8 Best Off-Road Hoverboards, 2021 – Reviews & Buying Guide

We have voted the Halo Rover X as the best off-road hoverboard on the market.

It's an electric hoverboard that packs a great punch with its performance capabilities, strong build quality, and cool features. 

This all-terrain hoverboard is powered by dual 400W motors, which allow this balance board to reach a top speed of 10 mph and give it enough power to climb inclines up to 20 degrees steep.

The UL 2721 certified LG Firesafe batteries take 2.5 hours to charge and will give you an impressive range of 10 miles.

The Halo Rover X is a ruggedly built off road hoverboard with all terrain tires that are 8.5 inches in diameter.

Halo's "never-flat" tires can handle the roughest terrain with ease.

You'll be able to use this board on grass, mud, dirt, gravel, and hiking trails without having to worry about bursting one of the indestructible tires which have been specially designed to be durable and super-tough. 

You can even ride this balance board on snow (but be careful!) and the board will be just as responsive as it is on a smooth surface.

This personal transportation device has an adjustable mode feature allowing you to switch between beginner, normal, and advanced modes. 

Each mode has a different maximum top speed that the board can reach. This makes this balance-scooter perfect for both kids and adults

In terms of the balance board's construction it's frame it made out of aluminum, making it strong and durable whilst still being reasonably light enough in weight. 

This off road balance board weighs 32 lbs, which is pretty standard for a high quality board. 

The hoverboard can handle a max weight of 265 lbs, which is great if you are looking for a hoverboard for heavy riders that can still deliver on speed. 

The minimum rider weight is 44 lbs, which means this is also a great off-road hoverboard for kids as well as adults. 

Aluminum wings are incorporated on either side to protect riders, and to protect the board from any unwanted damage. 

As expected with an off road hoverboard of this caliber, this self-balancing scooter comes with bright LED headlights to enable you to see clearly when there is a lack of natural light or visibility. 

The Halo Rover X is a Bluetooth hoverboard which allows you to pair it to your smartphone to access a number of cool features.

You can play your music through the Rover X's speakers to keep you entertained as you ride. You can also use the Bluetooth app to track and monitor your ride stats such as mileage and top speeds, map your journey, and even turn the board on and off from your smartphone.

The app also allows you to switch between the various modes, and to adjust the steering sensitivity of the board. 

Halo have built in their ride-assist technology into the hoverboard. This helps to keep the board upright and centered whenever it is switched on to make balancing on the board easier, and make getting on and off safer.

Halo Rover X has UL2271 certified LG Firesafe batteries, and the hoverboard and the rest of its components are all UL2272 certified. 

This is without doubt not only the best off road hoverboard for sale at the moment, but one of the best hoverboards full-stop!

The Halo Rover X has an impressive performance capability that allows it to compete with any of the best hoverboard brands and models out there. 

If you're looking for a cheap all-terrain hoverboard this may not be the best choice for you as it is one of the more expensive hoverboards on the market.

But as the saying goes - you get what you pay for, and in this case when you buy the Halo Rover X you get a high quality and high performance device that many consider to be one of the best all-terrain hoverboards you can get your hand on. 

It is a real pleasure to ride this self balancing scooter. It feels like it glides across even rough surfaces.

If you're looking for a durable and versatile off road electric hoverboard than look no further.

This off road hoverboard for adults and kids can handle rugged terrain with ease. It has a high weight capacity, can reach impressive speeds, and has good range and incline ability.

It is a well engineered personal transportation device that oozes quality and looks pretty cool too.

It is versatile in that it can be used as an off-road hoverboard for kids or adults, but can also be used on a day-to-day basis for commuting and transportation purposes. 

We rate this as the best off road hoverboard for sale right now, and have given it the Scooterologist "Editor's Choice" seal of approval.

This heavy-duty hoverboard from Swagtron is one of the best off-road hoverboards we've reviewed, and we've rated it as the best hoverboard for heavy riders. 

The Swagtron T6 Outlaw is one of the best all-terrain hoverboards we have reviewed for a number of reasons. It has amazing performance capabilities, a robust heavy-duty design, and all the cool hoverboard features that you expect from a high-quality balance board. 

This smart self-balancing scooter is equipped with 2 powerful 300W motors which enable riders to climb inclines up to 30 degrees steep!

This serious incline ability means you can ride this hoverboard off-road on uneven, hilly, and challenging terrain without breaking a sweat.

