The 7 Best Electric Skateboards of 2025

Best Overall Electric Skateboard

Backfire Zealot S2

Our testing team fell in love with the Backfire Zealot S2, even though it isn't our top scoring electric skateboard. How is that possible? As our lead tester put it, “I experienced an outstanding blend of eye-watering speed, hill-gobbling power, marathon-plus range, and brakes that compete with boards that cost twice as much with this model.” Basically, the Zealot S2 delivers high-end performance at a midrange price point, making it a great buy for experienced riders who can handle its GearLab-tested 30.8 mph top speed.

Tested Maximum Speed i	30.8 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	26.1 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	21 ft
Measured Weight	23.3 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	26 seconds

Compared to the previous Backfire Zealot S version, the new S2 is 2.6 pounds heavier, likely due to its more powerful Samsung 40T 403Wh battery system. Interestingly, this new version isn't significantly faster than the S, nor does it have more range, and we suspect the majority of the new battery power translates into more torque. What is fantastic about the new S2 is its ability to zoom up hills with ease. Our testers were amazed at how fast they could blast up a steep 14-15% grade. “The Zealot S2 board just eats up the hills I normally ride,” said our lead tester, a bit of glee in his voice.

The new S2 also includes an upgraded, modernized controller that will let you tune the acceleration and braking characteristics to match your skills and your riding environment — as well as control built-in lighting. If you like a bit of bling and aren't afraid of attention, Backfire improved on the previous generation's below-deck lighting by integrating a new full-coverage LED light strip around the perimeter of the deck, making the board a spectacle to see when night starts to encroach. With its 26.1 mile confirmed range, the S2 is a great choice for commuters looking to cruise and carve to work or school without needing to worry about a midday recharge. Plus, if your commute includes hills, this new Zealot is the kind of board that can make you smile on the climb.

Of course, the Backfire Zealot S2 isn't perfect. The hard PU wheels aren't the smoothest on rough pavement, so if your paths are thrashed, you might want to consider an all-terrain alternative like the JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain that has crack-smoothing 6-inch rubber tires. As for beginner friendliness, one tester noted, “I found the S2's powerful acceleration was tough to tame even at its lowest mode settings. It might prove hard for newbies to master quickly.” Still, if you're a beginner with good balance and are willing to practice, the Zealot S2 is an ESK8 ride you can grow into — and one that could deliver thrills for years to come.

Read more: Backfire Zealot S2 review

Best Overall Electric All-Terrain Skateboard

Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro

The Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro is our top-scoring electric skateboard, possessing the fastest top speed and the greatest range of any board we've tested. It can climb up hills with no problem, and the remote is comfortable in-hand and offers intuitive controls. This model has four settings, including a turbo mode, which gave us the ability to really rip it. “I love how the settings allow a rider to fit it to their skill level,” our lead tester noted. “It allows beginners to ease into the power that this board is capable of.”

Tested Maximum Speed i	34.1 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	33.3 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	17 ft
Measured Weight	30.2 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	23 seconds

While the Carbon Zeus Pro has a wicked-fast 34 mph tested top speed, overall ride comfort surprised us again and again. Despite having a relatively stiff carbon-fiber deck, the Zeus softens the feel on your feet through thickly padded grip tape. “When I'm riding, the foam under the tape seems to give this board a flexy feeling, somewhat similar to a bamboo deck — without being truly flexible,” one tester explained. “I found it surprisingly comfortable, especially at higher speeds and for longer distances.” Meanwhile, the air-filled all-terrain tires soften the feel of cracks and gravel at all speeds.

The impressive range and speed make this board a standout for commuters who need to cover a lot of ground, but we can't ignore its playful chops. “The Zuess inspires confidence when I bomb down gravel paths or cut through grassy parks,” our lead tester noted. Few beginners will ever grow out of this board, and expert speed demons will appreciate the powerful brakes — which are clearly needed by those who regularly lean into 30-plus mph sections.

Speaking of powerful brakes, sometimes a pro is also a con: The only real performance drawback of this premium ESK8 ride is that its braking system takes some time to get used to because the stopping power can be harshly abrupt. For beginners and even intermediate riders, our lead tester noted, “The brakes decelerate so quickly that I think they could possibly toss an unprepared rider.” If smooth and stable braking is a top priority, we'd recommend the OneWheel GT or its less expensive sibling, the OneWheel Pint. The Zeus also makes a high-pitched whiny noise when traveling at higher speeds for any sustained amount of time, which doesn't affect the performance but can be slightly annoying. Being a top-of-the-line model, this board is on the pricier side, but for those who crave speed and are willing to splurge, the Carbon Zeus Pro will not let you down.

Read more: Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro review

A Budget-Friendly Onewheel Option

Onewheel Pint

The Onewheel Pint is one of our favorite electric skateboards from the Onewheel brand, and it handles poor-quality pavement as well as off-road terrain with ease. “I had a blast taking this pint-sized skateboard over obstacles and terrain that would stop other boards in their tracks,” one tester noted. Its top speed is less than half that of our fastest tested e-skateboards, but its peppy acceleration and hill-climbing prowess make it feel zoomy with a chill surfing vibe.

