Asiwo MAKO Review 2026: The Entry-Level Underwater Scooter, Compared

The Asiwo MAKO is Asiwo's entry-level electric kickboard, built for beginners, kids, and families who want an easy way to glide across a pool, lake, or calm bay without diving gear or a steep learning curve.

Asiwo Sports has built underwater propulsion equipment since 2008, and its flagship Manta thruster line has reportedly sold to over twenty countries across Europe and North America. The MAKO sits at the bottom of that lineup — the lightest, simplest, and most affordable way into the brand's water-propulsion category — and this review looks specifically at whether that simplicity makes it the right first scooter, or whether a first-time buyer should look at the Asiwo MANTA or U1 instead.

What Is the Asiwo MAKO?

The Asiwo MAKO is an electric kickboard-style underwater scooter: a small, self-floating handheld unit with an enclosed propeller that tows a swimmer through the water. Asiwo built it as the accessible end of its underwater-propulsion catalog, distinct from the deeper-rated MANTA and the modular, SUP-mountable U1.

Asiwo's own positioning is direct: the MAKO is built for family-friendly fun and versatility rather than depth or speed. A third-party reviewer at Outdoor Project described the feel as

"less like a high-thrust dive scooter and more like a smart hybrid between a kickboard and a compact water propulsion device"

, which matches how Asiwo markets it — as an easy grab-and-go toy rather than dive gear.

Asiwo MAKO Full Specifications

Every figure below comes directly from Asiwo's published product specifications, not an estimate.

Who the Asiwo MAKO Is For

The MAKO is built for exactly one job well: getting a beginner or a family moving in the water without complexity. If your use case matches the profile below, the MAKO is a sensible starting point.

• Families with kids: the child-speed mode, light weight, and enclosed propeller make it approachable for younger swimmers under supervision.
• First-time buyers: anyone who has never used a powered water scooter and wants a low-stakes, low-cost way to try the category.
• Pool and shallow-lake use: the 2-meter depth rating is appropriate for surface swimming, not snorkeling reefs.
• Casual recreation: obstacle-course play, swim practice assistance, and gliding around a calm bay or lake.

Who should skip it: snorkelers who want to explore reefs, divers, and paddleboarders or kayakers who want a motor that mounts to their board — all three should look at the Asiwo MANTA or U1 instead, covered below.

How to Use the Asiwo MAKO Safely

Getting the most out of the MAKO — and staying safe with it — comes down to a short setup routine every time.

1. Charge fully before first use. A full charge takes 3-4 hours and delivers up to 60 minutes of runtime at the slowest speed setting.
2. Attach the included protection leash to your wrist before entering the water, so the scooter cannot drift away if released.
3. Start on the slowest speed mode, especially for first-time or younger riders, and confirm the automatic shut-off engages when you let go.
4. Stay at or near the surface. The 2-meter depth rating means it is designed for surface and shallow-water gliding, not submerged use.
5. Rinse and dry after saltwater use to protect the enclosed propeller housing and seals over time.

Common Buying Mistakes

Most disappointment with entry-level underwater scooters traces back to a mismatch between what the buyer expected and what the spec sheet actually promises.

Expecting dive-scooter depth from an entry-level model

The MAKO's 2-meter (6.5 feet) depth rating is a hard limit, not a conservative estimate. Buyers who want to snorkel deeper water or dive should compare against the Asiwo MANTA 2, which is built for that use case.

Buying on thrust alone

The independent EAGLEROAM beginner's guide recommends 8-15 lbf of thrust for beginners — enough to move comfortably without being hard to control. The MAKO's 8 kg thrust sits inside that recommended range rather than at the high end, which is a feature for new users, not a shortfall.

Ignoring runtime versus speed trade-offs

Like most electric scooters, the MAKO's runtime drops as speed increases. Budget for the 60-minute figure only at the slowest setting; faster modes will drain the battery sooner.

Asiwo MAKO vs MANTA vs U1

Asiwo's own purchase guide frames each model around a different rider profile rather than declaring one universally best.

Independent testing from BoatSailMag lists the U1's maximum top speed at 7.5 mph (12 km/h), with a separate real-world weighted test recording 3.8 knots using a 190-pound rider on a 12-foot board, and reported 99% paddle board compatibility for its modular mount — figures that only matter if you plan to use the scooter on a SUP or kayak rather than as a handheld pool toy. For a first purchase focused on family pool time, none of that changes the MAKO's fit.

For a full side-by-side across all four current models, see our Asiwo sea scooter comparison.

What to Look For in a Beginner Underwater Scooter

Independent buying guides converge on similar criteria for a first underwater scooter, and it is worth checking any model — not just the MAKO — against them.

Thrust in the beginner range

The EAGLEROAM guide recommends 8-15 lbf of thrust for beginners: enough to move without being difficult to control. Too much thrust on a first scooter is a common reason new users find them intimidating.

Runtime that matches your session length

The same guide suggests 30-60 minutes of continuous runtime as adequate for recreational use — a range the MAKO's 60-minute figure sits at the top of.

Depth rating matched to your actual plans

EAGLEROAM considers 15-30 meters adequate for recreational snorkeling — a bar the MAKO's shallow 2-meter rating does not clear, and is not meant to. Match the model to the depth you will actually use, not the deepest number on the spec sheet.

Weight and portability

EAGLEROAM's ideal beginner weight range is 3-6 kg for travel and ease of handling. At 2.6 kg, the MAKO sits comfortably inside that range and is the lightest option in Asiwo's own lineup.

Sources

References

1. Asiwo Sports — Official Company Page
2. Asiwo Sports — MAKO Product Specifications
3. Asiwo Sports — MANTA Product Page
4. Outdoor Project — Asiwo MAKO Electric Kickboard Review
5. EAGLEROAM — Best Underwater Scooter for Beginners: 2026 Buying Guide
6. BoatSailMag — Asiwo U1 Electric Stand-UP Paddle Board Motor Review