Comparison Smart Balance Wheel U8 vs Smart Balance Wheel R1

The maximum rider weight that the device can support (including the weight of a backpack, bag and other things carried on oneself; this is especially important to remember if the weight of the person himself is close to the maximum allowable). If the permissible load is exceeded, the transport not only loses efficiency but can also break down at any time. Therefore, it is impossible to ignore the prescriptions for weight anyway.

The average distance that can be driven on a single battery charge. Usually, the range is indicated with some overestimation — based on a low (optimal from the point of view of energy consumption) speed, uniform movement on a flat surface, etc. Therefore, the actual battery life may be somewhat less. Nevertheless, this parameter is quite suitable for comparing different models with each other.
Thanks to the development of technology, the range in modern self-balancing vehicles can reach several tens of kilometers.

The diameter of the wheels used in the vehicle. Technically, larger wheels contribute to rolling ability and reduce sensitivity to obstacles and small bumps. However, these possibilities are influenced by many other factors, not least the engine power: with a weak engine, the unit may not have time to cope with the obstacle, which will lead to the rider falling forward. Therefore, large wheels must be combined with a powerful engine.

By itself, information about the diameter of the wheel can be useful when repairing or replacing it.

The maximum angle of inclination of the surface at which the vehicle can normally drive up or down (in some models, this parameter is indicated only for one direction, for example, up).

This parameter characterizes the ability of the device to overcome ups and downs. In modern models, it can reach 45 °. At the same time, note that the ability to cope with large angles requires not only powerful motors, but also appropriate design features (in particular, so that the protective cover does not scrape the ground); and for the descent, the second is even more important than the first. Therefore, when choosing a model for frequent driving on slopes, you should pay attention not only to power, but also to the angle of inclination directly stated in the specs.

Also note that at a high load (approaching the maximum), the efficiency of overcoming climbs may decrease. On the other hand, some manufacturers indicate the angle of inclination at the maximum load, and clarify that the light weight of the rider allows you to overcome steeper climbs than originally stated.

— Position lights. The dimensions of the self-stabilizing transport are small, so such lights not only highlight the dimensions of the vehicle, but increase its visibility. This function is especially important at night — for safety, both for the rider and those around him. And in some countries, operation without position lights is prohibited by law.

In models that do not have front and rear sides as such and can drive equally efficiently in either direction, position lights are often made in the form of switchable two-colour lights: for example, the device turns on white light from the side it is currently traveling to, and red on the opposite side of the case.

— Bluetooth. This feature turns the vehicle into a mobile speaker system: you can connect an external Bluetooth device (for example, a smartphone) to it and listen to music through the built-in speakers during the ride.

— USB port. Usually, this port is intended for charging smartphones or other gadgets from the built-in battery — thus, the vehicle turns into an external battery (power bank). At the same time, given the impressive battery capacity in a self-stabilizing vehicle, charging an external gadget has practically no effect on the power reserve — especially since we are most often talking about a minimum charge replenishment, and not about charging up to 100%.

...— Remote control. Such control can be carried out both from a separate remote control supplied in the kit, and via a smartphone (usually via Bluetooth) using a proprietary application. Specific control options can be different — up to the tracking mode, when the device itself follows the owner at a certain distance. However, anyway, this function significantly expands the possibilities of transport.

The battery capacity of the device in watt-hours (Wh).

In general, capacity shows the amount of energy that a battery can store. The higher the number, the more energy the battery stores, respectively, the greater the range (see above) and the more time it will take to charge. Note that although watt-hours are used to designate power much less frequently than milliamp-hours (see above), this designation is more reliable, because when evaluating capacity, in this case, the battery voltage is also taken into account (as opposed to counting in mAh). This makes it easy to compare batteries of different voltages. At the same time, do not forget that the energy consumption of different models can also be different, and battery life is easier to evaluate by the directly claimed range.