13 best hoverboards UK 2023 – with multi-terrain wheels and more | The Sun

LOOKING for the best hoverboard for yourself or your kids? Then you've come to the right place because we're rounding up the best hoverboards.

If, when you think of hoverboards, your mind immediately goes to Back To The Future II, then we need to step in now and inform you that real-life hoverboards, unfortunately, even the best hoverboards, don't float.

Instead, a hoverboard is like a Segway – remember those super popular scooter-like contraptions that had a real moment in the 2010s?

A hoverboard looks like a high-tech skateboard, and they're controlled by the user standing on it and leaning forward or backward depending on whether they want to move or break.

However, using one of these nifty contraptions in public isn't actually legal in the UK – more on that later – so you'll only be able to use yours on private land.

This was partly because hoverboards can reach up to thirteen miles per hour, which doesn't sound like anything crazy, but for a device the size of a skateboard, you'll feel like you're going at quite some speed.

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If you're looking for a device to use on private land that's not only fun but good exercise, too, then you need to get your hands on the best hoverboard for you.

Best hoverboards at a glance:

• Best hoverboard for kids: TOMOLOO Hoverboard for Kids
• Best cheap hoverboard: SISGAD Hoverboard
• Best hoverboard for adults: GeekMe Hoverboard
• Best all-terrain hoverboard: Hip Hop All-Terrain Off-Road Hoverboard
• Best hoverboard and kart bundle: Air with Kart

Hover-1 Rival Black Hoverboard

• Hover-1 Rival Black Hoverboard with LED Wheels, £150 from Argos – buy here

The Hover-1 Rival is the most affordable hoverboard suitable for adults on our list and comes with a 1-year manufacturer guarantee.

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It can reach a max. speed of 7mph and has a 10-cell battery, which will help you zip up hills with inclines of 8 degrees.

It has fun LED headlights that will light up the road ahead and has a full UL certification for peace of mind.

One happy customer wrote, 'Really glad I bought this, both myself and my children love it, brilliant to help with balance and coordination, and also helps build confidence. Works really well on both carpet and laminate. Not tried outside yet. Battery lasts a while too.'

Weight: 6.8kg Charging time: 5 hours Maximum speed: 7 miles/hr Running time: 30 minutes

TOMOLOO Hoverboard for Kids

• TOMOLOO Hoverboard for Kids – from £169.99 £135 from Amazon – buy here

The TOMOLOO Hoverboard for Kids is one of the best Hoverboards for kids due to its striking design.

It has self-balancing technology, the first hoverboard with self-balancing features making it one of the safer options for children and beginners alike.

Kids love the extra flashing LED lights, which also make the cart more visible in low light. As you would expect with hoverboards, its battery is quality and safety verified.

It also comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker and a carry bag and includes an auto cut-off unit to protect its battery cells from heat.

You even get a 1-year guarantee to put you at ease for any of the bumps and knocks it will probably take while learning.

With an extremely impressive 4.3-star rating and over 1,700 reviews, we're sure it will go down a treat with those getting to grips with their first hoverboard.

Customers are extremely impressed with their purchases, too, since one reviewer left a 5-star rating raving about how 'we love our Tomoloo'.

Weight: 17.6lb Charging time: 2 hours Maximum speed: 12km/hr Running time: 1 hour

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Hover-1 Flex Hoverboard

• Hover-1 Flex Hoverboard, £149.99 at Smyths Toys – buy here

This children's hoverboard can glide at speeds of up to 6mph, but the non-slip footpad will help keep kids stable and secure when they're whizzing about.

Suitable for 8 years, kids will love the bright green colour, ultra-bright headlights and light-up LED wheels.

There's also a battery life indicator so you'll know when the batteries are going to need re-charging, and kids can maximise their time having fun on their new gadget.

Weight: 13.5kg Charging time: 2-3 hours Maximum speed: 12-15km/hr Running time: 2 hours

NINEBOT by Segway

• NINEBOT by Segway, £339.00 from Amazon – buy here

Not your typical hoverboard, these from Segway are more like futuristic roller skates.

These easy-to-carry devices can reach a speed of up to 12km/hr and come equipped with headlights and tail lights for safety.

They work exactly the same as a normal hoverboard; you'll just have a little more freedom of movement because the two footpads aren't joined as they would traditionally be.

Make sure to wear a helmet because, just like any other mode of transport, it's much better to be safe than sorry.

It has high praise from customers as well since it holds a fantastic 4.2-star rating on the retail site, and reviewers call it a 'great buy.' With another whose 'grandkid love them'.

