Onewheel vs Electric Scooter

Lawrence Bonk Profile image

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Updated March 29, 2023

If you are shopping for a new personal transport vehicle, you may be comparing electric scooters vs a Onewheel. The best electric scooters, after all, may lack some of the unique pizazz found with single-wheel scooters. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between the two types of vehicles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The primary difference between a standard electric scooter and the Onewheel is that an e-scooter has two or more wheels and a Onewheel has just one wheel.
  • The single-wheel design of the Onewheel family of vehicles makes them harder to learn than a regular e-scooter.
  • This same single-wheel design choice also makes the Onewheel slightly riskier to ride when it comes to safety.

Differences Between Electric Scooters and Onewheels

A Onewheel scooter is basically an electric scooter with, as the name suggests, one wheel instead of two or more. This makes for a fun, unique, and challenging rice when compared to traditional electric scooters, though different from electric unicycles. Onewheel is an actual brand of single-wheel scooters created by Future Motion, though there are multiple models on the market, each with a different electric motor, max speed, miles of range, and other specs. Riding a Onewheel resembles riding an electric skateboard, which can be useful if you are comparing electric skateboards vs electric scooters.

Here are more contrasts between e-scooters and Onewheel scooters.

Insider Tip

Some Onewheel models can even travel off-road, so you can take them into the woods for fun recreational excursions.

Learning Curve

Riding a Onewheel or any single-wheel scooter will be more difficult to learn than a standard e-scooter. This is due to the design, which boasts a single wheel, making it harder for beginners to balance. It must be said that even regular e-scooters are more difficult to get the hang of when compared to electric bikes, mopeds, and other electric vehicles. As a matter of fact, if you are comparing electric scooters vs kick scooters, you will find that kick scooters are slightly easier to ride. Additionally, you can check out our page on a moped vs scooter for another form of transportation comparison.

Max Speed

The average speed of an e-scooter is 16 miles per hour or 25 km/h. Whereas the average speed of a Onewheel is between 16 mph to 19 mph. In other words, when comparing average speeds, the Onewheel has a slight edge. However, some high-end e-scooters can reach a max speed of 30 miles per hour or even more in some cases. Check the max speed specs before making a purchase.

Safety Considerations

Due to the increased learning curve inherent in the design, the Onewheel will be riskier to ride than a standard e-scooter. If you go too fast on a Onewheel, you could easily take a dangerous nosedive. So be sure to wear protective gear when you ride either a Onewheel or an electric scooter. Have your helmet on in addition to knee pads, arm pads, and more. And, if the scooter is for a child, make sure to research the best scooters for kids to ensure the child will fit on the scooter properly and that the speeds won’t be too great. Additionally, you should pay attention to the measurements of the controls, as that affects how easy it is for you to control the electric scooter. For example, Segway Ninebot S vs Minipro uses the same way to control the scooter, but one is height adjustable where the other isn’t.

F.A.Q.S

Will a budget one-wheel scooter be good enough?

Check the specs before making a purchase, including the maximum miles per hour allowed via the powerful motor and the battery range.


Can my child use a one-wheel scooter?

A child will be impressed by the fun factor involved with riding a Onewheel XR and other models, but safety and the learning curve should be concerns.


How to ride an e-scooter?

Use balance to propel yourself and conduct movements on an e-scooter. It takes a bit of time, but you’ll get the hang of it and have a positive riding experience.



STAT: The global Onewheel electric scooter market was valued at $110.2 million in 2019 and is projected to reach $146.7 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.0% from 2020 to 2027. (source)

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