Best Hoverboards for beginners

The best hoverboards for beginners have a solid build, are easy to operate, self-balance without difficulty, and stay stable the whole time the novice stands on the footpad. Also, the right mobility device for inexperienced riders prioritizes safety. It uses a UL2272-certified battery pack and allows the learner to set a slower and safer maximum speed limit. As the new rider’s confidence grows, they can switch to faster riding modes.

Also Read: Best Heavy-rider Hoverboards

Battery charging time and how well it holds a charge are also critical considerations. And if the beginner is heavy, let them pick a gadget with powerful motors and a heavy-duty build. Finally, the best beginner hoverboards don’t always make your credit card hate you after the fact.

What Age is Right for Hoverboards?

The AAP believes that kids younger than 13 shouldn’t ride a hoverboard. But hoverboard manufacturers state age 8 as the youngest age suitable for riding a hoverboard. It’s irresponsible to let a child who’s not mastered balance and coordination ride a hoverboard. 

According to a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 3 percent of 26,854 hoverboard injuries recorded between 2015 and 2016 necessitated hospital admission. Young skateboarders in the study saw more strains and sprains compared to hoverboard riders, but wrist injuries were common in both groups, some of which resulted in fractures.

Conclusion? Get your kiddo to wear a properly certified helmet. Any dual-certified skate helmet should be fine. Wrist guards too to save those little fragile wrists.

Which is the Best Hoverboard for Beginners?

For beginner kids, get the Hover-1 Helix Electric Hoverboard. It looks really nice, especially the galaxy-themed version. It’s UL2272 safety certified, offers a beginner board control mode, features LED safety lights on the front and back, and the 6.5″ wheels aren’t too that kids get intimidated. Small wonder thousands of parents and grandparents have rated it 4.4 on Amazon.

For curious adults who like going everywhere, the Swagtron T6 off-road hoverboard comes highly recommended. Beginners get to use either the Learning Mode or Standard Mode while speed daredevils switch to the Advanced Mode. Its build is super solid, the wheels are air-filled for smooth bouncy rides, and the color-coded movement LED lights on the front and back elevate safety.

And for those looking for a self-balancing electric scooter for rolling down smooth neighborhood streets, the

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Top 3 New-rider Hoverboards Comparison Table

No time to pore through detail-packed buying guides? No problem. Here’s a comparison table that displays the info you need to know in an easier-to-consume format.

8 Best Hoverboards for beginners

Here’s a list of some of the best hoverboards for beginner kids and adults sold at Amazon. Availability seems to be a serious issue though.

1. Hover-1 Ultra Electric Self-Balancing Hoverboard Scooter

2.Hover-1 Helix Self-Balancing Scooter for Beginners

3.Hover-1 Astro Hoverboard

4. Swagtron Swagboard T882 Lithium-Free Hoverboard 

5. Razor Hovertrax Prizma Hoverboard with LED Lights

6..Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-road Beginners Hoverboard (Best for Off-road riding)

7. Q2 Tomoloo Hoverboard

8. XtremepowerUS beginners Hoverboard

3 More Good Electric Scooters for Beginners

The Swagtron T1 and Swagtron T3 are also pretty decent e-scooters for beginners. Like the Swagtron T6, the Swagtron T1 and T3 offer different riding modes.

Beginners are advised to learn hoverboarding with the training or learning mode before graduating to the other modes.

The Razor Hovertrax 2.0 would also be a good bet for beginners, and many can’t get enough of its colorful prism-like lights. Read a brief review of its cheaper sibing the Hovertrax Prizm below.

Every entry-level hoverboard on my recommendations list is UL2272 certified, but I suggest that you don’t form the habit of leaving your hoverboard plugged in overnight.

Admittedly, though, pretty much all the hoverboard options reviewed here boast similar features with very small variations.

Describing battery life, the top speed reached, led lights, tires, and other features for the different choices feels like reviewing the same product.

