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The 8 Best Electric Skateboards You Can Buy Today

electric skateboard

The 8 Best Electric Skateboards You Can Buy Today

It seems like each new day brings a brand new, state-of-the-art technological advancement. From the medical field to the transportation industry and everything in between, modern innovators are always looking toward the future with their latest and greatest inventions. It’s not always such serious stuff, though.

Sometimes, these innovations can be as simple as an updated form of transportation. This is where the electric skateboard comes into play. But what are the best electric skateboards on the market? We’ve taken a look at the features, speed, and price of some of the best electric skateboards available and arranged them based on the best picks for adults, kids, commuters, speed, price, longboard, all-terrain, and overall models.

  • Best Overall: Boosted Stealth
  • Best for Speed: Lacroix Lonestar Supersport
  • Best for Price: Apsuboard F3
  • Best for Adults: Skatebolt Tornado II
  • Best Longboard: Meepo V4
  • Best All-Terrain: Propel Endeavor S
  • Best for Kids: Maxfind Max One
  • Best for Commuters: Exway Flex

Electric Skateboards Overview

electric skateboard
The first electric skateboard, the MotoBoard, was released in 1975.

Release Date and Price

While electric skateboards feel like a contemporary invention, they actually originated back in 1975 with the MotoBoard. Powered by an engine that ran on gasoline, the MotoBoard sold quite well for close to a decade. Its price of $650 made it somewhat unattainable for the serious teenage skateboarder, meaning most of its sales came from higher-end retailers. While the parent company parted ways in the mid-80s, existing MotoBoards remained in use for much of the 80s and into the 90s before legislation banned them based on excessive noise and pollution risk.

Different Models

After the demand for the MotoBoard declined (due in part to the widespread bans), the electric skateboard was conceived. Resolving issues with noise and pollution by abandoning gas power and going electric, the electric skateboard first emerged in 1997 — the same year many states passed anti-MotoBoard legislation. First credited to Louie Finkle, the first electric skateboard was nothing like the ones we know today. Given the weakness of electric motors at the time, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that the technology was able to catch up to the idea. 

Between 2004 and 2006, the electric skateboard finally came into its own. Now equipped with the right amount of torque and energy efficiency to be commercially viable, the electric skateboard was officially here. Louie’s board was known as the eXkate. Future brands brought different models of electric skateboards, including the longboard, created for travelers, and cruisers, ideal for shorter distances. Beyond the eXkate, these other brands include Meepo, Onewheel, Backfire, Exway, Boosted, and more. 

Features

Some key features of the average electric skateboard include: 

  • A motor (either in the form of a wheel hub, an out-runner, or a direct drive motor)
  • A board deck (with varying lengths, wheelbases, and flexibility depending on the need)
  • An electric speed controller (or ESC)
  • A truck

Electric Skateboards Pros and Cons

Pros!Cons!
Fast
Expensive
Convenient
Heavy
Energy-efficientShort battery life

The Best Electric Skateboards You Can Buy Today

Best Overall: Boosted Stealth

If a budget is of no concern to you, then the best electric skateboard that money can buy is the Boosted Stealth board. Coming in at around $1,600, this Boosted board isn’t cheap by any means, but it earns every penny of its expensive price point. Comfortable, high-performing, durable, and lightweight, the Boosted Stealth is the best electric skateboard on the market by far. This isn’t the board for kids, for beginners, or those on a budget, but for those who have experience and don’t care about cost, the Boosted Stealth is the way to go.

Best For Speed: Lacroix Lonestar Supersport

Above all other brands, Lacroix boards have proven to be the fastest electric skateboards available. With top speeds reaching 55 miles per hour, these pre-assembled boards come equipped with features like anti-wobble trucks, an asymmetrical concave deck, and a 1089 watt-hour battery. If you’re looking for speed over all else, a Lacroix board is the way to go.

Best For Price: Apsuboard F3

If price is what matters most to you over some of these other features, then look no further than the Apsuboard. With a single motor (as opposed to the industry’s standard dual motor) and a top speed of under 20 miles per hour, the Apsuboard is not as fast or as powerful as some of the more expensive models on this list. However, that’s what makes the price more affordable for your budget. The Apsuboard is lighter, cheaper, and easier for beginners to use without skimping out on the true electric skateboard experience for those on a budget.

Best For Adults: Skatebolt Tornado II

For adults looking for a nice, dependable board they can use for fun, it’s worth considering the Skatebolt. With a decent speed of 22 miles per hour, a weight under 20 pounds, and a 700-watt motor, the Skatebolt makes for a solid choice for those who aren’t super serious about electric skateboards but are still looking to have a good model at their disposal. It’s affordable, dependable, and, above all else, it gets the job done. 

Please note: As of July 19, 2023, the SKATEBOLT Tornado II Electric Skateboard is out of stock on Amazon. Check back for availability.

Best Longboard: Meepo V4

Meepo V4
$369.00
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/12/2024 08:15 am GMT

While the Meepo V3 has certainly made the rounds among the electric skateboard community lately, it’s now all about the new and improved V4 — especially if you’re looking for the best electric longboard on the market. Modestly priced while still delivering high speeds and durability, Meepo and their latest model really can’t be beaten.

