Fastest Hoverboards, 2021 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Intro To The Fastest Hoverboards

So you’re looking to buy a fast hoverboard and want to know what the fastest hoverboards on the market are?

Well, you’re in the right place.

Electric hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters, smart balance boards, and balance scooters have risen massively in popularity over the last few years.

These personal transportation devices are fun to ride and are also a practical and environmentally friendly way of getting around.

A lot of people want to buy a fast hoverboard because they want to experience the thrill and adrenaline of riding one of these self-balancing scooters at high speeds.

There is a real sense of freedom and excitement that hoverboards give you which is unlike anything you get from similar electrical transportation devices like e-bikes and scooters.

Nowadays there are a number of high speed electric hoverboards available, all with varying top speeds as well as other key specifications and attributes that you should pay attention to.

In this article we have listed and reviewed some of the fastest hoverboards on the market, and also created a hoverboard buying guide so that you know exactly what to look out for when buying a fast hoverboard.

In addition to looking a board’s top speed, it’s also important to consider other specs such as the board’s battery life, motor, weight capacity, and wheel type to get an idea of which hoverboard is best for you.

The best hoverboards should offer a good balance between these attributes and performance metrics.

Without further delay, lets jump straight in to our fastest hoverboard reviews for 2021!

One of the fastest hoverboards available, the Swagtron T6 Outlaw makes our list as one of the best fast hoverboards on the market.

With a top hoverboard speed of 12 mph, this electric balance board is capable of giving riders the adrenaline kick they thirst for.

But this is not just a really fast hoverboard, it also has some great performance capabilities in other departments too.

The Swagtron T6 Outlaw is a heavy-duty off-road hoverboard that has been built to handle rugged and rough terrain without compromising on speed.

You use this board on gravel, dirt, and other all-terrain surfaces and still get it up to its top speed with no problem.

This self-balancing scooter is powered by dual 300W motors which give it the ability to climb 30 degree inclines, which is impressive.

The balance board sits on a pair of nylon-infused 10 inch tubeless air-filled tires which give it stability when riding at fast speeds.

When you get this board to 9 mph and higher it kind of feels like it just glides smoothly along, and that is down to the tires which seem to handle both smooth and rough surfaces with ease.

The tires also provide good grip as well as providing excellent traction, which is useful for accelerating and contributes to making this a superfast hoverboard.

With a weight capacity of 420 lbs this is without doubt the fastest hoverboard for adults that weight a bit more on the heavier side.

In fact, this is the highest weight capacity of any hoverboard we've reviewed to date, and we've reviewed a number of the best off-road hoverboards in the market. 

If you’re looking for a board that can reach fast speeds whilst being able to easily handle heavier riders than this would be an excellent choice for you.

Swagtron have used their popular patented SentryShield technology to house the hoverboard's lithium-ion battery, providing an extra layer of protection for riders.

Charging the battery will take 3 hours and will give you a range of 12 miles, perfect if you plan on riding long distances.

With its robust build the hoverboard itself weighs 32 lbs.

Swagtron have constructed this fast hoverboard from a mixture of ABS plastic and aluminum to create a lightweight yet strong body which will protect the electrical components inside, whilst externally being able to handle any knocks and bumps.

Front LED headlights will help riders to see when riding in low visibility. When you’re turning the LED directional indicators will alert other road users and pedestrians around you.

Aluminum wheel guards on either side offer further protection for the board against damage that may be caused whilst riding this high speed hoverboard around.

This self-balancing scooter also comes with the ability to adjust the steering sensitivity of the board, making this suitable for hoverboard novices as well as more experienced riders.

If you’re not yet confident at riding self-balancing hoverboards, simply adjust the sensitivity levels down so that the board is more stable when travelling at fast speeds.

This makes it easier to control and will help you to gain more confidence in your riding ability.

The T6 Outlaw hoverboard comes with Bluetooth functionality so you can pair it with your smart phone to access a number of features, including the level adjustment feature.

