With over 10 years of experience in the field of repairing and testing hoverboards, 3 kids of my own that have been riding from a very early age, and an entire neighborhood of kids coming over for hoverboard ride-alongs on a regular basis.
I’ve been out there promoting safe riding since 2015, instructing hundreds of kids in real life on how to properly and safely operate their hoverboard, and even more online. I feel very confident when I say that I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a great kids’ hoverboard.
These little machines pack all the fun of a Segway into something that won’t destroy your wallet. I’ve put the latest models through some serious testing (my own kids are brutal test pilots), and together we’ve narrowed it down to our top 5 picks that’ll cover any skill level or age. Whether your kid’s just starting out or are in need of an upgrade.
Don’t worry we’ll also cover what you need to consider prior to purchase, quality control upon receiving the unit, and best(read safest) ways they can learn how to ride.
Side-By-Side Comparison – Our Kid-Testers Top 5 Hoverboards
*Speed and distance are not the manufacturers specifics, these are the results of our independent testing results.
Review Summary – Deep Dive On the Best Kids’ Models
Gotrax EDGEBest Value For Young Kids (Age 4-8)
Specifics:
| Speed: | 6.2 mph / 10 kmh* |
| Range: | 3.3 mi / 5.3 km* |
| Power: | 2 x 200W |
| Charge: | 5 hrs |
| Max Load: | 176 lbs / 80 kg |
| Weight: | 13.2 lbs / 6 kg |
After testing a lot of different budget boards, the Gotrax EDGE is my go-to recommendation for our youngest group of riders. It’s got just the right amount of power with its dual 200W motors to be able to hit a top speed of 6.2 mph. That’s fast enough to get the adrenaline going but not so fast that you’ll have to be overly worried as an onlooker. That 50.4Wh battery kept the kids rolling for just above 3 miles on a single charge, perfect for cruising around the neighborhood or inside the house.
The Edge has broad sticky rubber pads for great grip combined with some neat wheel lights for extra visibility. You can easily keep tabs on the battery levels on the hoverboard itself so you know when charging time is closing in.
What really sold us on this board is the value you get, for a very low entry-cost you can get your kids up and running with ease. You don’t get the highest speed or the largest battery capacity, but for a lightweight young rider it is plentiful.
Simate APATOBest All-Around Performance for kids (Age 8+)
Specifics:
| Speed: | 7.5 mph / 12 kmh* |
| Range: | 6.4 mi / 10.3 km* |
| Power: | 2 x 250W |
| Charge: | 3 hrs |
| Load: | 220 lbs / 100 kg |
| Weight: | 13.6 lbs / 6.2 kg |
The SIMATE packs quite a lot more power than our young kids choice above. With two 250W motors and a 72Wh 36V system our kid-testers were able to achieve a top speed of 7.5 mph, while getting a maximum distance of 6.4 miles on a single charge.
The higher voltage combined with stronger motors makes tackling hilly areas and keeping the unit stable even with a heavier kid or adult. With the range capabilities of the Simate Apato you don’t have to constantly worry about staying close to the charger. Making it a better fit for those looking to venture further from home, or just enjoy longer rides in-between charges.
The Apato has some pretty rad techy features too. By connect the mobile app and the hoverboard, you can set different speed modes that fit your kids experience level, adjust the LED lights, or blast some music through its built-in speakers. This keeps you as a parent in control while at the same time enhancing the fun level of your kids ride. And unlike most built-in speakers that sound like a tin can, this one actually have some pretty good audio.
The self balancing is really smooth and responsive and the different speed levels gives you additional parental control, start them off low and raise the level as you see fit.
Gyroor G13 Best Off-Road Capabilities For Kids With Rough Backyards (Age 8+)
| Speed: | 7.5 mph / 12 kmh* |
| Range: | 6.7 mi / 15 km* |
| Power: | 2 x 250W |
| Charge: | 2.5 hrs |
| Load: | 176 lbs / 80 kg |
| Weight: | 12.6 lbs / 5.7 kg |
If your kid’s like mine and can’t resist going off the beaten path or perhaps you just ain’t got any smooth pavements in your vicinity, then the Gyroor G13 is going to fit them hand in glove.
