Razor is one of the most popular hoverboard brands today. However, any discussion today about hoverboards would be incomplete without its not-too-perfect beginning.
One of the popular questions I get every other week is: do razor hoverboards catch on fire?
If you were one of those who bought hoverboards when it was popular in 2015, you probably had a fear months later: fear of explosion. And the fear was so prevalent that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had to recall over 500,000 hoverboards just to ensure safety to people’s lives and properties.
It didn’t just end there. Even popular U.S. airlines like Delta, American, Hawaiian, JetBlue, etc. banned hoverboards from their passenger flights. Amazon and Target both temporarily suspended sales. By July 2016, the CPSC had at least 60 reports of hoverboard fires which accumulated to a property damage of over $2 million.
What could have caused so many hoverboards exploding while charging and some even while idle? There were many theories. Most of these theories had to do with the batteries inside the hoverboard.
Hoverboards use lithium-ion batteries which are highly flammable. These batteries have a thin sheet of plastic separating the positive and negative sides of the battery.
If by chance, the thin sheet is punctured, the negative and positive side connect together, that is called a short circuit. A short circuit can make liquid electrolytes heat up so fast that the battery explodes.
Another possible cause was the lack of a cut-off switch. This is a switch that has been present in laptops and smartphones for years. This is why you are less worried when you plug in your device for a long number of hours as this switch will prevent overcharging.
The major reason for hoverboard’s initial problems with safety was the absence of a safety standard for the product. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) decided to certify hoverboards. Initially, UL had been certifying individual components like batteries and chargers but these certifications tell nothing about the overall safety of the hoverboard or how the parts function together.
UL’s new certification focuses on “safety of the electrical drive train system and battery and charger combination and does not evaluate the performance or reliability of these devices.
In addition, it does not evaluate the overall safety of the self-balancing scooters.” Part of the safety could be referring to falls on the device. The certification is called the UL 2272 certification.
The bad time for hoverboards is now history. The Hoverboard industry is growing and it is expected to be a $3.2 billion industry by 2021. Razor is one of the hoverboard brands today that gets its products UL 2272 certification before they are sold to customers.
Do Razor hoverboards catch on fire? The answer is a really simple one and you can see for yourself as we talk about two popular Razor hoverboards: The Razor Hovertrax 2.0 and The Razor Hovertrax DLX 2.0.
Razor Hovertrax 2.0
Why do you think Razor Hovertrax 2.0 is one of the most popular hoverboards? Because of users’ satisfaction. What is a better way of knowing how good a product is that by reading what its users think? And most users of Hovertrax 2.0 are satisfied with this product.
Browsing through customer reviews on Amazon will tell you this consistent story. In fact, most customers who left bad reviews did so because destroyed or faulty products were delivered to them. Very few users actually had a bad experience using a Hovertrax 2.0 that was delivered to them in good condition.
This is due to the quality built into the product. Razor is one of the first companies to obtain the UL 2272 certification for its products. This means if you’re using the Hovertrax 2.0, there is no fear of explosion during charging or during use of the hoverboard.
With 6.5-inch tires and aluminum wheels, it is equipped to carry its weight and the weight of its rider conveniently. It can support a maximum weight of 220 lbs (100kg). You must note that if you’re carrying a bag, then it adds to your weight according to how heavy the bag is. It has a width of 24.5 inches which allows enough room for leg support.
One thing you have to know about this hoverboard though is that it works well on a smooth surface, whether inside or outside. It may not be the hoverboard for you if you enjoy a ride on a rough terrain. It is also advisable to avoid a wet environment when using your hoverboard.
Although Razor offers a warranty of 90 days on the Hovertrax 2.0, your warranty becomes void if your hoverboard got spoilt because of your improper handling of it. Your warranty also becomes void if you have added accessories to your device or you have rented it out.
What if you’re buying for your kids? Well, Hovertrax 2.0 is the hoverboard for you. The product is recommended for children 8 years and above. At a weight of 27 lbs, it may be a bit heavy for children to carry around. If your child enjoys the Hovertrax so much that he/she loses track of time and exhausts the battery, they will have some work to do to get it back to the house.
Hovertrax 2.0 gives you enough choices to make in terms of colors as it comes in red, blue, white, black, and green colors.
It is equipped with LED lights that make a beautiful arrowed line in front of the hoverboard, under the foot pad. It also has the LED battery power indicator that shows the level of power in your battery.
It comes with a single pack of lithium ion batteries which can be charged fully in 4 hours. If you’re just buying the Razor Hovertrax 2.0, it is recommended that you charge it for 6 hours when you charge it for the first time.
The maximum time to charge the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 is 24 hours. This is possible because the charger has built-in overcharge protection.
It is important that you charge your hoverboard battery immediately after use. If you want to keep your Hovertrax 2.0 for an extended period of time, charge it fully before doing so. When charging, the light on the charger will be red. It turns to green when charging is complete.
