After comparing the 11 best electric unicycles from the top manufacturers, we found that the best overall is the King Song 16X. With the Gotway MSX Pro, the best premium electric unicycle.
In this article, we compare price, power, speed, range, and safety. There are many good electric unicycles, and the best for you will depend on whether you want the wheel for fun or for transport, so keep reading to find out which one you should choose.
King Song 16X
The King Song 16X comes with a 2200W motor and a 1600Wh battery giving it a massive range of up to 90 miles (140km). The motor spins a 16×3-inch tire, which looks sturdy compared to a 2.5-inch tire and without any sacrifices.
On the front of the 16X, there are dual USB ports to charge your devices and below that a 5W headlight. The pedals are tilted up and taller than other models and magnetic. They are a little bigger than the standard KingSong pedals and smaller than the extra-large pedals. For high performance, they have grip tape rather than rubber.
If you use the standard 120W charger, it’ll take up to 14 hours to recharge, but you can double it up or use a 3rd party fast charger and bring that down to about 3 hours. Just below the charge ports, there are Bluetooth quad-5W speakers and a 10W subwoofer. The firmware can also be upgraded via Bluetooth.
The King Song 16X has a solid build, and after a few crashes, there is minimal damage, a few scratches and some missing paint. The housing feels really strong.
When you stop, there are LEDs to show how much battery life is remaining. The mudguard works surprisingly well to keep your legs and shoes dry even when you plow through puddles.
On the streets, this is a beast, the agility is the 16X’s strongest point. The 16x is a fantastic city wheel with long-range, durability, and convenience. You’re not going to find a better package containing those things.
GotWay MSX Pro
The GotWay MSX Pro comes in two variants, which have slightly different watts. The torque version has 2500W, and the speed version has 2000W and a 1800Wh battery. Neither is better, you just need to decide which camp you are in.
The Pro has an 18×3″ wheel with tilted flat matte-black pedals, keeping them flatter with weight, so when you’re going downhill, you don’t have that tendency for the pedals to start slowly dipping down. There is some rubber as well as grip tape.
It delivers super-smooth power more than any other wheel and can eat up bumps keeping it nice and smooth. The range is quoted at 60 miles but is about 40 miles realistically. Maximum speed tops out around 37mph, we did a lift test and averaged 48 mph.
They also added some amenities, including a spin kill button, Bluetooth speakers, dual headlights, and a slightly different tail light. The speakers are exposed, which means they are loud, but could easily blow in a crash.
Charging takes about 6 hours, the batteries are now 21700 rather than 18650, which seems to give it a little more power. Is this a pro? Not really, but for the average rider, this is a smooth, super nimble wheel.
InMotion V10F
The Inmotion V10F is the big brother of the V8F. It has the same motor as the V10, but 2000W due to the 12.8Ah 960Wh battery. The charger is 150W, and it takes up to 8 hours to recharge.
This 16×2.5-inch wheel has huge rubber pedals which are comfortable but not as grippy as grip-tape. Tight maneuvering is smooth, and you don’t have to worry about scraping as the pedals are mounted high. The simple design makes it feel more like an 18-inch wheel.
The top speed is 25 mph (40 kph) for experienced riders. This means you are always cruising at high speed, so when the battery drops below 60 percent, it becomes increasingly easy to trigger that alarm. This also means the 62 miles (100 km) range is going to be a lot less.
The trolley handle is not our favorite, but it does the job. You will probably avoid wanting to carry it since it weighs 53 lbs (24 kg). There’s a spin-kill button under the handle, so when you pick it up, it doesn’t spin.
The Inmotion app allows you to configure the sensitivity of the pedal, harder or softer. The app also controls the lighting effects, which we switched off. The headlight is sharp and lights the road ahead well, and braking light won’t go unnoticed as by anyone behind you on your rides as it flashes.
King Song 18S
The King Song 18S is an amazing-looking wheel, slightly futuristic due to the suspension, which makes it ideal for off-roading. All the review units we’ve seen have been white, but we think it looks meaner in matte black and is likely to wear better.
It’s an 84V wheel with 1110Wh 21700 battery. It’s a lot smaller than what’s in the 16X due to space, which has a 2200W Motor. It comes with a 2.5A charger, so you get slightly quicker charging out of it. King Song states the range is 62 miles (100 km).
