As we head into 2023, I am seeing electric skateboards for beginners become a more prevalent topic. So many questions arise when you finally know that you want to be a part of such a fun sport. When I made that decision, I watched countless videos and had to inform myself about my newfound interest. Which meant I spent a lot of time doing comparisons and figuring out what the best option would be for me as a first time she-skater. The purpose of this article is to provide some information to consider when purchasing your first electric skateboard. This article also highlights 10 suggestions for electric skateboards I would recommend to a beginner based on my personal knowledge, some preferences, and research. This is to help narrow down the choices as there are so many that are available today. Many of the boards I have chosen are very suitable for beginners and come from reputable brands.
Before we get into the boards lets address some of the common considerations you will face when making a purchase.
Board Type: Belt Drive or Hub Motor?
Electric skateboards generally operate in two ways. (I won’t be discussing direct drives because I personally havent came across one I’d recommend for a beginner.) The first is with belt drivetrain, with the motors positioned in the rear of the board next to the wheels. The other is hub motor drivetrain, in which the motors are built within the rear set of wheels. The most notable pros and cons is that with a belt driven board you have access four regular size wheels. However, with hub motor boards your two rear wheels will have a sleeve encasing the motors so it does not absorb vibrations as much as having four wheels would. The pros of a hub motor board is that you have less to worry about when it comes to maintenance. However, with a belt driven boards, belts must be maintained and will eventually need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear.
Long Board or Short Board?
Longboards are ideal for electric skateboarding because of their length, cruisability and comfort. I typically would not recommend a short board for a beginner. Just because personally, I think it is easier to learn on a longer board and much more comfortable. I included one short board on this list because it is not as short as some other boards on the market and also because of its value. With having said that there are some situations that may make a shortboard ideal for a beginner which will be mentioned further on in this article.
Features and Benefits
As the hobby gains momentum companies are releasing boards at a faster rate. With upgraded specs, hardware and technology. When it comes to design, each company will focus on something different. This is where reviews help aid a great deal when its time to make a decision on a board purchase. You can use the information to reflect on what you think you may like in a board as well as pinpoint your needs. Some people like speed, others like aesthetics, and some just want something that is going to function and hold up well with no concern on aesthetics. Whatever you decide just be confident in what you choose and have fun. A few channels I recommend are Mr. Phillips the Change Agent, Daniel Kwan, and Eskate Unity.
Price
As a beginner to the hobby, you may not be initially looking to spend a large amount of money on your first board. (However you certainly can!) When I decided to purchase my first board it made more sense to invest in a good board of quality that was also within my budget to ensure I got a good experience. So, I will be recommending boards within the $400-$900 price range which is considered the budget sector of electric skateboards. Even if you decide its not for you, you can sell it, give it away to a family member or friend you obviously love VERY VERY much. (And yes, there are more expensive boards available it’s a crazy hobby lol)
Safety
No matter how fun it seems do not forget the reality that electric skateboarding does indeed impose a danger. You will be riding at speeds high enough, that if you impact something can cause significant damage to your being. When you finally purchase your board make sure to also purchase recommended safety gear to wear during your rides. A helmet, wrist guard gloves, elbow and knee pads should also be added to your eskate collection. You do not want to make the mistake of not protecting yourself while riding, I have seen so many horrible injuries that could have simply been prevented by wearing safety gear. Just don’t take that risk. In this hobby it is common for people to think that riding without a helmet is cool, I strongly advise against it. It is not worth it!
Purpose
People use electric skateboards for one of two reasons, to use recreationally and ride for fun or to commute to work or school. It is also sensible to get a board to use for both of those reasons. If you are looking to ride recreationally for fun and cruise for long periods of time, then a longboard would be best suited for you. Shortboards can serve best for those looking for a more portable board to use on a short commute such as a college campus or to a job not too far from home.
Exway Flex
Exway made noise with the first belt driven budget electric skateboard to have premium build quality boasting a flexible deck and swappable drive train option. Other features of the board include a smart battery, remote turn on feature and a user-friendly app for customization of braking, acceleration, wheel size and more. The deck is concave with moderate wheel flares to accommodate larger wheel options. The board also has CNC forged trist trucks developed by Exway’s own engineering team for improved strength. There is also a free ride option in the app that lets you ride in both directions like the iconic Boosted Board. Overall the Flex has a premium look at a budget price. It makes for a nice investment in a board that has technology and smarts without an extremely high price tag.
Meepo Shuffle (V4)
Meepo Board is one of the top well known and established electric skateboard brands. They are known for their price points with their boards making access to the eskate hobby affordable for anyone. Which is why they are known as the brand that initiates people into eskate. The V3 was actually the first board I was considering before the Flex debuted. This board is the successor of the V series. A few things I think are cool about this board is the push to start, you will be able to get on the board and go. This board is also a great for commuting as well as cruising around. Lastly, is that you don’t have to worry about too much maintenance since this is a hub board. This is a very affordable option as well for someone who doesn’t want to invest a whole lot of money into their first electric skateboard but still wants to get the best bang for their buck.