1. Hover-1 Ultra Electric Self-Balancing Scooter: For Kids & Adults

What makes the Hover-1 Ultra hoverboard a great choice for beginners? It’s more affordable than most, easy to balance on, looks nice, and can carry most adults and all kids. What’s more, it has a new-rider mode. And if you or your kiddo travels too fast, the machine produces a beeping sound warning you to slow down for your safety.

Also, its battery charges in about 3.5-4 hours, which isn’t too bad. Plus, the built-in 4Ah lithium-ion battery comes with overcharge and discharge protection. It draws charge faster than its sibling, the Hover 1 Helix.

The training mode lets learners ride at a low safe speed. The speed tops out at 10 mph, not 7 mph as erroneously stated in the listing. Mileage-wise, it’s safe to expect between 5-8 depending on weight, incline angle, and speed.

Board build quality: Good for the money you pay, but it’s definitely not the best bet for the heaviest beginner hoverboaders.

It weighs 22.5 pounds, almost 10 pounds lighter than the off-road beginner hoverboard, the Swagtron T6. Generally, the heavier a hoverboard is, the sturdier and better quality it tends to be, but when buying for a child, too much weight can be an issue.

The hoverboard is IPX4 is water resistant, too, but don’t ride it through puddles. Additionally, the hoverboard is sturdy enough for riders as heavy as 220 lbs, which isn’t exceptional.

Download the Hover-1 Hoverboard companion App, pair it with your phone via Bluetooth, and you suddenly have tons of convenience in your hands. Via this app, you can track battery life, mileage, view current board speed, and access customer support.

With Hover 1’s app, you can easily control the company’s smart boards. You can change skill levels (modes) and customize the product’s led lights. Well, users in the past have complained that the app came with a few glitches, but I noted the app was recently updated and boasts 100,000+ downbloads on Google Play.

Once your experience level increases and you want more speed, turn to the hoverboard’s Intermediate or Advanced Mode. The app displays the speed you’re traveling at, the mode you’re on, battery charge levels, and so on.

Plus pretty much all Hover 1 boards offer Bluetooth connectivity, except the Hover 1 Ultra. But for me and most people, the absence of Bluetooth speakers on a hoverboard is no biggie.

Another feature the Hover 1 Ultra won’t bring to the riding surface is the Hover 1 app. You’ll have to operate this device manually, which isn’t a problem. Apps can get all glitchy, you know, so it’s perfectly OK to be able to control the gadget conventionally.

And you can buy it in at least 3 colors: Black, blue, and pink, but that’s hardly a flurry of color options.

It may be a budget model, but don’t underestimate its potency.  It’s more capable than most electric scooters in that price range. And if you’re looking for a board that kids and parents can share, it’s the Hover 1 Ultra.

2. Hover-1 Helix Electric Hoverboard Review: For Kids and Smaller Adults

If you’re hunting around for a colorful beginner-friendly 6.5″ hoverboard that ensures your safety as your ride, the Hover-1 Helix Electric Hoverboard is a worthy bet.

Build quality: It weighs 17 pounds, and most 13-year-olds can carry it with ease. But the fenders could be better quality. Expect them to break if your little one bumps into some barrier. Be sure to enforce helmet-wearing for your LO’s safety.

Footpad: The board worked well out of the box, and our son’s feet stayed on the no-slip foot pad. But while the ride was pretty intuitive and fun, we did notice something weird. The right foot pad seemed to stick a bit and make a noise, at first. This happened every time, but it didn’t seem to affect board performance.

3 Skill Modes for Good Board Control: There are 3 skill modes, one of which allows moderately heavy beginner adults and kids, standing on anti-slip foot pads, to ride without worry. To toggle between modes, just press a button at the rear twice and it’s done.

With an upper weight limit of 160 lbs, some adults and all kids can use this smart-leveling board. I imagine there’s lots of parents out there who can’t ride this, which isn’t a problem if you’re OK with hoping on it from time to time to damage it.
The hoverboard comes in a wide array of exciting colors including Camo, Gun Metal, Galaxy, Black, and Iridescent. I bet there’s a color for your 13-year-old. My son couldn’t stop loving the Galaxy-themed board he got as a birthday gift from Grandma. 

