Best Electric Skateboards Of 2023 – Ultimate Buyers Guide

Best Electric Skateboard: What to Look For

Choosing electric skateboards doesn’t need to be a labor. Let’s consider the most important factors when you’re looking to buy a new board.

Size

The most important comfort feature of a board is that you feel comfortable standing on it. If the deck is too narrow, you’ll feel unbalanced and riding won’t be a smooth experience. Especially for taller and heavier riders, board width is a vital consideration.

Equally, the length is important. A longer board will typically be easier to control, but you’ll get tighter maneuvers with a shorter board.

Speed

Electric skateboards’ top speeds can be a misleading buying factor. This isn’t just because it depends on the weight the board is carrying (weaker engines will typically experience more drag from heavier riders). It’s because you might not need that upper-speed limit.

26mph is pretty fast. You need to be a skilled rider to control a board at that pace. If you don’t think you’ll ever go much above 20mph, why pay more for the extra pace?

However, for experienced riders, it can be frustrating if a board won’t give you the enhanced riding experience you need. When you need speed, this factor isn’t worth compromising on.

Most e-boards also come with a remote control offering several speed modes. This helps you stay in control – you generally want a remote with at least two riding modes.

Deck Materials

The best electric skateboards are made from top-quality materials such as maple wood or bamboo. Fiberglass is another popular and durable option for the deck, although it doesn’t give you quite the same natural spring as wood.

A carbon deck is less common on electric longboards these days – it’s less environmentally friendly and less comfortable to stand on. Try to pick a board made from top-quality materials – you’ll feel the difference.

Carrying Weight

The board’s upper weight limit is a key metric for heavier riders. Most boards can handle around 220lbs, but some carry upwards of 300lbs with ease. Find a board that offers you the support you need – this is vital both for comfort and safety reasons.

Board Weight

What if the worst happens and the battery runs out? You can either ride on the old-fashioned way or carry the board and hope that you won’t have to take on any large hills.

E-boards with a lower range and high weight put you most at risk of some unwanted manual labor. Low-weight boards also tend to have more sensitive handling.

Battery Life

This determines how long you can travel without charging up. It’s a crucial buying factor depending on the type of travel you’re planning. If you have a long commute or you’re planning to get lost down country roads, you want higher battery life.

Motor Type

Most boards use hub motors. However, some use belt-driven motors – here’s the difference.

Hub Motors

These tend to be lighter and create much less noise than a belt-driven motor. This category also includes direct-drive motors, which provide power to wheels independently.

Belt-Driven Motors

You’ll rarely find a belt-driven motor on an e-board, but they provide incredible power. They’re preferred by some off-terrain fans for this reason.

Weatherproofing

Electric skateboards don’t tend to get on with wet weather. Some boards have partial or full weatherproofing, but at the end of the day, it’s a piece of electrical equipment without any great coverage options.

User reviews are often a good way to learn how a board’s waterproofing holds up.

Brand

Choosing an electric skateboard from a top brand is always a good idea. The price might be slightly higher, but you’re guaranteed high-quality materials and rigorous testing with the top brands.

Price

While we recommend buying from leading brands, some price themselves out of the market. This is our issue with boards like the Boosted Stealth board – it’s good, but the price is simply too high to justify the features. Only a few high-end boards like the Halo Board Beast truly justify higher costs.

Warranty

Most boards come with a 6-month warranty. Some manufacturers may offer extended warranties when purchased directly – however, it’s uncommon to get much longer than 9 months.