In the past few years, the hoverboard has seemingly come out of nowhere to quickly become one of the most popular transportation based toys amongst teenagers. The self-balancing abilities bring an easy to ride experience for most, while the nature of the form factor allows for indoor and outdoor use. Despite the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 and Swagtron T3 hoverboard having the same objective functionality, they both contain certain characteristics that provide a slightly different focus and feature set when compared.
Razor Hovertrax 2.0 Hoverboard
Hardware & Build Quality
Razor has long had a positive reputation in this category, most notably for their traditional and electric scooters. With the Razor Hovertrax 2.0, they have re-designed the hoverboard to their calibre when it comes to the ride experience, reliability, and build quality. The Hovertrax 2.0 feels solid and well put together due to its shatter-resistant plastic construction, while the silicone reinforcement on contact areas is added to protect the finish. This hoverboard has a maximum speed of 13KM per hour and a weight limit of 220lb.
You will find a set of LED lights at the front of the board indicating the throttle, while a set of lights found on the main surface indicates the battery level. The single power button is found on the opposite side of the battery indicator which is well installed and tactile. The board is ready to ride within seconds.
Ride Experience
Having tried a few types of hoverboards already, the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 without a doubt provided the best ride experience. The rubber wheels and axel construction ensures a smooth ride, especially in rougher concrete terrains. Additionally, the board was responsive and easy to control due to its compact nature (for a hoverboard) which gave it a sportier feel when riding.
Battery Life
The built-in battery claims 60 minutes of continuous use on a 4-hour charge, but from my experiences, I was able to get around 45 minutes with consideration to having the hoverboard on standby occasionally. The lithium-ion battery has UL 2272 electric systems certification which ensures this hoverboard is safe contrary to a common problem with cheaper models with battery issues.
Swagtron T3 Hoverboard
Hardware & Build Quality
The first thing you will notice is that the Swagtron T3 comes in a larger form factor compared to most hoverboards. However, it still has a maximum speed of 13KM per hour and a weight limit of 220lb despite its larger overall form factor. Constructed out of plastic, the board is relatively solid but could use higher quality materials as I noticed some flex especially around the edges and a sense of hollowness throughout. Due to its size, however, a hand strap can be found at the bottom for easy(er) portability.
The front of the hoverboard has a set of LED lights on each side to signal the active throttle while the remaining indicators are found on the top. One of which serves as a 5-level battery indicator, while the other displays movement.
Ride Experience
In regard to rideability, the Swagtron was smooth and easy to control for the most part, and I don’t believe there will be any complaints here. With that being said, it could be better, and due to its larger and heavier form factor I often felt as if the unit was being dragged around as opposed to gliding. A great feature, however, is a dual control system that lets a user select the riding experience based on experience.
Built-In Bluetooth Speaker?
Beyond the transportation aspect of this hoverboard, the most exciting feature of the Swagtron is a built-in Bluetooth wireless speaker. You can instantly connect your mobile device to the board, and have music played through it just like any ordinary portable Bluetooth speaker. This allows you to cruise around the neighborhood or a public space while “blasting” your favorite songs for everyone to hear as well. This isn’t for everyone, but it can be fun in certain situations. As expected, the sound quality is sub-par, and the volume is audible but lacks any punch. Chances are though; you are buying the SWAGTRON hoverboard for the ride as opposed to the ability to play music.
Battery Life
Battery life from my experience was about 35 minutes, which is also dependant on whether or not the Bluetooth speaker utility is being used. This is quite respectable regardless, and the battery takes just 3 hours to charge fully. Swagtron’s lithium-ion battery has UL 2272 electric systems certification which ensure this hoverboard is safe contrary to a common problem with cheaper models with battery issues.
Razor Hovertrax 2.0 vs Swagtron T3: Which Should You Buy?
Comparing the Swagtron T3 with the Razor Hovertrax 2.0, each of which has its differences between categories despite them both being at the core, a self-balancing hoverboard. Build quality goes to the Razor Hovertrax 2.0, the materials used and construction are noticeably better than the Swagtron T3, which uses a softer plastic and feels rather hollow. As for the ride experience, Razor’s offering was smoother and more responsive giving a sportier feel when compared to the larger Swagtron. As for features, the Swagtron T3 has a built-in Bluetooth wireless speaker and compatible control app, which the Razor does not. The speaker is defiantly a fun addition but will be used by some far more than others. Lastly, for the battery life the two are relatively close for the most part when it comes to riding time, but the Razor takes the edge in this category. One thing to keep in mind though is that the Swagtron takes 3 hours to fully charge compared to 4 on the Hovertrax 2.0. To conclude, if you are looking for a hoverboard just for riding; the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 has the best ride experience of any board from my experience, but comes in at a premium price point. The Swagtron T3 still rides very nicely and is less responsive, but has additional features such as the built-in speaker which is not found on the Razor, while coming in at a lower price point when compared.
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