Make sure you turn off the switch of your Hovertrax 2.0 when it is not in use. The battery becomes weak if the hoverboard is kept on while it is not in use and it may later be unable to hold a charge. It is recommended that you use the charger that comes with the hoverboard to avoid any safety issues.
All these are safety measures that must be obeyed. When you consider that most fires that occurred in hoverboards originated from the battery pack, then you must take care to follow the instruction in the owner’s manual about charging the battery.
With your battery fully charged, your Hovertrax 2.0 can run continuously for up to 60 minutes. The time may be lower though if you are stopping and starting the ride. There are 5 LED lights in the battery indicator: 3 green, 1 red, and 1 orange.
When all the lights are on during a ride, then the battery is sufficiently charged. When only the red and orange indicator lights are on, then you have to charge the hoverboard as soon as possible. However, when you have the red light flashing and there is rapid beeping, you need to step off your hoverboard and charge immediately.
Hovertrax 2.0 has dual silent 350-watt motors which enable it to cruise at a speed of 8 mph (13 kmph). It can ride in two modes: the training and the normal mode. The Hovertrax 2.0 is in training mode when it is switched on. To change it to the normal mode, you press the power button twice before the indicator lights are on.
The Hovertrax 2.0 comes with calibration to maintain a parallel level with the ground. You can also calibrate it manually if you need to. It has anti-slip foot platforms which help you maintain a firm grip while riding on it.
To ensure safety while riding the hoverboard, it is vital to have your safety gear on. This includes your helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards. The Hovertrax’s EverBalance technology ensures a safer, easier mount and a smoother ride.
The main con with the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 is that it has no Bluetooth speaker. If you want to listen to music on the Hovertrax 2.0, you will have to enjoy it on your smartphone.
The Razor Hovertrax 2.0 costs $299.99 which is a cheap price for a hoverboard and one that gives the user an enjoyable ride.
Razor Hovertrax DLX 2.0
For even great products, there is always room for improvement. As an improvement on Hovertrax 2.0, Razor came out with the Hovertrax DLX 2.0.
The Razor Hovertrax DLX 2.0 has the UL 2272 certification which meets the industry’s highest electrical standards.
There are many similarities between the two hoverboards which is expected as a direct successor. But there are also changes made to the Hovertrax DLX 2.0 to make it a better product with a better user experience for every buyer.
The most obvious change in the Hovertrax DLX 2.0 is the color. Hovertrax DLX 2.0 has three colors: spectrum, carbon fiber, and galaxy. These colors make it look more beautiful and premium.
Another obvious change when you see the Hovertrax DLX 2.0 is the LED light which takes a wider space in front of the hoverboard. The LED lights look even more beautiful as it changes color when the hoverboard is in use.
Hovertrax DLX 2.0 is a bit heavier than its predecessor at 29 lbs. It is recommended for children from age 8 upwards up to adults of 60 years. At its weight, it is heavy to carry around for children and even adults.
It has a width of 24 inches, which is lower than Hovertrax 2.0 but is still wide enough to place your legs conveniently. Its frame is made with a shatter-resistant polymer with fender bumper protection.
When you charge the Hovertrax DLX 2.0 full, it can last for 60 minutes of continuous use. It is a bit faster than Hovertrax 2.0 with a maximum speed of 9 mph (13 kmph). It also has 2 modes: training mode and normal mode. With the EverBalance technology, it ensures an easier mount and a smooth ride.
It has a silent, dual 135 watts (cruising power), 350 watts (peak power) hub motors with gyro sensor technology. It comes with on pack of lithium-ion batteries that power its motors. It can support a maximum weight of 220 lbs (100kg). The Hovertrax DLX 2.0 also lacks the Bluetooth functionality.
It has 90 days warranty on its parts. One other big difference between the Razor Hovertrax DLX 2.0 and the Hovertrax 2.0 is the price. The Hovertrax DLX 2.0 goes for a price of $467.79.
Takeaway
So do razor hoverboards catch on fire? The simple answer is “No.”
In most products, safety is the most important feature. No matter how great a product is, it negates its greatness if it is unsafe to use for buyers of the product. In fact, the products become unviable to sell to the public.
A hoverboard with a risk of catching fire while charging or even while idle is a hoverboard that nobody wants to use. Because apart from posing risk to hard-earned properties, it can also pose a risk to human life.
This is why Razor Hoverboards take safety as an important component of their products. With the UL 2272 certification, Razor Hoverboards keep the highest electrical standard for hoverboards.
For any buyer of Razor Hoverboards, you get the owner’s manual. In the owner’s manual, there are even more safety precautions to be taken while using the hoverboard.
This means that you’re not only safe from fire but also from other potential safety risks that could arise while using the product.
