Segway Ninebot Drift W1 Review

If you picked up electric roller skates thinking they would involve similar skills as a pair of traditional four-wheeled skates or rollerblades, you’re going to be facing a learning curve. Electric roller skates, also sometimes called hover shoes, are more closely related to hoverboards. By self-balancing on a single wheel, you can move each skate independently, which can come in handy if you lose control of one foot.

If you’ve never ridden a hoverboard before but want to try it out, check out our tips for how to ride a hoverboard or hoverboard safety tips. It’s also recommended that first-time users try the skates out by holding on to a wall for support or start off by sitting on a chair and placing their feet on the skates before standing up until they get the hang of them. Make sure you are using your electric roller skates on flat ground cleared of small obstacles such as pebbles, or an indoor surface.

The Basics 

The weight limit of 220 pounds means that the skates are suitable for both kids and adults. The self-balancing wheels have a unique tread design to help you steer, and Segway has added some cool features like LED lights in different colors (the lights are a safety feature, too!). 

Design and Features of the Segway Ninebort Drift W1

Overall Construction

Essentially a pair of one-wheeled hoverboards with self-balancing technology, the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 electric roller skates have a one-piece magnesium alloy skeleton that is both sturdy and lightweight. Each skate weighs only 7.7 pounds but is strong enough to carry a maximum load of 220 pounds. With a minimum required weight of 22 pounds, these overshoes are suitable for everyone from kids to teens to adults. The skates are light enough to carry, and each one has an elastic band at the bottom to facilitate this. When not being carried, the bands are easily tucked up underneath the footbeds. 

These skates measure 12.5 in x10.6 in x 8.7 inches. With additional features mentioned previously, such as the 10 mm bumper on both front and back and the waterproof protection system for both mainframe and battery, it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into the design and construction of the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 electric roller skates. 

Battery Life

The Segway Ninebot Drift W1 electric roller skates take a lithium-ion battery, included. Tested to UL 2272 standards, this battery contains dual protection and has both a smart battery management system and waterproof protection, so you don’t need to worry about your new toy getting damaged by a puddle or a few raindrops (although it’s still recommended to avoid getting wet, if possible). 

It takes about 3 hours to fully charge both units, and a full charge will give you up to 45 minutes of riding time on your hover shoes. This battery charger will let you achieve top speeds of up to 7.5 miles per hour and tackle inclines of up to 10%, although these numbers might be affected by the weight of the rider and the conditions under which the shoes are being used. Battery life will also affect top speeds; when the battery is getting low, top speeds are less likely to be achieved. The weight limit for these electric roller skates is 220 pounds. 

The manufacturer recommends only charging them, in temperatures between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and using them between 14 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, so if it’s very hot or very cold, give your hover shoes a pass or use them indoors instead. Segway Ninebot Drift W1 hover shoes can be safely stored at temperatures between -4 and -122 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Then Segway Ninebot’s Wheels

Each individual hover shoe has one wheel for the rider to balance on. Each wheel is made of sturdy rubber and measures 3.5 inches. The wheels are wide enough to offer plenty of stability. The unique spindle design on the tread of each wheel has been designed to give you flexible steering abilities. Using much of the same technology as found in a hoverboard, the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 electric roller skates have self-balancing technology. 

Notable Safety Features

The Segway Ninebot Drift W1’s design takes safety into account, so you don’t have to worry. The footbeds have rubber nonslip treads that will keep you steady, and there is a 0.3-inch silicone bumper surrounding each skate to keep both the skate and your furniture safe from any bumps when you’re learning how to ride. 

For riding after dark, or just for looking cool, the skates also have adjustable lights on each skate. While the default color is blue, there are three modes of LED lights for you to choose from. If you want to brave the elements with your electric roller skates, the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 has advanced safety features including IP54 protection of the mainframe and IPx6 protection of the battery pack to let you keep riding even in difficult weather conditions. This product is tested to UL 2272 standards. 

When riding your hover shoes, it’s important to wear the proper safety equipment. A helmet is essential, as falls from even short distances can have a huge impact on the brain. Wrist guards and knee pads are recommended as well, since falling forward off the hover shoes is one of the most common ways injuries occur with this type of product. These items are not included with the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 and must be purchased separately. 

Comparing the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 to the Gyroor S300

The Gyroor S300 is similar to the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 in a lot of ways, but there are some differences between the two, which we’ll highlight here. 

The Gyroor S300 electric roller skates have 3.5-inch wheels with rubber treads and independent motors in each skate. They’ve also got cool LED lights under the footbed, although these lights do not change color and are available in green only. There is, however, a battery indicator light that changes from red to yellow when it’s time to charge your skates.

One full battery charge can last for about 6 miles or one hour, depending on the weight of the rider and the terrain. The top cruising speeds on the Gyroor S300 are also 6 miles per hour. One cool feature of the Gyroor S300 is that it comes with a connection bar kit that allows you to connect each shoe together, effectively turning your electric roller skates into a hoverboard. The maximum weight for these skates is 265 lbs. 

The Gyroor S300 has a slightly lower top speed than the Segway Ninebot Drift W1, as seen in the chart below. However, it does come with a connection bar kit which means it is essentially two toys in one – both electric roller skates and a hoverboard. If you’re looking for just a pair of skates and higher performance, the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 is the better choice, but if you don’t have a hoverboard and are interested in trying both activities, the Gyroor S300 might be the way to go. 

Segway Ninebot Drift W1	Features	Gyroor S300 Hover Shoes
7.5 miles/hour	Top Speed	6 miles/hour
45 mins	Battery Life	1 hour
220 lbs	Max Weight	265 lbs
$469.99	Price	$229.00

What’s In The Box?

When you purchase the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 electric roller skates, you can find the following in the box. Two electric roller skates (one pair), rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and an instruction manual to help you figure it all out.

Reasons Why You Should Buy the Segway Ninebot Drift W1?

• It rides at speeds of up to 7.5 miles per hour
• It has waterproof protection for both the mainframe and the battery
• A full battery charge gives you 45 minutes of riding time

So, In Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fun and innovative way to get around town, the Segway Ninebot Drift W1 electric roller skates might be exactly what you’re looking for.