The fashion for environmentally friendly urban transport has gained incredible momentum in the 21st century, but for a long time the choice of a means of transportation was associated with a number of compromises. You can, of course, buy a bicycle, but the problems associated with parking it have turned many potential buyers away from such an idea. A scooter is great, but it’s also not suitable for everyone. But the appearance of hoverboards on wide sale was enthusiastically greeted by the public, and every year we see an increasing number of such devices on the streets of Russian cities. We will tell you how to choose a hoverboard in today’s material.
What is this anyway?
The roots of the hoverboard can be found in the development of assistive devices for people with disabilities. American inventor Dean Cayman spent his entire life trying to make the lives of people with disabilities easier and once developed a gyroscopic wheelchair that functions on exactly the same principles as a modern hoverboard. The closest relative of the hero of our article can be called the Segway, which appeared at the beginning of the 21st century, but it lost its handle and turned into a hoverboard quite recently - about five years ago.
A hoverboard is a type of two-wheeled electric vehicle that maintains its balance using gyroscopic sensors. By and large, the design is very simple - a pair of wheels and a board, which is driven by a small electric motor. As soon as you stand on the board, it will roll under your center of gravity, and when you move it forward, the mini-Segway will start moving, and you will be on your way. Now let’s try to decide on those characteristics that you need to pay special attention to when trying to answer the question of how to choose a high-quality hoverboard. To compare models, you can use our article where we have compiled a rating of the best hoverboard models of 2021.
Power
This indicator does not have a direct correlation with speed, as motorists might think; the latter is determined at the device firmware level; however, a low-power device may force you to encounter a number of problems. If you are purchasing a hoverboard for a child who will ride exclusively within the yard, where the surface is smooth and flat, then in general the power is secondary. But for those who are going to ride a mini-Segway around a city full of ups and downs, it makes sense to purchase a fairly powerful gadget, otherwise driving up a hill will be oh so difficult.
The motor is located in the wheels and most of the weight of the device falls on it, so it will not be easy for fragile girls to carry a powerful device in their hands. Average power figures are 300-400 W per one wheel, with such an engine you can easily overcome a hill with an inclination of 20 degrees, and you practically won’t find large angles in places where there is a high-quality road surface for riding.
Speed
A hoverboard, of course, is not a racing car, and therefore speed characteristics are not of paramount importance for it, but I also wouldn’t want to move at a snail’s pace. Many models reach a speed of about 20 km/h, but you need to understand that you are unlikely to be able to drive so recklessly while moving around the city, and besides, it is fraught with injuries.
For thrill-seekers, there are hoverboards that reach speeds of over 30 km/h, but in this case we strongly recommend paying attention to full-fledged Segways - falling off them is much more difficult, and you will definitely remember a fall at a speed of 30 km/h for a long time. A hoverboard is very convenient for moving in a stream of people, but the potential speed in such conditions rarely exceeds standard walking, and therefore, when choosing between a fast and reliable device in the same price category, it would be wise to give preference to the latter.
Types of hoverboards
Electric vehicles with a gyroscopic device are classified according to design differences. What types of hoverboards are there?
Handleless hoverboard
A two-wheeled cross board controlled by tilting the body in the desired direction. The maximum speed is 25 km/h. Power reserve – up to 40 km. Battery power –4,400 mAh
Smart Balance Wheel Suv New 10.5
A good and high-quality hoverboard model. Ten-inch pneumatic wheels, maximum engine power – 800 W. The combination of power and wheel sizes provides good maneuverability even on uneven road surfaces.
The footrests are equipped with rubber pads that have good grip on the user's shoes and do not slip.
At night, the bottom is illuminated in blue. Using the Bluetooth module, you can establish a connection with a smartphone: listen to music through the hoverboard speaker, track battery charging, distance traveled and speed.
Smart Balance Wheel Suv New 10.5
Unicycle
The most unusual variety is an electric unicycle with self-balancing. Made in the form of one large wheel with two footrests on the sides.