Foot pedals are enormous, but high up combined with the suspension, this wheel is a very different riding style. Even under braking, you need to be aware that it wobbles due to the narrow top and no pads, so you need to brace it with your legs.
In the box of the KingSong 18S is a shock pump, and you need to spend some time setting it up and inflating the two chambers to the correct PSI, which will depend on your weight and how you want to ride. You can lock out the suspension if you need to.
The reason the 18S falls down our list slightly is nothing to do with its performance. This is probably one of the best wheels. The suspension has complexity, not only to set up but also it is going to need regular maintenance.
The handle is excellent, sturdy, hidden, and central, and King Song has released a new app to go with the S18. Suspension makes 18S safer, as it will keep you riding even if you accidentally hit rough terrain while distracted. New riders will find stairs and curbs easier, and experienced riders will notice increased tracking on uneven terrain.
GotWay Monster V3
The GotWay Monster V3 is the 3rd iteration of the Monster, and it has come a long way since the first version of this wheel. Most of the changes are structural and aesthetic. It has a massive 22-inch wheel and a 100V 1845Wh 18650 battery pack. This is the same motor as the GotWay MSX, just with a more giant wheel.
GotWay has a new faux carbon fiber black shell, with reinforced ribs for stronger structural strength. It has fantastic 1000 lumen headlights, it has the Nikola pedals with a grip-tape surface. An under-handle kill switch when lifting the wheel up to pick up a curb or climb stairs suppresses the motor from spinning up.
This is one of the heaviest wheels on the market at 62 lbs (28 kg). This is offset by this wheel being a good climber, turning is predictable and safe, especially at high speeds, and this wheel can reach them with a top speed of 30 mph (50 kph) with a range of 100-120 miles (160-200 km).
One downside to the GotWay Monster is the lack of a trolley handle. If you are tall and wheeling it along, you have to bend down, which makes it awkward. There is an RGB LED set of lights to check your battery percentage when stopped, which also acts as a light when you are riding and a brake light.
GotWay MTen3
The GotWay MTen3 is super portable, practical, and fun with only a 10-inch tire. It comes with an 84V 512Wh battery 800W motor and speeds up to 25 mph (40 kph) a range of 20-25 miles (33-40 km) and 4 hour charge time.
The MTen3 is super easy to control and makes it a great first wheel for beginners, its also small enough for kids to ride as well. You can totally use it as a commuter, a solution as it’s so tiny. It fits in a backpack, so you could take it to work and put it under your desk or in a locker.
With the small wheel, it’s not as comfortable as some of the larger wheels. The pedals are closer to the ground, so you can’t carve without scraping, but it is nimble, and you can pivot and turn really easily.
This wheel is small, but it’s also the lightest at 22 lbs (10 kg). It has excellent torque due to its size. You can go slow as the tire is 3-inches wide at high speeds to need to be aware of even the smallest of uneven surfaces as it will twitch.
GotWay also does a cheaper model, the 67V 420Wh, which offers the best value-for-money if you do not anticipate exceeding speeds of ~20 mph (32 kph). Although its range is 4-6 miles shorter than the 84V, the charge time is only 2.5 hours.
InMotion V8F
The Inmotion V8F has a 16×2.125-inch wheel and is an upgrade to the V8 with an 84V 518Wh battery and 1000W motor. It’s lightweight at just 32 lbs (14.5 kg) and has max speed at 21.7 mph with a range of 22 miles.
This unicycle has large pedals at 9.5-inches, great if you have bigger feet, giving you better balance and comfort. It’s also well balanced for agility and maneuverability, making another ideal wheel for a beginner.
The lift sensor is built into the handle to disengage the motor when you pick it up and re-engages once you put it back down. It also has a trolley handle in the center of the wheel, which is hidden when retracted.
The V8F is very portable and easy to carry due to its lightweight. It would be a tremendous last-mile device for commuting taking on and off of public transport or up and downstairs.
The design of the Inmotion V8F is function over form. Nobody is going to buy it for its looks, but they will buy it as it’s well built, inexpensive and portable.
The V10F is the V8F’s big brother with better specs and not that much more expensive, which seems like the better value. Still, if your use case is portability, as we’ve already outlined, this is the better option.
