Which electric skateboards are best?
There are many modes of transportation that don’t have any emissions. Bikes are the best known, but scooters and other electric vehicles continue to gain in popularity. One electric vehicle you may not know about is the electric skateboard. These can reach staggering speeds, especially when you consider that it’s just you standing on a piece of wood, and can take you many miles before needing a recharge. Other than that they’re still skateboards at heart, and can be used in most of the same ways.
What to know before you buy an electric skateboard
Electric skateboards have some aspects and limitations you should understand before hopping on one.
Remote: Electric skateboards are controlled by a remote you hold in one hand. Examine the pictures and user reviews to see how responsive and easy to use the remote is, and avoid anything that’s reviewed to have jerky controls; that can easily send you flying off the board.
Weight capacity: It’s crucial to buy an electric skateboard with a high enough weight capacity not just for you, but for all your safety gear you’ll be wearing and anything you might be hauling around in a backpack or other bag. Some boards for kids can have weight limits as low as 100 pounds, but most boards for adults have limits of 220 to 330 pounds.
Speed settings: Most electric skateboards have up to three speed settings rather than a fully adjustable speed. Speeds can be as low as 5 or 6 miles per hour and as high as nearly 30 mph, or more. Stick to low speeds for your first board, then upgrade as you get better and more confident.
Range: Every electric skateboard you can find lists a maximum range, which is usually in the 5- to 10-mile, well, range. Keep in mind that these are best-case scenarios only, and the many variables you can face when actually using it can drop that number down by a mile or three.
Water resistance: If you plan on using your electric skateboard as your regular means of transportation, it’s integral to buy one with moderate-to-high water resistance. Otherwise, you could find yourself dead in the water. Literally. The most reliable means for interpreting water (and dust) resistance is to look for an ingress protection rating. The first number covers dust and the second covers water, with higher numbers meaning its more resistant.
Incline traversal: Electric skateboards only have so much power in their motors. Most can’t handle going up angles of more than 5 degrees, and the weakest ones can’t handle much incline at all. If your regular route is hilly and you don’t like walking up, you should consider an alternate mode of transportation
Safety
Always prioritize your safety when riding an electric skateboard. This means never skating without at least a helmet, and preferably with knee and elbow pads. Wrist guards don’t hurt either. Additionally, you should always wear closed-toed shoes with good grip to help you stay steady.
Price
Electric skateboards can start as low as $150, but these are mostly toys for kids. A semi-reliable to high-quality board typically costs $300 to $1,000. Ultra-high-end boards that can conquer off-road terrain can cost $2,500-plus.
Best electric skateboards
This has a 350-watt motor with three speeds: 6.2, 9.3 and 12.4 mph. It takes two hours to fully charge from dead and can last for up to 5.2 miles.
Available at Amazon
This board can climb slopes of up to 5 degrees and has a weight limit of 160 pounds. It has a max speed of 12.4 mph and a max distance of 5.2 miles.
Available at Amazon
There’s a smart LED lamp in the center of this board for style and safety. It has a max speed of 18.6 mph and a max range of 6.8 to 7.6 miles.
Available at Amazon
There are handles built into the sides of the board for easy transport when it dies or over ground it can’t cover. It has a max speed of 16.7 mph and a max distance of 8.2 miles.
Available at Amazon
The weight limit of this board is 330 pounds, but it also has a higher-than-usual charge time of four hours. In return, you get a 26 mph max speed and a 19.5- to 21.8-mile max range.
Available at Amazon
The “Mini” part of the name refers to its 33-inch deck, but that’s the only small side as it has a weight limit of 330 pounds, a 28 mph top speed and a max range of 11 miles.
Available at Amazon
This powerhouse uses two 500-watt motors, one for each set of wheels, that can push you to up to 29 mph for a maximum range of 11 miles. Despite this, it only takes 2.8 hours to fully charge.
Available at Amazon
This board is better used by kids than adults or teens for several reasons, including its limited speed of 10 mph, use time of 40 minutes and 220-pound weight limit.
Available at Amazon
The center of the board has a seven-color LED gradient light. It has three speed modes with a top speed of 18.6 mph and a max range of 6.2 miles.
Available at Amazon
This has a helpful handle on the side, a top speed of 12.4 mph and a max range of 9.3 miles. The deck’s width is 9 inches and has a length of 35.4 inches.
Available at Amazon
Other top products
The JKing Wireless Remote Controller is a good replacement if you lose or damage yours.
The Giro Cycling Helmethas universal fit sizing for adults.
The Shinmax Bike Helmetcomes with magnetic goggles.
The Razor V-17 Child Helmethas easily adjustable, side-release buckles.
The Bell Child Helmethas a helpful pinch guard.
Jordan C. Woika is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money. BestReviews never accepts free products from manufacturers and purchases every product it reviews with its own funds.
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