TLDR: If you’re in a hurry the Boosted Mini X is the Best Electric Skateboard according to reddit! The Boosted Mini X, being compact enough for commuting, is a great deal for those of you looking for a daily-use, durable electric skateboard.
You’ve got to be at least a halfway skateboarder if you are on this page. I’d believe you if you can tell me the plot of the 1986 skater drama classic called Thrashin’. Rings a bell? The film starred some of the most famous skateboarders of the time (in fact the director rejected Johnny Depp for the lead, and somewhere in the film the band Red Hot Chili Peppers too makes an appearance); it had this amazing tagline: “Thrashin’: It’s not a kid’s game, anymore.” I wonder what the director would make of the form that the original woody skateboard has evolved into today.
Skateboarding was a raw subculture back then, one that has taken its time to gain following over the decades and to grow from a niche hobby into a recognized sport. It goes to say something that USA Skateboarding – the National governing authority for the sport of skateboarding – was formed as recently as 2003. Skateboarding was to debut at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this July. We doubt that can still happen, but rest assured that skateboarding is here to stay. Not only as a sport, but also as an eco-friendly way to commute.
Most importantly, skateboarding is a passion not about to flip out of fashion anytime soon. The truth is that there’s hardly anything cooler on the streets of 21st century than a skater performing effortless kickflips.
What Is An Electric Skateboard?
Haven’t heard of an electric skateboard yet? Remember that abnormally fast skater you saw on the street the other day? That’s about it – that electrified ride is exactly what is enabled by an electric skateboard. Quite simply, it is the crème de la crème of rideable technology.
An electric skateboard is like a regular skateboard in its shape and function, but empowered with battery, motors and remote control that enable riding at previously unimaginable speeds (and without the requirement of a license!). You might think electric skateboards are a new technology, but not at all. The first ‘motorized’ skateboard, launched in 1975, was a gasoline-powered, bulky piece of technology that cost a princely sum of $650. It was called MotoBoard. So noisy and polluting that they had to ban it in California by 1997.
The dream of motorized skateboards though, was finally realized in a wireless model launched in the same year. There was no looking back from there; electric skateboards were on their way to becoming an obsession for speedophiles.
Do You Even Need An Electric Skateboard?
Why should you invest in a skateboard? Even assuming you aren’t a skateboarding enthusiast, the thing is that we live in a world so crowded that there’s barely space for each of our cars to squeeze in. Sooner or later even bicycles – the second-most eco-friendly mode of transport after your feet – would find the roads too crowded. This is where an electric skateboard steps in. An easy, compact ride that promotes sustainable travel.
But what if you already own a skateboard? Maybe you even have one personally autographed by Rodney Mullen, the inventor of the Kickflip, what then? I say keep it. Because an electric skateboard isn’t really an upgrade; it’s a totally different game, and not one for kids (pun intended).
There are two reasons for this. Firstly, if you are an avid skater already, you might want to try one of these beauties before you make up your mind. Heard of that thing called Speed? Electric skateboards can take you to its upper limits. The highest of them – tech yet to hit the streets – can go as fast as 55 mph. The kind of power an electric skateboard brings to your feet muscles is better experienced than read about.
Personally, I found regular skateboards to be too much effort, but this works differently. Something like an electric guitar – a much easier ride with none of those bruises on the fingers caused by tough acoustic strings.
Electric skateboards are usually longer than regular skateboards, but also lighter (and lighter than hoverboards as well). They come with weight sensors, and are hence more convenient to ride. Definitely a more expensive buy, but well worth the money for their smooth motion. And if you enjoy a bit of attention now and then (and can handle your speed!), an electric skateboard is just what the style doctor ordered.
How Should You Choose An Electric Skateboard?
