Hoverboards are nothing but skateboards without wheels. It is a levitating board which is people use for transportation to short distances and was first described by author M K Joseph in 1967. It is also known as a self-balancing scooter consisting of two motorized wheels which are connected to a pair of articulated pads where the rider places his/her feet on.
Hoverboards come in different sizes ranging from small to slightly larger. Most hoverboard devices come in diameter sizes of 6.5 inches (170mm), 8 inches (200mm) and 10 inches (250mm), etc. These variants are attached to a self-balancing control mechanism which is powered using a built-in gyroscopic and sensor pad.
The speed of the hoverboard can be controlled by the rider by leaning forwards or backward which increases and decreases the speed respectively, and the direction of the hoverboard can be controlled by twisting the pads accordingly. The speeds at which the hoverboard travels range from 6-15 miles per hour (9.7 to 24 km/hr) with a range of up to 12 miles (19km) depending upon the model, terrain of the floor, rider’s weight and other various factors.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been getting many cases regarding hoverboard related injuries being treated in various emergency departments around the country. Some injuries include fractures, concussions, sprains, and lacerations, etc. Just as how safety gear is used for most vehicles, it is important for the rider to wear proper safety gear while commuting via a hoverboard and this has been recommended by Consumer Reports.
Some tips for you to consider improving or inducing safety while using a hoverboard –
- Make sure you supervise your children while they’re riding a hoverboard. You can provide a spotter when your child is riding one. In the case of skateboards, their speed can be increased depending upon the rider while the speed of the hoverboard can be increased irrespective of the skills of the rider.
- Make sure your child wears protective gears such as helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, etc.
- Make sure your child stays out of traffic and other regions prone to any kind of traffic
- Make sure you don’t leave the hoverboard charging overnight or without supervision. Sometimes overcharging can risk your hoverboard to catch fire and end up causing harm.
- Make sure your child doesn’t get on the hoverboard by themselves. Help them to get on or else they might hurt themselves by falling.
All things kept aside, hoverboards make a great gift for people irrespective of their age and can be gifted anytime irrespective of the festival. In this article we’ll be covering things you should consider before buying a hoverboard, 5 Best hoverboards under $200 which may be cheap in terms of money but they do provide utmost performance and are standard in terms of quality and durability and we’ll be ending with some frequently asked questions in case you have some troubleshooting with your hoverboard.
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THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING BEST HOVERBOARD UNDER 200
UL 2272 Certification
Before buying a hoverboard you must see to it if the hoverboard has a UL 2272 Certification or not. A UL 2272 certification is a must for electrical systems of self-balancing scooters including hoverboards that was launched in February 2016. UL reminds the customers that the UL 2272 certification does not address riding safety and that while riding a hoverboard it is a must for all riders to wear protective gear to ensure safety throughout.
Also, every hoverboard is equipped with a lithium battery and there may be circumstances where they may be a leakage in the lithium battery which in turn leads to explosions. Therefore a UL 2272 test makes sure that the hoverboards have undergone various tests and assessments to ensure safety standards in order to prevent damage.
Build Quality
The second thing that you should ensure before buying a hoverboard is its build quality. The construction, as well as the material used in the components and parts that make up the scooter, needs to be checked. When a hoverboard is made up of good quality materials, it ensures that the hoverboard will work in the long run and be durable.
Charging Time
The speed and power of a hoverboard always depend upon the batteries it uses. Therefore if the size of the battery is bigger, that determines greater speed and power and vice versa. Also keep in mind that, larger batteries means that the weight of the hoverboard will also be greater.
Apart from that, you wouldn’t want to be waiting for a long time for your hoverboard to charge up so as to take it out for a roll. Therefore it is important to keep all these things in mind when you’re buying a hoverboard.
Use of the Hoverboard
There are different models of hoverboards available for sale in the market, each model holds different properties and features and is suitable for different people. Therefore the features of the user should be taken into account like their age, size, and weight, etc. while buying a hoverboard.
For example, you should consider buying the 4.5 inches wheels hoverboard when buying for your child whose age is between 4 – 6 years. If the user is older and is heavier as well then he/she will require more space on the floor to place their foot on and should also be easy to get on top of it. Thus a hoverboard with 8 inch or 10-inch wheels will be most suitable.
Areas for riding your hoverboard
There are some areas where you’ll be fined if you use your hoverboard there. Or you need to get appropriate permission (which is a hectic task) in order to use your hoverboard in any area.
If you reside in such locations then you might want to reconsider your decisions in getting a hoverboard or you can approach respective authorities to get permission so as to use one.
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Top Hoverboards Under 200 For The Money
5 BEST HOVERBOARDS UNDER $200
#1 Hoverboard UL 2272 Certified Light Self Balancing Wheel Electric Scooter
This high-quality hoverboard will keep your kids zipping on it from morning to night and be their favorite gift all throughout Christmas till next year’s Thanksgiving. This hoverboard comes with pretty LED Lights that illuminate the surroundings and are very pleasing to look at. It also comes with inbuilt Bluetooth speakers that you can connect your favorite tunes to and hum while you’re on the go.
