A few short years ago, they might have seemed like something straight out of science fiction, but today, the best hoverboards for kids have them zipping down the sidewalk, rolling over fields and even cruising on off-road trails. Hoverboards—despite their name—don’t actually hover. Instead, they rely on two wheels, gyroscopes and accelerometers to maintain speed and balance. They sit at the intersection between toy and transport, with skilled riders covering many miles at a decent clip. Our top overall pick, the Hover-1 Dream, works equally well for newbie riders and more seasoned vets, while the Hover-1 My First Hoverboard is designed specifically for young kids to get the hang of it.
The best hoverboards for kids are a safe, fun and exhilarating way to get kids outside and on the move.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
Parents will always prioritize safety, so it’s essential to ensure children take proper precautions—wearing a helmet at all times, riding only on suitable terrain, and having adult supervision when needed—to minimize the risk of injury. To ensure we recommend only well-made and safe products, we spoke to toy industry expert, Christopher Byrne of Byrne Communications, better known as The Toy Guy. He reassures us that while there had previously been concerns about hoverboards catching on fire, "significant improvements have been made, and if you purchase a board from an established manufacturer, follow all care, safety, and charging instructions and don’t overtax the motors, you’ve significantly minimized any risk.” As always: safety first, but lots of fun second.
These are our top picks for the best hoverboards for kids.
Max speed: 7 mph | Range: 6 miles | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Climb ability: 10 degrees
Pros:
Suitable for novice to experienced riders
Reaches top speed even up steep hills
Bright LED lights
Cons:
Some units arrive with visible damage
The Hover-1 Dream electric hoverboard is a great starter model for youngsters just getting into the hobby, thanks to its highly responsive dynamic stabilization, which makes it easier for them to stay balanced. At the same time, its ability to both support riders up to 220 pounds and reach a decent speed of up to 7 mph, makes it a solid choice for more experienced riders as well.
“For beginners, and perhaps the curious adult or two, I would recommend this self-balancing model, as learning to balance is probably the toughest part of the learning curve for these,” says Byrne.
The Hover-1 Dream can roll up grades as steep as 10 degrees at full speed. It’s responsive, nimble and has a decent six-mile range. Just note that several reviewers have shared that their hoverboard arrived with visible signs of damage, so be ready to request a replacement if you receive a unit that’s not in mint condition.
Best Value Hoveboard For Kids
Big On Fun, Small On Price
Amazon
Hover-1 My First Hoverboard
Max speed: 5 mph | Range: 3 miles | Weight capacity: 80 pounds | Climb ability: 5 degrees
Pros:
Ideal for young kids
Comes in multiple colors
Large nonslip footpads
Cons:
Low weight limit, won’t work with older kids
Hover-1’s My First Hoverboard was designed with young riders in mind, and kids as young as five may be able to master it. The range is rather limited here—just three miles—and while that modest 5 mph top speed might be a drag for some young speed demons, many parents will actually see it as a safety blessing in disguise. Priced below $100, it’s the perfect starter hoverboard.
The My First Hoverboard comes in multiple colors, including pink, blue, black and a multi-color option. A pair of LED headlights illuminates the path ahead and increases the visibility of the rider. Given the name, it may seem obvious—this hoverboard is meant for young kids. Older kids may hit the 80-pound maximum weight capacity quickly and soon need an upgrade.
Best High Speed Hoverboard For Kids
For The Big Kid With A Need For Speed
Amazon
Jetson Flash
Max speed: 10 mph | Range: 12 miles | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Climb ability: 15 degrees
Pros:
High top speed
Long range
Good climbing ability
Cons:
Too fast for young kids or first-timers
The Jetson Flash hoverboard isn’t playing around with the name “Flash,” and that’s not because it has some pretty bright headlights and colored LEDs on the wheels: this thing is fast. Ten miles per hour might not seem that impressive when you’re in a car, but when you’re zipping along between two wheels, you’ll reevaluate. This hoverboard is recommended for older kids (as in teens) and it’s perfectly suitable for adults as well, with a high 220-pound weight limit. Also impressive is the 12-mile range this hoverboard offers when fully charged.
For all that speed and power, you’ll pay handsomely for a Flash, but the brand is largely well-regarded. “A Jetson is a good brand for a more experienced hoverboarder. It has a fast top speed… and advertises a long distance per charge. It’s very responsive to movement and has a smooth ride," says Byrne. He does note that this isn’t the model you’d likely get a young kid or first-timer but it’s a “good ride” for more seasoned riders who want some more speed.
Best Hoverboard For Kids With Speaker
Crank Out The Tunes While They Roll
Amazon
Uni-Sun All-Terrain Hoverboard
Max speed: 8.4 mph | Range: 9 miles | Weight capacity: 264 pounds | Climb ability: 10 degrees
Pros:
Built-in Bluetooth speaker
Decent off-road abilities
Pressure-sensitive turn signals
Cons:
Sides sometimes hold charge unevenly
The Uni-Sun All-Terrain can indeed handle some off-road terrain well enough, including grass, packed dirt or rougher roads, though it remains at its best on the street or sidewalk. What’s more notable about this hoverboard is the built-in Bluetooth speaker, which can turn every ride into a party—and can be considered a safety feature in some ways, too. Byrne warns parents not to let their kids wear headsets or earbuds while riding so they can pay closer attention to their surroundings. "If they can’t ride without their tunes, pick a model with a speaker,” he says.
The Uni-Sun gets them a decent nine-mile range and a rather zippy 8.4 mph top speed and some bright lights. The hoverboard also has turn signals that activate when it senses the user leaning into a turn, so anyone on the move behind a rider won’t be surprised when they break right or left.