Drives faster than traditional models, reaching speeds of up to 35 km/h. More maneuverable, easily “sneaks” into narrow passages. It is convenient to carry it in your hands; there is a handle on top of the body for these purposes.
Ninebot One S2
The compact unicycle with a wheel diameter of 14 inches has good maneuverability. The surfaces are smooth and rounded, the user does not feel pressure on the feet.
The side panel is removable and provides access to the battery compartment. The batteries can be removed. This is done to ensure safe transportation of the wheel on an airplane. The European assembly has two batteries, allowing you to travel up to 30 km on one charge. In the Chinese version there is one.
The foot pedals have rubber pads that provide good grip on the soles. To transport the unicycle, there is a retractable rubberized handle on the body.
The backlight is more advanced than that of previous models from the same manufacturer. It illuminates not only the sides, but also the front, which is very convenient in the dark.
Ninebot One S2
Segway
This is a two-wheeled vehicle with a transverse platform and footrests. Control is carried out using the steering wheel. In size and weight, a Segway is significantly larger than a hoverboard; the diameter of its wheels is three to four times larger. The speed limit is 20 km/h.
Due to its size, the batteries are powerful - up to 12,000 mAh. Can cover distances of 30-45 km without recharging. Good cross-country ability, even off-road.
Abroad, postmen, couriers and even police patrols use such devices.
Smart Balance A8
The original hoverboard model has a retractable handlebar, ten-inch wheels and a high suspension. Well-inflated tires ride smoothly and do not vibrate. On one charge you can travel up to 20 km. Charging time is 4 hours.
The Segway is super lightweight, weighing only 14 kg. Budget - the average cost barely reaches 10,000 rubles. Easy to use - get up and go. But it is only designed for good road surfaces.
Smart Balance A8
Weight and maximum load
As already mentioned, the wheels, which also double as a motor, have the most significant impact on the final weight of the device, so think in advance about the conditions in which you plan to use the device. If you often have to pick it up, for example, when going into the office, then buying a device that weighs 15 kilograms may not be the best idea. Those who are looking for a means of transportation for a child should keep in mind the situation that the device may be discharged away from home, and therefore your child simply will not be able to transport heavy equipment home on his own.
Another important parameter is the maximum load. Adult models are designed for people weighing from 60 to 120 kg, and children's models can be controlled by small pilots weighing from 20-25 kg. If you decide to buy a toy for your child to grow into, you run the risk of encountering a situation where the child’s weight is not enough for the adult hoverboard to work properly.
Wheels
How to choose a hoverboard based on wheelbase characteristics? It is clear that the mini-Segway is not designed to overcome any significant obstacles, but some models cope with imperfect road surfaces much better than others. The diameter of the wheels helps them in this; the larger it is, the easier it will be for you to move along paving stones or an unpaved path. Small wheels, on the contrary, will significantly reduce the life of the device in conditions that are far from ideal, and may also have a detrimental effect on the health of your spine.
Tiny wheels with a diameter of 4 to 6 inches are suitable for children who plan to ride indoors or on a flat playground. 6.5-inch tires are considered universal - you won’t get on the curb, but the maneuverability and speed of such mini-Segways is at an excellent level. Eight-inch wheels can already fully resist obstacles, and ten-inch pneumatic wheels are already a full-fledged SUV from the world of hoverboards, but with regard to the latter, one must not forget about the quality of the rubber used - I would not want to change it regularly after breakdowns.
Leading hoverboards
So, the list of the best models includes:
- Smart Balance Wheel Transformers is an 8-inch hoverboard with an excellent design and a Bluetooth module, thanks to which you can listen to your favorite music while walking.
- Smart Balance Wheel is a model with a wheel diameter of 6.5 inches. It charges quite quickly, after which it is able to travel about 20 km without stopping. It is often considered as a mini hoverboard for children.
- Wmotion WM8 is a good option with LED backlighting and relatively fast charging, and can withstand weight up to 100 kg.
- Crossway Smart - the main advantage of this hoverboard is the availability of many colors and minimal weight (10 kg).
