Turbowheel Hornet Review – Power, Safety, And Value Walk Into A Bar

Note: The Turbowheel Hornet has been sold out for a while, possibly indicating discontinuation. Consider reading my detailed EMove Cruiser review for an excellent alternative with similar performance and pricing (likely of higher quality overall).

Check out my thorough review of the Turbowheel Hornet, delving into one of the most underestimated yet highly capable electric scooters of our time.

Specifications

Basics

Let’s go through some basic info you’ll need before hopping on your scooter.

Turbowheel Hornet Overview

The Turbowheel Hornet distinguishes itself through a reputable brand, low defect rates, and suitability for climbing and heavier adults. Its solid rubber tires make it immune to flats.

EWheels, the largest distributor of this scooter, offers excellent customer support and extended warranty and return periods. And Jason, a legend in the scooter community, stands out for his helpfulness and understanding at EWheels customer support.

Potential weaknesses of the Turbowheel Hornet may arise from shipping damage, with occasional issues like banged-up suspension affecting ride stability.

However, EWheels’ exceptional support and warranty effectively address these concerns.

You can check out the Turbowheel Hornet at the EWheels store.

The Turbowheel line

The Turbowheel Hornet is part of a lineage of high-performing scooters, including the Turbowheel Lightning and the versatile Turbowheel Swift, showcasing the brand’s competence and adaptability.

The biggest online retailer for Turbowheel scooters is EWheels. Besides Turbowheel, they offer a lot of Dualtron models as well.

EWheels stands out for its exceptional customer support and industry-leading warranty and return policies. It’s a pleasure to buy from them, especially given their rare full-year warranty.

They ship to North America with delivery typically taking 1 to 7 days.

Folding and unfolding

The scooter conveniently folds into a compact package, reducing volume by folding both the stem and handlebars.

When folded, the scooter could be easily wheeled, thanks to the built-in trolley kit, addressing the challenge of its weight.

This clever design provides increased stability and safety without compromising portability.

Performance

Let’s take a look at my Turbowheel Hornet’s performance tests.

Speed and speed tests

With a top speed of 28 mph / 45 kmh, it stands out among Turbowheel models and medium-priced scooters.

I found the speed capabilities of the Turbowheel Hover to be highly satisfying, and I was impressed by how effortlessly the scooter reached high speeds.

While it can go faster, there’s an electronic limitation in place.

Motor and motor tests

The Turbowheel Hornet features a dual motor, each delivering 500 Watts of real power and 1200 Watts of peak power, resulting in a combined peak power of 2400 Watts.

The motor is super strong and it went up to 20 mph in a minute. I even tried it on rough roads, and the ride was smooth.

Climbing angle and climb tests

The Turbowheel Hornet’s climb angle is an impressive 26 degrees, attributed to its powerful dual motor, effortlessly handling steeper slopes.

I wasn’t sure if the Turbowheel Hornet could climb well because it’s lightweight, but I was pleasantly surprised. During my test ride, the scooter had no difficulty climbing steep hills.

Range and range tests

The Turbowheel Hornet provides a range of up to 37 mi / 60 km.

However, from my experience I’d say it will provide you with a slightly lower range in real-world conditions, around 28 mi / 45 km, on average.

Battery and charging

The Turbowheel Hornet features a high-quality LG battery (921 Wh, 48 V, 13 cells in series & 6 parallels).

While not fully waterproof, the battery includes solid water protection.

EWheels offers an exceptional one-year warranty on the battery, a rarity compared to the typical 3- or 6-month warranties from other stores.

Included are two chargers—regular and fast-charging. The fast charger ensures a full scooter charge in just 3 hours.

How much does it cost to charge the Turbowheel Hornet?

Charging the Turbowheel Hornet during off-peak hours will cost around 4 cents in the US, and 8 pennies in Canada.

During peak hours, charging the scooter fully will cost 14 cents in the US, and 10 pennies in Canada.

Ride experience

While the solid tires may not offer the same comfort as air-filled ones, the Turbowheel Hornet addressed this with a dual suspension system.

Featuring a hydraulic suspension fork in the front wheel and an adjustable arm suspension in the rear, the scooter’s suspension quality has received mixed reviews.

