8 Best Electric Skateboards & Longboards (Sept 2023 Review)

Electric Skateboards & Longboards Buyer’s Guide

Move aside traditional skateboards, there’s a new kid on the block in the form of electric skateboards and longboards! These awesome little boards come with remotes and require very little in the way of manual pushing. They can reach some rapid top speeds and are generally very safe – perfect for getting to work or school quickly.

But electric skateboards are all rage right now, and finding the best one for you can be tricky. While generally very safe, buying a skateboard built for someone advanced when you are just a beginner can put you in danger, while buying one made for a beginner if you already know what you’re doing will be boring!

Follow my speedy buyer’s guide to help you find the best electric skateboard or longboard for you.

Speed

The super speedy electric skateboards and longboards may have a top speed of up to 30mph! This is seriously fast and I recommend only aiming for these top speeds if you’re an experienced rider. Most of these boards will have different rider modes, and the beginners’ mode may have a speed limit of around 10mph. This is perfect if you’re just finding your balance, but you may want more speed once you’ve got more experience.

Bear in mind that the top speed you see online may not be the top speed that you can reach. These speeds will be with a lightweight rider on a very smooth terrain with little wind, so take the top speed with a pinch of salt!

Remember that speed isn’t everything, and something that goes very fast will not only be more dangerous, the battery may not last for long.

Size

The size of the board you need will be determined by your own height, weight and shoe size. Some boards are specifically designed for heavier riders, and others for lighter riders. Bear in mind that if the max weight is 200lbs, and you weigh 200lbs, you may not be able to reach the speeds that other riders can. Instead, it’s best to look for a board with a heavier max weight to help you get the most from the hobby.

The deck should be wide enough to accommodate your own feet. Kids and those with smaller feet can get away with a narrower deck. These are slightly less stable for taller riders but if you are confident in your ability, you should find them easy enough! If you have bigger feet and you’re a beginner rider, a wide deck is by far the best option.

The deck length can also play a part. If you are planning on commuting or cruising, you’ll want an overall smaller board to weave in and out of traffic easily. But if you’re wanting to zoom downhill, a larger deck is better for stability and shred-ability! Longer boards are great for long, relaxed rides but they can be a lot of effort to carry around.

Battery Life & Range

The battery life of an electric skateboard is measured in miles, and not minutes, What you want to use your board for will determine how important the battery life and range is to you. If you are going to be using it for commuting, for example, you’ll need a longer range.

Most electric skateboards and longboards deliver around 7-10 miles of range, but this will vary depending on the weight of the rider and the speed you go at. If you just want a quick zoom around the block every now and again, the range won’t matter so much.

Charging

Electric skateboards and longboards have surprisingly speedy charging time. The most powerful batteries will have a charge time of just an hour – but these boards will cost a lot. If you are going to be using your longboard or skateboard for commuting, the charge time will be a consideration. However, most people will find the range more important than the charge time.

Durability

A durable board will not only save you money as you won’t need to replace parts nearly so often, it’ll also help keep you safe! A board from a quality brand should be durable, and most will come with a 1-2 year warranty.

Ensure your board is made from quality materials and replace the wheels if they become worn. While some wear and tear is normal, letting your board deteriorate can be dangerous.

Weight & Portability

Electric skateboards and longboards weight a lot more than standard boards. The heaviest will weigh up to 16lbs. These can be a little difficult to carry around so if you need to carry your board around during the day at work or school you might need to go for something lighter.

Lightweight electric skateboards and longboards are coming onto the market, but these are very expensive.

Motor

Electric skateboards and longboards will have either a single or dual motor. Dual motors will provide more power going uphill and help heavier riders reach the top speeds. Single motors won’t be able to take on steeper gradients as well. While dual motors are great for more advanced riders or those who want to go faster, a single motor will provide more than enough power for lightweight riders or beginners.

Deck Materials

Most boards will have a deck comprised of layers of high quality wood – often bamboo and Canadian maple. Decks with more layers will be more flexible and durable, while boards with only a few layers will be less quality and may not last as long. Fiberglass is also used to reinforce the deck and can help protect it against sudden impact – but this will add considerably to the cost.

Wheel Quality

Wheels are a fairly important component of an electric skateboard, and should not be overlooked! While size and material of the wheels will vary, the quality of the wheels should not – poor quality wheels will be less durable and the ride will be much less smooth.

Softer wheels generally provide more group on rougher terrains, while hard wheels are better for fast speeds on smooth terrains. Ensure you decide what you’ll be doing with your electric skateboard before you buy, and always buy from a reputable brand.

Hill Climbing Ability

The best electric skateboards and longboards will be able to climb hills, but the gradient they can navigate will vary. While some models with dual motors will easily be able to tackle a steeper hill, those with single motors might struggle. Add the weight of the rider and you might not get very far at all!

The best models have hill grades of between 15% and 25%. Bear in mind this will be with a light weight rider on smooth surfaces.

