Hiboy Max Review – Excellent Solid Tire Budget Pick

Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Matt

The Hiboy Max is a popular budget scooter with solid wheels that offers a great mix of price and value. It is slowly but surely gaining a larger audience, starting to challenge the status quo in the budget scooter category, and threatening Xiaomi’s and Ninebot’s dominance.

Who should buy the Hiboy Max?

The Hiboy Max is one of the best budget electric scooters in the world today. If your budget is around $400 and you want the best scooter you can get, the Hiboy Max can easily be the right choice for you.

The scooter is tough, simple to use, lasts for a long time, and rarely breaks down. As such, it is a great beginner scooter.

The specs and the performances of the Hiboy Max are pretty solid, and the scooter is a bit more powerful than the average budget scooter.

The scooter sells really well, and the vast majority of its many owners are very satisfied with it. In the end, the market is never wrong, and the starling reviews from thousands of owners say only one thing – the scooter world loves the Hiboy Max.

So, if you are after a tried-and-tested, strong, durable budget scooter, typically priced around $379 (and often cheaper because of additional discounts), then take a look at the Hiboy Max, you will not be disappointed.

Buying and discounts

You can always find the Hiboy Max at the official Hiboy store. Don’t forget to use the coupon code “Escooter Nerds” at checkout for an extra 5% off!

Shipping

Your scooter will arrive in 3 to 5 days, with free shipping.

At the moment, the scooter is mostly available in the US and Canada, although lately, Hiboy has started to ship to Europe as well.

If you live in Europe and want a scooter similar to the Hiboy Max but you can’t find it in the Hiboy store, your best bets would be similar options like the Ninebot ES2 (full review here) or the Kugoo S1 Pro (full review here).

Warranty and returns

If your scooter arrives damaged, you can contact the Hiboy customer care team and you will get a new scooter. Also, you can return the scooter 30 days after purchase for a full refund.

The warranty for the scooter is 12 months.

Basics and how to ride

The Hiboy Max is a true beginner scooter, and it’s very simple to ride. Holding the power button for three seconds powers the scooter on, and pressing the right throttle button accelerates the scooter. Tapping the power button when the scooter is on toggles between the 3 speed modes.

Through the app, you can set whether you’d like the scooter to start with or without a kick. I recommend sticking with the kick-start, as it saves the battery and prolongs its lifespan, but also, when you carry or push your scooter and accidentally press the throttle, the scooter will not start spinning and possibly start running or damage something.

Unboxing and assembly

When the package arrives at your home, it will contain:

• the scooter
• the handlebar
• the charger
• the owner’s manual
• the warranty card
• the toolkit
• the bell

Assembly is easy and will take just a few minutes. You need to install the handlebar into the stem, add the bell, and you’re good to go.

Before riding, also make sure the brakes work, the battery is fully charged, and there are no loose screws.

Folding and unfolding

The Hiboy Max has a very strong and secure folding mechanism. In fact, some owners have described it as too strong, erring on the side of safety and caution too much.

Still, folding the scooter only takes a few seconds using the simple latch that unlocks the frame.

To fold it, you need to rotate the handlebar and lock it against the rear wheel, which will reduce the scooter’s folded width and volume, and make it easier to fit everywhere.

The Hiboy brand and scooter line

The budget price category in the scooter world is arguably the most vicious and competitive one, with many large brands constantly improving and upgrading their models to satisfy the general public’s hunger for a great affordable scooter.

This price category has been traditionally ruled by the likes of Xiaomi and Ninebot.

That is, until Hiboy came along, and challenged their reign.

Today, Hiboy is definitely in the leading pack, with their models selling either just as good or better than the old dinosaur brands. They keep pushing the limits on what a budget scooter can do and how tough it can be. In fact, I believe that today, Hiboy and Xiaomi might be the leading duo, and Hiboy might have pushed out the Ninebot line out and taken its place on the throne.

The Hiboy Max is their most popular and best-selling model ever, which makes it one of the best budget scooters ever.

User experience

The Hiboy Max is a classic urban commuter scooter. It strikes a good balance between performance and portability, since it’s fairly powerful but also doesn’t weigh a ton. Commuters have a great time with it, as the Hiboy Max provides them with decent range and performance, but it’s not a nightmare to fit in public transport.

As with every solid-tire scooter, the ride comfort will not be top-notch. However, the combination of front spring suspension and honeycomb tires with holes in them to absorb some of the shocks, will mitigate some impact, and the ride will still be decent on most of the common surfaces like asphalt, pavement, and the regular city street or sidewalk.

