Top 10 Electronic Skateboards of 2020
| Board | Boosted Plus | Evolve GT Street | Halo Board | Inboard M1 | ZBoard 2 Blue | LOU Board 3.0 | Enertion Raptor | Metroboard Slim | Atom H16D | Winboard Panther |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1399 | $1499 | $897 | $999 | $1299 | $999 | $1546.20 | $1199 | $699 | $749 |
| Max Speed | 22mph | 26mph | 22mph | 22mph | 22mph | 21mph | 30mph | 24mph | 20mph | 25mph |
| Range | 14 miles | 21 miles | 12 miles | 7 miles per battery | 16 miles | 15 miles | 24 miles | 15 miles | 12 miles | 20 miles |
| Hill Grade | 25% | 25% | 25% | 15% | n/a | 15% | 30% | 15% | 15% | 25% |
| Weight | 17lbs | 17lbs | 14lbs | 14.5lbs | 17lbs | 12lbs | 25lbs | 16.6lbs | 13lbs | 17.5lbs |
| Charge Time | 1.45hrs | 4 – 5hrs | 3hrs | 1.5hrs | 2.5hrs | 2hrs | 2hrs | 1-3hrs | 2hrs | 3hrs |
#1 Halo Board
The Halo Board is in a really good sweet spot when it comes to performance, comfort, and affordability. It will get you where you want to go with style and a smile on your face. The board’s carbon fiber composition gives it a premium feel and ride. While keeping the price down below that dreaded $1k mark.
Consider this one if you’re new to electric boards and want something to comfortably get started with.
#2 Boosted Plus
Boosted has been running the electric skateboarding scene for a while now. With their 2nd iteration of the Boosted Plus, they reminded everyone why they’re at the top. This board is pretty much everything you could reasonably want out of a powered board. Besides the steep(ish) price tag, there aren’t many negatives we can say about this beauty. Hence the #1 placement on our list.
#3 Evolve GT Street
Evolve’s GT Street is the slightly bloated step-child of the Boosted Plus. It’s faster and rides longer. But the price is even higher than the already pricey Boosted and the charge time is an unparalleled 4 – 5 hours. Making it the board with the longest charge time in our top 10 list. Honestly, this board is probably too much too handle for most people looking for a casual ride.
The only reason it’s on the list is because it’s great performance is only slightly overshadowed by it’s $1,499 price tag.
#4 Inboard M1
The M1 is one of those rare boards that has been in the spotlight pretty much since inception. A whopping $500,000 was invested by customers-to-be on Kickstarter and the owners were featured on Shark Tank before the company really took off. Since then, Inboard has made it a point not just to compete with the big boys of the Electric Skateboarding industry, but to join them in the inner circle.
The M1 has everything you could want from an eboard and is constantly improving it’s hardware and software to keep their product competitive. Besides the low range of it’s (interchangeable) batteries, this longboard is one to seriously consider.
#5 ZBoard 2 Blue
The ZBoard is honestly one of my personal favorites on this list. The reason it’s riding subtly by in the middle of the pack and not somewhere in the front, is because it’s foot paddles aren’t for everyone. Most people looking into electric skateboards are expecting the whole hand-controller deal. So throwing you a curve ball like this right of the bat would probably cause a little vertigo.
BUT.. If you’re open to the idea of controlling your that new beast under your legs strictly with your feet, then you have to give this board a shot. It’s seriously a hell of a lot of fun.
#7 Enertion Raptor 2
Enertion’s Raptor 2 is hands down one of the (if not THE) most powerful electronic skateboards on the market right now. This bad boy does one thing exceptionally well and does not compromise one bit to make that happen. It’s performance is pretty much unparalleled and they have a 110% “Insane Performance” Guarantee to back it up.
Because of the heavy duty hardware being used to power this beast, there is definitely more bulk than other boards on this list. But with the highest range of any board as well, chances are you won’t have to carry this thing around anywhere unless you’re indoors and you’ve made it to your destination.
#8 Metroboard Slim Stealth
The Metroboard Slim Stealth Edition is one of those boards that we personally aren’t too excited about. It’s a great board, just like the rest but there isn’t anything that really sets it apart from the competition. It’s top speed is slightly above the average and they also give you the option of choosing which battery package you want on your board depending on your range requirements. The cheapest version should be enough for most people looking to get an eboard but their most powerful battery boasts a ridiculous 55 mile range in case you have a terrible commute to accommodate for are just in the mood to do some exploring of your own.
Besides that the Metroboard Slim is a reliable board that doesn’t have much to disqualify it but also doesn’t really provide any incentive to choose it over it’s competitors. So unless, you’re already thinking about buying one because the particular style meets your fancy, we don’t really recommend it all that highly.
#9 Atom H16D
The Atom H16D is a lot like the Metroboard in that it doesn’t really have that much going for it to set it apart from other boards. It’s a well performing, high-quality longboard that will get you from place to place in style. The one are that it does shine in is the price. At $699 it sits well below that 1k mark and still delivers a commendable ride.
The sleek look is also something we can’t help but appreciate, but that’s more of a subjective opinion. If you want an electric skateboard of high-quality that’s not going to break the bank, then the Atom H16D is one to consider.
#10 Winboard Panther
The Winboard Panther is the newest addition to our Top 10 list and it’s quickly becoming one of our favorites. This thing is built like a premium board and is being sold at borderline budget numbers. The only reason it’s not higher on our list (YET) is because the manufacturer is not as reputable as the others and we haven’t put the board through it’s paces to see if the quality compares to the other boards on this list.
