If you're looking to buy a hoverboard may be overwhelmed with all the different specs you need to pay attention to. One of these is the hoverboard weight limit, which is an important spec to consider before making a buying decision. But what exactly is the hoverboard weight limit?
The hoverboard weight limit is the maximum weight capacity of a hoverboard. The weight of the rider should not exceed the hoverboard's weight limit as this could damage the board and may lead to personal injury. Exceeding the weight limit will also negatively impact the board's performance.
Why Knowing The Hoverboard Weight Limit Is Important
Hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters and balance scooters, are fun to ride for people of all ages, but before you buy a hoverboard or jump on a board to ride it, it’s important to know the hoverboard weight limit.
The weight limit of a hoverboard is something you must pay attention when you are buying a hoverboard or about to ride on one, as it determines if the board is suitable for the you (or the person you're buying it for).
If you weigh more than the specified weight limit of a hoverboard than you should not buy that particularly model as it won't support your weight which could lead to personal injury, damaging the board, or decreased performance.
Whether you are buying one of the top hoverboards available or a cheaper model, the weight limit of the board should not be overlooked.
What Are The Different Hoverboard Weight Limits?
There are minimum weight limits and maximum hoverboard weight limits, so its important to understand the difference.
Maximum hoverboard weight limit
The maximum hoverboard weight limit, also called the hoverboard weight capacity, is the maximum rider weight a board can carry.
Different boards will have different weight limits, with some having greater weight limits and other models having smaller limits.
The weight limit of a hoverboard is the maximum rider weight a board has been designed for, and determines who should or shouldn’t ride that particular hoveboard.
Minimum hoverboard weight limit
The minimum hoverboard weight limit is the minimum rider weight required for the board to function.
If a rider weighs less than the minimum weight limit the sensors in the hoverboard will not be able to detect when a rider is on the board and as a result it will not turn on or work.
Thankfully most boards have been designed to have low minimum rider weight limits in order to make them usable by as many people as possible, from kids to adults.
So, for the rest of this article when we refer to the hoverboard weight limit we will be referring to the hoverboards maximum weight limit, rather than the minimum weight limit unless otherwise stated.
What Is The Average Hoverboard Weight Limit?
A hoverboard’s weight limit will differ depending on the hoverboard type and the wheel size, but in general the average hoverboard weight limit is 220 lbs/100kg.
This seems to be the weight limit of most hoverboards on the market, including many cheaper hoverboards, mid-range models, and off-road hoverboards.
Of course, the weight limit or maximum weight capacity of a hoverboard will differ between different manufacturers and hoverboard brands, and is also dependent on the hoverboard model.
But regardless of brand or type, the hoverboard weight limit of 220 lbs seems to be the most common across the industry.
Average Hoverboard Weight Limit By Wheel Size
In general, the average hoverboard weight limit for a hoverboard with 6.5 inch wheels is 220 lbs or 100kg
The average weight limit for a hoverboard with 8.5 inch wheels is between 220 lbs - 265 lbs (100 kgs - 120 kgs).
Most boards with 10.5 inch wheels will have an average weight limit anywhere between 220 lbs – 300 lbs.
There are some models such as the Swagtron T6 Outlaw which has a weight limit of 420 lbs! But this is an exception, as the Swagtron T6 was the world’s first model with a hoverboard weight limit to exceed 400 lbs.
If you want to know what hoverboard holds the most weight, the Swagtron T6 seems to be the answer.
Click here to read our Swagtron T6 hoverboard review.
As you can see, there isn’t much difference between the average hoverboard weight limit of a board with 8.5 inch wheels and one with 10.5 inch wheels.
Kid’s Hoverboard Weight Limit
Most kids hoverboards come with 6.5 inch wheels and will have varying weight limits depending on the age range the balance scooter has been designed for.
The younger the age range = the smaller the maximum weight limit.
Hoverboards for kids aged 5 - 6 years old can have an average weight limit of 132 lbs or more, whereas hoverboards for kids aged 7 or 8 years and older can have weight limits between 160 lbs – 180 lbs.