You can play music through the hoverboard’s built-in Bluetooth speakers as well as accessing some cool rider stats such as how many miles you’ve travelled, your top speed etc.

You can see how much battery power you have left by glancing down at the battery level indicator on the top of the board.

Non-slip rubber foot mats give you greater grip on the board, and also help to make using the board more comfortable, especially if you’re riding for long periods of time.

These foot mats also provide better grip when riding in slightly wet conditions or through mud etc.

This electric hoverboard is equipped with Swagtron's self-balancing technology which helps to keep the boards center level with the ground, thus making mounting and dismounting easier and safer.

The T6 Outlaw is fully UL2272 certified.

We have voted this as our favorite fast hoverboard because not only does this device deliver on speed but it also has a great range, is capable of handling off-road terrain with ease, has a huge max weight capacity, and has a high build quality.

The EpikGo Sports Plus is a hoverboard that has been specifically designed to be one of the fastest hoverboards on the market, being built with speed and acceleration front of mind.

EpikGo are a hoverboard company based in the heart of Silicon Valley so you expect these guys to produce a top tech product, and with their Sports Plus model they haven’t disappointed.

This sleek looking hoverboard can reach a top speed of 12 mph and has been equipped with a pair of 8.5 inch performance tires that help to give it maximum traction, speed, grip, and acceleration.

These wheels have been manufactured from pressure-crafted alloy metal, which are strong and durable but also light in weight so they don’t slow the board down.

They also look pretty cool too and are probably the best looking hoverboard wheels we’ve seen!

Despite their sporty look which helps the hoverboard reach its fast top speed, these tires can also handle off-road terrain just as easily as any other off-road board..

This hoverboard can be used on dirt, grass, gravel, and mud quite easily.

Even when being used on rough terrain it can still hit the top speeds, and is a really fun and fast hoverboard to ride.

With dual 400W motors powering this device it’s no wonder the Sports Plus is a fast hoverboard capable of climbing inclines as steep as 30 degrees.

This self-balancing scooter comes with EpikGo’s UL2271 certified LG Smart Battery.

This hoverboard battery has passed 159 of UL’s safety tests, making it safe from the risks of overheating, leaking, or exploding.

The battery is also fast charging, taking only 1 - 2 hours to fully charge after which it will you a range of 12 miles.

The relatively short charging time combined with the impressive range make this an excellent hoverboard for using off-road, for recreational purposes, or as a fast personal transportation device.

With an IP56 waterproof certification this balance board is semi-submersible and has been manufactured to prevent minute dust particles from reaching the boards electrical components.

This two-wheeled hoverboard has an aluminum alloy frame making it durable whilst still being quite light, weighing in at 31 lbs.

It can carry a maximum rider weight of 200lbs and will require a minimum rider weight of 40 lbs to activate the board.

The wide-ranging weight capacity make this a suitable fast hoverboard for adults and kids.

Some of the other features of the Epikgo Sports Plus are the set of powerful front LED headlights which help you to see ahead in poor lighting.

The battery level indicator is located on the top of the board, making it convenient and easy to quickly check on your battery levels even whilst riding at fast speeds.

This is a Bluetooth hoverboard so you can easily pair the board with your phone to play music through the hoverboards built-in Bluetooth 4.0 speaker.

Other features include thick rubber foot pads to provide more grip and make riding more comfortable, as well as protective aluminum wings on either side of the board to minimize impact damage. 

Like all the models we feature in our hoverboard reviews, the Epikgo Sports Plus is fully UL2272 certified.

If you are looking for a fast hoverboard that has been designed with speed and acceleration capabilities in mind than the Epiko Sports Plus is a great option for both kids and adult hoverboard riders.

It has a streamlined and almost aerodynamic design to it, with performance tires that are not only built for speed but can also handle off-road surfaces as well.