GotWay MCM5
The GotWay MCM5 has a 1500W sustained motor and an 800Wh battery. It has impressive torque and is a top tip for someone with a lot of hills in their area. The range is also good at a distance of 40 miles depending on conditions, and charging takes 6 hours with the 1.5A charger.
The top speed for the MCM5 is 25 mph (40 kph), making it the fastest cruising speed for any 14-inch wheel. Having a smaller wheel means that it doesn’t perform great on rougher terrain, which could be risky at speeds on uneven roads. Although the pedals are large with grip-tape and it can make sharp turns more easily.
The pedals are large with grip tape but low, and as this is a small wheel, it can make sharp turns easier. You are likely to scrape them. Having said that, this is another good wheel for a beginner.
The MCM5 is small and compact and weighs in at 37.2 lbs (17 kg). It also has an extendable handle to make transportation convenient. There is a kill switch when picking it up by the handle, although the slot is only on one side. There isn’t a Bluetooth speaker on this unicycle, but it has adjustable colored LED lights on top.
InMotion V11
The Inmotion V11 has air suspension and an 18×3-inch tire, which makes it both stable but agile. It also has the biggest and most comfortable pedals on the market and comes with grip tape.
It comes with a 2000w motor and 1500Wh battery that gives you a max range 70 miles and a max speed 30 mph. The weight of the V11 is 60 lbs / 27 kg, not fun to carry up the stairs.
It has the brightest 18-watt focused headlight and the first of its kind a kickstand. Dual charging ports sit above the rear light and can fully charge the wheel in about 3.5 hours there is also a USB port to charge your devices.
The pedals are held up by friction and quite high, but they are big, so if you lean enough, you can get them to scrape. At the top, there is a spin kill button that stops the spin when you pick it up and a trolley handle.
Even though it has a big battery pack, it’s a slim design with a single layer of batteries on both sides, close to the tire. The center of gravity is close to the tire casing, which stops wobble.
The Inmotion V11 suspension distance travel is 7 cm, although we did find it was closer to 8 cm. There is an IP55 water rating, which means you can ride through the rain and puddles but not submerge it.
GotWay Nikola Plus 100V
The 100V GotWay Nikola Plus 2000W is a significant upgrade on the previous Nikola, and the more giant 21700 cells are placed lower in the wheel to give better balance. It comes with a 3 A charger taking 6 hours to fully charge.
While the Nikola is more substantial and bulkier than other EUCs in this category, it makes up for it with raw speed and battery capacity. It doesn’t have as much torque are the other GotWay wheels and therefore struggles on steep inclines.
It comes with a high performance 16×3-inch extra wide tire that offers surprisingly nimble maneuvering while also providing an ultra-smooth and stable ride even at high speeds.
The Nikola Plus top speed is around 35 mph, with a range of about 60-90 miles (97-144 km). The wheel is wrapped around the diameter with RGB LED lights, and there is a voltage meter on the side, which is a nice touch.
The trolley handle is a scorpion tail that wraps around the wheel when closed. Unfortunately, it’s short and does not lock in place closed, which could be a big con for some people.
GotWay Tesla V2
The GotWay Tesla V2 is a 2000W Motor with an 84V 1020Wh battery and a 16×2.125-inch wheel. Top speed 31 mph (50 kph) with a range of 40-50 miles (64-80 km) depending on conditions and a charge time of 3 hours with the optional fast charger.
Tesla is great for getting around the city and, therefore, a great commuter. It weighs 42 lbs (19kg) with excellent-sized pedals, which is reasonably high to clear curbs and magnetic to close. To move it around, it has a convenient suitcase-style trolley handle and a lift sensor.
There are headlights and RGB LED lights that run around the side, which have a setting for showing charge and brake light, but as it is round, the outer side is not very useful when braking. You might need to invest in your own if you are out at night.
The GotWay Tesla V2 has additional round lights at the sides visible when the pedals are down. However, they have strangely placed them right at the front and left at the rear as though GotWay uses the same panels on both sides.
This is not a beginners wheel due to the weight and power of the Tesla. It will be ok for a beginner, but you need to take some time to get used to the ride dynamics.
What is an Electric Unicycle?
Electric Unicycles or EUCs have entered the mainstream world of electric rides along with electric scooters, hoverboards, and electric skateboards. An electric unicycle is a one-wheel vehicle encased in a housing with a motor, battery, and other electronic parts. There are footplates or pedals either side for the rider to stand.
