Everybody remembers seeing Marty McFly ride the hoverboard for the first time in Back to the Future II, thinking, “whoa, that is awesome!” Now, 24 years after Marty McFly was gliding around on his hoverboard on the big screen, your kids can zip around the neighborhood, or even around the house, on a hoverboard. No, they don’t actually hover like McFly’s, but they are an absolute blast for kids.
Hoverboards truly are a marvel of engineering. Without getting really in the technical weeds, hoverboards use sensors inside of each wheel to detect how riders shift and tilt their weight. This propels riders smoothly in any direction that they lean. This allows kids to zip around on a hoverboard, just by standing on the device. Pretty cool, right?
Let’s Talk About Hoverboard Safety
When hoverboards first hit the market in 2013, they certainly had their fair share of issues. There were many hoverboards that overheated and would catch fire. Since then, measures have been put in place to prevent that from happening. Any hoverboard that is UL 2272 certified is safe from those potential hazards.
Beyond that, there are other inherent risks that come along with hoverboards. It does take beginners some time to get used to balancing on the board. It’s pretty common for beginners to crash because they don’t know how to control their balance, stop, or get off properly.
Riders should also never ride a board when the low-battery indicator is on. If the battery dies while a person is riding the board, the wheels immediately stop, and as you can imagine, that means the rider generally gets flung off the board. Here’s a quick little checklist to review before stepping on a hoverboard:
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- Always wear a helmet
- Don’t operate a hoverboard when the “low-battery” indicator is on
- Don’t start or stop operation on a hill, this can damage the self-balancing system
- Don’t take sharp turns at fast speeds
By following these tips, parents can rest easy, and kids can have a ball.
The Best Hoverboards for Sale in 2020
There are a ton of hoverboard options out there, but there’s no need to stress about which one to get the kiddo this holiday season. We picked the best hoverboards for kids, all of which are UL 2272 certified, to lessen the stressin’. Watching your kid cruise around on these hoverboards is going to make you feel like the first time you saw Marty ride his back in 1989, “whoa, that is awesome!” You might even want to join in on the fun, too.
Below are our recommendations for the best hoverboards for kids.
1. Hover-1 Ultra Electronic Self-Balancing Hoverboard
Topping out at 7 mph, this thing can really get cooking. And kids can cruise around the neighborhood for a while with 12 miles of ride time before it needs to be recharged. After four hours on the charger, it’s ready to go again. It’s sturdy, can hold up to 220 pounds, and has safety features like battery shielding that protects the board from overheating.
2. Tomoloo Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard
With lighting and a stereo system that can stream music, kids can have a ball flying around on this hoverboard. It has safety features like a fire retardant and durable shell that can withstand the wear and tear of continuous riding. Speaking of riding, it can go just over 7 mph and last for about six miles before it needs a charge. Your kids will have a lot of fun on this board.
3. Sisigad Hoverboard
This hoverboard is available in 30 different colors so you should have no problem finding a color that suits your kiddo. This board tops out at 6 mph which is a little less intimidating for beginners than other faster boards. Kids will enjoy a smooth ride thanks to 6.5-inch wheels. Speaking of smooth rides, kids can even listen to music as they cruise.
4. Razor Black Label Hovertrax
The Razor Black Label Hovertrax has a training mode that helps novice riders get their wheels under them (literally). Once youngsters get the hang of it, this board can fly around at 9 mph, making it one of the faster hoverboards for kids available. Expect about 40 minutes of ride time before it needs a recharge. It even comes with three sets of color grip tape so kiddos can personalize their hoverboard.
5. Swagtron Swagboard
This all-black hoverboard has a more grownup look to it, but don’t think it’s not suitable for your kids. It tops out at 7 mph and is equipped with strong ABS polymer that can withstand the wear and tear of the road, and protects against overheating. It’s a good model for climbing hills, and last about 4.8 miles on a single charge.
6. Uni-Sun Hoverboard for Kids
The UniSun Hoverboard comes in a variety of different styles and colors. There are even options with Bluetooth so your kids can bump their favorite tunes as they cruise. No matter what style you choose, every hoverboard comes with LED lights that light up as they ride. And they’ll be able to ride for about 6.2 miles before the hoverboard needs to be recharged.
7. Felimoda Hoverboard
Kids can jet around the neighborhood for about 7.5 miles before this hoverboard needs a recharge. While they’re cruising, the wheels light up with LED lights. Some hoverboard options even offer Bluetooth to play music. There are 13 different color options to choose from, but not all have Bluetooth capabilities, so be sure you check which ones do.
8. Veveline Hoverboard UL2272
With 24 color options to choose from, you’ll be able to find just the right match for your kids. The hoverboard sports powerful LED lights in front, and on the wheels to help illuminate the ground at night, and also look cool while they ride. It can support big kids up to 200 pounds and jet around at 6 mph. They’ll look like Marty McFly on this thing.
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