So you‘re looking to buy a hoverboard? You‘re not alone – ever since these self-balancing personal transporters hit the mainstream in 2015, millions have gravitated to the coolness factor of silently gliding on a motorized board controlled by nothing more than your body position.
While teenagers make up the typical hoverboarder demographic, adults are increasingly drawn to convenient short-range transportation that folds up for car trunks, RVs and boats. However, finding the right model suited for a full-sized rider requires some key considerations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know as a grown-up hoverboarder wannabe:
- How self-balancing technology works
- Must-have safety features
- Top speed, mileage and weight limits
- Performance differences for beginners vs. experienced riders
- 5 of the best-rated hoverboards tailored specifically for adults
Trust us, when you cruze down the bike path or roll up to your favorite coffee shop silently perched atop your new hi-tech ride, heads will turn at how effortlessly you command your hoverboard!
A Brief History of Hoverboard Tech
Before we dive into reviews, let‘s take a quick spin through some hoverboard history and tech.
These innovative personal mobility devices owe their existence to advances in battery, sensor and robotic technology over the past two decades. Powerful lightweight lithium battery packs provide the energy. Tiny MEMS gyro sensors detect tilt and acceleration forces. Motor controllers adjust wheel torque thousands of times per second to keep riders balanced upright.
The original hoverboard itself first emerged around 2014 as the brainchild of entrepreneur Shane Chen. Chen leveraged his experience developing powerful rare-earth magnets to create the first true self-balancing board.
However, his R&D endeavor remained relatively obscure in the public eye until Grammy award performer Pharrell Williams shared a viral video of himself test riding a prototype in 2015. Popularity exploded literally overnight!
Chen’s initial design paired with intense consumer demand attracting hundreds of manufacturers to make their own versions sparked a massive hoverboard craze through 2015 and 2016. News stories of hoverboards catching fire due to cheap electrical components briefly dampened the frenzy, but engineering improvements and new safety regulations now ensure newly-produced hoverboards no longer pose such risks.
Let‘s check out the top contenders for taking your hoverboarding to the next level!
37 million hoverboard units have been sold worldwide as of 2022 (Source: ResearchAndMarkets.com)
How to Choose: Key Buying Considerations
Hoverboards come in all shapes and sizes these days boasting features catering to everyone from beginners to extreme thrill-seekers. Prices range wildly from $100 child toys to $2,000 high-performance boards.
We focused our recommendations on models meeting key criteria important for adult riders:
Safety Certifications
Safety sits at the top of any list when choosing a hoverboard since they employ powerful lithium batteries and high voltage to operate.
Poor quality electrical components led to high-profile hoverboard fires before safety regulations were implemented. Now, reputable brands submit boards to rigorous inspection and testing to achieve UL 2272 certification for electrical and battery safety. Therounded.com recommends only UL-certified hoverboards to ensure peace of mind.
Top Speed & Maximum Range
Most mainstream hoverboards reach top speeds between 6-10 mph suitable for neighborhood rides and open parks or trails. Faster specialty models cater to experienced thrill-seekers.
Range measures how far you can ride between charges. Look for at least 7 miles from standard models, up to 15+ miles for premium boards. More range prevents frustratingly short rides or needing to carry along a charger everywhere you hover!
Weight Limit & Deck Size
A common rookie mistake lies in purchasing a hoverboard built only for lightweight riders. Just because your 12 year-old zipped around fine doesn‘t mean a 200+ lb adult won‘t push the hardware to its limits!
Seeking sturdy frames and platforms requires focusing on:
- Weight limits – Seek 250 lbs+ capacity for adult riders
- Platform sizes – Larger decks (9"+ wide) feel far more stable, especially for big feet
Wheel Size, Tire Tread & Ground Clearance
These three factors greatly impact how a hoverboard handles when rolling over uneven terrain.