The Sports Plus has an excellent battery which is fast to charge and provides an impressive range, and this board has all the features you would expect from a reputable hoverboard brand.

It’s a superfast hoverboard that is exhilarating to ride and is a practical personal transportation device that can be used for commuting as well as recreational purposes.

The Halo Rover X is one of our favorite hoverboards of all time, so it’s no surprise that it makes our fastest hoverboards list.

It has two 400W motors which give this all-terrain device the ability to reach a top hoverboard speed of 10 mph.

Whilst that isn’t as fast as the T6 Outlaw or Epikgo Sports Plus, its worth bearing in mind that Halo Rover X wasn’t designed to be the world’s fastest hoverboard ever, but instead has been manufactured to be a solid all-rounder which strikes a good balance between speed, build quality, and overall performance.

The motors give this board enough power to climb inclines up to 20 degrees steep.

The Halo Rover X is one of the best designed hoverboards the team at Scooterologist have reviewed.

It really is a beautiful board to look at, but it’s even better to ride!

The wheels are 8.5 inches in diameter which is the minimum wheel size you expect on an off-road hoverboard of this quality.

These wheels are pretty neat and come with Halo’s “never-flat” tires which have been designed to handle gravel, dirt, mud, and a whole lot of off-road terrain with ease.

Now, let’s talk about the construction and craftsmanship that has gone into the board itself.

The body of the board is aluminum which offers a good balance of strength and durability whilst also being light – an important attribute for a fast hoverboard.  

It also has aluminum wings on either side which help to take any impact damage to the board. 

This self-balancing scooter weighs a total of 32 lbs and can handle a maximum weight capacity of 265 lbs, which is perfect if you are looking for a fast hoverboard for adults who weigh more than your average user.

But this fast hoverboard isn’t just for adults only – with a minimum weight capacity of 44lbs kids can use this board too.

It comes with LG Firesafe batteries which are UL2271 certified.

They take 2.5 hours to charge and will deliver a range of up to 10 miles.

As expected, the board and all of its components are fully certified to UL2272 safety standards.

Like a lot of the fastest hoverboards we’ve reviewed this model also comes with the ability to adjust the mode of the board.

You can switch between the beginner, normal, and advances modes, with each mode having a different top speed the hoverboard can reach.

Having the ability to control the hoverboard max speed limit for different users makes this is a suitable hoverboard for adults and kids, whether they are beginners or experienced hoverboard riders.  

Whenever you ride at hoverboard max speed remember to ride safe!

There are bright and clear LED headlights which really make it easier to rider in the dark and low lighting conditions.

The Halo Rover X is a Bluetooth hoverboard so simply sync it to your smartphone to access a number of other cool features.

These features include the ability to switch modes, adjust the steering sensitivity of the board, map your journey, and monitor rider stats such as your mileage and top speed.

There is a built-in Bluetooth speaker so you can play your tunes or listen to your favorite podcast as your ride.

The app even allows you to turn the board on and off remotely.

You may have seen videos online or heard about people stepping on to a hoverboard like this only for the wheels to roll out from under them, causing them to lose their balance and end up flat on their back……painful!

To avoid that from happening and to help keep the balance board centered when it is switched on, Halo’s ride-assist technology makes mounting and dismounting the board easier and safer.

If you're looking for a fast hoverboard that will give your hours of fun, has a good top speed, and has been built to last than the Halo Rover X may be the hoverboard for you.

It is certainly one of the best known hoverboard brands and models, with many famous singers and athletes being pictured riding this board around. 

4. Segway Ninebot S

The Ninebot S hoverboard from Segway has dual powerful 400W motors to give it a top speed of 10 mph.

This fast hoverboard from Segway is equipped with 10.5 inch pneumatic tubeless vacuum tires which enable you to ride this smart electric scooter on smooth surfaces as well as grass, dirt, and other rough terrain.

