Onewheel vs Segway (Differences and What It Means for Ownership)

Onewheel and Segway are two kinds of skateboards that are the most prominent ones among all the skateboards. 

So if I compare onewheel and segway, onewheel is the clear winner since people have stopped using segway as they find the former one to be more attractive.

Onewheel is a single-wheeled- skateboard launched by CES that runs on a 500 Watt direct driving brushless motor, in the hub of the wheel and even tries to balance itself. It uses gyro meters, accelerometers, and algorithms that sense motion. One can control Onewheel by leaning backward and forwards. 

Whereas the Segway is a two-wheeled personal transporter that is self-balancing. The use of segway is coming down and people are adapting to onewheel skateboards. 

So, to understand more about the features of onewheel and segway, and about their differences and similarities, I have collated all the information herein, so stay hooked to the article till the very end! 

What is Onewheel? 

Onewheel is a single-wheeled self-balancing electric skateboard that is used in a sport. 

Therefore, as opposed to the electric unicycle, the rider’s body and feet are angled perpendicularly to the wheel and to the direction in which the skateboard is moving. 

The onewheel skateboard, which was invented by the founder and CEO of Future Motion Inc, Kyle Doerksen has attained two engineering degrees. 

He completed both of his degrees from the highly reputed Stanford University, situated in Stanford, California, which includes a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Then, he launched Onewheel on Kickstarter in 2014 only and it has been a huge success since then. 

As of 2021, many new models of Onewheel have been coming up in the limelight. Models like the Onewheel Pint which has a top speed of 25 km/h. 

In late October 2021, Onewheel announced a couple of new models. First, the Onewheel GT and the Onewheel Pint X. 

Both these models consist of high technology and impeccable quality. 

How Do Onewheels Work? 

It is a fact that the single wheel of a Onewheel skateboard comprises a brushless electric motor that spins vigorously. 

Due to this vigorous spinning of the motor, the riders are pushed forward and backward, as this is the only way to keep a balance. 

The riders place their feet on either side of the board and move forwards and backward as and when required. 

What Is a Segway? 

Segway, a two-wheeled personal transporter that is self-balancing, was brought into the market in 2001. It was invented by Dean Kamen and introduced in the markets in the early 2000s. 

It was introduced by the name Segway HT and then gradually renamed as the Segway PT. Manufactured by Segway Inc, HT is an initial for human transporter and by PT it infers personal transporter. 

In 2015, Ninebot, which is a transportation robotics rival, acquired Segway Inc. It broadened the company so that it could include other devices related to transportation. But, this meant the depletion of the Segway skateboards. 

It announced in 2020 that it will no longer manufacture a two-wheeled skateboard that is self-balancing. 

How Do Segways Work? 

Segway has a set of two wheels, which consists of an awesome balance-control system. 

The key to riding the Segway board is simple: the rider can shift from one side to another which changes the balance of the board. 

This helps the Segway board to avoid tripping. With a presence of mind, one can ride it very easily. 

Why Should You Buy Onewheel or Segway? 

If you wish to buy a good quality skateboard you should try either of the two skateboards as they are acclaimed to be the best. 

It depends on your needs and requirements. According to your wish and requirement, you should make the correct choice. 

If you wish to have a skateboard that has a single wheel, consider trying the Onewheel, but if not, then you can as well try the Segway. 

Both of them have their respective pros and cons. Onewheel keeps launching new products till this date but as far as Segway is concerned it doesn’t produce skateboards anymore. 

Segway Inc. which was taken by Ninebot in 2015 focuses on the production of scooters rather than skateboards. 

If you wish to adapt to the original and the authentic skateboard, you might as well go for the Segway as it was launched in the early 2000s whereas Onewheel was launched in 2014 only. 

Although the reviews of Onewheel are slightly better than that of Segway. People find it to be more versatile and speedy. 

But, because it was launched in 2014 it has more advanced aspects than that of Segway and is far more advanced in technological and material aspects. 

These are the features that make Onewheel more desirable among the masses for daily use. Onewheel boards are expensive but they have the best quality skateboards. 

Segway is a hands-free, self-balancing transport that does not fulfill the purpose of a hoverboard. 

But, as far as a Onewheel board is concerned, it is a self-balancing skateboard and also fulfills the requirements of a hoverboard. 

When both Onewheel and Segway were put to an objective round-up, they earned the “Best For Avoiding Obstacles” and the “Great Off-Road” performing awards. 

These awards were bestowed upon them from CNET and TechGearLab respectively. They are considered to be very reputed in the case of skateboards. 

Both of these boards, the Onewheel board, and the Segway board performed well at the competition. They proved that they are a tough competitor to beat and can perform better than every other skateboard. 

If we compare Onewheel and Segway to the rest of the boards, they prove to be the best ones out of all the boards put to test.

Onewheel or Segway Differences

Onewheel and Segway have a lot of similarities between them but they also differ on some points. Points on which they differ are listed below in the table:

CategoriesOnewheelSegway
WheelsOnly one wheelHas two wheels
SpeedIs faster than SegwayIs slower than Onewheel
CostCostlier than SegwayCheaper than Onewheel
ForteKnown for blocking obstaclesPerforms great at the road