OneWheel: the original self-balancing electric ride.
OneWheel boards deliver a unique, surf-like riding experience unlike anything else. From daily commuting to trail adventures, these self-balancing electric boards are built for riders looking for fun, performance, and freedom.
As real operators and builders in the electric mobility space — with 40+ combined years selling, servicing, and warranting electric rideables — we give you the honest read on how OneWheel actually compares to e-bikes on safety, range, legality, and real-world use. No paid placement.
By Future Motion · Made in California
The lineup
Key models at a glance
Prices are approximate MSRP and shift with promos and dealer availability. Range varies with rider weight, terrain, and temperature.
GT S-Series Rally XL
Flagship off-road build with the longest reach and the most aggressive tire.
- Top speed
- 25 mph
- Range
- 18–28 miles
- From
- ~$3,500
- Weight
- ~36 lb
- Best for
- Enthusiast
Editor: Rally tire and bash plates for genuine trail riding. The 'no-compromise' build in the lineup.
GT S-Series
Same flagship motor and battery as the Rally XL, set up for mixed terrain.
- Top speed
- 25 mph
- Range
- 16–25 miles
- From
- ~$2,900
- Weight
- ~35 lb
- Best for
- Enthusiast
Editor: The performance pick if you split time between streets and easy trails.
GT
The all-arounder. Best range in the lineup at a more reasonable price.
- Top speed
- 20 mph
- Range
- 20–32 miles
- From
- ~$2,300
- Weight
- ~35 lb
- Best for
- Commuter
Editor: If you commute on pavement, the regular GT is usually the right call over an S-Series.
XR Classic
The board that built the category. Still capable, still ridden everywhere.
- Top speed
- 20 mph
- Range
- 17–24 miles
- From
- ~$1,900
- Weight
- ~27 lb
- Best for
- Commuter
Editor: Lighter than a GT and easier to carry up stairs. Long-tail favorite of daily commuters.
Pint S
The friendlier intermediate board — quicker than a Pint, calmer than a GT.
- Top speed
- 20 mph
- Range
- 12–18 miles
- From
- ~$1,400
- Weight
- ~25 lb
- Best for
- Commuter
Editor: Great middle option for riders who outgrew a Pint but don't want GT power.
Pint X
More range than the original Pint with the same compact footprint.
- Top speed
- 18 mph
- Range
- 12–18 miles
- From
- ~$1,100–$1,300
- Weight
- ~23 lb
- Best for
- New rider
Editor: Best 'one and done' starter for an adult who wants room to grow.
Pint
The smallest, lightest, and easiest one to learn on.
- Top speed
- 16 mph
- Range
- 6–8 miles
- From
- ~$750–$1,050
- Weight
- ~23 lb
- Best for
- New rider
Editor: Short range, but it fits under a desk and gets borrowed by everyone in the house.
The honest read
OneWheel vs. e-bike — what each one actually does best
Where OneWheel wins over an e-bike
- •Fits places no bike can — under a desk, in a trunk, on a bus, into the elevator without removing the wheel.
- •Genuinely fun the first time you ride it. The 'surf' feeling is real, and it's the closest land equivalent.
- •One device, every terrain. The GT Rally XL handles fire roads and packed singletrack that would shake a folding e-bike apart.
- •No gears, no chain, no derailleur. Maintenance is a charger, a tire, and the occasional bumper.
Where an e-bike still wins
- •Range. A mid-pack commuter e-bike easily doubles the Pint X and beats every GT on a single charge.
- •Cargo. There is nowhere to put groceries, a kid, or a backpack you didn't strap to yourself.
- •Speed and stability for road traffic. A Class 3 e-bike at 28 mph in a bike lane is safer for most riders than a OneWheel at 25 mph on a road shoulder.
- •Learning curve. Most adults are riding an e-bike confidently in five minutes. A OneWheel takes most riders 1–3 hours to feel safe, and a few never get there.
Safety & legal
What we tell every OneWheel rider
The injuries we see in this category
Forward nose-dives that throw the rider onto outstretched hands and face. Wrist fractures and traumatic brain injuries are over-represented in OneWheel data versus comparable e-bike crashes. Full-face protection is not optional gear; it's primary gear.
Battery and charging
OneWheel boards use lithium-ion packs subject to the same thermal-runaway risks as e-bike batteries. Charge on a hard, non-combustible surface, never overnight unattended, and never with an off-brand or modified charger. Replacement packs should come only from Future Motion or an authorized dealer.
Legal status varies by jurisdiction
Unlike e-bikes, most states do not yet classify self-balancing boards under the three-class framework. In practice they are treated as "electric personal assistive mobility devices" or simply as unregulated rideables — which means trail and bike-path access is hit-or-miss and varies city by city. Check our state-by-state e-bike laws for the closest analog rules.
If you're hurt
Preserve the board, the charger, and the packaging — they are physical evidence. Document the firmware version and any error codes. Our partner EBikeSafety.com handles rideables product-liability cases on contingency.
Gear up
Accessories and upgrades worth the money
What we'd put on the board before the first ride — in priority order.
Full-face helmet (MIPS or equivalent)
The single most important purchase. OneWheel head injuries skew higher than e-bike head injuries because falls are typically forward and unbroken.
Wrist guards
The most common OneWheel injury is a forward fall onto outstretched hands. Wrist guards are cheap insurance.
Knee and elbow pads
Especially during the first 50 miles of riding. Skate-style pads are fine; mountain-bike pads are better.
Fender
Rear-wheel spray on wet pavement will ruin your pants and your back. A factory fender pays for itself the first rainy commute.
Bumper / rail guards
Cheaper to replace than a scratched deck. Get them before you scrape anything.
Higher-amp charger
Stock chargers are slow. A Future Motion Hypercharger (or quality third-party equivalent) cuts a full GT charge to under two hours.
Ready to ride
Buy from the source, ride with a helmet, update the firmware.
OneWheel boards are sold direct from Future Motion and through a network of authorized dealers. We recommend authorized purchase for warranty and recall-tracking reasons — gray-market and resale boards frequently miss safety updates.
Safety note: In September 2024 the U.S. CPSC and Future Motion recalled approximately 300,000 OneWheel boards over sudden nose-dive incidents tied to four reported deaths, with a free firmware update as the remedy.Learn more
The recall covered XR, Pint, Pint X, GT, and GT S-Series boards and followed multiple traumatic injuries from sudden nose-dives. New-board availability paused at times afterward and resumed in stages.
Before buying, (1) confirm the model and serial number are current and not subject to outstanding remedy, (2) install all firmware updates on day one, and (3) always ride with a full-face helmet and wrist guards. Our partner EBikeSafety.com tracks rideables litigation and offers free consultations.
Affiliate disclosure: ElectricBikes.com is an independent editorial site. Links to onewheel.com and authorized dealers may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We are not paid by Future Motion to write favorable coverage. Models, specs, and pricing in this guide are editorial opinion and current as of publication — verify the latest configuration and recall status with the manufacturer before purchase.
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Safety School
The cell-chemistry primer, charging rules, and crash data that apply to every lithium rideable.
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Legal claim guide
Battery fires, defective product, counterfeit packs — the six case types and what to do.
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Laws by state
Class system, helmet rules, trail access, and the rideable category your board falls under.
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