Riding an electric skateboard can be an enjoyable activity for your child, and it can help them get outside and into the fresh air. But when looking for the best cheap electric skateboard for you child, there are a number of important factors to consider. This includes the following:
How Experienced of a Rider Is Your Child
If your child is new to electric skateboarding (and skateboarding in general), you probably should consider buying a standard single wheel drive board. These boards are typically the least expensive and the easiest to use. By buying one of these boards, you can determine if your child actually enjoys electric skateboarding before moving on to a more advanced (and more expensive) model.
If your child is experienced with electric skateboarding, you may want to consider buying a standard dual wheel drive board. These boards offer more performance than single wheel drive boards. They not only produce higher speeds, but they can also accelerate faster. They actually can accelerate fast enough to throw your child from the board. So, if safety if your primary concern, you may want to avoid these types of boards. These boards are also harder to use than single wheel boards.
Regardless of how experienced your child is with electric skateboarding, you want to get a skateboard with good brakes. Electric skateboards can come with either mechanical or electric brakes, but most models on the market today come with electric brakes, which can potentially fail. So, it is important to develop a backup plan with your child, so they know exactly what to do in case the brakes fail.
Where Will Your Child Ride the Skateboard
Almost any electric skateboard will ride well along smooth and straight roads. But not all electric skateboards can handle hills and unpaved surfaces.
If you have steep hills in your neighborhood, make sure that the skateboard has sufficient power to climb them. Steep hills may necessitate the purchase of a dual wheel drive skateboard, which, as we have already stated, may be too complex for a new rider.
If your child will be riding the skateboard on unpaved surfaces, you may want to consider buying a model made specifically for off-road riding. These models have pneumatic tires for better traction and can ride well on just about any surface. However, if the roads around your home are not exactly smooth but not terribly rough either, you may get by with a model that has larger and softer wheels. Look for wheels that have a diameter of at least 80 millimeters and a softness rating of 76A or softer.
How Far Will Your Child Be Riding the Skateboard
Every electric skateboard has a distance range that specifies how far it can travel without recharging. If your child will be traveling long distances with the board, you want to make sure that the board can make it there and back, because there may not be charging options along the way. Keep in mind that the distance ranges manufactures list are based on riding along a level surface. If you have hills in your neighborhood, this will require the board to use more power, which means it will run out of power faster.
Other Considerations When Choosing an Electric Skateboard
If you live in an area with lots of wet weather, you may want to consider buying an electric skateboard that is water resistant, as many manufacturers of standard electric skateboards strongly advise against riding their boards in rainstorms.
If you plan to travel on airplanes with an electric skateboard, make sure that the board’s battery complies with TSA restrictions. Some skateboards have batteries that are too large to be taken on an airplane.
Finally, before buying an electric skateboard for your child, check with local law enforcement to make certain that such boards are legal, especially for children. Some municipalities forbid them and impose large fines on those who ride them.