This thing’s built like a tank with rugged 6.5″ tires that’ll handle dirt, grass, and even some packed gravel. The dual 250W motors were able to push our little test pilots up to 7.5 mph, and with a 6.7-mile range that leaves plenty of juice for adventures.
The LED wheel lights on the G13 are sick, the hoverboard lights up like something out of Tron, and the Bluetooth speakers just like on the Apato produce pretty good audio levels for jamming while riding.
The kids put this G13 through some serious abuse in testing, and it kept coming back for more. It handles most terrain pretty good, although with the 6.5-inch tires you don’t get a ton of ground clearance, which can result in scrapings if you’re going over some larger sticks or stones. If ground clearance is a deal-breaker for you, go for the pricier Gyroor Warrior that has 8.5″ same-style tires, or Hover-1 10″ with air-filled tires.
The kids really loved the G13 for its lower weight, zippier action, and cool design. If you’re in the market for some better extra grip on non-pavement surfaces you’ll be loving it too. Oh, let’s not forget to note that it does just as well as any other hoverboard on normal roads too.
Segway S2Premium Pick for Serious Teen Riders (Age 13+)
| Speed: | 11.2 mph / 18 kmh* |
| Range: | 19.9 mi / 32 km* |
| Power: | 2 x 400 W |
| Charge: | 5 hrs |
| Load: | 220 lbs / 100 kg |
| Weight: | 30 lbs / 13.6 kg |
When it comes to premium hoverboards, Segway’s always been the gold standard, and the S2 shows why. Hoverboards will never live up to the quality and performance of a $5k Segway but this is as close as you can get for 1/10 of the price. Then why a number 4 spot? – Because it is a premium choice which comes with a premium price tag, it’s worth every penny but it won’t be the best investment for most people looking for a hoverboard for their kids due to its size and different way of operation.
With a total of 800W split into the two motors, this bad boy was tested by our oldest tester who’s 13. The only complaint he had was that he had to ride it for so long, in the end our milage counter stopped at 19.9 miles – that’s basically an all-day ride right there.
The larger 10″ pneumatic tires eat up any cracks and bumps in the pavement, and the build quality is just ridiculous in comparison to a regular hoverboard.
However it is a bit different in terms of how you steer it, even for someone with lots of experience you can expect a slight learning curve.
It’s perfect for teens 14 and up who want something that’ll grow with their skills. Not only does the Segway S2 have more powerful motors, the system runs on 54v which is far more power output than any of the 36v-24v hoverboards on our list. Making it a much smoother ride capable of tackling almost any hill and terrain your kid needs to conquer.
You can adjust the knee-control up and down to fit the rider, it also comes with a RGB lights that can be customized and a nice set of speakers. Definitely the smoothest and most secure ride on our list – but with all the bells and whistles it’ll cost you about the same as 4 regular boards.
Hover-1 All-StarKid And Budget-Friendly Addition
| Speed: | 7 mph / 11 kmh* |
| Range: | 5.7 mi / 8.5 km* |
| Power: | 2 x 200 W |
| Charge: | 3 hrs |
| Load: | 220 lbs / 100 kg |
| Weight: | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
Look, not everyone wants to drop serious cash on their first hoverboard, especially when we’re talking about kids. Who, for all we know may have found another interest before the mail-man have even had time to drop off the ordered package. That’s where the Hover-1 All-Star comes in clutch.
It delivers a great riding experience without breaking the bank. With a set of 200W motors the kids were able to reach the stated top speed of 7 mph with no problems. The difference between it and the Gotrax Edge is that it runs on a 36V system. This provides it additional power to keep the board well-balanced even at higher speeds, and it also opens up a higher weight limit at 220 lbs. So you as a parent are totally fine trying it out for a spin, that’s what I call a win-win.
Range-wise they were able to achieve a solid 5.9 mile, which is respectable for the 72Wh battery. It comes with the now industry-standard wheel lights and some really nice front headlights that provide good visibility. You also get the built-in Bluetooth speakers which are good, but not the best in our recommendations.
It is a solid addition to our list for those budget conscious buyers who are still looking for something great looking, sturdy and capable.
Are Hoverboards Safe For Kids to Ride?
Everything fun seem to have some risk involved, hoverboard riding is no different. Our job as parents is to try and reduce those risks without removing opportunities and experiences for our kids. But I can tell you this, hoverboards are safer for kids to ride today than any time prior in history.