When you are buying a hoverboard for kids it is important to pay attention to the minimum weight limit required to activate the board.
If your child weighs less than this they won’t be able to use the board, so look for one that has a minimum weight capacity less than what your child weighs.
What Determines A Hoverboard’s Weight Limit?
There doesn’t seems to be any hard or fast rule when it comes to setting the maximum weight capacity of a hoverboard.
In general, boards with bigger wheels have greater weight capacities compared to boards with smaller wheels.
This isn’t always the case though, as there are plenty of hoverboards with 6.5 inch wheels that have weight limits of 240 lbs or more, and there are more expensive off-road hoverboards with 8.5 inch wheels that have maximum weight limits of 220 lbs only.
But in general it seems that the bigger the wheels = the bigger the weight limit.
When it comes to hoverboard weight limit the main factors seems to be cost and design.
Off-road hoverboards tend to have greater weight limits compared to regular hoverboard models.
This is because off-road hoverboards are designed to withstand more heavy-duty use on rugged terrain, and are therefore built from stronger materials which increases their weight capacity.
Off-road hoverboards also have 8.5 inch wheels or larger, and bigger hoverboard wheels are able to take more weight without hampering the boards performance.
A hoverboard’s frame can be constructed out of ABS plastic or aluminum alloy.
Boards that are made from aluminum alloy tend to be stronger and have the ability to handle a greater weight capacity.
Some self-balancing scooters, such as the Swagtron T6 have been specifically designed for heavier users, and therefore have been built with a larger weight capacity.
Heavier hoverboards are built more solidly and are more durable than boards that are made cheaply with inferior materials and components.
Heavier hoverboards tend to have greater weight capacities compared to lighter boards, but there are also some light and fast hoverboards that can match the weight limits of some of the heavier boards on the market.
Why Its Important To Pay Attention To The Weight Limit
Hoverboard weight limits exist for a reason and let us know how much weight the board has been designed to handle.
In addition to affecting how you ride a hoverboard, exceeding the weight capacity of a hoverboard can have a number of repercussions:
Injury
Its important not to exceed the hoverboard weight limit as doing so can inhibit the boards performance, but more importantly could lead to personal injury.
If you weigh more than a hoverboard’s weight capacity the board may not be able to handle your weight and could malfunction or breakdown whilst you are riding it which could lead to you getting seriously injured or injuring other people around you.
Hoverboard damage
The damage may not occur straightaway but if you continue to ride a hoverboard even though you exceed its weight capacity this will lead to damaging the board overtime.
Cracks may appear in the frame, which in turn can lead to the electrical components inside being exposed to dirt, dust and water which will cause them to malfunction.
Affects hoverboard performance
A board will not be able to perform to its maximum ability if it is carrying a rider that weighs more than the hoverboard’s weight capacity.
Exceeding a hoverboards weight limit will slow the board down and prevent it from reaching its top speed.
It will also affect the boards ability to climb inclines, and may also affect the range of the board as more battery powerful is required to move a heavier rider.
A hoverboard’s gyroscopes and sensors are sensitive, and have been designed for the maximum weight capacity of the hoverboard.
When you exceed this weight you may cause the gyroscopes to go out of balance, which can lead to a whole host of technical issues.
These issues can be resolved by re-calibrating your hoverboard, but they may be more serious and require you to get the board serviced or repaired from your manufacturer.
May void your warranty
If you are too heavy for a hoverboard but ride it anyway and cause damage to the board, you may find that this voids your warranty policy as you have not used the board as intended by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
You should always pay attention to and respect the hoverboard weight limit.
Ignoring it and using a hoverboard that hasn’t been designed for your weight can lead to personal injury, it affects the boards performance, can cause damage to the board, and can void your warranty.
If you are only a few pounds over the hoverboard’s weight capacity that may be fine, but if you are significantly heavier than the board’s max weight limit you should not ride the board.
If you are buying a kid’s hoverboard make sure you pay attention to both the minimum weight limit as well as the maximum weight capacity to ensure it is suitable for your child.