Hover-1 Blackhawk Review – A Portable City Commuter With A Removable Battery

Hover-1 Blackhawk is one of the four lightweight city-based electric scooters released from the Hoover-1 brand. In this review, we will go through all of its features, qualities, performance, ups and downs, and help you decide if this is the right scooter for you.

Hover-1 Blackhawk electric scooter overview

The Hover-1 Blackhawk is the perfect choice for beginners looking to buy their first electric scooter. Designed with a very slim and fairly light build, this is one of the most portable scooters ever made, perfect for busy urban life.

The biggest benefits of the Hover-1 Blackhawk include a removable battery you can charge wherever you please, stable performance with three riding modes, a gripped deck long enough to fit both of your feet on it comfortably, and a weight light enough for anyone to pick the scooter up and carry it around in their arm.

Anyone looking to buy a reliable scooter with a decent range, but is forced into a smaller budget should have the Hover-1 Blackhawk at the top of their list.

Buying

The Hover-1 Blackhawk scooter is available on Amazon.

You can find it for a pretty budget-friendly price there (considering what you get), usually around $599.

What’s more, the scooter is often put on sale with its price lowered down to around $549.

Shipping

Orders on Amazon come with free shipping, although shipping time may not be the quickest for this scooter, as free shipments can take up to a month to arrive. If you want the scooter sooner, you can also opt for one of the faster shipping options, which will cost you a bit extra.

Warranty and return policy

Hover-1 Blackhawk comes with a 90 days warranty period.

It will be eligible for a free return or replacement in the first 30 days after the purchase, although this is only available for unopened and unused packages.

Basics

Unlike many other products in this price range, the Hover-1 Blackhawk is a simple and agile electric scooter whose value exceeds its price. It features a fairly thin build, and a great feature package, heavily prioritizing portability and reliability over strong performance levels.

Unboxing and assembly

The scooter is delivered in a large cardboard box with dimensions of about 44.5 x 20 x 6.75 in / 113 x 50.8 x 17.1 cm.

There are a few components included in the box:

• ‎the electric scooter
• user’s manual
• charger
• Allen key
• handlebars

As you can notice from the few separate box components, there will be a little bit of assembly done before you can test the scooter.

Once you open it up and unfold it, you will first need to place the handlebars on. This is an easy task, done simply by screwing the bars on the steering wheel. No key is necessary for this part.

Next is placing the braking lever in the appropriate position. You can rotate the lever around the handlebar until you find the most comfortable position and tighten it up using the Allen key provided in the box.

The only thing left now is to check the tire pressure, and make sure that the battery is fully charged. Once you’ve done all this, you can finally hop on the scooter and test it with your first ride.

Folding and unfolding

Folding this scooter is made very simple thanks to the one-step quick folding system placed at the bottom of the stem.

In order to fold the scoter down, you must first unclutch the circular protective ring placed around the folding latch, push the latch down, and fold the stem on top of the deck. You can secure the stem by locking it on the foot brake, in the designated space.

Locking the stem down onto the foot brake is a neat little feature that helps you carry the scooter in your arm easily.

Ride experience and intended use

The Hover-1 Blackhawk is mainly designed as a city commuter, made to be ridden in the urban environment. Paved roads are the only place where you’ll be able to ride this scooter, as its build, especially its tires, probably won’t be able to handle any rougher roads.

However, it is still an awesome electric scooter that provides a dependable ride filled with thrilling experiences. You won’t be stuck at boring low speeds like with most other cheaper scooters, and you will always have a reliable and removable battery with you.

Build quality

The quality of the frame on this scooter is surprisingly strong, considering this is a budget-priced electric scooter designed for urban commutes.

The whole frame is made from aluminum, while most of the wheel parts, the controls, and the bumpers are made of plastic.

Design and colors

Using the standard design found in most similarly priced scooters, the Hover-1 Blackhawk comes with the universal thin deck, dark-colored frame, and familiar control allotment.

The only exception from this standard design is the stem. Unlike its thin deck, the stem of the Hover-1 Blackhawk is much thicker due to the fact that it holds the battery of the scooter. Since the battery is removable, the Hoover-1 design team thought it would be best to place it somewhere handy, where it will be within hand’s reach.

Color-wise, the scooter is only featured in a matte-black colored design. The whole frame, wheels, deck, and cockpit are black, whereas parts of the steering wheel and wires come in light-blue color.

Performance

Stable and reliable performance was one of the primary concerns for the team behind the Hover-1 Blackhawk. They’ve managed to design a fairly cheap and lightweight electric scooter that will be able to compete even with some of its pricier counterparts.

