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Best Cheap Hoverboards That Look Straight-Up From the Future
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Chances are if you’re a millennial pop culture nerd, you’re a big fan of the movie “Back to the Future.” And, if you are a fan of this movie, odds are Marty’s hoverboard made a lasting impression on you. You probably wanted one as a kid — and still want one as an adult. And there’s no way you can get through watching those movies from start to finish without feeling that familiar longing for one, even today.
So in 2015, when reports of a “hoverboard” hit the news, it seemed like we finally had our chance to get one.
“The hoverboard craze originally started as a kids’ toy trend,” recalls Paul Strobel, founder and micro-mobility reviewer at ERideHero. “But since, we’ve seen them become a viable commuting solution for an older audience, what with bigger batteries and more powerful motors.”
Now, admittedly, at first glance, the ones you buy today aren’t exactly the same as Marty’s. No, it doesn’t completely hover above the ground. The standing platform is firmly attached to two wheels, but there are still a lot of cool perks to this technology that keep it cool.
There’s one other issue, of course: cost. You may not have the disposable income to get the fanciest of models, so you may find yourself wondering do cheap ones exist?
The answer is yes. It’s all just a question of figuring out what features matter the most to you so you can get back to living your best Marty McFly fantasy — and we’re here to help you do it. Here are our picks for the best cheap hoverboards.
Best for Off-Road Terrain
Gyroor Warrior 8.5-Inch All-Terrain Hoverboard
Hoverboards are great for heading down the sidewalk, but what if you want to take your hoverboard more off-road? Would you trust your hoverboard to keep you stable over uneven terrain? Thankfully, this hoverboard is built with off-road use in mind. The Gyroor Warrior offers 8.5-inch tires that are wider and thicker than other brands. Each wheel is powered by a 350-watt motor (700w total) and is built to handle hiking trails and gravel roads. Also, let’s not forget the Bluetooth speakers and LED accent lights.
Who It’s Best For: Users who don’t want to worry about their hoverboard getting tripped up by unusual terrain.
Benefits: It comes in three striking colors; in addition to a standard black, you can choose a very nice blue or red look.
Things to Consider: The price is higher than other hoverboards on this list.
Promising Review: “This Hoverboard is absolutely the best on the market. It’s fast and extremely sturdy. Made of quality materials. The Hoverboard is a bit pricey compared to the cheap plastic knockoffs, but you get what you pay for.” – Joe M.
$300 at Amazon.com
Best for Teens
SISIGAD Hoverboard with Bluetooth Speaker and Led Lights
If you’re looking for a cheap hoverboard, you’re also probably trying to find one that you can wrap up as a gift with your teen’s name on it so you’re going to want to find a smaller hoverboard that is safe and built with younger people in mind. The SISIGAD Hoverboard fits the bill and is great for kids to use around the house. The wheels measure 6.5 inches, and this hoverboard includes Bluetooth speaker compatibility ties and a max speed of 6 mph.
Who It’s Best For: Kids who want to start using a hoverboard and worry about it going too fast.
Benefits: LED lights around the wheels and numerous colors to choose from means it won’t be hard to find one that your teenager will love.
Things to Consider: The battery charge doesn’t hold that long compared to other hoverboards, so you may not want to take it long distances.
Promising Review “My 11-year-old got this for Christmas, and he is in love, we love the colored lights… and the fact he can ride this and listen to his favorite music made this his favorite Christmas present this year.” – Deanna
$140 at Amazon.com
Best for Budget
Longtime 6.5″ Flashing Wheels Electric Hoverboard
There are many hoverboards on the market, and each one claims to be perfect for you. But what are you actually looking for in a hoverboard? Will you even use it after the initial “new toy” excitement wears off? That’s why we recommend trying out a lower-cost hoverboard like this one, so you can try it out for yourself and see which features you want or don’t want. Not only does the Longtime Electric Hoverboard come with Bluetooth speakers and LED lights on the wheels and across the wheel cover, but it also comes with several cool, eye-popping colors available in matte or chrome. In addition, each wheel features a 300-watt motor (600w total) and the hoverboard’s top speed is six mph.
Who It’s Best For: Anyone looking to find a great cheap hoverboard on a budget with several colors to choose from.