It comes with 6.5″ foam tires, and our boy-kid could ride on grass no problem. But gravel or any kind of bumpy areas? Not meant for that.

Its two 200W hub motors are OK, but the torque isn’t rated for any surface steeper than 15 degrees. But hoverboards in general are for traversing flat surfaces and not going up steep hills.

With a single charge, which took 5-6 hours, your kiddo can expect to get 3-4 miles of range. That’s a pretty short range, but most kids are happy with any board that rolls around for some time, which this one does.

Like many smart boards these days, the Hover-1 Helix allows riders to enjoy their favorite music as they have wheel-y fun. But the speakers are kind of loud, and I suppose most older kids won’t want to use them.

And yes, it’s UL2272 safety certified, which I expect of any board. Plus the led lights on the front and rear increase visibility so that drivers can spot the ride with ease and drive more carefully. Not that you want your kiddo to be out on the road (assuming hoverboards are allowed on roads where you are) unsupervised.

3. Hover-1 Astro Hoverboard: A Colorful Choice

If you’re looking for the most colorful beginner hoverboard for kids, consider the Hover 1 Astro. The first thing you notice when you turn it on for the first time is how awesome the colors are. It’s the perfect choice for when your kid wants to attend a friend’s birthday party in style. Which makes it one of the best gifts you can get for a young loved one.

There’s beautiful bright lights everywhere on this board. On the fenders, on the wheels, on the foot pads, on the front, and on the rear. I’d even say that the lights are too bright, but this means that the path ahead stays well-lit, and anyone behind your kid sees them pretty clearly.

Its Bluetooth speakers work, and the app enables the rider to change the lights at any time per the tune playing on the clearly and beautifully audible speakers.
The wheels are the usual 6.5″ foam and rubber, and they’re best suited for rolling indoors on bare floors and carpets as well as outdoors on smooth surfaces such as tennis courts. Riding it on grass and carpet does slow the thing a bit, which is expected of any somewhat rough surface. But off-roading on this one just won’t happen.

One thing you should know before grabbing this device is that the app doesn’t work as expected. I like that Hover 1 doesn’t require users to create an account to use this app, but it could be less glitchy.

Some of the challenges to expect include the difficulty level reverting back to Expert when you clearly set the app to Beginner. Also, we noticed that the app showed the charge to be 87 percent even after charging it fully.

It took 5 hours to fully charge, and the user manual said to not leave the hoverboard plugged in past 5 hours. But how well does it hold the charge? Our kid zipped around it for about 2 hours before the battery drained, but I’ve tested hoverboards whose battery charge depleted in like 20 minutes, so not bad at all.

Speed and range: The speed is 7 mph, which is pretty standard, and the range varies from  5-6 miles depending on weight and terrain difficulty. BTW, this machine’s not for riding uphill. Its 400-watt motor lacks the torque required for climbs.

Weight limit: the upper limit is 220 lbs, which is 40 lbs higher than that of its sibling the Hover 1 Helix but the same limit as Hover 1 Ultra’s. Definitely not the most suitable intelligent board for massive beginner adults.

The app issues aren’t insurmountable, and once you’re past setup pain, you’ll love how easily the thing rides. Any kid or adult new to riding a hoverboard can learn to ride the Hover 1 Astro in 30 minutes tops. Batter charge levels display on the top of this board, which is nice.

I liked how responsive this board was, and how easily it turns when I leaned. There’s one more thing: the board stays put until you step on it. And as soon as you step off the platform, the device automatically turns itself off.

This is a nice safety feature and should be on every self-balancing scooter, but that’s not how it works on every option.

But I’d say balancing on it was somewhat tougher compared to others. Get that kid to helmet up and pad up before stepping on the device just in case…

Color options: You’re spoiled for choice with this pick.

