A onewheel, or onewheel electric skateboard, is a self-balancing board with a single wide tyre. Feet are placed either side of the tyre and the board ridden mounted sideways (unlike an electric unicycle which has a much larger diameter tyre and is ridden facing forward with pedals either side). Just like a regular electric skateboard (which instead has four narrow wheels) a onewheel is turned by the rider shifting weight to either side. However, instead of having a remote to control acceleration and braking, a onewheel is entirely accelerated by the rider leaning forward and brakes applied by leaning backward.

Brief History

The first known onewheel prototype was demonstrated by Ben Smither in the UK in 2007, and its design described at https://robosys.co.uk/

His prototype had most of the main components used in modern onewheels. It just lacked a front sensor footpad and using a belt-driven motor to turn the wheel instead of a hub motor inside the wheel (to save prototype costs, he did however mention a hub motor would be ideal).

In 2013 Kyle Doerksen started a company called Future Motion in Santa Cruz, and in 2014 launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the first commercial onewheel development. He trademarked the name “Onewheel”, and patented some aspects of its design in the US and a few other countries. Since then Future Motion has grown significantly and is the dominant manufacturer of onewheel boards with nine models over the past decade, including the much loved XR, compact Pint, and most recent Rally XL. Despite the enormous popularity of Onewheels the company Future Motion has faced significant criticism, particularly:

• Using their patent claims for litigation against competitors’ products in the US market which some people consider anti-competitive, but themselves being slow to innovate onewheel technology.
• Their reluctance to allow third-party modifications and servicing, requiring boards to be returned to Santa Cruz for many repairs and voiding warranty claims.
• Battling with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission over the safety of their design where the board could unexpectedly eject the rider, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. This was partially resolved in 2023 by a virtual recall of all Future Motion Onewheels with a firmware update to give haptic feedback when device limits are reached.

Onewheel Components

Modern onewheels all share some common components:

• Wheel hub with a tubeless tyre. The most common hub diameter is 150 mm (6 inch), although the Onewheel GT uses a larger 165 mm (6.5 inch) and the MTE hub is 127 mm (5 inch), which dictate the tyre choices. Hubs are commonly 165 mm wide although some get as low as 150mm (making the tyre more rounded so less stable but more nimble for carving).
• Brushless hub motor mounted within the wheel hub and connected to the rails through axle blocks. Future Motion boards all use version of their Hypercore motor, whereas popular alternatives for upgraded performance are the Floatwheel Cannoncore and the Fungineers Superflux HS and Superflux HT motors.
• Rails either side of the motor and affixed to the axle blocks, used to support the front and rear footpads. Original rails were straight but nowadays there’s a wide assortment of colours and options, particularly rails that lower and/or angle the footpads (such as WTF, Moustache, X7) or longer to give a wider stance and more clearance for larger tyres to be used (aka Big Tyre Gang or BTG).
• Rear footpad where the rear foot is placed during riding and typically housing heavier components such as the battery pack, so that when not balancing the board naturally sits with the rear on the ground. The rear foot pad includes a rear red/braking light.
• Front footpad where the front foot is placed and includes a pressure sensor to determine when a rider is actually on the board, so that the motor doesn’t engage without a rider. The front footpad typically houses electronic components such as the controller, has a headlight, and a status strip light telling whether the footpads are engaged or level of battery charge.
• Battery pack and Battery Management System (BMS). Current onewheel models have peak battery voltages between 63 Volt (Pint X) and 134 Volt (Fungineers Supercharged) with most around peak 75-84 Volt.
• Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) which regulates the current to the MOSFETs at exactly the right times to keep the rotor turning smoothly within the motor and maintain the board balance. Unlike electric skateboards but like electric unicycles all onewheels have a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes to determine the tilt of the board so the ESC can determine whether to accelerate or decelerate the motor.

There are some variations on this standard onewheel configuration:

• It is difficult to squeeze more than 36 21700-sized battery cells within the rear footpad enclosure, so some larger batteries are split packs, typically with 18S2P (36 cells) in the rear and an additional 2S2P (4 cells) in the front to give a 84 Volt combined battery pack. Split packs give greater battery capacities (so longer range) and higher voltages (typically higher top speed) but require more care when connecting/disconnecting balance leads.
• To gain even more battery capacity the VOW Systems Fusion Core makes space for the ESC within the Cannoncore motor, allowing a larger split battery within the front footpad, so significantly longer range.

How Onewheels Work

A onewheel uses similar hardware (accelerometers, gyroscopes, hall sensors) and balance control algorithms as does an electric unicycle, which we’ve described in detail in How Does an Electric Unicycle Work?

In addition a onewheel has a front footpad pressure sensor to detect when a rider is on the board. The front footpad typically has multiple pressure sensors to accommodate false readings and different foot positions, divided into left and right zones. By default only when both zones are pressed the ESC will engage the motor balancing. This gives the rider a mechanism for engaging and disengaging the motor balancing – placing the front foot across both sides engages the motor once the board is level, whereas lifting a heel or toes disengages the motor (unless the board is above a threshold speed to avoid accidental disengagements).

