Your Smart Guide to Intelligent Electric Skateboards
Is there really such a thing as intelligent electric skateboards ? Whether it’s the small kid cruising down the neighborhood or an adult professional competing in the X-games, skateboarding is an experience that offers a lot regardless of the age group.
Unfortunately, the problem is that it can be hard to learn and even more difficult to master as a sport (such is the case with most sports right). And not all of us have the physical agility of legends like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen.
However, thankfully there’s a new kid on the block… a new generation of intelligent electric skateboards is making the sport more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Woot woot.. easy sounds good to me.
So, what are these new electric skateboards, anyway and which ones should you buy?
Those are all good questions and the plan here is to deep dive into this and cover these questions so that you can walk away feeling a bit more informed as you explore this new arena of skateboarding.
What In The World Are Intelligent Electric Skateboards?
With batteries, motors, and high-tech sensors in some cases, these devices are a whole new breed of personal transportation.
Most models come with a wireless remote that controls speed, braking, and other basic functions. So, the effort of riding the board is no longer a physically strenuous activity.
Instead, your whole riding experience relies on intelligent sensors and wireless controls. This way, you get to fully enjoy the wind, the views by the road, and the joy of cruising down the road.
How do they work?
To understand how these smart skateboards work, we’ll have to get an idea of the mechanism that makes it run, how the rider controls it, and how the board performs.
The Mechanism that runs it
These new generation skateboards all run on electrical power in the form of batteries. Manufacturers may place the batteries anywhere on the board, but the primary location is under the deck. These batteries will power the motor that comes attached to your board. Most designs have the motor right next to the wheel, where it controls the spinning speed of the wheels.
How do you control an electric skateboard?
So, if it (intelligent electric skateboards) runs on electrical power, it must involve a control mechanism like turning the device on and off, right? You guessed correctly. And these smart skateboards usually come with wireless remote control that fits in the palm of your hand. Supercool, I know.. everything about this is pretty awesome and I know you’re wondering if it actually lives up to the hype and intrigue it provides, but of course the experience is going to vary from person to person.
With that said.. the functions and capabilities of a specific remote may vary depending on your board’s make and model. But generally, they all come with a power button, speed controls, and braking. A lot of remote controls will also come with LCD displays that show you information like battery levels or current speeds.
Some makers also offer a native app for the electric skateboard. These apps come with an interface with virtual buttons that you can use to control the board. Normally, they perform the same controls you would find in physical remote control.
How does an electric skateboard perform?
If you're comparing the electric skateboard to a traditional board, the performance and ease of use are way better.
Of course, there are purists who prefer the good old-fashioned style of propelling your board forward using your own feet. And don’t get me wrong.. while advancements are always great but there’s nothing wrong with tradition in this space too. But if you want a dash of technology and a splash of convenience, electric skateboards are your best bet and something to look forward to purchasing if what you’ve heard so far sounds like it’s a great fit for you.
Beyond that, as for the batteries… Well however long the batteries last will depend on your speed, distance covered, etc.
Most electric skateboards easily give you a 10-mile ride on a single charge. And depending on the motor’s strength, these boards can take you up to 20-30mph. Thanks to this effortless riding, you can even ascend inclinations that are 15-20° uphill.
What are the best intelligent electric skateboards today?
Calling a single electric skateboard model the best one is really a subjective description. That’s because the ‘best’ one may change depending on your purpose, skating style, and personal preference. We all have our own idea of what the best is anyway.
Some people may prefer the ones with higher mileage if they’re used to longer rides. Others may want more fine-tuned controls that allow them to maneuver tricky corners.
However, to help you decide, we’ve rounded up some of the best models available today.
The Teamgee H5 37’’ Electric Skateboard
While some electric skateboards come in compact sizes and shapes, sometimes you simply want the cruising ease of a longboard. And Teamgee’s H5 Electric Skateboard offers exactly that.
The remote can also let you accelerate or reverse, in addition to simply going forward and braking. And it measures only 0.47” in thickness. So, it's simply one of the sleekest boards out there today.
Segway Ninebot MAX Electric Scooter
Yes, we know Segways aren’t strictly skateboards. But most of our readers insisted that they’d want to see a version of intelligent electric skateboards with a handle on this list.
The Ninebot MAX has a slower top speed of 18mph, but we feel that's still great for cruising speeds. But the standout feature is the whopping 40.4 miles this electric scooter delivers. That's enough to run your grocery errands, visit a friend, and still have enough juice to go for a joy ride.
The native app gives you riding statistics, cruise control features, and the option to lock the scooter when not in use. With the easily foldable design, it's also extremely portable.
The Skatebolt Tornado II Electric Skateboard
The Tornado II by Skatebolt is one of the toughest and most durable electric boards available today at the time of writing this article.
As a new generation intelligent electric skateboard, it comes with one of the most feature-packed remote controls. The forward and backward button is an easy slider on the top. And the acceleration and braking slide button is just nearby for convenience.
With an LCD display, cruise control, and easy USB charging, it's surprising how many features can go into such a compact device.
Now that we’ve provided you with some useful information (hopefully) concerning intelligent electric board, we hope that the information has been meaningful in making you a bit more informed as you weigh the decision as to buying one for you, a friend or family member.