Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall hoverboard for adults is the Hover-1 Titan.
- Most hoverboards for adults come with a training mode for beginners.
- Key considerations when selecting a hoverboard for an adult rider include your level of experience, safety, maximum weight capacity, and range.
Hoverboards are propelled self-balanced scooters. They have become increasingly popular over the last few years, thanks to celebrities spotted riding them and the increasing quest for more innovative alternatives to skateboards. Unlike the latter, hoverboards are suitable for adults just as they are for kids. Besides, adults can put them to better use as an environmentally friendly means of transport.
Hoverboards have become safer and of better quality as more manufacturers invest in them. Today, the number of available options makes it difficult to choose the right hoverboard for adults.
To help you get started, we have reviewed and ranked the top 5 best hoverboards, so follow along with us!
- Best Overall: Hover-1 Titan
- Best for Off-Roading: Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-Road
- Best for Beginners: Razor Hovertrax 2.0
- Best for Commuting: Segway Ninebot S-Plus Electric
- Best for Sports: Epikgo Sport
#1 Best Overall Hoverboard: Hover-1 Titan
Key Features
- Top Speed: 7.45 mph
- Range: 8.4 miles
- Motor: Dual 250W motor
- Tires: 10-inch
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- Maximum capacity: 265 lbs
The Hover-1 Titan is an all-around hoverboard for adults, both beginners and experienced riders.
The top-rated hoverboard is powered by a 250W dual motor system giving it a total of 500W. Its 265 lbs maximum capacity makes it suitable for heavy riders, while its low top speed suits it for use by beginners. It also comes with three-level riding modes, including the beginner mode.
The Hover-1 Train is UL certified on safety and comes with a UL-certified battery. The certifications indicate that the hoverboard passed rigorous tests on overheating and charging, which were the most common causes of hoverboard combustions a few years ago. In addition to providing an aesthetic appeal, the LEDs on the hoverboard also ensure that other road users can see the rider in the evenings or when sunlight is low. Additionally, one of the two speakers is built for safety alerts.
With 10-inch tires, the Hover-1 Titan can take on fairly rough terrains, with the two motors providing enough power for the hoverboard to climb a 15-degree incline. However, it is not the most suitable for off-roading.
Please note: As of August 14, 2023, this product no longer appears on Amazon and may have been discontinued.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sleek design | Low top speed and range |
| A powerful motor | |
| Quick charging | |
| Bluetooth speaker and LED lighting | |
| GPS |
Best for Off-Roading: Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-Road
- First in the world to handle over 380 lbs
- Up to 12 mph
- 10" wheel
- Black
Key Features
- Top Speed: 10 mph
- Range: 12 miles
- Motor: 300 W dual motors
- Tires: 10-inch
- Weight: 31 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 420 lbs
If you need a hoverboard that works just as well as the Hover-1 Train but with better offroad performance, then the Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-Road hoverboard is the best option.
It comes with a robust 300W dual motor system that delivers a 12 miles range and a top speed of 10 mph, making it one of the fastest hoverboards. Also, the Swagtron T6 Outlaw can climb up to 30-degree inclines.
The frame of the Swagtron is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), aluminum, and plastic, making it durable enough to withstand riders weighing up to 420 lbs. To tackle tough terrains, it comes with air-filled treaded tires.
On safety, the Swagtron T6 Outlaw is UL-certified, so it no longer runs the risk of catching fire. It is also rated IPX4, which means it is water spray-proof, protecting the battery and the board’s electronic system. In addition, the hoverboard comes in three driving modes: Learning, Standard, and Advanced.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers the highest maximum load | Air-filled tires are more prone to go flat |
| Treaded air-filled tires | Too heavy to carry around |
| Durable design | Pricier |
| Powerful motors | |
| High maximum capacity |
Check out the Swagtron T6 Outlaw Off-Road on Amazon.
Best for Beginners: Razor Hovertrax 2.0
- With LED lights
- UL2272 certified
- Self-balancing hoverboard scooter
- Prismatic color
- For kids age 8 and up
Key Features
- Top Speed: 8 mph
- Range: 6 miles
- Motor: 350-watts
- Tires: 6.5-inch
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 220 lbs
Riding a hoverboard for the first time can be intimidating. Working on self-balancing and adjusting to the board’s acceleration make falls very common. However, with a beginner hoverboard like Razor Hovertrax 2.0, it is much simpler!
Under its Training mode for beginners, the hoverboard’s speed is capped to a manageable low speed, making it safe to learn hovering. The hoverboard is further made suitable for beginners by its EverBalance technology. It is an auto-leveling technology exclusive to Razor hoverboards that uses gyro sensors to ensure a smooth and safe ride. The Hovertrax 2.0 also comes with non-slip rubber footpads, enabling a secure grip of the board.
Once you get the hang of hoverboards, you can switch to Normal mode or upgrade to more powerful hoverboards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for both beginning and experienced riders | Low weight capacity |
| Removable battery |
Check out the Razor Hovertrax 2.0 on Amazon.
Best for Commuting: Segway Ninebot S-Plus Electric
- Smart Self-Balancing
- Intelligent lighting and battery system
- Remote control
- Auto-Following Mode
- White
Key Features
- Top Speed: 12.5 mph
- Range: 22 miles
- Motor: 400W
- Tires: 11-inch pneumatic
- Weight: 28 lbs
- Maximum capacity: 220 lbs
If you need a hoverboard for commuting to work or school every day, consider the Segway Ninebot S-Plus Electric.