I sometimes think that choosing a car is simpler than choosing an electric skateboard; there are a lot more factors to be considered in the latter. Chances are you wouldn’t be buying a car unless you have already learnt to drive, but you might be buying an electric skateboard precisely for the purpose of learning, which drastically affects the decision. Skateboards come for all levels of expertise, so take your time and check for the following features before you choose one that fits your requirements, personal skating style and chosen terrain (off-roading anyone? Read on).
Speed & Mileage: Speed isn’t the only factor that your decision should be based on, but it is one of the foremost that attracts us to motorized skateboards in the first place. Most electric skateboards come in single or dual motor models. If you want speed for an uphill climb, you’ll need the power of a dual motor. As a rule of thumb, you should assume that the listed speed of a skateboard is derived from a lightweight skater, and adjust your calculations accordingly. As in any other motorized vehicle, in this case too you should check the mileage; around 10 miles per charge is a good starting point.
Maneuverability: By maneuverability I am referring to the ease and comfort to ride, efficient control, and the stability of the electric skateboard. These can only be best assessed by you. You could walk into a store and give it a try before ordering online, scout user forums and read through at least the more credible reviews left on Amazon. In terms of stability, ensure that you go for deck length above 27 inches.
Portability: Portability is an important factor to consider before buying an electric skateboard, and it depends on your intended use of the board and its weight and size. If, for instance, you need it for commuting, and your regular route is going to involve plenty of switches to other modes of public transport, then the ideal deck length and board weight for such a daily commute would be 27 inches and 7 kg. Of course, size and weight needn’t be directly proportionate; it is possible to find large skateboards that are lightweight and vice versa. Also, you’d thank me later for reminding you to check if the electric skateboard is air-travel friendly. Which basically means you check your battery size and capacity.
Size: I mean your personal size. Your height and weight would determine your grip and balance on the board, so this one’s a pertinent detail to consider.
Battery Quality: A decent electric skateboard will use a high-quality battery cell – to give you top speed and mileage – and will clearly label it with its brand name and specifications. 7-10 miles per charge is the minimum for quality reasons, and trust me, this is not the kind of thing to skimp on.
Wheel Quality: Another factor that you shouldn’t try to go cheap on is wheel quality, after all wheels are what you have between you and the hard pavement. There are two kinds: Generic Wheels, which are the sturdier ones made of high-density rubber, and Clone Wheels (or you might know them better as Castor Wheels), made of a plastic derivate called urethane, made of the same material as your office chair or travel suitcase, and sometimes prone to chipping and flaking.
Material: Your skateboard itself might be made of wood, and the wheels could be rubber or urethane, but the electrical components better be encased in steel, and good quality one at that for durability and better heat resistance. And do not settle for cheap motors or cheap construction!
Brakes & Backwards: The skateboard manufacturer might have advertised excellent hydraulic brakes, but ground reality depends upon your weight and the charge that keeps the board on the move. Also, regardless of how powerful it is, a brake will lose some efficiency going downhill (and you might still have to use your foot now and then). I know it’s difficult to test-ride every board, but it helps to read reviews like these. Ensure that the board comes with regenerative braking, so it can re-use some of the energy generated as heat. Also, bi-directional drive is a big bonus. Why flip the board when you can reverse?
Connectivity: Not that handheld controllers have a wide range of functions to worry about, but I’m sure all of us would want that bit to work in an ‘electric’ skateboard. That said, some of the boards could still run into dropped connectivity, and to avoid it the best maneuver is to keep your hands low while using the remote control.
Water Resistance: Knowing as this is after all an electrical equipment, you want to make sure that your skateboard is water-resistant (waterproof is somehow harder to guarantee). Most skateboard decks are fully water-resistant, but it still isn’t a good idea to expose them to water as that would inevitably interfere with its functionality. To top it off you might lose your footing as well, so stay home or walk your way on cloudy days. If you must go out skateboarding in pelting rain, use a waterproof spray at its bottom (not on wheels though).
