Levitating boards, popularly known as hoverboards, are advanced personal transporters that have won critical acclaim since their appearance in the second (II) and third (III) parts of the popular Back to the Future trilogy of films. Even though commercial hoverboards do not levitate as depicted in the films, these skateboard-like accessories are powerful. They are also safe, fun to ride, and have well-designed systems that make them ideal personal transporters for both students and business executives, and good recreational accessories for teens.
With the advent of technology, several brands and models of hoverboards are available in online and offline stores. Most work well. However, for the best experience, brand, quality, and workmanship are among many essential attributes that scooting enthusiasts should keep in mind before ordering one on the Internet.
Although there are many hoverboards on the market for the quality of your choices is not good for all. I recommend the top 6 best hoverboards for you.
1. Swagway X1 Hands-free Smart Board
2. Powerboard by HOVERBOARD
3. Leray™ Self Balancing Scooter Balance Motion 6.5″
4. Glyro Self Balancing Scooter Turbo
5. Glyro Self Balancing Scooter Turbo w/Bluetooth Speakers
6. MyColor Smart By HoverTech
Table Comparison of 6 Hoverboards – 2 Wheel Balancing Electric Scooter
Review Top 3 Best Hoverboards
Which is the best hoverboard to purchase in 2016? With the diversity of available brands and models, choosing the best is a challenging affair that often frustrates novice buyers. For the best experience, keep the buying guide above in mind when choosing a new hoverboard. Below is the 3 best quality hoverboard you should consider to buy.
Swagway X1 Hands-free Smart Board
Acclaimed in stores worldwide, Swagway X1 is a blue-themed hands-free smart board that ranks among the lightest and fastest accessories in this niche. Its ergonomic polymer shell is durable, supports colossal weight, and has two built-in LED lights that illuminate its surroundings well to improve the visibility of riders in low light environments. Its powerful motors and dual-wheeled design support zero-degree turning.
Its light and portable build are easy to master, while its ability to cruise at top speeds of up to 10 miles per hour (mph) over a range of 20 miles makes it a perfect personal transporter. If safety is of concern, Swagway X1 is RoHS, FCC, WERCs, CE, UN38.3, and Prop65 certified. It also has a certified safe battery pack and comes backed by a one-year limited warranty.
Powerboard by HOVERBOARD
Considered among the best self-balancing scooters, Powerboard by HOVERBOARD is an advanced dual-wheeled personal transporter that draws power from a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. It is durable, has responsive sensors with sensitive gyro stabilization, and a light hands-free design with electric motors for propulsion and reversing. For those with a limited budget, this hoverboard is affordable. It is also easy to master, has an impressive top speed of up to 8mph, and a high six-hour battery life that comes in handy for frequent travelers. With each purchase, you qualify for a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Leray Self Balancing Scooter
Featuring two 6.5-inch wheels and a sturdy polymer plastic shell that supports up to 220 pounds, Leray is a premium-grade scooter hoverboard with an advanced self-balancing system with sensors and gyros that keep users well oriented. It is durable, has a certified-safe battery pack, and a well-wired electrical system with dual motors that ride smoothly on all terrain. As most high-grade models, Leray is UN38.3-certified, has a safe fast charging technology, and a top speed of up to 10km/h over a range of 15 kilometers. Purchase an original model for the best experience.
How Hoverboard Work?
Even though technologically advanced, hoverboards are fun to ride personal transporters that work on a simple principle. Self-balancing models, for instance, have stable platforms that support the weight of riders, large and smooth-rolling steel wheels with motors that propel them forward and backward, and high-performance microprocessors and gyro stabilizers that monitor the orientation of users and make fine adjustments to keep them stable and as comfortable as possible.
Once set up and its battery pack powered to capacity, all you have to do is mount the board and lean forward to accelerate or backward to decelerate. Its sensors will track your motion automatically, activate its motors for propulsion, and then activate its microprocessors to monitor and control power output. This prevents you from riding out of control, independent of the terrain. Even though hoverboards and cool and fun to ride, remember that all models do not ride the same. They travel at different speeds. They also have different inclines, have varying battery capacities (which affects range), and are attainable in a plethora of shapes, sizes, and even designs.
How Many Types of Hoverboards?
Since their introduction, two broad types of hoverboards (the board and wheel) are currently available. Whilst both models have a similar hands-free riding concept, they vary in terms of features and their functionality.
1. Board Hoverboards
Popular among both novice and professional scooters of various age groups, board hoverboards are by far the most sought-after in this niche. They consist of two pieces; a sturdy polymer plastic shell that supports the weight of riders and dual wheels (one on each side) connected by a smooth-rolling hinged system. Each wheel has an independent motor that allows it to rotate independently.
They also have rubberized tires that grip on all terrain and have board-mounted and pressure-sensitive pads that respond to the rider’s motions whilst steering forward or backward. By exerting a lot of pressure on the left foot, for instance, the left wheel spins faster than the right, which enables the board to turn right. Board hoverboards are affordable and recommended for people of all skill levels.
