The 6 Best Hoverboards for Kids and Adults
Whether you’re looking for a way to get from point A to point B or just want to have some fun, hoverboards have become a popular type of ride for children and adults alike. Manufacturers are producing quality hoverboards at a much lower price than the more expensive first-generation models, and they’re becoming safer through self-balancing features. It’s all good stuff, but with the surge of choices on the market, it’s more challenging than ever to find the right product for your needs.
Luckily, that also means there’s a hoverboard for everyone. Read on for the best hoverboards on the market today, and the key points to consider before shopping.
Gyroor Hoverboard G11 Newest Flash Light
Swagtron Swagboard T882 Lithium-Free Hoverboard
TOMOLOO Hoverboard with Bluetooth Speaker
XPRIT 6.5” Self Balancing Hoverboard Chrome Series
Hover-1 Titan Electric Hoverboard
Razor Hovertrax Prizma Hoverboard
The Ultimate Hoverboard Buying Guide
Now that you have found some of the top hoverboards on the market, you may be wondering which hoverboard is best for you or the person you are looking to buy for.
While hoverboard reviews can help you narrow down your search, knowing what to look for will help you choose the right hoverboard for your needs. So, to help you make your choice, we have compiled a buying guide that highlights the main factors you need to consider.
These factors will serve as criteria for you to judge and determine the perfect self-balancing scooter for your requirements. Here are the factors to consider when looking for a hoverboard
Speed
Speed is a very important factor and one of the most sought after criteria. Well, speed is what you want when it comes to buying these exciting gadgets.
While riding at high speeds is fun and exciting, not everyone can handle high speeds, especially if you are a beginner. Top speeds are ideal for adventurous riders and professionals.
Fortunately, product speeds vary by make, model and wheel type – some are slow and some are fast.
While the average speed ranges from 3 mph to 10 mph, some of these self-balancing scooters can reach speeds of 10 mph or more. That doesn’t sound fast, but considering that the average person walks at about 2 to 3 mph and jogs at about 5 to 6 mph, the average running speed is about 7 to 8 mph.
A hoverboard above 10 mph is considered to be in the high speed zone. In fact, riding at 6 mph feels like racing in the wind. Make sure you’re safe out there.
High speeds on rough surfaces are not good, and can even be dangerous. So consider your strength and the terrain you intend to use your balance bike on when evaluating the top speeds of various products.
Before purchasing a hoverboard, you must consider battery life and range. How long can I use it on a full charge? How much range can a single charge provide?
You also need to know how long it takes to recharge the battery. If the hoverboard is going to sit in the charger for a few hours but then cut out after 30 minutes, it’s not going to be much use.
On average, a quality battery takes 1-3 hours to fully charge, and that should last about 1 to 3 hours. In addition, a good hoverboard should be able to give you a range of 7 to 12 miles on a single charge.
While 12 miles may seem like a small distance, these devices are not suitable for long trips. They’re great for wandering around the neighborhood for fun, browsing local stores or just hanging out in the neighborhood. Look for hoverboards that have long battery life and can go a long way.
However, the duration of the battery and the total distance the board can travel on a single charge also depends on
Travel speed and number of stops
Weather – in hot weather, the battery drains more quickly
The rider’s weight
Terrain
Slope
So check the battery life, charge time and range. If you don’t check it, you may find yourself having to carry a hoverboard after a few miles of riding. If your hoverboard is heavy, it will only add to your misery.
Fortunately, most good models have a battery indicator that shows remaining battery life and alerts you when the battery is low. So, to be on the safe side, make sure the hoverboard you buy also has a battery indicator.
Motor Power
The motor power of the hoverboard is another important aspect to keep in mind. This is what makes hoverboards hover. Different hoverboard brands and models offer different motor power.
Obviously, a more powerful motor is better because it means that your balance bike can deliver more power.
While a 250 watt motor is fine, a dual 250 watt motor can propel a self-balancing hoverboard better. This means faster speeds, more features and better overall performance. It also means the board can climb steeper slopes and carry more weight.
In fact, motors under 300 watts are not recommended for heavier people.
You should also make sure that the motor does not vibrate, as this can affect the stability of the board. Choose a motor that runs smoothly.
Safety
Safety is a key factor when it comes to hoverboards. Whether you are a child or an adult, you should consider the safety of the board before you buy it. No matter how fancy it looks or how advanced the model is, you can’t take any chances on safety.
Prior to 2015, there were many reports of hoverboards overheating, exploding, catching fire, etc. This led to numerous recalls of hoverboards in 2016 and 2017. This prompted Congress to enact safety regulations that manufacturers needed to meet before distributing hoverboards to the U.S. Market.
Since then, regulations have eliminated most unsafe hoverboard brands. Now you can ride a hoverboard without worrying about overheating and combustion when you buy a UL-listed hoverboard.
Wheel Sizes and Types
Hoverboards are designed with different wheel sizes ranging from 6.5″ to 10.5″ in diameter. These different sizes are suitable for different terrains. For example, smaller wheels are suitable for flat roads, while larger tires are suitable for rough terrain.
Therefore, choose a wheel size based on where you want to ride the hoverboard. If you just want to surf the nearby sidewalk, choose smaller wheels.
If you’re more adventurous and want to go “off-road,” you’ll need larger tires to better handle different terrain.
Wheel size will also affect ease of use, weight capacity and board stability. If you’re a beginner, a standard 6.5-inch hoverboard will be your best choice, but if you’re a pro, explore larger options.
If you want to do cool hoverboard moves, choose a smaller wheel size. Smaller, slicker tires are light and won’t scratch tile or wood floors, making them suitable for indoor use. They offer greater stability and are designed to handle weights of 30 kg to 100 kg.
