Let These Speedy Electric Skateboards Replace Your Kicking Power for Good (2024)

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With the ever-growing popularity of electric bikes and scooters, it seems like we’re living in a golden age of e-rides—and the electric skateboard is no exception. Especially for navigating city streets, it’s a great alternative to your regular skateboard for trips around the neighborhood or even your car for the morning commute. All you need is a helmet.

Typically powered by two pairs of motorized wheels or belts, e-boards require nothing from you but a bit of balance. No need to kick and push your way through the city anymore—just set a speed on the included remote and cruise. (And hey, you’ll definitely be the coolest person in your office.)

If you’re looking to switch up your daily commute or just ride around town, we’ve highlighted some of the best options for both. Check out our list of the best electric skateboards along with some key features to look out for while you shop.

For more great ways to get around fast, check out our picks for the best scooters for kids and adults and the best commuter bikes.

The Best Electric Skateboards

• Best Overall: Backfire G2 Electric Skateboard
• Best Cruiser: Meepo Mini 2 Electric Skateboard
• Best Entry-Level: JKing H2B Electric Skateboard
• Best for Stability: Meepo V5 Electric Skateboard
• Best for Commuting: Voyager Neutrino Electric Skateboard

What to Consider

How Electric Skateboards Work

Instead of relying on momentum and force from your legs, electric skateboards use built-in motors to turn the wheels for you. Riding an electric skateboard does not require physical force to work, contrary to traditional boarding. You usually control the speed and acceleration of your board through a remote control that you keep in your hand as you ride. While uncommon, some electric skateboards operate similar to hoverboards, where, instead of a remote, you lean your weight forward to accelerate and shift it back to slow down.

For many boards, the remote also controls deceleration and reversing the board. Some boards automatically slow down unless you’re actively accelerating them with the remote as a safety measure.

Riding an electric skateboard requires a bit of that balance we mentioned, though if you’ve ridden a traditional skateboard before, this shouldn’t be a difficult transition. Just brace for the acceleration, and make sure to ease into higher speeds. For those completely new to it, practice with your electric skateboard in an open space away from potential hazards until you feel comfortable on it.

Types of Electric Skateboards

Consider grabbing a cruiser board if you plan to use an electric skateboard for commuting. Cruisers are oval-shaped, with flat tails and noses that come to a point. These boards are typically lighter and smaller than longboards (the other kind), with an average length between 25 and 35 inches and weighing 9 to 15 pounds. They’re easy to carry due to the compact size, and the smallest cruisers can even fit inside a backpack or duffel bag.

Keep in mind, however, that cruisers aren’t as stable of a ride as longboards at higher speeds. With smaller wheels and less board length, cruisers can be harder to control, particularly at high speeds and on uneven terrain. As such, we recommend cruisers to more experienced riders who have ridden skateboards and electric skateboards before.

Longboards are, as the name says, longer than your typical cruiser, with larger wheels and wider trucks. If you are new to skateboarding, longboards can be easier to ride on due to their size and the flexibility of the board. Most electric longboards are between 35 and 45 inches with a weight range of 15 to 25 pounds.

Longboards are great for trips that go farther than a quick jaunt around the corner, and the size allows for stable travel on less even terrain than concrete. These boards are bigger, making them harder to store and carry. For storing boards when you aren’t riding, consider using a backpack that comes with straps designed to hold your board.

Weight Restrictions

Although an electric skateboard may advertise a top speed of 30 miles per hour, your actual speed may vary depending on how much you weigh and the board’s suggested load capacity.

If you’re over the board’s weight limit, you may be unable to reach its max speed or risk breaking the motor. Make sure to factor in the weight of any backpacks or other items you carry with you as you ride when looking at weight restrictions.

Flexibility

If you’re going to ride over bumpy gravel and potholes, lean toward a flexible e-board—like our best overall pick—that can provide some shock absorption. Most boards are made of maple wood, fiberglass, plastic, or metal. Each of these materials offer decent flex, with the maple wood striking a balance between flexibility and durability.

Wattage

A general rule of thumb: the lower wattage, the less power your electric skateboard has. This power translates to both the speed of your board and the torque it can generate. The higher the wattage, the more equipped it is to move heavy weights and ride fast. High-wattage boards are typically over 500 watts for longboards and 350 or more watts for cruisers.

High-wattage boards are best for cruising through bumpy, uneven pavement and riding on dirt roads, though they usually weigh and cost more than their lower-wattage counterparts. Higher wattage also helps with climbing up steep hills.

Lower wattage means less power, but you could fare just fine with 200 to 300 watts for a reliable commuting vehicle. The majority of the e-boards we recommend below have dual motors, meaning a motor on both the front trucks and back trucks, and we note the wattage of each.Keep in mind that most boards designed for young kids usually have a single motor, due to the lower weight demands of a young rider and to cap the max speed.

Batteries

Many electric skateboard companies claim their battery packs can last a set number of miles on a single charge. However, because every rider is different, and likely switches between speed settings and terrains throughout a given cruise, this mileage heavily varies. It usually takes between 2 and 4 hours to charge an e-board’s battery, so make sure to keep the general range of your board in mind before heading out.

Wheels

The majority of wheels are made of polyurethane, a durable material designed to ride smoothly on flat surfaces and grip well enough to accelerate well as you push the motor further. Wheels for cruisers are between 70 and 80 millimeters in diameter while longboards range from around 85 to 95 millimeters. A larger wheel may offer a bit better control for the rider, though it shouldn’t affect your day-to-day riding a lot.

Functionality

Some electric skateboards still ride comfortably even after the battery runs out. If the board has wheels that spin freely without motor assistance, you can use it as a traditional skateboard throughout the day. Others require the motor on and running and will not gain speed from kicking power alone.

How We Selected

In determining the best electric skateboards, we compared dozens of electric skateboards using our knowledge of electric-powered rides, including bikes, hoverboards, and scooters. We also consulted reviews from other publications that have tested out electric skateboards first such as Wirecutter and Forbes, as well as beginner and expert users on message boards.

We considered electric skateboards that offer a variety of features, such as substantial battery life, wattage, quality wheels and trucks, accessible controllers, and high weight capacities. After sifting through dozens of models, we chose these terrific e-boards.

During our research, we also tested out the Meepo V5 skateboard ourselves. Riding it through different parks and streets around the city, we paid close attention to its acceleration, shock absorption, and steering.