Turbo Shopify Theme Review: Is This Theme Good For Your Store?

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Tony Pham Aug 09 2024

Turbo was once considered the king of speed on Shopify but has now disappeared from the theme store although it is still sold and updated on the Out of the Sandbox website. This ambiguity leads many sellers to believe that the theme is discontinued, causing them to continue searching daily. Therefore, Nextsky wrote this article to clarify the status of the Turbo Shopify Theme and suggest worthy alternatives, ensuring three factors: fast, powerful, and conversion optimized.

What is the Turbo Shopify Theme?

Turbo is a premium theme developed by Out of the Sandbox, once considered the “speed standard” on Shopify. This theme stands out thanks to its optimal performance, flexible customization capabilities and modern interface that makes your store look outstanding and professional at first sight.

Turbo’s strengths lie in its outstanding loading speed and smooth operation on all devices, especially mobile devices, one of the key factors that determine the current shopping experience. Turbo Shopify version 2.0 also adds many utilities to enhance the user experience such as quick link in the footer, allowing customers to contact immediately without scrolling back to the top of the page.

Key features Turbo Shopify theme

The Turbo Portland Shopify theme is designed to boost performance and enhance every touchpoint of the shopping journey. Key features include:

Mega menu: A dynamic, visually rich navigation hub that showcases categories, products, and promotions in one seamless layout, guiding customers to what they want in seconds while naturally boosting product discovery.
Product filtering & sorting: Precision filters for color, size, brand, type, and price help shoppers laser-focus their options, speeding up decisions and creating an intuitive, friction-free browsing flow.
Color swatches: Vibrant, clickable swatches bring product variations to life, letting customers preview colors instantly and choose confidently without ever leaving the page.
Recently viewed: A smart convenience feature that surfaces previously browsed items, saving customers time and subtly nudging them back toward products they’re likely to buy.
Cross-selling: Strategic recommendations placed on product pages and during checkout spotlight complementary items, sparking impulse purchases and expanding average order value.
Upgraded product layouts: Video-ready product pages paired with flexible description placement allow brands to build richer storytelling and cleaner, more modern layouts that convert.
Built-in newsletter popup: A polished, on-brand popup that captures emails effortlessly, delivers exclusive offers, and keeps customers in the loop on new drops and major campaigns.
Add to cart: A smooth, instant add-to-cart experience that keeps customers exploring your store without breaking their shopping rhythm.

Shopify Turbo Theme 6 Styles Overview

Portland

The Portland style was built to support health and fitness businesses. The style uses light colors to enhance the comfort and relaxed feeling. The homepage features a high-quality hero banner to engage customers while featuring highlighted products.

Dubai

The Dubai style features a more stylish, luxurious look using san-serif fonts along with golden, black, and white colors. This theme was built for women's accessory stores that sell high-end products such as handbags, rings, bracelets.

Florence

The Florence style is another style that focuses on high-end accessory stores such as necklaces, earrings, rings, but it goes for a more subtle, classy look by using a lot of neutral colors.

Chicago Day

Unlike other Shopify Turbo styles, the Chicago Day style isn't afraid to use more colors, which makes this style look more lively. This style is meant to be for stores that sell substances, drugs, and chemical products, so it has an additional age verification feature to save you from legal troubles.

Seoul

The Seoul theme is designed for electronic stores that sell audio equipment, including headphones, earphones, speakers, and more. The theme features a hero video, allowing customers to access all the necessary specs and details immediately. The style gives a lot of space for text so you can add detailed product information, which is a big plus in the eyes of tech-savvy customers.

Tennessee

Last but not least, we have the Tennessee style, which has a bolder design than other styles. This theme leans on the simplicity side so the products will stand out, creating a strong impression on customers. This style is mainly aimed at alcohol stores or barware stores due to the boldness and luxury it provides.

This style is primarily designed for alcohol stores or specialty barware retailers, as it offers boldness and luxury.

Shopify Turbo theme pros and cons

Pros

High-speed performance: Optimized for fast load times, reducing bounce rates and delivering a smooth user experience.
Advanced customization: Easily adjust layouts, colors, and fonts without touching code, making it simple to match your brand.
Built-in features: Includes predictive search, quick shop, and infinite scroll right out of the box.
Mobile optimized: Fully responsive and designed to look great on any screen size.
Versatile design styles: Offers multiple presets and templates to fit a wide range of brand aesthetics.
Strong support: Comes with frequent updates and reliable customer support.

