by Chris |
Last Updated: September 21, 2021 SKATEBOLT Tornado
Pros
- One of the fastest e-boards we’ve evaluated
- Very durable construction
- Accommodates more weight (up to 280 lbs.) than comparable boards
- Impressive battery range (up to 20 miles on a single charge)
- US-based customer support center
- Finger loop remote control design for ergonomic handling
- Regenerative braking system preserves battery when braking
Cons
- Relatively heavy
- Oversensitive brakes
The SKATEBOLT Tornado is one of our favorite electric longboards for a variety of reasons. For one thing, it comes at a practically unbeatable price point, given the real power and great features of the board.
But beyond the great price, it’s simply packed with every feature you could hope for in an electric skateboard: long battery life, high top speed, ability to propel up considerable hills, and even taillights for safe night riding.
With all of these features (and even more) in mind, we think this is one of the best options for anyone looking for a commuter board that is reliable and can get them to and from their destinations quickly and without any fear of running out of battery life.
If you’re in the market for a new electric longboard to spice up your morning commute, we strongly suggest you take the SKATEBOLT Tornado into consideration in your comparison shopping. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another electric longboard with this many great features at such an affordable asking price.
So go ahead and get swept up in our review of the SKATEBOLT “Tornado”!
Table of Contents
Key Features
- 15- to 20-mile range
- Speeds of up to 25 miles per hour
- Can accelerate up hills as steep as 25°
- Taillights that blink during braking
- 6-month warranty
- 38 in. long deck
- 2 speed modes
- Regenerative braking
Design & Construction
This classy electric longboard is constructed out of a full 8 layers of maple wood. If you know anything about the durability of different wood types, then you know that maple is one of the strongest and sturdiest available.
But just because it’s constructed out of traditional skateboard materials, that doesn’t mean this is your grandfather’s board. Its sleek black design with red LED lights looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Technology & Connectivity
The remote control technology for the SKATEBOLT Tornado features a clever ergonomic and intuitive design. For one thing, it has an integrated finger loop for safe keeping. You just slide your finger through the loop to keep the controller securely in your palm. Once you’ve done this, all of the finger and thumb controls are perfectly positioned for you to control your board easily.
The wireless remote also allows you to adjust the speed mode, turn the taillights on and off, and even check your battery level.
Motor
The SKATEBOLT Tornado has two impressive hub motors, each boasting 500 watts of power. These dual hub motors provide enough power for you to reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour when the battery is fully charged.
But these 500 watt hub motors aren’t just powerful; they’re also designed to last you a long time without any issues. Unlike chain or belt-powered motors, hub motors are housed directly inside the skateboard’s wheels, making them less prone to damage and other kinds of issues that belt and chain motors are notorious for.
Ride Quality
The overall ride quality is very smooth, even when reaching high speeds. That said, the somewhat jerky braking mechanisms can seriously cut down on this smoothness. It can sometimes be difficult to dial in the proper amount of force to use on the brake controls, which can lead to some rather abrupt stops.
Even so, we found that a bit of practice at lower speeds was the best remedy to this situation. Once we got the hang of the braking mechanism, we were able to give just the right amount of pressure for smooth, effortless stops.
Battery & Charging
The SKATEBOLT Tornado also features very impressive battery life for such a large and fast electric longboard. We estimate that you could run this board for 15 to 20 miles, depending on how fast you go, your weight, and the type of terrain you encounter.
Compared to the somewhat weak battery lives of other comparable models, the SKATEBOLT Tornado certainly has a solid place at the top of it’s class when it comes to long-lasting battery power.
Additional Features
One thing we always like to mention is whether or not an electric skateboard includes LED lights. This might seem like a silly thing to focus on, but when it comes to skating at night, these lights are absolutely crucial to ensure your safety on the roads.
Luckily, taillights are one of the many great features of the SKATEBOLT Tornado. You can turn them on or off with the included wireless remote, but they also flash when you apply the brakes. This way, cars behind you will have a sufficient warning that you are stopping, greatly reducing the changes of a collision.
Overall
What else can we say about this outstanding electric longboard? It has the speed, the battery life, the durable construction, the safety features, and the power of a much more expensive e-board but provides all this at a fraction of the cost of many of its higher-end competitors.
What’s more, SKATEBOLT’s California-based customer support center is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable if you ever run into any issues with your board.
On a related note, the SKATEBOLT Tornado comes with a 6-month manufacturer’s warranty, which is quite a bit more generous than the warranty packages of comparable electric skateboards.
Ultimately, this longboard includes just about every feature you could ask for in an electric skateboard, making it an optimal choice for hobbyists and commuters alike.
How Does It Compare?
SKATEBOLT Tornado vs ACTON Blink Qu4tro
The SKATEBOLT Tornado actually has a lot in common with the ACTON Blink Qu4tro. For instance, both boast speeds of more than 20 miles per hour, both include LED lights for safety purposes, and both offer very impressive battery life ranges for larger boards.
In fact, it’s hard to find many factors that these two boards don’t share. But there is one major difference: the Blink Qu4tro is a truly 4-wheel drive electric skateboard, something the SKATEBOLT Tornado can’t claim for itself.
But with great power comes great…cost. Yes, the ACTON Blink Qu4tro, while it has lots of excellent features, is also one of the most expensive electric skateboards on the market.
So, if you’re looking for great speed and consistent battery life but don’t want to go broke for them, you should probably take a closer look at the SKATEBOLT Tornado.
SKATEBOLT Tornado vs BLITZART Tornado
While they share the common Tornado name, these two longboards are actually quite different. The main difference you’ll notice right upfront is that the BLITZART Tornato is about half the price of the SKATEBOLT. And this isn’t especially surprising, given the disparity in features.
For one thing, the BLIZTART Tornado can only reach speeds of up to 17 miles per hour, considerably less than that of the SKATEBOLT Tornado. Further, the BLITZART Tornado has a battery life that lasts a paltry 3-8 miles per charge, compared to the impressive 15-20 mile range you get with the SKATEBOLT.
Of course, if you’re looking less for a commuter e-bard and more for a fun toy to ride around the neighborhood, the BLITZART Tornado might still be the better option for you. But if you plan on commuting with your board or going otherwise long distances, you’ll simply have to go with the greater battery life of the SKATEBOLT. Read our review
SKATEBOLT Tornado vs Halo Board 2nd Edition
If it’s speed you’re after, the SKATEBOLT Tornado will certainly do the job; however, there’s another, faster model out there that you should consider first: the Halo Board 2nd Edition. The Halo Board can reach speeds of up to 26 miles per hour with ease. How does it do it? Well, it obviously has a lot to do with its 3000 watt dual hub motors and relatively lightweight design—only 14 pounds!
If there’s an area that the SKATEBOLT clearly edges out the Halo Board, though, it’s in the category of battery life. The Halo Board can only run for around 12 miles before running out of juice. At that point, the SKATEBOLT would still be running for anywhere from 3 to 8 miles, leaving the Halo Board in the dust.
Summary
Ultimately, the SKATEBOLT Tornado is one of the best options out there for a high-powered electric longboard with significant battery life. It’s really a great choice as a commuter e-board, as it can run for upwards of 20 miles on just one full charge.
But what really impresses us is that it offers this kind of power, battery life, and great features package at such a competitive price point. It may not have the 4-wheel drive capabilities of the ACTON Blink Qu4tro, but it packs in a lot of oomph at a practically unbeatable asking price.