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Getting around the city or your neighborhood can be a real pain. It’s not just traffic and gridlock, but also public transport systems seem to break down regularly, effecting our daily commute. Luckily, there are alternative means of transport we can use, such as hoverboards. If you’d like to learn more about this alternative transport option, read on!
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 The best hoverboards on the U.S. market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about hoverboards
- 3.1 What is a hoverboard exactly?
- 3.2 How do you drive a hoverboard?
- 3.3 What does the name hoverboard stands for and what does it mean?
- 3.4 Is a hoverboard and an electric scooter the same?
- 3.5 Can a child use a hoverboard?
- 3.6 Is it mandatory to wear a helmet to drive a hoverboard?
- 3.7 What must be considered to calculate the autonomy of a hoverboard?
- 3.8 What are the advantages of using a hoverboard?
- 3.9 Is it necessary to have a driver’s license to use a hoverboard?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- Hoverboards, sometimes known as two-wheeled self-balancing scooters, are small, portable, battery-powered vehicles, charged using electricity. They are driven while standing on them, by simply leaning forward to move forward and backwards to go back.
- Hoverboards normally reach speeds between 8 and 12 miles per hour, and are an ideal way to get around the city or urban areas in a very eco-friendly way. In addition, they are generally lightweight, have a good battery life and quite intuitive to use.
- It is important to know that hoverboards are not toys and they require all the normal precautions associated with moving at those speeds. Therefore, we recommend to wear a helmet and pay attention to your surroundings, since you have to maintain the balance to drive properly.
The best hoverboards on the U.S. market
If you are thinking about buying a hoverboard, you may be a little overwhelmed by all the options on the market. There is a wide variety in terms of the features offered by different models and the prices can vary by the hundreds of dollars. Choosing the right product isn’t easy, and first you should have a clear idea of what you will use your hoverboard for and what features are the most important for you. This selection of the best products on the market will help you decide!
- Best hoverboard for beginners
- Best hoverboard with Bluetooth
- Best hoverboard under $150
- Best hoverboard for kids
Best hoverboard for beginners
Segway Transporter is not just a hover board, and it is a mini-vehicle. This transporter has an adjustable and removable steering bar for quick learning, making it perfect for beginners. It features the same self-balancing technology as most scooters, a knee pad and, both rear and front flashlights for maximum riding safety. It has pneumatic air-filled tires which are suitable for both indoor and outdoor terrains.
Best hoverboard with Bluetooth
Swagtron T580 App-Enabled Hover Board is a combines technology and fun! It is app-enabled, making it a versatile personal transporter. With a simple Bluetooth connection to your Smartphone, you can use this hoverboard’s app to monitor speed, select and change expertise mode, check battery life, and play music. It also has a map and GPS feature, making navigation a breeze and helping you get from point A to point B quicker and easier.
Best hoverboard under $150
Although coming with an affordable pricetag this EPCTEK hoverboard has all the features you need, making it a great ride for adults or kids. It uses self-balancing technology that gives you riding stability within one minute of stepping on it. It further has a Gyroscope foot sensor that helps you navigate every angle easily. It also comes with safety features, such as two bright LED flashlights that give you a safe and unique night ride.
Best hoverboard for kids
This SISIGAD hoverboard is suitable for adults too, but kids will particularly love its rainbow wheels, LED lights and Bluetooth speaker. Parents can rest assured that this model has great safety features, such as a shock-absorbing and non-slip pedal and, a premium 6.5 inches rubber tire, keeping their child safe from falls and injuries. Additionally, little ones will find it easy to learn to ride the hoverboard thanks to its self-balancing technology.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about hoverboards
These days, modern forms of transport include electric scooters and bicycles, Segways, and, of course, hoverboards. The urban mobility revolution is here to stay and you can’t stay behind. Whether through necessity or pleasure, you will have a fascinating experience with these vehicles. In this section, you will find the most common questions about them.
Beautiful girl is walking around the city and admire good location
What is a hoverboard exactly?
How do you drive a hoverboard?
To move, all we need to do is lean forward, backward or sideways, depending on the direction we want to go. There are some types of hoverboards that have handlebars, although original models do not have them. Basically, you must have good body control to move your weight towards the direction you want to take.
What does the name hoverboard stands for and what does it mean?
