Month: February 2021

Find your next thrill ride with the best electric skateboards on the market.

No matter what your skill level, an electric skateboard is a great way to combine a love for skateboarding and speed. Even if you can’t pull off an Ollie at the skatepark, today’s boards can have you carving all over town.

Whether you are moving from a manual skateboard to an electric one or buying your first e-ride, there are some important aspects for riders to consider before they make their purchase.

Work or Play: How are you Going to use your Electric Skateboard?

One of the first things to consider before purchasing your electric skateboard is what you actually want to use your board for. While some people may be purchasing their eride as a fun way to spend time on the weekend or get outside with friends, others may want to replace their boring commute.

It is important to look at factors such as availability of replacement parts, maintenance necessary for your type of motor, wheels and brakes and whether you can do this work yourself or find a reputable repair service in your area.

Brand Reliability

Brand reliability is an important consideration since it will often impact the likelihood your board will come with all its necessary parts and in good working order as well as the aftercare you will experience if this does not happen.

What Type of Board should I buy?

There are three types of electric skateboards: long, short or all terrain. If you are buying an electric skateboard for a child it will likely be a short board since this is what will fit their smaller body and smaller feet. Short boards are not just for kids though. Many riders like the portability of short boards since they can often fit in lockers at school or even on airplanes (depending on the model).

Shortboards

Are usually between 28 and 32 inches and have wheels between 70 and 90 mm. The smaller wheels mean that they can only handle smooth terrain and may also be unstable at higher speeds. Some riders find short boards uncomfortable and they are usually not recommended for beginners unless specifically designed for kids.

Longboards

Are the most similar to a manual skateboard and can be set up for either speed or carving according to your preference. They are usually 37 to 40 inches and have wheels about 80-100 mm in diameter. With larger wheels, longboards can handle somewhat rougher terrain.

All terrain boards

Are ideal for those who need bigger wheels to handle tough terrain. These boards are great for dirt, grass and uneven asphalt. However, they are heavier and therefore far less portable.

Wheels

So you know that all terrain wheels are sometimes necessary in areas with lower quality roads. But how can you tell if that is your area? Here are some quick tips!

Are there other e-riders in your area? Look to see if others are using regular skateboards or electric longboards on roads in your area. If others are able to use a regular skateboard on local roads, you should be able to as well.

But if there are not any skaters in your local area, consider a long board that uses a belt driven motor so you are able to change to larger wheels if necessary. If you have smooth roads but they have lots of pebbles or other debris, get an all-terrain skateboard but choose 120 mm wheels over the larger six or seven inch wheels if at all possible. If you will be riding over dirt roads and want comfort over portability, choose a board with all-terrain wheels.

Motor

Most electric skateboards on the market use belt driven motors or hub motors. There are some big differences between the two when it comes to sound, wheels, and maintenance.

Hub Motors

Hub motors are hidden inside the wheels and are usually quieter than belt driven motors. This means that they are great if you want to be more discreet with your electric skateboard. In many cases hub motors require less maintenance than belt driven motors. If hub motors have maintenance issues they can often just be replaced.

With all-terrain electric skateboards, hub motors are less likely to get clogged with debris than belt driven motors. Hub motors wheels use a thinner layer of urethane than belt driven motors so they are less comfortable and have fewer grips. Having a hub motor also usually means less choice when it comes to wheel size.

Belt Drive Motors

With the wheels separate from the motor, belt drive motors give the rider more freedom when it comes to their choice of wheels this means you can use any third party longboard wheels that are compatible with your wheel pulleys. This gives more options for your wheel size, durometer and color.

You can change the gear ratio by using supplied pulleys or third party pulleys. This can affect things like torque, range and top speed. In addition to more customization options, belt drive wheels are more comfortable as they have more urethane.

As the belts are partially exposed, tiny rocks can get inside the drive system and damage the belt or pulleys. Even if this does not happen, the belt will eventually need to be replaced. Often these systems come with extra belts. While they are not especially loud, belt drive motors are often louder than hub motors. While this is not usually a problem, it can be if you live in an area that does not allow electric skateboards!

Direct Drive

A direct drive motor is a motor that has a wheel attached to it without gears. It is quiet like a hub motor and allows you to use real wheels like a belt motor. If you change your wheels, you cannot change your gears. This means you will lose acceleration, power or range. It is rumored that direct drive is not a popular manufacturing choice because of issues with direct drive motor reliability. So this is not a widely offered option currently, but may become a popular alternative in the future.

What Kind of Performance are you Looking for?