The Swagtron T6 Outlaw hoverboard comes with a pair of huge 10 inch tubeless, nylon-infused air-filled tires which have been designed to handle the roughest of terrain.

The rugged off-road tires have a raised tread which helps to give the board stability over uneven surfaces, whilst also providing greater traction and grip in various riding conditions.

The wheels are durable and tough, and can make easy work of surfaces like gravel, rubble, grass, mud, hiking trials, and dirt paths - exactly what you want in an off road hoverboard. 

By equipping this hoverboard with all terrain tires and an excellent incline ability, Swagtron have created a great heavy duty hoverboard for adults and kids who want to ride and explore off-road conditions without fear that the board will not be able to handle certain surfaces.

The dual motors allow this off terrain balance scooter to reach an impressive top speed of 12 mph, so if your main priority in buying an off-road hoverboard is speed than this is a great choice. 

Swagtron’s patented SentryShield technology is used to house the hoverboard's battery, providing an extra layer of protection for riders.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery will take 3 hours to charge and will provide an impressive range of 12 miles.

The Swagtron T6 Outlaw weighs 32 lbs, which is solid enough for a heavy duty hoverboard for adults, yet light enough for kids and younger users to ride and carry around.

With the T6 Outlaw, Swagtron have designed the first off road hoverboard that can carry riders weighing more than 250 lbs. The T6 Outlaw has an impressive maximum weight capacity of 420lbs!  

This is the highest weight capacity we've come across in any of our off-road hoverboard reviews, making it one of the best all terrain hoverboards for heavy riders.

The hoverboard's housing has been constructed from aluminum and ABS plastic which creates a lightweight strong durable casing that can handle bumps, knocks, and scrapes, and will safely protect the electrical components inside. 

There are also a pair of aluminum wheel guards which will protect the board from impact damage and the rider from any accidental injuries.

The foot mats are coated in a non-slip rubber which allows for a more comfortable ride over rocky and uneven surfaces.

This self-balancing scooter has an on-board battery level indicator to make sure you never run out of juice at the wrong time. 

Other hoverboard features include a pair of bright front LED headlights to increase visibility in low lighting off-road conditions.

The balance scooter also has a pair of directional signal indicators to allow people around you to know which way you’re turning.

This is an off-road Bluetooth hoverboard with decent sounding speakers that allow you to play music directly from your smartphone.  

The Swagtron app allows you to control the music volume and also gives you access to stats such as distance travelled, top speed etc. 

A cool feature of this heavy duty all-terrain hoverboard is the ability to adjust the steering sensitivity of the device, which is done via the app.

This feature allows this board to be used by children, adults, and hoverboard novices alike.

If young children or beginners are using the board you can simply reduce the steering sensitivity to make it easier for them to ride.

The electric hoverboard comes with Swagtron's self-balancing technology to keep the board level, which makes getting on and off the board easier and safer.

The T6 Outlaw is dustproof and waterproof, and has an IPX4 rating. This means you can ride the T6 through dirt and shallow water puddles.

The hoverboard has a full UL-2272 certification.

The impressive build, top speed, incline ability, and weight capacity make this a great off-road hoverboard for adults and kids, suitable for novices and more experienced riders alike. 

3. Segway Ninebot S

At Scooterologist we’ve done a lot of off-road hoverboard reviews, and the Segway Ninebot S is one of the best looking boards out there.

It really is a beautiful piece of engineering from Segway.

But I’m sure you guys don’t want to hear about how great this self balancing scooter looks, you want to know about what this board can do, right?

Well not only does the Ninebot S look cool, but it can back up those looks with some impressive performance capabilities.

It is powered by dual 400W motors which allow users to reach a top speed of 10 mph.

This board aint no slouch, it can comfortably climb inclines up to 15 degrees steep.

It comes with a pair of 10.5 inch tubeless pneumatic vacuum tires which can handle most off-road terrain like grass, dirt, mud, and gravel.

The tires also have anti-skid and shock absorbing abilities which is a great feature when you’re using this all terrain hoverboard off-road on bumpy, uneven surfaces.

The Segway’s lithium-ion battery will take 2-4 hours to charge and will enable riders to travel a whopping range of 13.7 miles!

The impressive battery also features Segway’s Smart Battery Management System, which can report on the battery’s performance in real-time in terms of its temperature, current, voltage, and power levels.

