Imagine the sun is out, the birds are singing, and your child is gleefully gliding around the neighborhood on their new Hoverboard, the wind in their hair and a grin plastered across their face.
Sounds like the perfect day, right?
Hoverboards with handles have taken the world of kids’ outdoor toys by storm and for good reason. They offer an exciting blend of fun, freedom, and physical activity that kids simply can’t resist.
In this guide, we will dive into why kids love these self-balancing scooter, how to select the perfect Hoverboard for your child, and the top 5 hoverboards with handles for kids currently on the market.
Table of Contents
Why Kids Love Hoverboards with Handles
Hoverboards captivate kids for a myriad of reasons. They provide a sense of freedom and autonomy, allowing children to explore their surroundings uniquely and thrillingly.
These gadgets also promote balance and coordination while being a lot of fun. The addition of a handle provides extra security and control, increasing the confidence of even the youngest riders.
How to Choose the Right Hoverboard with Handle for Kids
When it comes to choosing a hoverboard, there are a few important factors to consider:
- Battery Type: Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4 are the two primary battery types used in hoverboards. LiFePO4 batteries are generally safer and require less maintenance, making them a great choice for kid’s hoverboards. Currently, Swagtron is the only company offering hoverboards with LiFePO4 batteries.
- Terrain Compatibility: Despite the allure of “all-terrain” hoverboards, they’re not designed for rigorous off-road use. They can handle small obstacles and gravel but won’t fare well on challenging terrains.
- Bluetooth Functionality: Many hoverboards come with built-in Bluetooth speakers. While this might sound like a neat feature, most kids don’t use it. More advanced hoverboards might use Bluetooth for app connectivity, allowing some control over the Hoverboard’s features.
Top 5 Choices for Kids’ Hoverboards
There are countless hoverboards for kids available, making it impossible to try them all. We’ve tested the hoverboards listed below and can vouch for their quality.
Here are the 5 best Hoverboard tested and verified by our experts;
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GoTrax Nova Pro or Nova: Best Overall Hoverboard (Bluetooth and Non-Bluetooth)
- MSRP: $159/$199
- Battery: Lithium-ion
- Motor: 400 W (dual 200 W)
- Max Speed: 6.2 mph
- Max Ride Time: 3.1 miles (Nova), 5 miles (Nova Pro)
- Weight Capacity: 176 lbs.
- LED Lights: Front and wheel
- Bluetooth Speaker: Nova Pro only
Our enthusiastic kid testers consistently favored the GoTrax Nova and Nova Pro among the hoverboards we tested. These hoverboards provided a smooth indoor and outdoor experience, accelerating at a quick yet manageable speed.
While both GoTrax models responded rapidly to riders’ movements, they also featured ample self-balancing assistance to increase confidence and maintain stability.
The Nova and Nova Pro both have a top speed of 6.2 mph, but the Pro offers several enhancements. It boasts a longer ride time of 5 miles compared to Nova’s 3.1 miles and is a Bluetooth-enabled hoverboard that easily connects to your smartphone.
The Pro also features 6.5″ all-terrain tires, while the Nova has 6.5″ smooth tread tires.
Our testers preferred Nova’s smooth tread, claiming that the Pro’s all-terrain tread felt bumpy on sidewalks and asphalt. Unless you’ll be riding frequently on dirt trails, the more affordable GoTrax Nova should suffice.
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Swagtron Twist: Friendly Kids Hoverboard
- MSRP: $169
- Battery: LiFePO4
- Motor: 400 W (dual 200 W)
- Max Speed: 6 mph
- Max Ride Time: 3-5 miles
- Weight Capacity: 185 lbs.
- LED Lights: Front and wheel
- Bluetooth Speaker: No
The Swagtron Twist is ideal for children who are just starting or are naturally cautious. It’s less sensitive to minor, sudden movements than other hoverboards, making it more forgiving and less reactive to every small motion while learning to control the board.
The Twist’s slightly lower top speed of 6 mph, compared to 6.2 or even 10 mph on other models, helps keep beginners’ speeds more manageable.
Another advantage of the Swagtron hoverboard is its safer and more stable LiFePO4 battery. Compared to the typical Lithium-ion batteries in most hoverboards, Swagtron’s battery requires less “babysitting” and comes with a 5-year battery warranty.
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GoTrax Edge: Best Economic Kids’ Hoverboard
- MSRP: $99
- Battery: Lithium-ion
- Motor: 400 W (dual 200 W)
- Max Speed: 6.2 mph
- Max Ride Time: 3.1 miles
- Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
- LED Lights: Front and wheel
- Bluetooth Speaker: Yes
The GoTrax Edge is our top recommendation for a hoverboard under $100. It offers a fun, fast, and responsive ride that our older and more experienced testers preferred over even pricier models.
The Edge stands out among affordable hoverboards, like the $98 Hover-1 Revel at Walmart, due to its higher weight capacity, stronger motor, and, crucially, its “self-balancing mode.”
The self-balancing mode helps the rider maintain stability on the board. This feature, introduced in 2017, has significantly enhanced hoverboard stability. The Hover-1 Rebel lacks this mode, making it jerkier and requiring more effort and focus on riding.
The Hover-1 Revel also has a less powerful motor (220 W) and a lower weight capacity (130 lbs) than the GoTrax Edge’s 400 W motor and 220 lbs weight capacity.