Sometimes the dual-zone requirement for motor engagement causes the mount of shame, when the foot doesn’t successfully engage both zones initially so the board tips forward. Setting simple start mode conveniently allows either zone to be used to engage when mounting the board to prevent the mount of shame, but after a few seconds resumes dual zones for dismounting. Instead setting posi mode treats both zones together, so either zone can be used to engage or disengage the motor, which requires removing the entire front foot to stop the board – this mode is useful when one zone has failed, allowing the board to still be ridden.

One issue that can occur is when the footpad sensor for one or both zones gets stuck on. If both zones are defective or either zone defective when using posi, the motor can engage by itself if level without a rider. As a onewheel can be somewhat stable without a rider the extra battery weight on the rear of the board could be mistaken for reverse acceleration, resulting in ghosting where the board accelerates backward without a rider (typically until either it hits something or falls sideways).

Onewheel Brands and Models

The Future Motion Onewheel is the largest selling brand particularly in the US market, designed and assembled in Santa Cruz (California). The current Onewheel models are the smaller and more nimble Pint X, the larger and longer range GT, the more powerful GT S-Series and in 2025 the 113 Volt GT-S Rally XL and intermediate XR Classic. Older models include the original Pint (still in production) and the ever popular (but discontinued) XR.

The Chinese manufacturer Floatwheel originally made popular do-it-yourself self-balancing board kits. In 2023 they introduced their first two complete boards to challenge Onewheel’s dominance in the marketplace, the Floatwheel adv and the adv pro. Both are based on the open-source VESC software, support the right to repair/modify a board, and use a new high-torque CannonCore motor. They also make conversion kits for Onewheel models.

The new Floatwheel adv2 has an improved battery management system to provide extra safety and battery protection when charging, an improved version 3 motor with N52 curved magnets, and Samsung 50S battery cells with 720 Wh capacity – the largest for any commercial onewheel at the time of its release. The adv2 has two rail options, regular rails with three height adjustments and pro rails with five height adjustments.

Fungineers (based in the UAE) also produce onewheel components and are well respected in the VESC community. Fungineers manufacture the powerful Superflux motor generally considered the best onewheel motor, and the popular Thor controller. At the end of 2024 they announced they would also sell the Funwheel X7 (Sport), a complete board using the Superflux, Thor301, and their own Stompies footpad sensor. Unlike the GT, GT S, and adv2 the X7 is designed to be compatible with the original Onewheel XR accessories, so many third-party accessories can be used. Its 432 Wh battery is UN 38.3 certified but has smaller capacity than the battery in the GT and adv2.

In 2025 Fungineers released their X7 Long Range 720 Wh variant, matching the range of the Floatwheel adv2. They also released a 134 Volt high voltage X7 Supercharged with the Thor400 controller and high-torque motor, having a free spin speed of 115 km/h it is the most powerful onewheel commercially available. The X7 rails have two height adjustments and offer five colour options. Fungineers also offer longer X10 rails in six colours which allow bigger tyres to be used (Big Tyre Gang). In early 2026 Fungineers will also introduce the 127 mm (5 inch) 5uperflux motor, for lighter onewheel builds and allowing more tyre sidewall.

There are other companies who have jumped on the popularity of onewheels to offer cheaper models of varying quality. The Trotter MAGWheel and later Gosmillo X3 and X5 moved to the VESC platform, and Gosmillo is promising a more powerful model, confusingly called the X7.

ESC and VESC

The Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) controls the movement of the motor, determining the speed and direction in which the motor rotates. All electric motors use an ESC for their control, often with proprietary hardware and software. Future Motion uses a proprietary ESC in their Onewheel models, but most other onewheel manufacturers, including both Floatwheel (with the adv2 motor controller) and Fungineers (with either the Thor301 or Thor400 controller) use VESC-based controllers.

The Vedder Electronic Speed Controller (VESC) is an open-source ESC designed by Benjamin Vedder for controlling motors used in many different devices including robots, drones, planes, camera gimbals, e-bikes, electric skateboards, and RC equipment. With the additional open-source Refloat package for self-balancing skateboards VESC can also be used to control onewheels, allowing extensive customisable configurations to be saved as tunes.

VESC controls all aspects of the motor so offers a myriad of configuration options, which can be somewhat overwhelming for the casual rider, especially when setting up a new VESC-based onewheel. Nico Aleman from The Float Life onewheel accessory shop created the Float Hub (paid) mobile app for Android and iOS which greatly simplifies the selection of VESC settings for riders that want to setup a unconfigured VESC-based onewheel.

With the proprietary nature of the Future Motion ESC there are various third-party conversion kits which replace the ESC in a Future Motion Onewheel with a VESC, opening up the board to greater options, including other third-party components such as a more powerful motor or larger battery. Some of the most popular conversion kits are:

• The Floatwheel XRV kit for XR boards, PintV kit for Pint and Pint X, GTV kit for GT and XR Classic boards.
• The Fungineers GTFO kit for the GT (either with the original GT motor or instead with the Superflux) and GT-SFO kit for the GT-S.
• Little FOCer for DIY VESC conversion of a Onewheel.
• Ubox 85V and 100V controllers for DIY VESC conversion of a Onewheel.