The Turbowheel Hornet electric scooter provided me with an exhilarating ride experience that combined speed and versatility.

Thanks to its incredibly powerful motor, accelerating up to 20 mph was a breeze, delivering a thrilling sensation as I cruised along.

What was even more impressive was its off-road capability – the scooter adeptly handled various terrains, effortlessly navigating bumps and uneven surfaces.

This versatility added an extra layer of excitement to the ride, making the Turbowheel Hornet not just a means of transportation, but also a source of pure enjoyment for riders like me seeking both speed and off-road adventure.

Despite occasional suspension concerns, when everything is in order, riding the Turbowheel Hornet is a delightful blend of power and fun.

Turbowheel Hornet vs other scooters

Turbowheel scooters, such as the Dart, Hover, Hornet, Swift, and Phaeton, provide diverse options catering to various preferences, with each model offering unique features for speed, range, and portability.

Turbowheel Hornet vs Turbowheel Dart

Interestingly, the Hornet is most often compared to its little brother, the Turbowheel Dart.

Both are high-quality scooters with brilliant engineering principles, though the Dart seems to have a broader appeal.

It’s possible the Turbowheel Hornet’s high power may be too much for many users.

On the flip side, the Turbowheel Dart is more affordable and shares a similar top speed.

Choose the Turbowheel Hornet if you need extended range and excellent climbing abilities. If not, consider the Turbowheel Dart for a comparable quality, lower price, and less power.

The Dart is available at the EWheels store.

Turbowheel Hornet vs Turbowheel Lightning

When comparing the Turbowheel Hornet to the Lightning, I lean towards the Lightning for its superior features.

Despite the higher price (potentially $500 more), the Lightning offers increased speed, extended range, superior climbing angles, a more powerful motor, and better weight capacity.

While the Hornet has its merits, unless your budget is fixed at $1549 or you prefer a less powerful scooter, the Turbowheel Lightning appears to be the preferable choice.

As usual, you can take a look at the Turbowheel Lightning at the EWheels store, or see my complete review of the Turbowheel Lightning / Lightning+.

Turbowheel Hornet vs Turbowheel Swift

Both the Turbowheel Hornet and Turbowheel Swift are dual-motor electric scooters that are known for their high performance and smooth ride.

Both scooters have front and rear suspension, but the Turbowheel Hornet has slightly softer suspension than the Turbowheel Swift. This means that the Hornet may provide a more comfortable ride on rough roads.

The Turbowheel Hornet is slightly heavier than the Turbowheel Swift, weighing 43 pounds compared to 41 pounds. This weight difference may be noticeable when carrying the scooter.

Overall, the Turbowheel Hornet is a slightly more powerful, comfortable, and versatile scooter than the Turbowheel Swift. However, the Turbowheel Swift is slightly less expensive and weighs slightly less.

Turbowheel vs Turbowheel Phaeton

Both the Turbowheel Hornet and Turbowheel Phaeton are standout electric scooters lauded for their performance and features.

The Phaeton boasts dual 1600W motors, reaching an impressive 60 mph and an 80-mile range. Weighing 62 pounds, it’s a high-end option priced at $1999.

The decision hinges on individual needs, with the Phaeton excelling in speed and range, while the Hornet offers a more budget-friendly and lightweight alternative for a smooth ride.

Build quality

The Turbowheel Hornet manifests the sleek physique of an elite athlete in their prime, with a notably robust appearance in the front stem.

The handlebar and control dashboard offer a smooth, modern feel.

Overlayed predominantly in matte black, the electric scooter features subtle red details and sleek, powder-coated shiny-black metal fenders.

Overall, the Turbowheel Hornet presents a complete package—combining toughness with a smart aesthetic.

Features

Let’s check out the features this scooter offers.

Brakes

The Turbowheel Hornet is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels.

In my opinion, the brakes were highly effective, providing me almost immediate stops with both wheels staying on the ground.

Additionally, the scooter featured regenerative braking, which contributed to battery restoration when braking.

Tires and suspension

Despite its powerful performance, the Turbowheel Hornet featured relatively small tires, measuring 8 inches in diameter and 2.36 inches in width.