It prevents the battery from overheating, which is great if you are planning on using this heavy-duty off road hoverboard for long periods.

Now we’ve spoken about some of this board’s performance capabilities, lets get back to our first point about how it looks.

The first thing you notice about this board is the knee control bar which gives the Ninebot its distinctive look. But this detachable knee bar isn’t there for looks, it serves a practical purpose.

The bar makes this hoverboard easier to ride, and also takes the strain off your legs, especially when you’re riding over long distances. It also doubles as a convenient carry handle.

As well as looking very aesthetically easy on the eye, the Ninebot S is also a well-built hoverboard, which is what you expect from Segway.

The body of the board has been made from aircraft-grade magnesium alloy, which is super tough and perfect for riding this hoverboard off-terrain, yet light enough so that the board only weighs 28 lbs.

But don’t let the light weight of the board fool you – it is capable of carrying riders weighing up to 220 lbs, making it the perfect off road hoverboard for kids and adults alike.

Some of the features of this board include an awesome set of LED lights, which are possibly the best LED lights we’ve ever seen whilst conducting our numerous hoverboard reviews.

It doesn’t just feature one set of LED hoverboard lights, it has 4!

The front LED lights act as powerful headlights to help riders see in the dark or in low lighting conditions.

There are also the directional indicators which signal which way you’re turning, useful if you’re riding this hoverboard to work or college, or just on the roads or pavements generally.

The third LED light comes in the form of a rear tail-light at the back, making you more visible to other riders, pedestrians, or road users behind you. And finally, it also has a set of breaking lights.

Whew!

That’s a lot of LED lights, but they have all been designed so well and all fit seamlessly in to the overall design of the hoverboard.

The LED lights are also fully customizable via the Segway app.

The inclusion of these bright, high performing LED lights clearly indicates that this hoverboard was not only designed to be used off-road, but it can be used as an everyday personal transportation device.

The impressive range and short battery charging time, coupled with the light weight of the device make this hoverboard ideal for commuting and transportation purposes.

It’s no surprise that you can often see college kids riding this board to and from campus, or workers riding this hoverboard to the office.

The app also allows you to adjust the hoverboard’s steering sensitivity and max speed – making it more beginner or kid friendly.

There are also a series of hoverboard tutorials on the app, perfect for those who want to learn how to ride a hoverboard and are not sure where to start.

The app also lets you read the board’s diagnostics, view stats, and download firmware to keep the board’s software up to date.

This self-balancing scooter has an IP54 rating, so it can be used in wet conditions.

The Segway Ninebot S is a great off road hoverboard for adults and kids. It has gathered very positive feedback and notched up some impressive hoverboard reviews, with users giving it high praise.

It combines elegant design, innovation, and serious performance capabilities to make this one of the best off road hoverboards available, at a very reasonable price.

Click here to read our full Segway Ninebot S hoverboard review. 

EpikoGo is a hoverboard brand based in the epicenter of the tech world – Silicon Valley.

The EpikGo Classic is their first hoverboard model and is quite an impressive device.

It comes with a pair of 8.5 inch rugged wheels which can handle off-road terrain such as mud, grass, dirt, hiking trails, sand, and gravel.

The durable rubber tires have a well-defined high tread which enable it to handle these surfaces in a variety of weather conditions – dry or wet.

With an IP56 rating, this off road hoverboard is protected from limited dust ingress, and is protected from high pressure waterjets from any direction – so you can use it in dusty or wet conditions without worry.

Powering this impressive set of wheels are two 400W motors.

These motors give this balance board the ability to climb inclines between 15 – 18 degrees steep, and it can reach a top speed of 10 mph.

If you’re looking for all-terrain hoverboards that are suitable for heavier riders than the EpikoGo Classic is worth considering.

Its sturdy aluminum alloy frame can easily support riders up to 240 lbs.

This self-balancing scooter will activate with a minimum weight of 44 lbs, so this board is also suitable for kids aged 7 years plus.

Despite it’s large weight capacity, the hoverboard itself only weighs 31 lbs.

Charging the battery to full charge will take between 2-3 hours, after which it’ll give you a 10 mile range – perfect for venturing off-road and exploring new terrain.

Bright LED headlights will enable you to ride this UL2272 certified electric hoverboard in the dark and in poor visibility.

It also has separate LED turning signals to indicate which direction you’re turning.

What it doesn’t have is Bluetooth functionality or hoverboard speakers, meaning you can’t play any music or sync the device to your smartphone.

