The future of hoverboards is now being shaped by new innovations in the market. Still a very cheesy, popular toy, these self balancing scooters are redefining how riding can be fun and cool at the same time.
Now, what hasn’t been all cool over the years is the cost of getting one. In fact, upon initial production as an electrical rideable item, hoverboards were very expensive, and that was rightly so. The cost for some early releases were as high as about $1,300.
However, as a result of competition, varied models, and many more, the recent costs range from $300 – $1000 (that’s aside very basic, cheap hoverboards that come between $100-$200) depending on brands, model sizes or shapes, and quality of design parts, especially the battery pack.
So, before we get to the question — how much do hoverboards cost? — let us first answer another pretty important question…
What Are Hoverboards?
Hoverboards are self balancing scooters that have two wheels and can be driven indoors or outdoors.
The name might be somewhat misleading as the boards do not really hover. However, they are a decent, flash, handy form of transportation that run on batteries and rely on your balancing tilts on the pressure pads to move in your intended directions. That’s a lot of words to put it. But just define them by their features:
- They are self balancing scooters that might look like an improvement from your regular skateboard. Under your feet, hoverboards may feel like skateboards, but they are indeed different from each other.
- That’s because they are powered, they are electric products with a battery park and a logic board (or mother board) responsible for control and potential movement.
- The batteries are rechargeable, and they can travel at 3 to 10 miles per hour or more at single charge.
- They cost a deal of cash and have possible electrical faults like every other electrical devices or forms of transportation.
- They are fun to ride.
Perhaps manufacturers and tech companies are on their way to making hoverboards that will actually fly as the fictional source for this product depicts it to be.
There might be more features to glean when you buy one, but they mostly have shared features and designs.
Factors Influencing Hoverboard Cost
The introduction touched briefly on this and it will now be considered extensively here. The starting point here is to reemphasize that the review of hoverboard cost is largely on the de-monopolized niche that the market has played itself into in recent times.
The hoverboard market space has opened up and more brands with multiple model types have been able to open up space for cheaper and cost-competitive hoverboards. In that vein, the factors will include the following:
1. Nature Of Market Competition
This clearly explains the reference made earlier. Hoverboards didn’t begin where they are now. During the early times of the invention in 2013, not many people were able to afford one because of what was inferred as the cost of design.
However, the influx of cheap models from China a year later disrupted the monopolistic hold of hoverboards and gave people alternatives.
With those cheaper options came the wave of popularity from 2015, when what was largely an internet meme product became one of the most sought-after fun items in the years to come.
The market has since then been a popular attraction across states in the US and around the world.
2. More Hoverboard Options
Invariably, the nature of the market is complemented by the various sizes of hoverboards that dominated the market. More competitors meant more products, and more products meant varied options for consumers.
The hoverboard’s case is a unique lesson on the factor of demand as an external factor driving the reviewed cost of the product.
What manufacturers have done is to strategically penetrate the market in a way that sustains consumers’ interests through pricing decisions anchored on multiple availability for the hoverboards.
3. Hoverboard Model & Weight
Having more options typically means having more models, but the point here is that these models come with different weight limits.
Hoverboards have weight limits that are specifically designed for different kind of users, ranging from average or casual riders, beginners, kids, sturdier or heavier users, and pros.
The weight limit can be the 4.5-inch hoverboard. This represents the lowest weight limit of about 55 kilograms, and possibly feeds more into user narratives of mostly people like kids, or young adult-beginners who don’t weigh more than that, etc.
There is the 6.5-inch for casual riders, an 8 or 8.5-inch, and the 10-inch weight limit for weights between 150 and 180 kilograms.
These models and varied weights are cost relative. In other words, they determine the prices you can get a hoverboard for.
A hoverboard with a lower wheel-inch will cost lower in comparison to the higher one, although the model and design taste are other factors that can impact the costs irrespective of the weight limit.
4. Review Of Safety Concerns
At the initial point, after the monopoly was broken, the popularity of the cheap replicas of the hoverboards came at a huge cost. Many of the hoverboards began to develop electrical issues with an increased rate of overheating and explosion of many hoverboards.
The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission became a busy one trying to mitigate the risks of accidents or injuries associated with hoverboards due to complaints from users.
Part of the realization is that the demand of the product coincided with the ones with cheaper cost. Apparently, the people wanted the product but cannot afford them.
Manufacturers tapped into that challenge by killing two birds with a stone: reasonably review the cost of the hoverboards and produce certified ones with quality safety and functionality.
Are Hoverboards Still Expensive?
The answer is yes, only that you have options that match your preference and budget.
If you are wondering, therefore, if you should buy a hoverboard, the answer is that you need to consider some metrics before making a pick from the price ranges given below.
Ask what your budget really is? Are you buying for casual luxury or active use? Do you want to buy in a store or online?
The question of where to buy a hoverboard is important for preventing potential ambiguities regarding the seller’s return of product policies. It could also help you decide whether what you are buying is a whole new item or purchasing as a second-hand or used product.
What Are The Different Price Ranges?
As mentioned earlier, current prices range from as low as $100 in brands cost and as high as $1,000 or more.