While many electric skateboards will promote their top speed, what many electric skateboard riders care far more about is the acceleration, torque and braking abilities? These are important aspects to consider when racing along the pavement many miles (or kilometers) per hour and a car suddenly stops in front of you.

Brakes

The ability to brake hard, or adjust your braking to how you want to ride your electric skateboard is important. Some electric skateboards will brake softly no matter how hard you push down on the throttle. This can be problematic if objects come upon you quickly.

Range

Range is a very important consideration if you plan on using your electric skateboard for commuting. Whether you want to use it to get to work, school or for short trips around town you want an electric ride that can get you where you need to go without constantly needing to be charged.

Speaking of charging, always check how long your ride takes to charge. Are you able to charge it quickly if needing be? Can you use it manually if you run out of juice? These are all important questions to ask before you make your purchase.

Quality build

A quality build is important. This is why we often look to trusted brands when buying a new e-ride. Having a strong brand with good aftercare is a great reassurance when purchasing a new product. However, there are some features to consider no matter what brand you choose:

Flexy deck vs Stiff deck

Your electric skateboard’s deck may be very stiff or extremely flexible (as well as anywhere in between). A flexible deck is often more comfortable to ride because they almost act as a form of suspension to absorb the vibrations of the road. However, stiff decks have more control and better handling, especially when ridden at higher speeds. This choice often comes down to personal preference.

Water resistance

While electric skateboards are not waterproof, some have higher water resistance ratings. This is important depending on the climate you live in. However, no matter how much protection is offered, it is still important to dry off your board as soon as possible to prevent any damage. 

Choose your Ride: the Best Electric Skateboards on the Market

While many people will set a budget and then look for reputable brands within that budget, we would like to challenge you to think differently. What about instead of finding features you like within your ideal budget, you set out your ideal features and allow that wish list to determine the budget you should be setting?

Often buyers may find that they can get a much better quality board just by stretching their budget just a little bit further. Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best budget boards on the market for under $500. 

Electric Skateboards Under $200

Electric skateboards for under $200 may seem unlikely. However, it is possible to get a good quality electric skateboard for under $200.

Unfortunately, this price point isn’t going to deliver a quality product for every rider. Usually electric skateboards at this level are designed for kids or teens and therefore cannot take much weight or drive at higher speeds. Often these electric skateboards are designed as toys and not personal electric rides. This means that they may not have the range or durability to be used for your daily commute.

With these points in mind, if you are shopping for a younger rider or simply want a fun way to get around in your spare time, you may find your perfect electric skateboard for under $300. 

Swagtron Swagskate NG-3

Shortboard | flexy deck | kick to ride | 72 x 51 mm PU wheels | Max. Speed*: 9.3 MPH (15 km/h)

$111.66 USD or $ 142.96 CAD

Swagtron is a brand known for its well-built e-rides and the Swagtron Swagskate is no exception. This electric skateboard has an innovative design to closely mimic manual boarding. So much so that it uses a kick to start feature and foregoes the remote. Let’s look a little closer at this e ride.

The Swagskate NG-3 uses unique technology to sense the weight of the user in order to control its motor and brakes. Users can use kick to start technology that will take the user up to 9. 3 mph (about 15 km/h). Unlike many traditional electric skateboards, the Swagskate does not include a remote. Instead the rider is encouraged to use their foot as a manual brake and the board will automatically stop once the rider’s dismounts.

While this may sound scary, instead of powering you to a desired speed, the Swagskate NG-3 locks in your current speed. This means if you kick to go faster your board’s motor will kick in to maintain that speed. You are still able to set the pace, just in a more natural way.

This is an unusual design that we would only recommend for a very experienced rider. This could be a great next step for an experienced skateboarded who wants to try out the world of e-rides but would definitely be too much of a learning curve for a new rider.

The idea of not including brakes is an unusual one, but beyond this note the Swagskate NG-3 has some great features to offer. One of our favorites is the built in rear LED light indicators that lets other riders and or pedestrians know if you are cruising, braking or in standby mode. It also offers some safety lighting if riding in low light conditions.

The 100 w motor can only handle a 5˚ incline so keep this in mind if you live in a hilly area. The Swagskate NG-3 can carry a maximum of 150 lb. (68 kg) on its polypropylene deck.

Its 16.8V 2Ah lithium ion battery can go a maximum range of 4-6 mi (7-10 km) and yet only takes 90 minutes to charge.

Neutrino Electric Skateboard

Shortboard | fibreglass | 350 w hub motor | Max speed 12.5 MPH (20 km) |75mm wheels

$199 USD or $254.78 CAD

Often at the under $200 price point electric skateboards can easily be built as toys rather than functioning e-rides. However, the Neutrino Electric Skateboard is one of the rare exceptions. This electric skateboard is a great option for a new rider that isn’t restricted only to kids.