GeekMe Hoverboard

• GeekMe Hoverboard, £139.99 £108.99 from Amazon – buy here

The GeekMe Hoverboard is a sleek segway board with Bluetooth functionality and built-in speakers.

It's a heavy-duty hoverboard with a built-in Bluetooth speaker, so you can blast your tunes as you zoom around.

It can be charged in around two hours and can last for roughly an hour on a single charge.

With an emphasis on quality and safety, it has an in-built Intelligent battery management system to monitor the battery in real-time so that battery consumption and overheating will never be an issue for long.

Included in the package, you will find the hoverboard and battery, a CE-certified UK charger.

The design and safety features aren't the only stellar thing about this hoverboard, as its 4.1-star rating is well earned, with one customer calling it 'the best hoverboard out there for the price' and another leaves praise for it being 'so much fun'.

Weight: 7.6kg Charging time: 2 hours  Running time: 1 hour

SISGAD Hoverboard

• SISGAD Hoverboard, £126.88 from Amazon – buy here

Stand out from the crowd with this hoverboard that's packed full of features for a reasonable price.

Costing less than £150, the SISGAD Hoverboard is one of the most popular options on the market and is certified to EU standards. Tick.

There are LED lights on the wheels, and you can choose to buy your version either with a Bluetooth speaker or without, depending on whether you're all about having a party when you glide.

Safe for adults, you can choose between a whole host of colours so you can hover in style.

One happy customer left a perfect 5-star review and called it 'excellent', with their grandson being 'very pleased' with their new present.

Charging time: 4 – 5 hours Maximum speed: 10km/hr Running time: Up to 60 minutes

Charging time: 45 minutes Maximum speed: 12km/hr Running time: Up to 45 minutes

Roller by Hoverboard

• Roller by Hoverboard – £179.99 from Hoverboard.co.uk – buy here

Most of the products from Hoverboard.co.uk have fascinating design options, but the Roller takes things one step further.

This hoverboard comes in ten different eye-catching versions, plus four additional ones with kart options.

Like most of the products in this list, the Monster has built-in Bluetooth speakers and LED lights.

It is also designed for rides on rough terrains and is as safe as a hoverboard can be, thanks to its fireproof battery casing with quad shield technology.

Charging time: 2-3 hours Maximum speed: 12km/hr Running time: 2 hours

Ranger White Camo

• Ranger White Camo by Hoverboard – £269.99 from Hoverboard.co.uk – buy here

Another model by Hoverboard, the Ranger White Camo, comes with all the features we expect from the brand.

These include 4400mAh Samsung-powered batteries, Quad Shield Technology, a Bluetooth sound system, and LED lights.

The Ranger White Camo also features 8.5" wide multi-terrain wheels, weighs just 13kg, and has a top speed of 7.46 miles (12 km) per hour.

Weight: 13kg Charging time: 2-3 hours Maximum speed: 12km/hr Running time: 2 hours

Air with Kart by Hoverboard

• Air with Kart by Hoverboard – from £229.99 from Hoverboard.co.uk – buy here

The Air with Kart is one of the best Hoverboards for kids due to its striking chrome design and camouflage colour ranges.

Bought alone or as a bundle with the Hoverkart, it's a great choice. As a go-kart, it's great for adults, too, thanks to the Hoverkart's adjustable length.

Kids love the extra flashing LED lights, which also make the cart more visible in low light. As with the Air, the Air with Kart has Samsung battery cells and is fully compliant with all UK safety regulations.

It also comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker and a carry bag and includes an auto cut-off unit to protect its battery cells from heat.

You even get a 1-year guarantee.

Weight: 7.6kg Charging time: 2 hours Maximum speed: 12km/hr Running time: 2 hours

White G2 WARRIOR PRO

• White G2 WARRIOR PRO, £309.99 from Hoverboard Segway – buy here

The White G2 WARRIOR PRO is the perfect mix of style and ruggedness.

With its two 350W motors, the hoverboard can reach a speed of 9mph and a maximum climbing angle of 30°.

Throw in a series of features specifically designed for rough terrains, and you have the perfect device to ride anywhere.

To sweeten the deal, it's also currently on sale, so you'll save yourself a tidy £20 if you purchase it from the retailer.

Weight: 13.5kg Charging time: 2-3 hours Maximum speed: 16km/hr

Hip Hop All-Terrain Off-Road Hoverboard

• Hip Hop Off-Road Hoverboard, £399.99 from UK Segboards – buy here

All the models above have 6.5" wheels: perfectly fine for smooth services, but many might struggle on bumpier terrain. Fortunately, the Hip Hop All-Terrain has a solution for you.

With chunkier 8.5” tyres, the Hip Hop can handle grass and sand with ease, making it much more adaptable to new terrains than other hoverboards.