Tested Maximum Speed i	14.2 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	10.0 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	14 ft
Measured Weight	25.5 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	32 seconds

There is a lot to appreciate about the Pint, but our testers couldn't stop gushing over how well it rolls over pavement cracks: “On pavement where other boards vibrate, buck me over bumps, or otherwise intrude on my groove, I had a cushy ride on the Pint,” our lead tester said. Of course, the Pint's off-road capabilities command attention, too, letting us cut corners over grassy berms or shoot down narrow dirt paths on the way to our favorite hidden gems around Lake Tahoe. Compared to longboards, the Pint turns on a dime. Sharp turns on trails were more fun than bothersome, and when obstacles suddenly appeared in our paths, dodging felt natural. The large single wheel isn't the only feature that lets us explore off the paved path — the Pint's braking system is stellar, coming to a complete stop in just 14 ft, topping our brake-testing charts with ease.

Since the little Onewheel Pint is so capable over rough terrain, it's a terrific option for riders dealing with poorly maintained pavement, sidewalks, and recreational paths. Similarly, if you're riding on multi-use paths with a lot of walker/jogger traffic, the Pint lets you easily swerve off the path and onto grass or gravel to give kids, dogs, or other riders appropriate space when passing by. Non-AT skateboards just aren't as smoothly good at this kind of riding challenge.

The monowheel design has some disadvantages. For instance, if you are not a fan of self-balancing boards, the Onewheel Pint can be off-putting. “I don't like that the board is basically useless when the battery dies,” one tester said. Riding long distances can be slightly less comfortable than standard boards. And if you want to go up the steepest hills without bottoming out, you'll be disappointed. We'd steer you towards the Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro if long rides are a priority. If you like single-wheeled designs, check out the OneWheel GT as an upgrade option, which offers a 25-mile range vs the Pint's 10-mile range. Still, the Pint is an excellent pick if you are looking for the surfy feel of a monowheel board on a budget.

Read more: Onewheel Pint review

Best Budget-Friendly Option

Meepo V5

The Meepo V5 is our favorite budget option for anyone looking for a solid overall performance at a reasonable entry-level price point. The V5 stands out with beginner-friendly features in its distinctive mode settings. While some boards dial down the top speed and soften the brakes, many boards have a hard time smoothing acceleration to the gentle levels beginners appreciate. Meepo's four modes give new riders confidence-building options that progress incrementally without surprising unsuspecting newbies with board-launching acceleration or forced run-off-the-board braking.

Tested Maximum Speed i	24.6 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	10.9 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	24 ft
Measured Weight	17.6 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	58 seconds

However, that's not to say the brakes aren't effective. In fact, our lead tester commented, “The V5's powerful brakes were the standout feature in my testing, which surprised me.” Just a couple of versions ago, the Meepo V3 had above-average brakes, but the V5's brakes have continued to evolve and now compete well with boards that cost a lot more. “In our brake test on a steep hill, I was amazed at how well this relatively affordable board was able to slow me down, letting me step off with ease,” noted one 190-pound test rider.

The V5 is one of the best boards we've tested for beginners needing easy modes to learn on. For more experienced riders, our testers praised the plenty-fast top speed of 24.6 mph, which can be helpful for anyone needing to get to work or school on time. “I also appreciated the built-in carry handle,” one tester said, noting it is great for carrying the board when you meet friends in town or walk through buildings or no-skate zones on campus.

The main shortcoming of the Meepo V5 is its relatively limited range of 10.9 miles, which makes it suitable only for short commutes or users capable of easily recharging between rides. That said, Meepo does offer an extended-range version at a steeper price point. If you want a similar board with a little more ride comfort and out-of-the-box range, the V5 only narrowly bested the Backfire G2 in our charts, and we think it is a particularly competitive option for experienced skateboarders considering their first electronic ride. The V5, though, keeps a slight edge for versatility: We appreciate the hefty 330-pound weight rating and the built-in power and brakes that can handle larger riders, giving all sizes of beginners a versatile option that's fast enough for almost everyone.

Read more: Meepo V5 review

Best Budget-Friendly All-Terrain Option

JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain

Tested Maximum Speed i	25.5 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	12.3 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	23 ft
Measured Weight	23.2 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	27 seconds

If you're looking to ride off the paved path but just looking at the price of premium all-terrain options has you hitting the brakes, the more affordable JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain might be the trail-ready board for you. After we cruised over pavement cracks with nonchalant ease, we looked for more challenging trails to put this AT board through some harder tests around Lake Tahoe. We zoomed over dusty dirt roads, hit short-cut trails through parks and over grassy berms, and even accelerated over gravel and sand.

