Gotrax Hoverfly Ion Hoverboard Review 2023: Best Self Balancing Smart Scooter for Kids?

Our Rating
4/5
Our Rating
4/5
Build Quality
4
Top Speed
3
Range
4
Features
4
Braking and Safety
4
Value for Money
5

Top Speed:

7 MPH

Range:

24 miles

Weight:

20 LBS

Price:

$

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Runs at safe speeds
  • An excellent choice for kids
  • Impressive self-balancing mode
  • Suitable for beginners
  • Responsive customer service
  • Fast shipping
  • Comes in a variety of colors
  • Sleek design
  • UL 2272 certified
  • LED lights
  • Highly affordable

Cons

  • Poor range
  • Charging time is too long
  • Too small for adults
  • Limited extra features

The hoverboard is one of the most notable inventions in the past decade. It is an entirely new type of ride that caught the attention of many. Hoverboards may not really hover off the ground, but the two-wheel design gives the illusion of flying. 

Hoverboards are built with different components that can be heavy. Compared to scooters and skateboards, some hoverboards may be too heavy for kids despite their size.

The Gotrax Hoverfly Ion Hoverboard is built with a lightweight frame and smaller size making it perfect for the younger riders. This board may be small, but it does pack enough power to make for an exhilarating ride. 

Is the Hoverfly Ion the best hoverboard for kids? Let’s find out as we spare you no details in this Gotrax Hoverfly IonHoverboard review.

Speed and Power output

The Gotrax Hoverfly Ion Self-balancing scooter is equipped with two 200-watt motors. It provides the hoverboard with enough power to run a max speed of 7 miles per hour. Compared to an electric scooter, the speed may seem too slow, but take note that the two-wheel hoverboard design can make the ride seem faster than you think.

There are much faster hoverboards on the market, but the Ion is fast enough for young kids. The speed and power of this board are also pretty decent, considering its highly affordable price. 

Range and Battery Performance

Compared to high-end hoverboard models, the max distance of the Hoverfly Ion could use a little improvement. It can only reach a maximum distance of 4 miles on a single charge. This max distance is not ideal for commutes, but it may be enough for about 45 minutes of playtime.

Another drawback is the charging time. Charging takes up to 4 hours to get a full charge from zero percent. It feels like you spend more time charging than actually using the board. Young kids can, however, maximize the range. Because they are lighter, the board doesn’t need too much power and consume too much battery life. 

Design & Construction Quality

One of the best things about the Hoverfly Ion is the design. It features a small and lightweight frame, and it sports a sleek and modern design. From the deck to the wheels, the Hoverfly Ion gives out this futuristic look. 

The Gotrax Hoverfly Ion self-balancing scooter comes in 9 unique colors, so that your kids can choose their favorite one. Plus, the board is built with quality materials, making it last for a long time without breaking down. 

‏Board:

The board is slightly smaller than a standard hoverboard. They made the deck surface smaller to make the board easier for kids to handle. Because of the smaller frame, the weight is also reduced to 20 lbs, which is a lot lighter than most hoverboards.

For extra safety, the deck is equipped with safety non-slip pads. These pads keep the rider’s feet safely in place at all times so that they can tilt their feet in the direction they wish to go without slipping. 

The board may be smaller, but adults can still use this board. The board is tough, and it can carry a maximum load of 220 lbs, making it suitable for most heavy riders. 

Assembly:

Whether you order the board online or purchase it from a local retailer, the board will come pre-assembled and ready to use. The battery will come with a little charge, so that you can try it out before doing the initial charge. 

The package comes with everything you need to get started, such as the charger and manual. However, helmets, safety gear, and carrying bags are all sold separately. 

Additional Features:

Unfortunately, aside from the riding modes and LED lights, the Gotrax Hoverfly Ion Hoverboard does not have a lot of extra features. Some kids might find it boring without these features, but the board itself is fun to ride.

The manufacturers did not add these features to cut the cost of Ion and maintain competitive pricing. Instead of adding extra features, the manufacturers decided to focus on ride quality, safety, and performance.

Tires & Braking System

The Hoverfly Ion hoverboard is equipped with 6.5-inch solid rubber tires, which rides well on smooth surfaces. Take note that these tires are not designed for off-road riding,  so make sure you do not use it on rough terrain. 

The tires feature a cool closed-off design. It has this futuristic look with glowing lights that look incredible when spinning. Both kids and adults will appreciate the fantastic wheel design. 

Just like most hoverboards, the Ion is equipped with electronic stopping that triggers when you slowly tilt back. Because of its excellent handling, riders can quickly learn how to stop and go with ease after a few tries. 

Safety

The Hoverfly Ion hoverboard is a safe board overall. It runs at safe speeds, making it suitable for beginners and young children. With the help of its gyroscope and self-balancing technology, the Ion is easier to handle, which makes it an extra safer choice. 

Aside from its safe handling, the Ion is UL 2272 certified. When looking for a hoverboard, one of the first things you should consider is its certifications. Because there are so many fire-related incidents with hoverboards in the past, you should only get products with a UL certification. The Ion is one of the cheapest hoverboards that is certified to be safe. 

