Hoverboards used to only be seen in science fiction movies, alongside flying cars, and skateboards. Although flying transportation is not yet part of our reality, but hoverboards are. Hoverboards glide over the road giving the impression of floating above the substrate. Because of this, these vehicles catch the attention of many. They are also called the self-balancing scooters which makes sense, because they do not actually hover, they glide while using self-balancing features. But how much do hoverboards actually cost? In this article, we’ll go through the real cost of hoverboards and what determines their price. So, let’s start!
How Much Does a Hoverboard Cost?
So How Much Does a Hoverboard Cost? A typical hoverboard costs between $100 up to $700. Things that determine the price of the hoverboard are the model (brand), quality, battery, and features. The battery makes up about 40% of the price of a hoverboard, while the rest falls on material, motor power, and other features.
Hoverboards come in many shapes and sizes, so the decision-making process on which one is the best can be time-consuming and difficult. Hoverboards used to be quite unsafe in the beginning. Therefore, in 2016, a safety verification had been introduced, called the UL 2272 certification.
That certification guaranteed that the self-balancing scooter was not a threat to the rider’s wellbeing in any way. At that time, all the hoverboards that had the certificate were considerably more expensive. Not long after, many manufacturers when through the certification process so the prices balanced out again. Here you can see the most popular hoverboards on the market and their price range.
| Hoverboard Model: | Top Speed: | Range: | Available |
| 1. StreetSaw DailySaw 6.5″ Hoverboard | 10.5 MPH | 12 miles (19 km) | Check Price |
| 2. Hover-1 Chrome | 6.2 MPH | 6 miles (9.6 km) | Check Price |
| 3. Gotrax SRX Mini | 6 MPH | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Check Price |
| 4. Swagtron T580 Vibe Hoverboard | 7.5 MPH | 8 miles (12.8 km) | Check Price |
| 5. Swagtron T1 Pro | 8 MPH | 11 miles (17.7 km) | Check Price |
If you want to see the 10 Best Self-Balancing Scooters in 2021, feel free to read our article.
Why Do Hoverboards Cost This Much?
The price of the hoverboard is determined mostly by the motor power, the capacity of the battery, and its range. It should be noted that the material from which the hoverboard is made and safety technology also play a big role in the price, together with the LED lights, water-resistant features, and Bluetooth speakers that are built-in.
Therefore, when choosing a hoverboard it is important to look at the features to see what is the most suitable model for you. Sometimes, you don’t need the hoverboard with all the best features. This could save you a lot of money.
Types Of Hoverboards
6″ Wheel Standard Hoverboard
Model: TOMOLOO Hoverboard
Price: $100-$250 approximately
Suitability: Kids and Beginners
- Best cheap hoverboard but good quality scooter on the market.
This model looks classic and simple. It’s mostly how you imagine standard hoverboards to look like. This hoverboard was one of the first models to get a safety certification. Therefore in 2016, these models carried the price of around 300 to 400 dollars. Today, when most models are verified too, their price ranges from 100 to 250 dollars. It’s even possible to get great deals with coupons or on sale days like Black Friday. Usually, with a discount, the cost ranges from 99 to 150 dollars. That price is exceptionally good for a good quality product like this one.
It is important to point out that considering the price, this model is not very fancy. It is safe, good quality, and rides great, but it is not fancy. It does not have features like a long-lasting battery, Bluetooth speakers, a giant top speed number, LED lights, and app compatibility. It also does not ever carry more than 220 lbs. Additionally, it will not perform well on a bumpy and rugged terrain so keep it on flat concrete or indoors. Overall, this model is great and serves its purpose well, it just isn’t very extravagant.
8.5″ or 10″ Wheel Off Road Hoverboards
Model: Hover-1 Ultra Hoverboard
Price: $200-$500 approximately
Suitability: All ages- from 7 years old to adults
- Known for riding in challenging terrains
This model is larger than the one previously listed, and it comes with more features. It has greater, rough terrain friendly, 8.5″ or 10″ wheels. That is why this hoverboard is known for being ridden in all sorts of environments and substrates. It can ride on grass, sand, gravel, snow, and many others. This Off-Road hoverboard is made for adventure lovers that will take their scooter to the beach, to parks, out on random trails, and on snow-filled roads.