Speed and acceleration

The Hover-1 Blackhawk has a top speed of 18 mph / 29 kmh.

You should have in mind that this speed will largely vary on the rider’s weight, the scooter’s battery level, as well as the inclination angle, and the terrain you are riding on. Lower battery and rougher, especially uphill terrains can significantly lower the max speed you will be able to reach.

This is nothing surprising though, as most scooters have these same limitations. Having only a single motor also plays a large part in this equation.

On the good side, the Hover-1 Blackhawk has an in-built cruise control in its motor. The cruise mode is activated by double-pressing the throttle button, allowing you to maintain your speed without keeping your thumb on the throttle.

Motor, power, and climbing angle

A single 350W brushless motor powers this scooter. The motor is mounted inside the front wheel and is controlled by a silicon-coated thumb throttle placed on the right handlebar, right beside the screen display.

You can switch between three riding modes, each with a different speed limit for better control over your ride. The eco mode will allow you to cruise lightly through crowded places, and then switch up to high-speed mode when the street ahead is clear.

Even though it’s powered by a single motor, the Hover-1 Blackhawk has an inclining rate of up to 15 degrees, handling steep hills effortlessly.

Weight limit and usage by heavy adults

The Hover-1 Blackhawk can handle a load of up to 220 lbs / 100 kg.

It is the industry standard for lightweight city commuters, as most scooters in this price range have the same weight limit. Although it may not look like much when compared to some of the premium scooters, it’s sufficient enough to handle even the heavier riders out there.

Range and commuting

A single full battery charge will let you ride the Hover-1 Blackhawk for up to 28 mi / 45 km.

It may not sound like much, but this is actually one of the longest ranges you can find for this price. It makes the Hover-1 Blackhawk a perfect scooter for light commutes around the city, letting you run some errands during rush hour or get to work and back.

Having multiple riding modes also helps a lot, as you can always set the scooter to eco-mode and ride at a slower speed when the battery gets low.

Batteries and charging

The Hover-1 Blackhawk features a removable 36 V 40-Cell Lithium-ion battery.

The battery is mounted on the stem, attached to the back side of it, close to the rider, so that it provides a better ride balance. It will take roughly around 6 hours to fully charge it, which is a pretty fast charging time if you take into account the range it provides.

You can easily remove the battery at any time by pressing the clip button on its top and gently taking it off the stem. This allows you to take it up to your home, office, or wherever you find yourself at the moment and recharge it there without taking the whole scooter with you.

A single hour of charging will translate to around 4.7 mi / 7.5 km, so you can always plan on having enough range even when you must go out before the battery is fully charged.

Features

Compared to all of the other electric scooters priced below $600, the Hover-1 Blackhawk has a surprisingly well-packed feature compilation.

Weight, dimensions, and portability

The scooter weighs roughly around 44 lbs / 20 kg, meaning anyone can take it up and carry it in their arms if needed.

Additionally, once you fold the stem down, you can lock it on the foot brake and secure it in place, helping you carry the scooter with one arm.

The dimensions of the Hover-1 Blackhawk are as followed:

• folded (L x W x H): 42.6 x 16.5 x 18.1 in / 108.2 x 42 x 46 cm
• unfolded (L x W x H): 42.6 x 16.5 x 46.6 in / 108.2 x 42 x 118.3 cm

Taking its weight, size, and folding features, this is easily one of the most portable scooters out there. It’s fairly light and convenient, and almost anyone can pick it up and carry it around, while it also takes so little space that you can store it anywhere.

Couple all of that with the removable battery feature and you get one of the best lighter-weight city commuters on the e-scooters market.

Waterproofing and riding in the rain or snow

The Hover-1 Blackhawk is not a completely waterproof scooter.

The scooter has an IP54 waterproofing rating, meaning it’s protected from smaller splashes and droplets, but will be heavily damaged if it’s submerged in water.

Dust and smaller sprays of water will probably not be that harmful to the scooter’s build and electronic parts, but I still wouldn’t recommend testing it on rain, snow, or dirty off-road tracks.

Brakes

Unlike most budget-priced scooters that only feature a single brake, the Hover-1 Blackhawk has a much more complete braking system.

The scooter features a disk brake on the rear wheel, an electronic brake on the motor at the front wheel, and a foot brake right behind the deck. The disk brake alone will be enough for the scooter to make a full stop most of the time, but it’s nice to have additional braking power when riding at a higher speed.

