Meepo Mini 2 ER Electric Skateboard Review
Why the Meepo Mini 2 Could be Not the Best Cheap Electric Skateboard for a Beginner?
The Meepo Mini 2 is one of the smallest electric skateboards in the market so far.
I got to be honest, and I think that longboard decks, such as the Metroboard X, have more benefits than traditional small ones.
Regardless of what I think, I’m impressed with what this e-board offers.
Is it the best budget for beginners? There are different opinions if a newbie can handle this little board.
Let’s see what I’m talking about by reviewing some of its technical specs, benefits, and limitations.
Table of Contents
Meepo Mini 2 Summary Specs
MOTOR, RIDING MODES & CLIMBING ABILITY
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BATTERY & CHARGING TIME
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WHEELS, BEARINGS & TRUCKS
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DECK AND CARRYING WEIGHT
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OVERALL WEIGHT
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ACCESSORIES
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Meepo Mini 2 ER Deck Overview
The 76.2 cm long by 22 cm wide maple Canadian deck has an immaculate finish.
What I like more about the deck is how simple it was designed. There are no complicated cuts or weird angles.
When comparing the Maxfind Max 2 – another cool small electric skateboard – it has a relatively shorter deck.
This fact may be a good thing regarding the overall weight and portability, but it’s a bummer for people with long feet.
Its shape and flexibility
The Meepo Mini 2 ER’s deck was not shaped for sharp turns as, most likely, the wheels would grasp it.
For this reason, the kick-tail was raised a little to help you control it as any standard skateboard.
Also, note that the nose is not conventional to what you would see on skateboards – a long nose and more raised kick-tails.
As mentioned before, the deck may not be the best friend of people with long feet, but the delicate deep concave shape will keep them inside.
As for the flexibility side of things, the deck was not built to give a smooth riding experience.
It is uncommon to build flexy decks for small e-skateboards as it is vital to protect the battery and motherboard casing when loading the board.
So far, I don’t see much trouble skating this small deck, as all have been placed for a fun ride.
Carrying weight
One good thing about having a stiff deck is that it can carry more weight than flexy ones – common on longboard decks.
Based on Meepo, this little electric skateboard will carry approx 136 kg.
Of course, it may not be an issue for the deck, but if you can travel lighter, it will benefit the battery and motor performance.
Robust Wheels and Trucks
As you can see in the specs summary table at the start, the Meepo Mini 2 has enough power to reach an absurd top speed.
They had to fit the right wheel composition and dimensions to keep you safe.
The wheels and bearings
You will receive just one (1) set of 90 mm by 60 mm wheels when you buy this model.
From what I can see, you can still fit a set of 83 mm diameter.
I won’t recommend fitting anything over the standard ones, as the distance between the base of the deck and the wheel contact patch will be reduced, which is not good when turning.
As for the grip and hardness offered by the 90 mm wheels, it is graded to 78A.
This is what you could be expecting on most high-end electric longboards.
Even though the wheels will provide excellent grip, especially in warmer temperatures, they won’t last long.
The bearings also add to the high speed delivered by this e-board. Made of steel, the ABEC 9 will offer enough rolling performance.
For a boar that reaches high speed, ceramic bearings could’ve been a good option (better heat performance and rolling).
Unfortunately, the steel bearings will require frequent maintenance (grease them up) or replacement to keep the quality over time.
The shredder trucks
In the past, not many electric skateboard manufacturers thought about the quality of the trucks.
You may wonder why worry about them when they look sturdy and well-built.
Over the five (5) years I’ve been skating standard and now electric boards, I noticed they tend to crack over time – mainly at the base plate.
Meepo decided to go for an aluminum alloy that is lighter and more versatile.
It has a 245 mm total width front Shredder truck, which fits right with the 90 mm wheels.
If you feel that this e-board is not super balanced, you should:
– Tight the 100A durometer bushings to your desired point.
– Get the 265 mm Shredder truck (the axle is the same length as the 245 mm ones, so you should be fine).
If you are a person that weighs below 65 kg, it is recommended to lose them up a bit or replace them with a lower durometer grade.
The rear truck will be branded the same but shorter at 125 mm in total width.