And it’s got a built-in Bluetooth speaker, loads of app features and auto self-balance capabilities: what more could you want?

If that's not tempting enough, the normal price for this hoverboard is actually an eyewatering £699.99, but at the time of writing this, you'll be grabbing it for 51% off.

Weight: 13.5kg Charging time: 2-3 hours Maximum speed: 12-15km/hr Running time: 2 hours

Razor Hovertrax Prizma

• Razor Hovertrax Prizma – £199.99 from Smyths Toys – buy here

This hoverboard comes with stylish LED wheel hubs and front light bars, as well as a dedicated indicator light to help you keep track of the battery level.

Under the hood, the Razor Hovertrax Prizma features two 350w hub cap-driven motors that allow for a top speed of 6mph (10km/h).

The Prizma can operate for roughly 45 minutes before needing a recharge (that will take around four hours).

An interesting feature of this hoverboard: you can switch between Training or Normal mode depending on your skill level.

The former will leverage the hoverboard's self-balancing technology to help you learn how to ride.

Charging time: 4 hours Maximum speed: 14km/hr Running time: 45 minutes

Air by Hoverboard

• Air by Hoverboard – £199.99 from Hoverboard.co.uk – buy here

When it comes to hoverboards, the Air by Hoverboard.co.uk ticks all the boxes. Powered by Samsung battery cells, it's fully compliant with all UK safety regulations, and as a bonus, it comes with an auto-balance feature.

It comes in a variety of great colours, and with a built-in Bluetooth speaker and a carry bag – you can also use it with a Hoverkart for added go-kart fun.

The safest board on the market, it includes a "quad shield protector" to prevent battery overheating and comes with a 1-year guarantee.

It maintains an extremely impressive rating on the site, as with over 200 reviews, it still has a superb 4.5-star rating. One customer calls it 'amazing' and another that they 'highly recommend it'.

Weight: 7.6kg Charging time: 2 hours Maximum speed: 12km/hr Battery life: 2 hours

Where to buy hoverboards in the UK?

Hoverboards are made by many different companies, all with their unique draws; some focus on longer ride times, others on being able to light up the park while blasting your tunes.

While hoverboards might give you that futuristic feeling, the retailers that sell them are very much in the present, and we've rounded up a short list to help you get started on your search.

• Hoverboards.co.uk
• Amazon
• Currys
• Argos
• The Range
• UK Segboards
• Smyths Toys
• eBay
• Officialhoverboard
• Very

How much do hoverboards cost?

Depending on what features you want your hoverboard to have, you can look to spend between £100 and £600.

For a standard hoverboard that will work on flat surfaces, £200 seems to be the going rate.

From our own research, the cheaper end tends to be around £130, which means it may not come with the fancy lights of speakers, but you'll still get a lengthy ride out of them.

On the higher end, it could cost you as much as £600 if you want all the fancy bells and whistles like flashing LEDs or Bluetooth speakers.

What is a hoverboard?

Generally speaking, the term hoverboard refers to two-wheeled, electric, portable devices.

Hoverboards have been, for a long time, a persistent element of futuristic fiction, but today they are very much real.

Also commonly known as self-balancing scooters, these devices traditionally have a central platform for the rider, which is situated between two wheels and powered by large lithium-ion batteries.

What hoverboards are safe?

If you’ve been into self-balancing scooters for a while, you will remember the wave of “fake” hoverboards that hit the UK in 2015.

Back then, figures by the National Trading Standards revealed that 17,000 hoverboards imported from outside the EU had been examined, and over 15,000 (88%) of them had failed basic safety checks.

Those hoverboards were deemed at risk of catching fire or exploding, and since then, public scrutiny of the devices has been consistent.

So how do you know that a hoverboard is safe?

First of all, it is necessary to mention that, apart from one exception, hoverboards do not require any ad-hoc certifications to be considered “safe”. In fact, when it comes to safety, these futuristic gadgets are mostly seen by regulators as another form of consumers’ electronic devices and, as such, are deemed safe if they can satisfy one or more of the following standards.

The UL 2272 certification

Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) is an American firm whose speciality is the testing of electrical equipment. 

Specifically, UL certifications assess the standards of internal components and test electrical devices to determine if they can withstand extreme conditions without causing harm to users.

The UL 2272 certification, in particular, refers to the “Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices”, and it is the most widely and sought-after certification when it comes to the safety of hoverboards and other E-Mobility Devices.

All in all, if a hoverboard is UL 2272-certified, you can be sure it is safe to use.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are documents required by the REACH Regulation that list information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products.