4. Razor Hovertrax Prizma Hoverboard: Colorful Prisms

It does seem that there’s no shortage of self-leveling scooters on the market these days. Like the Hover 1 Astro, the Razor Hovertrax Prizma adds beautiful and energizing colors to each ride.

But there’s a difference. Your kiddo isn’t getting just color. With the Prizma and its pricier sibling the Hovertraz 2.0, they’re getting a beautiful prism that makes every ride feel like floating on heavenly rainbows. I must say the prism isn’t as breathtaking as what you get with the Hovertrax 2.0.

At slightly over 13 pounds, this is one of the most portable beginner hoverboards out there. For context, most options weigh anywhere north of 17 pounds with some like the off-road king Swagtro T6 weighing nearly 31 pounds.

I’ve tested out smart boards that required doing a lot to get them to self-balance, but with the Prizma, you get super clear user instructions. Out of the box, this one balances itself. All you have to do is set it on a level surface and press the “on” button.

But don’t think you or your kiddo can fully rely on Razor’s proprietary EverBalance Technology to stay balanced. Your core strength is your savior when it comes to riding any kind of board, motorized or not.

One thing I like about Razor it’s an American brand. User instructions are clear. You won’t get frustrated trying to figure out what a Chinese technical writer said to do to get the thing to self-level.

What makes the Hovertrax Prizma hoverboard ideal for learners? The learner can choose the Training Mode which forces the scooter to travel slower for safety. Once you get the hang of it, you can switch to the Normal Mode, which is the standard setting for riding this thing.

Compared to the Hover 1 Helix, the Prizma is the better choice in terms of the maximum weight limit. The maximum load capacity of the Hovertrax Prizma is 176 lbs compared to 160 lbs of the Helix. Neither choice is suited for those living on the wrong side of 200 lbs.

Charging efficiency, speed, and range: Drawing a full charge requires about 5 hours, which is how it takes to refuel most options. But it doesn’t hold a charge for more than 30-40 minutes. This is for me the biggest drawback.

Power comes from two 150-watt brushless hub motors, which means the combined wattage is 300W. That makes the Hovertrax Prizma the least suitable pick for hefty beginners and anyone intending to use the device on hilly terrain. Its top speed is 9mph and the range is supposed to max out at 6 mph but it’s more like 3-4 miles in reality.

Thanks to its 6.5″ wheels, this device is rideable both indoors and outdoors. But when using it outside, you’ll want to play on the smoothest surface you can find. Because cracks and roughness harass the Prizma quite a bit. But isn’t this the case with the typical 6.5″-wheeled board?

Wondering whether it’s possible to attach a Go-Kart to the Hovertrax Prizma Hoverboard? Razor says you can attach a Go-Kart to any of their hoverboards, but if you try doing that with the Prizma, it shuts down. 

5. Swagtron Swagboard Twist 3 (T882) Lithium-Free Hoverboard

 Don’t want to spend boatloads of money but still want a rideable entry-level hoverboard from Swagtron? No worries. You can always order the Swagtron Swagboard Twist 3 Lithium-Free Self-leveling scooter. Think of it as a souped-down version of the Swagtron T6.

While the T6 (below) offers 900 watts of riding wattage, the Twist 3 is half as powerful, offering just 400 watts. It’s also not surprising that the T6 travels at 12mph on its fastest speed setting versus 6mph for the T882. And while you can travel to spots 7-12 miles away with the T6 Off-road, the farthest you should expect to go with the Twist 3 is 3-5 miles.

Load capacity: The max weight capacity hovers around 185 lbs, which is way lower than what its souped-up version (T6) boasts. Adults definitely can ride the Twist 3, but not the burliest of them.

Swagtron departs from the more common approach of using a lithium-ion battery on the Twist 3 and instead uses the company’s much-praised LifePo battery. The literature on the listing says a 5-year warranty stands behind this unique battery pack, but is it exceptionally better than the typical lithium-ion hoverboard battery?

No, the LifePo battery pack demonstrates a similar performance level to regular batteries. At least, it’s not a crappy battery. And poor battery performance is the main reason many bought hoverboards become useless pieces of plastic, rubber, and aluminum after a month or two.