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GoTrax E4: Off Road Hoverboard
- MSRP: $269
- Battery: LiFePO4
- Motor: 500 W (dual 250 W)
- Max Speed: 7.5 mph
- Max Ride Time: 7 miles
- Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
- LED Lights: Front LED headlights only
- Bluetooth Speaker: Yes
Equipped with larger 8″ tires and a 500W combined motor, the GoTrax E4 is a powerhouse hoverboard ready to take on uneven terrain. With wider 3.25″ tires, the E4 can roll over minor obstacles that standard hoverboards struggle with.
While the E4 won’t carry you over mountains or through woods, it can handle cracks in concrete, uneven slabs, and small gravel.
Its wider wheelbase, and larger foot platforms provide stability for older and taller kids. This made it an excellent choice for our 5’10” 13-year-old tester, who found it more comfortable than the Swagtron Twist.
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Hover 1 Ultra: Best Hoverboard for Speed and Distance
- MSRP: $189
- Battery: Lithium-ion
- Motor: 500 W (dual 250 W)
- Max Speed: 7 mph
- Max Ride Time: 12 miles
- Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
- LED Lights: Front only
- Bluetooth Speaker: No
With a top speed of 10 mph, the Hover-1 Ultra was the fastest Hoverboard we tested. Thanks to its potent motor and battery, this board offers a smooth ride, allowing kids to go faster and farther.
With a range of up to 12 miles per charge, it surpasses most hoverboards by 2-4 times.
The Hover-1 is a bit heavier than other models, but this only matters if your child needs to carry it for extended distances. It lacks extras like Bluetooth or colored LED wheel lights, which might be expected given its price.
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Hover-1 Falcon: Hoverboard Go-Carts
- MSRP: $99
- Compatibility: Hoverboards with 6″ – 10″ wheels
- Features: Fog blaster and LED lights on rear (optional use)
- Adjustability: Length can be adjusted for different heights
You’re in for a treat if you don’t see a hoverboard attachment! These “hoverboard seats” essentially transform any hoverboard into a mini go-kart.
With handle pedals for steering and speed control, these karts allow anyone (even those who find standing on a hoverboard challenging) to fully enjoy a hoverboard.
Among the many hoverboard attachments available online, the Hover-1 Falcon consistently earns stellar reviews, and our testers were not disappointed.
Once assembled, the kart easily attaches via Velcro straps that wrap around the foot platforms of the Hoverboard. The Falcon accommodates a wide range of heights with an adjustable distance between the seat and the footrest.
What sets the Falcon apart from other hoverboard go-karts is its rear-mounted fog blaster with LED lights and sounds.
While this feature is undoubtedly cool, it’s activated by a button on the unit, so the rider can’t turn it on or off while in motion. Therefore, we don’t recommend purchasing this unit solely for the Blaster feature.
Hoverboard Speed: How fast does a hoverboard go?
What’s the top speed of a hoverboard, you ask? Well, most hoverboards for kids cap out between a breezy 6 mph and a nippy 8 mph.
A handful of kid-friendly models can ramp it up to a zippy 9 mph, while those designed for adults can hit an adrenaline-pumping 12 mph.
In comparison, your typical children’s electric scooter runs at a rate somewhere between 7.5 mph and 10 mph.
However, the speedometer only determines how fast you’ll go. Your personal hoverboarding experience will largely depend on several factors.
The rider’s weight, the ground’s smoothness, and any uphill climbs can all put the brakes on your speed.
Some hoverboards come with variable speed modes, allowing parents to limit the top speed when their child is just starting.
A hoverboard boasting a higher maximum speed usually sports more powerful motors, like dual 250 W motors (totaling 500 W) compared to dual 200 W motors (totaling 400 W).
These powerful motors are key for achieving greater speeds on rough terrains or for heavier riders.
Besides these 6 best Hoverboard for adults, you can also find manufacturer shipping scooter hoverboard with handle to USA.
How long does it take to charge a hoverboard?
Every Hoverboard is a unique piece of machinery, but on average, you’re looking at a charging period of about 4 to 5 hours to replenish a hoverboard’s battery fully.
However, always refer to your user manual; overcharging can heat the battery excessively, creating a potential fire hazard.
How long does a hoverboard battery last?
The battery life of a hoverboard varies significantly across different brands and models. On average, you can expect anywhere from 3 to 7 miles of cruising time.
The more budget-friendly hoverboards typically offer shorter ride times (~3 miles), while the more premium models provide lengthier adventures on a single charge (5 to 7 miles).
Remember, numerous factors can affect your mileage. Things like the frequency of starts and stops, the max load of the rider, and even the steepness of your route can all significantly determine how long your hoverboard battery will last.
Conclusion
Hoverboards with handles are not just a fad; they’re an exciting way to inspire outdoor play, enhance coordination, and give kids a sense of autonomy.
With various models designed to cater to different needs, finding the right Hoverboard for your child can be a fun and rewarding adventure.
We’ve explored the thrilling world of hoverboards, from understanding what draws kids to these innovative toys to recognizing essential features when choosing the right model.
We’ve also revealed our top 5 picks for kid-friendly hoverboards, highlighting their unique features and how they stand out.
So, gear up, get out, and let the hoverboarding adventures begin!