Braking System

A good braking system is paramount to your safety. Most electric longboards and skateboards will have regenerative braking – which is similar to dynamic braking but turns the energy to heat. This is a nifty feature that will recharge the battery while you brake.

Skateboards and longboards with both dynamic and regenerative braking systems are the safest, as they allow you to switch to dynamic braking if your battery gets full – allowing you to stop safely.

Weight Capacity

Heavier riders should look for something that can carry a heavier weight. These will not only be less likely to break underneath your weight, they’ll also be able to reach faster speeds. While standard longboards and skateboards may still carry heavier riders, their performance will be seriously affected. You won’t be able to tackle hills, nor reach those higher speeds. They will also experience wear and tear much faster.

Water Resistance

Water resistant boards are best if you get caught in an accidental rainstorm – but no electric skateboard will be totally waterproof. The top of the deck should be water resistant to stop it from getting slippery, and the bottom can also be water resistant to protect your board going through puddles. However, this isn’t a hugely common feature and you should usually try to avoid heading out in the rain.

Safety

The best electric skateboards and longboards will have safety as their top priority. The brake should be easy to use and intuitive, the deck should have sufficient grip, and most skateboards and longboards will have a choice of riding modes.

While buying from a reputable manufacturer and keeping your board in tip top condition will help keep you safe, the best way to stay safe on a longboard or skateboard is to be vigilant. If you are riding on the roads on your way to work, take your headphones out so you can hear traffic. Ensure you are well lit so cars can see you.

Be careful you don’t buy yourself a board outside of your abilities. While most have different riding modes, electric skateboards or longboards designed for advanced riders may not and it’s easy to get carried away and go too fast. Be honest about your abilities, and ensure you have your balance as well as a firm grasp of turning, accelerating and decelerating before you head out and about. Most boards will have non marking wheels meaning you should be able to practice in your home or backyard.

FAQs

How do electric skateboards work?

Electric skateboards aren’t particularly complicated. They contain a large electric motor that connects to a lithium battery. Some models will have large batteries and others will have much smaller ones. The motor uses electric charge from the battery to turn the pulley, which turns the wheels. Some skateboards will have 2 motors which will give you more power uphill and allow you to reach faster speeds.

How do you ride an electric skateboard?

Electric skateboards are generally very easy to ride, although they are very different to standard skateboards! If you’re a total beginner, ensure you’ve got some protective gear such as a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and the right footwear.

The most important thing is your posture. If you lean too far back, the board will shoot out from underneath you. Your leading foot should be towards the front of the board opposite the motor, along the narrow part of the board. Your back foot should be square with your hips – around shoulder distance away from your front foot. To keep control over your body, bend your knees and keep your core strong and stable.

To accelerate, aim for slow and steady. Move your weight forwards so that just over half your weight is over your front foot. Gently push on the accelerator on your remote, ensuring you can keep your balance at all times. Crouch down slightly if you find yourself losing your balance, and don’t be too eager to reach that top speed immediately!

To brake, shift your weight towards the back of your board and gently brake using the remote. Your weight will be shifted forwards as you brake, so keep your body strong and centre of gravity low. When you have come to a standstill, slowly step off the board.

To turn or carve, simply shift your weight slightly each side of the board. You will find this very intuitive but start off with some very gentle turns until you find your balance.

How fast do electric skateboards go?

Pretty fast! The fastest skateboards can travel up to 25mph, although these top speeds will be with a lightweight rider and on smooth terrains with little wind. Be careful not to lose track of your speed if you are travelling fast downhill. Beginners should opt for an electric skateboard with a max speed of 10mph (which still feels pretty fast!)

Most skateboards will have speed modes, meaning more advanced riders can set the mode to allow them to go faster, while beginners can use the beginner modes.

How do you control the brakes?

You can control the brakes using both the remote and your body weight. If you brake sharply with your weight in the wrong place, you will be shifted forward and may fall off the board. When you are ready to slow down, shift your body weight backwards slightly, as braking will cause you to be shifted forward. Brake gently and slowly using the remote, while keeping your core strong and your center of gravity above the board.

What safety gear would you recommend?

If you are buying an electric skateboard or longboard for kids, a helmet and pads are essential. Having a fall from speeds upwards of 5mph can be extremely dangerous and even fatal if you bump your head. Elbow pads and shin pads will stop kids from grazing themselves.

If you are commuting to work alongside cars and bicycles, you will need a helmet. Many riders also choose to wear gloves and wrist-guards to stop them from spraining your wrist or damaging their hands in the event of a fall. It’s also imperative that your shoes are well fitting and laces properly tied.

Who invented the electric skateboard?

The electric skateboard was invented by Louie Finkle (Electric Louie!) in 1999. Despite the early release, it wasn’t until 2004 that batteries were available with enough efficiency to power the boards properly. In 2006, the model was improved and the price eventually lowered – making the best electric skateboards and longboards accessible to everyone.