Because this model is filled with mouthwatering features, the price is higher. These off-road hoverboards can be found for as little as 200 dollars but most of them cost somewhere around 200 to 500 dollars. Some more expensive off-road scooters, like the top-rated Halo Rover Hoverboard, have aluminum frame casing instead of plastic which makes them more durable and resistant to scratches and dents.
How Much Does A Typical Hoverboard Cost?
The prices of hoverboards are usually around $100 to $350. Some higher quality or brand-named ones cost even more. To simplify your purchasing decisions, we have made this overlook on prices and factors that influence the prices. So, let’s take a look at some categories and their price range.
Hoverboard Categories Price Range
1) Hoverboards under $100
- Ion
The Ion is an updated and renewed GOTRAX model. It has a futuristic sleek design made for the new upcoming generation of riders. It has 400 watts of power and can ride at the speed of 7 miles per hour. It has a self-balancing mode installed, that focuses on leveling the scooter and prevents tilting. This ability of self-leveling makes getting on and off the board simple.
- SRX Mini
Most scooters are not specifically made for children, but this SRX mini is! It has integrated handles for extra stability and the components are light so kids can easily carry them when playing. It reaches the speed of 6 miles per hour which is a little bit slower than most scooters to prevent children from falling and hurting themselves. It can ride for 3 miles on one charge and has got a dual 150-watt motor. This product has got a self-balancing mode just like the Ion model mentioned above that simplifies getting off and on the board.
2) Hoverboards between $100-$200
- SRX A6
The SRX A6 is a scooter made for casual, around-the-city riders. Because the price is a bit higher, there are some features added. For example, it has a built-in Bluetooth system and a stronger power range motor of 400 watts. It can ride for around 4 miles based on one charge and reach the speed of 6.5 miles per hour. This scooter as well as many others has a self-balancing mode for extra symmetry when getting on the scooter.
3) Hoverboards over $200
- E3 Off Road Hoverboard
The E3 hoverboard is an extremely high-quality model made by the brand GOTRAX. It has the best parts and the highest specifications. It comes with built-in carrying handles, an internal Bluetooth speaker system, LED decoration lights, and 8.5-inch rubber tires. It can ride on any type of terrain, reach the speed of 8 miles per hour, and lasts for 5 hours on one charge. Additionally, it has a self-balancing system based on gyroscopes that keep the hoverboard parallel to the ground.
4) Kid’s Hoverboards
- SRX Mini
The SRX Mini is a hoverboard made just for children 5-9 years old. It’s already listed in the section above called “hoverboards under 100 dollars”.
5) All Terrain Hoverboards
- Hoverfly XL
The Hoverlfy XL is the first Off-Road hoverboard also made by GOTRAX. It has a sturdy frame and unique 8-inch wheels made for all kinds of terrain. Those wheels make it possible for the scooter to carry up to 220 lbs. It has a strong dual motor of 350 watts that moves the scooter 7.4 miles per hour and it comes with a huge battery. Therefore, it can ride for 12 miles on one charge. The model comes in 7 colors, so there is a whole range of options to choose from.
- SRX Pro All Terrain Hoverboard
The SRX series has launched many models, but the SRX Pro is the one with the highest specifications. With its 8-and-a-half inch, all-terrain tires, it is designed to ride on any substrate. It also has a self-balancing mode, LED lights for customization, and built-in Bluetooth speakers, for the ultimate experience. The hoverboard comes with a 36V battery because of which the board can ride for 7.5 miles without charging and 250 watts dual motors that can move the board 7.4 miles per hour.
Things To Consider When Buying Hoverboards
- Bluetooth Connectivity
When hoverboards just hit the market in 2015, they were quite different than they are today. They were unsafe and their design was basic. Since then, they have gotten safety certified, but also more advanced with their features and composition. One of the added features is Bluetooth connectivity. Via BT connectivity the board connects to the phone. The rider can then play any music, chosen from the phone.
