Comparison Xiaomi Acton Smart Electric Skateboard vs Airwheel M3

The dimensions of the deck in length and width (according to the largest dimensions).

Both small and large decks have their advantages and disadvantages. So, a short and narrow deck contributes to manoeuvrability, but puts forward additional requirements for the rider's skill — it can be difficult to cope with a small "nimble" skate, especially at high speed. A long and wide board, on the contrary, is more stable, but it is difficult to make sharp manoeuvres on such a skateboard. In addition, the optimal length for each type of skate (see above) also depends on the age category of the skater: for example, classic skateboards in the adult version have boards no shorter than 600 mm, and anything less refers to children's models. The width, in turn, can be determined by the size of the foot: a person with a large size (from 44) may simply be uncomfortable on a narrow deck.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal dimensions for each type of skate and planned riding features can be found in special sources.

The material from which the skateboard deck is made.

— Maple. Maple wood is known for its strength and relative lightness, making it a popular choice for skateboard boards. The decks are made from different types of maple: American, Canadian, Chinese and Russian. More details about them are described in the relevant paragraphs.

— American maple. A durable and reliable base for a skateboard deck made from maple wood that grows in the North American region. Boards made from this material usually have a dense and hard structure, which makes them suitable for performing difficult stunts.

— Canadian maple. Due to its strength and density combined with elasticity, Canadian maple is considered the most suitable material for skateboard decks. However, such decks are not cheap.

— Chinese maple. A variety of maple, somewhat inferior to the Canadian types in terms of performance characteristics and durability, but also costs significantly less.

— Russian maple. Another relatively inexpensive analogue of Canadian maple. The features are similar to the Chinese one, but for several reasons it is used much less frequently.

— Chinese birch. A budget option, used infrequently, mainly in children's boards. It is inexpensive but does not have any special ad...vantages.

— Bamboo. Due to its properties, bamboo is primarily suitable for longboards and therefore is used primarily in this type of board (see “Type”). However, relatively few bamboo models are produced.

- Plastic. Plastic is generally considered a budget option, but this stereotype is not entirely justified. The fact is that there are many varieties of this material: for example, mini cruisers(see “Type”) use high-quality plastic, which, according to some manufacturers, can even survive being hit by a car wheel. So it is safe to say that the quality of a plastic product directly depends on its price category. Among the common features of all types of plastic, it is worth noting the absolute insensitivity to moisture and the ability to be produced in the most complex shapes and colours; the latter makes it easier to create skateboards in original designs and unusual designs.

— Composite. Decks that combine several dissimilar materials — for example, wood with a layer of fibreglass or plastic with a layer of carbon fibre. This combination allows you to combine the advantages of individual materials and compensate (at least partially) for their shortcomings. The specific composition and properties of composites may vary; here, as in the case of plastic, it makes sense to focus on the price category of the skateboard. However, most modern skateboards use high-quality composites, and such a board is most often a sign of an advanced model.

- Aluminum. Aluminium (more precisely, aluminium alloy) is characterized by high strength and durability with relatively low weight, and it also tolerates moisture without problems. On the other hand, this material is not cheap, but the spring properties are rather weak and are not suitable for jumping. Therefore, it is used mainly in rather specific types of skateboards, such as split roller surfers and skateboards (see "Type").

The material from which the skateboard suspension is made is the mechanism responsible for attaching the wheels to the deck.

— Aluminium. The most common suspension material for modern skateboards. Aluminium alloys, at a relatively low cost, are distinguished by excellent strength and corrosion resistance, they are suitable for both relatively simple skateboards and advanced professional models, and they weigh relatively little.

— Steel. Compared to popular aluminium, steel, on the one hand, costs a little less, on the other hand, it weighs more. At the same time, this material does not have any special practical advantages, and therefore is much less common.

— Plastic. Plastic is mostly characterized by low cost and ease of processing. However, for professional skateboards, in which the suspension is subjected to significant loads, this material is not suitable: popular grades of plastic are not reliable enough, and advanced high-strength varieties are expensive, so it is more justified to use plastic or steel instead. Therefore, the plastic suspension is a sign of children's models, designed for lightweight and easy riding.

— Composite. A composite is a heterogeneous composition in which several immiscible materials are combined. This term is often associated with advanced high-end models, but in the case of suspensions, the opposite is true. Composites are relatively inexpensive options and are used in low-cost models, wh...ich, moreover, are mostly intended for children and are not designed for significant loads.

The main material used in the design of the wheels of a skateboard, more precisely, the material of the "tyre", the outer part of the wheel that is in direct contact with the road (the central part of the wheel is usually made of a different, more rigid material).

— Polyurethane. The most common material — to the point that most manufacturers do not use other materials at all in the wheels of their skateboards. Polyurethane can be both hard and quite soft, it provides a good grip while being quite reliable and durable.

— PVC. Polyvinyl chloride is a type of plastic, initially transparent and colourless; however, it can be produced with the addition of dyes. In terms of performance properties, it is significantly inferior to polyurethane, and therefore it is rarely used, and only in low-cost models of skateboards.

The power of the motor installed in the electric skateboard (see "Type"). A more powerful motor, on the one hand, allows you to reach greater speed and better cope with high loads (climbs, heavy weight of the rider). On the other hand, high power affects the weight and cost of the skate, both due to the characteristics of the motor itself, and because it requires more capacious batteries.

In the most modest models, the motor power is only 150 – 200 W; such motors are intended more for assistance in acceleration than for full-fledged independent movement. In the most powerful modern electric skateboards, this parameter can reach 4 kW, which allows you to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

The maximum speed that the electric skateboard can reach (see "Type"). This parameter is quite approximate since the actual maximum speed will depend on the weight of the rider and general driving conditions. Nevertheless, according to this parameter, one or another model can be quite reliably evaluated and compared with other electric skateboards.

The electric skateboard range (see “Product type”) is the distance that the board can travel on one battery charge. Usually, this paragraph indicates the range, provided that the skate moves completely independently, without the help of the rider. Thus, additionally pushing off the ground, you can increase the actual driving range. Nevertheless, the main parameter is precisely the range, directly stated in the specs, it is by it that it is worth evaluating and comparing different models.

The time it takes for the electric skateboard battery (see "Product type") to fully charge from zero to 100%.

This parameter allows you to estimate how long it will take to replenish the energy supply. Note that you can not pay much attention to it if the charge lasts for a day, and the device is charged at night: even for the most capacious batteries, the charging time does not exceed 6 hours. But if you cannot do without recharging during the day, you will have to take into account how long it takes.

The total weight of the skateboard.

The weight of the board, compared to the weight of the rider himself, is very small. Therefore, you should pay attention to this parameter first of all in cases where you plan to regularly carry the skate with you — in your hands, in a backpack, etc. Theoretically, it is desirable to use lighter boards to perform jumps, but in fact, the difference between the same type of models is most often not so significant as to significantly affect the effectiveness of jumps (they will rather depend on the features of the deck and suspension).

Separately, it is worth mentioning the significant weight of electric skateboards(see "Type"), due to the presence of batteries and electric motors.