Along our varied test paths, we quickly learned that the standout feature of this board is its airless 6-inch tires. “The tires tamed unexpected bumps, carved surprisingly smoothly, and let me ride through possible sharp debris without worrying about punctures slowing me down,” our lead tester reported. Over rough pavement surfaces and small cracks, the tires performed similarly well. “The solid, honeycomb rubber tire feel isn't as smooth as air-filled tires on rough pavement, but I found them far smoother and transmit less vibration than hard PU wheels,” one tester explained.

The Jupiter-01 is a terrific all-around board for beginners who want to get into electronic skateboarding but aren't quite sure yet about where they'll be riding — glossy pavement, ripped up paths, or on dirt roads and trails? Though this AT model is a little spendier than beginner street-focused boards, it's more affordable for beginners compared to most all-terrain options. And, as one tester said, “With a tested top speed of 25.5 mph, I don't think most riders will grow out of this board anytime soon.”

Though this JKing AT model doesn't top our testing charts in any one metric, it delivers solid performances across every metric with the exception of range, which is its primary pitfall. Our range test confirmed a 12-mile range specification claimed by JKing on a relatively flat, paved surface, but our lead tester commented, “I doubt most riders will be able to replicate that range over more varied, challenging terrain that tends to consume more battery power than smooth surfaces.” If you want to kick up dust for hours or cruise without care for miles, the longer-range Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro (33.3-mile range) or Onewheel GT (25-mile range) might be worth the bigger investment. Still, let's be clear: If you just want to bust off a curb, rip through a curvy dirt trail, spray gravel, and ignore leaves and pine needles to see if going AT is as fun as it sounds, the Jupiter-01 is a great place to start.

Read more: JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain review

Best Ride

Onewheel GT

The Onewheel GT is the new and improved flagship model from one of the most recognizable electric skateboard brands. This massive monowheel can tackle practically any terrain and cruises over bumps and cracks better than other contenders. As our tester reported, “Riding the GT is super fun. I found it handles more like riding a snowboard than a traditional skateboard.” Controlling the Onewheel is different from typical four-wheeled electric skateboards. Instead of using a remote to control speed and braking, the Onewheel reacts to foot pressure and board tilt. If you want to accelerate, lean forward and increase pressure on your front foot. If you want to slow, lean back and increase pressure on your back foot. “Once I got the hang of it during testing, riding the GT was incredibly intuitive, and I quickly fell in love with the fun, floaty vibe delivered by the big 12” single tire," our lead tester said.

Tested Maximum Speed i	19.8 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	25.0 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	14 ft
Measured Weight	35.6 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	28 seconds

One of the GT's best features is the braking system. Because you're naturally leaning back to slow the Onewheel, your position on the board reduces the chances of getting pitched forward as the board slows down. Plus, the brakes are powerful. We were able to stop very quickly, with surprising confidence. “Overall, the GT is one of the smoothest braking boards I've ever ridden,” noted our lead tester.

If you're looking for a fun, floaty ride over all sorts of terrain, the GT is stellar option. It cruises like a dream on pavement but also lets you dive off the beaten path. We appreciate the ability to cruise over gravel, power through sand, and zip onto dirt trails on a whim. At the same time, its 25-mile range and hill-climbing prowess make it great for covering ground, letting you play all along your ride without worrying about a low-range battery leaving you stranded.

Our biggest issue with the Onewheel GT is that your front foot must put pressure on both sides of the sensor while starting up. It's a great feature for not having the board accidentally get up and go while you're first getting on; however, one tester reported, “During much of my testing, the sensors would quit registering as I tilted forward and the motor wouldn't engage, causing me to tip forward and stumble off the board (usually in front of onlookers).” On the other hand, once you're going, you can adjust your feet without stopping.

Having concave on every edge of the footpads might help a bit with traction, but it isn't very comfortable when riding for a sustained amount of time. If you're drawn to lengthy rides, we'd steer you toward the Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro. With its 33-mile range, it was a joy to take on even the longest cruises. Like any self-balancing board, another minor consideration is its steeper learning curve. Onewheel offers an app that lets you adjust ride modes, helping you ease into its single-wheeled design. This app also includes numerous tutorials to reduce your chances of catching unintentional air time on your inaugural rides. Once you get the hang of it, this E-board is a lot of fun and will keep you grinning from ear to ear.

Read more: OneWheel GT review

Best Entry Level Option

JKing H2

When we started testing the low-cost, entry-level JKing H2, our expectations were low, primarily due to its relatively underpowered 350-watt dual hub motors and battery system. However, our lead tester noted, “I was impressed that this short little electric skateboard packed enough torque to get my 190-pound self up our 10% grade test hill,” However, it couldn't handle the steeper 14%-15% grade hill test. That leads us to believe that smaller, lighter riders will get along just fine. The 15.8 mph max speed is slower than top models, but for beginners and younger riders, it's perfect. Better yet, the H2's brakes managed to slow the board successfully on descents, increasing our confidence.