Battery and charger
Not only the battery life and service life of the hoverboard, but also your safety depend on the capacity and quality of the lithium-ion battery. Despite the fact that most of the scary stories about exploding batteries are just stories, it is strictly not recommended to purchase devices with strange Chinese batteries without various quality certificates. The capacity, obviously, directly affects the maximum travel distance, which is important for those buyers who plan to use the hoverboard not only for entertainment, but also for moving around the city. The average travel range from a full battery charge ranges from 15 to 25 km, and the battery capacity of these devices is 4-4.5 Ah. The battery is charged, as a rule, in one and a half to two hours and is designed for at least a thousand charges.
Choosing a decent battery can be difficult. The legendary South Korean brand Samsung is without a doubt the best choice, but there is a caveat - there are a lot of fakes and it can be very difficult to distinguish the original from the fake. Among the Chinese manufacturers, it is worth noting BYD; the batteries of this company, according to the results of many brands, leave even Samsung behind. You can also evaluate the quality of a product by eye; if there are hard-to-read inscriptions on the batteries, stickers are stuck unevenly, and so on, then it is better to avoid such a product.
A high-quality charger is compact and has a detachable long cord. Such chargers do not have a fan, because they do not need additional cooling, and the weight of such devices is very substantial despite their modest dimensions. If you see a large but light charge, the matter is unclean. We hope that now it will be easier for you to make the right choice and pick up a really good and high-quality hoverboard that can please you and your loved ones for many years. Good luck on the roads!
Top 10 best hoverboard models
Kiwano KO-X Electric Smart Scooter + Bag Black KO-XSRBKBS
The products, developed by an American company, are available in several colors - blue, grey, green, black and pink. Depending on the modification, the device can be equipped with standard and off-road wheels, due to which you can move on dirt, crushed stone and other roads. Here the body is made of special impact-resistant materials, the wings are made of high-strength aluminum alloy. They are equipped with special stiffening ribs, which allows them to maintain their shape even after significant physical impact. The case is reliably protected from moisture, so you can move this device even in pouring rain. There is special lighting on board based on LED flashlights. They have a warm white light at the front and red warning lights at the back. In addition, there are three indicators on the case - three indicate the level of battery charge, another indicates overload, and the last one lights up when an error occurs.
Along with the hoverboard there is a special application developed for various operating systems of mobile devices - iOS and Android. Connects to a tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth, and has a built-in speaker that allows you to play music directly while driving. The maximum speed is 25 km/h, but you can move much slower. Each wheel has a power of 400 W, their diameter is 8.5 inches, due to which you can go almost anywhere. You can ride a hoverboard on absolutely any surface and in any weather - on grass, snow, mud, gravel, any uneven surfaces, and so on. The engines are powered by a battery with a capacity of 4000 Ah and a voltage of 36 V.
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Advantages:
- Attractive appearance;
- Reliable protection against moisture;
- The batteries are placed in a waterproof casing, so the hoverboard can be used even in very cold weather.
Flaws:
- A little expensive.
Kiwano KO-X Electric Smart Scooter + Bag Black KO-XSRBKBS
9.HOVERBOT A-3 LIGHT
The device belongs to the budget class, it is characterized by high quality workmanship and materials used. It is capable of supporting a person and a load with a total mass of about 110 kg, and reaches a speed of about 15 km/h (more than enough in urban conditions). The product is equipped with a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4400 Ah, which allows you to travel about 20 km on a single charge. The diameter of the wheels here is 6.5 inches. The hoverboard can overcome inclines up to 15 degrees. The frame of the device is made of a reliable steel alloy, which does not weigh very much, but has a decent margin of safety. The case here is made of plastic, resistant to physical damage, wear, and the formation of small scratches. In areas that are exposed to impacts, there are special rubberized pads. The wheels are made of cast rubber. It perfectly dampens vibration and allows the driver to pass through small holes, potholes and other road surface defects unnoticed by the rider.
