The Best Hoverboards For Kids Who Are Ready To Ride

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.

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.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted have years of experience covering products for kids of all types, from the best gifts for 10-year-olds to the best iPads for kids to mattresses for teens. We spend hours researching and planning our articles, enlisting the help of experts and firsthand testing when merited.

• 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.
• The piece was edited by Esther Carlstone, a longtime parenting editor and mom of three who has covered everything from the best high school graduation gifts to the best infant life jackets.
• 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.