UIOFO Electric Skateboard Review: Swappable Battery, Integrated Lights, and Direct Drive

Introduction

The UIOFO electric skateboard stands out because it combines a set of features that are rarely found together on a single board. A quick-swappable battery, integrated headlights and brake lights, and direct drive motors are all present here. None of these features are new on their own, but finding all of them on one electric skateboard is uncommon.

The board is priced at around $800, which places it in a competitive segment. At that price, expectations are understandably higher, and the board needs to deliver on both its unique features and its overall performance.

Who This Board Is For

The UIOFO is aimed at riders who want a board that sits between a typical longboard and a mini board in size. The deck measures 815mm long and 248mm at its widest point, making it larger than a compact mini board but shorter than a full longboard. This middle-ground sizing means it is not as portable as a true mini board, especially at a weight of 9.4 kg with the battery installed.

This board suits riders who value the combination of a swappable battery, integrated lighting, and direct drive motors. If having a quiet ride is important, direct drive is worth considering, as it is the quietest of all drive systems. The board also appeals to those who want the flexibility to charge the battery separately or mail it ahead when traveling, since the battery exceeds the 160 Watt-hour limit for air travel.

Quick-Swap Battery System

The quick-swap battery system on the UIOFO is similar in design to the one found on the Revel Kit, and both are made by the same factory, Landwheel. Swapping the battery takes just a few seconds and requires no tools. The design is well executed, and the quick-release mechanism is convenient even without a spare battery.

The battery includes built-in USB-A and Type-C ports for charging other devices. Two battery options are available: a 216 Watt-hour version and a 259 Watt-hour version, listed on the website as 222 and 266. The larger option uses Samsung 30Q cells, while the smaller option uses unspecified cells. The price difference between the two is only $50, making the larger option the more sensible choice for most riders.

The ability to detach the battery is practical in several situations. You can charge it separately indoors, or mail it to your destination when flying, avoiding the restriction on batteries over 160 Watt-hours.

Integrated Headlights and Brake Lights

The UIOFO features integrated headlights and brake lights that can be controlled from the remote. The brake lights flash when braking, which helps others see you at night. However, the lights are not very bright, and they are not sufficient for lighting up the road ahead.

One design issue is that when you step on the tail to pick up the board, the brake light frame touches the ground. This happens with or without the optional spoiler, and there is no replaceable puck to protect the lights. Expect the lights to get scuffed over time. The spoiler is included but optional, and it looks like a kicktail. It has no grip tape, so it feels slippery when used as a tail, and it is quite short. The spoiler on the review unit broke off on the first day, likely from leaning the board against a wall with the spoiler on the ground.

Direct Drive Motors and Ride Feel

The UIOFO is one of the few boards on the market that uses direct drive motors. Direct drive motors are similar to hub motors, but the wheels are mounted onto the side of the motors. Performance is comparable to hub motors, while comfort is similar to belt drive and gear drive. The noise level is the quietest of all drive systems.

The deck is wide with a shallow concave and subtle wheel flares, and it is generally comfortable. The grip tape is padded, but the padding is only about 2mm thick, so the difference is minimal. The trucks are reverse kingpin and came with very hard barrel bushings. Even when loosened, the board felt difficult to turn at low speeds, making carving less enjoyable with the stock setup. Aftermarket bushings should help with this. On the other hand, the board felt very stable, even with the relatively short wheelbase.

The wheels are 105mm in diameter and only 48mm wide, with a rounded contact patch. They are rubber wheels but feel surprisingly hard, especially compared to other rubber wheels from brands like E-Lofty or Onsra. Combined with the narrow contact patch, grip may be lacking compared to most other electric skateboard wheels. Aftermarket wheels can be used, and UIOFO offers Kegel adapters upon request.

Performance and Range

In terms of acceleration, the UIOFO is one of the slowest boards tested. It has four speed modes, and even in the highest mode, acceleration was slow enough that riding in traffic required extra caution. The website claims a top speed of 48 km/h, but the board could benefit from sacrificing some top speed for more torque. Using smaller and lighter aftermarket wheels, or the 30Q battery option, might improve acceleration.

The brakes, on the other hand, felt very strong. By default, they were a little too sensitive, but the strength is adjustable through the remote’s menu. The speed controller is made by Hobbywing, and acceleration and braking are both smooth and intuitive. However, there is no standby mode, so the board must be turned on or off using the button on the board. If the remote is turned off without turning off the board, the brakes engage, making the board more difficult to move around.

Range was measured from a full battery until the remote gave a 10% low voltage warning. The remote reported 13.8 km, while a GPS app reported 15.8 km. For a 216 Watt-hour battery, with hard 105mm wheels, a rider weight of about 75 kg, and casual riding style, these numbers were slightly lower than expected. Several factors could affect range, including wheel softness, battery condition, or other variables.

Buying Advice

At around $800, the UIOFO does not quite meet expectations. Even if the review unit had a minor electronics issue affecting performance and range, the board still feels like it should have gone through a few more rounds of revisions before release. The taillights scraping the ground and the spoiler breaking on day one suggest that real-world testing may have been limited.

That said, the UIOFO offers a unique combination of features. If you want a board that is shorter than a longboard and longer than a mini board, with a swappable battery, integrated lights, and direct drive motors, the UIOFO is the only board that ticks all of those boxes. For riders who prioritize these specific features, it may still be worth considering despite its shortcomings.

Conclusion

The UIOFO electric skateboard brings together a rare set of features in a single package. The quick-swap battery system is well designed, the direct drive motors are quiet, and the integrated lights add a layer of visibility. However, the board falls short in acceleration, has some design issues with the lights and spoiler, and its weight makes it less portable than its size suggests.

At its price point, the UIOFO faces stiff competition. It is best suited for riders who specifically want the combination of a swappable battery, integrated lighting, and direct drive, and who are willing to accept its performance limitations in exchange for those features.