The board itself has a really sophisticated yet simple design that doesn’t age out older riders. At just 9.5 lbs. (4.3 kg) the Neutrino is super portable for even younger riders.

While it may be light weight, the Neutrino packs some grown up power. The Neutrino has a 350w brushless hub motor that can reach speeds of 12.5 MPH (20 km) and can travel up to 7 miles (11 km) per charge.

The Neutrino’s motor can handle inclines up to 15° and carry a load up to 200 lbs. (just under 91 kg). The wireless controller allows the rider to toggle between beginner and expert modes as well as monitor the battery power remaining. The 30 inch (76 cm) fiberglass board is IP55 rated water resistant.

Maverix USA California 150W

Shortboard | stiff | ABS Brakes | 150 W motor | Max speed 6 mph (9.6 km)

$149 USD or $190.77 CAD

The Maverix USA California electric skateboard is a great option for kids who want their first electric ride to be fun and functional. One of the coolest features of the Maverix USA is that even though it is an electric board, it really looks like a traditional board and features bright and colorful designs that kids really love. Older versions of the California have a superman design while newer versions feature a skull.

The California is designed with kids in mind so its max speed is only 6 miles per hour with three different speed settings. This is great for those who are brand new to the world of skateboarding as kids are easily able to learn how to use their body weight to steer the board at slower speeds and then pick the speed up once they have learned the basics.

The California operates on a 24v alkaline battery which powers the 150 Watt motor. The battery has a maximum range of 9 miles per hour and it takes about 4 hours to completely charge.

While it is a shortboard, the maple deck does not feature a kicktail. The polyurethane wheels are not designed for any rough terrain and kids should not ride in wet weather.

The remote is connected through Wi-Fi within about a five feet radius. It is easy to change between three speeds and has a trigger for both power and brakes. Easy for smaller hands to control. It also has an automatic power off feature to conserve batteries.

Razor Cruiser Skateboard

Shortboard | stiff | 125 w belt-driver motor | Top Speed: 10mph / 16kmh

$199 USD or $254.78 CAD

The Razor brand is synonymous with well-built and affordable rides both manual and electric. The Razor Cruiser is no exception. This quality board is built with both kids and their parents in mind. Offering just the right amount of power to give your kids a fun ride without sacrificing their safety. The Razor Cruiser electric skateboard is light and portable. At just under 30 inches (75 cm) and less than 10 lbs. (4.4 kg) the Razor Cruiser is the perfect e-ride to fit in your school locker for your daily commute.

The Razor Cruiser’s deck is five layers of maple and features a 125w belt driver motor and 83mm 80A wheels. The top speed of the Cruiser is 10mph (16kmh). This is enough to give younger riders a thrill without sacrificing their safety. Kids are easily able to control their speed with the included wireless controller. While this electric scooter may be designed with the younger set in mind it does have enough power to carry up to 220 lbs. (100 kg) so larger kids or even their parents can get in on the fun.

The lithium-ion battery has a maximum range of 7 miles or 11 km which Razor says will work out to about 40 minutes of continuous use. The battery only takes 2 hours to charge which is a bonus for those who don’t want to wait hours and hours between their rides.

Electric Skateboards Under $300

Spending a little more for your electric ride can often get you a board made with better quality products and with a more reliable brand. Even though you are only spending an extra $100, you can actually get a board that is likely to last longer because it is not built to be a toy. This is one of the reasons it is good to spend even a little bit more to get a better quality board. Check out our favorite rides under $300.

Apsuboard V3 Dual Hub Motors

Longboard | Stiff board | dual 250 W motors | 90 mm wheels | LingYi ESC | 144 WH Battery

$299 USD or $382.81CAD

Those looking for a great bang for their buck can see what the Chinese brand Apsuboard V3 has to offer.

The Apsuboard V3 has a 38” by 9.5” (96.5 cm x 24.1 cm) 8 ply Canadian maple decks with a mild concave. The deck is stiff.

This longboard has 90 mm 80A wheels. The front wheels are not the softest and combined with the stiff deck you do feel many vibrations along the road.

The board has dual 250W 90 mm hub motors with four different speed settings. The motors do lack power to take on higher slopes and can be noisy. The torque and acceleration are also a bit lackluster. The Apsuboard V3 has a maximum speed of 28 mph or 45 km.

The regenerative brakes also have four different settings so you can brake as hard or as softly as you need.