EpikGo have incorporated thick rubber foot pads to make using this two-wheeled hoverboard more comfortable, especially over long distances. They also help to provide riders with more grip.

This is an impressive off road hoverboard for sale at quite a reasonable price.

Although it doesn’t have some of the features that other all-terrain hoverboards have such as Bluetooth speakers, it is still a great off road hoverboard for adults and kids.

5. EpikoGo Sports Plus

Unlike the EpikGo Classic which has been designed with off-terrain hoverboarding in mind, the EpikGo Sports Plus has been designed with speed and acceleration in mind.

That doesn’t mean this electric hoverboard can’t be used off-road, far from it.

It can handle off-road surfaces as well as smoother surfaces, but does so with speed and acceleration.

This combination of speed, acceleration and off-terrain capabilities makes this the perfect hoverboard for people looking to experience fast, exhilarating off-road hoverboarding.

It comes with a pair of 8.5 inch alloy wheels which have been manufactured from pressure-crafter alloy metal to add more durability and strength to them.

The tires are performance tires, which have been designed to provide maximum grip, traction, speed, and acceleration.

Although they are not the typical high-tread, rugged, off-road tires that you normally see on all-terrain balance boards, they can still handle off road surfaces as well as any other.

You can ride this electric hoverboard on grass, dirt, mud, sand, gravel, and other terrain with no problems.

The device itself has dual 400W motors which give it an incline climbing range of 30 degrees.

With a top speed of 12 mph this board is ideal if you have a need for speed and want a fast off-terrain hoverboard.

EpikGo have installed a UL2271 LG Smart Battery in to the Sports Plus board. The battery has passed UL’s 159 safety tests to ensure that it is completely safe and free from risk of fire, overheating, or leaking.

The battery is quick charging, taking only 1 - 2  hours to fully charge, and will give riders an impressive range of 12 miles.

The short charging time and long range capacity make this an excellent personal transportation device for commuting, as well as for recreational off-road hoverboarding.

The EpikGo Sports Plus has an IP56 waterproof certification, making it semi-submersible and able to keep dust particles from reaching the components inside.

This means you can ride it in wet conditions, and also through grass, dirt, mud, and sand.

With a aluminum alloy construction, the board weighs 31 lbs, and has a max rider weight capacity of 200lbs, and a minimum of 40 lbs.

As you would expect from one of the best all-terrain hoverboards, there are powerful LED lights to help light your path, as well as a battery level indicator on the board so you can check your juice levels.

This is a Bluetooth hoverboard coming with a built-in Bluetooth 4.0 speaker which you can play your beats through whilst riding.

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.  

The EpikGo Sports Plus looks great, and is able to handle the most difficult off-road terrains with ease, whilst providing the sort of speed and acceleration normally experienced from an on-road hoverboard.

This is a UL2272 certified hoverboard made to a high standard, which not only looks cool, but also packs a punch.

Even though it is capable of handling rough terrain, it still retains a sleek sporty look.

Overall, this board has an impressive range, excellent battery, all the hoverboard features you expect, and it delivers serious performance off-road or on-road.

The RockSaw is an off-road hoverboard made by the popular hoverboard brand, StreetSaw.

It has 8.5 inch all-terrain tires which are airless and have been designed to be durable over the most roughest of terrain including gravel, rubble, dirt trails, mud, grass, sand, and snow.

They are airless, so you won’t have to worry about punctures that may occur when you ride over jagged stones or any sort of sharp obstacles such as broken glass.

The guys at StreetSaw are confident that the RockSaw hoverboard can even be ridden over barb wire without causing any damage to the wheels, however we didn’t test that ourselves so we’ll have to take their word for it!

It has a top speed of 9 mph, so its not the fastest off-road hoverboards on our list, but it makes up for that in other areas.

This off road hoverboard is capable of climbing inclines up to 15 degrees steep thanks to the dual 400W motors housed in the wheels.

2-3 hours are required to fully charge the lithium-ion battery, which will give you a range of 10 miles.

The max weight limit of this electric hoverboard is 220 lbs, and the minimum weight is 75 lbs, so this is an all-terrain hoverboard that can be used by kids and adults.

Some of the cool features of this smart self-balance board are the learning modes which you can adjust via the mobile app.

Each mode has a maximum speed limit the board can reach, so this is an ideal off road hoverboard for kids and adults, regardless of whether you are a hoverboard novice or pro.