4 Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying Your First Electric Skateboard
Purpose – What Will You Be Using Your New Electric Skateboard For?
It might seem obvious, but the first thing you should consider before buying an e-board is what you plan on using it for. Will this primarily be a method of transportation for you? A way to commute to and from work/school that allows you to have a little fun on the side. Maybe you want something more challenging that you can master over time as a hobby. Or something to ride on solid ground that complements your passion for snowboarding and surfing. Maybe the board you’re looking for isn’t even for you. Instead it’s a gift for your kid or a significant other.
Whatever your situation, make sure to keep it mind when choosing which board to go with because all electric skateboards are NOT created equal. You want something that’s going to scratch that particular itch that’s motivating you to be here in the first place. That’s the surest way to make a decision you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Here’s a list of some of the most common reasons our readers research Electric Skateboards along with the best attributes to be on the look out for and our top recommendation for that category to help guide you on your path:
Quality – How Good Is This Motorized Skateboard, Really?
- Connectivity: This is something that I don’t see many people talking about when determining what factors are most important about a quality electric skateboard. Which is funny because it could very well be the most important when it comes to making sure you don’t die on one of these things.Imagine riding downhill on your new longboard at a leisurely pace when suddenly the remote loses connection with the board and you lose all control. What do you do?It’s important to note that what makes battery powered skateboards such a thrill to ride (that sweet, effortless speed) is also (potentially) it’s most dangerous trait. You don’t want to skimp on quality here.Fortunately, most well known brands have exceptional connectivity with their remote controls. Relying on advanced bluetooth technology to maintain a strong link.
- Deck: A good deck can be the difference between a stiffer more precise ride or a more flexible and comfortable one. Depending on what you plan on using your new skateboard for, remember to keep this in mind. Usually, we recommend the average consumer to go with a more comfortable board aka one with flexible materials like bamboo.
- Wheels: The type and size of the wheels also matter a good deal! A lot like the material of the deck – wheel composition and size can determine how comfortable of a ride you’ll have. You want something big enough to effortlessly glide you through those small bumps on the road you’ll encounter from time to time. Made of material that has some shock absorption to them.
- Battery: A crappy battery means more than poor range these days. I’m sure you’ve heard stories of all sorts of appliances, toys, electronics, and even cars that go up in flames because of battery issues. Companies are doing a much better job regulating the quality control of the batteries they use on their products but this is still something you want to keep in mind yourself to make sure you don’t run the risk of ending op on reddit.(On the plus-side, it could lead to some sweet karma if you take initiative.)
- Motor: This one is really all about power and reliability. While belt-drives used to run the gamut, nowadays there are multiple types of motors for modern electric skateboards. Mostly though, you’ll be dealing with the choice between the good belt-drive or in-hub motors.Belt-driven motors pack more power but also require quite a bit of maintenance to keep them running smoothly. They’re also almost never weather resistant because of they’re exposure to the elements.In-hub motors lie inside the wheels and are normally not nearly as powerful as they’re bulkier step-sibling. They’re housing inside the wheel does give them an extra layer of protection from the elements and can usually be driven in light to moderate weather conditions like rain.Our advice is to go with an in-hub motor because of their user friendliness. There is almost no maintenance required, they’re much quitter while riding, your occasional puddle is usually fine, and the power that the modern variations have is more than enough to get you around town safely and in style.
Performance – Will This Electronic Longboard Be Able to Keep Up?
- Riding Modes: Pretty much all brands of longboards come equipped with riding modes so you should be safe on this one. Still though, make sure to keep this in the back of your mind when choosing your new best friend. Having different riding modes can help you personalize each and every ride, making it easier to get just want you want out of your board.
- Hill Climbing: This is pretty much the test that differentiates a good board from a great one. You want something that has the minimum capacity of climbing a 15% hill grade. Unless you plan on never ever having to climb a hill on your board, chances are this is only going to help you enjoy your rides to the fullest.Nothing is worse than having to get off your board and walk every time you run into a hill your machine can’t handle. I mean that’s at least half the point of an electric skateboard: to not have to worry about things that would make riding a regular skateboard a pain in the ass (like hills).
- Braking: This goes hand in hand with connectivity. Nothing fancy here: this is all about safety. You want brakes that will stop when you want them to without hurling you off the board. Regenerative brakes are usually the way to go here.
Customer Service – Does The Company Making This eBoard Stand Behind It’s Product?
- Warranty: Electric Skateboards are not cheap. The last thing you want is to have to add on to that price tag by having to buy replacement parts for something that broke a week into your new purchase. Making a good quality purchase from the get-go will minimize the chances of you having to deal with anything like this but it’s always a good idea to cover your own back. Coincidentally, the best boards will usually have the most comprehensive warranties because they trust in their products. Those are typically the ones you want to lean to.
- Refund Policy: Sometimes even after doing all of your research, you can still end up buying something you hate. That’s where having a good refund policy can save a lot of time and headache.
- Guarantee: A good guarantee kind of blends in with both the warranty and refund policy. The only real difference is that they explicitly labeled as such: “A Guarantee”. Keep an eye on the circumstances in which your board is covered and you’ll be fine. And again, the best companies with the most confidence in their products tend to have the most comprehensive reassurances.
- Points of Contact: This doesn’t happen very often but sometimes even companies that have all the above nailed can disappear on you when you really need them. Make sure the company you choose to pay your hundreds (or thousands) of hard earned dollars to has plenty of ways for you to contact them should something go wrong.