The Apsuboard V3 uses LingYi ESC as its speed controller. It offers the riders four different acceleration modes as well as four different brake modes. While the V3 has controls similar to other LingYi ESC on the market, it does feel a little bit more primitive.

Of course, the Apsuboard V3 also has the kick to start feature which so many users love.

However, for those who prefer smoother acceleration and softer brakes, users can change their ESC to Hobbywing ESC for an additional $20.

The board features a removable 144 WH 10S2P Samsung 20R battery and it may be able to be taken on flights. It has a three hour charge time and a maximum range of 10 miles or 16 kilometers.

Blitzart Hurricane Electric Longboard

Longboard | flexy deck | 350 w brushless hub motor | Top speed up to 19 mph (30.5 km)

$289.99 USD $371.28 CAD

The  Blitzart Hurricane Electric Longboard is a well-rounded board that offers a well-built electric board with a smart design. The 38 inch (96.5 cm) longboard is built with five layers of maple wood sandwiched between two layers of bamboo. The deck has a built in handle for easy carrying. The board itself is concave and is outfitted in high quality grip tape to keep the rider firmly in place.

The 350W hub motor is able to reach speeds up to 19 mph (30.5 km) and carry a maximum load of 250 lb. (113.3 kg). This is a lot of power for an electric skateboard in this price range. The included wireless remote offers two different speed modes for beginners and those more experienced riders.

The 36V, 4.0AH and 144Wh Lithium-Ion battery offers a range of about 6-10 miles or 9.6 to 16 km. The battery can be fully charged within 3 hours. One of the nice features about this board is that it can also be ridden manually. This is a great bonus if you are unexpectedly without battery power or just want the dual function of both an electric and manual skateboard.

Blizart is a US based company that ships this board fully assembled and ready to ride. Customer service is readily available to help with any and all aftercare.

Electric Skateboards Under $500

By bumping the budget up to $500 you are able to get a really great quality board without sacrificing the features you want. While $500 is not a small amount of money by any means, when it comes to electric boards it is still considered a budget board price level. This is because many electric boards can quickly climb in price to well over $2000.

However, at the $500 price point, electric skateboards combine both quality parts and intelligent design to get the board you want at a fair price.

Meepo V3

Longboard| Flexy deck | Dual 540 watt hub motors | 90 mm X 60 mm 78A wheels |

$448.83 USD or $580.29 CAD

The V3 is the latest in Meepo offerings complete with a push to start feature and handle, this board just keeps getting better and better. Meepo’s latest version features a 30% increase in power and a moisture, dust and weather resistant board.

Meepo has a strong reputation for producing quality electric budget skateboards and the V3 is certainly no exception.

The V3 is a longboard coming in at 38” long x 9” wide with a 32.5 “ wheelbase. (96.52 cm x 22.86 cm x 82.55 cm). The deck is made of seven layers of Canadian maple which offers both flexibility and stability. The build features Shredder trucks. Combined with a flexi board makes carving fun and easy.

The dual 540 Watts motors are capable of carrying up to 300 lbs. (136 kg). Despite the fact that the V3 is considered a ‘budget board’ it can still reach a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour (45 km per hour). The acceleration is quick, with the ability to go from 0 to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) in just 4.5 seconds!

The V3 uses MEEPO ESC V6.5 featuring kick to start, four different ride modes and regenerative brakes that can go from 20 miles an hour (32 km/h) to a complete standstill in 32 feet (10 meters).

The V3’s standard battery has an 11 mile (17 km) range but there is an option to upgrade to a 20 mile (32 km) range battery. Charging the V3 will take either two or three hours, depending on the capacity of the battery chosen. The V3 also offers some awesome bonus features, such as a standard USB charger that allows the rider to use the charge of their board to charge your phone on the go.

Backfire G2 Black

$389 USD $501.19 CAD

Longboard | Flexy deck | Dual 400 watt hub motors |180 WH battery | Honeywing ESC

The Backfire G2 Black is a great option for those who want a great budget board that offers a good value for your money as well as an attractive design for the road. It combines the brand power of Backfire with the price point of an entry level board. It is a great value for those looking for a powerful board under $500.

The G2 offers a hobbywing ESC that displays your speed, range and other important data while offering two speed options, lots of torque and hard or soft braking. Speaking of speed, the G2 has a top speed of 24mph / 38kph which is certainly fast enough for those who want a thrilling ride.

The build of the G2 features PU Tire Hardness 83A SHRAA 96mm Diameter wheels and 7 inch generic trucks. The battery pack and motor have been completely ABS sealed to offer protection from the weather and the tires and motors are independently replaceable for lower maintenance costs.

