At $1,779.99 the Bamboo GTX is on the higher priced side of electric skateboards. However, its two motors combine to bring 3,000 watts of power to the board when you switch to GT mode. Speed on the high end can reach 25 mph on streets and still gets to a quick 22 mph off-road and up to a 25% gradiant. Plus, the GTX’s deck flex makes it comfortable to ride no matter what surface you’re on.
This smaller board is priced at just under $1,000 and is ideal for riders with a short commute. It comes in at under 30 inches long, making it easier to carry and store once you reach your destination. Plus, if you ever do run out of battery before arriving, you can still use the Mini X as a regular skateboard. It’s also great for hilly streetscapes, handing up to 20% inclines with ease.
The Backfire New G2 is definitely a budget electric skateboard at just $499. The specs are quite impressive, especially considering the price. With a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 18.5 miles, you can definitely get around quickly and not worry about your distance. The battery charge time is a bit higher than average, taking up to 3.5 hours On the plus side, the flexible Canadian Maple deck makes riding a breeze.
The Carbon GT Series from Evolve comes in two models: All-Terrain or 2-in-1, which combines the all-terrain and street features. To get the single model, you’ll pay $1,999.99, while the dual model upgrade costs $2,159.99. To switch out between street mode and all-terrain with the 2-in-1, you’ll need to switch out the wheels, which can take a few minutes so plan ahead. The carbon fiber deck is stable and gives you excellent control.
At $1,5999, Boosted’s Stealth model is the most expensive product coming from this company. Still, it comes with several perks, including the ability to handle climbing up to a 25% grade. You can Choose from one of five ride modes, including the new Hyper mode to help you ready a maximum speed of 24 mph. The Super Flex composite deck also gives you a responsive ride, providing a flexible feel each time you use it.
History of Motorized Electric Skateboards – Longboards
Although gasoline skateboards were the first type of powered boards (which were banned because of noise and pollution), the motorized skateboard was introduced in the late 1990s by Louie Finkle, also known as Electric Louie. At the time, however, the original X24 was a steep $1,200, making it inaccessible to most consumers.
In the mid-2000s, a more commercial version of Louie’s electric skateboard was introduced, finally bringing this motorized ride to the spotlight. Today, there are multiple quality brands of affordable electric boards with a range of features to match your needs, from terrain type to incline handling.
With the growing popularity of a new form of motorized transportation, many states have enacted regulations on how these boards can be operated. Do a little digging in your city and state to make sure you understand where you can ride and how fast you can go.
That way, you’ll stay within the law and keep pedestrians (and yourself) out of danger). Also remember to wear protective gear to keep yourself safe and practice using your controller before you hit congested areas.
The Technology
Most motor skateboards today are powered by lithium batteries, allowing you to recharge your board in a few hours or less. The technology is getting better and better every day, making the boards lighter weight with a longer lifespan. Whether you want to go for a fast-paced joyride, an off-road trek, or simply want a quick and easy way to commute to work or school, an electric skateboard has the power to get you there. New models with added features and higher speeds are constantly coming to market, so do your research to make sure you’re getting all the specs you need at a price you like.
The Source of Power
Electric skateboards are powered by motors, which need a battery to keep them going. How fast you go depends on a lot of different factors. For one, your weight is an important component. Most boards list a maximum weight capacity, but don’t forget to include your bag or backpack, which can add some extra pounds.
Your incline and terrain also impact the speed of your electric skateboard and how long your battery lasts with a single charge. Many boards offer multiple speed modes so you can gauge what distance you can expect to complete. You can also pick a board with two batteries to give you a higher wattage.
Electric Skateboard Components
The main components of an electric skateboard are the motor, battery, deck, wheels, and controller. You need to review the features of each one to pick the best board for you. The wattage of the battery gives you an idea of how strong it is and how much speed and distance you’ll realistically cover before you have to recharge it. Manufacturers also differ in terms of the skateboard’s deck. Some have hard fiber decks that offer more stability, while others have flexible decks that better mimic a real skateboard. The wheels on your electric skateboard also help you determine what kind of terrain you can ride on.
Standard vs. Motorized Powered Skateboards
There’s definitely a difference between standard and motorized powered skateboards. While standard skateboards have sometimes been used for commuting purposes, they’re also built for jumps, flips, and other tricks thanks to their light weight design.
Electric skateboards, on the other hand, have largely risen in popularity as a transportation device, especially in crowded cities where owning a car doesn’t make sense and public transportation is a headache. This type of board can get you from point A to point B in minutes, especially if you’re just a few miles away from your destination. And unlike a bike, a motorized skateboard doesn’t need to be locked up and left behind with a high risk of theft. Instead, you can simply take it with you to the office or your classroom.
It definitely takes some skill to master the electric skateboard, but it still takes a lot less effort compared to the old standard version. You don’t need to worry about showing up to work or school sweaty because you haven’t been pushing the board yourself.
Another advantage is that an electric skateboard can help you go a lot faster, especially if you have inclines throughout your route. You can also choose your speed, with most models offering multiple options depending on where you are. For safety reasons, your controller should also have an emergency brake in case you need to suddenly avoid a pedestrian or car.
If you still want to perform tricks on your electric longboard, check to see how it performs manually. Some models make it easy to transition between motorized and standard use, while other models aren’t designed to be powered on your own.
Definitely expect your electric skateboard to be heavier than a standard skateboard. The motor and the batter add some weight, so you can’t just sling it over your shoulder when you’re ready to walk. You could easily add an extra 20 pounds to your carrying load with an electric board, while standard boards weigh around 10 pounds (or even less). Still, you’ll have more control over your ride and speed with a quality electric motorized skateboard.
