JGH X5 Ultra Electric Scooter Review: Is This the Ultimate Speed Demon on a Budget?
Let’s cut right to the chase: this scooter is a beast. The JGH X5 Ultra electric scooter is not for the faint of heart. When I first took it out for a spin, I was instantly blown away. This isn’t just another commuter scooter—it’s one of the fastest-accelerating, highest-top-speed electric scooters I’ve ever tested. The OEM says it can hit 45 mph, but you’ll have to stick around to find out if it actually lives up to that claim.
In this deep-dive review, I’m going to share everything I learned from putting this scooter through its paces. We’ll go over the good, the bad, and the slightly quirky. So, grab your helmet (you’ll need it), and let’s find out if this under-$1000 speed demon is the right ride for you.
Unboxing, Assembly, and a Battered Box
When the JGH X5 Ultra arrived, the first thing I noticed was the box—it looked like it had been in a wrestling match with a grizzly bear. It was all torn up and the Styrofoam inside was broken into a million pieces. My heart sank, but luckily, after a thorough inspection, the scooter was completely unscathed. I reached out to the OEM, and they’ve assured me they’re switching to stronger boxes, but it’s still a good reminder to always check for damage as soon as your scooter arrives.
The assembly process, thankfully, was a breeze. Unlike some scooters that require a full toolbox and a degree in engineering, this one was practically ready to go. All I had to do was install the handlebars and the LED screen onto the stem—one screw, and you’re in business. I took a few extra minutes to adjust the position of the brake handles, headlight controls, and horn to get them just right for my hands. Once that was done, I pumped up the 10-inch pneumatic tires to 50 PSI and gave the battery a full charge. Just like that, I was ready to ride!
Diving into the Features and Specs
The JGH X5 Ultra packs a serious punch with its features, and this is where the expertise comes in. While the website claims a massive 3200 watts of power from a dual-motor setup, I found something a little different when I took a closer look. The writing on the motor itself says 52V and 1600 watts, but that’s what makes up the 3200 watts of total power. Either way, that’s a ton of power, and I couldn’t wait to feel the acceleration for myself.
The battery is a robust 52V 20.8Ah lithium-ion powerhouse. The manufacturer claims a range of up to 40 miles, but as any seasoned reviewer knows, those numbers are almost always based on ideal, low-speed conditions. I’m a little over 200 lbs, and I knew I’d be pushing this scooter to its limits. So I came into this review expecting a much different result, which we’ll get to shortly.
The ride is smoothed out by front and rear 4-arm spring suspension, which feels nice and sturdy. The brakes are front and rear mechanical disc brakes with an EABS electronic regen braking system. I have to be honest here—while hydraulic brakes would have been a dream, you simply can’t expect them for a scooter priced under $1,000. For what they are, these mechanical brakes do a pretty good job, and that’s what matters most.
Now, let’s talk about the cockpit. It’s simple but effective. The LED screen is the heart of the operation, displaying your speed, battery level, and ride mode. One of the features I was intrigued by was the NFC security. The scooter comes with three NFC cards, and in theory, you just tap a card to unlock it. In my experience, it was a little… finicky. I’d try one card, it would beep and display a “1,” then I’d try another and it would display a “2,” and sometimes it would just error out. Other times, it would open right up. It would probably help if I read the instructions, but I just ended up turning the feature off. I like to keep things simple, but it’s a cool option to have if you’re more patient than I am!
A couple of other controls are worth mentioning. On the right, you have the mechanical disc brake and a half-twist throttle. On the left, you’ll find controls for the headlight, taillights, blinkers, and a horn. The scooter has a bright front headlight, a rear taillight with turn signals, and what I believe are the absolute best feature of this scooter: the blindingly bright orange deck lights. These things are awesome! When I ride at dusk or at night and turn those babies on, they create this vibrant orange aura around the scooter that just looks phenomenal.