Cruise control

The Hiboy app provides the option to customize the way the cruise control works, and you can set its speed limit and when it’s activated (default is 6 seconds). You can also turn it off completely.

To exit cruise control, you will have to engage the electronic brake, as the mechanical disk brake is not connected to the electric circuitry of the scooter.

Design and build quality

This is mostly my own personal observation, but it seems to me like the Hiboy Max is designed to be beginner-friendly and easy on the newbies. That means it puts safety first, and also gives a big priority to stability and sturdiness. The scooter is simple to use, but it’s also very tough and it can handle a lot of punishment without suffering any major defects.

Build materials

The scooter’s frame is made from aluminum alloy, with PC-ABS for the plastic covers and details. The tires are made from rubber.

Aesthetics and looks

The Hiboy Max has smooth lines and clean finishes, making it look very sleek and modern.

In a great example of “less is more”, the Hiboy Max pulls off the look of a tough guy, while keeping the vibe of an evergreen look and feel with the dark-grey base and red details.

Performance

The Hiboy Max performs very well, especially if we keep in mind that it is a budget scooter. Compared to other budget scooters, it’s actually quite fast and powerful.

Motor and power

The brushless hub motor is integrated into the front wheel, and it has 350 Watts of power. Since front-wheel drives generally provide more torque, the Hiboy Max will perform almost like a more powerful scooter. The scooter is very torquey, and it really does feel like a much more powerful motor.

Speed and acceleration

The official top speed of the Hiboy Max is 18.6 mph / 30 kmh.

The scooter will have no problem developing this speed, except for riders that are close to or above the weight limit, or in case the battery is nearly empty. The scooter accelerates quickly, but not so quick to blow your hair back.

It should be noted that there might have been a previous version or a couple of batches of the Hiboy Max that couldn’t really develop the official top speed, and were only capable of reaching about 16 mph / 26 kmh. That issue has most likely been fixed in newer releases, and the Hiboy Max will develop the promised top speed without any issues.

Weight limit and heavy adult usage

The weight limit of the Hiboy Max is 220 lbs / 100 kg, which is pretty standard for budget scooters.

User reports from the real world suggest that even riders slightly above that weight limit can ride the scooter without any noticeable drop in performance, but heavier riders (more than 265 lbs / 120 kg) may start getting drops in top speed, range, and climbing power.

If you need a scooter with a larger weight capacity, take a look at the guide on the best electric scooters for heavy adults.

Battery and charging

The Hiboy Max has a 36 Volt Lithium-ion battery, with 7.5 Ah and 270 Wh capacity. Charging takes between 4 and 6 hours.

The charging port is at the side of the deck, close to the ground, which I believe is not a good place for it as water and dirt from the ground can easily come in contact with it.

Luckily, it has a stable protective cap that prevents that from happening.

As usual, the indicator light on the charger will be red while the scooter is charging, and green when the battery is full.

How much does it cost to charge the Hiboy Max?

During off-peak hours, charging the Hiboy Max costs 1 cent in the US, 2 pennies in Canada, 5 pence in the UK, and 4 cents in the EU on average. During peak hours, the costs become 4 cents in the US, 3 pennies in Canada, 8 pence in the UK, and 6 cents in the EU.

Range

The official range of the Hiboy Max is 17 mi / 27 km. That number has been obtained in ideal scenarios, with a regular, if not somewhat lightweight rider (around 165 lbs / 75 kg), a full battery charge, no inclines, and other unfavorable conditions. However, the Hiboy Max is a popular choice and has been tested in the real world quite a lot. Its true range does not differ that much from the official one, with user tests varying from 11 mi / 18 km all the way up to the upper limit of 17 mi / 27 km.

So, in summary, the official range of the Hiboy Max is kind of accurate, but don’t be surprised if you get a little bit less (which is usually the case for all scooters).

Climbing

The climbing abilities of the Hiboy Max are one of its strong suits, and the scooter punches above its weight when it comes to riding uphill. The official climb angle of the Hiboy Max is only 15% (9°), but it’s very likely that Hiboy has underreported it a bit, as owner reports would suggest a climb angle of at least 27% (15°).

Features

Even though the Hiboy Max is clearly a budget scooter, it lacks almost no feature, and in fact, it doesn’t lack any essential features.

Brakes and safety

The Hiboy Max features a redundant dual-brake system. The rear wheel has a disk brake, while the front has an electronic brake. The brakes are strong and sensitive, especially the front one. The scooter comes to a full stop only after a few meters, even when stopping from full speed.

The scooter has an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

You can adjust the sensitivity of the brakes either through the app or by twisting the little screw on the rear disk brake.