To improve their anti-skid and shock-absorption capabilities, Segway have added a special texture to the tires which makes for a smoother ride, especially when you are hitting the hoverboard max speed limit.

If you want to ride this smart balance board on hilly terrain and uneven surfaces you shouldn't have any problems -  it can comfortably handle inclines of up to 15 degrees without struggling.

Segway’s Smart Battery Management System delivers real-time reports on the voltage, temperature, usage, and current of the battery, whilst also tracking the battery's power levels and checking for potential faults.

This is a welcomed safety measure and shows just how far hoverboard brands have come in their dedication to improved safety standards and innovations to make their devices safer.

The lithium-ion battery takes 2-4 hours to charge and will give riders a whopping huge range of 13.7 miles!

This is the longest range out of all the fast hoverboards we have reviewed, making this board perfect for those who want to use it as a personal transportation device to commute and travel to and from work or college.

The charging time is also one of the shortest we've encountered in our hoverboard reviews.

The fast charging plus the ridiculously long range make this one of the most impressive hoverboard batteries on the market. 

As well as being a great hoverboard for commuting purposes it is also a great choice for those looking for speed and fun.

The Ninebot S is a fun and highly responsive fast hoverboard that is suitable for riders who want to experience the thrill of riding at the hoverboard’s max speed, whether off-road or on-road.

The design of this board is certainly the most unique amongst the hoverboard brands and models we have reviewed.

The first thing about this smart balance board that catches your attention is the detachable knee control bar.

This smart innovation from Segway makes this hoverboard easier to ride and control as the extra leverage offered by the bar allows you to use your knees to control the speed and change direction.

The knee bar also makes balancing easier, and riding more comfortable as it takes some of the strain off riders legs and ankles.

If you are a hoverboard novice than the bar will make learning how to ride easier for you.

This makes it a good choice if you’re looking for a fast hoverboard for kids and adults who aren’t experienced riders.

Once you have developed your skills and confidence you can simply remove the bar.

The board is also well built. It is made with aircraft-grade magnesium alloy and only weighs 28 lbs.

Despite the relatively light weight of the board, it can still comfortably handle a max weight capacity of 220 lbs.

The LED lights on this personal transportation device are pretty awesome.

Powerful front LED lights help you see the road ahead more clearly, whilst directional indicators signal which way you’re turning to pedestrians and other road users.

If that wasn’t enough it also has a breaking light and rear tail light!

The best thing about these hoverboard LED lights is that they are all fully customizable via the Segway app, so you can change the patterns and color settings as you please.

You can also adjust the steering sensitivity and hoverboard max speed – making this balance board a great choice for inexperienced users and also young riders.

The Segway app also allows you to check rider stats, update firmware, read the board’s diagnostics, and view hoverboard video tutorials.

This is an impressive smart electric hoverboard with an innovative design, cool features, and unmatched range which makes it one of the best hoverboards for kids and adults. 

The Epikgo Classic is another hoverboard model from the EpikGo hoverboard brand.

This smart balance board is powered by two 400W motors which give this board a top speed of 10 miles per hour.

Depending on the rider weight, this hoverboard can climb up slopes and inclines between 15 - 18 degrees steep.

It comes with a pair of rugged 8.5 inch wheels which have been designed to handle off-road terrain whilst also making this board suitable for use on smoother surfaces too.

The EpikGo Classic’s tires are different to those found on the Sports Plus model.

These are much thicker and have a noticeably higher off-road tread, whereas the Sports Plus tires are slimmer with a non-raised tread for speed and acceleration.

As an all-terrain hoverboard you can ride this balance board on mud, grass, sand, gravel, and dirt with no problems.

The battery takes between 2-3 hours to charge and will give you a solid range of 10 miles - perfect if you want to explore off-road trails without having to worry about running out of juice in the middle of nowhere.

This board weighs 31 lbs and is constructed out of aluminum alloy. It also has aluminum wheel wings on either side.

