GoTrax Glider Review

Who is it Best For

Will the GoTrax Glider Be a Good Fit For You?

If you answer yes to any following questions, the GoTrax Glider is suitable for you.

Are you a child?
Are you a teenager?
Are you an adult?

I think you can guess what I am getting at with those questions – the Glider can be used by anyone and everyone.

Often, electric scooters are designed for either kids or teens and adults. The GoTrax Glider bypasses this and as a result, it is an all encompassing option making it ideal whatever you want to use it for, whether that is for leisure use or commuting.

I’ll cover why the GoTrax Glider is a great all-round electric scooter throughout the review.

Design

Does the GoTrax Glider Look Good?

The Glider is one of the most visually appealing electric scooters that I have reviewed.

It is sleek, stylish and compact, especially when you compare it to other models, like those from Razor (the global market leaders for electric scooters), which tend to be bulky and less aesthetically pleasing.

The Glider is available a range of colors including red, pink and my favorite, black.

The handlebar display and LED headlight really play up the looks of the Glider, transforming it from your average scooter to one that has the appearance of being technologically advanced. This is a big drawing point for me, as I love all things tech and gadget related.

Because of its smart design it lends itself to adults who want an electric scooter that looks the part but also, at the same time, it is suitable for kids.

Speed

How Fast Can the GoTrax Glider Go?

Electric scooters tend to range from 10 mph, at the lowest end of the speed scale, to 18 mph, at the fastest end of the scale.

You’ll be able to reach 16 mph on the GoTrax Glider.

In my books, this is a very fast electric scooter making it perfect for commuting or whizzing round the neighborhood.

You may be thinking ‘16 mph? That doesn’t sound that fast’.

Trust me, once you hop on your electric scooter, turn the throttle and are gliding along the city streets you’ll realize how fast it feels to go 16 mph while standing slightly above the ground and having the wind blow through your hair, compared to driving the same speed in a car.

Besides, you don’t want to go too fast because it wouldn’t be safe. But, if you are an adrenaline junkie and have the need for speed, then you should check out the Swagtron City Commuter, SwagCycle Pro and Razor EcoSmart Metro as they all have a top speed of 18 mph.

Mileage and Battery Performance

How Long Can You Ride the GoTrax Glider For?

How good would it be if you could travel 7 miles on the GoTrax Glider? Pretty good, right?

Well, what if I told you can ride the Glider consistently for 9 miles.

Just think about how far you’d be able to travel on it! Sure, you’d be able to go to the store and back again and again and again – you get the idea – but, you’d most likely be able to use it to commute to work (providing your office is within 9 miles of your house).

Oh, and before I forget, the Glider takes just 3 hours to reach a full charge. You could literally commute to work, plug the scooter in to charge, and have a full battery for your journey home.

The rate at which the battery is able to charge is extremely impressive. I’ve reviewed a large number of electric scooters and the majority of them have 12 hour charging times.

Weight and Weight Load

How Much Does It Weigh and How Much Can It Support?

The Glider is the lightest electric scooter to rule them all.

I’ve reviewed countless electric scooters and the Glider consistently comes out on top for how light it is. In total, it weighs just 20 lbs.

I often make the joke that I could hold my miniature sausage dog in one hand and the Glider in the other and not know the difference.

Given its ultra light weight, you may be wondering if it can support a heavy load. Well, thanks to its strong frame, it can support up to 220 lbs.

Foldability and Portability

Is It Easy to Fold and Carry?

Yes.

There is no question about it.

It’s not only the lightest electric scooter, it also has an simple to use lever activated folding frame giving it a portable design that is easy to carry.

It is convenient for people on the go.

Because of how quick it is to fold and carry, as well as its compact design, you can take your scooter on public transport, store it in your trunk, under your desk at the office or in a cupboard at home with ease.

To put this in perspective, some scooters, in particular those from Razor, require you to loosen the handle bars from the scooter using an allen wrench in order to ‘fold’ them – really, I mean dismantle.

Features and Durability

What Features Does it Have and is it Durable?

Despite being one the cheapest electric scooters, GoTrax have not cheaped out on the features of the Glider. In fact, it is packed full of them – this is why the Glider is up there with my favorite electric scooters.