The designers and engineers of the product figured that Bluetooth speakers on the hoverboard are the safest way to listen to music while riding, explaining that carrying a speaker would be distracting and headphones would block out the sound of traffic, which would be unsafe. The first company to introduce a Bluetooth hoverboard was Gotrax in 2019. It now has a whole series of hoverboards that all have this feature included.
- Terrain
Terrain can be unpredictable and riding a hoverboard that can’t ride anywhere but on flat concrete can be pretty limiting. That’s why there has been a special edition of hoverboards, made for adventure lovers called the All-Terrain Hoverboards. These hoverboards have solid rubber wheels of 8 inches or more. Those tires do not have air or tire tubes that can pop under pressure which makes them the best option for this type of surface.
The boards are more rugged than most and a bit heavier because of the sturdy materials they are made out of. A quick tip is to never purchase an All-terrain hoverboard with a motor weaker than 400 watts (or a dual 200 watt) because it will not be strong enough to ride up steep roads and go over bumps on the way.
- Hoverboards for Kids
Hoverboards were originally made for adults and teenagers. With time kids showed interest in this innovation as well, which encouraged the production of a new series of hoverboards made just for children. These hoverboards have all the functions regular hoverboards do but are simplified for children from ages 5 to 9.
They have a stronger self-balancing function that helps the children mount on the board without tipping over. They are also made with lighter components to make sure they aren’t too heavy for a child to carry. They weigh under 15 lbs. Additionally, their motor power is reduced to around 300 watts which ensures a great but safe time for the kids when riding.
What Makes Up A Hoverboard?
- Gyroscope: The “heart” of the self-balancing scooter. It maintains balance and stability. That’s why the scooters are sometimes called “gyro scooters”.
- Microprocessor: Regulates the amount of power sent to the wheels of the hoverboard.
- Battery: It is a lithium-ion battery that usually charges for around 4 hours. It stores the electrical power accumulated during charging. Most hoverboards can ride around 8 miles on one charging session.
- Motor: Controls movement based on information received from the logic board and gives power to the wheels when they tilt.
- Infrared sensors (IR sensors): The sensors use infrared rays to measures certain object’s distance and presence.
- Tilt and speed sensors: They control the overall hoverboard speed by accumulating information about the wheels, their speed, movement, and turning factor while communicating with the logic board and gyroscope.
- Logic board: Its purpose is to process data from tilt and speed sensors and forwards it to the motor. This helps the board to stay in balance and perform the required movements to maintain correct direction.
- Pressure pads: Used for feet placement and sending information about movement and direction to the logic board.
- Two Wheels: They keep the hoverboard moving by rotating. Their size depends on the manufacturer and function of the model.
- Power switch: Turns the scooter on and off.
- Charging port: A part in which the charger is placed. Most scooters come with the charging port, but the port can be purchased separately as well.
Should I Buy a Used Hoverboard Over a Brand New One?
This depends on your needs and financial capabilities. If you are looking for a cool high-tech hoverboard, then it is better to buy a new one, but if you are looking to save money and at the same time enjoy riding this gadget, then it is definitely worth considering to buy a used one. Before buying a used hoverboard, make sure to test it before buying to see if everything is OK with it.
The most common problem with used hoverboards is that the battery is already heavily used, and its range has been reduced. Sometimes buying a used hoverboard is the same as gambling. If you ask me, I would buy a new one, because the price of the hoverboard is not expensive anyway, and you get a warranty with it.
For those who want to learn more, you can read How Long Should a Hoverboard Battery Last.
Conclusion
As we could read in this article the price of a hoverboard varies from $300 up to $800 depending on the model and its features. Today, hoverboards are less and less used, because there are many other transport solutions such as electric scooters and bicycles, which are much more flexible and have a longer range. But the hoverboard will certainly stay on the market and will not lose its value. I hope this article helped you and if you have any other questions feel free to ask us.