It has a minimum rider weight of 44 lbs, so anything less than that and the hoverboard won’t activate.

It can handle a maximum weight capacity of 240 lbs, making this a superfast hoverboard that is suitable for heavy adults whilst also being suitable for kids aged 7 years old and upwards.

It has LED headlights at the front as well as LED turn signals.

Unlike the Sports Plus, this is not a Bluetooth hoverboard. It doesn’t have built-in hoverboard speakers nor does it come with a companion app.

The foot mats are rubber cushioned to provide riders with extra grip whilst also making it more comfortable to ride.

The EpikGo Classic is UL2272 certified so you can be assured that the components won’t explode or catch fire.

Manufactured by well-known hoverboard brand StreetSaw, the RockSaw is a tough, fast hoverboard that has been built to ride over smooth, rough, and even sharp surfaces!

It has got dual 400W motors which give this hoverboard a top speed of 9 mph.

It’s not the fastest hoverboard in the world or the fastest on our list, but it is still a worthy option when you consider it’s other attributes.

As I mentioned above, this is a tough hoverboard that has been built to perform on the roughest of terrain.

StreetSaw has equipped this balance board with 8.5 inch airless all-terrain tires that allow for a smooth ride over a variety of different surfaces including sand, gravel, mud, and dirt.

The tires are tubeless and don’t contain any air, meaning that they can’t get punctured.

According to StreetSaw these tires can be ridden over broken glass and sharp objects including barb wire without any problems.

That’s good to know, especially if you plan on riding the hoverboard at max speed over rough off-road surfaces which are normally bumpy and may contain objects like broken glass and sharp edged stones.

The motors give this board an incline ability of 15 degrees even when riding at the hoverboard max speed.

The lithium-ion battery will fully charge in 2 - 3 hours and will deliver a range of 10 miles.

There is a clear battery level indicator on the surface of the board so you don’t have to worry about running out of power unexpectedly in the middle of nowhere.

You can switch the modes of the board to increase or decrease the hoverboard’s top speed which is ideal if you are new to hoverboarding or if young kids want to ride the board.

As riders get more experience and build their confidence they can simply change mode to unlock the board’s maximum speed and make the hoverboard faster.

The RockSaw is a Bluetooth hoverboard so you can play tunes out of the hoverboard’s speaker whilst you ride.

The aircraft grade aluminum wings protect riders from the moving wheels, and also help to protect the board from scuffs and damage.

This fast hoverboard has a max weight capacity of 220 lbs and a minimum weight capacity of 75 lbs, so it can be used by adults and children.

The hoverboard and it’s components are fully UL2272 Certified.

7. H1 - Ultra

The Hover-H1 is powered by dual 250W motors which give this hoverboard an official top speed of 9 mph.

However, during our tests we were able to get this board up to over 10 mph on several occasions.

The lithium-ion battery takes 2.5 hours to fully charge and gives you a range of 9 miles.

The battery also has an overcharge and discharge protection feature built-in which adds an extra layer of safety for riders, especially useful when using this board for long durations.

The H1 hoverboard has a max rider weight capacity of 264lbs making this a great fast hoverboard for heavy riders.

Its large weight capacity is even more impressive when you consider the board itself weighs only 22.4 lbs, making this the lightest board on our list.

The minimum rider weight required to activate the board's motor and sensors is 40 lbs, so this would probably be an ideal hoverboard for children aged between 6 - 7 years old plus.

This is a Bluetooth enabled hoverboard so just sync it with your smart phone to play your beats through the built-in Bluetooth speaker.

Other hoverboard features include a battery level indicator, customizable LED lights, and the ability to adjust the user level of the board.

Each level has a different hoverboard max speed limit.

Beginner level has a max speed of 4.5 mph, Intermediate level allows for a max speed of 6.5mph, and Advanced level will unlock the hoverboard max speed of 9mph.