On the other hand, large, sturdy wheels are not suitable for indoor use, but are quite good for outdoor use. They offer a smoother ride on rough surfaces and can handle greater weights.
Weight Limits
Hoverboards are designed for different weight limits. Some are designed for lighter riders, while others are designed for heavier people. The weight capacity is usually indicated on each hoverboard.
Therefore, you should buy a hoverboard that can support your weight. The average weight capacity of most hoverboards is 220 pounds.
So, if you weigh 150 pounds, then a board like this would be ideal for you. However, if you weigh more than 220 pounds, you will have to find a balance bike that can carry more than 220 pounds.
Fortunately, heavier hoverboards are available on the market. Lower weight hoverboards are usually designed for children and young adults.
Therefore, depending on the rider, be sure to check the weight-bearing capacity appropriate for him or her before buying a scooter.
However, if you are buying a hoverboard for a child, you may want to purchase a scooter with a larger weight capacity considering that the child’s weight will change as they grow. This will allow the child to ride the hoverboard for many years.
Slope
Unlike traditional skateboards, which usually work best on downhill slopes, self-balancing hoverboards can easily climb slopes.
However, the grade they can climb depends on motor power, terrain, and rider weight.
The stronger the hoverboard is, the greater the slope it can handle. Therefore, when purchasing an electric hoverboard, consider the slope it can climb.
Most manufacturers will indicate the grade on the product specifications, but if it is not given, check the motor power to see if the board has enough power to climb the grade.
The weight of the rider will also affect the success of the board on hills. The more weight, the more work the engine has to do.
The strongest hoverboards can easily climb slopes of 15-30 degrees, while less powerful boards cannot climb angles greater than 18 degrees. Therefore, choose a hoverboard with a slope of at least 15 degrees.
However, going up and down slopes is not for amateurs. You need the knowledge of how to shift your weight accordingly to avoid falls in traction. So, to conquer steep hills and get a more powerful ride, choose a hoverboard with a higher gradient, a powerful motor and high threaded tires. Also, make sure the hoverboard has non-slip footbeds.
Build Quality
One thing you should never compromise on when buying a self-balancing scooter is build quality. Whether you are buying it for commuting or recreational purposes, you should never overlook the quality of the hoverboard.
From the frame and shell material to the wheels and different internal parts, each hoverboard is made of different quality materials. Some brands use quality materials, while others use inferior materials to save money.
You may get a great looking hoverboard for a low budget, but the quality may not be up to par. This won’t last long and can cause problems within a few days of riding.
In fact, there have been many things that have happened in the past due to quality issues and you don’t want that to happen to you. Therefore, make sure that the board you purchase is made of quality materials.
If you order online, you may not have the opportunity to test the build quality. In that case, read hoverboard reviews online and check out customer feedback to get an honest opinion about the device. Avoid models that complain endlessly about batteries, easily scratched cases, etc.
Therefore, take the time to check the specifications of the hoverboard model you want to buy. Certifications such as UL 2272 certification can also help you determine which electric scooters are made with quality materials, especially the internal components.
Therefore, for safety reasons, we recommend that you buy from a well-known brand.
Selection
In addition to the obvious features of a balance scooter, some models have special features that are worth exploring. Some notable features include built-in Bluetooth speakers that allow them to play music, LED lights, and mobile apps.
These exciting extra features may come in handy if you purchase the scooter for entertainment purposes, and your children will find it very appealing if you give it as a gift. Imagine riding around the park on a beautiful Sunday evening while listening to your favorite music!
Wouldn’t that be a great experience? Well, you can get that experience with a Bluetooth-enabled hoverboard. Gone are the days when Bluetooth was only integrated in luxury models; today, most hoverboard brands have this feature.
LED headlights have also become a trend, with most brands featuring different colors of front and rear LED lights. Colors are very exciting, especially for kids. However, they can also light up your path at night so that other road users can see you in the dark.
Smart apps are the most useful add-on. In most models with integrated smart Bluetooth apps, these apps allow you to use your phone to view and control speed, change modes, check battery life, and change the color of LED lights.
Another feature is the different riding modes. Some hoverboards offer different riding modes to cater to different riders. For example, they may have a child and adult mode or a learning and expert mode.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest lasting hoverboard?
After our testing and research, we have concluded that the Halo Rover X is the best hoverboard out there, and if you treat it right, it is actually the most durable hoverboard on the market.
Is the hoverboard worth every penny?
Whether a hoverboard is worth the money depends on who will use it, what they will do with it, and how much they will use it. But, in general: yes, hoverboards are good value because they are fun for kids, great for short commutes, and can motivate your kids to spend more time outside, get some fresh air and play some sports.
Can hoverboards still catch on fire?
You may have heard of terrible tragedies where hoverboards have caught fire and burned down entire houses. However, most of these incidents originated when hoverboards first entered the market in 2013. The trend was growing fast, so Chinese factories jumped at the chance to make some money. They cut expenses as much as possible, which led to poor quality batteries and chargers with no safety measures. Batteries are the cause of fires.
As the issue became public knowledge, the U.S. began to regulate the market by introducing the extensive UL2272 certificate that consumers can follow to ensure that their products are safe and secure.
So to answer the question, no, if you purchase a UL2272 certified hoverboard, it will not catch fire. However, once the battery is fully charged, you should always remove the charger and never charge it while you are out and about.
Can hoverboards be placed on carpet?
Yes, most hoverboards handle carpets very well. If your hoverboard won’t ride on carpet, it probably wasn’t very good to begin with and you should contact the seller for a replacement.
Does the hoverboard have brakes?
It may not feel the way you want it to. To brake on a hoverboard, you need to move your weight in the opposite direction of your forward motion until you come to a complete stop. There are no visible brakes, but you simply use your weight to determine which way you want to go. This is all thanks to the gyroscope technology logic within the hoverboard.