Tested Maximum Speed i	15.8 mph
Tested Maximum Range i	8.2 miles
Tested Stopping Distance i	26 ft
Measured Weight	13.5 lbs
Measured Time in Uphill Grade i	Failed

The main disadvantage is the short 8.2-mile range, which limits both playtime and commuting distance. Despite that limitation, the H2 offers great beginner-friendly settings that smooth acceleration so new riders won't struggle with jerky, overpowered throttles.

For a little more cash when it's on sale, the sibling JKing Jupiter-02 Road is nearly as beginner-friendly but delivered a longer range of 20.8 miles and a faster top speed of 23.5 mph during testing. Still, the value packed into the H2, especially if you can catch it on sale, makes it easy to recommend for shy beginners wanting to step onto an e-skateboard for the first time.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	87	Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro Best Overall Electric All-Terrain Skateboard	$1,929
	83	Onewheel GT Best Ride	$2,300
	83	Meepo Hurricane	$1,799
	81	Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1	$1,299
	76	Backfire Zealot S2 Best Overall Electric Skateboard	$849
	76	Onewheel Pint A Budget-Friendly Onewheel Option	$1,050
	73	JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain Best Budget-Friendly All-Terrain Option	$999
	64	Meepo V5 Best Budget-Friendly Option	$499
	63	Backfire G2	$429
	62	JKing Jupiter-02 Road	$699
	59	Exway Flex	$699
	52	JKing H2	$499
	34	Caroma 350W Longboard	$300

How We Tested

We spent countless hours researching the specifications of these products and comparing different manufacturer's claims to first determine which boards were good enough to make the cut for our review. We then moved on to determine a grueling series of challenges to differentiate the highest of the high performers and crown the winners. We conducted over 15 comprehensive side-by-side tests, measuring and scoring everything from the maximum speed to the stopping distance on both flat ground and down a steep hill, and then tested power levels when going back up again. We rode these boards hundreds of miles to see how they held up to sustained use — even taking them off-road! — and measured their maximum range head-to-head on flat ground.

We break down our overall score into six key metrics:

• Ride Comfort (30% of overall scoring weight)

• Range (20% weighting)

• Braking (20% weighting)

• Speed (10% weighting)

• Hills (10% weighting)

• Beginner Friendly (10% weighting)

But there is more going on with these metrics than simple scores. In addition to measuring specific performance metrics such as acceleration, we also rode these boards long and hard to evaluate the feel and on-board performance that makes electric skateboards so fun. We evaluated how the shape of the deck feels under our feet after miles of range testing. We considered how deck flexibility combines with the type and size of wheels and trucks to inform why some boards carved with sweet control while others made us feel like our feet could vibrate off at higher speeds. We purposefully rode over bone-jarring cracks again and again to evaluate stability, and we hammered the brakes to simulate emergency stops as if a car had just pulled out in front of us. Sure, we got thrown from boards a few times and have had more than our fair share of high-speed step-offs — but that's just how we roll at GearLab, so you know what to expect when you take a new board out on your first ride.

Why Trust GearLab

Austin Palmer, Zach Lovell, Ross Patton, and David Wise make up our E-skateboard testing and reviewing team. Austin is an avid skateboarder — both motorized and not — and has been riding for almost two decades, logging over a thousand miles. Since 2015, he has personally ridden and tested over 40 electric skateboards. Over these last eight years, he has ridden over all sorts of terrain, including sand, dirt, grass, rough mountain passes, trails, gravel, snow, and ice. Zach has been involved with product testing/design for over a decade, putting his analytical mind to a vast number of outdoor and tech goods, and he first entered the world of skateboards over twenty years ago. Zach's detail-oriented lens can never be turned off (debatably a gift or a curse), and such a point of view has been indispensable in testing flow sports products.

David has formal training as a mechanical engineer and has significant experience with lithium battery and brushless motor systems, including building electric go-karts, race cars, scooters, and even a self-balancing skateboard. He lends his expertise when it comes to comparing and scoring the range and power of each board, as well as aiding in the creation of our test plans for these products. Ross has been skateboarding for more than 30 years and has used just about every size and type of skateboard known to man from freestyle-oriented trick boards to some of the first longboards to come out of Southern California. With a formal education in Environmental Science, he is no stranger to the laboratory-based component of product testing either.

Analysis and Test Results

We broke our test into six different weighted metrics that encompassed the most important aspects of these products and pushed them to the limit. While your first impression of these products may be that they exist only as a novelty item, these boards can be a great daily commuter vehicle for the skateboard enthusiast. It's hard to argue with the ability to easily and quickly activate brakes or to zoom up a hill with ease.

What's the Best Value?