Battery Management System

The Battery Management System (BMS) is responsible for safely monitoring the charging of the battery pack (when connected to a charger or when using regenerative braking), avoiding overcharging, deep discharge and overheating, and communicating with the ESC the battery state of charge. A smart BMS also has a mechanism for balancing the individual cells so they maintain similar voltages.

Most onewheel BMS are proprietary, including Future Motion’s and Floatwheel’s BMS. Fungineers instead collaborated with Benjamin Vedder to develop the open-source VESCxFUN BMS (VFBMS) – even when the board is turned off the VBMS wakes up periodically to check on the battery. Unlike the Future Motion BMS and Floatwheel adv1, both the Floatwheel BMS for adv2 and the VBMS allow the user to see the individual cell voltages in the battery pack – important for understanding battery health.

Ride Apps

All the major onewheel platforms offer optional mobile apps to manage ride settings and record ride details, communicating with the board via Bluetooth. Future Motion provide the popular Onewheel app on Android and iOS. The VESC Tool with Refloat can be used as a ride app on VESC boards, but typically VESC riders instead use either the free Floaty on Android, Floaty on iOS (both written by Simon Wilson aka siwoz in New Zealand who also created Pubmote remote control for onewheels), or for a small fee Float Control (written by Dado Mista aka surfdado in the US who has been instrumental in the VESC community).

Onewheel Accessories

One of the most useful accessories for riders that go over wet or dirt surfaces is a fender. A fender is attached to both footpads and passes over the top of the tyre, avoiding debris and water being flicked up onto the rider’s legs. Fenders can also occasionally get sticks and leaves caught between the tyre and fender so some people choose mini fenders, which don’t entirely cover the top of the wheel. The Float Life developed drop top fender kits, which combine mini fenders with an easily removable fender top used on wet days.

Foot hooks are popular amongst riders that do jumps, challenging trails or tricks that require the feet to stay in contact with the board. There are several popular manufacturer of foot hooks and 3D print files available. Generally the hooks are either mounted onto the bumpers at the outside edge of the footpads, or are fins mounted to a fender on the inside edge of the footpads.

All manufacturers ship onewheels with a default (tubeless) stock tyre, such as the Future Motion Vega or Performance tyre (neither of which are very liked by many riders), the Floatwheel Forza, and the Fungineers Thunder (possibly the best amongst stock tyres). Riders often prefer to swap to one of the onewheel tyres offered by third-party tyre manufacturers, including as The Float Life Enduro, Street Pro 2, Trail Pro II, ThunderCat, the FlightFins GOAT, or some of the kart range from Hoosier Racing Tire or Burris Racing. The best choice of tyre becomes very subjective and depends on the rider and environment.

Tyres are specified with three measurements: outside diameter x width – hub size. The hub size must match the onewheel hub size (either 6 inch, 5 inch, or 6.5 inch) and the outside diameter needs to fit between the two footpads. The tyre tread and shape is generally either designed for street (slick or shallow tread, flat across crown, best range, less grip), off-road (deeper tread, increased grip, more aggressive, not as smooth), or hybrid (mid-depth tread and designed for a mix of street and off-road). A medium or soft durometer refers to the tyre compound hardness: harder compound gives longer life whereas softer compound feels comfortable especially on trails or tricks. Check the Onewheel Tire Buying Guide by The Float Life for a great description of different tyres.

Gripples are a creation by The Float Life designed to give feet extra traction on the footpads. They have also been found to help reduce footpad sensor engagement issues, provide some rail protection and add more colour to boards.

A handle is another important accessory, especially for the heavier onewheel models. Some models come with a handle by default, such as the popular Future Motion side Maghandle attached at the middle of a rail or nose handle grooves inset into a bumper, but there are some third-party options and 3D models available.

There are numerous accessories to provide better water and dust ingress protection, including charger plugs, bearing protection, and badger waterproofing kits.

Fangs are small wheels that are on the underside of the front bumper. Their intention is that if the board nose dives the wheels should stop the board catching on the ground so help prevent the rider being ejected. They are somewhat controversial, with some riders adamant they have prevented falls, and other riders claiming they can catch during turns making the board veer off so causing crashes.

Protective Gear

At a minimum a helmet and wrist protection is essential at all times. Knee and elbow pads are also recommended, along with leading-shoulder protection if pushing higher speeds. There is always a potential risk of nose diving on many models. At higher speeds a full-face helmet and abrasion resistant armoured clothing is also recommended.

More Information

Some of the most popular Youtube channels for onewheels and accessories:

• The Float Life who provide many onewheel accessories.
• Onewheel the official channel of Future Motion.
• Fungineers the official channel of Fungineers.
• The Board Garage who make custom onewheel builds and have an informative Onewheel VS VESC video.
• JayIsDoingStuff who provides in-depth information about VESC onewheels and their setup, particularly for Fungineers products.
• SurfDado who is a VESC pioneer and evaluates Future Motion and VESC features.
• Atomic EV our own channel for all PEV products, including our Onewheels playlist.