Reviews You Can Rely On

Epikgo Premier Review

Substantially more expensive than the Classic model without a noticeable performance improvement
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Epikgo Premier Review (The Epikgo Premier)
The Epikgo Premier
Credit: Epikgo
Price:  $800 List
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Manufacturer:   Epikgo
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  May 3, 2017
63
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Fun Factor - 50% 6.0
  • Outdoor Capabilities - 20% 7.0
  • Support - 20% 6.0
  • Battery - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

March, 2018: The Epikgo Premier Is No Longer Available
REASONS TO BUY
Great at off-road terrain
Climbs hills with ease
Has a Bluetooth Speaker
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Less maneuverable
The Epikgo Premier is marketed as the new and improved version of our previous Top Pick award winner, the Epikgo Classic. Unfortunately, while the Premier is marketed as having increased hill climbing ability, more power, and longer range, we found the difference in performance to be hardly discernible in our tests.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The most concrete differences we found in our testing process between the Premier and the Classic were the presence of a Bluetooth speaker, a slightly increased range, and the increased list price.

epikgo premier - the epikgo premier didn't feel terribly different than its...
The Epikgo Premier didn't feel terribly different than its predecessor.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Performance Comparison


Our testing process was divvied up into four weighted metrics: Battery, Support, Outdoor Capabilities, and Fun Factor. We scored the Epikgo Premier in each metric using the results of each test we conducted, the details of which are elaborated on in the following sections.

epikgo premier - our lead tester enjoying himself on the epikgo premier.
Our lead tester enjoying himself on the Epikgo Premier.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Fun Factor


The highest weighted metric in our test was Fun Factor, comprising half of the total score. We rated these products on how much fun they were to ride — judged by our panel of veteran hoverboard testers, tested maximum speed, weight, as well as any other fun accessories or features the board had. The Epikgo Premier was reasonably fun, earning a 6 out of 10.

This board is only available in two colors: space gray and gold. It also is on the larger side, making it incompatible with most third-party protective skins and carrying cases. However, this model does have an internal Bluetooth speaker, differentiating it from its predecessor, the Epikgo Classic.

The Premier failed to distinguish itself in our top speed test, only hitting 9.33 mph.


This is definitely one of the heavier boards, weighing in at 31.5 lbs, making it somewhat difficult to carry around. The Premier is reasonably fun to ride around, lacking some of the nimbleness and maneuverability of the smaller models.

epikgo premier - it was solidly fun to ride around on the premier.
It was solidly fun to ride around on the Premier.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

It feels stable at lower speeds but slightly finicky as you approach the top speed, overall failing to be a standout performer.

epikgo premier - the epikgo premier handles packed dirt and sand like it was pavement.
The Epikgo Premier handles packed dirt and sand like it was pavement.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Outdoor Capabilities


Outdoor Capabilities, accounting for 20% of the total score, is the metric where the Epikgo Premier performed the relative best, tying for the runner-up position. We evaluated the Premier's performance at heading over packed dirt and sand, grassy patches, cracked and bumpy pavement, as well as heading up and down a steep hill and rolling over thresholds.

epikgo premier - the premier is a solid choice for some off-road hoverboarding.
The Premier is a solid choice for some off-road hoverboarding.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

This model rolled over dirt, sand, and grass without breaking a sweat, helped by its burly off-road tires and decently powered motors.

epikgo premier - a comparison of some of the common wheel sizes on these products.
A comparison of some of the common wheel sizes on these products.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Premier also did quite well at climbing and descending a steep incline, powering up and down a 14% grade with ease and remaining stable the entire time. While the Premier does claim it has a superior hill climbing ability to the Classic, both boards made it up and down this hill with ease. It is actually quite difficult to find steeper roads to test on — we tried! — so either of these boards should suffice for the vast majority of the terrain that you would hoverboard on.

epikgo premier - the premier cruised up the 14% grade hill with ease.
The Premier cruised up the 14% grade hill with ease.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The bigger wheels on this board also cruise over cracks with ease, though the tread on the wheels made a steady vibration when riding the board on flat ground. The Premier also easily cleared a standard door threshold, though not as easily as the Skque or the Segway miniPro.

epikgo premier - the larger, burly wheels help this board drive over cracks without...
The larger, burly wheels help this board drive over cracks without getting stuck.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Support


The Epikgo Premier scored alright in our support metric, earning a 6 out of 10. We placed equal importance to Outdoor Capabilities on this metric, as we found these products to not be the most durable and broke quite a few in our testing process. We evaluated customer support by rating how well each board held up to testing and if it sustained any damage, if their was a warranty, how helpful the customer support staff was to our inquiry, and if there was a phone number that could be used to call and talk to a person.

The Premier only sustained minor scuffs and scrapes, with not debilitating injuries received from a multitude of crashes in our tests. This model lacks a phone number to call for support questions, relying on email only or various forms of social media. However, they were very prompt and helpful in their response. The manufacturer also includes a 14-day period to return the board and a limited 1-year warranty, with details in the manual or on their website.

epikgo premier - the premier has an above average battery life.
The Premier has an above average battery life.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Battery


This final metric in our test merited the remaining 10% of the final scores. We compared the range of each board, the runtime when doing a variety of different maneuvers in our obstacle course, and the time required to charge the battery. The Epikgo Premier has a slightly above average battery life, earning it a 6 out of 10.

This board made it for 8.2 miles in our range test, exceeding the 7.2 miles that the Classic version of this board lasted.


However, this board lasted for about the same amount of time as the Classic in our obstacle course and took about 2.5 hours to completely charge.

Value


This board is not a value option, performing identically or worse than models that cost a lot less.

Conclusion


All in all, it feels like the main upgrade to the Epikgo Premier was its price.

David Wise and Austin Palmer