It has several features that make it more than a fun micro-mobility solution. First, it has a 22-mile range, meaning if you work 10 miles away, you can go to work and back on a single charge and still have a mile or two to spare.
The Ninebot S-Plus pneumatic tires ensure a smooth ride even when riding over a not-so-good surface. To make long travel more bearable, the Segway added a knee bar that can be fitted with a separately-bought handlebar to the Ninebot S-Plus. The knee bar makes riding the hoverboard easy and also takes the strain off the ankles and the legs. Adding a handlebar simply makes it a more comfortable ride.
The Ninebot S Plus also comes with several features that could be helpful when using it to commute to work. One of the most essential is the remote control, which enables you to control the board when not on it. When your hands are full, you can load the hoverboard with shopping bags and use the Segway app to set the board to follow you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High mileage per charge | The battery takes 4 hours to charge |
| Powerful battery | High price tag |
| Several extra features | |
| Remote control capability | |
| LED headlights and tail lights |
Check out the Segway Ninebot S-Plus Electric on Amazon.
Best for Sports: Epikgo Sport Balance Hoverboard
- Self-balance
- All-terrain 8.5" racing wheels
- 400W dual-motor
- LG smart battery
- Hover over tough road conditions
- Black, space grey
Key Features
- Top Speed: 9 mph
- Range: 10 miles
- Motor: 400W dual motors
- Tires: 8.5 inch
- Weight: 33 pounds
- Maximum Capacity: 200 lbs
If you’re looking for a hoverboard for competitive hovering, then the Epikgo Sport is an alternative worth considering.
It comes with a powerful 800W engine, delivering lots of torque and speed with little engine struggle. Even with its powerful motor system, it still delivers a 9 mph top speed and a 10-mile range.
The Epikgo Sports hoverboard is built to last with pneumatic tires, an aluminum alloy frame, and other top-quality materials. It is IP56-rated, meaning it is protected against dust and strong water jets from all directions.
Besides its weight, the only downside of the Epikgo hoverboard is that it’s sold as an offroad board. Yet, its off-roading capabilities are not as good as some off-road models on the market with a more affordable price tag.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low charge time | Heaviest on this list |
| Tough and durable | Not super impressive off-road capabilities despite being advertised as such |
| Powerful motor system |
Check out the Epikgo Sport on Amazon.
©Fedorovacz/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Hoverboard for Adults: Step-by-Step
Here are some of the factors to consider when picking a hoverboard.
Experience
Your level of hovering experience is the first consideration. If you have never set foot on a hoverboard or, by your standards, you consider yourself a starter, then go for models with training modes. By all means, avoid hoverboards that do not have this feature. However, if you are experienced, you can go for the offroad and sports versions on this list.
Safety
First-generation hoverboards were plagued with several incidents of self-combustion and short-circuiting. These issues have reduced over the years, but you still need to take all the necessary precautions to avoid having one of the accidents. To prevent this, go for hoverboards that are UL-certified. They are certainly pricier, but the safety is worth it.
The Type of Hoverboard
Do you need a classic, off-road, or smart-balance hoverboard? Classic hoverboards are suitable for standard usage, like on the road or tarmacked paths. If you prefer hoverboards with advanced gyroscope sensors to maintain the rider’s balance, then the smart-balance types would be a suitable choice.
Charging Time and Range
The majority of hoverboards take 60 to 90 minutes to charge. Still, however, there are those that take longer, up to 4 hours. The key consideration, nonetheless, is the mileage per charge. Often, the longer the charging time, the more the range, but this is not always the case. As a rule, go for a hoverboard that offers more battery life per charge.
Speed
The speed of hoverboards ranges between 6 and 12 mph. Go for one that goes at a pace that you can handle. Remember that the speed might be higher when descending a steep slope, so you might need to consider hoverboards that come with a speed alert feature.
Weight and Capacity
For an adult, you will need a hoverboard that weighs at least 28 pounds. As for capacity, most hoverboards have a capacity limit of 220 to 250 pounds, though, for some, it goes up to 420 pounds. Ensure to choose an adult board that suits your weight.
Extra Features
Consider features such as Bluetooth, remote control, auto-balance, and colorful lights. These additional features increase the fun of riding these propelled boards. Other factors worth considering are materials and IP ratings.
What to Know Before Buying Hoverboard for Adults
One thing you need to know before buying a hoverboard for adults is whether they are legal to use in your state or local area. Currently, there are no federal laws on hoverboards, but some cities have banned them. For example, in 2015, New York City banned hoverboards’ sale, purchase, and use within its boundaries.
The other issue worth knowing before purchasing a hoverboard is the protective gear required to safely ride these boards, including a high-quality helmet, knee guards, and elbow guards.
It is also good to know the type of tires suitable for the terrain you will ride. For example, inflatable tires are good for rough terrain, while plastic wheels suffice for paved roads.
Using a Hoverboard for Adults: What It’s Like
Hoverboards are efficient and environmentally friendly, with no emissions. They charge quickly, are portable, and are generally convenient for short travels and fun. However, the learning curve is steep for users. Hoverboards also cannot travel long distances; in some cases, especially when going uphill, they can be slower than walking. Beginners are prone to falling as well, so it’s always important to take the proper safety precautions.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©DenisProduction.com/Shutterstock.com.