- Larger wheels (8-10 inches) smooth out bumps better
- Wider tire treads improve traction on loose ground like grass or gravel
- Increased ground clearance keeps you from bottoming out on rises
If planning to venture onto grass, dirt paths or rough pavement, cater your choice towards heavier boards with knobby pneumatic tires. Stick with hard plastic wheels for smooth sidewalks.
Alright, now that you know what to look for in your hover chase, let’s get to the fun part…
Top 5 Hoverboards For Adults
We scoured reviews and buyer experiences to nail down the 5 best options catering specifically to grown-up riders. Ranging from well-rounded and budget-friendly to max speed demons, one of these boards should fit the bill!
1. Hover-1 Titan Electric Self-Balancing Scooter
Highlights:
- Max Speed: 7.5 mph
- Range: 8 miles
- Weight Limit: 265 pounds
- Wheels: 10" pneumatic tires
- Weight: 32 lbs
The Hover-1 Titan currently ranks as the single best hoverboard choice for older riders needing stability and range.
Power comes from dual 250 Watt motors turning 10-inch air-filled tires. This combo allows hitting 7.5 mph with 265 pounds of total weight aboard – plenty fast and sturdy for full-sized adults. Rugged tires soak up bumps in the road without jarring your feet thanks to independent shock absorption.
Balancing sensors and gyro feedback keep even first-timers upright. Switch into beginner mode to limit acceleration while learning. An anti-slip pedal surface avoids nasty falls.
Safety sits at the forefront of the Titan’s design. It meets rigorous UL 2272 certification for fire and electrical safety. The LG battery supports up to 8 miles runtime per 1.5 hour charge. Additional LED headlights, brake lights and Bluetooth speakers make sure cars and passersby see and hear you.
For all-around value catering to commuting, exercise routines and adventure, you can’t beat the Hover-1 Titan!
Pros
- UL safety certified
- Beginner training mode
- 8 mile range
- Powerful dual motors
- Rugged 10" pneumatic tires
Cons
- Heavy at 32 lbs
- Steep price but worth it
2. Segway Ninebot S-Plus Electric Scooter
Highlights:
- Max Speed: 12.5 mph
- Range: 22 miles
- Weight Limit: 220 pounds
- Wheels: 11" pneumatic tires
- Weight: 28 lbs
Commuters and long-distance riders rejoice! The Ninebot S-Plus offers an industry-leading 22 mile max range to achieve marathon rides between charges. Its powerful 400 Watt motor can hit 12.5 mph thanks to 11-inch inflatable tires providing a super smooth ride.
Smart features set the S-Plus apart. An integrated handlebar accessory lets you lock steering for directed control. Use the mobile app to lock, locate or remotely control your hoverboard via Bluetooth when needed. The app even displays real-time speed, battery level and ambient light data.
Knee control and fender attachments deliver comfort during lengthy hovers. When you eventually reach your destination, simply enable Follow Mode – the S-Plus will roll autonomously behind you at up to 6 mph so you don‘t need to carry it!
With its long range, smart capabilities and swappable accessories, the Ninebot S-Plus represents tomorrow’s hover tech, today. The premium capabilities justify its lofty price tag.
Pros
- 22 mile max range
- Powerful 400W motor
- 12.5 mph top speed
- Auto-follow and app control
- Smooth 11” air tires
Cons
- Heavy at 30 lbs
- Very expensive
3. Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-Road Hoverboard
Highlights:
- Max Speed: 10 mph
- Range: 12 miles
- Weight Limit: 420 lbs
- Wheels: 10" knobby pneumatic tires
- Weight: 31 lbs
While the previous contenders focus on civilized streets, Swagtron’s T6 Outlaw brings Baja desert racing to the hover world. Its oversized tires and steel-braided ABS frame withstand off-road abuse that would break classic hard plastic boards.
The T6 Outlaw is a tank, literally! Its reinforced chassis propels up to a 420 pound load across mud, grass and gravel thanks to grippy deep-treaded tires. High wheel torque climbs inclines up to 30 degrees most competitors balk at. Cross creeks and dirt trails opening areas inaccessible kick scooters with ease.