Tires and wheels

The Hover-1 Blackhawk comes with the standard 10” pneumatic tires. These tires are great for urban commutes as they will help absorb most of the bumps along the road, unlike solid tires which provide a much stiffer ride experience.

The tires have shallow linear grips along their surface, which can come in handy in avoiding skidding when riding a wet road.

Suspension

Unfortunately, the Hover-1 Blackhawk does not have any suspension mechanism featured in its design.

Built as a lightweight urban commuter, this scooter only has its pneumatic tires to absorb some of the shocks from the bumpy road. While this may not be a problem for rides on paved streets and designated bike tracks, it is one of the main reasons why you won’t be able to go off-road with this scooter.

Lights and night use

A bright front LED headlight and a rear red warning light will help you ride the Hover-1 Blackhawk at night without any problems.

The front headlight will illuminate the road well for a few feet ahead, while the rear red light will signal to those behind you that someone is right in front of them even when the visibility is low.

Screen, handlebars, and controls

The Hover-1 Blackhawk features one of the best displays I’ve seen on a budget-priced scooter.

A big and bright LCD display is placed right in the middle of the cockpit. This type of screen has much better visibility than almost any other display found even on premium scooters.

The display indicates the most necessary information such as the speedometer, the battery status, which riding mode is currently active, and whether the cruising mode is turned on.

On the handlebars, you will also find the motor throttle, a small blue button on the right side, and the brake lever on the left. The handlebars, which are fully removable, have honeycomb grips on their surface for better ride control in case your palms get slippery.

Deck and standing surface

A long and slim deck is featured on the Hover-1 Blackhawk.

The deck is 26.7 in / 67.8 cm long, so you will be able to put both your feet comfortably on it, one behind the other. The deck also comes with a dot-gripped surface to prevent any sliding.

Accessories and upgrades

There are not that many accessories and customizations that are specifically designed for the Hover-1 Blackhawk. Luckily, the scooter has a fairly standard design and build, and will support pretty much all of the common electric scooter accessories. I would recommend a trunk if you carry items with you when you ride.

The scooter itself isn’t expensive, but you still won’t want to leave it outside unlocked. See my guide on the best electric scooter locks to find a lock that fits this scooter.

Finally, you should always follow the golden rule of electric scooters, and never ride without a fitting electric scooter helmet. A budget model or a half-helmet will do just fine for the Hover-1 Blackhawk.

Problems and what to know

There are a couple of issues you should be aware of before making your decision on whether to buy this scooter.

The most notable problem that you will instantly notice is how the performance of the scooter drops quickly once the battery drops below 50%. Even though it should technically have around 14 mi / 22.5 km of range, the scooter can hardly reach its top speed once half of the battery is gone. Luckily, the scooter supports easily swapping the battery with a full one when it gets close to empty, which should help mitigate the issue.

Another thing many future users might find problematic is the lack of suspension. Relying only on your air-filled tires as shock absorbers shouldn’t be too big of an issue unless you live in an area where the streets are not well maintained. Still, with a tire diameter of 10 inches, the ride comfort this scooter will provide will still beat the ones of most other budget scooters, which either come with solid tires, or 8.5-inch pneumatic tires, both of which provide bumpier rides.

Price and value

Available for as low as $549, the Hover-1 Blackhawk can be considered a budget electric scooter. It’s not the cheapest scooter out there, as there are dozens of models out there priced as low as $300, but could very well fit into anyone’s budget.

For that price, the scooter offers one of the most reliable performances out there and it could easily compete with lots of the pricier electric scooters on the market.

Its biggest value comes from the range, which is one of the highest among scooters priced below $600. A huge addition to this already strong spec is the swappable battery which makes this one of the best scooters for city commutes. You won’t ever need to worry if the battery is fully charged as you can easily charge it wherever you go and leave the scooter locked outside, or you can also get a spare battery and effectively double your range.

How does the Hover-1 Blackhawk compare to other electric scooters?

Here is a quick comparison between this scooter and some of its most popular competitors.

Hover-1 Blackhawk vs Hover-1 Alpha

The second most popular scooter released from the Hoover-1 brand is the Hoover-1 Alpha.

The Hoover-1 Alpha can also be found on Amazon, where it’s usually priced at $449. However, a lot of the time you’ll be able to find it on sale with the price lowered to around $361. As such, it will be a much cheaper scooter than the Hover-1 Blackhawk, but with some notable differences as well.

Designed with a slightly thicker frame and overall bulkier build, the Hoover-1 Alpha is available in three colors: black, blue, and red variation. The thick design mainly comes due to the battery, which is non-removable and placed below the deck.