Note that the rear bushing durometer is 90A grade, which will absorb more small bumps.
Meepo Mini 2 Hub Motors
I have to say that I’m not a lover of hub motors. This is mainly because of how much vibration is transmitted on rough terrains.
But after seeing what the motors can do, this fast electric skateboard could change my mind.
Meepo Mini 2 ER torque and speed
These dual hub motors were designed to deliver 540 watts of power each, which is more than the expensive Boosted Mini X has.
With this in mind, if speed (45 km/h – 28 mph) is the deal, I would invest in a cheap electric skateboard like the Mini 2.
So far, this set of hub motors is the second one that has such high power within the best cheap electric skateboard range.
I do not know much about the torque, but I’m confident that 1080 watts of total power will easily climb most descent slopes.
Braking power and climbing performance
One thing hub motors have is the ability to give back power to the battery.
Based on the manufacturer’s specifications, the motors will return 22% power when braking.
In the long run, it is not much of what you will have, but it could be life-saving.
The climbing performance is not bad. Even though a few factors can affect it, a 30% incline is decent enough for most riders.
If the incline is a thing for you, I suggest finding smaller-diameter wheels compatible with the included trucks.
Meepo Mini 2 Battery Options
To make it more appealing, Meepo offers two (2) battery options for any of their boards: standard and extended range (ER).
You should know that the remote and ESC will also be linked to the battery specs.
A nice touch Meepo included with the battery is the tiny LCD to show the percentage left. Also, a USB port to charge up any other device if required.
Meepo Mini 2 range
When looking at the numbers, there is quite a difference between the two (2) alternatives.
The standard battery will give you approximately 11 miles (17 km), whereas the extended range will last for about 32 km (20 miles).
The battery selection for your Meepo Mini 2 will depend on how far you want to go.
Honestly, I think the standard model has quite a decent range compared to more expensive electric skateboards in the market.
Possibly a hack to increase the range (also the torque) is by fitting the 83 mm orange wheels.
Chemistry and charging time
To power the 1080w motors, the battery was built out using Lithium.
Similar to the range, the chemistry and charging times are quite different between the two (2) battery options offered by Meepo.
The two (2) packs of battery array will have an output of 4Ah, 144 watts/hr (standard) or 8Ah, 288 watts/hr for the extended model.
If you have the means to buy the ER, I would consider this alternative – more power, more range.
Considering the difference between the two (2), I’m pretty impressed with how fast the ER battery charges.
Whatever option you take, allocate between two (2) to three (3) hrs to be ready for the next ride.
Two Remote Alternatives
As you should know, Meepo not only puts an effort when building electric skateboards but also designing controllers.
On this occasion, the Mini 2 e-skateboard can be controlled using the M4 or the NR (A) models.
Difference between the two (2) controllers
As I have mentioned in my Meepo V3 electric longboard review, the M4 controller is more user-friendly.
The following table shows the main differences between the compatible controllers:
NR (A) – for ER version |
M4 – for the standard version |
| Speed Mode | |
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| Features | |
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Be aware that the NR (A) remote control will be included if you buy the extended-range configuration.
As you can see, the M4 will give you more information regarding the board’s condition.
As for the other option, it is nice to have the torch, but I would prefer a good screen that gives me instant access to the data.
The M4 metrics
With the M4, you can also configure the braking power, traveled distance, and, of course, the remote’s battery.
Portability and Overall Weight
What can I say about an electric skateboard that is one of the smallest in the market?
Its portability is not bad.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a handle hanging or embedded in the deck like the Raptor 2.1 e-skateboard or the Ownboard W2 e-longboard.
Even though the wheels’ width is excellent for maneuverability, at the same time, they are a bit bulky to some extent.
If you buy an electric skateboard, it is because you want to skate, so carrying it should not be happening.
Although, if that happened to be the case, the 10kg overall weight of the whole thing might be an issue to carry after a while.
| HACK
If you run out of battery, you can try to charge it up (a bit) if you are lucky enough to go downhill for some time. |
Meepo Mini V2 vs V3 vs WowGo Mini
All the text above will not have value if I don’t have other alternatives to choose from.