Having this sort of control over the hoverboard’s max speed makes this a good fast hoverboard for adults and kids, regardless of whether they are hoverboard novices or more seasoned riders.

The H1 hoverboard comes with 6.5 inch wheels which are perfect for using outdoors on smooth surfaces such as roads and sidewalks etc, and also allow the board to be used indoors on smooth surfaces. 

This is not an off-road hoverboard, although it can handle moderate off-road surfaces such as short grass, and dry mud quite well.

It can handle inclines up to 15 degrees steep which is quite impressive for a non off-road hoverboard.

Like all the models we've covered in our hoverboard reviews, this self-balancing scooter is fully UL2272 certified.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some frequently asked questions you may have when you are considering buying a fast hoverboard:

What's The Fastest Hoverboard You Can Buy?

After conducting numerous fast hoverboard reviews we have decided that the two fastest hoverboards on the market that you should consider buying are the Swagtron T6 Outlaw and the EpikGo Sports Plus. 

Both hoverboards have a top speed of 12 mph, but apart from being fast hoverboards these devices offer riders so much more than speed.

In addition to having great top speeds both of these balance boards are well designed, and are built to a high quality standard to ensure they won't malfunction or break down easily. 

They both have great range, good batteries, and are equipped with excellent wheels and tires that can be used on smooth surfaces as well as off-road terrain.

What Is The Max Speed Of A Hoverboard?

The max speed of a hoverboard is the maximum speed the board can reach whilst being ridden with a fully charged battery.

Each hoverboard is different, and different hoverboard models will have different maximum speeds they can reach, with some capable of reaching up to 12mph.

Hoverboard max speed is determined by how powerful the motors are and the power capacity of the battery.

Other factors such as rider weight, tires and wheel type, and the design of the board may also affect a hoverboard's max speed capacity.

Can You Make A Hoverboard Go Faster?

In some cases hoverboards will be able to go slightly faster than their official advertised speed limit straight out of the box.

But if you are thinking about opening up your device and tinkering with the components in order to make a hoverboard go faster than we don’t advise you do that unless you are an experienced electrical engineer.

Tampering with a hoverboard's components without knowing what you are doing could lead to the hoverboard or it’s modified components exploding or catching fire.

The risk of personal injury is too great, so we advise users not to open up your electric hoverboard or make any unofficial changes.

If you want greater speed than you should consider buying a faster hoverboard model.

Can You Ride A Hoverboard On Dirt?

The best off road hoverboards can be ridden on dirt as these models have been specifically designed to be used on all rough terrain.

If a hoverboard is not an off-road model than we don't advise riding it on dirt or similar surfaces as these could damage the device.

Boards that haven't been designed for off-road use are susceptible to dust or water ingress, which is where minute dust or water particles get inside the hoverboard body and into the components where they can cause the board to malfunction.

If you have an off-road hoverboard model than it will be able to handle dirt, mud, grass, gravel and other terrain quite easily. 

When deciding which is the best fast hoverboard for you there are a number of things you need to consider.

Even if your only priority is to buy the fastest hoverboard you can, there are still other things you should look at which can determine your decision about which balance board is best for you.

Here’s some of the key factors you need to look at when buying a hoverboard:

The Hoverboard’s Top Speed

Unsurprisingly, when most people are considering buying a hoverboard the top speed of the board is one of the first attributes they look at.

Average hoverboards can reach top speeds anywhere between 6-9 mph.

The fastest hoverboards are those that can comfortably reach between 9-12 mph or more.

If your main objective is to buy a fast hoverboard than you should go for a hoverboard with a top speed between 10-12 mph.

If you are a bit of an adrenalin junkie and want the fastest hoverboard you can buy than go for a board with a top speed of 12 mph (or more if you can find one!).

The two fastest hoverboards we've reviewed are the Swagtron T6 Outlaw and the EpikGo Sports Plus.

Both these models are capable of reaching a top speed of 12mph.

