Hovertrax 1.0 Hovertrax 2.0
The New Razor Hovertrax 2.0 Has Arrived
The original Razor Hovertrax DLX hoverboard was released about the beginning of 2016 and proved very popular. This was Razor’s first first serious attempt at entering the very crowded hoverboard market, and happened just as “Hoverboard Mania” seemed to be taking over the planet!
Although some of the initial hype has settled down and there seem to be far fewer horror stories of the cheap nasty hoverboards catching fire, these machines are here to stay and are only going to get better and better as the technology advances.
Razor have recently released the new and improved version of the Hovertrax, which is rather unimaginatively called the Hovertrax 2.0.
Both hoverboards have been certified as complying with the UL 2272 safety standard, which means that they have been been thoroughly inspected and have passed rigorous fire and electrical safety tests.
Since the Hovertrax 1.0 remains available to buy, the important questions that any potential purchaser must consider are:
- What’s new on the Hovertrax 2?
- How much extra does the Hovertrax 2 cost?
- Is the Hovertrax 2 worth the extra cash?
In order to help you answer theses questions, here is my side-by-side comparison review of the Razor Hovertrax 1.0 and Hovertrax 2.0 hoverboards.
Hovertrax 1.0 & 2.0 – Comparison Chart
| Feature | Hovertrax 1.0 | Hovertrax 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Price | $439.99 | $459.99 |
| UL 2272 Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Age | 13 years + | 8 years + |
| Rider Weight | up to 220 lbs | up to 220 lbs |
| Speed | up to 6 mph | up to 8 mph |
| Run Time | upto 115 minutes | up to 60 minutes |
| Charge Time | 2 - 4 hours | 2 - 4 hours |
| Self-Balancing | No | Yes |
| Modes of Use | 1 | 2 |
| Charger Provided | Yes | Yes |
| Assembly Required | No | No |
| Best Prices | Check Latest Price | Check Latest Price |
Hovertrax 1.0 & 2.0 – Main Features Compared
#1 Rider Age & Weight
Although the maximum rider weight for both hoverboards is 220 lbs, there is a big difference between the recommended minimum age requirements for the Hovertrax 1.0 and the new Hovertrax 2.0 models.
The original Hovertrax is only recommended for those who are at least 12 years of age, whereas the new Hovertrax 2.0 is rated as suitable from 8 years and upwards.
So, why is there a 4 year difference in minimum rider age between the 2 machines.
I strongly suspect that it is entirely due to a combination of the new “self-balancing” technology on the Hovertrax 2.0 and the fact that it also comes with a “training” mode for those who are not already confident hoverboard users.
#2 Self-Balancing Technology
The Hovertrax 1.0 does NOT have any complex systems to help prevent the deck from tipping forwards and backwards. As a result, they could be quite unstable and difficult to ride (especially at the start).
The Hovertrax 2.0 comes fitted with Razor’s new self-balancing technology, which makes the hoverboard infinitely more stable and easy to ride.
An unstable hoverboard is a pain to ride. It means that you are more likely to fall off and much more likely to damage the edges of the deck as it scrapes along the ground after you have dismounted (whether intentionally or otherwise).
So, the main benefits of the self-balancing technology are that:
- the deck is easier to mount and dismount safely;
- the ride is smoother and you are less likely to fall off;
- the deck is much less likely to suffer damage if you fall off..
Here is a short video demonstrating the new self-balancing feature …
If you look closely at the images, you will also notice that Razor have added some protective rubber bumpers to the top of the wheel arches to further reduce the possibility of the board suffering damage.
#3 Modes of Use
Unlike the Hovertrax 1.0, and many other hoverboards, the Hovertrax 2.0 comes with 2 different modes of use.
If you are a beginner, you can start out in training mode and get used to the unfamiliar techniques involved in controlling a hoverboard safely before switching over to the normal mode.
The main difference between the 2 modes is that the hoverboard doesn’t go as fast when it’s in training mode, as you can see in this video.
#4 Speed & Control
In normal mode, the top speed of the Hovertrax 2.0 is about 8 miles per hour.
The top speed of the Hovertrax 1.0 is just 6 mile per hour.
#5 Battery Run Time & Recharging
Both hoverboards are officially stated to recharge their batteries in a period of “up to 4 hours”.
Anecdotally, it has been reported that the new Hovertrax 2 version can usually be recharged in about 2 hours and the Hovertrax 1 version in about 3 hours.
So, there is not much in it there.
There is a big difference between the Run Times though.
The Hovertrax 1.0 will run for almost 2 hours before needing to be recharged, whereas the Hovertrax 2.0 will only last for about 60 minutes.
The Hovertrax 2.0 has a series of LEDs on the top of the deck to let you know roughly how much charge is left at any given time.
It seems that the self-balancing technology and higher top speed have a draining effect on the battery life of the Hovertrax 2.0 and you will need to decide if those extra features are worth the extra money and the shorter battery run time.
#6 Styling
There is no doubt that the Hovertrax 2.0 looks better than the Hovertrax 1.0.
It’s sleeker, with better designed lines, and intelligently placed decals. I really like the light strips on the front of the new version as well.
Videos of the Hovertrax 1.0 and 2.0 in Action
Hovertrax 1.0
Hovertrax 2.0
Hovertrax 1.0 vs 2.0 – My Verdict
My kids have been begging me for their own hoverboard for ages, but they have simply been too young to use one.
They are going to be 8 years old in a few months time and I will definitely be buying them a Razor Hovertrax 2.0.
Even if they were old enough to use the Hovertrax 1.0, I would still pay the extra cash for the newer version because the self-balancing technology is a game changer in terms of the safety of the hoverboard and it makes the machine much easier to use.
Also, there isn’t a huge price difference between the 2 versions.
Where to buy the Razor Hovertrax 1.0
You can still buy the original version of the Razor Hovertrax at discounted prices since the updated version has been released.
Where to buy the Razor Hovertrax 2.0
You can usually buy the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 hoverboard online at heavily discounted prices.
Leave a Comment
I would love to hear from anyone that has anything constructive to say about my Razor Hovertrax 1.0 vs Hovertrax 2.0 Comparison Review. Just leave a comment in the box below or send an email to kristian@electricridetoys.com
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