Best All-Terrain: Propel Endeavor S

On the surface, electric skateboards and all-terrain vehicles seem like they’d be on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, all-terrain electric skateboards have been steadily on the rise for a few years now. Today, the best all-terrain electric skateboard that money can buy would have to be the Propel Endeavor. A great pick for both on- and off-road terrains, the Propel Endeavor hits a top speed of 28 miles per hour and comes equipped with big, thick wheels and a flexible deck and truck to help handle those particularly bumpy off-road rides. 

Best For Kids: Maxfind Max One

If you’re looking for the best electric skateboard for kids, then Maxfind is going to be your best bet. Not too fast while still delivering a nice battery life and a modest size, the Maxfind is designed for kids to still have a fun and exciting experience on their electric skateboard without putting their safety at risk. Best of all, they won’t feel like they’ve been hobbled because of their age. It still delivers on all fronts while remaining safe and easy for kids to learn.

Best For Commuters: Exway Flex

Electric skateboards might not be the first thing you think of when you think about the best way for commuters to get around, but don’t count them out: electric skateboards prove to be a great way for commuters to get where they need to go. No gas, no bus pass, no Uber fees… the electric skateboard truly has all the speed and the convenience commuters need. Exway is the best producer of these commuter boards, delivering lightweight sleekness alongside waterproof materials and high speeds.

How to Pick the Best Electric Skateboard: Step-by-Step

It’s impossible to say that one board is best for all riders. For every type of board listed above, there are just as many riders with as many different needs. For this reason, it’s worth outlining several considerations you can take to pick the best electric skateboard for you. These include:

  • Speed
  • Battery life
  • Type of wheels
  • Price

Speed

Taking speed into consideration will play a major role in the kind of board you pick. If you’re a newer or younger rider, then you might be better off opting for a slower board until you’re adept enough to graduate to a faster, more advanced one. Likewise, if you’ve used electric skateboards before and know your way around one like a pro, then you can go for one of those lightning-fast boards you’ve been eyeing for so long. 

Battery Life

Just as important as top speed is the electric skateboard’s battery life. If you’re someone who plans to commute long distances on your board, then you need one that can handle the journey without dying on you. Conversely, if you only plan to use the board sparingly and to cover short distances before returning the board to the charger, then you might not need to get the board with the longest battery life

Type of Wheels

While it might not be the first feature you think of when choosing a board, wheel type definitely matters quite a bit when shopping for an electric skateboard. If you think you’ll be traveling anywhere off of the pavement, then you’ll need a board with big, thick wheels that can handle the uneven terrain. If you only plan to travel on concrete, asphalt, or other smooth surfaces, then you can stick with more standard wheels. 

Price

Last but not least, there’s the price to take into consideration. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a board that’s far above your price range. Decide on a price and stick with it as you go about selecting your electric skateboard. You might have to sacrifice some features in order to stay within your range, but still, stick with it. You don’t want to break the bank, you want to have fun.

What to Know Before Buying an Electric Skateboard

Before you buy an electric skateboard, you should know that some cities (and even some states) have very specific regulations and laws about when, where, and how you can ride your electric skateboard. Some have gone as far as to ban them from the roads completely. For this reason, before you checkout, you should first look and see whether or not electric skateboards are legal where you live.

The last thing you want to do is to get your board taken away the very first time you go out and ride it. Search for your local laws or ordinances and then proceed with your purchase.

Using One of the Best Electric Skateboards: What it’s Like

Once your board finally arrives, you can expect to have a little period of trial and error. Remember that first time you ever got on a bike? Did you nail it on the first try? Probably not. The same applies here: It’s going to take some getting used to at first, and you’re probably going to fall at least once. Even the pros take a tumble every once in a while.

Don’t give up immediately, though: The fun, the thrill, and the convenience of an electric skateboard are worth the time it might take for you to totally get the hang of it. Be patient, and don’t be afraid to pull up some tutorials online. It’ll be well worth it in the end.

Next Up…

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a decent electric skateboard?

While there are many cheaper boards, a decent electric skateboard — in other words, one that will still deliver a quality experience — will likely cost you a few hundred dollars at least.

What is the fastest electric skateboard right now?

Presently, the fastest electric skateboard is the Lacroix Lonestar Supersport. It hits top speeds of 55 miles per hour, far surpassing all the competition.

What is the fastest speed an electric skateboard can go?

Hypothetically, an electric board can go as fast as any car could — that doesn’t mean that it could be ridden at that kind of speed, however. It all depends on the kind of engine strapped to the board.

How do you ride an electric skateboard?

Electric skateboards work by strapping an engine or two to the wheels of a skateboard and placing a handheld controller in the hands of the rider to change the speed and apply the brakes.

Can electric skateboards go uphill?

While some cheaper electric skateboards might have trouble getting up steep inclines, some of the more serious electric skateboards at higher price points can handle both steep inclines and off-road terrains alike.

What is the best electric skateboard under $500?

The best electric skateboard on a budget is the Apsuboard. However, there are other great boards under $500 including the Wowgo, the Meepo, and the Backfire.

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