The brakes have an unorthodox activation mechanism that I’ve rarely seen in other scooters. The rear disk brake is activated by a lever on the right handlebar, and the electronic brake is activated by a thumb throttle on the left handlebar. Not a typical setup, but still one that’s very simple to use while providing a lot of safety.

Tires

The tires of the Hiboy Max are 8.5-inch solid honeycomb tires, which means they are much more than the plain old solid rubber tires.

The honeycomb tires have holes in them, which provide additional comfort and shock absorption when riding. Both of the tires have fenders on top of them that will protect you from splashes.

The tires can never go flat, and that’s one of the major advantages this scooter has over other budget scooters.

Suspension

As with any good solid-tire scooter, the Hiboy Max has suspension to absorb the impact from riding over bumps and potholes.

Only the front wheel has suspension, in the form of a spring between the wheel and the stem. Even though it’s kind of stiff and it’s far from being the best suspension ever, it still does a decent job, and for a solid-tire scooter, it’s much better to have it than not.

Water resistance and riding in the rain

There’s a common misconception circulating online that the Hiboy Max has no water protection. Buried in its user manual, there is an IP54 certificate, which means the scooter will not be harmed by water splashes from any angle.

In theory, this means the Hiboy Max can be used in the rain or the snow. However, common scooter wisdom prevails here, and riding in the rain is still not a good idea. If you must ride through the rain at times, chances are everything will be fine, but you should still try and avoid doing that as much as you can.

Lights and night rides

The headlight is made from two large LED lights placed on the top and the front of the stem, right below the cockpit. The headlight is not too bright, and you may want to look for after-market lights that are stronger, especially if you plan on riding at night (see the guide on electric scooter accessories to find some great yet affordable options).

The deck has strips of LED lights on each side that serve as positional lights for night rides.

When using the brakes, the rear brake light is activated and notifies other traffic participants of your intentions.

Screen and cockpit

The left handlebar has the bell, and the electronic brake thumb throttle, while the right handlebar has the acceleration thumb throttle, and the brake lever for the rear disk brake.

The digital display will show you:

• the speed
• the speed mode
• the battery level (4 bars)
• the bluetooth signal
• the light status

You can set the metric system for the speed (mph or kmh). You can also choose between 3 riding modes, all with their speed limits, although you will almost always ride in the fastest mode unless you’re just learning the ropes with your scooter.

The screen is very bright, and visible even on very sunny days.

Deck, frame, and handlebars

The Hiboy Max has a large, wide, and comfortable deck, big enough even for people with larger shoe sizes. It features a rubber surface on top to prevent slipping from it.

The aluminum alloy frame is very robust, and the handlebars don’t shake while riding except when you hit a bigger pothole. The rear fender might rattle a bit when going over uneven terrain.

The handlebars have rubber covers to protect them from rust, and to make sure you maintain your grip if your hands get sweaty.

The kickstand is both strong and long enough to prevent the scooter from tipping over while standing.

Portability, weight, and dimensions

The scooter weighs 34 lbs / 15.4 kg, which means it’s about average in weight compared to other budget scooters.

When folded, the dimensions of the scooter are:

• length: 44.5 in / 113 cm
• width: 18.8 in / 48 cm
• height: 15.7 in / 40 cm

That weight and volume make the Hiboy Max a fairly portable scooter that will be easy to fit in many of the common places where owners take their scooters (under the bus seat, the car trunk, the elevator door, etc), and also not too heavy or awkward to carry. Most people will be able to carry it easily over short distances.

App

All Hiboy scooters can connect to some of the several Hiboy apps, with popular options specific to the Hiboy Max available for both iOS and Android.

The apps come with a lot of features that allow you to customize almost every aspect of the scooter’s behavior and performance.

Some of the options that the apps provide include:

• turn the scooter on or off
• select kick start vs zero start
• lock the scooter
• toggle all lights
• current speed
• battery level and voltage
• headlight
• cruise control and its speed limit
• battery capacity
• energy recovery level
• speed limit
• ride mode
• error and warning codes
• customer support
• information and status

Sadly, the apps don’t have very good reviews. We should keep in mind that very few scooter apps have great reviews though. In general, bluetooth connectivity is very difficult to get right, and even the scooter apps provided by multi-billion dollar companies often have mediocre reviews and a lot of complaints. So, while it would have been great if the app always connects with the scooter, the reality for every scooter app is that there might be problems, and that’s the case for the Hiboy apps as well.