Clearly, hoverboards do not fly in cities and urban areas, since they have wheels and run by rechargeable batteries, but their designs and walking modes emulate the floating board from those legendary science fiction movies. Some people say they represent the evolution of skateboarding.
Is a hoverboard and an electric scooter the same?
| Hoverboard | Electric scooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Design and appearance | Two joined platforms on which you have to stand, facing forward.
Has no handlebars and requires balance. It has a handlebar to hold hands and also requires some balancing (less than in the hoverboard). |
|
| Funcionality | It has an engine and a rechargeable battery.
It is necessary to lean the body in the direction you intent to go. After taking off with one foot on the ground, you only need to place both feet on the platform and use the accelerator. |
|
| Autonomy and speed | Usually, it does not exceed a 15 km / h speed.
It has a variable autonomy according to the conditions, but does not exceed 20 km. |
Depending on the model, it can reach more than 40 km (requiring extra safety measures).
It has a variable autonomy according to the conditions, it can reach up to 30 km. |
| Weight and charge | It is very light and easy to transport, some weigh only 9 kg.
They usually do not hold more than 80 kg. |
Although they are foldable and easy to transport, they usually weigh at least 12 kg.
Usually, they can hold up to 120 kg of maximum weight. |
Can a child use a hoverboard?
Is it mandatory to wear a helmet to drive a hoverboard?
What must be considered to calculate the autonomy of a hoverboard?
It is very easy to use a hoverboard. To move, all you need to do is sway forward, back or to the side. (Source: Romsvetnik: 78051579/ 123rf.com)
What are the advantages of using a hoverboard?
Is it necessary to have a driver’s license to use a hoverboard?
However, in certain states restrictions have been introduced regarding their use. For example, in California, you must be 16 or over to ride one in public. Therefore it is always best to check your local laws before using your scooter.
Shopping Criteria
The electric mobility industry for urban areas has been taking off in recent years. The hoverboard is just another example of how modes of transport are rapidly advancing in new directions. This market is vast and can be overwhelming. That is why we have prepared this section with the most essential criteria to consider when buying a hoverboard.
Motor and battery safety
Security should always be a priority. With these types of vehicles, special attention should be given to the engine and batteries, especially, to avoid overloads or fires. You must ensure the model you buy has a Government certification regarding safety standards which often include engines and batteries.
Hoverboards are eco-friendly because they don’t use gas.
(Source: Denisfilm: 81378093/ 123rf.com)
Tires and pedal quality
Since our feet will be the main drivers to move and that hoverboard moves on wheels, we must logically demand the highest quality of these components. Specifically, pedals must be firm and non-slip, and tires must have at least 6.5 inches and guarantee they are puncture-proof.
Battery life
We have explained how autonomy may be relative according to some conditions of use. However, there are minimum values that we cannot forget. When you look at the description of the product, we must ensure that rechargeable lithium batteries guarantee, at least, more than 6 miles of battery life. Otherwise, they won’t last a day.
Connectivity
We live in a hyperconnected world and urban mobility revolution could not ignore this factor. Many hoverboards models have their own applications that allow them to be controlled and save valuable data about their operation. You can also connect it to listen to music via Bluetooth. No doubt, these are benefits to consider.
Warranty
If we buy the product outside Spain or if it is from a doubtful origin, it would probably be hard to complain about a damaged hoverboard or other incidents. On the other hand, if we choose to buy the product in Spain, we will have – as we normally do in local stores – 2 years of warranty and a technical service available in case problems arise.
Summary
Hoverboards are small urban vehicles with wheels running through rechargeable batteries. This means they do not pollute, since they only need electricity to be operational. Just stand on the two joined platforms and slightly tilt the body to the direction you want to go. They can reach a speed of 10 miles per hour.
These vehicles have gained popularity due to their portable nature and ease of use in urban areas, where there is a lot of car traffic and even public transportation system collapses. In most models, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet (but indeed recommended) or take out a driver’s license. Precautions must be taken, especially among children.
If you liked the article, leave a comment or share with your contacts so that others can learn everything they need to know about hoverboards. For sure, many people can take advantage of this information before buying their own hoverboard. Thank you!
(Source: Hurricanehank: 58235828/ 123rf.com)
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