Unfortunately, you are going to have to pay for it if you want a high-performance electric skateboard. Our reviewers were able to unearth some relatively affordable options, but any E-board is a hefty chunk of change. Fortunately, we've done the hard part for you — finding which options are worth the cash and which ones aren't. The Meepo V5 and Backfire G2 are highly affordable, beginner-friendly, and great for those who are new to electric skateboarding. If you're ready to invest a little more, the Backfire Zealot S2 is fast, flexible, and has an impressive range. If you're looking for a unique monowheel experience but don't feel like emptying out your bank account for a new ride, the Onewheel Pint offers comparable performance to some of the higher-priced models from the brand. For top-tier performance, you're going to have to pay top dollar. The Onewheel GT is the best in the world of monowheels, and it's hard to beat the overall performance of the Ownboard Zeus Carbon Pro if you're looking for a four-wheeled ride.

Ride Comfort

On all but the smoothest of surfaces, wheel size directly correlates with ride comfort. In almost every case, larger-diameter wheels roll over objects more smoothly than smaller wheels. This gives mono wheeled options like the Onewheel GT a big advantage here, but even some 4-wheeled options, like the Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1, have large enough wheels to take some roughness out of your ride.

Deck length affects comfort in a variety of ways. Longer, wider decks give you more positions for your feet, so you're less likely to get achy calf muscles on long rides. Short decks often mean your feet ride directly on top of the trucks, and trucks deliver a lot of road-jarring vibrations through the deck and to your feet. Longer decks usually have commensurate wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels). Having a longer wheelbase usually translates into smoother ride experiences because it allows the deck to maintain a more even angle over bumps. The Meepo Hurricane and the JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain have the two longest decks in our lineup, at 40" and 39.8" respectively. It's no coincidence that they are both all-terrain models, as the wider wheelbase also helps provide stability on uneven surfaces.

Many of the most competitive electric skateboards have evolved to longboards ranging from 38-40". Short boards like the JKing H2 sacrifice ride comfort in favor of maneuverability and portability. Monowheel options like the Onewheel Pint are different animals altogether: short yet heavy with poor carry characteristics — but surprisingly, as our combined Ride Comfort metric reveals below, they can be exceptionally smooth-riding and comfortable.

While wheel size and deck length are comfort factors, how everything comes together while you ride is what really gets us stoked to test new boards each year. Your board could offer all of the bells, whistles and competitive measurements available, but if you don't enjoy how it rides, how often would you take it for a spin? This metric encompasses how each board feels in all conditions, from the good to the bad to the ugly. We evaluated the comfort of each board, as well as which models we were drawn to over and over again. In other words, those options that possessed that certain je ne sais quoi. We also assessed how each board fared in the face of adversity — how it handles bumpy terrain and if it can successfully clear unexpected cracks in the road.

The Ownboard Carbon Zeus clearly emerged as a front-runner in this metric, with an insanely comfy, padded grip tape on top of a carbon fiber deck. We felt like we could handle anything and, even more importantly, have a ton of fun while doing it. We could never even feel smaller bumps or cracks, and Zeus handled larger terrain features like the god of thunder thanks to its 38.8 in wheelbase and 150 mm pneumatic wheels.

The Backfire Zealot S2 is comfortable, has a great grip, and it feels solid at high speeds. Its large wheelbase, relatively big 96mm PU wheels, and wide trucks aid in handling the nastiest of bumps and cracks — though you'll definitely feel those rougher obstacles as you roll over.

We were drawn to the Onewheel Pint and OneWheel GT for all-terrain fun, with a more surfy ride that felt like we were on snowboards rather than skateboards. Both of these OneWheel options were most comfortable for short to medium-length rides — with footpad sensors and concave shaping causing more discomfort on the longer cruises.

The ability of these OneWheel boards to handle bumpy terrain and unexpected cracks is among the best we've seen. Boards designed for traveling over mud, grass, sand, and snow should easily handle some rough spots on the asphalt, and we confirmed this several times. Either of these boards are great options if you know that you're going to be riding over less-than-perfect pavement. Alternatively, the Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1 lets you swap out different types of wheels to tackle different terrain, but it's flexy deck is its most comfortable component, sometimes making us feel like we were carving through dreams. The Backfire G2 is another board with a comfortably flexible deck, while the Jupiter-02 Road has a stiffer deck that sacrifices some comfort in favor of stability at higher speeds.

The Exway Flex is a 38.3" longboard that can handle moderately bumpy terrain, but anything more requires skill to manage. The build quality is good, but we'd recommend that you use this board on smoother rides. The shortest boards in our test group, the 25.3" Caroma 350W Longboard and 31.5" JKing H2 have jarring and unpleasant rides when going over bad pavement, so we weren't particularly drawn to them unless we knew we were going to be going over smooth roads.

Range

Our range tests deliver one of the most important decision metrics for most riders, who need to know how far they can go before their board dies and turns into dead weight to carry around. An important range factor is rider weight, and some boards simply aren't designed for larger riders. What you need to know before you buy is that larger rides will reduce range and that most manufacturers report their range specs as if relatively lightweight riders were on the board. At GearLab, we make sure our range test riders aren't too heavy and aren't too light, usually weighing in around 190 pounds, which technically makes our tests a bit harder than what most manufacturers seem to prefer.