If you are want to buy a hoverboard that is suitable for kids aged 7 years plus and for adults that are a little less experienced, than go for a hoverboard with a top speed between 6-8 mph.

6 - 8 mph should be fast enough to give you the thrill you seek from a fast balance board, whilst also not being too fast for inexperienced riders or young children.

A number of the boards we reviewed come with a level adjustment feature which enables you to put a limit on the hoverboard’s max speed.

These boards are ideal if you are worried about kids going too fast, or if you are a novice rider trying to get to grips with your board before unleashing its full speed.

If you want to use your hoverboard for daily transportation and commuting purposes I recommend a board with a top speed ranging between 7-10 mph.

Motor Power

Electric hoverboards are powered by two motors which are normally housed in the wheels. The motor in-turn is powered by the hoverboard’s battery.

The hoverboard motors will determine the hoverboard’s top speed and how steep an incline the board can climb.

It will also determine how well the board rides when being used by a heavier rider, and when being ridden over uneven surfaces and terrain.

The more powerful the motor inside a hoverboard, the better the overall performance the board will deliver.

The fastest hoverboards will have motors between 300W – 400W.

Cheaper hoverboards and mid-range models will typically contain dual 250W motors.

If you are buying a fast hoverboard for adults who are a bit heavier than the average rider then you should choose one with a motor of 300 Watts or more.

Battery

When assessing a hoverboard’s battery there are three main attributes to consider:

1. Charging time

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used type of battery found in most hoverboard models and are used by the majority of hoverboard brands.

The voltage of the batteries in different hoverboards will vary, therefore the charging time will also vary between different hoverboard models .

On average, hoverboard batteries can take between 1-4 hours to fully charge.

Some hoverboards will fully charge in as little as 1-2 hours, whereas some of the slower charging models can take up to 4-5 hours to fully charge.

Always make sure that you use a charging adaptor that is approved by the manufacturer and which is UL certified.

2. Range

The range is the number of miles a hoverboard can travel on a fully charged battery before the battery is depleted.

A decent hoverboard battery should give you a range between 6 – 9 miles.

If you are planning to use your hoverboard as a personal transportation device for day-to-day commuting than you should opt for a board with a range of 10 miles plus.

If you are only planning to use you hoverboard for recreational purposes than a longer range is less important.

Please note: If you ride your hoverboard at its top speed for the majority of the time when you are using it than your battery will deplete faster and you will not get as much range out of a full-charge.

3. UL2271 certification

UL2271 is the Underwriter’s Laboratory safety standard for batteries used in electrical devices.

Hoverboard batteries that are UL2271 certified won’t leak, explode, or catch fire.

If a hoverboard has been UL2272 certified it is considered safe as the UL2772 certification encompasses the UL2271 test.

If a hoverboard has a UL2272 certification it means the battery and other components have been tested and approved to UL2271 standards.

Confused? Don’t be!

 I’ll explain the differences between these hoverboard certifications below which should hopefully clarify things for you.

Hoverboard Safety Certification

When hoverboards were first introduced to the market there was no industry-standard testing conducted, nor was there any regulations in place to ensure that these electric hoverboards were safe enough to be sold and used.

As a result, many of the early hoverboards were poorly manufactured and contained cheap inferior components and batteries that would overheat, leak, and catch fire.

This led to a number of hoverboards spontaneously catching fire, exploding, and causing serious injury to users.

Thankfully these incidents caused the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to created the UL2272 certification test

The UL2272 test is a means of rigorously testing hoverboards and their components to ensure they are safe and are not faulty.

The UL2271 test we mentioned above is the test UL conduct to assess batteries in electrical devices.

If a hoverboard has been UL2272 certified that means it contains a battery that has passed the UL2271 safety test.

When you are buying a hoverboard you only have to make sure that it is UL2272 certified, as this also includes the UL2271 certification.