The battery charges fast enough. It takes around 3-4 hours, and your kid can expect an hour’s worth of roll-ey fun.

Swagtron says that this unit’s advanced lithium-free battery technology makes the pack noncombustible and less likely to catch fire when charging or when damaged or punctured during rides. But the brand quickly adds “when used as intended”, which to me means there’s nothing really different or life-changing about their battery tech.

Like many, the T882 features a battery indicator and safety-focused indicators. It also features LED wheels with a multicolored “Swaglion” pattern displaying on the wheels as your little one zips around.

Finally, there’s the Maglev braking system. If this mechanism can stop long heavy trains, it certainly can stop a 14-pound starter hoverboard. And it did, bringing the young rider to a nice and smooth stop. Nothing jerky or destabilizing about the stopping mechanism at all, which we appreciated. But I believe every other intelligent wheeled board out there employs this exact same braking technology.

One feature not to expect from the Twist 3 is Bluetooth speakers. If your kid isn’t music-crazy when riding things, this is for them. Also, there’s no app to control the board with, but this doesn’t make the board harder to use. Plus, apps don’t always make riding a hoverboard easier.

6. Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-road Beginner Hoverboard(Best for Heavy Beginners)

Is the Swagtron T6 the best hoverboard with Bluetooth from Swagtron? I think so. Swagtron makes some of the best self-balancing electric scooters out there.

Read a Full Review of the Swagtron T6 here.

Compared to its siblings and even many other options from other hoverboard brands, the Swagtron T6 is bigger, heavier, faster, and better. It comes with safety features such as the UL 2272 certification and the SentryShield protection for the battery so you can ride in perfect peace.

While other hoverboards weigh around 20 lbs, the Swagtron T6 weighs 30.55 lbs. Well, that’s a little heavy, but it’s still portable over short distances thanks to an ergonomically designed carry handle.

I stepped on this hoverboard, and the build was super solid. Its sturdy construction coupled with superior self-balancing technology keeps beginners riding upright the whole time.

It’s like Swagtron had gone all out and procured the finest materials they could get and poured them into this all-terrain hoverboard.

Another aspect that sets the Swagtron 6T apart from the rest is its maximum weight limit of 420 lbs. That’s almost twice the 220 lbs weight capacity its competitors offer.

This Swagtron is a real monster as far as riding over rough terrain whether that be mud, sand, grass, or small rocks. Its 10-inch high-tread air-filled rubber tires are designed to tackle the roughest surfaces. If you’re looking for the best rugged hoverboard for off-road riding, the Swagtron doesn’t disappoint.

With a combined motor power of 900 watts, the Swagtron T6 delivers a range of 7-12 miles per charge and a maximum speed of 12 mph. Its massive payload makes the T6 this list’s baddest workhorse.

Whether you’re an athletic person weighing 150 lbs and looking for a way to get outdoors on motorized wheels or overweight and tired of being indoors all of the time binge-watching movies, this board is the real deal.

It’s one of the fastest hoverboards ever made, but beginners aren’t looking for the fastest hoverboard. They’re looking for something that offers different speed modes for different riding abilities, which the T6 does.

As for the battery, it charges in about 3 hours and lasts you between 2.5 and 3 hours. I’ve not heard reviewers complaining of a crappy battery with this all-terrain self-balancing scooter.

Also, there’s a battery level indicator. This feature makes sure you’ll always know when this micro-mobility device needs charge replenishing.

But while Swagtron says this hoverboard climbs 30-degree hills better than most, I’m not very sure ….. I mean, the thing comes fitted with 300W dual motors, and there’s only so much torque to be had at that motor power.

But what makes the Swagtron T6 great for beginners in hoverboarding? The Swagtron T6 works great for new riders because it offers three skill modes namely Learning mode, Standard mode, and Advanced mode.

To switch between riding modes of the Swatron T6, use either app or manually by pressing the power button twice. The first time turns the smart board on while the second time switches the device to a different mode. You should hear a clear beep when the change happens.