With an awesome 552 lb weight limit, the Meepo Hurricane is a clear standout board that's strong enough for almost everyone. The Exway Flex is similarly impressive with a 400 lb limit. Smaller, less expensive boards often have lower weight limits due to less quality components, but it's important to pay attention to flexy boards, too. The Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1 tops out at 220 lbs so that a heavy rider won't bottom out and scrape the battery while riding over rough terrain.

To test the actual range, we ran each board on relatively flat terrain, striving to stay between 13-15 mph until the battery died. We kept them in either an “Eco” mode if it was available or in the riding mode closest to the middle. We also timed how long it took for each board to recharge after it was completely drained.

The Ownboard Zeus topped the charts with a tested range of 33 miles — imagine all of the places you could go with that kind of distance. Its performance also stayed solid for the entirety of its battery life. The battery does take several hours to recharge, though we feel that it's a fair compromise, given how many miles you get out of that charge.

When we range-tested the Backfire Zealot S2, we also saw solid results. The S2 was able to provide top-notch fun for 26.1 miles with decent performance throughout the test.

As more feature-rich boards come into our lab for testing, we tend to see improvements in most metrics, but we also hope for more range — because really, the whole point of having an electric skateboard is to ride it. One metric where more inexpensive boards still trail behind more expensive boards is range. For instance, the Meepo V5 could be an awesome affordable commuter, but its 10.9 mile tested range holds it back. Similarly, the Onewheel Pint is an all-terrain joy ride, but the joy is limited to 10 miles in the best of conditions.

Sometimes we see big gains in charging speed as manufacturers improve battery systems from previous versions. For instance, when comparing the new Backfire Zealot S2 to the previous generation Zealot S, the new S2 version charges much faster — just 2 hours and 3 minutes compared to the old S's 3 and 1/2 hours.

The Caroma 350W Longboard earned a blisteringly fast charge time of just 89 minutes, but it's important to remember that it has a short range and a small battery. The relatively fast under two-hour charge time for the Onewheel Pint helps mitigate its relatively short range. For casual play, the Pint is great, but if you need to cover more distance, we recommend its bigger sibling, the OneWheel GT, which has a GearLab measured range of 25-miles.

Braking

The stopping abilities of each board comprised this crucial metric. We tested how the brakes worked at allowing you to maintain a controlled descent down a steep hill, as well as measuring each option's stopping distance on flat ground.

The OneWheel Pint and the OneWheel GT had the best brakes of the bunch, only taking 14 feet to fully stop from a speed of approximately 12 mph. It also makes it very easy to control your speed while going downhill, but you are limited if the hill gets too steep, as the back of the board will start dragging.

If you're looking for very powerful brakes, the Meepo Hurricane and Ownboard Zeus have impressive stopping power, but that power can be hard to handle for beginners. When we hit the brakes too hard on the Hurricane, we could lock the wheels, which could make it hard to maintain control. The deceleration on the Zeus can also be so severe it might throw off the unsuspecting rider if they slam on the brakes. One reasonably priced board that really surprised us was the Backfire Zealot S2, which made a big leap forward in brake-stopping power and was able to stop in just 21 ft, compared to the 28 ft stopping distance of the previous generation Zealot S.

Speed

Our speed metrics seem relatively simple — how fast can an electric skateboard travel? And how fast can it accelerate? These are important metrics, but other factors can affect how safely and comfortably you can ride at higher speeds. If you're a speed demon, you might want to consider truck width. In generation, wider trucks spread the wheels apart, which — if the truck systems are of high quality — can improve high-speed stability. Because of this, it is unsurprising that all-terrain boards like the Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1 and the Meepo Hurricane have some of the widest truck measurements, giving them a solid base to tackle uneven terrain.

To assess the acceleration of each electric skateboard, we timed how long it took each model to travel a 50' course with a stationary start. We also took into account our various testers' intuition of the acceleration after they had logged significant time on each board, and we also used speed guns, which sometimes captured one-off top speeds that the boards generally can't maintain over at least three test passes — which is the key average top speed number we report in our charts.

If you have a pure need for speed, we geared up in helmet and padding to test max speeds for each board in the lineup. The Ownboard Zeus is an absolute beast of a board, delivering the fastest top speeds tested — a blinding 34 mph. It also offers acceleration times of 3.18 seconds, further confirming this option's rightful place at the top. The Meepo Hurricane is no slouch, clocking in at 31.4 mph with 3.03 seconds of muscle-clenching acceleration to boot.

