Now it may seem pretty foolish even to have a guide on buying a skateboard, but you might end up buying the wrong product or even spend ridiculously more when you could get a better product at a much affordable price.
For that reason and a few others, and whether or not it is your first skateboard, here everything you need to know about buying a motorized skateboard.
When I say electric, most of the people would probably think of the speed and mileage, but it is more than that.
After spending hours, here are 11 checks you must go through before you tap on the “Order Button”.
Quality of Wheels
Wheels are what will define the overall quality of your board, and it is probably the most important feature to think about.
There are two types of wheels:
- Generic
- Clone wheels
The Generic ones are the branded wheels, while the clone wheels are unbranded.
Of course, the clone wheels won’t give you the quality as they are cheaply made, also known as urethane wheels, which haven’t been cured properly.
This will also reduce the mileage, they will chip, flake and even disintegrate, which can be dangerous in the long run.
On the other hand, electric skateboards with generic wheels will give you a better speed, mileage and have a longer lifespan.
You shouldn’t save money to buy a skateboard with category three wheels. That’s a big NOPE!
Battery Cell Quality
The speed and mileage of your skateboard depend on battery cell quality and what’s important is that the skateboard manufacturer must disclose the brand and type of battery cells they use in their electric skateboard.
Don’t be confused!
It is as simple as understanding the difference between a Duracell compared to a generic brand.
Which will last longer…?
Electric Skateboard manufacturers who use top quality battery cells will tell clearly about its brand, other information and specifications.
You can have a clear idea of the quality of battery cells simply from its specs and brand.
The reasons poor grade cells must be avoided is that they’ll also affect the motor and its smooth operation. Just to save a couple of extra bucks, you shouldn’t fool yourself.
Connectivity
Though you don’t have to be an expert here and it would be unrealistic to say that a particular electric skateboard is 100% immune from any connectivity issues, whether minor or occasional.
However, you should still focus a lot on the connectivity issues and check out customer reviews who have to use the skateboard.
What else you can do is join forums and relevant communities where you’ll find real users of the product and post a question about the connectivity of the skateboard you are about to buy.
This will help you assess better as to which skateboard offers the best connectivity or which one has the worst.
Once again, statements can vary from person to person, and you should make a judgment based on what you think is best for you.
Weight & Portability
Figure out your commute routine. Are you the individual who travels from one place to another without taking any break or do you always step off, carry, set down and have to pick a public transport?
In simple, you might have a work routine where you have to carry your skateboard a lot.
Perhaps, your electric skateboard is the only transport to get you to the city and catch the train or bus.
This is where the weight and portability step in and requires a deep thinking. It must fit with your lifestyle; else you’ll have a tough time.
It isn’t a must that a big skateboard would weigh more. You’ll find some great recommendation below in which the skateboard is pretty big and extremely light.
Also, have a close look at the design and figure out how easy or hard has the manufacturer made storage and portability for its users.
A friendly-advice here is not to drop below a 27-inch deck length; else you’ll have a hard time enjoying the stability of the board.
Similarly, don’t make a mistake of buying an extremely heavy, 11kg and 41-inch longboard that would be hard to carry around all day long.
An ideal board weight and deck length, perfect for commuting and portability are 7kg and 27-inch.
However, you should decide why you need the board and how you’ll be using it throughout the day.
Air Travel-Friendly
Asking yourself “is my board air travel-friendly” after you purchased it would be a big mistake.
Ask this question before your purchase.
There are a lot of electric skateboards built with air travel in mind, and quite often we notice that people do travel with their skateboards.
If you think there is the slightest possibility of you taking your new electric skateboard on a commercial air travel, you better think twice before buying.
So what makes a board air travel-friendly?
It is pretty simple to understand. Any board battery pack being 99Wh or under is 100% able to get board on a plane.
But there is an exception to this rule.
If the battery pack is not able to be separated from the skateboard without the use of tools, there can be an objection raised.
Laws, rules and regulations are different on whether a lithium powered electric board is cargo or carry-on.
It is also better that you check in with the rules before passing through the security terminal, else you could lose your board in no time.
Water Resistant
Since it is electrical, water resistance is something a must consider factor.
It is quite a surprise that a number of these boards being sold don’t have anything to offer regarding environmental sealing.
Though you may not ride a board during rain or just intentionally go through puddles still you can find yourself in situations where there is water around you. Think of sprinklers!
Obviously this won’t kill your new board but it will encounter problems like connectivity or speed issues, and this is why water resistance is a must have featured on your electric skateboard.
Still, you aren’t strictly bound to buy one. It all depends on your personal decision and risk assessment, which obviously varies from person to person.
Brand Reputation
Technology is something you can always find better but not ‘perfect’. Right?
Same goes for electric boards – You cannot find the perfect one. Still, there are some ways you can make sure that you got a great board.
A lot of time it happens that we purchase something without even researching what other people have to say about it or even bothering reading reviews of it online.
Even though opinions are influenced by personal feelings, it is never a bad idea to join relevant forums on Reddit, Facebook and other places for the sake of research.
