A Guide to Choosing the Right Electric Longboard or Skateboard

Electric skateboards and longboards are becoming increasingly popular for recreational and transportations use. While we’re still in the early development phase of battery powered longboard and skateboard products, there are still quite a few options to choose from, some of which are much better than others. But how do you know which one is the best for you? There’s no one-fits-all solution, so you have to take into account a couple of important factors.

What Type of Rider Are You?

First and foremost, you have to consider what you intend on doing with the skateboard or longboard. In fact, this is the thing that will decide whether you need a battery powered longboard or skateboard. Longboards are typically for cruising around and commuting, whereas skateboards are typically used for more technical riding and turning. Once you know what you need, you’ll be able to significantly narrow down your options. If you’ve already ridden regular boards – great! There are just a few other things to consider when going electric.

Commuter Boards

If you’re looking to buy a board for commuting, then the most important specs to pay attention to are:

• Long Range
• Battery Life
• Portability
• Maneuverability

A working person needs a workhorse board that’s reliable and well-rounded. This means the board should have decent battery life, a good range, and enough power to propel you uphill. If the board is compact and easily storable – that’s a big plus. Nobody wants to trip over it, or have to find a special place to store it.

Most commuters don’t need a fast board, since they’ll be using it mainly in the city. Maneuverability is a higher priority, as it allows you to go around people and traffic easier. Beginners are also best off with this type of board, as they’re quit versatile and well-rounded.

Carver Boards

If carving through the park is what attracts you most, then you need a board that has the following specs:

• Max Control
• Max Maneuverability
• Durability
• Speed

Electric board riders love to carve, as the boards can be fast-accelerating and super fun. Once you get the hang of it, it can become one of your favourite activities. As a result, many people switch from conventional boards to electric boards just for that reason, with electric longboards being the go-to type, simply because they’re longer.

If you decide you want to carve with the board, get one with maximum maneuverability. This means the board should be as responsive as possible. Moreover, make sure the board is durable enough to withstand sharp turns. That being said, pay attention to the trucks, as they take the most stress when carving.

Traveller Boards

If you’re a weekend warrior travelling the country every weekend or two, you’ll want an electric board that’s:

• Portable
• Has Range
• Long Battery
• Durable

As electric board technology advances, they’re becoming more convenient to transport. This is mainly due to the fact that the batteries are becoming more powerful, yet smaller in size. The same goes for the motors they power. While electrical skateboards might seem like the obvious choice due to their small size, electric longboards can also be a good option. There are foldable options that make it easy to bring them along everywhere you go. Of course, if you’re going off the grid for a while, you’ll want a board that comes with a long battery life. If you’re travelling abroad, however, you want to be aware of the battery size. Most airlines don’t allow batteries over 160watts/hour.

Off-Road Boards

Who would have known, right? Being able to take an electric board off-road is a surprise to many, but it’s possible. Of course, the board will need to offer:

• Control
• Durability
• Power

These boards are all-terrain machines, and that’s mainly possible due to their wheels. The wheels need to be larger in size, and made of durable rubber that can withstand the harshness that comes from riding hard terrain. Most boards allow you to swap the factory wheels in favour of all-terrain wheels. Besides the wheels, the boar will need to be firm, yet flexible, as well as waterproof. Last but not least, it will need to have decent torque in order to handle includes. Speed is not an issue, but overall power can be.

Trickster Boards

If you want to perform tricks, you’ll need a board that is:

• Maneuverable
• Offers Maximum Control
• Durability
• Portability

Even though electric boards are heavier than conventional boards, you can totally thrash on them. You just need to know what you’re doing, and get the right board. That being said, you’ll definitely need a skateboard rather than a longboard. While you can perform a few tricks on the longboard, it will be difficult compared to an electric skateboard.

The ideal electric skateboard for performing tricks at the park needs to be light and agile. That being said, you can sacrifice battery capacity to reduce the weight in the process, since you’ll be riding in short bursts most of the time. The material for the deck needs to be tough, such as carbon fibre, and the controller needs to be intuitive.