by Chris |
Last Updated: September 1, 2021 ZBoard 2 Review
Pros
- Simple, comfortable, and supportive design
- ZBoard 2 Pearl has one of the best ranges at 24 miles
- Strong urethane wheels for a smooth ride
- Rides great on uneven surfaces
- One of the only hands-free e-boards available
- Quality materials used in the deck (maple and rosewood)
- Made in USA
Cons
- Longer charging time of 2.5-4.5 hours
- Learning curve may be steep for beginners
- ZBoard 2 Blue range is fine but fails to impress
When it comes to buying an electric skateboard, it’s easy to get caught up in all the hype that comes with marketing and advertising, or to choose a product based solely on its appearance.
Our ZBoard 2 review is here to help you learn everything you need to know about the ZBoard 2 electric skateboard, with the intention of helping you decide whether or not this might be a purchase you’d want to consider. Even if you’re looking at another board, we’ll see how it compares to the ZBoard 2 from its style and special features to its unique specifications.
The original ZBoard started as a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in 2012. Today, ZBoards are available for purchase in all 50 states, as well as 50 countries across the globe. Since then, ZBoard has upgraded its original electric skateboard model, offering riders the ZBoard 2.
In a seeming effort to appeal to a higher-end group of clients, the ZBoard 2 strikes us as anything but average. While it’s not perfect, the ZBoard 2 is extremely well-rounded and has something to offer just about every type of rider out there. Its performance specifications are strong, both in speed and range, and it rides quite well. It offers a classic look and utilitarian design. In essence, the ZBoard 2 is an impressive subject, and while it seems to be a great product, there may be better choices out there for riders seeking an entry-level e-board.
Key Features
- Two available models—Zboard 2 Blue and ZBoard 2 Pearl
- Charging time of 2.5 hours for ZBoard 2 Blue; 4.5 hours for ZBoard 2 Pearl
- Maximum speed of 20 mph on both the ZBoard 2 Blue and Zboard 2 Pearl
- Multi-color LED ring that doubles as a battery level indicator
- Weight of 17 pounds and 19 pounds, respectively
- High-powered LED headlights and tail lights
- Patented hands-free control system
- Four speed modes
- ZBoard 2 Blue deck has a maple deck; ZBoard 2 Pearl has a rosewood deck
- 1000-watt brushless DC motor
- Built-in handles on either side for easier carrying
- Range of 16 miles on ZBoard 2 Blue; Range of 24 miles on ZBoard 2 Pearl
- Soft urethane wheels
- Made in USA
Two Options to Choose From
The ZBoard 2 comes in two different options—the ZBoard 2 Blue, and ZBoard 2 Pearl. While both boards offer a snappy 20 mph top speed, the main difference separating the two is the extended range of the ZBoard 2 Pearl. While the ZBoard 2 Blue takes riders up to 16 miles, the ZBoard 2 Pearl offers 33 percent more riding time and one of the best ranges we’ve ever seen on an e-board at 24 miles.
Aesthetically, these two boards have a very similar “W” shaped concave deck, punctuated by a kick tail. Both boards are built and tested in California, and none of the manufacturing is outsourced. The ZBoard 2 Blue is made with a more traditional maple wood deck, where the ZBoard 2 Pearl consists of a deck made of rosewood. Both boards have large, urethane wheels, with the Blue’s wheels sizing in at 90mm and the Pearl’s measuring slightly larger at 97 mm. As far as the weight of each board, the Pearl outweighs the Blue by two pounds, weighing in at 19 pounds.
Though the Pearl model has a somewhat significant advantage in its battery range, the two models are more or less identical in size specifications, with the exception of weight. Both models stand 5.5 inches off the ground, have 38-inch deck lengths, a 280mm truck width, and a deck width of 9.5 inches. In addition, the Blue and the Pearl share a 1,000-watt brushless motor, driving top speeds of 20 mph.