This would give you a more realistic picture of what you’ll get, tell you about the brand’s reputation and what feature it is capable of offering you on board.
You should hear both the good and bad and then compare with the actual product.
And as I’ve mentioned above, no skateboard is perfect, so it all depends on your risk assessment and list of needs and wants at the time.
The actual take here is to always opt for a well-reputed brand and not the one which pops out of nowhere, or you have never heard of them before. These companies usually have a very shady development history, and they aren’t transparent in explaining to their consumers about the production process.
In fact, such brands are scamming and looting your money simply by purchasing cheap and low-quality electric skateboards from China, paste their cheap logo on it and then charge innocent peoples up to 10 times of the original cost.
It is far better to invest more in a reputable brand than to save a couple of extra bucks on a poor or a scam brand.
Component Quality
Steel is steel but not every steel is of the same quality. Similarly, not all the decks, wheels and motors fixed inside an electric skateboard are of the same quality.
This is what makes on board stand out from the other.
When you buy a cheap board, the obvious perspective I draw is a cheap construction, cheap motors and a cheap electric company…Overall a cheap useless product.
You should be buying something that fits your purpose and not a scrappy bottom shelf product.
Remember the Boosted Board V1? It struck the market in spite the deplorable mileage it had, it still was a massive hit, and the reason was the Loaded deck, Orangatang wheels, Caliber trucks and much more.
The same applies to your electric skateboard. Its component quality is based on how seriously the manufacturer or brand you are buying from takes care of its customer.
A few manufacturers would simply do the cloning and sell at high-profit margins, which in some cases can turn out to be a good product, but what’s generic is always generic.
Control & Stability
Wouldn’t it be great to buy an electric skateboard which is integrated with quality products and control?
Having full and efficient control of your skateboard would give you the best experience of your investment.
It comes down to the individual way of quality assessment. Once again I would mention doing the forum research. Ask people who have used that product and read reviews about it online.
Warranty & Customer Service
You aren’t buying any Easter eggs here. It is an ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD, and something big comes to mind.
You are buying a commodity that will be used for your day to day commute. It is as purchase a car, and a company that values its customers will always have a warranty policy along with customer service.
I believe when you purchase a board, you are developing a long-term bond with it and it should be worth it.
When you buy a skateboard, make sure it has a warranty label on it, and the company provides top-notch customer service.
Why would you buy a board with no warranty or customer support?
Brakes & Bidirectional Drive
The final know-how before you buy an electric skateboard is the brakes and bidirectional drive. All the boards have a braking system that converts motion into electricity, also known as regenerative braking. What it does it recover some energy instead of wasting it as heat.
Your new skateboard must have an efficient braking system along with full reverse drive which is useful. Think of you missed a coffee shop while texting. Instead of flipping the board, simply use its reverse mode.
Top 5 Electric Skateboards
#1 Evolve – Bamboo GTX
One of the hottest electric boards on the market. Evolve delivers a perfect combination of speed, design, and community, bridging the gap between manual 4-wheelers to the new-age progressive models.
Design:
A stunning, sleek black that is super well thought out. The board gives you just enough space to see the pavement in front of you.
Function:
Powerful regenerative brakes will bring you to a dead stop without making you fall. You get multi-speed control and state of the art, smart LCD screen for tracking your ride and diagnosing your board. You’ll never feel like the board is about to fly out from under your feet. It’s easy to grab and go, so you can practice in the streets and the park. Good for seasoned skaters, but amateurs alike.
The Build:
The Evolve is made out of high quality bamboo and fiberglass, the same materials that make up the best long boards and snowboards on the market.
Top Speed and Range:
Both Evolve boards have a top speed close to 26mph and a range of 31 miles per charge. This figure will differ slightly depending on the hill gradient and the terrain, as well as the wheels that you use.
Hills:
The Evolve skateboard can tackle hills insanely steep – up to a 25% gradient, making this electric long board a great choice for ALL terrains.
SPECS:
Range: 31 miles
Power: Two Belt Motors – 3000 w
Top Speed: 26mph
Incline: 25%
Charge time: (standard charger) 4-5 hours, (fast charger) 2-3 hours
Price: $1795-$1959
Check Price in Amazon
#2 Boosted Mini X
Really rad ride from Boosted, one of the innovators in electric skateboard technology.
Design:
This electric skateboard is all about clever design. The Boosted board is light and compact, which makes it ideal for carrying with you on commutes to work or to meet your friends.
Function:
Sleek, smooth wooden deck has natural suspension that makes for a comfortable ride. The black graphic design looks slick day and night. Suitable for riders of all levels.
The Build:
What we really appreciate is the solid kick-tail, not all modern boards have it anymore, but it makes such a difference to your control. Add the carry handle at the top of the deck, and this electric board is a pleasure to ride.
Top Speed and Range:
The Boosted board is powered by reliable Samsung batteries that will take you up to 20mph for a range of 14 miles. The motor and battery are cleverly concealed. Most people looking at this automatic board would never guess it’s electric, so you’ll look like any other pro skater.
Hills:
On top you get a 3-mode speed control including a hill booster, perfect for all terrains. Good for hills up to 20%.