What we can do to mitigate risk is make sure they respect their new ride, use proper safety gear, and that they learn how to ride properly before they set off on their own.
The most common injuries occur due to a lack of patience early on in the learning process. Overconfidence is something that I struggle with myself when learning a new skill and it has the ability to damage that ego really quickly. This often leads to minor bruises, but can also cause sprains and fractures if you’re unlucky. So make sure your kid don’t stress, the learning curve is real and it deserves their respect.
With the UL/CE certifications, which all the models on our list of recommendations have, you can be sure that the parts and inner workings of your hoverboard are as safe as can be.
If you follow your common sense and our recommendations you have done your part as a parent in making sure that their ride is as fun and safe as possible. If you need some assistance in teaching your kid how to ride like a pro, I actually made a specific guide for kids based on my many years of experience teaching hundreds of kids about hoverboard safety and best riding praxis.
How We Test and Choose
When we pick models for this list, we’re not just reading up on the specific models. We are putting these things through real-world testing using our own (by now) professional kid-testing-crew. I’ve got three kids and they seem to love nothing more than finding new creative ways to stress test rides in order to try and break them. Their rides are benchmarked to gather data, and we go through each board together to make sure we get a good understanding on their various strengths and weaknesses.
Here’s what we look for:
- Safety First – Every hoverboard we choose has proper UL-certification, no exceptions made. I’ve seen enough shady batteries cause issues throughout my years to know this isn’t something to mess around with. It also lets me focus on other things than stripping down the battery of each unit, knowing it has already been verified by a credible auditor.
- Real Performance – I test everything from speed and range to how well they handle different surfaces. Those manufacturer specs? Yeah, I’ve learnt that you want to verify those on your own. Because many times what looks great on paper, doesn’t translate into real world use.
- Build Quality – After fixing countless boards, I know the important inspection points. Which makes it easy to spot the ones that’ll last versus the ones that’ll be reaching out to me within a week for repair assistance.
- Value for Money – Just because something’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s better. I look for boards that give you the most bang for your buck at every price point. Performance per dollar is something we highly value. I personally would take a slight decrease in performance for a big price cut any day and I believe most people do.
- Verifying Findings – We use our own LLM Volscribe to search through the internet for verified 3rd party reviews and forum posts of each model. This way we can easily find issues that may not have happened to us but still occur to investigate them further. We also use this data to verify our own testing data to make sure our experience aligns closely enough with the regular buyer.
For the full detailed walk-through of our testing process, you can find it here.
Final Thoughts
After a decade in the game, I can tell you hoverboards aren’t just toys. They are legit rides that can teach your kids a bunch of different skills like balance, coordination, and most importantly responsibility. Whether you’re looking at the budget-friendly Gotrax EDGE or splurging on the Segway S2, any hoverboard on this list will give your kid a solid introduction to the world of electric rides.
Just remember, start with the basics, gear up properly, and always supervise your younger riders. Riding can be an absolute blast when done right, and there’s nothing better than seeing your kid nail their first smooth ride.
If you’ve followed our buyers guide to the dot you now know which hoverboard would suit your kid the best, you know how to make sure its safely maintained, and we’ve provided you with the worlds best kids riding guide so that you can get them started safely! Thank you for reading and safe riding my fellow ride junkies!
Got questions about any of these boards? Hit us up! I’m always stoked to help fellow riders find their perfect match.
FAQ
What’s the best age to start riding a hoverboard?
While manufacturers often say 13+, my kids started at 3 and had no problem handling these things like pros. It really depends on the kid’s coordination and maturity level. Just make they’re around 44 lbs as a minimum weight.
How long do hoverboard batteries typically last?
With proper care, you’ll get about 2-3 years of solid use. Tip is: Don’t store them with a dead battery, or in the cold, that’s a sure way to kill them.
What safety gear is absolutely necessary?
Helmet is non-negotiable. Wrist guards and knee pads are strongly recommended, especially for beginners. Trust me, rather safe than sorry is the way to go.
Are hoverboards easy for kids to learn?
Yes, kids typically learn faster than adults. Most children grasp basic operation within 10 minutes, and within a few hours of practice they’ll ride with good control.