SPECS:
- Weighs 25.6 pounds
- Dimensions 26 X 10.5 X 10.4 inches
- Tire Size – 6.5 inch
- Motor – 500 Watt (250 Watt x 2)
- Max Speed 6 – 10 MPH ( Depending upon road condition and user weight)
- Charging time 2-3 hours
- Max Load – 220 lbs
- Equipped with LED Lights
- UL 2272 certified
- Accessories included – Charger and User manual
- Charging it is a breeze
- Syncing Bluetooth is very easy
- The battery lasts 3 days after fully charged
- Easy to operate and master
- Comes in poppy colors
- Speakers are super loud which is nice
- Has pretty flashy lights
- Scratches pretty easily
- Doesn’t provide a premium look because of the metallic body
- Once you plug it in for the charge you have to set a timer all the time which can get a little annoying sometimes
#2 Swagtron Swagboard Vibe T580
With the help of the app, you can keep track of the speed, monitor battery life and even choose between various modes. There are two modes you can choose from, a) standard mode which is designed for intermediate riders and b) special in-app advanced mode which is designed for master riders for providing high speeds. This app also provides a map feature which helps you to track your hoverboard by letting you know where you have been and how far you have gone enabling more safety for you and your children. The Swagtron is also enabled with Bluetooth speakers for you to groove while you’re on the move.
SPECS:
- Weighs 20 lbs
- Dimensions 23 X 7 X 4 inches
- Battery Watt/Hour 67.34 WH
- Range per charge 8 miles
- Equipped with Bluetooth speakers
- Supported platforms – iOS and Android App
- Max Load 220 lbs
- Tire Size 6.5 inches
- UL 2722 certified
- Can easily get the hang of it
- The tire is made of hard rubber providing more traction
- With the help of smart self-balancing, it improves stabilization
- Charging time is roughly 90-100 minutes
- Has a good speaker – allows you to listen in noisy environments also
- Hoverboard runs smoothly on hard terrains like grass fields, uphill and paved roads etc.
- Users have reported a shaking or grinding noise after some uses
- Flimsy charger port
- Poor battery life
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#3 HYPER GOGO Hoverboards
If you’re looking for something big, sturdy and great in the look department then the GOGO is good to go. It has an 8.5-inch wheel diameter with dual motor and dual independent gyros so that you can have a safe journey, explore or adventure. It’s a large platform and tires will make sure you get on and off without falling off and have a smooth glide as well. It is also equipped with a built-in Bluetooth speaker and LED lights.
SPECS:
- Weighs 30.2 pounds
- Dimensions 29.7 X 11.8 X 11.7 inches
- 8.5-inch wheel diameter
- Max speed 6 mph
- Max Load 198 lbs
- Inbuilt Bluetooth speaker
- LED Lights
- UL 2272 certified
- Non-slip pedal
- User-friendly dynamic
- Bright and energy efficient headlights
- Quick charge
- Doesn’t overheat
- Long lasting battery
- Durable and sturdy
- Premium look
- Expensive
- Heavy to carry
#4 CHO Electric Self Balancing Dual Motors Scooter Hoverboard
The high intensity LED headlights equipped in this hoverboard will ensure that you have the safest ride during the night and will allow you to ride anytime anywhere. It’s easy to balance and easier to learn how to work it. This product is pretty reasonable in terms of price and quality and the models are bigger, brighter and faster than other alternatives. This hoverboard comes with very less delay in response time as the motor drive is very precise when moving forward and backward.
SPECS:
- UL 2722 Certified
- Weighs 26.9 pounds
- Dimensions 26 X 10.5 X 10 inches
- Wheels size 6.5 inch
- Built-in wireless speaker
- Range per charge: 12 km
- Max speed 10 km/hour
- Charge time 3-5 hours
- Max load 120 lbs
- Premium sound quality from the stereo speaker
- The company has amazing customer service
- Has a heavy and sturdy built
- Tilts down when off
- Ease of use
- Delay in response time
- Speaker isn’t that loud
- The On and Off sounds are pretty loud and can get annoying some times
- Directions can get a little difficult to follow
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#5 NHT 6.5 inch Aurora Hoverboard
This hoverboard provides is worth more than what you’ve paid for. It gives you optimum stability with the help of dual motors that it’s equipped with. You also get a 90-day warranty with this product and you’ll have no problems in returning it right away in case there are any problems faced right after you unbox. Embedded with LED lights that’ll provide you the safest travel during the night and this scooter can go up to 10 mph of speed. You can also cover up to 7.5 miles after a charge.
SPECS:
- UL 2272 Certified
- Max Speed of 10 mph
- Dual 250 W Motors
- Electric drive with Environmental friendly design
- Equipped with headlight
- Ensor activated a light that shines while moving
- Equipped with Bluetooth speakers
- Weighs
- 17.45 lbs
- Dimensions 24.9 X 9.7 X 9.6 inches
- Sturdy and durable
- Eye-catching light enabled design
- Well built
- Meets safety standards
- Attractive design
- Bluetooth enabled
- Connects to all platforms
- Doesn’t provide much speed
- Lights won’t turn off
- Speakers are too loud
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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CONCLUSION
Hoverboards can be quite pricey although they’re a lot of fun and pretty useful to cover up short distances. Don’t forget to abide by the safety standards and wear proper gear while you’re heading out for a stroll. Also, make sure that the hoverboard you’re buying has a UL 2722 certification or else you’ll have to bear the risk of damage in case anything happens. We hope you would have gotten a little insight regarding the hoverboards. Happy Strolling!