So, let’s take a look at exactly what you’ll get with the Gotrax Glider:

• Top speeds of 16 mph
• 9 mile travel range
• Ultra lightweight (20 lbs)
• Easy to fold mechanism
• LED headlight capable of casting light 3 metres in front of the scooter
• Handlebar display that lets you track your speeds, change gears, and battery life
• 3 hour charge time
• Water resistant frame
• Electromagnetic brakes that allow the scooter to stop safely
• Easy to use acceleration control

Considering the build quality of the Glider, it is durable and will last a long time, providing you treat it well and don’t bash it about. Of course, it can handle a few bumps and scratches here and there, just don’t over do it.

Safety

How Safe Is It?

You’re gliding along the city streets at 16 mph and need to stop quickly. Will the Glider be able to bring you to a safe stop? From my experience, it will.

Unlike traditional brakes which you pull on to engage the braking system, the Glider uses an electromagnetic version which you engage by pushing the brake lever on the handlebars.

‘What are electromagnetic brakes?’, I hear you say.

Don’t worry, I said the same thing when I first read about them too.

Essentially, the electromagnetic brakes work by slowing or stopping the motion of the wheels on the electric scooter by using electromagnetic force to apply friction to the tires.

In layman's terms, once you press the brake lever, the scooter will direct electrical power to the brakes which will then apply resistance to the tires, which will slow the scooter down and bring it to a stop (if required). The more you push the brake lever, the more resistance applied to the tires.

Also, the scooter comes equipped with an ultra bright LED headlight that will cast light up to 3 meters in front you, meaning you can safely ride it at night.

Assembly

Does the GoTrax Glider Require Assembly?

No.

You’ll be able to ride your electric scooter on the day it arrives.

Most people, including me (once upon a time), assume that all electric scooters come ready to go out of the box. Often, it’s not the case, especially those scooters that can’t be folded. For example, although Razor scooters are highly popular (and, I do like them), they require assembly (i.e. attaching the handlebar post). Because these types of scooters have not built to be portable, it means they can’t be shipped as a complete product because the box that they would need to be delivered in would be huge.

The GoTrax Glider, on the other hand, is ideal for those of you who want an electric scooter that comes 100% pre-assembled.

Also, you don’t even need to pump up the tires because they are solid rubber – it’s a win win!

Pricing and Value For Money

How Much Does the GoTrax Glider Cost and Is It Worth it?

Drum roll please.

It only costs $199.99.

The original retail price (RRP) is $299.99 but it is on sale at the minute directly from GoTrax.

Usually with cheaper electric scooters you’ll find that they tend to lack features, be bulky in their appearance and just deliver on the basics to get you from A to B. This is far from the truth of the GoTrax Glider.

Despite its cheap price, it delivers in every area that you would want an electric scooter to deliver in. It’s fast, light, portable, can go far, is technologically advanced and looks great!

Overall, the Glider is the highest scoring value for money electric scooter that I have reviewed making it worth the investment.

Overview of the GoTrax Brand

Who are GoTrax and Can You Trust Them?

Back in 2017, GOTRAX launched a series of hoverboards, remember those things?

Well, they quickly rose to the #1 selling hoverboards on Amazon and ever since, they have focused on research and development to expand their product line to include a range of electric scooters, bikes and other e-rideables.

With a conscious for the environment, GoTrax aim to create reliable electric travelling devices that are environmentally friendly.

Additionally, all of their products, including the Glider, come with a 90 day warranty and 14-day return policy – which is ideal if this is your first electric scooter.

From my experience, there are 3 brands which you can trust when it comes to electric scooters. These are Razor, Swagtron and GoTrax.

Review Summary

How Do I Rate the GoTrax Glider Overall?

So, what do I think to the GoTrax Glider?

Do I think it’s good? No.

Do I think it’s great? YES.

Throughout the review I have highlighted all the things that make the GoTrax Glider a great electric scooter. To recap, it’s not only one of the cheapest electric scooters, it is in fact, one the fastest, lightest, best looking and most portable electric scooters that is packed full of features.

Now, of course there are always downsides no matter how good the electric scooter is. I started this site to give honest reviews so you could make the best decision of which model to pick.

So, with that mind, there are 2 things that you need to be aware of. The first, the Glider can’t be used off road on rough terrain so, if you are planning on riding it across the country side it won’t be the best option for you. Alternatively, if you are planning on using it to ride on the sidewalk or road, it will do that with ease.

The second, once the battery begins to run low, it can have difficulty climbing steep hills, as you would expect. But, because it is so light, you can easily use it as a kick scooter in the event that the battery runs out. Ultimately, just make sure you’ve got enough charge to complete your journey and you’ll be fine.