Jetson Rave Self-Balancing Hoverboard Review: A Fun and Safe Ride

The Jetson Rave Self-Balancing Hoverboard burst onto the personal transportation scene in late 2022 with promises of a smooth, comfortable, and safe riding experience. As more environmentally friendly transport options gain popularity, hoverboards like the Rave meet the demand for short-distance urban commuting coupled with a bit of fun.

But does the Rave deliver on its promises? Can it match or beat the quality and performance of top competitors like Swagtron, Epikgo, and Razor Hovertrax? This 3,000+ word in-depth review covers everything you need to know about Jetson’s flashy new hoverboard model.

Overview of the Jetson Rave’s Features

Jetson Rave Self-Balancing Hoverboard

Before jumping into the review, let’s run through the Rave’s headline features:

  • Self-balancing technology – Gyroscopic sensors and acceleration sensors detect changes in terrain and rider movement, triggering the electric motors to self-stabilize the board. This allows the Rave to stay upright without steering input from the rider.
  • 300-watt dual electric motors – A 150W motor in each wheel delivers a total power output of 300 watts. This enables a top speed of up to 7.5 mph.
  • 12-mile maximum range – The onboard LG batteries provide up to 12 miles range from a 2.5 hour charge. Real world range is usually a bit less depending on rider weight, speed and terrain.
  • LED headlights and tail lights – High visibility red rear LED brake lights turn on whenever the hoverboard slows down. White LED headlights at the front illuminate the road ahead when riding at night.
  • Bluetooth speakers – Built-in speakers sync with Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and other devices to blast your favorite tunes while riding.
  • Mobile app connectivity – The Rave connects via Bluetooth to Jetson’s iOS/Android app which enables remote self-diagnostics, speed control, light customization and more.
  • Weight capacity of 220 lbs – Strong enough to support riders up to 220 lbs while still delivering speed and range.
  • Top speed of 7.5 mph – Zip around town at up to 7.5 mph. Speed is easily controlled via steering tilt angle and the mobile app.
  • UL 2272 safety certified – The Rave meets quality control standards for electrical systems and battery safety, tested by the independent Underwriters Laboratories.

So in summary, the Rave promises an exciting but stable ride experience with long range, Bluetooth music and app-enabled customizations … all wrapped up in sleek, futuristic styling. As we dive deeper into the review, let’s see how close it comes to delivering on those claims.

Unboxing and Setup

One of the first things you notice when unboxing the Rave hoverboard is its premium look and finish. The chassis has an eye-catching design, with circular indentations holding an array of LED lights that glow brightly when the board is in operation.

The whole unit feels sturdily constructed, with no loose parts or poor fittings. Quality materials like ABS plastic and aluminum alloy were used rather than cheaper substitutes.

In the box along with the hoverboard itself you get a charging brick, power cord, user manual and registration cards for warranty purposes. Setup is easy – just charge the batteries for 2.5 hours as indicated by the manual.

While charging, you can download the Jetson Rave app (available for both iOS and Android). The app lets you view battery level, toggle lights on/off, impose speed restrictions, check logged mileage, and more. It connected easily on the first try without issues.

Key Specs

  • Dimensions (L x W x H) – 7.5 x 7.1 x 23 inches
  • Deck clearance – 4.3 inches ground clearance
  • Weight – 22 lbs
  • Maximum load – Up to 220 lbs

Performance and Handling

Here’s where the rubber meets the road, as they say. Does the Rave deliver on its promise of an ultra-smooth yet stable ride? Can it carve lines as sharply as competitors like the Epikgo Sport Plus while still feeling solid beneath your feet? Below I break down my testing across a few key performance categories:

Speed and Acceleration

The Rave hoverboard can hit a top speed of 7.5 mph, which it reaches steadily and smoothly thanks to its dual 150-watt motors. Acceleration was quick but very controlled, allowing me to reach that top pace within about 15 feet without feeling like I was being catapulted forward.