This is also a Bluetooth hoverboard, equipped with a built-in speaker through which you can play your tunes or listen to your favorite podcast as you ride.

The top surface of this electric hoverboard has a clear battery level indicator, so you never have to worry about being caught out and running out of charge unexpectedly.

Like most all-terrain hoverboards, it has protective wings on either side to protect the board from any damage, and also to protect riders. The wings are made from aircraft grade aluminum.

The board and its components are fully UL2272 Certified.

StreetSaw have made quite a name for themselves in the hoverboard industry, and you only have to read some of their hoverboard reviews to know that they manufacture and sell quality personal transportation devices.

7. GoTrax SRX Pro

Powered by dual 235W motors, the GoTrax Pro can reach a top speed of 7.4 mph, which makes this the slowest off road hoverboard we’ve reviewed.

It has a 36v lithium-ion battery which reaches full charge in 3 hours, and delivers a range of 7.4 miles.

When you are looking to buy a hoverboard with all terrain tires you’ll normally find that 8.5 inches is the standard size to expect, and the SRX Pro is no exception.

The rugged 8.5 inch tires are durable enough to handle most off-road surfaces such as dirt, gravel, sand, and mud, whilst also providing quite a smooth riding experience over these bumpy and uneven surfaces.

Front facing LED headlights help to illuminate the path ahead, and the built-in hoverboard Bluetooth speaker allows you to play music directly from your smartphone or other Bluetooth enabled devices.

This self-balancing scooter has a max weight capacity of 220 lbs, so it can be safely used by adults and children.

It is quite light for an off road balance board, weighing in at only 29 lbs, which makes it easier to carry around when you’re not riding it.

Despite the light weight, this is still a heavy-duty hoverboard and has been built to last and handle rough treatment.

The components and board have all undergone and passed the UL tests, with this board being given the UL2272 certificate.

8. GoTrax E3

Another device from the GoTrax brand, the GoTrax E3 is a versatile off-road hoverboard that is also ideal for use on smoother surfaces like roads and sidewalks.

This is a great all-terrain hoverboard for those want to use it off-road whilst also using it on a day-to-day basis for commuting and transportation purposes.

Its 8.5 inch all-terrain tires can easily handle dirt, gravel, grass, dirt, gravel, sand, and mud.

This off-terrain hoverboard is powered by dual 250W motors which enable this self-balance board to reach an impressive top speed of 8.1 mph.

With a 2-3 hour charging time, the 36V battery will give you a range of up to 5 miles.

Like the SRX Pro, the E3 also features GoTrax’s self-balancing mode to make it easier and safer for riders to get on and off the board.

Hoverboard Bluetooth speakers allow you to play your tunes from your smartphone as you ride.

To help improve visibility in dark conditions, this relatively cheap all terrain hoverboard has two front LED headlights, in addition to a set of blue LED lights on the side and top of the device to add a bit of style and added visibility.

This smart balance board has a top weight capacity of 220 lbs, but the actual hoverboard itself only weighs 20 lbs, making it one of the lightest off road hoverboards on our list.

There are built-in carry handles incorporated in to the design of the board itself which make carrying the board easy work, even for kids.

GoTrax hoverboards are always built to a high standard and the E3 hoverboard is no exception.

This is a great off road hoverboard for adults and kids, and has been designed with both users in mind.

It is powerful enough to be enjoyed by adults, whilst the cool design and color options available for this model make it a fun and cool hoverboard for kids.

It does not have the biggest range nor is it capable of reaching the top speeds of some of the other off road hoverboards on our list, but nevertheless it is still a quality personal transportation device that is fun to ride and is built to last.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some frequently asked questions you may have when you are considering buying an off-road hoverboard:

What Is The Best Off-Road Hoverboard?

In our opinion, from our research and from conducting numerous off road hoverboard reviews we have decided that the Halo Rover X is the best off-road hoverboard currently on the market.

Can Hoverboards Go On The Road?

Yes hoverboards can go on roads. In fact many people use them as personal transportation devices to commute to work or college, as well as for recreational purposes.

When using a hoverboard on road you will need to check local laws, as hoverboards are not permiitted for use in certain places, and are even illegal in some countries.

Make sure you check your local laws before you use a hoverboard on the road.

Always remember safety comes first.

When you are riding a hoverboard on the road make sure you wear a helmet and other necessary safety gear such as elbow and knee pads which can offer an extra layer of protection against falls.

