Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro Review

Performance Comparison

Ride Comfort

Ride comfort is our heaviest weighted metric at 30% of the total score — if a board isn't fun to ride, what's the point of owning it? We tested this metric by simply riding the Zeus for hours on end in many different types of terrain from loose gravel trails to pothole-infested parking lots to smooth roads. This board's design offers a very thick, padded grip tape on top of a carbon fiber deck which gifts a well-struck balance between performance and cushion, putting the Zeus at the front of the pack.

When testing this board on heavily cracked asphalt and uneven terrain, we couldn't even tell when we hit smaller bumps or cracks. The smooth ride of the Zeus is crucial when considering how fast it can go, and it made the overall feel of the ride one of our favorites. After testing, our reviewers fought over who could hang onto this board for a few more rides in the surrounding areas of GearLab's home base in Tahoe.

Range

Range is a crucial part of any electric skateboard, so we gave it a 20% weight of each option's total score. To test the range of the Zeus, we rode the board for many miles until its battery died, noting any performance changes along the way from 100% to 0% battery life. The Zeus lasted an impressive 33 miles — the longest of any board tested. This range is so long it convinces us that skateboard commuting will continue to gain popularity.

We also recorded the recharge time of the battery from being fully dead to 100%. The Zeus battery took quite a bit more time than other options, at 4 hours and 20 minutes. This is to be expected, in some ways, as the battery fuels many more miles than other E-boards.

Braking

Being able to brake effectively can greatly reduce the likelihood of a crash, so we gave this metric 20% weight of the total score. We investigated the ability to regulate speed going downhill and the ability of the board to come to a complete stop. The Zeus did an excellent job with its braking but didn't quite land in the first place.

We were easily able to control the speed of the Zeus on long downhills and felt comfortable engaging the mountainous areas of the Sierra. However, any time we brought this board to a complete stop or heavily laid on the brakes, the deceleration was extremely rapid and required some getting used to. For the unsuspecting rider, this might even throw you off the board. Once we were able to acclimatize to the remarkably fast braking of this option, we had no major qualms.

To test stopping distance, we got each electric skateboard up to the 11-13 mph range before slamming on the brakes and measuring the distance required to stop. The Zeus stopped within 17 feet on average, putting it near the top of the pack, but a few boards were quicker and smoother to stop.

Speed

Speed is weighted at 10% of each board's total score. We put each product against the other by testing the top speed and acceleration to create a combined rating. If you have a need for speed, look no further than the Zeus, with top speeds of 34 miles an hour — the fastest in our review. It also boasts impressive acceleration, solidifying the Zeus as the top-scoring electric skateboard for speed.

To test the mighty Zeus, we set up a 200-foot track and allowed the board to enter it once it was at its top speed before clocking its time. We repeatedly ran the board through this track and averaged all of the times to get a final score. We landed at an approximate top speed of 34 miles an hour — we still are in disbelief at how fast this thing is.

We also investigated the acceleration of each option, so we tested the Zeus by timing it on a 50-foot track of flat pavement, starting from a stationary position and cranking it as hard as we could. This option came in as one of the top-scoring boards in acceleration, further confirming its dominance in the speed category.

Hills

We next looked at the ability of each board to climb hills of a variety of grades — giving the hills metric 10% of the total score. We tested the Zeus by launching it up gradually steeper and steeper hills, recording its performance, and then comparing it to other boards on the exact same hills. This board, once again, landed near the top when comparing its hill capabilities to other options in our review.

The Zeus handled our lower grade hills with no problem and was able to dispatch our steeper, 15% grade testing hills. It wasn't the fastest on these hills, but it never quit on us. We tested the skateboard on two of the highest settings, including turbo, and never saw a difference in hill performance in either of these. While the Zeus is the fastest board in our review on flat ground, it's in the middle of the pack on hill speed.

Beginner Friendly

In this metric, we investigated the potential challenges of a new electric skateboard rider learning on the Zeus. We looked at the design of the remote, the beginner mode, and the weight to create a combined score and weighted this metric at 10% of the total. This option offers amicable features like an intuitive and easy-to-use remote but falls short in other areas of its beginner mode. The Zeus is still a worthy option for new users looking to grow into their electric skateboard, but they'll need to embrace a steeper learning curve than other options.

The remote of this option requires very little time to read instructions, with an easy-to-find textured button in the middle of the remote to switch between modes. It also offers an ergonomic grip that's easy to hold in your hand. In beginner mode, the acceleration is very gentle even when “flooring” the accelerator, but the brakes are a different story. We found the brakes to be as aggressive in beginner mode as in any other setting — be ready for a rapid speed decrease, or you might go airborne. These overly sensitive brakes are highly effective at stopping the board, but we wish they allowed for a more amicable slowdown in beginner mode.

A lighter board will help new riders transport/carry it, regardless of the distance. We weigh all of our products ourselves here at GearLab and found the Zeus in the middle of the pack at 30.2 pounds.

Should You Buy the Onboard Zeus?

If you're looking for the best electric skateboard out there, keep the Zeus at the top of your list. This option came in first for almost all of our metrics and is a board our testers love to continue riding even after testing. You should buy the Zeus if you're looking for a high-performance electric skateboard and you don't mind the price tag.

What Other Electric Skateboard Should You Consider?