Tomoloo L1 Review
Pros: Long range, portable, fast
Cons: Variable performance
Manufacturer: Tomoloo
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Tomoloo L1 | |||||
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| Awards |  | |  |  | |
| Price | $530 List | $600 List | $500 List | $409 List | $500 List |
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 | Smooth ride, long battery life, easy to carry | Fast, front suspension, decent travel radius | Folded dolly function, huge travel range, hill climbing power |
| Cons | Variable performance | Heavy, long charge time | Brakes may require maintenance, long recharge interval | Cruise control defaults to ON, tires quick to wear, steering column lock lack redundancy | Rough ride, single brake |
| Bottom Line | The Tomoloo 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 do it all scooter combines comfort and utility in a simple yet sharp design | A relatively inexpensive scooter with a respectable top speed, convenience, and decent travel radius | This scooter aims to make commutes a cinch by integrating long battery life with a powerful motor in an easy to fold and roll platform |
| Rating Categories | Tomoloo L1 | Gotrax G4 | Xiaomi Mi M365 | Hiboy MAX | Glion Dolly Foldable |
| Range (25%) | |||||
| Power (25%) | |||||
| Ride (20%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Braking (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Tomoloo L1 | Gotrax G4 | Xiaomi Mi M365 | Hiboy MAX | Glion Dolly Foldable |
| Measured Maximum Speed | 15.3 mph | 19.8 mph | 14.9 mph | 19.3 mph | 13.8 mph |
| Measured Effective Range | 10.9 miles | 22 miles | 12.8 miles | 12.2 miles | 13.2 miles |
| Measured Charge Time | 4 hrs 40 min | 5 hours 50 min | 5 hrs 10 min | 4 hours 30 min | 4 hrs 25 min |
| Brake Type | Front electronic brake and rear disc brake | Rear disc brake and E-ABS braking system | Front electronic brake and rear disc brake | Front electronic brake and rear disc brake | Front electronic brake |
| Tire Type | Pneumatic | Pneumatic | Pneumatic | Solid rubber | Rubber (honeycomb interior) |
| Tire Size | 8.5" | 10" | 8.5" | 8.5" | 8" |
| Lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen | Yes | Yes | Battery indicator only | Yes | Battery indicator only |
| App | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Maximum Load | 220 lbs | 220 lbs | 220 lbs | 220 lbs | 255 lbs |
| Bell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Weight | 29.3 lbs | 37.8 lbs | 27.2 lbs | 35.2 lbs | 28.7 lbs |
| Battery Type | Lithium | Lithium | Lithium | Lithium | Lithium-ion |
| Motor | Rated 250 Watt Max 500 Watt |
350 Watt | Rated 250 Watt Max 500 Watt |
350 Watt | 250 Watt |
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
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.
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 the top 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.
Braking
Given the cruising speed of the Tomoloo — which is pretty darn 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.
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