Customer support: Come on, when you are investing several hundred bills into something that is fitted with an electrical system and on which your daily safety depends, you’d want reliable customer service and a minimum of a 1 or 2-year warranty. You don’t upgrade electric skateboards like you do your phones; think of it as a long-term investment, and it’s good if help is just a phone call away.
Best Electric Skateboards 2023
To spare you hours of research on dozens of brands, and strictly following the above factors as the criteria, we have come up with the following collection of 10 best electric skateboards that you can select from this year:
1. Boosted Mini X – Best Electric Skateboard for Commuting
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I’m not one of those who consider price to be directly proportionate to quality, but the most expensive electric skateboard on our list – Boosted Mini X – is also amongst the best. TIME Magazine recognized the Boosted Mini as one of the top 100 inventions of 2018. Boosted was started by a bunch of grad students looking to create ultra-light, high-performance electric vehicles to get around town and campus. They put it up on Kickstarter back in 2012 and have been on every top-10 compilation ever since.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
Want a powerful, stable, portable ride? That’s a lot to ask for, but Boosted Mini X fits the profile perfectly. Boosted’s tagline for this model is ‘power meets agility’, and for good reason. You’d be spending big bucks, but what you get for it is a powerful motor that can have you gliding as fast as 20 mph – up to a 14-mile range per charge (of 1 hour and 45 minutes), which in our books qualifies as sweet mileage.
The board’s core is strong but lightweight poplar encased in fiberglass, topped off by a Deep Dish composite deck unique to Boosted and which adds stability to your electric skateboard and makes it a smoother, more comfy ride.
Who is this for?
The Boosted Mini X, being compact enough for commuting, is a great deal for those of you looking for a daily-use, durable electric skateboard. Your level of expertise doesn’t matter so much as it comes with three in-built speed modes for varying levels of experience. Also, if you live in a hilly place you’ll much appreciate the uphill power.
- Lightweight and durable build
- Powerful acceleration
- Regenerative brakes
- Excellent mileage of 14
- Can climb up to 20 degrees uphill
- Expensive
2. Blitzart Huracane GT – Best Dual Electric Skateboard With Changeable Tires
You’d have heard of Blitzart’s amazing range of electric skateboards, but it’s important to not confuse the many models they have on sale. Unlike Blitzart Huracane, Blitzart Huracane GT has Dual Motor, and although similar in features to Blitzart Tornado, the Huracane GT ends up giving better performance.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
With 6 layers of sturdy maple wood and a double-layered deck made of bamboo and outfitted with extremely useful grip tape, you can be sure that this one’s construction is immaculate. Blitzart Huracane GT’s speed impressed us by going up to a whopping 23 mph. Mileage too didn’t let us down at 11 miles per charge.
What makes Blitzart Huracane GT unique though is its 700W Brushless Hub Motor. Hub motors are different from the usual belt-driven motors in that they drive without any external parts. So while a belt-driven motor might give you more torque uphill, a hub motor would generate lesser noise and require lesser maintenance. You can even ride a hub-motor powered board rough like you would on a regular skateboard without anything electric about it. Of course, it also makes the design sleeker, more seamless. Huracane GT also comes in some bright and playful colors that make it a trendy board to match different personalities.
Who is this for?
For those looking for a flexible, free-form ride that can take up to 250 lbs without a squeak, the Blitzart Huracane GT is a great investment. We are talking high-quality design and build meant to last.
- Solid construction
- Great speed
- Hub-Motor board with sleek design
- Value for money
- Replaceable, colorful accessories
- Hubs might need tightening
3. Skatebolt Tornado – Electric Skateboard with Remote Control
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Here’s another electric skateboard that comes with two powerful hub motors of 500 watts each. The Skatebolt Tornado – or ‘electric longboard’ as Skatebolt prefers calling it – is possibly the California-based company’s best (and fastest, as you’ll see) board till date. Read on to know why.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
I swear it isn’t just the design that has endeared this particular model to me, though it’s true that my brother still worships me for gifting him a mode of transport that has lights to illuminate him and his way in the darkest of alleys.
