The Best Electric Skateboards

Electric skateboards are a perfect mode of transportation for the thrill-seekers and eco-conscious among us. Why drive a car and pay for gas when you can cruise to your destination on a stable, speedy electric skateboard?

Buying Guide for Electric Skateboards

Why buy an electric skateboard?

You might be wondering whether an electric skateboard is worth purchasing or not. While the choice between a traditional and electric skateboard can come down to personal preference, there are several benefits offered by electric skateboards. Like ebikes and electric scooters, they will carry you effortlessly up moderate inclines thanks to their integrated motor, so you won’t have to manually push yourself up or pick up your skateboard and walk up many hills. You can also use them to commute to work or school without having to break a sweat. Ultimately, an electric skateboard provides you with a convenient means of transportation while reducing your carbon footprint and level of physical exertion.

What should you look for in an electric skateboard?

• Max Speed: One of the most important attributes of an electric skateboard is its top speed. You’re likely going to want to ride faster than you can walk, after all. Most electric skateboards range in speeds from anywhere between 10 to 30 mph, depending on the model and the brand. However, a top speed of around 25 mph is fairly standard for most electric skateboards, as it provides an exhilarating ride without being so fast that it’s dangerous for the average rider.
• Distance/Battery Life: Running out of battery on your way to work or school is the last thing you want to happen. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of an electric skateboard’s maximum distance and battery life before you buy it. Most will have a range of 10 to 60 miles per battery or charge. If you plan to use your new electric skateboard for your daily commute to work or school, be sure that you know how far you’ll have to ride there and back home each day so that you can buy a model with the appropriate maximum distance and battery life for your needs.
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  mStyle: It’s also important to consider the style of board that you want. Just like with regular skateboards, there are multiple colors, designs, and patterns available. The overall shape can vary, too. Some electric skateboards are wider or thinner than others or have one or both ends pointed rather than rounded. Most electric skateboards feature a longboard-like design for optimal stability when moving at higher speeds.

What’s the best material for electric skateboards?

When possible, look for an electric skateboard made out of maple wood. This has long been a favored material since the wood is incredibly sturdy, reliable, and able to withstand even the roughest, bumpiest rides. Bamboo is another favorite, as it’s light and flexible. While not ideal for intense-level skateboarders, bamboo’s lightweight properties make it easy to carry, which is a useful factor for commuters or younger riders. You can also find composite skateboards made of fiberglass, plexiglass, and aluminum.

Regardless of the material, the more layers that a skateboard is made out of, the sturdier it will generally be. Keep in mind that sturdier also tends to mean bulkier and less flexible unless the board’s made out of a flexible yet sturdy material like bamboo.

Our Picks for the Best Electric Skateboards

Pros: Featuring a gorgeous design that’s both compact and slim, the Teamgee H5 37 Electric Skateboard performs like a much pricier board despite its affordable price point. This electric skateboard can get up to 22 miles per hour and is easy to control thanks to its included wireless remote and quality wheels. As such, experienced riders won’t feel out of control, even when going down steep hills. This board also impresses in terms of its design, as it’s compact and slim enough to take on the bus without it being a major burden.

Cons: There are two things that hold this board back, and those are its limited 200-pound weight capacity and somewhat harsh brakes. However, if you weigh less than that and can accept that mastering this product’s brakes requires a bit of a learning curve, then this is still a solid board for you.

Bottom Line: Unless you’re a serious speed demon, the Teamgee H5 37 Electric Skateboard should offer more than enough speed and maneuverability to get around. Compared to other electric skateboards at its price point, it’s also fairly adept at traversing moderate hills, and its 9- to 11-mile battery range is more than fair for the asking price.

 

Pros: The aptly named Swagskate Electric Skateboard is more than just eye candy. This budget-friendly electric skateboard comes equipped with sleek LED lights for nighttime rides and a weight capacity that should easily accommodate most children. Unlike other electric skateboards, this one doesn’t require the use of a remote and instead boosts the power of your kicks for a more natural feel, which is especially effective on flat surfaces. Factor in this product’s insanely polished design and low price, and you can see why it’s a hit with the younger crowd.

Cons: Since this electric skateboard is designed for younger users, it naturally has a lower max speed and limited weight capacity than pricier alternatives. Also, while its kick-assist system works wonders on flat roads, it unfortunately doesn’t provide much help when skating up hills.

Bottom Line: While this isn’t an electric skateboard that’s tailor-made for adults, kids and teenagers will have a lot of fun with this product. If you’re looking for a safe, fun board for your child or teenager, this one is a reliable choice.

 

Pros: Featuring dual 540-watt hub motors that deliver top speeds of 29 miles per hour, the Mini 2 S from Meepo is a perfect choice for those who like their rides to be fast and wild. This fast and fun electric skateboard stands out for its impressive 11-mile battery range and portable design, which is more compact than many e-skateboards that boast comparable power. It also sports an impressive load capacity of 330 pounds, so even heavier riders can enjoy bombing down hills on this gnarly board.

Cons: While traveling 29 miles per hour might not feel like much when you’re driving a car, it’s incredibly fast on a skateboard. Thus, this probably isn’t an ideal product for most young riders. Also, some potential buyers are bound to be turned away by this board’s lofty price tag.

Bottom Line: Although this board is known for providing blistering speed, it’s also one of the most highly-rated entry-level electric skateboards on the market. This is likely due to the peace of mind that its enhanced stability and impressive build quality affords. As such, if you’re not afraid of a little speed, then this is the board for you.

 

Pros: Featuring an impressive build quality that offers plenty of strength as well as impeccable control, the Blitzart 38 Hurricane Electric Longboard is a nice option for those seeking an electric skateboard that offers more in the way of smooth-as-butter turning than blistering speed. It comes with an intuitive remote with simple controls and offers two speed modes that are suitable for both teens and adults. It’s also worth noting that this board is considerably more affordable than most models with comparable specs, making it a nice choice for budget-savvy riders.

Cons: This electric longboard sports a single hub motor, so don’t expect it to travel up hills with ease or “wow” you with unbeatable torque. That being said, its max speed of around 20 miles per hour should be more than fast enough for casual riders.

Bottom Line: At its core, this is an above-average electric longboard that punches above its weight in terms of build quality and maneuverability. However, its longboard components are more impressive than its electric components, so those seeking the longboard of the future are unlikely to fall in love with this product’s motor or battery.

 

Pros: Looking for the Rolls Royce of electric skateboards? Look no further. The SKATEBOLT Tornado II Electric Skateboard has a little something for everyone, whether you’re primarily interested in its powerful, 350-watt dual hub motors to push you up hills or brisk 26 miles per hour top speed to feel the wind in your hair. In terms of premium features, this electric longboard also sports a nifty cruise control mode and regenerative braking that ensures you can safely slow your progress even when zooming down a hill. Factor in its next-level battery life, sleek design, and built-in tail lights, and you have a premium board that’s worth every penny.

Cons: As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and with this electric skateboard, you get quite a lot. On the flip side, this board will put a dent in the average person’s bank account, so those seeking a more casual board may gravitate to a less expensive option. Also, at almost 20 pounds, this board is fairly bulky, making it a bit of a pain to haul indoors.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a longboard that can help boost you up moderately-sized inclines and can take you further than most competitors, the Tornado II may just be your best bet if you can stomach its price tag.

Final Thoughts

Electric skateboards can be a fun way to make your commute to work more enjoyable, reduce your carbon footprint, and save gas money. Kids and teenagers will also love riding them to school. And don’t think that electric skateboards are only reserved for commutes, either. People who prefer to ride skateboards purely for recreation will have a blast when riding them as well.