Speed throttles reach over 10 mph courtesy of 300 Watt dual motors specially tuned for torque rather than efficiency. Expect just 6-8 miles range from the 24V battery since off-roading consumes more juice. Fenders block debris so you emerge cleaner than expected.
While heavy at 37 pounds, the T6 Outlaw brings rugged adventure riding to hoverboarding. Strap it to your backpack for the ultimate wilderness escape vehicle!
Pros
- Rides off-road easily
- 10 mph top speed
- 30 degree max incline
- Up to 420 lb capacity
- Heavy-duty build
Cons
- Short 6-8 mile range
- Very heavy at 37 lbs
4. Epikgo Sport Balance Board
Highlights:
- Max Speed: 18 mph
- Range: 10 miles
- Weight Limit: 240 lbs
- Wheels: 8.5” Solid Rubber
- Weight: 31 lbs
Brace yourself! The Epikgo Sport rockets ahead of competitors thanks to its dual 400 Watt motors outputting a face-melting 800 total Watts of electric skate power. That‘s enough juice to hit 18 mph with a 240 pound rider aboard!
Built-in sensors ensure smooth acceleration and braking instead of the jerky on/off control cheaper boards exhibit. The auto-balance gyro self-levels for easy mounts, dismounts and standing. Lower torque while training to avoid eating pavement at the blistering top speed.
Durable construction stands up to hardcore riding. An aluminum alloy body joins with wide 8.5 inch tires to carve through dirt and street obstacles with ease. The chassis earns an IP56 rating resisting dust ingress and surviving powerful water jets from any direction.
Charge times clock under 2 hours thanks to advanced LG Smart Battery Management technology. For speed demons unwilling to compromise performance with toy store boards, the Epikgo Sport satiates your need for hover!
Pros
- Insane 18 mph top speed
- Race-tuned performance
- Auto-balance gyros
- Fast 2 hr recharge time
Cons
- Expensive price
- Heavy at 34 lbs
5. Razor Hovertrax 2.0 Beginner Hoverboard
Highlights:
- Max Speed: 8 mph
- Range: 6 miles
- Weight Limit: 220 lbs
- Wheels: 6.5” Solid Rubber
- Weight: 20 lbs
Despite the high-performance freneticism promoted in hover media, some novices understandably still desire mastering basic board balance and control confidently before worrying about faceplanting at Mach 2!
For these cautious new hoverboarders, Razor designed their Hovertrax 2.0 model specifically to provide safe, unintimidating self-propelled transport.
The Hovertrax keeps undisciplined speed demons (or their kids) in check with two riding modes. Training mode restricts acceleration to a modest 3 mph maximum while Normal mode reaches 6 mph. Gradually upskill yourself as your confidence builds. Either way, the Hovertrax 2.0 won‘t scare first-day newbies.
An auto-balance gyro utilizes movement sensors to keep the board level when powered on or fully stopped. Dual 250 Watt hub motors embedded inside each wheel smooth acceleration based on subtle weight shifts rather than jerky triggers. Foam bumper wings provide extra stability walls when mounting, dismounting and kick pushing.
Affordably priced for casual rides around the neighborhood, the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 makes befriending your first hoverboard stress-free. Discover a handy hip replacement for short trips to the corner market or campus quad!
Pros
- Beginner-friendly speed & handling
- EverBalance gyro auto-levels
- Training & normal speed modes
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Small deck size
- Low 6 mile range
- Lightweight build quality
Hover On!
We hope our hoverboard recommendations help kickstart your self-propelled transportational awakening! Whether you dig the carefree cruising speed of the Epikgo Sport, rugged adventuring with the Swagtron Outlaw or satisfying commutes via the long-ranged Ninebot, safe and responsive personal mobility awaits.
Here‘s to many happy years of hovering ahead!