Best Easy-To-Use Hoverboard For Kids
Balancing Buddy
Amazon
Gotrax Edge
Max speed: 6.2 mph | Range: 4 miles | Weight capacity: 176 pounds | Climb ability: 5 degrees
Pros:
Easy to ride
Affordable
Self-balancing system
Cons:
Modest range
The Gotrax Edge is an all-around easy-to-use hoverboard, and one that kids of all ages can enjoy, as it has a 176-pound maximum weight limit. (Note that the company also states that riders weighing less than 44 pounds should not use it.) This hoverboard uses an active self-balancing system that does much of the work to keep its rider stable, so it’s a good choice for newer or less confident riders. That rather low top speed is also a plus for those not entirely confident enough to take off fast.
The range here isn’t that good at just four miles, but you can always just recharge it. And you can count on the UL2272-certified battery to last a long time even with regular use and also not to present a fire or combustion risk, even if it’s exposed to water. For best practices if that does happen (for instance, if they ride through a puddle), Byrne says, “After your ride, turn off the hoverboard, don’t plug it in, and give it about 24 hours to dry.”
Best Off-Road Hoverboard For Kids
All-Terrain Feature-Packed Action
Amazon
Gyroor Warrior
Max speed: 10 mph | Range: 8 miles | Weight capacity: 176 pounds | Climb ability: 30 degrees
Pros:
True off-road abilities
Dual 350-watt motors
Impressive climbing ability
Cons:
Expensive
The Gyroor Warrior Off-Road Hoverboard is a beast of a hoverboard, able to handle varied terrain like grass, trails, gravel or even wet roads thanks to large wheels with an aggressive tread pattern and a pair of powerful 350-watt motors. Those motors can power this thing up hills much steeper than any of the other hoverboards on this list, up to a 30-degree grade. And it can do it while playing music and with decent LED lighting, too.
Like many more serious hoverboards, this one can easily be converted into a go-kart. However, the Warrior’s robust capabilities make it an especially strong choice for the transformation. It’s the most expensive hoverboard we cover here, but is the best choice for anyone who wants to go off-road or wants to DIY a sit-down vehicle.
The author of this article, Forbes Vetted staff writer Steven John, is a dad of two and has been testing and reviewing products for more than a dozen years. He’s also the founder of Dad Gear Review.
For this story, I spoke with toy expert Chris Byrne (aka The Toy Guy), for this article who shared an encyclopedic amount of knowledge that greatly informed the piece.
How We Chose The Best Hoverboards For Kids
I used several different approaches in choosing the hoverboards featured here, including:
I closely read many customer reviews and noted the ratings left by verified buyers, paying special attention to critical reviews—especially those written by parents. When I saw repeated criticisms of a given hoverboard, I culled it from consideration.
I relied on the expert input of Byrne, who shared information on specific hoverboards, brands, safety practices and more.
I reviewed the stated specifications provided by each brand and then compared and contrasted them with the shared experiences of verified users of each device.
What To Look For In The Best Hoverboards For Kids
Here are some critical factors to consider when shopping for a hoverboard for a younger rider.
Safety
Safety always comes first, and that means paying attention to features that will help young riders stay stable and be seen. Details like speakers so they’re not distracted by earbuds, lights and reflective elements so they’re more visible and non-slip footpads all help keep kids safe. Hoverboard safety also largely means looking beyond the hoverboard itself. “Wear helmets at all times,” says Byrne. “This is important. On one of my first rides, I hit a bump and fell backward, hitting my head. I was wearing a helmet, which got quite the ding, but other than seeing stars and being embarrassed, I wasn’t hurt.” Knee pads and protective wear for the hands are a good idea, too.
Weight Capacity
It’s easy to wear out a hoverboard’s motors if a rider who is over its weight limit rides it, and, in fact, a larger rider above the maximum weight capacity can even crack a hoverboard. “Pay attention to the weight grading on your hoverboard,” Byrne says. “This probably has more to do with adults riding a kids’ board, but exceeding the recommended weight limit overtaxes the motor and can cause it to overheat. If you’re planning on sharing a hoverboard within the family, get one graded for the heaviest person who will be riding.”
Speed
When choosing the best hoverboard for a kid, keep in mind that a fast top speed may not actually be such a good thing. You might want to opt for a board with a slow top speed in the name of safety—at least when the kids are younger or are just learning to ride.
Range
While most kids likely won’t need a hoverboard with a 10- or 12-mile range, do note that a short range per charge might be an issue. Along with noting range, check to see if a hoverboard you are considering has a reasonably fast charge time.
Lighting
When kids see bright LED lights on a hoverboard, such as lights that flash in the wheels as the board rolls along, they might think it’s all about fun—and in many ways it is. But good lighting is also an important safety feature. A hoverboard that properly illuminates the path ahead can be safe for use at dusk or even in the dark, and all those bright lights also help the rider be much more visible to others, potentially keeping kids safer from cyclists or motorists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Hoverboards use a series of sensors, gyroscopes and motors to allow them to self-balance. A gyroscope detects the tilting of the board as the rider leans one way or another, and a logic board calculates the needed adjustment for the motors to make to keep the rider balanced while also keeping the hoverboard in motion.
Yes, most can go backwards easily. The rider just needs to lean back, but it can be much more difficult to safely control the device while moving in reverse, so it’s best to roll backward only for a moment as one course corrects.
Some can, but most need a relatively flat surface. “For the most part, hoverboards are designed to be used on smooth or relatively even surfaces,” says Byrne. “That’s not to say that they can’t go on blacktop or sidewalks that have a little grain to them. However, because the ‘magic’ of a hoverboard is about being able to balance upright, if you ride on uneven terrain, the hoverboard isn’t designed to compensate for that.” Only select “all-terrain” hoverboards with much larger tires can handle real off-road riding.