The front of the unit is equipped with LED lighting, which makes it easy to see the condition of the road. Overall dimensions are 59x19 cm with a weight of 11.5 kg. The product comes complete with a convenient fabric case for storing and transporting the product. The system has reliable protection against short circuits; the battery charge level is monitored by a special indicator located on the body of the hoverboard. The total motor power is 700 W. It is quite easy to control the product - to move forward, just slightly tilt the body, to stop, lean back, to turn in the desired direction, press with your right or left foot on the device.
Advantages:
- Universal products that are suitable for children, teenagers and adults;
- Reasonable price for a device of this type;
- Excellent workmanship and assembly quality;
- Interesting and original appearance.
Flaws:
- When the battery is completely discharged, it turns off suddenly, without warning the user.
HOVERBOT A-3 LIGHT
Smart Balance AMG 10
Products of the latest generation; during its development, all the shortcomings of models released several years earlier were taken into account. One of the key features of this product is tubeless inflatable wheels, the diameter of which is 10.5 inches, and the platform for the rider has been expanded almost twice. This makes this hoverboard ideal for beginners. In addition, such a solution has a positive effect on the cross-country ability of the device, excellent grip on the road surface and excellent stability even on slippery conditions. The product easily copes with potholes, unevenness and other obstacles that may arise along the route. The hoverboard is optimally adapted for travel both in urban areas and outside populated areas, including driving on dirt roads.
The body here is made of high-strength plastic, which allows the device to withstand fairly strong impacts on curbs or other hard surfaces. Each wheel is equipped with a waterproof electric motor with a power of 500 W. Using this indicator, it is possible to ensure a quick start, accelerate to a speed of approximately 15-20 km/h and climb a hill with a slope of up to 15 degrees. The outer part of the wheels has decorative caps with a plug. The battery capacity is 4400 Ah, which allows you to use the hoverboard without interruption for one and a half to two hours and travel about 20 km. The foot platform is equipped with longitudinal rubber strips, under which pressure and rotation sensors are hidden. There are charge level indicators, headlights, and a Bluetooth speaker that allows you to play music from a tablet or smartphone.
Advantages:
- The set includes a fabric case with handles for carrying;
- Very easy to use;
- Excellent stability;
- It can even drive through fairly long grass.
Flaws:
- Decent mass;
- The battery can withstand no more than 900 charges, after which it becomes unusable.
Smart Balance AMG 10
7. Smart Balance Wheel 6.5
The classic version of the hoverboard is a familiar platform on two wheels, equipped with an electric motor with a reliable battery. The body is made of lightweight carbon fiber, which is characterized by a high level of strength and reliability and can easily withstand even serious impacts. The battery is charged from a regular outlet; the hoverboard has overall dimensions of 290x690x280 mm. This model is considered relatively light - its weight is only 10 kg, and on one charge it can cover about 20 km. The design is equipped with a reliable automatic balancing system, which begins to work immediately when moving. The wheels are made of solid rubber of very high quality, and they rotate independently of each other. There is no need to pump them up, since it is almost impossible to pierce them.
The hoverboard has excellent maneuverability even at considerable speed; it can be easily turned around even on its own axis. The device makes absolutely no difference what surface it is driven on - asphalt, grass, off-road, and so on. The product can climb uphill with a slope of 15 degrees. The shock absorption is a rigid suspension system; the gadget can reach a maximum speed of 15 km/h. The battery capacity is 4400 Ah, which allows you to travel approximately 20 km without recharging. Total motor power 700 W. The battery is fully charged within one hour. The design includes LED lighting, as well as a rubberized pad on the base, so your feet will not slip off it even in heavy rain. The kit also includes a remote control.
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Advantages:
- Excellent driving characteristics in terms of agility and maneuverability;
- Tubeless wheels do not require inflation;
- Insignificant mass of products;
- Compact overall dimensions;
- Availability of LED backlight;
- Reasonable cost;
- Rubber pad on the platform.
Flaws:
- The sensitivity of the remote control is not very high.
