Hover-1 Journey 2.0: the Perfect Scooter for Smaller Riders

Hover-1, the well-known manufacturer of hoverboards, also makes quality electric scooters sold in big box stores and online retailers. We previously reviewed the Hover-1 Journey Max and found a lot to love.

Hover-1 Journey 2.0 – $599

The Hover-1 Journey 2.0 is different. It’s well-made, it’s small, it’s inexpensive, it’s colorful, it’s easy to ride, and, well… did we mention small? 

We’ve made a list of scooters best for taller, heavier adults, but we’ve yet to make a list for the petite. The Journey 2.0 should certainly be on it, and at only $350, it makes a great gift for a smaller rider or over-14 teen on your list. 

Who is this Scooter for?

The Hover-1 Journey 2.0 is not a performance scooter; it’s perfect for people who have ridden a Bird or Lime scooter, loved it, and don’t need any more power than a shared scooter offers.

It’s also the ideal size for adult riders on the shorter, smaller side, and it’s a great buy for teens looking for their first electric scooter.

We’d recommend this scooter for riders anywhere from 4’10’ to 5’10’. Its handlebar height is the lowest we’ve seen, 35.5 inches, but it can carry riders up to 265 lbs.

Our Full Video Review

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: Performance and Stats

The Journey 2.0 has half the power, 350 Watts, of its bigger dual-motor sibling, the Journey Max, and it shows in its performance. 

Top Speed

In sport mode, the Journey 2.0 maxed out at 15.7 mph, the typical top speed of a rental scooter and around the fastest speed most people hit when cruising on a bicycle. 

The Journey Max is a powerful, 700W dual-motor scooter that climbs hills and accelerates like nothing in its class. In fact, it may be the most powerful electric scooter you can purchase for the price, and the best budget scooter for heavier riders.

Acceleration

We were very impressed with the Journey 2.0’s acceleration time of just 7.9 seconds from 0 to 15 mph, a number our expert reviewer Paul calls “exceptional for a scooter at this price point.”

Hill Climb

Although it has only one front-mounted hub motor, the Journey 2.0 should carry most riders over most hills, most of which are around a 4-6% grade. The scooter struggled a little on our 10% grade, however.

If you need to hit some steeper climbs and/or weigh close to the 265-lb limit, you’d do well to check out the Journey Max, which is possibly the best hill climber you can buy for just under $600. 

Range

You can’t expect much in the way of range with a scooter this compact and this inexpensively priced.

While Hover-1 claims 16 miles of range for the Journey 2.0, we got 8.9 miles in our test. 

Ride Quality

You won’t find suspension on any electric scooter at this price, but the Journey 2.0’s air-filled, tubed, 8.5-inch tires do a fairly good job of smoothing out the ride.

Many budget scooters rely on solid tires. These require no maintenance, but they’re a bumpy ride on anything but smooth pavement, so it’s nice to see Hover-1 go pneumatic for this budget model. 

“The ride is surprisingly smooth,” says Paul, “and cornering is great!”

Braking

Like the scooter it resembles – the classic Xiaomi M365 – the Journey 2.0 pares braking down to single lever.

The brake lever on the left controls a rear mechanical disc brake and front regenerative brake. Braking is excellent, best in its class. 

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: Design, Build & Reliability

The Journey 2.0 might look like a Xiaomi M365, except when it comes to size. This will be problem for riders with big feet, who will feel scrunched up on the scooter’s deck. But again, most riders who shop in teen and petite sections will find its proportions ideal. 

The Hover-1’s diminutive profile and low weight – just 31.6 lbs – make an especially portable electric scooter: 

“Scooters like the Ninebot MAX G2 don’t really fit in my trunk without folding the seats forward, but here are two Journey 2.0’s in my trunk and I might even be able to jam a third one in, so this is handy if you want to take a few of them somewhere for a family ride.”

The Journey 2.0 excels as a family scooter in a number of other ways. Its frame is made of steel, which is fairly indestructible. And it comes in four colors, including an eye-poppingly visible neon yellow, pink and bright white. 

The scooter also has a limited top speed for newer riders and brakes that won’t send you flying over the handlebars if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: Is It Worth It? Our Verdict

The under $400 price point was once littered with junk scooters. But well-built budget electric scooters like the Journey 2.0 now have some pretty stiff competition, including the GOTRAX G3 Plus, the Segway E2 Plus, and the NIU KQi1 Pro.

All these scooters have their downsides by comparison, as Paul notes in our full video review, and all of them limit rider weight between 200 and 220 lbs compared to the Journey 2.0’s 265 lb weight limit.

The Journey 2.0 has a lot more going for it than its small size, including a bright, highly readable display, easy folding and operation, and a warranty from maybe the second biggest manufacturer of personal electric vehicles worldwide.

Learn more about this scooter’s features in our full video review and check out Hover-1’s Journey Max for more power, speed, and acceleration.