Motorized skateboards give the thrill of skateboarding without the hassle.
How to Choose the Best Electric Skateboard
With crowded streets and unreliable public transportation, using an electric skateboard is a convenient and fun way to get around. Instead of dreading your morning commute, you’ll actually look forward to hopping on your board and travelling to work or school. Plus, you don’t have to worry about looking sweaty or frazzled as you would after riding a bike or standard skateboard.
But with so many motor skateboards on the market for a range of prices, how do you choose the best one? Here are some of the most important features so you can choose the est electric skateboard for you.
Battery Life Matters!
One of the biggest downsides of using a motorized skateboard is that you need to track your battery life to make sure you don’t unexpectedly stop moving because your charge goes dead. Check the charge time, which can range anywhere from one hour to several hours. You’ll definitely want to plan ahead and incorporate charging your electric skateboard battery into your daily routine.
The performance of your battery also depends on the wattage. E-skateboard makers are continually increasing the wattage of the batteries to make the boards go faster. Higher wattage also typically extends how far you can travel with one charge of the battery.
The Motor
Motor performance depends on a few different things. One factor is the wattage of the battery, since a higher wattage results in better motor power. Also check on how many motors the electric skateboard includes. Dual motors are becoming increasingly popular to increase board speed. A better motor also helps you navigate steeper inclines and lets you accelerate more quickly.
Of course, when you have bigger motors and more than one attached to your board, the weight can get heavier. Recent improvements are helping to increase power without changing the size of the motor, but definitely check weight specs when looking at performance.
The Board
Different electric skateboard models offer different deck options on the board itself. This is where the difference in feel between an electric board and a standard board really come into play. Consider how much flex you prefer when comparing materials as well as the movement of your board.
For instance, some models try to copy the feel of a traditional skateboard as much as possible by creating several layers that give a truly flexible feel. Others make hard boards that are aimed to improve your control and stability while riding, especially on off-road terrain.
The Wheels
Your electric skateboard wheels will vary depending on whether you choose a street model or all-terrain model. Newer 2-in-1 models come with both sets of wheels that you can switch out depending on your upcoming trek.
The size of the wheels on your electronic skateboard also impact how smoothly you’ll be able to travel. Most commonly, you’ll see hard urethane wheels, but some models offer pneumatic wheels that are specifically designed to handle motorized longboards. If you do a little research, you can definitely purchase your favorite board based on other specs, then switch out the wheels with your preferred brand or material.
The Weight
This is an incredibly important factor, especially if you frequently ride your electric skateboard until the battery dies or if riding is only one leg of your trip. You’ll also want to carefully consider board weight if you’re purchasing one for a child or young teenager.
Manufacturers typically list the weight right along with the other board specs, so it’s easy to figure out how heavy it actually is. Also take a look at the length, especially if you hope to tuck your board away in a backpack. Many electric skateboards can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds so if you still have to walk through campus after riding your board, your arms could quickly get tired.
Warranty
The best electric skateboards are definitely more expensive than most standard boards, plus they have more components (meaning more parts that can break or wear down). That being said, research what kind of warranty is included with your purchase and figure out if it’s worth adding on additional coverage based on your needs.
Most warranty plans start at six months, but finding one with a longer warranty is good if you use your board on a regular basis. An extended warranty can keep you covered for as long as two years. When comparing plans, also considered which parts and what kind of incidents are included with the warranty.
Price
Electric skateboards can really run the gamut when it comes to price. You’ll find models anywhere from a couple hundred dollars all the way up to a couple thousand dollars. Speed, performance, and battery life are all features that will vary by what you’re willing to pay.
When considering how much to spend on an electric longboard, think about how you plan to use it. If you plan on taking it out recreationally a couple times a week or month, you may want to start with a cheaper model. If you’re using a motorized board in lieu of a car, opting for a more expensive version could lead to a more reliable commute and hold up better to everyday use.
Each motor skateboard has a distinct weight limit. Remember this isn’t restricted to just your body weight, but must include the weight of your gear as well. Expect typical weight ranges to go from about 220 pounds to 260 pounds. Many users report higher weights working (especially with a backpack added on), but the speed will likely by lower.
You may also shorten the battery life and the motor life if you go above the weight limit for your selected board. In addition to checking out the manufacturer’s specs, look at individual reviews to get a sense of what to expect in terms of weight and performance.
Speed and Distance
Electric skateboards are capable of hitting speeds up to 25 mph. After that, you’ll need to charge your board, which typically takes a couple of hours. Keep in mind that the larger the battery you purchase the heavier your board will be. Remember that motorized longboards, on average, about 20 pounds.
The best skateboards can travel on just about any terrain. If the area you plan on using your board is pretty standard, you really don’t need to worry about incline ratings. However, if you plan on being tough on your board, look at user reviews to find out how well your future board performs.
Safety of Electric Skateboards
25 mph may not sound that fast, but it is when you’re not sitting in a protective car with seatbelts and airbags. To put it into perspective, visualize Olympic sprinters racing around a track. 25 mph is about how fast they typically go. Simply put, you’re going to want protection when you’re on an electric skateboard.
Basically, you’ll want everything your mom wanted you to wear when rollerblading was still a thing: a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and protective gloves. Though it’s by no means a given you’re going to fall off, you’ll want to be prepared. Also know your state’s laws concerning motorized skateboards. Some states don’t want to see you using it in public thoroughfares, while others don’t mind as long as you adhere to bicycle laws.