Can Hoverboards Go On Gravel?

Yes, off road hoverboards can go on gravel as they have been designed to be used on all sorts of rough terrain.

A good quality off-road hoverboard with all terrain tires can easily handle gravel and other rough surfaces with ease.

You should check the sort of tires the hoverboard comes with as there are a variety of tires that hoverboards can be fitted with.

Some are airless, others are air filled pneumatic tires, some have high treads and others have shorter treads. 

Off-road hoverboards typically have 8.5 inch tires or bigger that enable them to easily and comfortably handle a variety of off-road terrains including gravel.

Can You Ride An Off-Road Hoverboard On Grass?

Yes, most all-terrain hoverboards can be used on grass.

Of course, it depends on the height and thickness of the grass, but in general if the grass is reasonably short you can ride an off-road hoverboard on it with no problems. 

A good off-road hoverboard with high tread all terrain tires will be able to handle grass and muddy conditions very easily.

Can Hoverboards Go Uphill?

Yes most hoverboards are able to go uphill, but how steep of an incline a board can climb differs from model to model.

On average, most off-road electric balance boards can climb inclines of 15 degrees, but some boards, such as the Swagtron T6 Outlaw can climb an impressive 30 degrees! 

The higher the incline climbing ability, the more easily your hoverboard can climb uphill without struggling, even whilst carrying heavier riders. 

When you are looking at hoverboard reviews and deciding which off-road hoverboard is best there are a number of things you need to consider.

Buying an electric hoverboard can be a significant purchase, especially if you’re looking at buying an off road hoverboard, which tend to be more expensive than regular cheap hoverboards.

Here are some of the considerations you should bear in mind when deciding which self-balancing scooter is best suited for your needs.

Whether you are looking to buy an off-road hoverboard to explore new terrain, or to use it for commuting or transportation purposes, there are some things you need to pay attention to.

Here’s some of the key factors you need to look at when buying an off-road hoverboard:

The Hoverboard's Top Speed 

Not surprisingly, speed is one of the first attributes that people look at when buying an off-terrain hoverboard.

When comparing the best all-terrain hoverboards and trying to determine which model is right for you, you should look at the top speed that the board can reach.

The average hoverboard can hit speeds anywhere between 6 – 10 mph.

If speed is a priority for you than you should go for a board that can hit 10 mph or more.

If you’re looking to buy an off road hoverboard for kids aged 7 years plus, then consider purchasing a board with a top speed limit between 6-8 mph, which should be fast enough for kids to enjoy without being too dangerous. 

However, there are a number of boards that come with a level adjustment feature which allows you to limit the board’s max speed in case you are worried about them going too fast too soon.

These hoverboard's are great for beginners or young kids as they allow you to increase the speed limit as they gain more experience and confidence with their riding.

Deciding what hoverboard top speed is right for you mainly depends on the reasons you have for wanting to buy an off-road hoverboard.

If you want to use your two-wheeled hoverboard as a personal transportation device to get you around, I recommend opting for a board with a mid to high top speed limit of between 8 – 10 mph.

If you have a thirst for adrenaline and a real need for speed than look at buying an off road electric hoverboard that can reach 10 mph or more.

Battery  

When looking at a hoverboard’s battery there are three main considerations:

1. Charging time

2. Range (the number of miles the board can travel on a fully charged battery before it needs recharging).

3. Is it UL2271 certified?

Electric self-balancing scooters and hoverboards are mostly powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Batteries in hoverboards are different, therefore charging time will vary between hoverboard models and brands.

On average they can take anywhere between 1 – 4 hours to charge.

A good hoverboard battery should give you a 6 – 9 mile range on a single charge.

If you want to use your off-road hoverboard to travel longer distances than look at boards with ranges 10 miles plus.

Finally, you should only buy batteries that are UL2271 certified to ensure it is safe.

UL2271 is the standard in hoverboard battery safety standards. Batteries that are UL2271 certified won’t leak, catch fire, or explode.

If a hoverboard is UL2272 certified than it means the battery is also approved to UL2271 standards.

We’ll touch more on the differences between these hoverboard safety certifications below.

Hoverboard Safety Certification

When electric hoverboards and personal transportation devices first started flooding the market there were several incidents of hoverboards exploding, spontaneously catching fire, and causing serious injury to riders.

This is because there was no industry-standard testing and regulation making sure that these hoverboards were safe.

