Buying guide for best hoverboards
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Whether you want to get around more quickly or you're just looking to have some fun, a hoverboard lets you zoom at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. While you aren’t actually hovering off the ground, the self-balancing mechanism makes hoverboards tons of fun to ride.
When shopping for a hoverboard, you'll want to consider factors like the maximum speed and how many miles it can travel on a single charge. Wheel diameter is also important because larger wheels (especially inflatable ones) give you a smoother ride over rough terrain. And just like riding a skateboard, it’s imperative to wear a helmet for safety.
We’ve researched hoverboards and found the Hover-1 Helix to be the best, and it’s reasonably priced to boot. Solidly built and reliable, it has a top speed of 7 miles per hour and can travel around 3 miles in total. The Jetson Spin All-Terrain Hoverboard is another favorite, offering all-terrain tires and great value.
Our list: The best hoverboards
The 6.5-inch wheels on the Jetson Spin have plenty of traction, making them suitable for a range of terrain types. It has both headlights and LED wheel lights to make you more visible to traffic and pedestrians. The hoverboard connects to an app that lets you control certain features, such as lights and speed. This model can reach speeds of 7 mph and has a 7-mile range, meaning the battery lasts for around an hour. This durable board weighs 15 pounds, so it isn't too heavy to carry home if it runs out of battery.
This board’s 10-inch pneumatic wheels make it great for rougher terrain and an extremely smooth ride on sidewalks and tarmac. The bright LED headlights make it easier to spot by others, which is great for nighttime use. The app lets you choose between beginner, intermediate and experienced rider modes. You can go up to 8 mph, and the battery lasts around an hour, with a maximum range of 8 miles. Weighing in at around 30 pounds, you wouldn't want to have to carry this hoverboard long distances, but it is rugged and well-made.
This hoverboard is designed for kids ages 8 and up, with a modest 6 mph top speed that’s perfect for younger riders. The 6.5-inch solid wheels are great for smooth surfaces and don't require any maintenance. Plus the multicolored LED lights on the wheels look cool and increase visibility. The front headlights also help the rider be seen and stay safe in low-light conditions. This hoverboard has a range per change of around 3 to 5 miles, and at 14 pounds, it isn’t too heavy to carry if the battery goes flat.
The maximum speed of 10 mph makes this model great for anyone hoping to get around using their hoverboard. It’s solid and well constructed, and the air-filled 10.5-inch tires make light work of uneven surfaces. The bright LED headlights increase your visibility when you're out and about. And this model links to an app for real-time monitoring and firmware updates. This hoverboard has a maximum range of 13.7 miles, so you can get a fair distance before you need to recharge, but it weighs a hefty 28 pounds, so you wouldn't want to run out of juice too far from home.
The 6.5-inch wheels on this hoverboard are great for everyday riding on smooth surfaces. And this board is relatively zippy, with a maximum speed of 9 mph. It has colorful lights on the wheels and the front of the deck, which not only look good but also improve your visibility. The app lets you switch between normal mode and training mode, so it's easy for beginners to learn the ropes. The battery lasts for 40 minutes, giving it a range of up to 6 miles. At 13 pounds, it's a lightweight choice that isn't too tough to carry when needed.
If you're searching for a hoverboard to ride off-road, consider the Swagtron Outlaw. This solidly built model has big 10-inch wheels that roll smoothly over all kinds of surfaces and provide plenty of traction. It can reach an impressive 12 mph, which is perfect for riders with a need for speed. The LED headlights increase your visibility, while the app lets you control a range of modes and features. Thanks to the built-in Bluetooth speakers, you can listen to music while you ride too. The battery lasts around an hour, giving it a 12-mile range. This hoverboard weighs 32 pounds, so it wouldn’t be too fun to lug home if it runs out of juice.
This hoverboard’s 6.5-inch solid wheels are perfect for riding on roads and sidewalks and don't need pumping or other maintenance. The LED lights on the wheels and built into the deck make it easy to see in low light. The Bluetooth speakers link to your phone so you can blast music while you roll around town. With a top speed of 7 mph and a 6-mile range, you can ride for almost an hour on this board before you need to stop and recharge the battery. At 14 pounds, this model is fairly light, so carrying it home won't be much of an issue if you misjudge the range.
This hoverboard's 6.5-inch wheels are perfect for everyday riding, and they light up with six-color LEDs. There are also lights built into the deck, making the rider more visible to traffic and pedestrians to help avoid accidents. The app enables you to change settings, and the Bluetooth speakers let you play music wherever you go. This hoverboard has a maximum speed of around 8 mph and goes up to 7.75 miles on a full charge. At 18 pounds, this solidly built board isn’t exceptionally heavy, which is good news if you run out of battery before you get home.
