Jetson Spin Review

The Jetson Spin is an inexpensive option perfect for casual indoor use or beginner riders.

Performance Comparison

Fun Factor

While hoverboards can be used for short commutes, they are more often used for fun. During our fun factor testing, we paid special attention to each model's Bluetooth options, speed, weight, accessories, color options, and obstacle course capabilities. The Spin offers a somewhat average performance in this department.

With no Bluetooth capabilities and an average top-out speed of just 7.5 miles per hour, the Spin isn't particularly impressive. It performs well at its top speed, although bumpy terrain feels scary and unstable. You can push it closer to 8 miles per hour, but that speed is difficult to reach and nearly impossible to maintain.

The Spin weighs in at 14.3 pounds which makes it very portable. Unfortunately, the lack of a carry handle forces the user to hold it by the middle, which can be cumbersome for those with smaller hands. That aside, we were pleasantly surprised by the maneuverability of this model. It has more torque than expected, turns on a dime, and long slalom-style s-turns are mostly smooth. The biggest downside is that it becomes increasingly harder to maneuver as the battery dies.

Outdoor Capabilities

We take the time to test out each hoverboard on various inclines, grass, packed dirt, and bumpy or cracked pavement. Again, the Spin performs right around average in this department.

We barely made it 20 feet up our test hill, which was at a 14% grade. The Spin bottomed out easily and didn't offer the smoothest ride on bumpy terrain, but it will still get the job done for the casual rider. Its lack of clearance and power make riding on loose dirt and deep or muddy grass difficult, but smooth ground or short golf course grass are a non-issue.

Support

Our support metric assessed how well each model avoids and handles crashing, the general support offered by the company, and the included warranty.

The Spin is self-balancing, so it stays upright when you fall off. That's not to say that it can't flip over if you take a big enough spill, but generally speaking, it remains on its feet, even if you don't. There is no support phone number offered, and when we emailed about a problem with the battery life, we were instructed to fill out a warranty claim to receive a new device.

Battery

Riding a hoverboard with a low battery not only affects the amount of fun you can have, but it can be dangerous as they are harder to control. This metric calls attention to the battery's range, run time during stop and go riding, and charge time.

At 2.84 miles and 27 minutes, our Spin began to lose power, which resulted in a loss of stability. This ride time is far less than the advertised seven miles per full charge. When riding around our test space in a stop-and-go fashion, this model can last up to 50 minutes, and the charge time is 2 to 2.5 hours. Sadly the Spin does not give us much to be excited about in the battery department.

Value

The price of the Spin matches its performance, so if you are looking for a fun around-the-house toy, it is of good value. That being said, if you are in the market for a device that you can commute a few miles on or prefer a long-lasting battery, you will likely be replacing this one with one of its more expensive competitors.

Conclusion