We were particularly pleased to see the relatively affordable Backfire Zealot S2 deliver a very competitive 30.8 mph top speed with a very fast 3.57 seconds acceleration measurement, further cementing its spot as a beginner-friendly board with speed to spare. One of our favorite beginner boards, the Meepo V5 clocked a surprisingly quick 24.6 mph top speed — which makes it a good choice for confident beginners who look forward to crushing the straightaways as they gain confidence. The Onewheel Pint didn't have one of the fastest top speeds in our tests, clocking in at just over 14 mph, but it has phenomenal acceleration. It's extremely fast off the starting line and gets up to speed faster than almost every other board in the entire group. In case you're wondering, such excellent acceleration makes the Pint feel a lot faster than it is — which is also why it's such a blast to ride.

We based our 1-10 speed score on a combination of both the measured top speed and acceleration. Averaging between multiple trials in each test, and taking both factors into account helps us give an overall speed score to each model in our lineup.

Hills

One of our favorite perks of using an electric skateboard is the ability to zip up hills. That said, not all electric skateboards are created equal, and a hill that is easy for one model might be an insurmountable obstacle to another. We put these skateboards through their paces to see how well they could handle a steep 14%-15% grade with an average sized adult male rider. A smaller or larger rider might find slightly different hill climbing abilities than we did during testing. However, the overall trend and order would remain the same.

The Meepo Hurricane is a torque-monster that zoomed up our steep 14-15% grade test hill in 19 seconds as if it wasn't even there. Quite simply, the Hurricane reset our the bar for our hill-climbing expectations. In fact, our lead tester admitted, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "The first time up I was not expecting that kind of speed!"

Of course, the 23-second measurements for the Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1 and Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro are outstanding, but if this were an Olympic race, the Hurricane would have cruised to mind-boggling a blowout win. To put this in perspective, the relatively solid Meepo V5 took 58 seconds to make it up — three times as long.

We expect the most expensive, powerful boards to perform well in our tough hill climb test, but our riders were very impressed by the surprisingly competitive performance clocked in by the Backfire Zealot S2 and JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain — proving that you don't have to spend close to two grand to zoom on the ascent.

Beginner Friendly

A big part of assessing beginner friendliness goes to the remote and how well it modifies the modes that affect key speed, acceleration, and braking characteristics. We also consider the weight of the board itself, which affects how easy it is to carry the board after you arrive at a destination. After considering our findings between these elements, we deduced how amicable each board was for someone new to the sport.

We loved the Evolve GTR Bamboo 2in1 for its customizable speed, acceleration and braking, which can keep the sensitivity of acceleration and braking reasonable for a new rider. The Exway Flex delivers an outstanding balance between improved performance for confident riders with beginner-friendly modes. The little Caroma 350W Longboard is short on features, but it scored well in beginner friendliness because it's underpowered and slow with little torque and soft braking. The Meepo V5 doesn't lead the pack in this metric, but it does have surprisingly good mode separation, which helps beginners step gradually toward increased speed, acceleration and braking.

We found the self-balancing control input of the OneWheel GT and OneWheel Pint to be intuitive, though there is an implicit learning curve to riding on a single wheel rather than four. The brand's app offers customizable ride modes as well as tutorials that are effective tools for easing into the board after purchase.

As with any of our reviews here at GearLab, we weighed each board ourselves. The importance of weight purely will depend on each rider's needs and how often they anticipate transporting/carrying their electric board. The lightest option, the Caroma 350W Longboard came in at trim 7.9 pounds, making it easy to pack for kids and adults alike. For quite a bit more power and performance in a true longboard form factor, our testers very much liked Meepo V5 reasonable weight of just 17.6 pounds — which was easier to carry about town due to its handy cutout carry handle.

How to Choose an Electric Skateboard

If you're struggling to decide which electric skateboard is right for you — or for someone else as a gift — we've put together a handful of key questions, answers, and considerations that can help you tease out the right answer.

How Far Do You Need To Go?

When it's time to choose an electric skateboard, range is one of the most important decision factors. Unlike traditional skateboards and many ebikes, if your e-skateboard runs out of battery, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to push-kick ride them home manually. When you consider range, it's important to think about there-and-back distances. If your destination is mostly downhill, you'll consume less battery power on the downhill and more on the uphill return ride — so you can't just divide the distance by two and call it good math. Here are several of the most important factors when considering how much e-skateboard range you need:

Weight: Heavier riders will require more energy to move, so heavier rides tend to get less range out of their ESK8 boards than lighter riders.

Speed: Traveling at faster speeds usually consumes more battery power, so higher speeds can reduce overall range.

Hills: Steep hills can suck battery packs dry faster than thirsty kids can crush juice boxes, so think hard about which hills you'll need to climb in your neighborhood.

Terrain: Rough terrain robs electric skateboards of forward momentum, which increases energy requirements and reduces range.

Regenerative Braking: Some boards, like those made by Onewheel, support regenerative braking, which can charge your battery while braking on downhill descents. This can boost your range a bit, but it usually isn't a significant factor when you have to return up hills.

What Surface Will You Be Riding On?