Wowgo 2S Max
Wowgo is one of names you will come across that is well known in the industry. I think they do a good job of keeping steady progress in crafting quality eskate boards. The Wowgo 2s Max is an upgrade of the Wowgo 2 and 2s. The board utilizes hub motors with a comfortable deck to stand on while riding. This budget electric skateboard gives you a solid experience having great motor, battery capacity, deck, and wheels. Its an overall facelift with hardware improvements. A solid board that brings lots of fun.
Exway Wave
The wave came shortly after the release of the Flex. The company’s first short board with the same game changing features as the Flex. Remote turn on, smart battery, user friendly app, trist trucks. Only this time they integrated a light on the rear of the board. To indicate when a user is breaking. I think this is a fabulous feature and hope to see more companies integrate lights within the construct of their boards. Limited lighting options are available, and I think the company who is able to figure this out and do it at a great price point will definitely set themselves in a league all their own. There are other short boards on the market, but this is one I feel that is packed with quality and features that made it hard to include any other short board on my list. To me this board stands out far more than others and for a beginner who wants quality with portability this short board is definitely the sauce. To top it off a travel battery is also available for this board, the ultimate convenient traveling board. The wave also comes with swappable drive train options so take your pick of belt drive or hub motor.
Viper Beast Board
I could not find much of a backstory on Beast Board but from what I do know they are one of the newer companies in the hobby. What stood out to me with this board is the viper airless wind wheels. They look awesome and they definitely help this board stand out and grab attention when most boards have the same type of wheel. The wheels on the beast board are a patented design aimed to absorb shock from cracks in the road and give a more stable and smoother ride. Many riders have praised the wheels over and over again. Overall, the board has a simple look and design which I think is okay because according to reviews it makes up for what it lacks in aesthetics with performance. This belt driven board is praised for its impressive long range and smooth ride. It also has built in brackets for the popular accessory Shredlights.
Backfire G3
Backfire has to be one of my favorite brands to follow in the hobby. How is that when I do not even own a backfire board? Well, it is because of their fanbase that raves about the performance of their boards and customer service. This is what has Backfire on my list for my next potential board purchase. The G3 is Backfires most notorious best-selling hub motor board and is also known to be the beginner friendly entry level board into the hobby. It is a board that comes highly recommended for beginners. The board has a very cool aesthetic, concave flexible bamboo fiber glass deck, cruise control, and 3 speed modes including turbo mode for extra power acceleration. The remote design is a favorite among multiple board owners, and it also has usb charging port to charge phones and other portables as well as built in super bright LED lights.
Backfire Zealot
Another power hitter in the Backfire line up is the Zealot. This board came shortly after Exway released the highly anticipated Flex. The Zealot is Backfire’s very own belt driven board which now has an upgraded deck option (composite deck) since it was first released. This board has some of the same features as the G3 but is very much an upgrade in terms of power and performance. This board receives praise for its range, agility and power which is next level up from its predecessor the G3. If you have the extra money and decided on Backfire, go ahead and grab the Zealot. You won’t be dissapointed.
Beast Board Aurora
Another board added to Beast Boards lineup and making this list, is their hub version board following the highly acclaimed Beast Board Belt driven board.. This board comes with very cushy wheels which helps for your ride comfortability. With other companies you most likely will have to buy these types of wheels as an add-on. You wont get them as standard so this is a big value. In addition, you get great range and power for a board that wont break the bank and gives you a great riding experience. Very beginner friendly choice and comes highly recommended.
Wowgo 3X
The Wowgo 3X is one of the most popular boards from Wowgo. Highly acclaimed for having a similar feel and ride to Boosted Board and being the king of carve. Wowgo 3X is a common board you will see that many other people have owned and entered the hobby with. This is a fun board for carving and definitely has that quality and value you need in a first board as beginner. According to user reviews you won’t be disappointed with this board if you decide to pull the trigger. For the price point this hub motor board would be a great start to your eskate journey.
Backfire G2
Backfire’s G2 model is a board that also comes highly recommended for the price point. This board is simple in terms of jampacked features when compared to some of the other boards on this list, but don’t be fooled its performance and overall build quality is on par. This is one of the older models from the company so it won’t have as many bells and whistles as newer models. However, that makes it ideal for a beginner who is on a budget and just wants to ride and try eskate. This is a beginner suitable board that will give you a great rider experience and is also at a price that is very much affordable.
Comparison
In conclusion deciding on an electric skateboard is exciting. Think about how much fun it will be to cruise around the neighborhood in an unconventional way. As the hobby grows, I can only imagine what is next to come. I hope that you were able to take a step closer to your buying decision with the information provided. When you do get your board remember to shred safely, and always wear your safety gear. Don’t try to get out here and be “cool” in the wrong way. If you have any questions or suggestions for any other eskate articles please leave us a comment and welcome to eskate! Was this article helpful? If so please share it!
