REASONS TO BUY
Long range
Portable
Fast
REASONS TO AVOID
Variable performance
Tomoloo L1 Review
This model would have been a top contender in the class were it not for its inconsistent, seemingly glitchy, behavior
RELATED: Best Electric Scooters of 2023
Our Verdict
Despite the Tomoloo's high marks in all test categories, we declined to bestow any awards upon it due to its erratic behavior and inconsistent performance.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Tomoloo L1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $530 List | $650 List $669.99 at Amazon | $599 List $499.00 at Amazon | $550 List $549.99 at Amazon | $350 List $389.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Long range, portable, fast | Lithium-ion battery, measured 22 mile range, 350-watt motor, fast and smooth ride | Easily transportable, great range, good braking | Decent speed and range, cruise control feature, rear suspension, rear brake light and deck lights, regenerative braking is pretty powerful | Pneumatic tires, cruise control feature, really solid safety latch |
| Cons | Variable performance | Heavier weight, long charge time | Dolly wheels affect turning, poor handle design, not very fast | Solid tires - harsher ride, carrying latch is complicated to work, heavier than average | Carrying latch failure, not very fast, limited range |
| Bottom Line | This model would have been a top contender in the class were it not for its inconsistent, seemingly glitchy, behavior | A smooth driving, high-end electric scooter with an impressive range and a pep in its step | This scooter has great features for commuters needing range and portability, though it lacks somewhat in power | A mid-priced scooter for longer distances and avid commuters | A great budget-friendly scooter with unique upgrades rivaling some high-end models |
| Rating Categories | Tomoloo L1 | Gotrax G4 | Glion Dolly 225-22 | Hiboy S2 | Gotrax GXL V2 |
| Range (25%) | |||||
| Power (25%) | |||||
| Ride Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Braking (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Tomoloo L1 | Gotrax G4 | Glion Dolly 225-22 | Hiboy S2 | Gotrax GXL V2 |
| Measured Maximum Speed | 15.3 mph | 19.8 mph | 13.9 mph | 17 mph | 12.5 mph |
| Measured Effective Range | 10.9 miles | 22 miles | 24.5 miles | 14 miles | 7 miles |
| Measured Charge Time | 4 hours 40 minutes | 5 hours 50 minutes | 5 hours | 5 hours 40 minutes | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| Brake Type | Front electronic brake and rear disc brake | Rear disc brake and E-ABS braking system | Anti-lock electronic located inside rear wheel and rear fender brake | Front regen Rear disc |
Front regen Rear disc |
| Tire Type | Pneumatic | Pneumatic | Solid (honeycomb) | Solid rubber | Pneumatic |
| Tire Size | 8.5" | 10" | 8" | 8.5" | 8.5" |
| Lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen | Yes | Yes | Battery indicator only | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Maximum Load | 220 lbs | 220 lbs | 255 lbs | 220 lbs | 220 lbs |
| Bell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Weight | 29.3 lbs | 37.8 lbs | 30.9 lbs | 32 lbs | 26 lbs |
| Battery Type | Lithium | Lithium | LG Lithium Ion | Lithium | Lithium |
| Motor | Rated 250 Watt Max 500 Watt |
350 Watt | 250 Watt | 350 Watt | 250 Watt |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Tomoloo had testers scratching their heads at its inconsistent comportment. When the scooter was having a good day it was a top performer. Given the reasonable price point, this product would have been up for an award. However, this scooter proved to be temperamental, often refusing to cruise at its top speed, requiring testers to cycle the on/ off button with mixed results. Of particular note was the product's variable max speed; perhaps from a malfunctioning cruise control mechanism.
Performance Comparison
The Tomoloo L1 electric Scooter
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Range
Range tests are comprised of two parts: travel radius and battery charge time. Effective range refers to the number of miles a scooter can cruise at its max speed on flat ground. The maximum range refers to the number of miles a scooter will go at any speed. The distinction is necessary as many scooters' max speed will decrease at the end of their battery's life
The Tomoloo has an effective range of 10.9 and a maximum rage of 11.7 miles. The battery recharges in four hours and forty minutes, close to the average for the class.
The Tomoloo cruising at full tilt for a maximum of 10.9 effective miles.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Power
For the purpose of this review, power is defined as hill ascending ability and maximum flat ground speed. The hill-climbing analysis was conducted first on a 3.5% grade. If this hill was surmounted, then the scooter was run up a much steeper 10.5% grade. While the Tomoloo was an average performer in the speed assessment - maxing out at just over 15 mph - the 3.5% grade slowed the scooter by 3-5 mph and the 10.5% grade brought the scooter to a standstill well short of the ΒΌ mile hill crest.
Ride
Ride is an assessment of the vibration a scooter transfers to the rider when passing over bumpy terrain such as cracks in the sidewalk. Having tested many of these scooters we know that this metric is primarily an assessment of the tire type. The Tomoloo's tires are pneumatic and absorb much of the road's inconsistencies. Accordingly, they offer one of the smoothest rides in the fleet.
The Tomoloo's electronic front, disk rear brake system actuated by a single hand lever.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Braking
Given the cruising speed of the Tomoloo — which is decently fast — it's a good thing that it has good brakes. With both a front electronic and rear fender brake, testers were happy with the power felt on rapid flat ground stops and the steadiness during controlled descents.
The Tomoloo's redundant steering column folding mechanism.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Portability
Weight, folded dimensions, folding ease, carrying latch utility, transporting, and effort are the focus of the portability assessment. The Tomoloo checks all the boxes in this metric, leaving testers with little in the way of critique.
Value
When this scooter was working properly it was a top performer. However, it often failed to work at its full capacity. As such, we can not assign a high value to the Tomoloo. It's just too frustrating to have a purchase not work when it was just pulled out of the box.
Conclusion
The Tomoloo raised expectations with a top-notch design but ultimately left testers wondering why the thing only worked right some of the time. As a result of our mixed experience with this product, we can not in good faith recommend it; especially at the price.
—
Nick Miley and Austin Palmer
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