Benefits: The LED lights and chrome colors look cool and give off major futuristic vibes.
Things to Consider: Weight restrictions cap at 200, so many adults may exceed the weight limit and should consider a different hoverboard.
Promising Review: “This hoverboard is amazing and it works like a dream, the controls are very easy and you get the hang of it in like 10 minutes, I would totally recommend this to others.” – Russ
$135 at Amazon.com
Best for Speed
Jetson Flash Self Balancing Hoverboard
Many of the hoverboards on this list can go up to six to eight miles per hour. The Jetson Flash Hoverboard can go as fast as 10 mph, and its speeds can be controlled through a special app on your phone. In fact, you can set the speed anywhere from six to 10 mph through the phone app. With this hoverboard, you’ll be zipping down the sidewalk in no time!
Who It’s Best For: People looking to get around faster than other hoverboards allow. If you are looking for speed, this is a great choice.
Benefits: The app and top speed are the major selling points here, but the quality speakers and lights are an excellent addition, too.
Things to Consider: Despite being advertised as all-terrain, many reviews said it struggled with more extreme terrain.
Promising Review “I’ve never ridden a hoverboard before, but this thing is FUN! My kid hooked up the Bluetooth pretty quickly… The hoverboard itself has a nice heft to it, leading me to believe it is well made. The tires are thick and quality rubber.” – Ashley
$190 at Amazon.com
Best for Durability
GOTRAX SRX PRO Bluetooth Hoverboard
When investing in a hoverboard, you’ll want to find one that is durable and will last through repeated uses — and this hoverboard is built to last. The GOTRAX SRX Pro features larger wheels (8.5 inches) than most other hoverboards and has a top speed of 7.4 mph. It also comes with Bluetooth-compatible speakers and can go up to 7.5 miles off a single charge.
Who It’s Best For: For anyone who wants a hoverboard that will last and holds strong even when going over uneven terrain.
Benefits: The larger 8.5 inches wheels are ideal for all-terrain use.
Things to Consider: Definitely one of the pricier hoverboards on this list so if you don’t think you will be going off-road much or won’t be using it enough to justify the price, you may want to choose a cheaper model.
Promising Review: “This was my first Hoverboard purchase andI am VERY impressed. I was able to ride it straight off the charger andI fell in love with the self-balancing feature! A first-timers’ MUST HAVE!!!” – Velda
$200 (Red Color Only) at Target.com
Best for Kids
Rydon Zoom XP Hoverboard with LED Lights
If you have young kids clamoring to get their very own hoverboard, you can’t go wrong with the Rydon Zoom XP. This model is only for kids. With a max weight of 80 pounds and several kid-friendly features, like smaller wheels (6.3 inches) and a top speed of five mph, this hoverboard is a great introduction for children. On a full charge, this hoverboard can travel up to threemiles and only weighs 12 pounds total, which means even your kiddo can carry it.
Who It’s Best For: Kids who are beginners to hoverboarding
Benefits: One of the biggest benefits of this model is the price; it’s almost 50% of the cost of other hoverboards.
Things to Consider: Because this is a kid-focused hoverboard, it has safety limitations that older kids might find frustrating. Make sure you pick the model best for your child.
Promising Review “Kiddo got this for Christmas. Rides it for at least an hour every day. No problems. It’s been two months and it’s still going strong with daily use.” – Heather
$100 at Target.com
Best for Around the House
Hover-1 Eclipse Hoverboard
Considering its key specs and lower price, the Hover-1 Eclipse hoverboard might be one of the most well-rounded hoverboards on this list. The wheels measure eight inches long, which is bigger than most hoverboards but is still shorter than 8.5 inch length that you would see on all-terrain models. This hoverboard can also take you where you need to go and can travel up to seven miles on just one charge, with a max speed of seven mph.
So if you are looking for a fun way to get around the house without venturing too far from home, then this model is perfect for you.
Who It’s Best For: For getting around the house or backyard with ease.
Benefits: A good balance of features for the price. The shiny chrome color also looks so cool and gives off both futuristic vibes and retro 80s vibes at the same time!
Things to Consider: Any troubles that users had with this hoverboard usually occurred within the first few months of use. So you will absolutely want to hold onto your warranty so you can get a new hoverboard sent to you ASAP if your current model has trouble.