SDS are not primarily intended for use by the general consumer, but since hoverboards’ batteries could be potentially classified as hazardous materials, some manufacturers are using SDS as an additional sign of safety for customers. 

RoHS Compliance

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive is also known as the Directive 2002/95/EC and originated in the European Union in 2006.

RoHS restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic devices, either because they are dangerous to the environment and can pollute landfills or because they are perilous to people in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling processes.

How to ride a hoverboard

Before jumping on a hoverboard for the first time, make sure you are wearing a helmet and wrist guards, as well as knee and elbow pads.

Once you are ready, place the overboard on an even surface, and step on it with one foot, making sure the board is flat.

Then step on it with the other foot, trying to keep it apart from the first one as much as possible for maximum control.

The rest is a matter of practice. Slowly lean forward using your ankles, without bending at the waist, to move forward.

To turn right, push down your right toes. Turn left your left foot.

When it's time to stop, simply lean and dismount using your dominant foot.

Are hoverboards banned in the UK?

Hoverboards are legal to buy and possess in the UK as long as certain guidelines are met.

Given the recent streak of traffic collisions involving hoverboards in the past few years, however, the UK government has banned their use on public footpaths as well as roads.

That being said, hoverboards can be legally used on private property in the United Kingdom.

Are hoverboards worth buying?

Hoverboards are fun and easy to use for people of all ages. Hoverboards are banned in the UK on public footpaths and roads, so can only be used on private property.

This means it's worth considering how much space you have before buying one. If you have a large garden or indoor space, a hoverboard is definitely worth buying

What is the best hoverboard for kids?

Kids will likely have endless fun on a hoverboard, but it is important to find one that is specifically designed for children as it's likely to be smaller and safer.

Some brands create hoverboards for adults and children, whilst other companies specialise in boards just for kids.

We particularly like the Air with Kart by Hoverboard, which comes with extra safety features like LED lights.

What age should a kid get a hoverboard?

Mid-range quality ones range between two and three hours, and high-end ones usually take 90 minutes or two hours to complete a full charging cycle.

There's no legal minimum age before a kid can use a hoverboard. However, most companies recommend the boards be used by children eight years and above.

Other guidance suggests that children should weigh at least 40 pounds.

As well as age, consider whether your child will have good enough balance and coordination to use one.

Are hoverboards good exercise?

Although riding a hoverboard isn't the same as playing sports or going to the gym, it does burn more calories than you might think.

In half an hour, you could burn up to 300 calories riding a hoverboard.

Plus, it's a pretty good workout for your abs as you're obviously stood up, but there's no support behind or in front to help your core.

Do hoverboards work on carpets?

To ride your hoverboard on the carpet, you'll need to adjust your technique.

Because carpet is generally thicker than tarmac, you'll find your hoverboard will move more slowly, and you'll need to lean forward more slowly than you would generally.

Do hoverboards work on grass?

This depends on the hoverboard.

Generally, they're best suited to flat, smooth surfaces like tarmac, but with the right model, you can use them on rougher terrains like grass, although that does make them less stable and a little more dangerous.

What to look for in a hoverboard?

There are several things to consider when purchasing a hoverboard. The main one is undoubtedly its safety certifications.

It's not a good idea to buy a hoverboard that is not certified for safety, as this could cause harm to yourself or those around you.

Secondly, you need to consider speed, as well as battery life — make sure to get one that fits both your style and needs.

How long does it take to charge a hoverboard?

Hoverboards with not very well-optimised batteries usually take between four and six hours to fully charge.

What is the best cheap hoverboard?

Typically, the cheapest hoverboards cost in the region of £150, although prices can vary wildly.

If you pay anything less than that you’ll start sacrificing features and, more importantly, safety. The cheapest hoverboard in our list is the Hover-1 Rival Black Hoverboard, currently available from Argos for £150.

Are all hoverboards self-balancing?

For a hoverboard to be officially classified as such, it needs to be self-balancing.

However, not all balancing electric scooters are called hoverboards.

The self-balancing features can take a little getting used to, but once you’ve mastered them, they’re easy and safe.

In our guide, you’ll find the best hoverboards around that don’t skimp on safety, so you can happily roll around with your peace of mind intact.

Which are the best hoverboards to buy?

The Air by Hoverboard is a very good entry point in the world of hoverboards, both for specifications and price.

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The Hover-1 Rival is great if you want to save some money while still getting good value, and the Hip Hop Off-Road Hoverboard is one of the best choices for rough-terrain rides.

Also, the Segway Drift W1 is ideal if you're looking for a stylish and skating-like experience, and the SEGWAY Ninebot S is arguably the best for long commutes.

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