We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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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 H1 Electric Self-Balancing Hoverboard to be the best, and it’s reasonably priced to boot. Solidly built and reliable, it has a top speed of 9 miles per hour and can travel around 9 miles in total.
Editors’ Favorite
Max Speed: 9 mph | Max Range: 9 miles | Weight: 22 lb | Special Features: Bluetooth speaker, LED lights
The Hover-1 H1 Electric Self-Balancing Hoverboard is packed with neat features and offers excellent speed and range. It tops out at 9 miles per hour, and you can travel as far as 9 miles on a full charge. It also delivers alerts when it detects that you’re riding too fast or on uneven surfaces, making it one of the safest models.
It has dual 200-watt motors and can climb inclined hills of up to 15 degrees with relative ease. The 6.5-inch wheels provide a smooth ride, and the color-changing headlights illuminate your path so you can ride in low-light situations with safety and style.
A big plus is the self-balancing system, which automatically readjusts to keep you upright if you tilt too far. The battery only takes 3.5 hours to charge, and the Bluetooth speaker lets you listen to your favorite tunes from your phone.
Great Value
Max Speed: 7.5 mph | Max Range: 7.5 miles | Weight: 13 lb | Special Features: Bluetooth speaker, LED lights
The SIMATE Bluetooth & LED Scooter offers the most value and is suitable for riders of all ages. It maxes out at 7.5 miles per hour and is one of the more lightweight models, weighing just 13 pounds. It has 6.5-inch rubber wheels, three adjustable speed modes and a 7.5 maximum range.
Capable of climbing 15-degree slopes with relative ease, it boasts a handful of neat features, such as LED lights for riding around with style and a built-in Bluetooth speaker to blast your favorite music as you ride.
The smartphone app provides users with customization options and allows them to map riding routes, monitor speed and battery status, adjust speed modes, and change light colors.
Durable & Rugged
Max Speed: 9 mph | Max Range: 9 miles | Weight: 22.5 lb | Special Features: LED lights
The Hover-1 Ultra is a fantastic hoverboard for experienced riders who want something durable and rugged for everyday riding. Its frame is constructed from aluminum and plastic for superior durability, and the dual 250-watt motors provide enough power to allow this board to climb over 15-degree slopes.
It can go as fast as 9 miles per hour, which is more than most beginner hoverboards, which can only go as fast as 6 or 7 miles per hour. The IPX4 water-resistance rating makes it suitable for riding in light rain, and the integrated stabilization system helps keep riders balanced, ensuring a safe experience.
You’ll get alerts if the board detects that you’re speeding or riding on unsafe surfaces, and the LED lights on both sides provide improved visibility when riding in low-light environments.
Best for Kids
Max Speed: 5 mph | Max Range: 3 miles | Weight: 12 lb | Special Features: LED lights
If you have a little one who wants to learn how to ride a hoverboard, the Hover-1 My First Hoverboard is a terrific kid-friendly option. It has a smaller frame than most other hoverboards, but the 6.3-inch wheels provide a smooth ride over flat surfaces and can comfortably climb 5-degree slopes.
This hoverboard is pretty speedy as it can travel as fast as 5 miles per hour, and the battery fully charges in just five hours. The maximum riding distance is 3 miles and the LED front sensor headlights help kids navigate better in low-light situations.
The most lightweight option on our list, it weighs just 12 pounds, making it easier for most kids to carry around, and you can choose from four stylish colors: blue, black, pink and pink spots.
Most Stylish
Max Speed: 6 mph | Max Range: 6 miles | Weight: 15.8 lb | Special Features: LED lights, Bluetooth speaker
The Hover-1 Chrome 2.0 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, this board can be used for almost an hour 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.
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.
The average top speed of a hoverboard is around 6.5 to 8 miles per hour, but the most powerful models can reach up to 12 miles per hour. Most hoverboards designed for younger riders have a lower maximum speed for safety, usually no more than 5 miles per hour. Bear in mind that the maximum speed listed is the absolute fastest that the hoverboard can go under optimum conditions.
Most hoverboards, such as the Hover-1 H1 Electric Self Balancing Hoverboard and SIMATE Bluetooth & LED Scooter, have a battery life of about an hour. This means you can't ride your hoverboard for extended periods 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.
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. However, lightweight models can be flimsy or forgo some handy features 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.
App connectivity: Many hoverboards, such as the SIMATE Bluetooth & LED Scooter, have Bluetooth that can connect to your smartphone so you can use the boards with a compatible app. The app controls and monitors several factors, including power level, speed, steering sensitivity, battery life and GPS, adding an extra dimension to your riding experience.
Built-in speakers: It's also 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. Some hoverboards with built-in Bluetooth speakers include the Hover-1 H1 Electric Self Balancing Hoverboard, SIMATE Bluetooth & LED Scooter and Hover-1 Chrome 2.0 Hoverboard.
LED lights: Many hoverboards, such as the Hover-1 H1 Electric Self Balancing Hoverboard and SIMATE Bluetooth & LED Scooter, 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.
A. Basic hoverboards cost around $80 to $150. These are fun for kids 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. High-end models can cost anywhere from $400 to $600.
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.
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.
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.