Cons

No free trial: Not available on the Shopify Theme Store, so you can’t test it before purchasing (only a 14-day refund policy).
High price: One of the most expensive themes at a one-time payment of $425.
Possible app compatibility issues: Some Shopify apps may not work perfectly and could affect performance.
Learning curve: The advanced features can feel overwhelming for beginners.

TOP 4 best Turbo theme alternatives for merchants

Agile

For fashion-forward streetwear brands craving runway elegance fused with e-commerce velocity, Agile by Nextsky redefines Shopify sophistication, blending high-volume robustness with blistering speed to catapult your drops from concept to cart in a heartbeat.

Features

Runway-ready lookbooks: Curate editorial full-width galleries with shoppable hotspots and video embeds, transforming collections into immersive catwalk narratives that drive direct conversions.
Blazing-fast infinite scroll: Power through expansive catalogues with lazy-loaded grids and enhanced search, ensuring seamless discovery of collabs and archives without a single stutter.
Mobile-first merchandising magic: Deploy thumb-optimized quick views, colour swatches, and sticky carts that adapt flawlessly, capturing impulse buys from street-scrolling shoppers on the fly.
Urgency-packed promo arsenal: Arm your storefront with native countdown timers, stock counters, and in-menu banners, igniting FOMO for limited drops while maintaining premium polish.
Cross-sell symphony: Orchestrate intelligent recommendations and trust badges on product pages, harmonizing upsells with high-res zooms and size charts for trust-building, higher AOV journeys.

Advantages

Perfect 5.0/5 rating from 23 glowing reviews, praised for speed and outstanding support.
Four versatile presets (Agile, Glina, Serums, Brana) tailored for fashion’s dynamic demands.
Lifetime license at $320, with regular updates (latest v3.6.0) ensuring future-proof performance.
High-volume hero with EU translations and mega menus for global streetwear expansion.
Zero-app reliance for core tools like pre-orders and FAQs, slashing costs and complexity.

Disadvantages

Premium features shine brightest with some initial setup finesse required for non-designers.
Preset variety, while strong, may inspire deeper customization for ultra-edgy aesthetics.

Impulse

Impulse by Archetype brings a fresh surge of energy to dynamic fashion brands, blending bold streetwear vibes with high-end sophistication. This theme optimizes conversions on Shopify through minimalist, flexible design, turning every view into an order and helping you dominate dramatic flash-sale moments.

Features

Visual storytelling: Parallax, video, and galleries that tell an emotionally charged brand story, kicking off an irresistible shopping journey.
Mobile checkout: Seamless one-tap flows and smart checkout processes that dramatically reduce cart abandonment.
Promo tools: Subtle urgency via banners, countdown timers, and trust badges to boost AOV without breaking the minimalist aesthetic.
Smart filtering: Lets customers quickly narrow choices by size, color, and price while keeping the experience smooth.
Quick-view: Lightning-fast product previews and instant add-to-cart, maximizing conversions in seconds.

Advantages

4.8/5 rating from 1,241 reviews, celebrated for lifetime updates and superior mobile-first experience.
Three presets optimized for fashion, beauty, and sportswear (Dune, Terrain, Impulse).
One-time fee of $380 unlocks unlimited testing, strong support, and 2025 variant improvements.
Conversion-optimized with upsells, motion effects, and over $200/year saved on apps.
Mobile speed scores of 86–89/100, with proven significant engagement improvements.

Disadvantages

Steeper learning curve for mega-menu customization; works best with some design knowledge.
Documentation sometimes lags on niche integrations, occasionally requiring community forums.

Warehouse

For industrial giants with tech-stacked warehouses or furniture empires, Warehouse by Maestrooo turns Shopify into an unstoppable catalog powerhouse, where endless product grids and refined filters transform massive inventories into treasure troves of victory at lightning speed.

Features

Catalog conquest: Supports infinite scroll and “load more” for 1,000+ SKU stores, optimized with lazy loading to stay buttery smooth even during peak traffic.
Filter forge: Multi-attribute filters (size, material, specs) that help customers find items fast without breaking layout.
Promo battalion: In-menu banners and stock alerts create urgency — perfect for B2B and dropshipping.
Quick-shop: Popups for variant viewing and instant add-to-cart, shortening the purchase journey.
Storytelling steelworks: Custom sections for metafields and video to tell brand stories even in huge catalogues.

Advantages

4.6/5 from 317 reviews, renowned for durability with dropshipping and large inventories.
3 presets (Metal, Wood, Fabric) for tech, home, and fashion industries.
$320 one-time fee with free trial, lifetime email support, and powerful filtering.
Optimized for 10,000+ concurrent visitors, includes EU translations for international operations.
Lean, low-app architecture — mobile speeds 87–90/100.