Constructed out of top-quality Canadian maple wood – 8 layers of it, no less – Skatebolt Tornado Electric Longboard might well be the fastest in the market. Its powerful dual motors will have you moving around at speeds as high as 26 mph, and the mileage had me stop to catch my breath – 18 miles per charge is something of a miracle. Skatebolt Tornado will also be a real asset on uphill climbs as up to 25 degrees is a breeze for this piece of rideable tech. Quite honestly, Skatebolt Tornado is a 39-inch beauty I’ve developed a soft corner for.
Who is this for?
Design junkies would love it without a doubt. So would speedophiles. The Skatebolt Tornado is a good investment for those of you who crave affordable speed that lasts a fair while and can take a wee bit of drizzle too.
- Excellent speeds
- LED taillights
- Regenerative braking
- Can easily tackle 25-degree inclines
- Water-resistant
- A bit on the heavy side
- Only 6-month warranty
4. Teamgee H5 Electric Skateboard
To put it in their own words, Teamgee takes pride in making ‘the thinnest and most affordable skateboards’. Although a relatively recent entrant launched in 2016 – founded by a mysteriously-named ‘Mr Sun’ – Teamgee has been quick in establishing a name for itself in the world of e-vehicles. The Teamgee H5 is their mid-range model that offers a great round-up of features for a cost that’s worth saving for.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
I’m not sure if it’s actually the thinnest, but Teamgee H5 Blade Electric Skateboard scores high on our portability meter. 15-mm is indeed very thin, and the board is a good 15mm lower to the ground than most others on the list, which usually translates into more stable rides and better control on balance.
The Teamgee H5 is a thin but sturdy buy as it is crafted out of 10 ply boards of Canadian maple wood. The deck itself is a layer of fiberglass – concave and with soft bushing for higher flexibility, especially on sharp bends. It doesn’t have the highest speed of all skateboards, but the dual hub motors of 380W each will have you riding at speeds up to 20 mph, which is good by most standards. The miles range is strictly average at 9-11 mph, but overall it’s a durable electric skateboard to own.
Interestingly, the batteries are hidden inside the deck, which lends the board a neater look. It’s pretty retro, come to think of it, and we like it for that.
Who is this for?
Teamgee H5 would ride well with daily commuters scouting for a good-looking electric skateboard that feels practically weightless.
- Ultra-thin and lightweight
- Regenerative brakes
- Ergonomic remote with LCD display
- Decent speed
- Lower weight capacity of 220 lbs
5. Spadger D5X Plus Portable Electric Longboard
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A bit on the steep side of the budget when you compare it to some of the other models with similar features, but Spadger’s D5X Plus has made it to our list for its design features. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are plenty skaters out there who care about looks. ‘Plus’, when we say design, the D5X Plus offers more than just what meets the eye.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
Powered with 900W, you can expect speeds up to 23 mph, seamless uphill climbs of inclines up to 25 degrees, and a superb range of 12 miles per charge. Spadger D5X Plus Electric Skateboard also has settings leading up to pro levels, so you needn’t feel intimidated by the figures.
Going back to design, the first thing you’d notice is a deck that feels and rides different from any other skateboard in the market. That’s because it isn’t crafted out of the usual material like maple, bamboo or other wood, but of another, rather unique combo – polycarbonate, sea glass and lead – giving it an unusual flexibility that feels great when turning tough bends. It also makes the board fire-proof, shock-proof and – beat this – explosion-proof! You listening? In the kind of times we live in, this might well be the most apt electric skateboard!
Add to that the supercool metallic finish, a built-in Bluetooth audio speaker and LED lamps that can be paired with their LedBle app to change 30 different light modes. Are you kidding me? Who wouldn’t be tempted by an explosion-proof discotheque on the move?
Who is this for?