In any case, try out the app for your Hiboy, and also try the Universal Scooter App by EScooterNerds as a complementary app that will work great along with your primary Hiboy app. The app is also available for both iOS and Android.

Accessories and customizations

The Hiboy Max supports a few interesting customizations. I would definitely go with the Hiboy waterproof storage bag, as I believe that’s one of the most useful scooter accessories ever.

For other accessories, it’s best to check the guide on scooter accessories, as many of the generic items will fit the scooter and cost less. I believe a stronger headlight might be a very good choice for this scooter if you want to ride at night, as the one that comes with it will not be strong enough.

Sadly, a seat is not one of the supported accessories, and I don’t think installing a seat on this scooter would be feasible.

Of course, you must wear a helmet at all times while riding this scooter. You may get away with a bike helmet, but I would still recommend a half-helmet, as the scooter’s top speed is not exactly slow. If you want to find the right helmet for your specific needs and your budget, see my guide on the best electric scooter helmets.

Lock and security

The scooter can be locked through the app, but that only prevents someone from starting the scooter, and a thief can still carry it if you don’t lock it with an extra lock. Since the Hiboy Max is not an expensive scooter, you probably don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on the most secure lock, and something like the Via Velo lock will work great.

Take a look at the complete guide on electric scooter locks to see all of the options.

Maintenance and spare parts

Spare parts are available at the Hiboy store, and same as the scooter, they are affordable.

One advantage of the Hiboy Max is that it has solid tires, which means your maintenance routine will be much simpler. You only need to clean your scooter as often as you like, and make sure the brakes work and all the screws are tight.

When cleaning the scooter, you should not use alcohol or corrosive chemicals. Also, the scooter has an IP54 rating, which means it shouldn’t be hosed down with strong water jets.

Hiboy Max vs other scooters

The Hiboy Max is one of the most popular budget scooters ever, and as such, it’s often compared to other popular budget scooters. Let’s see how it fares in those comparisons.

Hiboy Max vs Hiboy S2

Sibling rivalry is a real thing, especially for the Hiboy Max and the Hiboy S2. Both are good picks, and they are quite similar in many regards.

The Hiboy Max performs a bit better, it accelerates a bit faster, and charges faster as well. Also, the Hiboy Max is cheaper.

The Hiboy S2, on the other hand, is a bit lighter in weight and smaller when folded, while having a bigger weight limit.

Honestly, both are great options, as both are strong, popular budget scooters with solid tires from the same company. If the upsides of the Hiboy S2 sound like a better fit for your needs, see the full Hiboy S2 review.

Hiboy Max vs Hiboy S2 Pro

The Hiboy S2 Pro is quite a different animal than the Hiboy S2, as it costs quite a lot more and is almost in an entirely different price range.

The Hiboy Max still matches the Hiboy S2 Pro in terms of top speed and climb angle, while being about 4 lbs / 2 kg lighter in weight.

The Hiboy S2 Pro, however, has a significant advantage in range (about 9 mi / 14 km), as well as a better weight limit, bigger tires, and more comfortable rides in general. If these are important to you, see my Hiboy S2 Pro review.

Hiboy Max vs Ninebot ES2

The Hiboy Max and the Ninebot ES2 are similar in some ways, but I believe the Hiboy Max will win in about 9 out of 10 use cases. I don’t see that many good reasons to go with the Ninebot ES2.

The Ninebot ES2 will be about $200 more expensive, and somehow I don’t believe it fully justifies that additional cost.

Both scooters have solid tires, but the tires of the Ninebot ES2 are smaller at 7.5 inches, and that’s already too small and makes the rides very unstable. The top speed of 15 mph / 25 kmh and the range of 15 mi / 25 km are both less than the ones of the Hiboy Max.

In the past, it may have been true that the Ninebot ES2 had the market adoption and popularity on its side, but today even that’s no longer the case – the Hiboy Max simply surpassed the Ninebot ES2 in popularity.

I really don’t think there’s a clear-cut scenario when the Ninebot ES2 is a better choice. Don’t get me wrong – the Ninebot ES2 is also a very good scooter, and there’s a good reason why it was among the top budget choices for such a long time (you can read more about it in the Ninebot ES2 review). It’s just that the Hiboy Max is a better pick today.

Hiboy Max vs Xiaomi M365

The Hiboy Max vs the Xiaomi M365 is a good matchup and a good fight. I believe the Hiboy Max makes an excellent choice in many scenarios, possibly even in more than half.

Both scooters are massively popular, and adored by scooterists all over the world, so that one is a tie.

