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Hoverboards have a reputation for being fire hazards, but new safety standards have made the boards significantly less dangerous. The Swagtron T1 represents the best of the best in terms of safety, and it also performs really well to boot with a 300-watt motor, a top speed of 8 mph, and a range of 11 miles. It’s a great hoverboard for kids and adults and reasonably priced. Let’s take a closer look at everything the Swagtron T1 has to offer.
First things first, let’s talk about the Swagtron T1’s performance. It is equipped with a 300-watt motor and lithium-ion battery. In terms of speed, you can get up to 8 mph in the best conditions. A hoverboard’s speed is affected by the type of terrain you’re on and your weight, so 8 mph is not a guarantee.
The weight range on this board is 45-220 pounds. On a single full charge, the hoverboard can go up to 11 miles (which is a step up from the previous Swagtron T580). Again, terrain and weight affect this number, as does the weather. If it’s too hot or cold, the battery performance suffers. On the Swagtron T1’s product page, it puts the range between 7-11 miles.
If you hit a hill, the hoverboard will stay upright up to 30-degrees, which is a pretty good incline. You should always take hills with caution, especially if you’re a new rider. When going down a hill, you should also be wary of your speed.
This hoverboard is equipped with Swagtron’s Safe Stop technology, a system that prevents a total shutoff of power if the battery drains. If you were going really quickly and that happened without Safe Stop, you could go flying off. Safe Stop ensures a more gradual, rolling stop.
One of the cool things about the Swagtron T1 is that it has riding modes. The learning mode, which is great for beginners, controls the board’s top speed, so you don’t have to worry about suddenly going 8 mph when you lean forward.
The standard mode opens up the hoverboard’s potential, so you can reach the top speeds and enjoy total control over the toy once you’re comfortable.
To switch modes, just hold the power button for 3 seconds. There’s also a Self-Balancing mode that’s activated automatically once you turn the hoverboard one and you’ve put one foot on the rubber pad.
A hoverboard’s construction is very important. The Swagtron T1 takes its design seriously. The casing is made from ABS – acrylonitrile butadiene styrene – which is supposed to be sturdy.
You’ll see quite a few hoverboards using this type of plastic, and while it isn’t the toughest material around, it’s fine for a hoverboard in this price range. The tires are hard rubber with aluminum rims, so they don’t add too much weight to the board, which is a relatively lightweight 23 pounds or so. The tires are not designed as an off-road hoverboard, so don’t expect the board to travel over rocky ground, sand, or grass.
For lights, the Swagtron is equipped with LED headlights ideal for riding once the sun sets. There are also five light indicators that let you know the battery levels, so you can charge the board when it gets too low. We don’t recommend letting the battery go below 20% or so more often than once a month.
The other important construction features are the Sentry-Shield aluminum alloy casing around the battery and the silicone gel coating on the mainboard. These are meant to protect against overheating, which is a common issue for hoverboards.
Speaking of batteries, let’s get into the safety of the Swagtron T1. This board has all the bells-and-whistles you want on a safe hoverboard, including two UL certifications – the UL-2272 and UL-2271. UL-2272 is a relatively new standard for e-mobility devices like hoverboards and Segways, and it means the hoverboard’s battery-and-motor system has been thoroughly tested. The 2271 certification applies to the battery on its own.
On top of those, the Swagtron T1 has the Sentry-Shield battery casing we mentioned in the previous paragraph and a Battery Management System. The BMS carefully monitors the battery at all times, checking for things like high temperatures, overcharges, and so on. If you’re worried about your hoverboard catching on fire, you can put your mind at ease. This Swagtron T1 goes above and beyond with its safety features.
How is Swagtron’s customer support? It’s based in the US and is available for customers 7 days a week. They pride themselves on their service.
When you order a hoverboard (they currently do not ship internationally), you get free standard shipping, except if you live in Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories. If you want to return the hoverboard, you get 30 days to get a refund.
If parts need to be repaired and replaced, and you weren’t responsible for the damage, Swagtron won’t charge you. The warranty lasts for one year. If you need to look something up about your hoverboard, there are user manuals on the Swagtron website.
No hoverboard is perfect. The biggest downside with the Swagtron T1 Pro is that it doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities. This means you can’t play music from a smart device, and there is no app associated with the board to give you easy access to info like battery level, speed, and so on.
On the other hand, this does mean calibrating your board is less risky, since Bluetooth hoverboards are known to have problems with this process. The indicator lights replace an app telling you the battery levels, but they aren’t quite as convenient as getting a straightforward percentage.
The other downside is the top speed. 8 mph does feel fast if you’re a new rider, and many people are happy with it, but there are hoverboards with more powerful motors that can handle 10-12 mph. If speed is your priority, the Swagtron T1 comes in short. If you’re looking for the fastest hoverboard on the market, this isn’t it.
Is the Swagtron T1 Pro right for you? If you are a new rider, you’ll really benefit from the riding modes, which let you get comfortable with the board and expand your skills. Both kids and adults can comfortably ride this board.
If you don’t care about Bluetooth and are more concerned with safety, the Swagtron T1 Pro is a great option. It’s also a reasonably-priced board that’s perfect if you don’t want to spend a ton of money, but you aren’t comfortable with really cheap hoverboards either.
The Swagtron T1 Pro scores 4 out of 5 stars on our rating list.
Safety is king with this Swagtron T1 Pro hoverboard thanks to its UL certifications, Sentry-Shield battery protection, Safe Stop tech, and BMS system. The learning and standard riding modes make it an excellent choice for all sorts of riders, including kids (and adults) just learning to ride.
It also has a decent 11-mile range and 8 mph top speed for the price but lacks Bluetooth and the really high speeds many are looking for, which is why we docked a star.
All in all, the Swagtron T1 Pro is one of the best hoverboards if you’re a beginner or if you’re not looking to spend too much money on your riding experience. It’s a definite solid place to start.
| Max Speed | 8 MPH |
| Hill Grade | 30 degrees |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Range | 11 miles |
| Weight | 22 lbs |
| Motor | 300 watts |
| Wheel Size | 6.5 inches |
| Charging Time | ≤ 2 hours |