Performance-wise, both scooters are very similar as their motors have a similar power output and go at the same speed.

The biggest difference between the two models comes in their range. The range of the Hoover-1 Alpha is more than two times lower than the one of the Blackhawk, and will only give you up to 12 mi / 19.3 km of riding with a single charge. Add to that the fact that the battery is non-removable, and you get the idea why this scooter is so much cheaper.

Still, if you’re interested in an even lower-priced alternative, see my detailed Hover-1 Alpha review.

Hover-1 Blackhawk vs Segway Ninebot E45/E45E

The Segway Ninebot E45 is probably the most popular alternative to the Hover-1 Blackhawk.

Priced at around $840, this scooter comes at a slightly more expensive price, but has a few extra features to offer.

Performance-wise, both scooters are almost the same. They both have the same top speed, three riding modes, and even the same range, although the Segway Ninebot E45 uses two batteries in order to reach that range.

The main difference between the two scooters comes in their features, or the riding experience to be precise. The Speedway Ninebot E45 features rubber shock absorbers at its front wheel, which will absorb some of the shocks from the ride, but that’s because its tires are solid and provide very bumpy rides, to begin with.

It also has a slightly brighter headlight, meaning a bit better night rides as well.

Hover-1 Blackhawk vs GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter

If you are a new rider waiting to buy your first electric scooter, the Hover-1 Blackhawk will be a great fit for you. But if you are on the market for something slightly cheaper, then I would definitely recommend checking out the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter.

This light aluminum-made scooter has a somewhat similar design to the Hover-1 Blackhawk, with a slim frame, thin deck, and black-and-white aesthetics. It costs roughly around $349 and will be a much better fit for those with a tighter budget.

However, for such a price you will have to accept lower performance levels. The GoTrax GXL V2 can reach a top speed of 15.5 / 25 kmh, which is less than what the Hover-1 Blackhawk can offer, and has a much lower range of around 12 mi / 19.3 km.

The battery of the scooter is non-removable. It charges faster in around 4-5 hours, only slightly better than the Blackhawk, although if we consider the ranges that both the batteries provide, that charge time seems a bit slow.

Overall, the GoTrax GXL V2 is a somewhat more affordable but weaker alternative to the Hover-1 Blackhawk in terms of both speed and range. It is a great choice for beginners who want to start their e-scooter journey with a modest option. See my complete GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter review if you want to find out more.

Who should not get the Hover-1 Blackhawk Electric Scooter?

The most notable issue that could turn some people off of this scooter is definitely its lack of a proper suspension. People who can’t imagine themselves riding a scooter with having some sort of shock absorption would be the first to say no to the Hover-1 Blackhawk.

This includes off-road riders, adrenaline-seeking adventurers, those who live in areas filled with bumpy and unmaintained roads, or really anyone who prefers an ultra-comfortable ride over everything else. I recommend checking out my guide on the best electric scooters with suspension, as well as my guide on the best off-road electric scooters, if you believe you might fit into one of those categories.

Another type of rider who wouldn’t find much use for this scooter is experienced riders who are looking for a much faster scooter. The Hover-1 Blackhawk has some decent power, but certainly won’t be enough for people who want a much more thrilling ride experience. If 18 mph / 29 kmh seems a bit too low for your taste, then you should maybe push your budget a bit higher and check out our guide for best scooters under $1000, or go straight for some of the fastest electric scooters, where you will surely find something more fulfilling.

Besides its lack of suspension and modest speed, there are hardly any other concerns regarding the Hover-1 Blackhawk. I can’t think of any other type of person who wouldn’t like it as it’s truly a universal electric scooter.

Who should get the Hover-1 Blackhawk Electric Scooter?

I would recommend this scooter to people who would use it almost every day to get to work and back, or simply as a daily commuter throughout the city. The removable battery will let you charge the scooter practically anywhere, in your office, at a cafe, or wherever you plan on going for the day.

On top of that, this is also one of the most feature-complete scooters with a swappable battery. It’s a great choice even for those on a tight budget who are looking to get something more affordable.

I would also recommend the Hover-1 Blackhawk to beginners who are looking to buy their first electric scooter. This model is very easy to ride and you will get the hang of it in a day or two. The conveniently placed throttle that is equipped with a cruise control option will let you ride without fatigue, which is especially great for those who aren’t accustomed to riding on a vehicle like this one.

And finally, whenever I see scooters like this one I immediately think of people who are on the hunt for the best value electric scooter. With its low price and great feature package, the Hoover-1 Blackhawk is one of the best value electric scooters on the market right now.

Specifications

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