Disadvantages

An industrial aesthetic may not suit brands aiming for a soft/minimalist vibe.
Advanced documentation is lacking; complex metafields sometimes require a developer.

Prestige

For opulent tastemakers curating heirloom elegance in jewelry vaults or couture ateliers, Prestige by Maestrooo elevates Shopify to gallery-grade grandeur, where every scroll whispers luxury and seals destinies with subtle, sumptuous persuasion.

Features

Editorial elegance engine: Craft hero sliders, lookbooks, and press clips with parallax poise, turning product pages into bespoke narratives that mesmerize elite eyes.
Mega-menu majesty: Layer five-column wonders with image-text symphonies, guiding connoisseurs through collections like a velvet-rope VIP tour.
Sticky cart sorcery: Persistent icons with one-click upsells and notes, ensuring high-AOV journeys flow seamlessly from admiration to acquisition.
Swatch and zoom splendor: High-res hotspots, color variants, and tabs for specs/reviews, spotlighting details that demand devotion in premium realms.
Newsletter nobility: Subtle popups with segmented lures, harvesting leads amid the glow of exclusivity without a hint of intrusion.

Advantages

Impressive 4.6/5 from 808 reviews, celebrated for luxury polish and 30+ configurable sections.
Three presets (Couture, Vogue, Allure) for high-end beauty, fashion, and accessories.
$400 one-time with unlimited trials, lifetime updates, and Maestrooo's white-glove aid.
SEO-savvy with EU translations and schema, fueling global reach for upscale expansions.
85-88/100 speeds, with built-in accessibility for discerning, device-agnostic audiences.

Disadvantages

Pricey entry for fledgling luxury plays, demanding top-tier imagery to truly dazzle.
Granular code dives needed for hyper-specific layouts beyond presets.

Turbo theme Shopify store examples with great success

In this showcase, we highlight successful Shopify businesses that have leveraged the Turbo theme to enhance their brand and boost sales.

Modcat

Modkat is a company specializing in innovative, stylish, and functional litter solutions for cat owners. The company designs products that blend seamlessly into modern homes while addressing common issues faced by cat owners.

Modcat website makes good use of Turbo’s Mega menu, giving customers a good impression of what they are selling right off the gate.

Peak + Valley

Peak and Valley is a wellness brand focused on providing adaptogen-based products designed to support mental and physical health. The company creates products that blend traditional wisdom with scientific research.

The website uses a soft color scheme that evokes a calm and peaceful feeling. The predict search feature as well as the product recommendation feature are super helpful for finding the right product.

Tiem

TIEM Athletic is a footwear brand focused on creating innovative, stylish, and functional athletic shoes, particularly designed for indoor cycling and other fitness activities. The second you visit TIEM website, you will be impressed by its bold color design, which is fitting for creating an active vibe.

The website features a lot of products on its homepage and it makes use of the Quick View features so visitors can check out each product without interrupting anything.

Phil & Sebastian

Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee company committed to sourcing, roasting, and serving the highest quality coffee. They use the customizability of Turbo to make a strong impression on customers right on the homepage with big, high-quality images.

The Turbo Shopify theme stands out for its speed, flexibility, and refined shopping experience. Though it comes with a premium price and a bit of a learning curve, its performance edge, rich customization options, and long-term scalability make it a compelling choice for brands seeking a polished, professional theme built to grow with them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I buy Turbo in the Shopify Theme Store?

No, you cannot buy Turbo from the Shopify Theme Store. Turbo is only available at outofthesandbox.com.

Are all theme styles/presets included in my Turbo purchase?

Turbo has a total of 6 different styles and you will get all six when you purchase the theme.

How do I update my Turbo theme?

You need to install the Theme Updater & Backup app from Out of The Sandbox to update the Turbo theme. The free plan will update your Turbe theme to the latest version. The pro plan can help you migrate content, custom code, and more.

What if the Turbo theme isn't right for my store?

The developer offers a 14-day refund policy. Within 14 days after you purchase Turbo, you can get your money back if you don’t like it.

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Tony Pham

Hello! I'm Tony Pham, a full-stack Shopify, Magento, and WordPress developer with over 12 years of experience in both front-end and back-end development.

Since 2016, I have been proudly working at Nextsky as the Tech Lead, where I continue to enhance my skills and contribute to exciting projects. One of my proudest works is the Agile theme, which passed Shopify's high standard and is currently available on Shopify Theme Store.

I am passionate about researching new technologies and staying updated with the latest trends in the industry. It not only makes my life more fulfilling and exciting but also allows me to bring better service to clients.