Smart Balance Wheel 6.5
Smart Balance PRO PREMIUM 10.5 V2
The device has fairly large inflatable wheels made of cast rubber - they have a diameter of 10.5 inches (about 25 cm), thanks to which you can easily move even on uneven roads. If you use the device in the cold season, they will inevitably drain; you can pump them up with a standard car pump. This hoverboard can be ridden by a person weighing 22 kg or more, that is, it is suitable even for a child aged about 10 years. It’s very easy to learn how to ride it – you just need to spend about half an hour. There is a special application for this device that works with mobile device operating systems such as iOS and Android. The model can be controlled directly via Bluetooth. The body of the product is made of carbon plastic, which resists well even quite strong impacts, which makes it resistant to all kinds of mechanical damage.
There are LED lights at the front and rear of the platform that glow blue. The power button is located under the body; in the immediate vicinity of it you can find speakers and a socket for the charger plug. The set includes a bag-case, which is very convenient for storing and carrying the model. The application is completely Russified, so it’s quite easy to understand. In it you can obtain data regarding the actual speed of movement, battery charge level, adjust the smoothness of turning and the overall sensitivity of the platform. An automatic product balancing function is provided.
Advantages:
- Original automatic balancing system;
- Large diameter inflatable wheels;
- Sufficiently bright backlight;
- The speakers have fairly high-quality sound;
- A Russified application that is very easy to understand.
Flaws:
- Quite a heavy product - it will be problematic for a child to carry such a hoverboard.
Smart Balance PRO PREMIUM 10.5 V2
5. Novelty Electronics L1-B
The first product in our review is exclusively domestically produced, which in terms of performance is in no way inferior to foreign analogues, regardless of the country of their production. This model is designed for children aged 3 years and older, as evidenced by its weight (only 5 kg). On such a hoverboard you can accelerate to a speed of 10 km/h and travel about 10 km on a single battery charge. The total motor power is 600 W - 300 W for each wheel. The maximum load on the hoverboard is 70 kg. The wheels are made of high-quality rubber, which is resistant to abrasion and other physical stress. The case is made of special scratch-resistant plastic. The battery has a capacity of 2200 Ah and charges in approximately one hour. The design here is also designed specifically for children, in addition, the model is available in color options for boys and girls.
The central frame is narrow, so it will be quite easy to carry the device. Riding such a hoverboard is intuitively simple; a child will learn to do it in just 10-15 minutes. At the front you can find several LED lights, which makes driving safety at night quite high. There is a standard set of additional options - a Bluetooth module, a pair of fairly loud speakers. They do not have very high playback quality, however, they will be quite enough to listen to music from a smartphone. The diameter of the wheels is 4.5 inches, the ground clearance is 30 mm, thanks to which the hoverboard can climb hills with a slope of more than 15 degrees. The wheels here are tubeless and provide a fairly soft ride.
Advantages:
- Exclusively children's model;
- Excellent workmanship and assembly quality;
- The battery charges in a fairly short time;
- Long battery life.
Flaws:
- Doesn't develop too much speed.
Novelty Electronics L1-B
Polaris PBS 0809L
In the budget segment, this product is one of the most popular. At a fairly low price, the hoverboard has significant capabilities. First of all, users in their reviews note two modes of operation - educational and advanced. The first one is suitable for people who have not used similar designs before. It will allow them in the shortest possible time to learn how to properly stand on a hoverboard, accelerate, brake and perform simple maneuvers such as turns and turns. You should move on to the advanced level of use a little later. The model is housed in a stylish and very beautiful case made of carbon fiber. The design is equipped with wide wheels with a diameter of 9 inches. The maximum driving speed can reach 12 km/h, the device is capable of driving up a hill with an incline angle of 15 degrees. It can be ridden by people weighing up to 120 kg.
On one charge, the product can travel from 20 to 25 km. The battery capacity here is 4400 Ah. Such a lithium-ion battery is practically not discharged if you do not use the hoverboard, so the device does not require special maintenance. The battery charges in just two hours. You can drive with a fully charged battery for almost 4 hours of active use, and you can travel about 20 km. The platform has a special LED indicator that will promptly inform the user that the device needs to be charged.
Advantages:
- Quite large wheel diameter;
- Compact overall dimensions;
- Works for a long time on one battery charge;
- Can drive on any road surface;
- Refers to budget products.
