Boosted Mini S Review

This board finished a few points behind the Onewheel+ and the Metroboard Slim Stealth Edition and ahead of the Inboard M1 and Riptide R1. The Boosted Mini is a little slower than the Onewheel+ and the Riptide. The Metroboard has the longest range of this group, but the Mini does the best at the hills. However, the Boosted Mini retails for $550-$750 less than the Metroboard and the Onewheel+, but $150 more than the Riptide. However, we think the Mini S is a much better board than the Riptide.

Performance Comparison

Over the past few years, we have been buying all of the best electric skateboards out there and comparing their performance head-to-head to see which one is really the best. We split our testing process into six weighted rating metrics, with the Boosted Mini's results in our tests outlined below.

Speed

Responsible for the largest portion of the score at 25%, our two speed tests are some of the most important for each board. We conducted both an acceleration test and a top speed test for each product, with the Boosted Mini doing fairly well in both, earning a 6 out of 10 in this metric, comparing quite well with the other boards of the bunch.

For our top speed test, we gave each board three shots at it and then averaged its results. To measure speed, we timed how long it took each board to complete a measured 50' course on flat ground, allowing sufficient room for the board to hit its maximum speed before entering the course.

The Mini S hit an average top speed of 17.13 mph in our test, falling a tiny bit shy of the claimed speed of 18 mph. This compares decently well with the rest of the group, with the top models hitting speeds of 24 mph.

It did a little better in the acceleration test — completed identically to the above test, but this time starting from a standstill on the line — having an average time of 4.28 seconds. This put it in the upper portion of the group, but still behind the 3.1 seconds so of the top powerhouse boards. However, we really appreciated that the acceleration profile of the Mini off the line is particularly smooth.

Range

The performance of the Boosted Mini fell a little bit in our range test — understandable, as this board is at a severe size disadvantage compared to the other boards that have much more room for batteries. However, it still did better than some of the full-size boards in our tests, earning a 4 out of 10 for its results.

We ran each board on level ground at economical speed, scoring based on when the board could no longer continue, as well as taking into account if there were any major drops in performance as the battery level dwindled. This board made it 7.1 miles before completely dying, with the last ½ mile or so being a bit of a struggle, with the speed dropping considerably. However, it still was quite a bit faster than walking at this reduced speed.

This performance did put it in the lower portion of the group, but it still outperformed a few boards that are both large and considerably more expensive.

The Mini S did much better in our second test for this metric: charge time. This board took 73 minutes to completely recharge, making it totally doable to ride to work or lunch, let it charge, and then head back.

Ride

Our next metric ranked and scored how each board felt to actually travel on, accounting for 20% of the total score for each E-skateboard. The Mini did fairly well, earning a 5 out of 10 overall. This board is mainly held back by its lackluster handling of rougher roads — understandable, due to its super short wheelbase. This performance put it roughly in the middle of the group.

While this board isn't the most comfortable to ride, due to its narrower stance, we still found that we were drawn to it quite a bit. This board is just so handy and convenient for quick trips, we found we would grab it quite frequently over some of the larger boards --especially if we weren't sure if we were going to be riding in a car or other public transit at some point on the outing.

Unfortunately, this board struggles a little when the pavement isn't great. It does an average job at handling cracks, akin to any similarly sized skateboard would, but definitely isn't the most fun to ride with bumpier asphalt. The board moves in a very jarring motion and can even high-center on the taller obstacles — think speed bumps.

Hills

Our hill tests --responsible for 15% of the total score — were exceptionally straightforward. We simply attempted to ride up progressively steeper hills, scoring based on how steep of a hill each E-skateboard successfully ascended. For being a miniature board, the Mini S did exceedingly well, earning a 7 out of 10, and matching the performances of many of the larger or more expensive boards.

The Mini S did exceptionally well with the 5% and 10% grade hills, scooting right up. It even made it up the 15% grade hill without too much issue, though there was a noticeable decrease in speed.

Build

Next, we looked at how responsive the board is to remote commands, how it felt to hold the remote, the board's weight, and if it had regenerative braking, as well as how helpful and knowledgeable the customer support staff was in answering our questions. The Boosted Mini S delivered another top-notch performance, meriting an 8 out of 10.

For such a small board, this product is surprisingly heavy, weighing in at 15.9 lbs. This puts it about in the middle of the pack, as shown below.

The remote feels decently well to hold and appears to be decently durable. It's not terribly intuitive at first, but doesn't take too long to get used to and is very easy to use. Our only slight issue with the remote is there isn't an indication of what riding mode you are in, without cycling through all of the modes and looking at the lights or counting the beeps.

The board is decently responsive, though it can occasionally be a little oversensitive. Customer support responded to our questions decently fast, but we did have to pay for shipping our board to and from headquarters to get a remote syncing issue fixed. At the time of writing, the board includes a 6-month warranty and a 30-day return window, though you do need to pay a restocking fee. We also liked that you can contact customer service by phone or email. Finally, the Mini S earned a few extra points by possessing regenerative braking.

Braking

For our final metric, we evaluated the stopping power of the Mini S, which is responsible for the remaining 10% of the total score. We conducted two independent tests, with the first being how well you can control your speed while descending and the second being how quickly you can stop on flat ground. The Boosted finished out with an excellent performance, earning a 7 out of 10 for its superior stopping power.

This board does a phenomenal job at allowing you to control your speed on the descents, letting you go as slow as you want or even come to a complete stop on hills that were 20% grade steepness.

Unfortunately, the performance dropped a bit in our stopping distance test, with the Mini S taking bout 42' to come to a complete stop from a moderate speed (12 mph).

It only took about 30' for the Mini S to slow down enough to get to where we felt comfortable running it out, but it definitely gets a little squirrely right when you step off and unload the weight.

Value

While it is a bit pricey overall, it gets you a solid bang for the buck, as most of the boards that are less expensive had at least one somewhat major issue that precluded them from winning an award.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a solid, all-around electric skateboard and trying to keep some semblance of a budget, then this board should be your first choice. It's decently speedy, goes up and down hills with ease, and is quite fun to ride around town. The range is a little on the short side and it doesn't do the best with rough roads, but more than makes up for it in terms of convenience and ease of use.