When your child asks for a hoverboard or an off-road hoverboard, you might think their imagination has run off with them, and flying skateboards don’t exist. However, hoverboards are very real, and although they’re not levitating off the ground just yet, they look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Also known as self-balancing scooters, these tech toys allow riders to move around ‘hands-free’ with minimal effort from the rest of their body. Manufactured with a wide variety of distinct features model-to-model, hoverboard for kids can have you listening to music while taking a stroll through the neighborhood.
TOMOLOO Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard
The TOMOLOO weighs around 17.6lbs, and cruising speeds are around the 7.5 mph region.
Best Overall
Packed with features guaranteed to make your child burst with excitement, the TOMOLOO Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard is our best overall hoverboard for kids. Along with built-in Bluetooth speakers and RGB lighting, it also features complete app control. The downloadable app can control speed, steering sensitivity, speaker, and startup/shutdown.
Most Durable Hoverboard
The TOMOLOO Q2-C Hoverboard is our choice of the most durable hoverboard for kids. It features 6.5-inch nature rubber wheels to provide a smooth riding experience, as well as an IPX4 waterproof rating.
Best for Beginners
The JOLEGE Self-Balancing Hoverboard is an excellent option for younger kids and parents not looking to spend too much money on their first self-balancing scooter. While the recommended age is for kids seven years, kids even younger have ridden independently.
Best for Older Kids
With claims of being the world’s most intelligent self-balancing electric scooter, the LIEAGLE AO1 Self Balancing Hoverboard is our choice for the best hoverboard for older kids. It’s an excellent choice for racing, coasting, or commuting. With a weight support limit of up to 264 pounds, it’s suitable for various terrains, has an average max speed of 8 mph and its wheels are puncture resistant.
Best for Boys
If you have a future stunt-double for a son, the LIEAGLE AO1 Self Balancing Hoverboard is an excellent choice! It is able to go over various terrains, and even climb a slight hill without losing speed.
Best for Girls
Our pick for the best hoverboard for girls goes to the Felimoda Self Balancing Hoverboard. This hoverboard is as powerful as it is pretty! Featuring 300W dual motors that reach speeds of up to 9 mph, it also has an automatic stop function and 6.5-inch rugged tires suitable for most terrains.
Best Premium Hoverboard for Kids
If you want the best hoverboard for kids that money can buy, the TOMOLOO Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard is our premium choice. It’s super durable and well made, has excellent features, and is our best overall choice too!
Best Budget Hoverboard for Kids
If you’re on a tight budget and after the best value hoverboard for kids at a low price, then we recommend the JOLEGE Self Balancing Hoverboard. It’s an excellent budget option with all the features you’d find on a high-end hoverboard for kids.
How Does a Hoverboard Work?
The manufacturers design the hoverboards with electric motors, and intelligent sensors are placed within each wheel to detect when the rider leans in a specific direction and the speed. Every hoverboard has a gyroscope that maintains the board’s orientation – the stability – or angular velocity.
The gyroscope receives the information from the sensors within the wheels and passes it on to the logic board. Which then process the data and adjusts accordingly, keeping the board upright at all times.
What is the Appropriate Age to Ride a Hoverboard?
Most manufacturers recommend ages eight years and older. Others give a weight limit on their board, such as 45 to 200 pounds. Hoverboards require a lot of responsibility, depending on where you ride them.
If you’re planning to get one for the younger children around the house, use them under supervision. However, if your kids want to play outside alone, we’d recommend following the age guidelines set by the manufacturer for each hoverboard.
Where can Hoverboards be Used?
The laws and regulations for hoverboards differ from state to state. California was the first state to implement regulations regarding hoverboards, and other states have followed. So be sure to research your local laws before purchasing a hoverboard for your child.
Consider where you will be using your hoverboard because private properties – such as universities – could implement their own set of rules. And if not followed, you could receive a fine.
California’s Assembly Bill No. 604 that they passed in 2016 states:
What to Look for When Purchasing a Hoverboard for Kids
Speed and Safety
Hoverboards come in a wide variety of models and features. Some boards offer adjustable ‘speed modes’ for amateur and veteran riders. Hoverboards can reach 15 mph depending on the board; it’s a good idea to practice before increasing the power.
This all might seem quite scary as a parent if you have a younger child. Fortunately, some hoverboards offer app support that can control and monitor hoverboards from your smartphone. With the touch of a button, you can decrease your child’s board speed or get a reading of how fast they’re going. If they’re spending too much time on the hoverboard, you can even turn it off remotely. App support usually comes with high-end boards, so you’ll need to shell out a few more dollars.
Regardless of the hoverboard you choose, we highly recommend ensuring that your child always wears essential safety gear when riding their hoverboard. Basic protection gear includes a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. Most retailers sell a complete set of safety gear, so be sure to add it to your cart at checkout!
Performance and Charging Time
How long does a hoverboard battery last? Most hoverboards use lithium-ion batteries between 36V-42V. The faster and longer you ride your hoverboard, the quicker the battery will drain. Depending on the rider’s terrain, incline, and weight, an average session might get you up to 10 miles of riding time. Tires are also an essential feature for all hoverboards. Be on the lookout for multi-surface anti-puncture tires that are suitable for multiple surfaces. You wouldn’t want any flat tires and warranty voids. If you live in an area prone to rain, some manufacturers produce water-resistant hoverboards.
Extra Accessories
A fun additional accessory is a Go-Kart attachment – such as the Hover-1 Buggy Attachment. As the name suggests, it transforms your hoverboard into a go-kart and allows you to ride the hoverboard in a seated position, steering with handles on either side. It takes some practice to get the hang of, but it provides endless hours of fun once kids have it down!
Budget
Always consider your budget and the level of your child’s interest before purchasing a hoverboard. Hoverboards are not cheap, and we would not recommend buying them for your child if you believe they will only use them once. Perhaps consider it for an older child that would use it with their friends.
Music and Speakers
Some hoverboard designs have speakers and Bluetooth capabilities. It is more of an added bonus than the norm. We would not recommend this feature if your children use their board on busy and noisy roads. It could prevent them from being fully aware of what’s happening around them. But if your child will be using it with their friends in the park, it could be a really cool feature for them to enjoy.
Lights
This is highly recommended to increase the visibility of your child and ensure their safety. Some models have LED light-up wheels that activate when used. The lights come in an array of colors to add a bit of spunk to your ride.
Aside from the LED wheels, in some states, your hoverboard legally requires a fixed white light visible from 300 feet to ensure that you are visible to oncoming cars.
FAQ
How do hoverboards charge?
The hoverboard’s charging system works similar to that of a cellphone or a laptop. The manufacturers often include a charging cable that you just plug into the charging port.
How long do hoverboards take to charge?
The length of the charge time depends on the price range. Lower priced modules take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, while mid-range models that 2 to 3 hours, and modules on the higher end of the spectrum take 1.5 to 2 hours.
Which hoverboards are the safest?
This is dependent on your child and how they will use the hoverboard. Ensure that your hoverboard is always visible to anyone passing by, especially vehicles.