As for the body of the scooter, the frame is made from lightweight and strong forged aluminum. It weighs around 70 lbs and is foldable, but there’s a big caveat here—there’s no latch to secure the stem to the body once it’s folded. This means you can’t just pick it up by the stem. You have to be careful when carrying it, and when you put it in a vehicle, the stem can flop around and cause a twisting motion on the hinge. It’s a noticeable design flaw, but is it a dealbreaker? We’ll get to that. Finally, the kickstand is a bit wobbly and too short for my liking. It definitely feels like it could be a lot sturdier.
Performance on the Pavement: My Real-World Test Ride
Okay, enough of the technical jargon. Let’s get to the fun part. The moment we’ve all been waiting for: the ride. My mission was to find out how this scooter performs in the real world when you’re riding it “balls to the wall.” I was in dual-motor mode, speed mode 3, and ready to go.
Top Speed Test
First up was the top speed test. The OEM claims 45 mph. I was in full motorcycle gear, and with the front wheel peeling out on takeoff, I pushed the throttle all the way. The speedometer climbed: 27, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42… and that was it. I was able to hit 42 mph on my initial run. I turned around and headed in the opposite direction, and this time, with no wind and a full battery, I was able to tick it up to 44 mph. For a scooter that costs under a grand, that’s absolutely insane. The fact that it gets so close to the claimed 45 mph is a huge win, especially for a rider over 200 lbs like me.
Braking Test
Next, a high-speed brake test. I got up to around 30 mph and slammed on the brakes. The scooter stopped in about 60 feet. It did feel a bit like the front brake was doing more of the work, which made the scooter lean forward slightly. A word of honest advice: if you’re riding this fast and have to slam on the brakes, remember to lean back a bit to avoid going over the handlebars!
The Half-Twist Throttle Dilemma
Earlier, I mentioned that I’m not a huge fan of the half-twist throttle, and here’s why. To twist the throttle, you have to use the fingers on your right hand while holding on with the others. After a little while, your hand starts to cramp up from the constant holding and twisting. You might think, “Well, just twist your whole hand,” but at 45 mph, I don’t want to release my full grip to do that. A thumb throttle would have been a much more comfortable and safer option, allowing you to maintain a firm grip with all four fingers.
Single vs. Dual Motor Riding
One of the best features of this scooter is the ability to easily switch between single and dual motor modes right from the screen. When you first power it on, it’s in single-motor mode with the rear motor engaged. If you want to ride fast and have tons of acceleration, you switch to dual-motor. But if you’re riding on sidewalks or in a crowded area, you’ll be “hating life” in dual-motor mode, as it’s just too jerky and wants to go every two seconds. For slow, smooth, and maneuverable rides, single-motor mode is the way to go. The throttle is also incredibly responsive, with no dead spots, allowing you to slowly ramp up the speed as you twist.
Suspension and Off-Road Capability
I took the X5 Ultra over some big rocks and bumps to test the suspension. It did a great job of smoothing out the ride, though I discovered another danger of the half-twist throttle: as you’re bouncing around trying to hold on, your hand can inadvertently twist the throttle and give you more power than you want. But the suspension held up, and it handled the challenge beautifully. I even took it into some thick Florida St. Augustine grass, and it had no problems at all, proving it’s just as capable off-road as it is on the street.
Range Results
This is the moment of truth. We rode in dual-motor mode, speed mode 3, and rode the scooter like we stole it. According to my GPS, I covered 19.72 miles and still had two battery bars left. Based on this, I’m confident you could get about 25 miles out of this scooter when riding it to the max. This is right around half of the manufacturer’s claim, but for the way I was riding it, that’s a fantastic real-world result. What’s even better is that even with two battery bars left, the top speed barely dropped, showing it maintains power throughout the battery life.
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Final Pros and Cons
Pros
Unmatched Price-to-Performance Ratio: You will be hard-pressed to find a dual-motor scooter this fast, for under $1000. It’s a serious bargain.
Blazing Speed & Acceleration: The dual 1600-watt motors are a thrill. If you’re not leaning forward on takeoff, you will peel the front wheel out every time. Wear your safety gear, hold on tight, and have fun!