As your confidence riding grows, you can easily switch over to faster modes. Just press and hold the power button for a couple of seconds until you get the desired mode.

Another beginner-friendly feature is the wide, sturdy, non-slip foot platform. It’s a heavy-duty construction made from a mix of decent-quality ABS plastic and aluminum. It gets even better: the wheels are aluminum-rimmed.

Then there’s the movement indicators that add another layer of safety for beginners and experienced riders. The T6 features color-coded LED lights that turn red when you come to a stop moving backward or forward or when the board’s systems detect any sudden or unexpected movement.

When stopping after rolling backward for a while, the front LED lights turn red and vice versa happens when stopping from forward motion. Others will keep a safe distance thanks to these lights.

Then there’s Blue led lights that come on when you’re rolling forward nice and smooth. And every time you turn, the led movement indicators go green.

Bonus feature: The Swagtron App works with Bluetooth technology so that you rock out to your heart’s content as you roll around. Here are the instructions for connecting the Swagtron T6 to Bluetooth (pdf) so you can be with your fave band as you travel.

Quality costs money, you know.  But some users have complained about the app saying it’s nothing but trouble. And that they couldn’t activate the self-balancing feature. But it didn’t seem like the problem affected everyone. I also noted that the Learning Mode and Standard Mode are more or less the same.

7. Q2 Tomoloo Hoverboard for Beginners and Kids Review

Good for both beginners and kids, the Tomoloo Q2 with Bluetooth boasts boatloads of positive customer reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Even though this hoverboard is made in China, the company (Tomoloo) produces products with verified UL 2272 certification for safety.

The 4.3 Ah lithium battery takes about 3 hours to 3.5 hours to fully charge, and it comes with the UL2271 certification for Small Electric Vehicles. Built to support a maximum weight limit of 220 lbs, it pushes its dual system motor to climb gentle slopes (15 degrees) with ease. On steeper inclines, this hoverboard slows down to a stop.

The outer casing seems well-made. The material used is like what you see on the typical iPhone; it withstands relatively high temperatures and shouldn’t catch fire easily.

The tires are 6.5″ (165mm), and they’re made of rubber and not plastic. They’re tough and large enough for different kinds of smooth terrain. The vehicle offers a maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour and a range of 6 miles.

Pair this self-balancing scooter with your phone’s Bluetooth technology and enjoy cool music as you tour the neighborhood. Not everyone likes having that funny, heavily accented Chinese woman voice that says “you’re connecting to BlueTooth”, though. LED lights that change color with your music add a really cool touch to your experience. And at just 17.2 lbs, the hoverboard is easy to carry, much lighter than most.

Overall, it’s a great buy for the money. But while this hoverboard is kid-friendly, it’s recommended that kids younger than 12 should NOT use the product.

8. 6.0 Inch XtremepowerUS Beginner Hoverboard Review

With a price point hovering around $200 at the time of writing, the XtremepowerUS is a good enough hoverboard for kids and beginners. But it’s not the most powerful or fastest hoverboard available. The name XtremepowerUS is somewhat misleading.

A friend recently let me ride this 350W dual hub motor hoverboard. While I can’t say many negative things about it, I won’t praise it too much either.

With 6.5-inch tires, it tackles rough terrain with relative ease. But when I tried riding it over mud and loose dirt, it didn’t demonstrate impressive performance, which I can’t say was a disappointment.

The manufacturer claims the ExtremepowerUS is good enough for 17-degree inclines. However, the vehicle struggled a little too much.

As for range, only weightless riders who travel over super smooth terrain could squeeze the advertised 15 miles out of this hoverboard! For me, it was more like 9 miles, and I weigh 160ish. Regarding maximum speed, I got 7.5 mph and not 8.6 mph as the manufacturer claims. But I’d have ridden faster and farther if I were lighter I suppose.