Flaws:
- Low ground clearance.
Polaris PBS 0809L
3. ZAXBOARD ZX-11 Pro
Finally, we have reached the top three in our review of the best hoverboards today. It opens with a very high-quality and original model, which, despite its fairly reasonable price, looks very expensive and stylish. There are large wheels with a diameter of 10 inches, thanks to which the hoverboard can easily overcome even significant obstacles. They are made from soft, but high-quality rubber. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to almost completely eliminate vibration while driving on poor roads. Rubber easily resists wear. The case is made of reliable shockproof plastic that can withstand very strong impacts. On the outside of the body there are special rubberized inserts that act as a shock absorber in the event of a collision and will also prevent the rider from flying off the device.
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The case has a degree of water resistance corresponding to the IP66 standard, so the device is not afraid of even heavy rain or snowfall; you can even ride it through deep puddles. The model has the latest automatic balancing system for gyroscopic sensors. They are very reliable and respond quickly, which greatly increases product safety. There is an application that allows you to diagnose the condition of the device, as well as receive real-time data on travel speed, engine temperature, distance traveled, battery charge level, and so on. The total motor power is 1.2 kW - a very high figure for this product. A person whose weight does not exceed 130 kg can ride a hoverboard; the maximum speed on it will be 20 km/h.
Advantages:
- Carefully designed moisture protection system;
- Presentable appearance;
- A mobile application is provided;
- Excellent build quality;
- Long service life.
Flaws:
- Decent overall dimensions.
ZAXBOARD ZX-11 Pro
Smart Balance Pro 6.5
A very common model that enjoys well-deserved popularity among people, largely due to its high level of reliability. The body here is streamlined, due to which air resistance during driving is minimal. All optics are made of LED materials, so the use of flashlights does not in any way affect the performance of the battery. In addition, users talk about the very reasonable cost of this device. Due to all these positive qualities, this hoverboard was able to take a well-deserved second place in our review. The device has solid rubber wheels with a diameter of 6.5 inches - this allows them to easily cope with shallow bumps and ruts. The product is not very suitable for off-road driving; it is much easier to ride on asphalt surfaces.
The product weighs 11 kg and is supplied with a bag for transporting the device. The maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 80 kg. The device can accelerate on a flat surface to a speed of 16 km/h. The battery takes about 3-4 hours to charge; there is no precise battery indicator, but on one full charge you can travel about 10 km. It is quite natural that the model is equipped with a Bluetooth module, which allows you to listen to music and connect to a smartphone through a special application.
Advantages:
- Reasonable cost;
- Long battery life;
- Excellent manufacturing and assembly quality of the device.
Flaws:
- Due to the small diameter of the wheels, it is unlikely that you will be able to drive off-road.
Smart Balance Pro 6.5
1. iBalance Prem Series
The leader among the best hoverboards is a model from a very young manufacturer, which launched its product on the market just a few months ago. Despite the fact that the company has existed for just under a year, it has managed to create a truly competitive design, which is significantly ahead of its competitors, including in the area of cost. The diameter of the wheels of the device is 10.5 inches, which makes it almost a real all-terrain vehicle. It has a fairly powerful engine and the latest generation battery. In addition to them, the device contains the latest active self-balancing system, thanks to which the rider will feel very comfortable on this hoverboard even if it is his first time to ride a device of this type.
The gadget has built-in speakers and an original, fully Russified application. The total motor power is 700 W, and at peak loads on the device it can almost double – up to 1200 W. There is a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4400 Ah, which, together with large diameter wheels, allows you to overcome climbs with an angle of up to 15 degrees. On one charge you can travel up to 20 km, the battery charges within 3-4 hours. The hoverboard can support a person’s weight up to 110 kg. The device in the field of protection against moisture ingress complies with the IP54 standard, its weight is 13 kg, it can be used in a temperature range from 0 to +40 degrees.
Advantages:
- Excellent build quality;
- High battery performance;
- There is a very convenient case for transportation, which also does not allow moisture to pass through.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
iBalance Prem Series