As a result, a number of cheaply made boards with inferior components were allowed to hit the market.

Inferior, unsafe, and untested components like hoverboard batteries would frequently leak, causing hoverboards to explode and catch fire.

These incidents led to the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) creating the UL2272 certification test as a means of rigorously testing hoverboards and their components to ensure they are safe enough to be sold and used.

The UL2271 test which we mentioned above when we spoke about hoverboard batteries, is what UL use to test batteries in electrical devices. 

If a hoverboard has been approved as UL2272 certified, that means it contains a battery that is safe to UL2271 standards.

So when buying a hoverboard you only have to be concerned with making sure it is UL2272 certificate, as this includes the UL2271 certification. 

If you see an off road hoverboard for sale online or in a retail location, make sure it has the UL seal of approval before purchasing.

You should only purchase off-road hoverboards which are UL-2272 certified, which you can verify by looking for the special UL holographic sticker on the board’s packaging, and by referring to the manufacturer’s website.

All the best off-terrain hoverboard brands, such as the ones we have featured in our off-road hoverboard reviews, are fully UL2272 certified.

Don't be tempted to buy a non-certified hoverboard just to save a few bucks, it's not worth the risk!

Motor Power

Electric hoverboards normally have two motors which are powered by the balance board’s lithium-ion battery.

The hoverboard motors sit inside the wheels of the board, and determine the top speed, incline ability, and how smoothly the hoverboard can travel over rough surfaces, even when being used by a heavier rider.

The more powerful the hoverboard’s motor, the better overall performance you’ll get from the board.

Cheaper hoverboards and mid-range models will normally have dual 250W motors.

The more expensive range of hoverboard will typically have motors 300W plus.

Off-road hoverboards will typically have motors between 350W - 400W or more, as they need to be able to climb uphill terrain, ride over uneven and bumpy surfaces, and handle a more demanding environment.

If you are buying a hoverboard for a heavier rider, then you should opt for one with a 300W motor or more.

Hoverboard Wheel Size And Type

Different hoverboard models will have different wheel sizes.

The wheel size of a hoverboard is  correlated to the board’s max weight capacity, stability, and the types of surfaces it has been designed for.

Kids hoverboards and most cheap and mid-range balance boards for adults come with 6.5 inch wheels as standard.

6.5 inch wheels are not suitable for using off-road, which is why you don’t normally find them on the best off road hoverboards.

All-terrain hoverboards come with wheels 8.5 inches or more so that they can handle the rough terrain with ease and without hampering the board’s performance.

If you are planning to use your self-balance board mainly for off-road purposes than make sure you go for one with wheels 8.5 inches or bigger.

These wheels are more durable, rugged, and capable of riding smoothly over uneven surfaces, even when carrying heavier riders, and in wet or dry conditions.

Incline Ability 

If you’re planning on using your two-wheeled hoverboard on a variety of off-road terrain or over hilly areas - than you should buy a board which has the ability to climb steeper inclines.

Self-balancing scooters with more motor power are able to handle steeper inclines more easily, even when they are being ridden by large adults or heavier riders.

The best all terrain hoverboards can handle inclines between 20-30 degrees steep, so pick one with a decent incline ability to suit your needs.

The Board's Max Weight Capacity

Hoverboards and personal transportation devices all have a recommended max weight capacity that has to be adhered to.

When you are buying a hoverboard make sure you pay close attention to the maximum weight the board can handle.

If you surpass the max weight limit the board will not be able to perform properly, and this could lead to personal injury and damage to the device, potentially voiding your warranty.

220 lbs is the average weight capacity of most hoverboards, which makes them suitable hoverboards for kids aged 7 years plus, and most adults.

The best off road hoverboards have the ability to carry a heavier weight capacity, with some being able to handle anywhere between 260lbs up to 420lbs.

The Weight Of The Hoverboard

Another thing you should also consider when buying a heavy duty off-road hoverboard is the weight of the actual board itself.

The best all-terrain hoverboards normally weigh between 28lbs and 32lbs, or more.

Off-road balance boards weigh more due to them having bigger wheels, and being built more sturdy so that they can handle the knocks and bumps that occur when riding on rugged surfaces.

If you plan on carrying your hoverboard around quite a lot than you should select a board that doesn’t weigh too much.

Of course, there are hoverboard carry cases and bags you can buy that make carrying your device around much more easier.