced or beginner hoverboarder. As the company says, it is ‘Nirvana’ on wheels. The design is enigmatic and has flashy colors. My personal favorite is the galactic style, which has imprints of stars and nebulas on it.
Like the other Razor hoverboards, DLX 2.0 also comes with LED lights. However, the LED on DLX 2.0 is different in a way that it provides a very cool color-shifting effect. It also has an LED installed on the wheels. Another thing I liked in the design of this Razor hoverboard is the shape of the wheel hub. There is a round fender that extends out of the main body and protects from any kind of flying debris, dust, water and mud. And since it is a premium model, anyone would prefer to protect it from unwanted damages. The tires are build of rubber with aluminum hubs.
DLX 2.0 also comes with a shatterproof polymer shield. But at the same time, there are fender bumpers at the front and back for protection. This is not available on Hovertrax 1.5, unfortunately. Like the rest of the Razor Hoverboards, it also contains silent dual motors, 135 watts on cruising power and 350 watts on peak power.
And there is also Ever-balance auto-balancing technology with the Gyro sensor, so you do not end up hurting yourself or the hoverboard. I loved the experience that the moment it is turned on, it balances itself instantly for the rider to step on. Like the other Razor hoverboards models, it has the training and normal modes and is steered using feet.
It is now coming to the battery and other specifications. The battery type is 36V lithium-ion, quick changeable and rechargeable. So in case of any damage, you can switch the battery in the future. Or you can instantly switch them if you have a long cruise, so your adventure does not get spoiled.
Point to be noted, that Razor Hovertrax DLX 2.0 has more battery power and capacity than the rest two Razor Hoverboards. It can run up to 60 minutes continuously at full speed. The max speed exceeds the rest Razor Hoverboards too, with nine mph or 14 km/h. It has a UL2272 certificate to ensure the battery’s safety.
It also has rubber foot pads to prevent slipping while riding. But among all three Razor Hoverboards, DLX 2.0 has the biggest pads. It makes it more comfortable. Also, the thickness of the rubber pads is considerably better than others. At the same time, it is much durable than the other Razor Hoverboards, as it can carry up to 220lb or 100 kgs.
So having a little bit of extra weight would not be much of a matter if you are going for this particular hoverboard. The wheels are quite big and can access most of the terrains. And it comes with the same numbers of indicators, such as battery power indicator, balance level, and mode indicator.
But one issue which I faced while looking up for this particular model, is that I could not find it anywhere on Amazon. So if you want to purchase this model, you will have to buy it from its official site. The Razor Hoverboard Hovertrax DLX 2.0 costs around $559, which might seem a little high. But I think it is a fair amount, considering the premium model you’re buying. It also comes with a battery charger and a 90-day warranty with parts support.
Specifications:
– Cruise speed up to 9 mph or 14 km/h)
– Shatterproof polymer body with unique finish and fender bumpers
– Auto balancing with EverBalance technology
– Dual silent motors and multi-color LED lights with transitive effects
– LED light hubs on tires
– 36V lithium-ion quick rechargeable and quick replaceable battery
– Training and Normal modes.
Hovertrax 2.0
Among all the three Razor Hoverboards, Hovertrax 2.0 is the most popular and widely used model. This is the first Razor Hoverboard which I tried, and it is the one who inspired me to review the rest of the Razor Hoverboards.
First, let’s begin with the design and style. It does not have the transcending color finish like Razor DLX 2.0. But If you’re very picky about what color to prefer, then Hovertrax 2.0 is a better choice for you. Because it comes with large varieties of colors. On Amazon, you can get this hoverboard in 6 colors. Which are –
- Black
- Blue
- Camouflage
- Ocean Blue
- Red
- White
While on the official Razor Hoverboard site it comes with greater color options. Though it does not have the Camouflage color available.
Available Colors on the official Razor Hoverboard site –
- Black
- Blue
- Purple
- Ocean Blue
- Grey
- Red
- White
- Yellowish Green
The exact dimensions of this product are 23.5 x 6.9 x 7.5 inches and weigh around 19 pounds. I liked the fact that even being such a handy product, one can carry it very easily. Also, the body is not very bulky, which provides ease of carrying and cruising. You can easily fit it in a bag.
The wheel fenders are quite large and look very sturdy. Though its basic purpose is to give protection, it also enhances the look of the hoverboard to a great extent. There are sharp-looking LED lights. The wheels are large and can access most terrains. These are made of rubbers and have aluminum hubs on both.
There are some indicators as the rest of the Razor Hoverboards, which are battery power indicators, balance levels, and modes indicators. It has two modes, as well – training and normal. The footpads are comfortably big and thick. There are as usual two motors, with 135 watts at cruising power, and 350 watts on peak power.
The hoverboard is foot steered and has a strong anti-slip grip on the footpads. The hoverboard is steel-bodied shatterproof with bumpers to protect from any accidental unwanted scratches or damages. Hovertrax can carry up to 220lb or 100 kg, which is more than Hovertrax 1.5 and the same as Hovertrax DLX 2.0. and it comes with the same Everbalance technology to auto-balance itself when turned on.