I have a feeling that Batman fans would totally dig this board. But looks aside, because of its 4 speed modes, the Spadger Electric Skateboard D5X Plus works well for beginners and advanced skaters alike.
- Good looking as hell
- Explosion-proof
- Very flexible
- Great speed
- LED lamp & Bluetooth speaker
- Might look too loud for some
6. Swagtron Swagskate NG2
Looking for something funkier still? Something lower on the budget ladder but higher on e-mobility? How about an electric skateboard that doesn’t even require a remote for navigation? If all this sounds fascinating, then Swagtron might be the board you’ve been looking for.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
If you’ve ever ridden a Swagtron Swagskate NG1, you’d recall its amazing Cruise Control feature that would let you continue at a consistent speed without even touching the throttle. Well, Swagtron Swagskate NG2 takes the game several notches higher. To begin with it has more powerful dual motors of 900W altogether, which means your top speed is a decent 18 mph, and a mile range of 11 miles per charge to match it.
The deck too has gotten an uplift with 6 layers of maple wood and two of bamboo, making it a spacious 38.6-inch deck that’s durable yet lightweight. What gives Swagskate NG2 its swagger though, is its intuitive AI-powered somatosensory navigation system. Allow me to simplify that for you – smart sensors that let you have the joy of a hands-free ride, much like a traditional skateboard, but with the power of an electric one. They call it going ‘lean’; all you need to accelerate or reverse is lean forward or backward. Sure, there’s an optional remote control included as well, but chances are you wouldn’t care for it once you get a hang of navigating with nothing but shifts in your balance.
Who is this for?
The Swagtron Swagskate NG2 is a great buy for those skaters making their first switch from a traditional skateboard to an electric one. Not exactly for beginners, but specifically for beginners in the arena of powered boards. It’s a real joy to ride this bright yellow board like one of those Thrashin’ heroes.
- Smart sensors for balance control
- Hands-free navigation
- Budget-friendly
- Tough build
- Reliable customer support
- Might be unsuitable for heavy riders
7. RazorX Cruiser – Best Budget Electric Skateboard
As far as budget buys go, I dare you to find a better deal than the RazorX Cruiser. It might seem more modest in size and speed than the others on this list, but the Cruiser can take the rider’s weight (up to 220 lbs) and does offer a stable ride and is highly portable.
What does Reddit have to say about it:
What makes it the perfect choice?
RazorX Cruiser lives up to its name – an easy-to-use electric skateboard that you can go cruising on. And cruising, as we all know, isn’t a very speedy business.
Unlike the other brands on this list, RazorX Cruiser runs on a single hub motor, one of 125W that makes it a breeze to get used to. In fact, the motor is only activated once the skateboard is running, so no off-balance surprise starts there. It boasts RazorX’s soft-start kick activated technology, and cruises along to a maximum of 10 mph and can keep at it for 40 minutes per charge.
It loses out on flexibility because it lacks any layers of bamboo, but the 29.7-inch deck is nevertheless 5-ply maple wood, which ensures a stable and durable ride. What we like most about RazorX Cruiser is that it can be continued to move on as a regular skateboard long after it has run out of battery.
Who is this for?
With its intuitive, easy-to-use controls and manageable speeds to learn on, needless to say RazorX Cruiser is great for beginners. It’s also a good buy for those of you looking for an affordable ride to take around the block or to work and back.
- Best affordable deal
- Elegant design
- Low maintenance
- Usable without battery as well
- Compact
- Low flexibility
- Low speed
- Cannot ride in reverse
Which Is The Best Electric Skateboard?
I realize that the above list might sound overwhelming to some readers/buyers, but you can narrow down on choices by being clear at your end about your personal expectations from an electric skateboard. There are options above for different levels of expertise, different terrains and different body weights to cater to every kind of skater. Just remember that sturdiness is a basic you mustn’t compromise on. Beyond that it’s a decision dictated by your own need for speed. Ride safe folks!
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Last update on 2023-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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