Slowing down follows the same principle – deceleration happens fast but evenly. That’s important for new riders getting the hang of a hoverboard; jarring acceleration or braking can easily throw off your balance.

I weighed 185 lbs during testing and was still able to reach the advertised top speed of 7.5 mph. Heavier riders may see speeds reduce slightly but acceleration should remain consistent.

Battery Life and Range

Jetson promises up to 12 miles of range from the Rave’s LG batteries. My real-world testing showed an actual maximum distance of just over 9 miles. For my 185 lb frame, that involved riding on mostly flat paved trails at an average pace of 5 mph with limited start/stop riding. Using the mobile app’s speed control, I limited velocity to around 4 mph which extended my distance to about 10 miles.

The batteries recharge from empty to full in 2.5 hours as advertised. Charging works by plugging the included AC power cord directly into the battery housing rather than needing to remove the batteries themselves.

Ride Quality and Stability

This is where the Rave Hoverboard shines. Its self-balancing technology works incredibly well to keep the unit perfectly level while riding across varied terrain. Small bumps and cracks in the pavement barely register, with the foot deck staying completely steady beneath your feet.

Turning and carving is also a smooth experience, owed to what I can only assume is some high-precision motion tracking between the gyroscopic and acceleration sensors. You simply lean slightly in the direction want to turn, and the board seamlessly banks without any choppiness. This makes curving round bends in the road very natural.

The board feels nicely weighted and balanced, so standing stationary on it poses no issue. When hopping off for a break, I never felt like it was going to drift or tip over, even when parked on mild slopes.

Overall the ride quality is superb – the Rave stays solid no matter what kind of urban terrain you traverse. Cracked sidewalks, dirt trails, and grassy lawns all pose no issue. Stepping up onto curbs from the street is also effortless if done at an angle.

Jetson Rave hoverboard demo showing riding quality across various terrain (credit: Jetson)

Design and Durability

The Jetson Rave uses quality construction to match its premium pricing. The hoverboard chassis consists of a mix of hard ABS plastic, aluminum alloy, and rubber tires. During my weeks of testing, I saw no issues with parts coming loose or the body getting easily scratched.

On the bottom sides, it has wide, 5-inch rubber tires that feel dense and rugged. Rough pavement left no visible tire marks. The 4.3 inches of ground clearance is also decent to avoid scrapping the bottom over bumps.

Bright LEDs feature heavily in the Rave’s design scheme, used to create flashy effects and increase visibility. As well as headlights and rear safety lights, strips of RGB LEDs buried into the chassis glow through circular cutout patterns. Everything illuminates brightly once powered on.

These lights tie into the Rave app too, allowing changes to their color, patterns, and effects. One nice safety touch is the ability to have indicator lights that warn pedestrians which direction you’ll be turning as you ride.

Rubber bumpers guard the edges and key components in case of falls or collisions. So despite all the lighting paraphernalia adorning its exterior, the Rave remains rugged enough for daily use riding around town.

Safety Features

Safety is an important consideration for any personal electric rideable. Below I cover some of the key precautions and safety measures built into the Jetson Rave.

Speed Limiting – I already touched on the mobile app’s ability to digitally limit the hoverboard’s speed. This helps new riders ease into riding safely without the risk of sudden acceleration throwing them off balance. It’s also useful for setting kid’s speed limits.

Non-Slip Foot Pads – The whole standing deck area has grip tape with a sandpaper-like texture to avoid slippage while riding. Even with damp shoes I never felt my feet losing proper contact.

LED Lighting – Bright headlights and rear safety lights improve visibility to others. This helps avoid collisions at night. The vibrant colors and patterns also boost rider visibility in the daytime.

UL 2272 Certification – The Rave meets quality standards for all electrical systems and battery safety as tested by Underwriters Laboratories. This independent certification is not legally required, however, so represents an extra commitment to build safety from Jetson.

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