The 2Ah lithium-ion battery and charger meet stringent SGS safety standards and takes 2-3 hours to charge completely. However, the battery doesn’t last very long. You get a max run time of around 30 minutes. That’s certainly a bummer for anyone looking to enjoy more smart board time. But short battery life isn’t unexpected at such price points.

Build-wise, this budget hoverboard felt reasonably sturdy. It looked great overall, but not exceptional.

I hopped on the XtremepowerUS., and it supported my weight without feeling like it’d snap suddenly. The hoverboard is good for a maximum load limit of 160 lbs. The vehicle certainly wasn’t designed for large-framed riders; it seems to have been made for kids and lighter adults. I also noticed areas where the paintwork had scratched off, which indicated it’d get scratched easily with use.

At that price, the buyer gets enough value for their money. But a $200-ish hoverboard is as good as it gets at that price point.

Best Hoverboards for Beginners Buying Guide

Pay attention to the 7 factors below, and you’ll end up with a self-balancing motorized scooter you won’t want to stop riding.

1. Maximum Speed and Range

Hoverboard models such as Swagway boast of their amazing 20+ mile range, but they’re the exception. With most hoverboards, expect no more than 10 miles in range, but some like the Swagtron may stay strong up to 12 miles.

As a beginner, you’re more concerned about having fun rather than getting to your destination at breakneck speed. Some self-balancing scooters can be painfully slow, even slower than a human walking normally at 4 miles per hour.

Some models such as PhunkeeDuck and Swagtron claim to reach 12 mph. But you never want to travel that fast on a hoverboard, even after your riding skills evolve to pro-level. Because it can be dangerous going that fast. Besides, hoverboards behaving unpredictably at speed isn’t uncommon.

Anything between 6 and 10 mph is a fast-enough hoverboard for a new rider. In the end, though, it’s the weight of the rider and the nature and gradient of the terrain that determines both range and speed.

3. Ease of Use: Beginners Need an Easy-to-operate Hoverboard

If you’re new to hoverboarding, get an option that’s easy to use. There’s no shortage of hoverboards that have trouble balancing on their own even though they’re supposed to be self-balancing. Get an option that doesn’t have you jumping through hoops to get to balance and work.

Most importantly, choose a device that allows beginners to ride at a slower speed as they learn. Fortunately, each of my recommendations offers a training mode and doesn’t need you to be a genius to figure out.

4. Weight of the Self-Balancing Scooter

I’ve seen 13-pound hoverboards, but even the lightest ones don’t actually hoover! A mean buddy thinks anyone who calls these devices hoverboards is a complete retard! What do you think? Forgive me for now, I’ll keep calling them hoverboards so everyone stays on the same page.

My advice is to choose a relatively light hoverboard if buying for kids. Most entry-level hoverboards weigh between 13 and 25 pounds. For youngsters, the lighter the better. Unless the device gets too light it begins to feel like quality has been compromised.

If shopping for yourself or another adult, stay away from the lightest hoverboards, especially if you’re on the beefier side of 200 lbs. For adults, the heavier the board, the better the build quality, generally. My best recommendation for beginner adults is the 900-watt Swagtron T6 Off-road, which weighs 31 lbs.

5. The Build Quality of the Hoverboard

Hoverboards for kids and beginners may not hover at all, but there’s tons of technology poured into the overall design of a self-balancing scooter. Whether it is the tires, frame/chassis, gyroscopes, led lights, remote control, or fenders, they should be made from high-quality components.

I keep seeing new hoverboards that can’t stand up to scratches and dents. Stay away from those. Well, no hoverboard is 100% scratch-free, but some are definitely better than others. If several reviews say a certain choice gets scratched badly after a ride or two, don’t ignore them. Buy something else.

Important: make sure the hoverboard’s battery is UL 2272-safety certified, and that the hoverboard itself has the trusted UL 2272 certification.

Such a self-balancing scooter has been thoroughly tested independently and should be safe to use. But it’s not like UL 2272-rated beginner hoverboards can’t heat up or experience sudden explosions. ALWAYS check whether the hoverboard bears an original UL logo before purchasing.