2. Wheel Hoverboards
Popularly known as AirWheels, wheel hoverboards are interesting personal transporters and recreational machines with a significantly different design to that of their board counterparts. Unlike board hoverboards that have stable dual-wheeled systems, wheel hoverboards have single large wheels at the center and two side pressure pads for steering and support.
Although less stable and generally harder to master than their board counterparts are, AirWheels are not only fun to ride, but also have a therapeutic effect on the body from the constant swiveling and weight shifting motion that riders generate when steering it from left to right. They are also space-efficient, durable, and relatively easier to maintain.
Top 6 Things You Should Consider To Buy The Best Hoverboard

Since their inception several months ago, the hoverboard bug has bit millions of people worldwide with the demand for high-performance models at an all-time high. If you are part of this statistic and or desperately trying to make sense of the tens of available brands and models in online and brick and mortar stores worldwide, this buying guide highlights several key attributes that you should always keep in mind to increase your chances of purchasing the best quality hoverboard.
1. Brand
With the tens of hoverboards currently available in the market, choosing the best hoverboard remains an arduous task that frustrates most scooting enthusiasts. If you are grappling in the dilemma and want the best of the best in this niche, pay keen attention to the brand of product you are purchasing. Instead of purchasing a budget brand churned out of the illegal factory, find credible hoverboard reviews on the internet and single out high-quality brands that offer value to users. You should then compare the pros and cons and choose one that satisfies your needs.
2. Quality
When shopping for the best hoverboard for commuting and or recreational use, never sacrifice quality at all costs. With numerous reports of cheap and poorly made hoverboards exploding and or causing bodily harm to users, the product you choose should have high-grade and functional parts. They should also be durable, have top-of-the-line workmanship, and have a return policy, a money-back guarantee, and or replacement manufacturer’s warranty that cushions all buyers from all uncertainties.
Some credible brand: Razor, Jetson, Leray, Powerboard, Swagway
3. Price
Even though it is tempting to purchase the cheapest hoverboards to save a few dollars, never sacrifice functionality for the price. Instead of buying a cheap product that will malfunction the next day and or put your health at risk over the years, spending more money on a decent model will work best for you. Generally, if the pricing of your preferred hoverboard sounds too good to be true, it most probably is. Factor the brand, quality, and features on offer before reaching for your wallet.
To get good quality and safety, you must pay over $300 for a hoverboard.
4. Features
Hoverboards are dual-wheeled battery-powered electrical accessories that have caught the world by storm since their release. While most of them work well, the model that you choose should have the following five desirable features, for the best experience.
Weight Capacity: Depending on their designs and materials used to construct them, most brands of hoverboards have defined weight capacities. Factor this when you are choosing your next model or when buying a hoverboard for a friend or colleague. Instead of buying the cheapest one or a hyped model on TV, choose a hoverboard that can support your weight well.
Size: When purchasing hoverboards, pay keen attention to the size of the board that you are getting. Large hoverboards are stable, well balanced, and therefore, fun to ride than smaller ones. Compact ones, on the other hand, are portable and benefit individuals that travel often or those with space limitations. Map out your intended use of the hoverboard you are contemplating buying and choose a size that works best.
Battery Capacity: Hoverboards are unique personal transporters that draw power from built-in rechargeable battery packs. Battery capacity and charging time thus, are vital attributes to keep in mind, to find the best in this niche. Generally, the higher its battery capacity and range the better. You should also opt for hoverboards with fast charging systems.
Incline: Unlike traditional skateboards that work the best downhill, hoverboards are not only powerful but also have well-balanced systems that climb hills and slopes effortlessly. Their performance, however, depends on their incline; a measure of the number of degrees they tilt on slopes without compromising safety and or performance. A 15-degree incline is ideal.
Speed and Range: Depending on their motors and battery packs, hoverboards cruise at different speeds and ranges, with most high-end models cruising at 20km/h speeds and covering up to 20 kilometers. For an optimal thrill, however, the higher the speed and the range offered the better.
5. Safety
No matter how advanced and fun-to-ride your hoverboard of choice is, the model you choose should be safe and recommended for everyday travel. With the heightened incidence of exploding batteries and fire hazards, especially by poorly designed hoverboards, buying the cheapest or first model you come across will work against you.
For the best experience, it is advisable that you check the type of battery that powers your hoverboard of choice. Is it certified? Are there damaging reports of its value and or performance over time? Generally, reputable battery brands such as Samsung and LG will work best for you. For optimal safety, other attributes that you must never sacrifice include a speed limiter, battery level indicator, and sensor and gyro-regulated self-stabilization system.
6. Legality
Before purchasing a hoverboard, confirm whether your brand of choice or if hoverboards as a whole are allowed in your jurisdiction. Some countries and states such as the United Kingdom (UK) and New York, for instance, do not allow usage of hoverboards on public roads. Infringing on such laws might see you lose your hard-earned hoverboard and worse even, face legal suits or proceedings.