When you are buying a fast hoverboard make sure it has the UL seal of approval before purchasing.

UL certified hoverboards will have the UL hologram sticker places on the product’s packaging.

You can also search the UL database to check if a manufacturer or specific hoverboard model has been UL2272 certified.

Wheel Size And Type

Different hoverboard models will have different wheel sizes and different types of tires.

The wheel size of a hoverboard is directly related to the types of terrain the balance board has been designed for, the board’s maximum weight capacity, and how stable it is when riding at fast speeds.

Most mid-range and cheap hoverboards typically come with a pair of 6.5 inch wheels as standard.

This is also the most common wheel size found on most kids hoverboards. 

This wheel size is typically found on hoverboards that have been designed for smooth surfaces such as roads or sidewalks.

You can also use boards with this wheel size indoors on flat surfaces such as tiles, vinyl and wooden floors, but you should avoid using on the carpet! 

Although hoverboards are quite capable of being used on carpets that are relatively flat, you really don't want to be using them on this sort of surface or material as the lack of grip makes them less stable and more likely to slip out under you.

They will also most likely ruin your carpet!

Most off-road boards will come with wheels 8.5 inches or bigger in order to be able to travel on rough surfaces at top speed without hampering the board’s stability or performance.

If you are planning to use your self-balancing hoverboard mainly off-road than you should go for a board with 8.5 inch wheels or bigger.

The bigger the wheels, the greater weight capacity the board can handle.

If you’re a heavier individual than you should choose a hoverboard with bigger, more rugged wheels that are 8.5” or more.

Max Weight Capacity

Hoverboards have a maximum weight capacity that they can handle.

You should always make sure that the max weight capacity is sufficient to carry your weight.

Buying a hoverboard that is not suitable for your weight is dangerous and will prevent the board from performing to its max potential.

As well as potentially causing injury to yourself, you can also damage the hoverboard which could be a costly experience, especially if the warranty period has expired.

The average weight capacity of a hoverboard is 220 lbs.

The fastest hoverboards are typically off-road models which normally have a greater weight capacity than average, with some models able to handle anywhere between 260 lbs all the way up to 420 lb.

Incline Ability

If you’re planning on using your fast hoverboard on a variety of terrain such as hills, slopes, or uneven surfaces than you should pay attention to the board’s incline ability.

The more motor power a board has, the greater its ability to climb steeper inclines.

Incline abilities vary widely between hoverboard models.

We’ve reviewed boards with an incline ability of 15 degrees, and also reviewed boards with the ability to climb inclines up to 30 degrees steep.

Think about how and where you will predominantly use your board and consider how much of an incline you will require from it.

Weight Of The Hoverboard

You should also pay attention to the weight of the hoverboard you are thinking about buying.

Self-balancing scooters can weigh anywhere between 22lbs - 32lbs, or more.

If you are planning on carrying your hoverboard around a lot, or perhaps you want to take it with you on holiday or during your travels, than you should select a board that doesn’t weigh too much.

Some boards have built-in carry straps which make carrying them around easier, and there are also a bunch of different carry cases and bags that you can buy to lighten the load.

Other Hoverboard Features

Other hoverboard features you may want to consider are Bluetooth functionality, LED headlights, battery level indicators, and level adjustment features.

If you want to play music from your board or pair your device to your phone you will need to buy a hoverboard with Bluetooth functionality.

Most hoverboards come with LED headlights as standard, but these are not all the same quality.

Some hoverboard headlights offer significantly increased visibility, whilst some may be poor quality and not make that much difference at all. 

Boards that have a level adjustment feature are great if you want to change or limit the hoverboard max speed or adjust the steering sensitivity.

This is a great feature to have if the hoverboard is being used by kids, or inexperienced riders.

If you like to geek out on stats then you may want to buy a hoverboard model that has a companion app which will allow you to track things like your top speed, mileage, map your journeys, and check your devices’ diagnostics.