While the basic features of a hoverboard are shared, there are new or updated versions with different innovative technologies and features that make some hoverboards somewhat more expensive than some other products.
These features include water-resistant ones, having built-in Bluetooth speakers, LED light; models that have smartphone app integration, amongst other features, and they impact on the price range for these products.
In other words, there are hoverboards that are low-priced, while some are medium-priced and high-priced. The ranges are presented below:
- Range Price of $100-$200
These are hoverboards with basic features. These could be the best bet for riders who are mostly beginners and are just entering that space with little or no regard for the attractive designs yet.
The last word is important. Many might start with this, but it is often hard for them to stay with it.
They might not be able to travel for long distances, but they have other features like built-in wireless speaker, LED wheels and lights, amongst other things.
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- $200-$500
These are hoverboards that mostly come with a higher warranty, and better suit the average riders or casual ones who are at the space between beginners and professional users.
The hoverboards within this price range are also packed with premium qualities and features compared to those under $200. They have higher maximum speed, extended and expected durability that comes with warranty, without missing out on LED lights, Bluetooth speakers, or off-road capabilities.
The design quality is also a visible improvement to devices in the range above. The UL 2272 certification is an also almost assured feature for hoverboards in this category.
The certification is mostly invested on products that have been declared safe to use.
You would recall us mentioning earlier the challenge many new, cheap hoverboard products had because of low quality batteries and materials that led to explosions of any hoverboards. However, hoverboards with the UL 2272 certification are safe for riding.
In addition, many of these products are water resistant and equally certified as such.
Although there are some models — like the Swagtron T6 Terrain Hoverboard — that are not so, but offer other attraction that makes you chart difficult terrains.
The same product has LED lights that emit light in front and back directions, up to 6.5 feet, which gives unhindered visibility.
The hoverboards within this models’ price range also give more hour rides after single battery charges, for 2 hours without stop.
There are models — like the Halo Rover — that help you keep track of your hoverboard’s battery life, GPS location, and also speed meter, even with adjustable features.
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- $500 and above
This price range represents the high-priced hoverboards which are for avid riders of the self-balancing scooter with expectations and choices around hoverboards with the highest quality and class.
They are mostly premium performance with optimum deliverables. They are easily well durable compared to the other low-priced and medium-priced hoverboards and are also user-serviced. That makes them easier to maintain.
They possess all the features mentioned earlier and have superior weight limit. They also offer the fastest riding speeds.
More so, they are often bigger and more powerful, with many of them having a fast charging battery life that is so built-in.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Hoverboard
While the cost element is a key aspect of your purchase drive, there are also other factors that should define or determine your choice of hoverboard. That’s beside the core, basic one that is reflected in the safety certifications and features. The following are important considerations:
i. The Rider Or Potential User
Make sure that your motivation is not an untamed wild interest as a rider. Know to pull the breaks for yourself.
If you are a beginner or a child, it is not useful, reasonable, or even safe for your preference and choice of hoverboards to be the ones used by adults.
In that case, you choose the hoverboards with lower wheel-inch capacity and minimum weight limit.
ii. Speed Range
The speed range of hoverboards mostly goes between 2 miles per hour and 10 mph. There are other hoverboards that go as much 12 miles per hour.
However, pay attention the speed range and realize that many factors contribute to your hoverboard’s maximum speed. They include the terrain, the riider’s weight, and many more you can find out if you click here.
iii. Wheel Size
As earlier referenced, there are largely four types of wheel sizes, the recent 4.5-inches, 6.5-inches, 8 or 8.5 inches, and 10 inches.
You realize soon enough that, while the lower wheel sizes might be easier to carry, they can hardly survive certain rugged terrains like their bigger counterparts.
iv. Battery Life & General Building Quality
You need to consider the battery life of your intended hoverboard and if it will serve you.
No doubt, charging time of hoverboards differ based on brands. But you must go for the right charging time.
Many times, what you get from your battery life is dependent on the size of the hoverboard or vice versa. The bigger the hoverboard, the bigger the charging life.
Any hoverboard that doesn’t have 2-3 hours charging window for a full charge might not be the best choice.
Also, qualities of materials used in the design of hoverboards differ: from the wheels, to the frame, to electronics, the internal motors, and sensors. Be sure the features reflect the design quality you want.
v. Safety & Warranty
A crucial factor for making the choice to buy a hoverboard is the warranty the company is offering.
A durable hoverboard offers good warranty. That is predicated upon their adherence and value to standard practices, among which is obtaining certifications like the UL 2272 certification.
Ensure your hoverboard has this safety precaution, as it is generally what people also look out for before buying a hoverboard.
vi. Weight Limit
This is a very important factor. Minimum and maximum requirements for hoverboard weight limit vary with the wheel size inch that each hoverboard is.
Ensure to buy one that supports your body weight. They vary between about 55 and 380 kilograms.
Conclusion
Your budget matters very much in this whole process, too, never forget that. Your ability to get the best out of a hoverboard can rely on many other things than buying an expensive valuation, especially if you aren’t there. Know what works for you and go all the way for it.