Promising Review: “The hoverboard has some weight to it and will balance you when you get on it. You have to hold on to something when you initially get on to get the feel of it. The lights are amazing, you can be safe at night and during the day.” – Lisa
$178 at Walmart.com
What to Look for in a Hoverboard
Hoverboards have certainly grown in popularity since they became one of the hottest and most asked-for gifts of the 2015 holiday season. They were incredibly popular, and in no time, the market was flooded with copycats and knockoffs that lead to one of the most significant developments in hoverboard safety. You probably remember the stories or saw the videos of sub-par imitations catching fire or suddenly acting erratically. This was due to limited regulation and standards when it came to hoverboard batteries and safety precautions. The US government did step up and required hoverboard companies to meet a rigorous safety standard and certification known as UL2272. This certification greatly reduced the risk of hoverboards catching fire and took many of the dangerous imitations off the market.
As a result, many hoverboard brands will proudly advertise that they are UL2272 certified. So, when you finally decide on a hoverboard, you will want to make sure that your board is certified.
Additionally, you will want to compare top speeds as well as how long the battery lasts. Every hoverboard is different so knowing exactly how it will benefit you (i.e. does it only travel five miles on a charge even though your work is sixmiles away?) and what the key specs will help you make an informed decision.
Hoverboard Innovations
One of the more technical names for the hoverboard is the “self-balancing scooter.” This is because hoverboards are equipped with technology that is able to correct itself and keep you upright while you are riding.
“They run on two wheels, powered by hub motors and a battery, explains Strobel. “Using gyroscopic technology, you steer by shifting your body weight. Still, it does look a bit like the rider is levitating over the ground when they come blasting down the street standing upright at 10 miles per hour.”
How Much Should You Spend on a Hoverboard
It can be tough creating a hoverboard budget if you aren’t sure how much to save up. There are so many varieties available at all different price points. The best thing you can do is decide which features matter the most to you and how you plan to use them because that will influence the price.
Overall, the lowest you can expect to pay for a child’s hoverboard is about $100. Any price less than that is probably sacrificing quality (or even safety) to get the price that low and should be avoided. On the high end, prices can go over $1,000 for the most advanced models. Hoverboards over $300 will have faster charge times and will be able to go longer distances between charges. However, if you are working with a tighter budget, you can find a great cheap hoverboard for under $250.
How to Save Money on a Hoverboard
Like any piece of popular tech, there’s always a good deal out there if you know where to look, and hoverboards are no exception. The first place you should always check is with Amazon or Walmart. Both websites are constantly adjusting their prices up and down week to week based on their stock. These websites also have the added benefit of listing other third-party merchants who may be offering the same hoverboard but at a discounted rate. With a little patience (and frequent use of the refresh button), you may catch a great deal.
“Typically, Cyber Monday and Black Friday will be a great time to save big on hoverboards,” says Strobel. “Many brands slice high percentages off their retail prices during these holidays.”
Of course, you might need to be flexible when it comes to these mega sales because they are tied to the store’s stock, and the one that you specifically asked Santa for may not be the one that’s on sale.
What to Know About Hoverboard Warranties
No doubt, among the many five-star glowing product reviews, there are always a few one-star reviews filled with horror stories about how quickly their hoverboard just stopped working. This is, of course,where warranties are helpful. A warranty is a guarantee to fix or replace your hoverboard for a limited period of time at no cost.
First off, there is the manufacturer’s warranty that covers any issues that are the manufacturer’s fault. For example, if you open your brand new hoverboard and it can only hold a charge for a few minutes due to a bad battery, then you can get it replaced.
Most stores that you buy your hoverboard from will also have their own limited warranties where you can return the hoverboard if it doesn’t work right. These warranties usually last 14 to 90 days, depending on the store. Finally, major retailers will likely offer you an extended warranty on your hoverboard for a fee. These warranties can extend how long you have to return your hoverboard if it stops working.
“If you know you’ll take care of your hoverboard and ride it responsibly, there may be no need for protection plans,” says Strobel. “But it can definitely be worth it if you’re going to rely on it every day for your commute.”
The post Best Cheap Hoverboards That Look Straight-Up From the Future appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
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