The fashion for environmentally friendly urban transport has gained incredible momentum in the 21st century, but for a long time the choice of a means of transportation was associated with a number of compromises. You can, of course, buy a bicycle, but the problems associated with parking it have turned many potential buyers away from such an idea. A scooter is great, but it’s also not suitable for everyone. But the appearance of hoverboards on wide sale was enthusiastically greeted by the public, and every year we see an increasing number of such devices on the streets of Russian cities. We will tell you how to choose a hoverboard in today’s material.
What is this anyway?
The roots of the hoverboard can be found in the development of assistive devices for people with disabilities. American inventor Dean Cayman spent his entire life trying to make the lives of people with disabilities easier and once developed a gyroscopic wheelchair that functions on exactly the same principles as a modern hoverboard. The closest relative of the hero of our article can be called the Segway, which appeared at the beginning of the 21st century, but it lost its handle and turned into a hoverboard quite recently - about five years ago.
A hoverboard is a type of two-wheeled electric vehicle that maintains its balance using gyroscopic sensors. By and large, the design is very simple - a pair of wheels and a board, which is driven by a small electric motor. As soon as you stand on the board, it will roll under your center of gravity, and when you move it forward, the mini-Segway will start moving, and you will be on your way. Now let’s try to decide on those characteristics that you need to pay special attention to when trying to answer the question of how to choose a high-quality hoverboard. To compare models, you can use our article where we have compiled a rating of the best hoverboard models of 2021.
Power
This indicator does not have a direct correlation with speed, as motorists might think; the latter is determined at the device firmware level; however, a low-power device may force you to encounter a number of problems. If you are purchasing a hoverboard for a child who will ride exclusively within the yard, where the surface is smooth and flat, then in general the power is secondary. But for those who are going to ride a mini-Segway around a city full of ups and downs, it makes sense to purchase a fairly powerful gadget, otherwise driving up a hill will be oh so difficult.
The motor is located in the wheels and most of the weight of the device falls on it, so it will not be easy for fragile girls to carry a powerful device in their hands. Average power figures are 300-400 W per one wheel, with such an engine you can easily overcome a hill with an inclination of 20 degrees, and you practically won’t find large angles in places where there is a high-quality road surface for riding.
Speed
A hoverboard, of course, is not a racing car, and therefore speed characteristics are not of paramount importance for it, but I also wouldn’t want to move at a snail’s pace. Many models reach a speed of about 20 km/h, but you need to understand that you are unlikely to be able to drive so recklessly while moving around the city, and besides, it is fraught with injuries.
For thrill-seekers, there are hoverboards that reach speeds of over 30 km/h, but in this case we strongly recommend paying attention to full-fledged Segways - falling off them is much more difficult, and you will definitely remember a fall at a speed of 30 km/h for a long time. A hoverboard is very convenient for moving in a stream of people, but the potential speed in such conditions rarely exceeds standard walking, and therefore, when choosing between a fast and reliable device in the same price category, it would be wise to give preference to the latter.
The best hoverboard manufacturers
Among the reputable brands of hoverboards, users note:
- Smart Balance - offers children's, self-balancing, off-road hoverboards with different wheel diameters. Certified products with their own mobile application for control. The price range is small - the models presented in the line can be purchased for 10-20 thousand rubles;
- ZAXBOARD – sells hoverboards with waterproofing, reinforced frames, Bluetooth speakers and the ability to connect to a smartphone. The cost of production is 9-18 thousand rubles. The original product is certified and sold with a 3-year warranty;
- IconBIT – produces hoverboards with classic and inflatable wheels of different diameters. Models can withstand from 25 to 100 kg, suitable for children and adults.
However, the brand is not so important when choosing hoverboards - most products are assembled in the same factories. It is better to pay attention to the presence of certificates and a document on warranty service in case of breakdown.
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Weight and maximum load
As already mentioned, the wheels, which also double as a motor, have the most significant impact on the final weight of the device, so think in advance about the conditions in which you plan to use the device. If you often have to pick it up, for example, when going into the office, then buying a device that weighs 15 kilograms may not be the best idea. Those who are looking for a means of transportation for a child should keep in mind the situation that the device may be discharged away from home, and therefore your child simply will not be able to transport heavy equipment home on his own.
Another important parameter is the maximum load. Adult models are designed for people weighing from 60 to 120 kg, and children's models can be controlled by small pilots weighing from 20-25 kg. If you decide to buy a toy for your child to grow into, you run the risk of encountering a situation where the child’s weight is not enough for the adult hoverboard to work properly.
Which hoverboard is better to choose?
Before deciding on an option, decide for what purpose you are purchasing the hoverboard.
What surfaces do you plan to drive on, how long should the device work without recharging, and whether you will carry the vehicle in your hands. The answers to these questions will help you decide on the type and diameter of the wheels, battery capacity and weight of the product. Try to focus on the build quality, do not look at low prices and big discounts. Models assembled in a homemade way and from low-grade components quickly fail, and sometimes ignite or explode during charging or riding.
