Jetson Flash Review

The Jetson Flash is an inexpensive option best used indoors and for short periods.

Fun Factor

This metric is made up of and measured by several attributes such as Bluetooth capabilities, speed, weight, color options, accessories, and obstacle course maneuverability.

The Flash offers an average performance in this realm. The Bluetooth-connected app not only tracks your ride but it allows you to change rider mode settings like top speed, driving force, and steering sensitivity. The app is an awesome feature, but we experienced some issues with top speed adjustments during our testing. Speaking of speed, the manual states a top speed of 10 miles per hour, but our average was 7.5. Once you get your speed up closer to 10 miles per hour, the Flash feels less stable and almost dumps the rider off. At 16.8 pounds, the Flash is a lightweight option, but the absence of a carry handle can make long walks a little cumbersome.

While we find that most hoverboards offer some amount of fun, not all are created equal. The Flash offers a somewhat unpredictable ride. It may easily tackle a small speed bump on an otherwise smooth road with no difficulty once and then struggle with that same bump later. This keeps the rider on edge, offering a more stressful than enjoyable experience.

Outdoor Capabilities

If you are in the market for a household hoverboard, then this metric is less consequential. However, many hoverboard riders prefer an option that can be used both inside and outside.

The Flash performs very poorly on inclines. Despite the manual's claims regarding its ability to tackle a 15-degree incline, it only makes it about 10 feet before giving up. It performs about the same across grass, hard-packed dirt, cracks, and bumps. Overall its abilities are unpredictable, making this model a difficult one to count on when riding outdoors.

Support

The Flash fell short across this metric too. Here we took into account how each model handles and avoids crashing and the support offered by the manufacturer. Like many Jetson models, the Flash is self-balancing, meaning that it will stay upright if you happen to fall off. This feature helps keep your hoverboard from tumbling, although the low clearance allows the bottom to be easily scratched. As for the manufacturer's support, the lack of a phone number makes things take a little longer, but they are very responsive via email and offer a limited one-year warranty.

Battery

During our battery testing, we took into account range, run time, and charge time. The Flash runs for roughly 4 miles, although the manual claims a 10-mile range. After a measly a half-mile, the Flash warns the rider of a low battery and becomes difficult to control. The charge time is a lofty three and a half hours, which is a long time to charge for a half-mile of quality riding.

Value

The Flash falls on the cheaper end of the price range, and sadly, its performance reflects that. Our test suite has other options around the same price that perform significantly better, ultimately rendering this model a poor value.

Conclusion