SPECS:
Range: 14 miles
Power: Reliable Samsung batteries, 2x500W
Top Speed: 20mph
Incline: 20% – Includes a ‘Hill Booster Mode’
Charge time: 1 hour 45 mins
Price: $999
Drawback:
- Battery life. 7 miles unless you swap for the extended life battery right off the bat.
#3 Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation Electric Long board
The Koowheel D3M is a popular ride as cool as its name. This model is the 2nd generation, and preferred choice of electric skateboard enthusiasts that enjoy the functionality of long board skating.
Design:
Even in high-speed, the length and balance of the board allows for great stability to ensure safety, comfort, and an overall good riding experience.
Function:
New 350W x 2 Motors with Replaceable PU Wheels, unique design will help motors cool. It has a very swappable battery set-up, with 4300mah x 2 replaceable lithium batteries that take only 15s to replace when the previous battery runs out.
The Build:
The board is made of 7-ply, Canadian Maple Wood. This means better elasticity and toughness from a board built without splicing – using CNC trimming, sturdy 97mm polyurethane wheels and a cutting edge grinding process that allows riders to have more traction while riding this motorized skateboard.
Top Speed and Range:
Top speed in Normal Mode is 18MRH. However, top speed in Advanced Mode is 24.8MPH. Remote button allows for a quick unlocking of the speed limit as you cruise for a solid 12-15 miles.
Hills:
Though dominating different terrains isn’t this boards specialty, it still maintains a strong hill climbing ability of up to 25% incline.
SPECS:
Range: 12-15 miles
Power: 350W x 2 Brushless Hub motors w/ cooling design, 2 X 4300mAh Lithium Battery
Top Speed: 18 mph (in normal mode) 24.8 mph (in advanced mode)
Incline: 25%
Charge time: 2-3 hours
Price: $739.00
#4 MAXFIND
The Maxfind electric skateboard is a solid find, slightly less expensive than most boards on the market, with a light weight deck designed for quick skaters always on the go.
Design:
This board comes with a stiff deck flex that increases stability at higher speeds. It is also lightweight – easy to pick up and carry around at school, work, and home without the dreaded finger soreness.
Function:
The Maxfind electric skateboard is build for HIGH PERFORMANCE. The skateboard is super fast, having a 23 mph top speed and 30% grade hill climbing. Its remote control, with 2 riding modes, makes it safe and easy to ride even with zero experience.
The Build:
This board’s deck is made of fiberglass, so you can trust that it is strong and durable. It is one of the better boards for riders carrying up to 265 lbs.
Top Speed and Range:
The Lithium battery is LG 36v, allowing for a brisk 23 mph top speed and a range of nearly 16 miles on average terrain with a full charge.
Hills:
Manta drive power helps take on the hills, up to 30% in most cases.
SPECS:
Range: 16 miles
Power: 2 x 500w motors
Top Speed: 23 mph
Incline: 30%
Charging time: 1 hour
Price: $589.99
Drawbacks:
- The external motor is visible and not very attractive.
- The board struggles when traveling uphill with heavier riders.
#5 The Acton Blink Board California Bear
The Acton Blink Board California Bear Electric Motorized Skateboard has an attractive appearance and great functionality. The vast numbers of fans have also attached the best affordable electric skateboard tag to it.
Design:
The board weighs just 9LBS and its dimension is 3.94” X 5.91” X 27’ so it is easily accessible and perfect for run and gunning. The California Bear design is absolutely SICK for any Golden State homies or those just wanting to represent some west coast love.
Function:
Polyurethane wheels have high level of tensile strength, hardness, impact resistance, road grip, and contact patch. Wheel diameter is 83mm and the hardness factor is 78a, allowing for a steady, comfortably ride across multi-terrains.
The Build:
The board material is Canadian Maplewood. The maximum support for rider weight is 220LBs. The manufacturers have designed the board to work in two distinct modes, namely the beginner and pro. AS a beginner you will find the features to be highly helpful in training and skill development.
Top Speed and Range:
The Acton Blink board has a maximum speed of 15MPH and a range of 6 miles.
Hills:
Of the many great strengths of the Bear, including comfort and functionality, the incline percentage is low at 15%
SPECS:
Range: 6 miles
Power: 350 w motor with a Lithium Ion 360V/2Ah/10C battery
Top Speed: 15mph
Incline: 15%
Charging Time: 1 hour
Price: $695
Drawbacks:
- Maximum speed limited to 15mph with range of 6 miles.
- Regenerative braking is stated to be not available.
**Honorable mention**
The Revolutionary Electric Boardsport was designed by science, but made to roll around in the dirt. The incredible stabilization and digital shaping work to unleash a sweet carving machine. Best of all, this device is California dreamed and California made.
SPECS:
Range: 6 – 7 miles
Power: 2000W Brushless Hub motor with lithium batteries
Top Speed: 14 mph
Incline: 20%
Charging time: 30 mins
Price: $1,195
Drawbacks:
- Not suitable for individuals who are just starting out with skating
Please Ride Responsibly. And ALWAYS wear a helmet.