Hands-Free Acceleration Technology
Unlike the majority of other electric skateboards and longboards on the market today, both the ZBoard 2 Blue and ZBoard 2 Pearl are outfitted with a unique hands-free controller. Riders can choose from four speed modes: beginner (up to 6 mph); normal (up to 14 mph); expert (top speed of 20 mph at a reduced acceleration), and ludicrous, which offers the same top speed of 20 mph but gives riders the full unbridled power of the 1000-watt motor.
The hands-free control feature allows riders to accelerate or brake by leaning. Lean forward and the ZBoard will respond by giving power to the wheels, but lean back and the board will slow itself down in response to how much weight you lean into it.
Battery
Though ZBoard describes its 110v-220v charger is “high-speed,” the Pearl demands one of the longest charging times of any electric board at 4.5 hours. The Blue comes in at about average, taking roughly 2.5 hours to charge fully.
Overall
The ZBoard 2 Blue and ZBoard 2 Peal earn our 4-star rating for offering a nice combination of speed and range, but primarily because of the unique hands-free technology that allows for a natural ride. This isn’t necessarily the best bet for a beginner, but purists will be delighted with the more traditional longboard design, and the feel that it is a quality board that just happens to have a motor attached to it.
How Does It Compare?
The ZBoard 2 is a higher-end board that offers an impressive range and a nice boost of power. But how does it compare to some of the competitors?
- Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation Electric Longboard
- PHOENIX RYDERS Electric Skateboard
- Boosted 2nd Gen Dual+ Electric Skateboard
- Evolve Skateboards—Bamboo GTX Series Electric Skateboard
- Evolve Skateboards—Bamboo GT Series Electric Skateboard
ZBoard 2 vs Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation
The Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation longboard can tackle a 25 percent incline with a top speed of 24.8 mph. Certainly one of the faster e-boards on the market, the revamped D3M has a seven-ply maple wood board and a replaceable lithium battery with a range of 20 miles. Koowheel also includes a spare battery and is powered by a wireless remote.
WZBoard 2 vs PHOENIX RYDERS
The high-performance PHOENIX RYDERS board has a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 18.6 miles per charge. An eight-ply maple wood board and dual 500-watt motors can carry riders weighing up to 275 pounds, while a wide deck gives you the control and stability you’d expect from a quality longboard. Acceleration and braking is controlled with a wireless remote control, and the board is equipped with LED tail lights to keep you safe while riding at night.
ZBoard 2 vs Boosted 2nd Gen Dual+
With plenty of power to push it to a top speed of 22 mph, the Boosted 2nd Gen Dual+ 2,000 watts of power climb a 25 percent incline with relative ease, but fall short in the range category, traveling just six to eight miles before heading back to the charger.
Like the ZBoard, the Boosted Dual+ is made in California, but requires the use of a handheld wireless remote to operate acceleration and braking features. At 15 pounds, it’s certainly portable, and a bit lighter than some of the other e-longboards on the market.
ZBoard 2 vs Evolve Skateboards – Bamboo GTX Series
At 30 pounds, the Evolve Bamboo GTX board isn’t the lightest. It does, however, compensate for its heft by giving riders a jaw-dropping 31 miles on a single charge and a blistering top speed of up to 26 mph. Of course, these statistics are dependent on smooth conditions. The Evolve Bamboo GTX is road-ready, but can also climb gradients up to 25 percent in its available GT mode, and it’s built for rugged terrain such as grass and uneven surfaces with an all-terrain option. Read our review
ZBoard 2 vs Evolve Skateboards – Bamboo GT Series
Another of the speedier e-boards you can buy, the Evolve Bamboo GT series electric skateboard caps out at 26 mph and travels 21 miles on a charge. Like its brother, the GTX, the GT series has four modes: slow, eco, fast, and GT, and features a wireless remote with a digital LCD screen.
Conclusion
The ZBoard 2 Blue and Pearl could be great options for advanced riders seeking high-performance boards with a nice long range. One of the higher-end boards out there, even the more economical Blue option is still a considerable investment.
Riders looking for a great combination of speed and range will enjoy all the ZBoard has to offer, as will any experienced skateboarders and longboarders who want an electric board that can zip through city streets without having the accompanying handheld controller.