Self-balancing scooters, sometimes called hoverboards, let you stand on what looks like a sideways skateboard but requires no effort on your part to propel. And unlike the standard scooter, it doesn’t have handlebars. The self balancing scooters let you go at up to six miles per hour while traveling on something small enough to put in a backpack when you reach your destination and carry, instead of the large clunky Segway you have to park.
Most models weigh only twenty pounds. Hoverboards with this design have gyroscopes that help you keep your balance as you shift your feet to turn left, right, go forward or backward. Depending on the model, these self propelled scooter can climb up to a 15° angle and travel up to 20 kilometers or twelve miles on a single charge.
These devices are so new that the crowded market is full of competitors no one has heard about. What are the best self balancing scooters on the market? And who offers the best balance between price and functionality? Read the reviews below and find out.
The Best Hoverboards for This Year
EpikGo Hoverboard / Self Balancing Scooter Review
In this self balancing scooter review, we’ll look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Epikgo hoverboard. Note that the name is pronounced epic, then go.
What do you get for the money? First and foremost is a powerful battery. Where some hoverboards top out at eight miles an hour, the Epikgo can reach ten miles an hour. More importantly, it can sustain that speed for more than an hour. Many of its rivals will be slowing to a stall by the one hour mark, and their run time is even shorter if it was taken on uneven terrain or on hills. Note that you’ll only get that run-time if you fully charge it first. One of the benefits of this model is that its battery never overheats while charging or shorts out.
Another benefit of the Epikgo is its ability to handle hills (up to an 18 degree incline), uneven terrain and “off-roading”. This is one of the few self balancing scooters on the market that is water resistant to the point it can be ridden in the rain or driven through a puddle without being ruined. Its large wheels have rugged tread that let you take it through light mud and over grass.
The battery can charge in as little as two hours. You can’t swap out the batteries to avoid needing to recharge it.
Swagtron Self Balancing Scooter / Hoverboard Review
Christmas 2015 brought a rash of horror stories of brand new self balancing scooters catching fire due to overheating of their cheap batteries. The CPSC banned the top dozen brands of 2 wheel self balancing scooters for this reason.
Underwriters Laboratories developed new standards in 2016 to verify the safety of batteries and electrical systems in hoverboards. This resulted in UL 2272.
Swagways’ Swagtron hoverboard lines are the first to meet this new UL 2272 safety standard. Because Swagway meets these safety standards, it is the first scooter line to come back to Amazon.Swagway has three different hoverboards. The Swagtron T1 hoverboard is reasonably priced It has a top speed of around eight miles and range of up to thirteen miles if you are on flat terrain and not pushing its weight limits.
The Swagtron T3 self hoverboard costs more. The T3 has a faster charging time and can climb 30 degree angles. T3 also comes with a carry strap, which the T1 lacks. Only the T3 comes with Bluetooth speakers that let you play music from your device like a smart phone or Apple iPod. The T3 has more riding modes to better suit the rider’s skill level and intended use. The Swagtron T1 is the better choice for the buyer on a budget, while the T3 comes with the extras you would otherwise have to pay for plus more luxury features the T1 and cheaper hoverboards simply don’t have. The T1 and T3 models are also available in 2 different shades of pink, which would be an ideal choice for girls. There is also the T5 model which is lighter and priced lower than the other T1 and T3 models.
Razor Hovertrax 2.0 Hoverboard / Self Balancing Smart Scooter Review
In this self balancing scooter review, we’ll address the strengths and weaknesses of the Hovertrax 2.0.
The biggest point in favor of this hoverboard is its price. It costs similar to the swagtron. Note that many of the premium brands cost twice that much.
You get a single long lasting battery with the hoverboard. One of the perks of this model is the ability to swap out the manufacturer provided batteries with LG batteries (be careful of the battery type) to extend your ride.
The version 2.0 refers to the redesign to make it UL 2272 certified. This addresses the problems that showed up a few years ago with the first generation of hoverboards catching fire on their first few rides.
The battery takes several hours to charge, but you’ll get around an hour of ride time off a single charge. Ride time is shortened with the amount of weight it has to carry, how many tricks you do and whether or not you’re going up hills. Conversely, if you’re going downhill on smooth terrain, this unit has no trouble.
This scooter isn’t rated for going off-road, so keep it in the house or on the sidewalk. It can reach eight miles per hour (or more in some situations).
Powerboard by HOVERBOARD – 2 Wheel Self Balancing Scooter Review
The Powerboard by Hoverboard is priced a little higher than some of the competition. If the price tag throws you for a loop, realize that there are self balancing scooters retailing for $1,800 on the market which are not upto the best quality– so even this is middle of the pack in terms of price. And the hoverboard does come with batteries.
Powerboard has two LED lights on the front to improve your visibility of the pavement in low light conditions as well as how well pedestrians and drivers see you. The Powerboard by Hoverboard self propelled scooter comes in four colors.
Powerboard’s main draw is its top speed of eight miles an hour, while many of its rivals can only go five to six miles per hour. The 2 wheels are 6” high, so it should be kept on pavement or hard floors, not run on gravel pathways or obstacles.
The battery lasts six hours. It charges in about an hour. The Powerboard has a power level indicator between the foot pedals so you can easily see how much power you have left as you are using it.
The Proboard self propelled scooter is about two feet across. The board can support up to 220 pounds. It is strong enough to support and carry most adults, but it is stable and safe enough for most children. At fifteen pounds, your children can carry it around like a skateboard until they get somewhere they want to set it up, though it can be ridden around the house without damaging most floors. The board is easy to ride, and most people learn to use it without problems in a matter of minutes. The learning curve is steeper if you’ve never used a skateboard or wakeboard.
A major point in favor of this brand is one full year warranty and good USA customer service; if something goes wrong or breaks, you can get it resolved by the suppler in short order.
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