Based on the market movement and user liking, the WowGo Mini and Meepo V3 are the ones to look at.
| WowGo Mini |
Meepo Mini 2 ER |
|
| MOTOR, RIDING MODES & CLIMBING ABILITY | ||
| Dual hub
28 mph (45 km/h) 1080w Four (4) Hobbywing ESC (6.5) 30% |
Dual hub
24 mph (38 km/h) 500w Three (3) 30% |
Dual hub
28 mph (45 km/h) 1080w Four (4) Meepo ESC 6.5 30% |
| BATTERY & CHARGING TIME | ||
| 20 miles (32 km).
36v,4.5Ah. 2.7 hr |
9 miles (20 km)
36V, 2.5Ah Lithium-ion. 3 hr |
20 miles (32 km)
36v, 4.5Ah 2.7 hr |
| WHEELS | ||
| D: 90 mm
W: 60 mm 78A |
D: 90 mm
W: 52 mm 82A |
D: 90 mm
W: 60 mm 78A |
| DECK (L) AND CARRYING WEIGHT | ||
| Canadian Maple
38″ (99 cm) 150 kg (300lb) |
Maple wood
27″ (70 cm) 120 kg (264 lb) |
Canadian Maple
30″ (76.2 cm) 136 kg |
| OVERALL WEIGHT | ||
|
8 kg |
6.9 kg |
7.2 kg |
| ACCESSORIES |
||
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None external |
No included |
None |
Boards differences
Looking at the table, the WowGo Mini has not had much to compete against any of the two (2) Meepo boards.
Now the V3 and the Mini 2 specifications are basically the same.
With the V3, you will have a longboard-style deck with an embedded handle and more overall weight.
My opinion
Maybe not be a noticeable difference for most people, but the stability and speed can be a deal breaker for the Mini 2 version.
The top speed of 45 km/h could be scary. The small deck may not provide the confidence most electric skaters would like.
This is where a more extended deck could be perfect. In this case, larger trucks (265 mm) could give you the trust to reach the maximum speed and yet feel stable.
I know both boards have the same range, but it may not be the case if the V3 is heavier than the Mini one.
Meepo Mini 2 ER Electric Skateboard Review: Should you Invest in?
Meepo is a manufacturer known to provide electric skateboards that can be affordable and accessible for most skaters.
You can tell this by looking at their prices and compare against the competitors.
For the low price and the stats offered, it is not bad at all.
For beginners or experienced skaters?
Experience e-skaters like it since most look for good speed, torque, and range.
This is what this e-board offers to users.
Indeed you are expecting to know why I think this e-board could not be the right one for a beginner.
If you look at the technical specs, the board’s top speed and power are insane.
Adding to the above, the faster you go, the wobbly you will be.
If you haven’t ever touched a skateboard, this may be a dangerous one to try the first time.
Luckily, any rider can test four (4) skating levels.
This is where a beginner can start experiencing a low speed (using mode 1 or beginner) and then progressively climb up to the next ones.
Please, don’t forget to gear up with the right protective gear, just in case.
Benefits and limits
Wobbly? That is not the case. It has one of the widest trucks for an electric shortboard. As a result, it feels very stable similar to a longboard configuration.
Price-wise, it is excellent for what you get. On top of that, you will get some stickers and a wristband to pimp yourself, the board, or the helmet.
As for the downsides, it sounds like they are not landing on the board as such; it is on the manufacturer service side.
I know some other e-skaters mentioned problems with the connectivity of the ESC system, but I think Meepo made some improvements.
It is a bit heavy, so if you want something easy to carry, this might not be the one.
I believe the Meepo Mini 2 ER cheap electric skateboard can be a good investment for experienced riders and people with a low budget.
Images courtesy of Meepo
Meepo Mini 2 ER
What we like
- ✅ Fast cheap electric skateboard
- ✅ Battery range is impressive compared to other models.
- ✅ Quality of components is good enough for the price point.
What we do not like
- It is not the right electric skateboard for a beginner.
- The NR(A) remote control may not be as responsive (slight delay) as the M4 version.
- Heavy for a small e-board.