There is a 42V, 5.2Ah battery that offers a maximum range of 11-12.5miles / 18-20km (80kg rider S mode 30km/h speed flat road). The charging time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Meepo Mini 2

$448.83 USD $577.40 CAD

Shortboard | stiff | Dual 540 W hub motors | 144 WH battery | M4 remote

The Meepo Mini 2 is a great board for those who want to transition from a manual skateboard to an electric skateboard. The shortboard has a nice concave on it and a built in kicktail to make it easy to ride, turn and maneuver. At just 30 inches (96 cm) it is a similar size to a traditional board-it can even be used as a manual board! This is a great option for those who want more skateboarding experience but also want to experience the capabilities Meepo has to offer.

While the Meepo Mini 2 may be mini (and only 17 lbs.!) it definitely has power. The seven-layer maple board has the option of two different builds. However, if you choose the Meepo Mini 2 ER it will take you into a higher price range. Many feel the Meepo Mini 2 offers more than enough for any rider. While the ER will get you up 30% inclines, the Mini 2 will do 25%. Plenty of power for the average rider.

One consideration when choosing between the standard Meepo Mini 2 and the ER is the size of the rider. Larger riders (who are closer to the 300 lbs. mark) (180 kg) or those wanting to tackle hilly terrain are encouraged to move up to the ER. The standard dual 540 watt motors reach 25 mph (40 kph) and the upgraded motors reach 29 mph (46 kph).

The Mini 2 comes with a standard 144 wh battery that has a top range of 11 miles/ 17.7 km, the ER version lets you ride for 20 miles/ 32 km. Charging time also varies a little bit with the Mini 2 taking 2 hours and the ER taking closer to three hours to charge.

The Mini 2 has a great build. It is truly made for those who also want the capabilities of a regular board with shredder trucks and 90 mm X 60 mm 78A wheels. The ride is smooth and comfortable, at least until you push the board to pro mode. Even eco mode felt fast too many experienced riders. This board may be mini but it has some kick. It offers smooth acceleration and tight brakes. It is a thrilling ride no matter what your level of experience. 

APSU Board X1

Longboard | Flexy deck| Hobbywing ESC | 288wh battery pack | 2x 650W Belt-drives |

$449 USD 577.64 CAD

The deck has a flexible build with 7 layers of Canadian maple and one layer of bamboo. It features a subtle concave shape which makes it comfortable for the rider. The aluminum battery and motor enclosures offer better protection than many budget boards and there is a USB port in case you need some emergency power for your remote.

X1 uses two 1000W Motors and has a top speed of 29mph (46kmh). The hobbywing ESC offers smooth acceleration but the brakes are geared towards beginners. More advanced riders will likely want tighter braking options, especially if they need to stop quickly at higher speeds.

Speaking of speeds, the Apsuboard X1 offers three different speed modes which allow the rider to customize their experience.

• Slow mode/ Beginner: 13 Miles/Hour, (20 KM/H) Max Speed
• Medium Mode/Intermediate: 19 Miles/Hour (32 KM/H) Max Speed
• Fastest Mode/Expert: 26 Miles/Hour, (42KM/H) Max Speed

The Apsuboard X1 uses 90mm 80A wheels with an ABEC core. The trucks are generic Chinese trucks which give a moderate performance. They have struck a good balance between maneuverability and not wobbling at high speeds. The advantage of using real wheels over hub motor wheels means the X1 gives a smoother ride despite its generic wheels.

The X1 offers two different battery options.  However, the battery is not swappable.

• 20R 36V 8.0 Ah 10S4P（Standard）
  • Cruising Range: 15.5 to 18 Miles, (25 to 29 Kilometers)
• Sanyo GA: (Extended Range)
  • Cruising Range: 18 to 23.5 Miles, (29 to 33 Kilometers)

Find your Ride

No matter what features you are looking for in your electric skateboard, there are several quality options at almost every price point.  The most important factors to consider are the way you want to use your board, your own skill level, and the availability of replacement parts and service. Once you have your ideal ‘wish list’ in mind, you can start researching to determine how much you will need to spend in order to find your perfect ride.

One great option to consider is ride sharing programs that will allow you to try different types of boards, motors and brakes in order to determine what feels most comfortable for you. Many riders comment that if they were able to try their ride before they bought it they would likely have gone with a different type of board or type of motor. Since so many purchases are done online this is often not available. However, there are ride sharing programs like Friend With A. This company helps riders rent different rides in their area for the day. It is a great way to ‘try before you buy’. No matter what ride you choose, making a well-researched and informed decision is your best way to make sure you are happy with your ride for years to come.