Make sure that you buy your kids the recommended safety gear, just to be extra safe.

Range and Battery Performance

The battery is not that impressive as it can only reach a 4-mile distance on a single charge. Another downside is the charging time. A full charge takes up to 4 hours, which is quite a long time considering its short range. 

The battery is UL certified (2), which means you don’t have to worry about overheating and fire hazards, which is a win for this hoverboard. 

Design & Construction Quality

Gotrax chose a minimal approach with the Hoverfly Eco’s design. The board may be cheap, but it does not look or feel cheap at all. Plus, you can get this hoverboard in seven different colorways such as:

  • Black
  • Pink
  • Teal 
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Red
  • Galaxy print

At first glance, you can tell that they used high-quality materials into building this hoverboard. 

‏Board:

When you mount the Hoverfly Eco Hoverboard for the first time, you will notice that it is sturdy and well-built. The non-slip pads work really well in keeping your feet secured in position. The deck is not too narrow for adults, and not too wide for kids. It is just the right size for a comfortable ride. 

Assembly:

The board will arrive at your doorstep pre-assembled, so you can try it out right out of the box. It might need to be charged first before using, but most units will come with a pre-charge, so you can try it out for a while. 

Make sure that you check if there aren’t any loose screws when you first get the board to ensure safety. 

Additional Features:

The Hoverfly Eco Hoverboard is a basic board. It does not have a whole lot of features such as a Bluetooth app or speakers, but it has everything it needs for essential functions. 

It is equipped with LED lights that change color when you move in different directions, which is honestly pretty cool. 

The hoverboard does not have a smartphone-integrated app, but you can find other models with such a feature.

Tires & Braking System

The Hoverfly Eco is equipped with 6.5-inch solid rubber tires that provide the right amount of grip. These tires are not ideal for riding on rough terrain, but it does ride well on smooth surfaces. 

Accelerating and braking are precise and predictable, which is one of the best characteristics of this board. Some hoverboards in this price range would have navigation controls that go all over the place, but the Eco somehow did a great job with its handling. 

Safety

The Gotrax Hoverfly Eco self-balancing scooter shines the brightest in safety, which is probably the most important factor to consider when buying a hoverboard. When looking for a hoverboard, especially for kids, you should always check if it is UL 2272 certified. 

This means the hoverboard went through a series of rigorous tests to ensure it is safe before being released to the public. The board, the battery, charger, and electrical components met all the requirements and safety standards for worry-free riding. 

Other safety features included are the bright LED lights that make the board not only look cool but also make the rider visible in low light conditions. 

Brand & Customer Service

Gotrax is committed to creating quality products that are affordable and accessible. Their mission is to create innovative rides that would make for a smarter, greener, and exciting traveling experience. 

If you are not satisfied with the product, you can return them within 30 days of purchase. Make sure you don’t throw out the original packaging for a chance to get a full refund. 

The 90-day warranty (3) is limited. It will only cover defective parts and units due to manufacturing.

If you ever experience issues with the product, Gotrax has a reliable customer service team that is present most of the time to address your concerns.

Whether you have questions about the product, the warranty, or have other concerns, you can send them a message through their website. They usually reply within 24 hours. You can also call their customer service line at 844-4GO-TRAX. Their CS representatives are polite and very helpful. 

Downsides

  • Takes too long to charge
  • Limited features
  • Poor range

Who Should Buy the Gotrax Hoverfly Eco Hoverboard?

The Gotrax Hoverfly Eco is the ideal choice for beginners and kids. It would also be a good choice for people who just want to experience riding a hoverboard without spending too much. 

The Hoverfly Eco, however, is suitable for short and fun cruises around your neighborhood or the city streets with preferably smooth pavement. Also, it is fairly lightweight, making it easier to carry around if it ever runs out of juice in the middle of a ride. 

If you are looking for a fast hoverboard that you can use for commuting purposes, the Eco is not the board for you. There are other options for commuting and all-terrain purposes.

This hoverboard is hands down, one of the best affordable hoverboards we had the pleasure to try out. 

Final Verdict

The Gotrax Hoverfly Eco self-balancing scooter is a pretty decent board considering the price. Despite its shortcomings, we gave this self-balancing scooter an overall score of 3.6 out of 5 for being a great affordable option. 

This hoverboard may not have a whole lot of features, but it makes up for it with its precision handling and solid quality. It is a safe choice and it would make an excellent gift for your loved ones. 

Gotrax Hoverfly Eco Hoverboard Video Review

Our Rating
4/5
Gotrax Hoverfly Ion Specifications
Top Speed 7 MPH
Motor 400 watts
Range 4 miles
Battery 24 Volts
Charge Time 3 to 4 hours
Max Load 220 LBS
Weight 20 LBS
Wheel Size 6.5 inches
Brake System Electronic braking
Warranty 90-day limited warranty with a 30-day return period
Price $

FAQs

References

  1. https://www.ul.com/hoverboards
  2. https://gotrax.com/pages/warranty

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Our Rating
4