For the battery specifications, it has a 36V lithium-ion battery quick rechargeable and switchable battery. Back up battery can be bought online. So if your battery juice gets finished, you can instantly switch it anywhere, anytime. It also has UL2272 listing, which is the highest electrical system safety standard. The max speed is eight mph or 10 km/h.
It is two mph faster than Hovertrax 1.5 and one mph slower than Hovertrax DLX. Still, it is pretty fast to handle; you will understand it if you try it. The Razor Hoverboard can run up to 1 hour continuously on max speed, if fully charged. So if one also carries the backup batteries. It can have up to 2 hours of run on max speed. And if you use it at an average speed (like I do), it will last much longer on a single charge.
A good thing about this Razor Hoverboard is that the price range spans from affordable to moderate. If you buy it from the official site, then you can have buying options from $178 to $349. On Amazon, you will get this from $249 to $379. The whole package comes with essentials add-ons, such as battery chargers. It comes with a 90-day warranty pack and full parts support.
Specifications:
– Cruise speed: up to 8 mph or 10 km/h
– Shatterproof polymer body with fender bumpers
– Auto balancing with EverBalance technology
– Dual silent motors and blue LED lights
– Aluminum hubs on tires
– 36V lithium-ion quick rechargeable and quick replaceable battery
– Training and Normal modes
– A vast range of colors
You can also check 10 fastest hoverboards to buy
Hovertrax Replacement Battery Pack Kit –
As mentioned earlier, Hovertrax has easily removable batteries. So you can change to back up batteries whenever needed. The Replacement battery can add up to 60 minutes of extra runtime to your hoverboard.
This replacement pack comes with a 36V lithium-ion battery pack and docking station. The battery is made in such a way that it can be instantly switched. But charging it fully takes a little bit time – up to 6 hours, but subsequent charges require around 4 hours to get fully charged.
One important thing to keep in mind that this backup battery is only compatible with Hovertrax 2.0 and Hovertrax DLX 2.0. It does not support Hovertrax 1.5 or below. So only if you have any of these two Hoverboards, the replacement battery will be of great convenience. And most importantly, the batteries are highly safe with UL2272 certificate. You can buy it for $100 to $140 online.
Tests and Comparison –
Personally, I think there is a huge gap between Hovertrax 1.0 and Hovertrax 2.0. While testing both models, I realized that Razor did an amazing job of upgrading to Hovertrax 2.0. The unboxing experience was pretty good. The package was done nicely and neatly. With extra protection to save it from any damage that might occur during shipping. It gives instant awe by blazing its futuristic look.
The battery indicator of Hoverboard 2.0 is much more advanced than hovertrax 1.0, and it gives a better and clearer reading. As I have mentioned earlier, that one of the best things which I liked in these newer models, is the replaceable battery. The battery replacement is not available on Razor Hoverboard Hovertrax 1.5. So if you are cruising at a park or riding it to work, and suddenly the juice drains out completely, then you would have to carry it along with you.
While in the case of Razor Hoverboard Hovertrax 2.0 and DLX 2.0, you can easily take out the exchangeable replacement back up the battery from your backpack, and change it within few seconds, and you are ready to go again. This also saves you from the constant anxiety of running out of power, and you do not even have to bother about checking the battery indicator frequently.
Now let’s come to the self-balancing feature of Ever Balance Technology. For Hovertrax 1.0, it required a little time to balance itself after turning on. But for Hovertrax 2.0 it happens instantly. I think it is helpful for kids who are trying Hoverboard for the first time. The hoverboards are enabled with auto turn off. If you step out of Hovertrax 2.0, it will wait for 1 min; then it will start its timer. The indicator will go on for 20 seconds, and then it will stop.
Now about controlling the Razor Hoverboard. The Hovertrax has two-foot pads for the user to stand on. Tilting forward will make the scooter move forward. Tilting back will make it go in reverse. The Razor Hoverboard offers a very smooth ride, which lets you feel that you are hovering above the ground.
One of my prime concerns was to see how it performs on various terrains. The neighborhood I live in is quite old, and the pavements are full of the vein-like tree roots. It was really an apt place for testing out the new Hoverboard. And it did quite good, though it required a certain level of experience. So I would not recommend you to allow your kids to cruise on difficult terrains if he/she is not experienced enough.
Then I tried it out at the park. I think it worked the finest on the grass. Even my 12-year-old nephew was able to maneuver it without any trouble. It is really helpful if you own a pet (particularly a dog) and it needs to stroll every day.
As for the beach, I had some problems using it on a sand surface. It becomes a little slow; I think because the grip of the tires keeps slipping.
In the end, it could be said that after testing the Razor Hoverboard to its maximum capability, I’m highly impressed. It comes well within the affordable range and is very user-friendly. Whether you are a pro- hoverboarder or a beginner, you will love it. And not just adults, it is very easy to operate for children too. Overall, this is a complete, satisfying package for new and old hoverboarders alike.