EUCs use similar gyroscopic technology to hoverboards. The rider controls the speed and direction of the wheel by leaning. The electronics detect the movement, leaning forwards to accelerate and backward to slow down and come to a stop.
Why should you consider getting an electric unicycle? They’re compact, lightweight, and powerful. Most of them are faster and have a longer range than electric skateboards or scooters.
Electric Unicycle Buying Guide
How To Choose A Unicycle?
Electric unicycles can be expensive, so choosing the right is an important decision that you want to get right. Several vital manufacturers, such as Inmotion, Gotway, KingSong, and Segway, produce unicycles. We recommend sticking with them for excellent build quality and safety, as you can reach speeds over 30 mph.
The unicycle brands still have a range of choices from the wheel size from 10 to 18-inches with different width tires, size of the motor, battery capacity, and design dynamics for mixed-use. It can get easily frustrating to choose the right unicycle. Here are the five essential elements we have tried to highlight for each model in our article to help you decide:
Speed and Range
How fast and how far can I go is usually the first question we hear when people are looking for a unicycle. As with all electric rides, this depends on a few conditions: the rider’s weight, the terrain, the way you ride, and even the weather can affect the battery power.
As a beginner, 10mph is going to seem fast, but as you improve, you will want to go quicker, and most unicycles can go 30 mph plus. Depending on where you live, there might even be laws about how fast you can go on an electric unicycle.
Going at the top speed for too long can also reduce the battery power quicker and shorten the range. Manufacturers don’t recommend maintaining those high speeds for very long.
If you are a commuter, then the range will matter, and the range quoted by the manufacturer is an average based on terrain and rider weight. So you can expect them to be slightly reduced. You can avoid losing power on the road by always keeping your unicycle’s battery level topped up after each ride.
Weight and Wheel Size
The weight of a unicycle determines how it rides and how portable it will be to get off and carry it. Weight is a delicate balance, a lighter unicycle will be easier to control, accelerating, stopping, and shifting directions. More power will allow you to go faster but add a bigger battery and motor, adding to the weight.
Wheel size will also help maneuver the unicycle. Bigger 18-inch wheels are suitable for rougher terrain, but they add weight to the unicycle. A smaller 14-inch wheel will add agility but not be as comfortable or go off-road.
Weight and wheel size is a balance of the power you need and the portability and maneuverability of the unicycle.
Charge Time
Charging your unicycle is a waiting game, and the shorter, the better. The time it takes to charge will depend on the battery size, and a larger battery will take longer.
Most unicycles take a few hours to charge, and getting a faster charger will help in certain circumstances, but don’t use all the time.
Avoid letting the battery drain all the way after each ride. Avoid full cycle charges (zero to 100) and overnight charging. Ending a charge at 80 percent is better for the battery than topping up to 100 percent.
Most lithium batteries have the most extended life on 20-80% usage, which applies to electric unicycles. It’s also worth noting after 10 – 15 charges you need to top up to 100% to improve the lifespan.
Safety and Features
An electric ride with one wheel comes with risks, and the learning curve is a little steeper than other electric vehicles. Before starting to ride, you should take care of your own personal safety, always wear a helmet, wrist guards, knee and shin guards, and elbow guards are all on our list of safety gear! You’re going to crash your electric unicycle!
You should also look at the durability of the wheel. How will the case hold upon impact at high speeds? Most electric vehicles have a UL certification, an electric unicycles are no exception. Manufacturers that meet strict safety tests will receive the UL2272 certification.
The top unicycle manufactures are also adding extra safety features such as a lift sensor or kill switch to stop the wheel spinning when you pick it up. If you are riding in winter, some offer an IP water protection rating for when you are riding in the rain and larger pedals with grip-tape.
Other safety features include headlights, taillights, and flashing RGB LEDs all to make you more visible in low light conditions. These lights, even if bright, are very low down. If you are a night time rider, add additional lights to your helmet or jacket to ensure you can be seen.
As with any electric ride purchase, make sure you read through our review carefully and check all the others out there. Do your research and make an informed decision.
Cost
Even the best cheap electric unicycles will still be reasonably expensive. In our top picks, the most affordable unicycles were around $1000. The high-end ones can cost over $2000. Prices vary, and there are always sales and deals to get you the best unicycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Electric Unicycles Safe?
