How Much Is a Hoverboard? [Get the Best Deal]

Now that hoverboard manufacturers are getting ready to hit the market with their reimagined designs (prompted by the hiccups the industry took in 2015 and 2016), there’s a chance that the hoverboard craze may be renewed. Whether you’re looking to update from a previous model or are new to the concept of hoverboards but want to learn more, the price is going to be one factor you can’t overlook.

So, how much is a hoverboard? It varies from brand to brand, and even then, from model to model, but we’re going to look at some of the most popular options to identify the price trends and see where the averages lie.

What Determines Hoverboard Pricing?

There isn’t an industry standard on pricing yet, but there are some trends that have emerged among most boards you see on the market. The general rule of thumb is that boards under $200 are of the cheapest variety, while those more than $1,000 are the priciest. Mid-range boards cost around $300-$500. What determines how a board is perceived in terms of price? There are three major factors.

Build Quality

A well-constructed hoverboard is usually going to cost more than a poorly-constructed one. The size and sturdiness of a board’s tires, the stability of its rider platform, and the overall material choices go a long way in influencing the price of a particular model.

The quality of internal components also plays a role in the pricing. A weak motor and low-grade batteries will bring the price down, but a powerhouse motor and safety-certified batteries indicate higher quality and thus demand a higher price.

Fancy Tech

Some hoverboards contain just the basic components that they’ll need to run without a rider falling over. These basic models represent the lower end of the scale. Hoverboards with more accessories and features, on the other hand, will cost more, especially if these features are brand new and not incorporated into other models.

Examples of tech that can bring up the price? Bluetooth, for one, is a great extra that allows riders to run music through a hoverboard’s built-in speakers. It costs a fair bit extra though, as do advanced battery packs, more responsive speed controls, etc.

Brand Name

Sometimes the price just comes down to a name. Hovertrax. For instance, was known for having some pricier models when the hoverboard trend was kicking off. Nowadays, big-wheel all-terrain style boards like EPIKGO have a reputation for higher prices.

What Prices Can You Expect to Pay?

Here’s a look at some well-known brands/models, what they feature, and what you can expect to pay for each:

SwagTron

SwagTron sells a range of scooters, boards, and bikes, and made a big name for themselves early in the hoverboard boom. They have four separate hoverboard models, each with varying features, capabilities, and prices. Their models are UL certified, a measure taken to help ensure the safety of the devices. SwagTron T1 will set you back around 500 bucks and the T6 will be a couple of hundred bucks more expensive.

You can compare the models on their site to get a detailed breakdown of the differences. The main thing to keep in mind is that the pricier models include more powerful motors, greater range, better batteries, and the ability to link via a smartphone app and play music through a Bluetooth connection.

In the case of the SwagTron T6, the board is billed as the “off-road” model, with huge 10″ tires and ad 30-degree climbing capability (among other features). SwagTron claims this is “the ONLY hoverboard in the world that can support over 400 lbs.”

Razor

You remember Razor Scooters, right? A staple of the 90s, the company has entered the hoverboard market as well with their popular Hovertrax models. The original Hovertrax, the Hovertrax 1.0, is still out on the market at the lower end of the price spectrum, around three hundred bucks.

The newer iteration, though, the Hovertrax 2.0, is the one garnering the larger share of attention at the moment. It costs around four to five hundred, a price Razor justifies with the claim of having the “smartest self-balancing electric scooter.” In other words, a large quantity of engineering and parts upgrades that allow the board to balance better and keep the rider stable.

EPIKGO

EPIKGO set its sights on the “rugged” subsection of the hoverboard market by producing big-wheel models with tough platforms and an 18-degree max climbing incline. Their models are feature-packed, but they don’t come cheap, these are widely considered some of the more expensive boards on the market, ranging from around 700 to 800 bucks.

How much hoverboard does that kind of money get you? EPIKGO’s boards have big 8.5″ wheels, ten-mile ranges (or more), and dual 400W motors to maximize their speed and acceleration. All their board models are UL2272 certified, and some even come with the built-in Bluetooth option for playing tunes.

What Price Range Is Right?

Based off this sampling (and other models, if you look at what’s out there), the generally accepted price ranges are the below $200 models, the $300-$500 models, and the $500-$1000+ models. Which one is right? While they’ll save you a few bucks, the lowest price models are often so poor in quality that they don’t even justify purchasing for doing any serious riding.

Your best bet is probably to research boards from this range and weigh your options. If you need a board with a greater weight limit, you might have to spend a bit more to get it; if you don’t need to have the Bluetooth connection and can suffice with a lighter board, though, maybe a mid-range selection will be your best bet.