Surface quality is a very important factor to consider before buying an electric skateboard. If most of your riding will be on smooth pavement, most electric skateboards will give you decently comfortable ride experiences, even with relatively small, hard PU wheels. If you plan to ride over poorly maintained pavement with a lot of of cracks, gravel or debris, larger diameter wheels tend to give you a smoother, more enjoyable ride because larger wheels roll over obstacles easier. For off roading, you'll definitely need an all-terrain board with rubber tires.

In addition to tire size and type, the flexibility of the deck can affect your riding comfort. Flexy decks tend to help absorb bumps while stiffer decks tend to transmit bumps and vibrations to your feet and bones. Longer decks also usually increase comfort over bumps — just like extra-long limousines provide smoother rides in cars. Very short decks can decrease ride comfort in another way; if you choose a board with a short deck, your feet will often be placed directly over the trucks — and those metal trucks will transmit every bump almost directly to your feet, without any deck flex to soften the effect.

What Steepness of Path Will You Be Navigating?

If you have to climb a lot of hills, you'll want a powerful e-skateboard that's designed to deliver plenty of torque. Our rigorous hill test scores are designed to help people figure out which boards talk a good game and which boards actually deliver on the incline. In addition, if you live in a hilly environment, you'll need to consider braking power. You will want to choose a skateboard with strong brakes to make sure you can slow your descents and maintain control — especially if traffic issues appear out of nowhere right in front of you.

What Are the Important Differences Between Hub and Belt-Driven Motors?

There are two key things to consider between hub motors and belt drive motors: Maintenance and performance. In general, hub motors require less maintenance than belt-driven motors. Hub motors are fully contained, essentially hidden and protected inside of a wheel, so they tend to be more reliable. Belts are more exposed to the elements, so debris can sometimes build-up or impede belt functioning, requiring cleaning. Belts sometimes break, so if you're not riding with a replacement belt and tool to replace it, you can get stranded with a useless board to carry home.

When it comes to performance, belt driven motors are generally stronger at braking than hub motors, but hub motors tend to have less rolling resistance, making it possible to freewheel like you can with a traditional skateboard. Hub motors are usually quieter than belt motors, so they're better for cruising incognito. Belt-driven motors often are geared to deliver powerful torque characteristics, which is usually better for heavier riders and ascending hills. Because belt-based systems are often designed to be more powerful, beginners can have a harder time learning if the board doesn't have very good beginner mode selections.

What about dual versus single hub motor configurations? As electronic skateboards have advanced over the years, the only benefit of single hub rides is the very low price of the boards they usually are found on. Dual-hub rides place a motor inside each rear wheel, which almost always results in better acceleration, speed, torque, and braking power.

Price

Electronic skateboards can look similar but vary greatly in price, and when it comes down to it, one of the most important factors in this decision is your budget. We rarely recommend that anyone stretch their budget beyond what's comfortable to them. At the same time, we understand the nuances of this key decision. In general, most boards under $300 will have limited range, limited speed, limited power for larger riders, poor comfort, and questionable longevity. Compared to a traditional non-electric skateboard, they might seem awesome. For example, the Caroma 350W Longboard is more like a toy suited to small, lightweight riders than large, adult riders who need to ride up hills — but it can still deliver a lot of fun if you're casually cruising around your neighborhood.

The biggest value range we're seeing these days for a great blend of performance is coming from boards priced $400 to $1,000. In this price range, you can optimize your preference for increased range, more power, higher speeds, better braking and even try out all-terrain options. Boards in this midrange price point might excel in one or two areas, but you'll usually sacrifice some metric of performance — but at least you can choose which metric means the most to you personally before you buy. A great example of a midrange board is the Backfire Zealot S2, which didn't top our charts in any particular test metric but still managed to win our hearts with its all-around solid performance. It's reachable for beginners unsure of their commitment and powerful enough for experienced riders to enjoy. In general, we get really interested in boards that deliver more than half of the performance characteristics of the next price tier up at less than half the cost.

Once you exceed $1,000, you're entering premium territory where each board will tend to perform very well in all metrics — and exceedingly well in some. For instance, the Ownboard Carbon Zeus Pro is a clear speed winner (34.1 mph) but it also delivers outstanding range (33.3 miles) while more affordable JKing Jupiter-01 All-Terrain delivers a respectable 25.5 mph top speed but drops to down to a lackluster 12.3 mile range. If the extra speed in the Zeus isn't important to you, the 33.3-mile range might be worth the extra investment even though you might never hit 34 mph. Of course, if you value quality and have little tolerance for breakdowns, more expensive boards will usually last longer — and might be worth spending more on.

Conclusion

Picking out the perfect electric skateboard that matches your needs and budget can be a surprisingly difficult task, given the enormous spread of costs and capabilities. Cheaper boards can save you initially but can be more of a novelty toy than a high-end model that could even replace a vehicle and become a daily commuter. Hopefully, this review has helped you identify which boards are the best fit for you and aided in your quest to find your first, or your next, electric skateboard.