The Deck Lights: I know it sounds silly, but these bright orange deck lights are absolutely amazing and make nighttime riding a blast.
Braking Power: While they’re not hydraulic, the mechanical disc brakes do a solid job and provide ample stopping power for a scooter this fast.
Good Suspension: The suspension handles bumps, cracks, and even some off-road action with confidence, making for a much smoother ride than many other scooters.
Cons
The Kickstand: It’s too short and flimsy. It doesn’t hold the scooter securely, and a beefier, longer kickstand would be a huge improvement.
No Latching Mechanism: The lack of a latch to hold the folded stem makes this scooter awkward to carry and transport.
The Half-Twist Throttle: While responsive, it can cause hand cramping and can be a bit of a safety hazard on bumpy terrain.
Final Verdict: The Need for Speed on a Budget
So, what’s the final word on the JGH X5 Ultra electric scooter? For anyone with a need for speed who doesn’t want to spend thousands of dollars, this is an incredible option. It’s not perfect—the kickstand and folding issues are minor annoyances, and the half-twist throttle isn’t ideal—but these are small prices to pay for the sheer performance you get. This scooter is a true speed demon that’s built to last and provides an exhilarating ride. If you’re on a budget and looking for high top speed, extreme acceleration, and a nice-looking scooter, this might be the one you want to take a look at for sure.
I hope this review gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you’re ready to pick one up for yourself, check out the link in the description.
Stay safe out there, and we’ll see you on the next ride.
Purchase The JGH X5 Ultra
If you're ready to experience the kind of exhilarating speed and performance that makes every ride feel like a thrill, this scooter is waiting for you. The JGH X5 Ultra delivers incredible power and a top-tier ride, all without the top-tier price tag. Don't just read about it—take the next step and feel the rush for yourself.
JGH X5 Ultra Electric Scooter FAQ
Q: What is the top speed of the JGH X5 Ultra electric scooter? A: The manufacturer claims a top speed of 45 mph. In a real-world test ride, we were able to reach speeds of up to 44 mph, proving it’s one of the fastest scooters in its class, especially for its price point.
Q: What is the real-world range of the JGH X5 Ultra? A: While the manufacturer lists a maximum range of up to 40 miles under ideal conditions, our “balls to the wall” test ride on dual-motor mode at full speed yielded an impressive 25 miles of range. For a more conservative riding style, you could likely get closer to the advertised range.
Q: How much power does the JGH X5 Ultra have? A: The JGH X5 Ultra is powered by two 1600-watt motors for a total of 3200 watts of power. This dual-motor setup is the reason for its incredibly fast acceleration and high top speed.
Q: Does the scooter have suspension and brakes? A: Yes, it features both front and rear 4-arm spring suspension for a smooth ride. It is also equipped with front and rear mechanical disc brakes and an EABS electronic braking system, which provided excellent stopping power in our tests.
Q: Is the JGH X5 Ultra easy to assemble? A: Yes, assembly is very simple. The scooter comes nearly fully assembled in the box. All you need to do is install the handlebars and the screen onto the stem, pump up the tires, charge the battery, and you’re ready to ride.
Q: What is the warranty and return policy? A: JGH offers a one-year warranty on most scooter parts. They also have a 14-day return policy, but the scooter must be unused unless it arrived with shipping damage or a defect.
Q: Can a heavier rider use the JGH X5 Ultra? A: Yes. In our review, the rider was over 200 lbs and the scooter had no issues hitting top speeds or maintaining power. Its robust motors and frame are designed to handle a significant amount of weight without a drop in performance.
About The Author
Eric “Hobart” is the founder of Hobart’s Reviews, specializing in electric scooters, e-bikes, and accessories. With over 10,000 miles ridden and more than 40 models reviewed, Hobart brings firsthand experience and expert insights to his audience. Follow his comprehensive reviews on his YouTube channel and website for trusted advice and detailed evaluations.