The Xiaomi M365 is a pneumatic-tire scooter, and it will provide more comfortable and more stable rides. It does have a more powerful motor on paper, and it does have a better climb angle because of it. The top speed is higher for the Hiboy Max out of the box, but that’s only because the top speed of the Xiaomi M365 is locked, and if you unlock it by installing some custom firmware, the Xiaomi M365 will be a bit faster.

However, the Hiboy Max is a clear winner in more use cases. The performance differential is still comparable, and not big enough to justify the price difference, making the Hiboy Max better value and the better budget choice. Also, you will never get a flat tire with the Hiboy Max, and that hits the Xiaomi M365 where it hurts, as it is one of the scooters that’s the most notorious for suffering flats easily and frequently.

That’s why the Hiboy Max may often be the better choice.

Hiboy Max vs GoTrax GXL Commuter

The prices of these two scooters are comparable, with the GoTrax usually being a bit cheaper.

In general, most people don’t need their scooters to be crazy powerful, and just need them to be good enough for their commuters or rides through the city. However, I do believe that the GoTrax GXL may be a bit too weak – the top speed of 15 mph / 25 kmh and the small range of 12 mi / 19 km, might be too small even for the casual commuter.

That’s why I’d recommend the Hiboy Max over the GoTrax GXL Commuter in most cases. If you still want to find out more about the GoTrax GXL Commuter, see the full review here.

Hiboy Max vs GoTrax G4

The GoTrax G4 can be considered a step above the Hiboy Max in some regards.

While the Hiboy Max is cheaper, lighter, more portable, and probably has better brakes, the GoTrax G4 comes with 10-inch pneumatic tires, a slightly better top speed and climb angle, and a better range.

The extra power and performance will be welcomed by a lot of people that wouldn’t mind spending a bit more, and if that sounds like you, see my detailed GoTrax G4 review.

Issues, downsides, and tradeoffs

The Hiboy Max does a lot for its price, but it’s still a budget scooter, and that brings a few limitations and tradeoffs. The most important thing is that none of them are major issues, and the scooter has low defect rates in general. Still, if you’re considering buying the Hiboy Max, you should know about the issues.

Probably the biggest safety issue is the front headlight. It works ok, but it may not be strong enough for night rides, and you will have to get a stronger one if you plan on riding after dark.

One common issue that owners have mentioned as annoying is that the acceleration can sometimes get stuck. It is very easy to get it unstuck (you either flick it or just pull it up), but it’s still an annoying problem that can happen at times.

A few owners have reported that the plastic covers on various parts can sometimes break, and some owners have said that the rear fender sometimes makes a noise when riding over uneven surfaces.

Finally, a number of users have had trouble connecting the scooter with the app, although, as we said, this is quite common across all scooter apps.

User reviews and market adoption

Probably the best thing about the Hiboy Max is that it will have a long lifespan. Despite costing just $379, this scooter can last for years and years, and likely not suffer any major defects in the first year of ownership.

Most of the owners of this scooter that have had it for quite a long time report either no breakdowns or faults at all, and the most common defects are minor ones around the auxiliary parts.

Because of that, the Hiboy Max has almost a cult following, and its owners swear by it. No wonder it is one of the most popular and well-received budget scooters ever.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Hiboy Max electric scooter.

Can I ride the Hiboy Max in rain?

The Hiboy Max has an IP54 waterproof rating, so it shouldn’t be damaged by small water splashes and light raindrops. However, it’s still a budget scooter, and you shouldn’t overexpose it to wet weather, heavy rain, or snow.

How long will the Hiboy Max last?

The battery of the Hiboy Max will typically last from 6 to 12 months, after which the max range will probably drop to about 70%-80% of its original amount. Luckily, cheap scooters come with cheap replacements, so you can find a new battery aftermarket for about $100.

Can the Hiboy Max go uphill?

The Hiboy Max prides itself in great climbing abilities for a scooter in this price range. It can handle hills with slopes of up to 27% (15°), one of the best climbing angles for scooters priced below $500.

Should you buy the Hiboy Max?

The Hiboy Max is a very strong budget scooter. I would never hesitate to recommend it to anyone with a budget of $400 or less, as it’s clearly one of the best scooters under that price. The scooter is usually priced at around $379, and for that sum, the value it provides is incredible.

The solid tires will never go flat, the scooter is easy to use and not too overpowered so it will be perfect for beginners, and you will get good performance and features for your money. The Hiboy Max has been around for a while now, and it’s crystal clear that the scooter world loves it.

If you want a great commuter scooter on a budget, you should consider buying the Hiboy Max, many scooterists like you have done so and never looked back.

Hiboy Max specifications

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