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Wheels
How to choose a hoverboard based on wheelbase characteristics? It is clear that the mini-Segway is not designed to overcome any significant obstacles, but some models cope with imperfect road surfaces much better than others. The diameter of the wheels helps them in this; the larger it is, the easier it will be for you to move along paving stones or an unpaved path. Small wheels, on the contrary, will significantly reduce the life of the device in conditions that are far from ideal, and may also have a detrimental effect on the health of your spine.
Tiny wheels with a diameter of 4 to 6 inches are suitable for children who plan to ride indoors or on a flat playground. 6.5-inch tires are considered universal - you won’t get on the curb, but the maneuverability and speed of such mini-Segways is at an excellent level. Eight-inch wheels can already fully resist obstacles, and ten-inch pneumatic wheels are already a full-fledged SUV from the world of hoverboards, but with regard to the latter, one must not forget about the quality of the rubber used - I would not want to change it regularly after breakdowns.
Let's compare the models
| Model | Wheel diameter, mm | Max. speed, km/h | Max. load, kg | Mileage on one charge, km | price, rub. |
| Smart Balance Pro 6.5 | 165 | 12 | 100 | 15 | 7500 |
| iconBIT Smart Scooter SD-2014 | 165.1 | 15 | 100 | 15 | 9990 |
| Smart Balance Wheel 6.5 APP | 165 | 15 | 120 | 20 | 7500 |
| ZAXBOARD ZX-11 Pro | 266 | 18 | 110 | 20 | 13900 |
| GT Smart Wheel Aqua 10.5 | 266 | 18 | 120 | 30 | 10900 |
| Smart Balance PRO 10.5 | 266 | 16 | 110 | 10 | 10990 |
| Smart Balance Transformer 8 | 203 | 20 | 130 | 20 | 8900 |
| Smart Balance Premium 6.5′ | 165.1 | 20 | 120 | 25 | 7500 |
| Mizar 6.5″ (MZ6) | 165 | 10 | 120 | 12 | 8990 |
| Smart Balance PRO PREMIUM 10.5 V2 | 266 | 20 | 120 | 20 | 8500 |
| SmartONE AQUA Premium 10.5 | 267 | 16 | 110 | 15 | 14900 |
| ZAXBOARD ZX-10 Lite | 267 | 15 | 110 | 20 | 12500 |
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Battery and charger
Not only the battery life and service life of the hoverboard, but also your safety depend on the capacity and quality of the lithium-ion battery. Despite the fact that most of the scary stories about exploding batteries are just stories, it is strictly not recommended to purchase devices with strange Chinese batteries without various quality certificates. The capacity, obviously, directly affects the maximum travel distance, which is important for those buyers who plan to use the hoverboard not only for entertainment, but also for moving around the city. The average travel range from a full battery charge ranges from 15 to 25 km, and the battery capacity of these devices is 4-4.5 Ah. The battery is charged, as a rule, in one and a half to two hours and is designed for at least a thousand charges.
Choosing a decent battery can be difficult. The legendary South Korean brand Samsung is without a doubt the best choice, but there is a caveat - there are a lot of fakes and it can be very difficult to distinguish the original from the fake. Among the Chinese manufacturers, it is worth noting BYD; the batteries of this company, according to the results of many brands, leave even Samsung behind. You can also evaluate the quality of a product by eye; if there are hard-to-read inscriptions on the batteries, stickers are stuck unevenly, and so on, then it is better to avoid such a product.
A high-quality charger is compact and has a detachable long cord. Such chargers do not have a fan, because they do not need additional cooling, and the weight of such devices is very substantial despite their modest dimensions. If you see a large but light charge, the matter is unclean. We hope that now it will be easier for you to make the right choice and pick up a really good and high-quality hoverboard that can please you and your loved ones for many years. Good luck on the roads!
pros
Such an unusual type of transport as a hoverboard has more positive reviews, because it really has a lot of advantages:
- Compact and lightweight. Any hoverboard model can easily replace a bicycle due to its small size and relative lightness. Its weight does not exceed 10 kilograms, so transporting it in public transport or the trunk of your own car will not be a problem.
- Speed. Even a children's hoverboard (for girls and boys) can reach speeds that will significantly exceed the speed of a simple pedestrian. And models for adults can accelerate to 15-17 km/h.
- Economical. Thanks to rechargeable batteries, this type of vehicle does not require additional fuel; it only needs regular charging from the network. The total charging time does not exceed 1.5 hours, and the consumption per kilometer is minimal.
- Versatility. The hoverboard can withstand quite a lot of weight - up to 120 kilograms, which is where its versatility lies. It is suitable for both children and adults, and most importantly, people of various sizes.
- Simple controls. In order to start the movement, you will not need to strain your arms and legs; mainly your torso will work.
- Sufficient power reserve. The two-wheeled platform makes it possible to use it for a fairly long period of time. Some models work without problems without recharging for about 3-4 hours or covering a distance of up to 20-25 kilometers.