What to know before you buy a hoverboard
Wheel size
The size of hoverboard wheels is generally given as a measurement of the diameter, the distance from one edge of the wheel to the other through the center. The standard diameter is 6.5 inches. Wheels of this size give you excellent control on smooth surfaces. However, if you want to ride your hoverboard off-road on uneven terrain, larger wheels are better. Look for boards with wheels between 8 and 10 inches in diameter.
Speed
The average top speed of a hoverboard is around 10 miles per hour, but the most powerful models can reach up to 15 miles per hour. Most hoverboards designed for younger riders have a lower maximum speed for safety, usually no more than 6 miles per hour. Bear in mind that the maximum speed listed is the absolute fastest that the hoverboard can go under optimum conditions. Your board will probably be slower.
Battery and range
Most hoverboards have a battery life of about an hour. This means you can't ride your hoverboard for extended periods of time unless you carry a spare battery or two.
The range is related to battery life since it's essentially the distance your hoverboard can travel before it runs out of juice. If the range isn't listed in the specifications, you can estimate it by comparing the maximum speed and the battery life. For example, a hoverboard with 60-minute battery life and a top speed of 12 mph will have a range of around 12 miles, but only under ideal conditions. Likewise, you can work out the rough battery life from the range. If a board's top speed is 6 mph and it has a 3-mile range, its battery will last 30 minutes.
Weight
Hoverboards weigh anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds. You might be drawn to a lighter hoverboard, thinking it will be easier to carry home when the battery runs out. But lightweight models can be flimsy or forgo some handy features in order to lower the total weight. With that in mind, you need to find the right balance for you. Choose a model that is light enough for you to carry comfortably but not so light that it lacks durability.
Additional features
App connectivity: Many hoverboards have Bluetooth that can connect to your smartphone so you can use the boards with a compatible app. The app controls and monitors a number of factors, including power level, speed, steering sensitivity, battery life and GPS, adding a whole extra dimension to your riding experience.
Built-in speakers: It's also fairly common for hoverboards to have built-in speakers. These connect to your phone via Bluetooth, so you can cast music to them using your favorite streaming service or play music stored on your phone.
LED lights: Many hoverboards have LED lights built either into the body of the board (usually called headlights) or the wheels. LED lights aren't just for fun — though they do look cool — they also improve your visibility in low light, so drivers can see you crossing roads and pedestrians can spot you on the sidewalk. This can help prevent accidents, but you should still pay close attention to your surroundings. Some boards have colored lights that you can program to pulse or change color as you ride.
Tips
- Wear safety gear when riding your hoverboard. It's easy to fall off a hoverboard, especially when you're learning, so it's important to wear proper safety gear. You should at least wear a helmet, but you may also want to use elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards.
- Know how long your hoverboard runs on a charge. You don’t want to get stuck miles from home without a spare battery. Also know how long it takes to charge the battery. Some models can be fully charged within an hour, but others take far longer.
- Be careful using a hoverboard on hills. Hoverboards have some issues with hills and slopes. Check the product information for the maximum degree of incline that your hoverboard can handle.
- Watch out for inclement weather. Although many hoverboards are waterproof and safe to ride in the rain, they can lose traction when the ground is wet, making it more likely that you'll fall off.
FAQ
Q. How much do hoverboards cost?
A. Basic hoverboards cost around $80 to $150. These are fun for young people or for playing around on occasion, but if you're serious about hoverboarding, you’ll want to pay $200 to $300 for a mid-range board or $400 to $600 for a high-end one.
Q. Are hoverboards safe?
A. You may have heard reports of hoverboards catching on fire. This is true, but new safety regulations mean that the vast majority of hoverboards on the market today are free of this issue. We recommend only buying a hoverboard with the UL 2272 safety certification. In order to gain this certification, a hoverboard must pass over 150 safety tests, so any dangerous malfunctions are highly unlikely.
Q. Is it hard to ride a hoverboard?
A. It isn't exactly hard to ride a hoverboard, but it can feel that way at first. Don't expect to hop on one the first time and zip around like a pro. While it's fairly intuitive once you get the hang of it, there's a learning curve involved.
Q. Are hoverboards suitable for kids?
A. We can understand why kids want to ride hoverboards — they're great fun! However, the high maximum speed and the potential for falling mean we wouldn't recommend them for young children. In fact, the fastest hoverboards are best for adult use only. Check the minimum rider age on whichever hoverboard you're considering.