People often ask if electric unicycles are safe. They look scary as you are standing and using your balance to control it without holding onto like handlebars. These are very different to electric bikes and scooters as they not only look difficult but more dangerous.
Like learning to ride a bike, you need to wear safety gear and practice in a safe and open environment until you get the hang of it.
The most important thing when riding an electric unicycle is to use common sense and pay attention to your surroundings. Mainly the surface you are riding on as any bump or crack can steer you off course.
Picking the right electric unicycle is also essential. First, make sure it has a safety certification, particularly on cheaper brands. Good manufacturers like the ones mentioned above use high-quality batteries and other parts, so the risk is very low.
Lastly, you can ensure your electric unicycle’s safety by checking it regularly for damage and by following the proper charging recommendations.
Are Electric Unicycles Hard to Ride?
How hard is it to ride an electric unicycle? When you are relying on your ability to balance, and there is nothing to hold onto. It’s unnatural to start with, and there is a steep learning curve that requires a lot of practice before you begin to feel comfortable.
Even if you’re experienced with something like an electric skateboard, going to a unicycle could be difficult.
The different thing about electric unicycles is that you need to be always moving to stay balanced. As soon as the wheel stops, you stop and tip over. Practice in a safe, open environment, so you don’t crash into anything or anyone. Work on speeding up, slowing down, and stopping and always keep your speed low until you feel confident.
Do I Need Any Kind of Safety Equipment?
As we have previously mentioned, safety equipment is a requirement not only for unicycles but also for electric skateboards, hoverboards, and electric scooters. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are at some point you will crash, even experienced riders do. If you are learning, this will happen more often until you get to grips with it.
Your essential safety equipment should include a good helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. For added safety, you try to add padded clothing that protects your chest, shoulders, and hips.
Always ensure you include these items in your budget and invest in safety gear. A few hundred dollars now will stop you from getting hurt, avoid any long term injuries, being off work, or having to pay high medical bills.
How Fast do Electric Unicycles Go?
The speed of a unicycle varies and is determined by the power of the motor and some factors, such as the wheel size and weight of the rider. In general, the more powerful the motor, the faster the unicycle will go.
Some cheaper unicycles go at speeds around 10mph, the slowest in our list is 21mph, which will feel extremely fast. The higher-end models can go over 40mph, although many can reduce max speed (through an app regulated speed limiter).
You should also check the laws for personal electric vehicles where you live or intend to ride. To make sure you are not breaking them before you unleash the full power of your EUC.
How Much Does an Electric Unicycle Cost?
Electric unicycles are not cheap. They contain a lot of technology, are durable and well made. Additional factors, such as wheel size, lights, Bluetooth, and speakers, add to the price tag.
Basic low-end models can cost as little as $300, but you get what you pay for so they will be less durable and have fewer safety features. Some high-end models will exceed $2000 and come with a wide range of safety features and withstand most damage, including water with an IP rating.
If you are serious about learning to ride a unicycle, you should go too cheap, and $1000 is an excellent place to start and upgrade later.
Can you Ride Off-Road and Go Uphill?
Yes, some electric unicycles are designed to be taken off-road or up a hill.
You’ll want to look for features like big tires and high-torque motors if you’re going to handle rough roads and inclines.
A rider’s weight also impacts a unicycle’s capability to go up a hill. A high-torque motor will keep a heavy person more stable, especially during a bump at high speed. When it heats up after a long working period, it will still be able to keep its max speed (all this should be the opposite for a speed biased wheel).
Also, keep in mind that if you plan on riding rough terrain, you’ll need to keep your speed low for safety reasons.
Do Electric Unicycles Require Maintenance?
Unicycles do need some maintenance to operate at their best and for increased lifespan. Some parts may need checking and replacing through wear and tear.
The tire pressure will need checking regularly, and the tires may become worn out over time. The battery should also require taking care of to prolong its life. Never let it drain flat to 0% (20% is optimum) , charge it after every ride and never leave it charging longer than you need to (overnight).
Make sure you store the unicycle indoors. To clean it, use compressed air in the problematic areas and a microfibre towel on the body after each ride. Riding through rain should be avoided, snow and ice are absolutely not, especially for safety reasons.
It’s better to wait for a more beautiful day for the health and longevity of your electric unicycle.