Well, it’s hard to tell well-built hoverboards from badly constructed ones when buying online. Good news! I’ve recommended 5 decent beginner hoverboards so you won’t end up with crap.

6. How Long Does the Hoverboard’s Battery Takes to Charge?

Avoid hoverboards that take more than 6 hours to charge. Typically, good hoverboards take between 2 and 5 hours to draw a full charge. And please don’t leave your device charging overnight. Actually, safety experts recommend keeping a fire extinguisher nearby just in case the unthinkable happens at some ungodly hour.

Battery life is another critical factor. In fact, battery life is the number consideration for many. Because who wants a self-balancing scooter whose full charge lasts no more than 10 minutes?

7. Pricing and Knockoffs

For the most part, top-end hoverboards are engineered using high-quality components. However, that’s not always the case. The market also offers bazillions of useless devices, mostly highly priced knockoffs — complete crap.

In some cases, a Chinese hoverboard manufacturer makes a cheap hoverboard but passes it off as unique and different than the rest.

The thing with very cheap hoverboards is that the battery tends to be bad quality, one that might overheat and ignite unexpectedly. Other times, the motor may be weak, or the gyroscope may not function smoothly. So, be willing to spend a little more if you want a high-quality beginner ride.

8. Legal Issues

Many cities in the US, the UK, and many other countries have banned hoverboards. In such locations, ride your thing indoors or on the driveway, or they’ll slap you with a really hefty fine.

Some municipalities in the U.S. — and even entire countries such as the U.K. — view hoverboards as motorized vehicles and disallow riding them on the sidewalks and other public places. China, Australia, the Netherlands, and Hongkong are other geographies that have banned hoverboards to varying degrees.

You’re not allowed to ride your hoverboard in most malls and many campuses across the U.S. Luckily, you can still hover between classes on some U.S. university campuses. Make sure to understand the rules of your school before using your device there.

You may also want to check with your local police department whether hoverboards are legal in your area.

Why Do Cities, Airlines, Campuses, and Malls Ban Hoverboards?

It’s all about safety, mostly. Hoverboards have been known to combust unexpectedly, and that’s caused the authorities and policymakers to outlaw these little weird vehicles. Also, some cities and municipalities consider hoverboards to be vehicles, meaning they must be registered. And you can’t register a hoverboard, right?

Where to Buy a Good Beginner Hoverboard

Amazon routinely scrutinizes its suppliers and smokes out the bad ones. In fact, Amazon recently banned quite a few unscrupulous hoverboard suppliers.

I also like that Amazon dangles pretty generous return policies. But to be clear, purchasing a hoverboard on Amazon doesn’t guarantee that returns will be pain-free. Make sure to buy from a company others haven’t complained too much about.

I want to believe you now know how to pick out a beginner hoverboard. Remember to wear high-quality protective gear before hopping on your new shiny craft. Get yourself a certified helmet and durable pads for your knees, wrists, and elbows. Triple 8 helmets have always been a good bet for me and my family.

We’ve come to the end of my reviews of the 5 best beginner hoverboards for kids and adults. It’s now time for you to decide which option sounds like the best buy.

Best Hoverboards for Beginners: Best Option Overall?

When it comes to maximum weight capacity and off-road riding capability, the Swagtron T6 wins hands down. But it isn’t the cheapest hoverboard out there.

In terms of features and ease of use for learners, the Swagtron T6 hoverboard emerged as the best beginner hoverboard overall.

There’s a learner’s mode, and it offers large, high-traction air-filled tires. Its overall build is insanely solid, and the range and speed are decent.

It’s also extremely sturdy with a pretty wide non-slip standing footpad. It provides adequate support to aspiring hoverboarders weighing as heavy as 420 pounds. And the battery lasts longer than most.

For kids, consider getting the Hover 1 Helix with a 160-pound load capacity. And if hunting for something that both mom/dad and kids can share, consider the Hover 1 Ultra (220 lbs). Check out the rest of the recommendations and see if any of them speaks to you.