Things to consider before purchasing…
First and most importantly: UL certification!
Being UL certified means that your hoverboard was submitted to and passed a rigorous series of tests to ensure careful battery and charging operation! Ion lithium batteries have been a bad rap due to malfunctioning units, but those were uncertified and therefore never had been sanctioned by the Underwriters’ Laboratories Inc., otherwise known as UL. UL is the official American safety consulting and certification company that conducts the analysis on technologies from over 80 countries. Any product that gets their approval is deemed fine to keep in your home. It’s important when buying a hoverboard to make sure that it comes equipped with one of the following logos:
Durability
Once you’ve determined your board’s battery is UL certified, it’s best to scope out the quality of the hoverboard frame and wheels. What is the external frame made of? What protects its internal components? What materials are in your board? As a rule of thumb, you’ll want a sturdy board made with aluminum and ABS plastic, that protects all the things inside your hoverboard that make it go – the engine, the battery, and self-balancing gyroscopic tech. Think about how your rib cage guards your heart and lungs – wouldn’t it suck if it was made out of weak stuff?
Speed
Now we get to the fun part! Going fast. Every hoverboard comes with different specs – from the size of its engine, to battery voltage, these are all factors that play into just how much punch a board can pack.Typically, the average hoverboard would get up speeds of 6 – 8 miles per hour. There are some heavy-duty models that can haul up to 12 miles per hour, but most of the time they are regulated with a governor to ensure younger riders’ well-being.
Carrying Capacity
People come in different shapes and sizes, kind of just like the hoverboards you’re shopping around for. And each hoverboard is made to be able to carry a certain amount of weight. Depending on your board’s make and model, it can hold a rider anywhere from 180 lbs – 400 lbs.
Range
If you’re going to take your new hoverboard for a spin, it might be a good idea to know how far it can take you on a single charge. Most hoverboards will take you up to a total range of 6 – 8 miles, although hoverboards with more robust battery voltage will be able to reach.
Special Features
Depending on how much you’re on the prowl to spend, your average hoverboard might come equipped with a few fun bells and whistles. Some boards are built with Bluetooth speakers, smart device pairing, bright LED headlights/turn signals… Others are designed with a sturdy frame and thick tires to go off-road, or waterproof, or even made of steel. It all really comes down to how much you are willing to spend, what your terrain needs are, and what you want out of your hoverboard.
So, that’s a TON to keep in mind. But as long as you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to narrow it down. Lucky for you, SWAGTRON sports a line-up of six different hoverboards, ranging from your elementary “entry-level” board, to the rough-and-tumble off-roading T6, to even our steel-clad/lithium ion free T8. No matter what you’re looking for, whether you’re shopping from yourself or someone else, SWAGTRON has you covered – and to help you get all your holiday shopping all said and done, we slapped together a list of our specs and features below!
