Best E-Skateboards for Cool Kids and Professionals
Gnarly, dude! Skateboarding has long been seen as one of the coolest extreme sports ever since Stacy Peralta and the Zephyr team shredded Dogtown back in the 70s. Odds are that everyone has heard of Tony Hawk as well, who entered the skateboarding hall of fame after pulling off the first 900-degree rotation in 1999.
Skating might be a bit too hardcore for some, however. One of the most difficult things about skateboarding is that it requires you to constantly push yourself to speed with your non-dominant foot, let alone skate uphill. You can get off your board and walk up the hill, sure. But where’s the fun in that?
Imagine being propelled forward by a powerful electric motor so that you no longer have to keep pushing like your life depends on it. If you’ve got a need for speed, then you should forget a traditional skateboard altogether, as an e-skate can offer you untold velocity.
E-skateboards are great for cruising around town, especially if the roads are smooth and without any cracks. They don’t work as well on cobblestones, but then again, neither do traditional skateboards. Nobody is expecting to do 20 miles per hour on bad terrain!
If you’re planning on shredding spots and landing some amazing tricks, then odds are an e-skateboard is not what you’re looking for. While they can be used in almost every aspect as a normal skateboard, grinding rails or putting pressure on the board while landing a trick is a big no-no.
Are E-Skateboards Good for First-Timers?
To put it as frank and as simple as possible, no, not really. There’s nothing wrong with your first skateboard being electric in nature, but if you don’t know how to ride one, then you’re probably going to struggle with mastering it.
New skaters fall often or don’t know how to treat their boards properly. Even a cheap e-skateboard costs around $300, so you can see how it wouldn’t be that good of an idea to use it for training. Most beginner skaters eventually break their first boards.
Furthermore, e-skateboards are composed of dozens of electric parts that can explode if mistreated. They also use Lithium batteries that go boom if damaged or overheated. While that sounds cool, it’s definitely not something you want to happen underneath your feet.
Our suggestion would be to purchase a normal skateboard first and get used to riding it before deciding to upgrade your model. You’re not going to need an electric motor if you haven’t yet gone past learning how to balance yourself on a board without falling.
Why Should I Buy an E-Skate Instead of a Normal Skateboard?
That’s a great question. There’s a lot of advantages e-skateboards have over traditional skateboards, chief among which is that they have a motor. Being a skateboarder used to require some level of strength and endurance. Now, not so much.
This means that anyone can get started with skateboarding without having to put themselves through months upon months of leg-bound muscle fever. You’ll still have to push yourself from A to Z, but it’s not going to require half as much effort as otherwise.
E-skateboards are all about motion and mobility. You won’t flash awesome tricks over a tricky stair set, but you’ll be able to effortlessly ease through traffic with the use of your handheld controller, which all e-skates make use of.
Using a controller means that you won’t have to worry about braking manually. This means no putting your foot down to shave the sole of your shoe against hard cement and no slamming down the tail of the board to reduce speed. You can brake with the press of a button instead.
There’s a lot of reasons to buy an e-skateboard over a traditional one and vice versa. Skating uphill is one of them. Old-school skateboard legends would never have thought this to be possible. Look how far we’ve gotten.
4 Awesome E-Skates for Shredders and Novices
It can be hard to decide the type of skateboard you want to go for. Do you want speed so you can zoom through town or a large battery so you can keep going forever? Maybe you’d like your e-skate to be just as fashionable as you are, and you’re looking for a pretty model instead.
No worries. We’ve put together a list of four amazing models you can trust in. There’s nothing we love more than quality.
Maple Deck E-Skateboard
The Maple Deck E-Skateboard is a starter model that has been designed for children older than 10 and would be a great beginner skateboard. It features a lively arrow-shaped design on the grip tape that comes in three colors and is made of strong, multi-layered maple.
- Price Tag: $238.00
- Motor: 350W.
- Top Speed: 12 mph.
- Charge Time: 1-2 hours.
- Max Load: 132 lbs.
Youth E-Skateboard
Looking to occupy the little scamps you call your kids? Can’t split your attention in half and would rather they expend their energy in a productive manner? Consider getting them the Youth E-Skateboard, which is perfect for summertime activities and physical training. Great for children over 10 but under 16.
- Price Tag: $299.99
- Motor: 350W.
- Top Speed: 12.5 mph.
- Charge Time: 1-2 hours.
- Max Load: 155 lbs.
Caroma E-Skateboard
Made from high-quality polyurethane and sporting a powerful dual motor, the Caroma E-Skateboard is an awesome fit for passionate cruisers who are looking to get the best out of their skating experience. Charges very quickly and has been built to last.
- Price Tag: $308.76
- Motor: 350W x 2.
- Top Speed: 12.4 mph.
- Charge Time: 1.5 hours.
- Max Load: 175 lbs.
Exway X1 Pro E-Skateboard
A spaceship of an e-skate! The Exway X1 Pro E-Skateboard doesn’t only sound like it just crashlanded from the Andromeda system, but it also performs as well as an extra-terrestrial product. Features a dual motor, shock-absorbing grip tape, and an extraordinary deck design. If you’ve got money to spend, then this is a great model.
This e-skateboard is infinitely quicker than the previously presented models. It has a unique feature called Turbo mode that allows you to reach speeds as high as 29 mph, which is indescribably quick for a skateboard. Take a lot of care if you don’t know what you’re doing.
- Price Tag: $775.00
- Motor: 350W x 2.
- Top Speed: 29 mph.
- Charge Time: 2.5 hours.
- Max Load: 280 lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s perfectly normal to have a lot of questions about electric skateboards, especially if you’re new to the hobby. We’ve tried to answer the most common questions people tend to ask so that you have a good idea of what’s what before diving right in.
Can I Ride an Electric Skateboard on the Road?
Yes and no. It depends entirely on local laws and regulations. There are places where riding your e-skate on the road is perfectly acceptable, like in some parts of California, Texas, or the United Kingdom. Most legislation is accommodating of e-skateboards as long as they are used on roads with low speed limits.
With that being said, electric skateboards are illegal on public property in the UK. This means that the police can confiscate it from you. Canada, on the other hand, doesn’t accept them on the road, but allows them on sidewalks. Make sure to do your research before checking out with an expensive e-skate!
Do I Need a Helmet to Ride an Electric Skateboard?
You don’t need one, although we really, really recommend you wear a helmet whenever you go shredding. There’s nothing lame about protecting your noggin from cold, hard concrete. If you can comfortably afford an e-skateboard, then you should buy a helmet to go along with it.
A small concussion is always better than a cracked skull. Don’t show up on Thrasher’s Hall of Meat!
How Long Does an Electric Skateboard Last?
E-skates can get worn out with time. This means that, yes, they have a life expectancy, though if you opt for a high-quality board that’s been made by a trustworthy company, then it’s going to last you longer than otherwise.
The more you use your e-skate, the more it’s going to get damaged. As a rule of thumb, count your e-skate as having a lifespan of between 2-5 years, depending on how well you treat it. Don’t quote us on that, as you can break it the very day you’ve bought it if you’re reckless.
Skateboarding is Meditation
If this article has convinced you to go for an e-skate, then we hope you’re going to enjoy it. If not, then don’t worry, as you can still go for a traditional skateboard. They’re never going to go out of style.
Don’t be afraid to push it to the limit. Skateboarding is very rewarding if you grit your teeth and get past the initial difficulty of getting used to it. Have fun!