Adding to the intrigue, these tires are solid rubber, making the Turbowheel Hornet the priciest and likely the best solid tire scooter available.

Surprisingly, the Turbowheel Hornet proved me wrong about solid tires being bumpy. I had one of the smoothest rides ever, and it’s all thanks to the awesome hydraulic dampers in the front suspension.

The scooter boasted a robust suspension system with both front and rear wheel suspension, including hydraulic dampers in the front and adjustable spring suspension in the rear.

Lights

The Turbowheel Hornet comes with a headlight and rear LED lights, activated with a control switch.

Aside from that, the scooter had a rear brake light that notified other traffic participants when I was approaching.

Weight and portability

Weighing 57 lbs, it’s not the heaviest scooter, but the folding handlebars significantly reduce its storage space.

Despite having average portability, the Turbowheel Hornet electric scooter stands out for tall adults with adjustable handlebar height and a generous deck-to-handlebar height of 44 inches, making it one of the tallest electric scooter globally.

Accessories and customization

There’s a ton of accessories and parts for Turbowheel scooters, and you can customize your scooter in many different ways. Check out my guide on the best electric scooter accessories for a variety of options to enhance your Turbowheel Hornet experience.

Given the Turbowheel Hornet’s impressive speeds, it’s crucial to prioritize safety by wearing a helmet at all times.

While a full-face helmet might be unnecessary, opting for a cheap bike helmet may provide insufficient protection. Consider a half-face helmet as a balanced choice.

Safety and security

The Turbowheel Hornet excels in this aspect.

Its substantial weight and sturdiness ensure a reliable, stable riding experience—no shaking, wiggling, or loose screws, even at 25 mph / 40 kmh.

Enhancing safety and comfort, the scooter features sensitive yet robust hydraulic brakes and a double suspension system.

You have the option to add a seat, which is not included in the original price and requires an additional payment.

Additionally, the scooter incorporated a key security and ignition system. Without the key, it can’t be started, and when locked, the risk of theft significantly decreases.

While getting the right lock is crucial for full protection, the built-in security features still contribute substantially to overall security.

Tradeoffs

Like any scooter, the Turbowheel Hornet has its share of blind spots.

As a scooter enthusiast, it’s a bit puzzling to me that the scooter lacks an official manual, which seems unusual for a product of this caliber and price.

Notably, there’s a somewhat significant occurrence of defects in certain systems, particularly the suspension.

Occasionally, delivery damage is a factor, and it’s important to be aware that a few users have received faulty units. Fortunately, the EWheels support team is consistently exceptional and ready to assist in such situations.

Interestingly, despite the high-quality LG batteries, some users have reported a shorter range than expected, as well as reduced speed and performance as the battery level decreases.

However, if you’re looking for a scooter with longer range, take a look at my list for best long-range electric scooters and if you’re a speed enthusiast check out my list for the fastest electric scooters.

Verdict

The Turbowheel Hornet is an excellent scooter, but it finds itself in a family of siblings with similar talent levels.

Caught between the lighter Turbowheel Dart and the exceptionally powerful Turbowheel Lightning, the Hornet still has its ideal use cases.

It’s the right choice if you want the most powerful scooter around $1500 or need a safe and high-performing option. Also, if the Turbowheel Dart lacks power for you, the Hornet fits the bill.

However, it seems most users gravitate toward one extreme or the other, rarely settling in the middle.

If you find yourself in the middle, the Turbowheel Hornet is worth considering.

If you are on the ends of the spectrum though, you will want to check out either the Turbowheel Dart as a lighter option, or the Turbowheel Lightning as the true monster scooter.

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Matt Trajkovski

I am Matt Trajkovski, the owner and main editor of EScooterNerds. I love electric scooters, and electric vehicles in general, and I’ve been involved in the industry for more than 10 years. I enjoy testing, reviewing, and research on various electric scooter models and brands, following our proprietary rigorous editorial and testing process developed here at EScooterNerds, looking for great value and performance, both through data and experience. All of the content published on this blog goes through a rigorous review and editorial process, and our product reviews not only include the hands-on experience of our own team members, but the experience of our audience members as well. My goal is to provide you with the best information about electric scooters possible. You can see all of my posts in my articles archive.