Best Electric Skateboard for Kids and Teens (in 2023)

Electric skateboarding is a rapidly growing sport across the world. In an age of technology, it’s always good to find new creative ways to get the younger generations away from the screen and into nature! Electric skateboarding is a great way to get outside, get exercise, and adventure to new parts of your town! I have found tons of awesome places in my neighborhood and surrounding areas on my electric skateboard, and have had loads of fun with friends! It’s an easily accessible hobby that won’t break the bank if you are looking at the right boards. So let’s get into it!

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Model

Check Price

Best Value

Meepo V3

Backfire G2 Black

Best Shortboard

Meepo Mini 2

Meepo Mini 2

Best Belt-Driven

Backfire Zealot

Backfire Zealot

Best All-Terrain

WowGo AT2

WowGo AT 2

Why Get An Electric Skateboard For Your Kid?

It’s super fun!

Electric skateboarding is a combination of skating, surfing, and snowboarding. It allows you to carve endlessly, climb up hills and go places a regular skateboard wouldn’t allow you to. You can take your boards when you travel, cruise around your neighborhood before the sun goes down. I love riding around at the end of the day to decompress. The list is endless!

Physical Activity

In a time where computer games rule the world, electric skateboarding is a great way to get kids outside and moving. You may think, it’s powered by electric motors, how could it be exercise? Electric skateboarding builds leg and core strength and improves balance. We tracked calories burnt on our last 15-mile ride, and I was amazed to find that we had burned over 600 calories! An electric skateboard is a great way to get your kids away from the computer and into nature while having fun and getting exercise.

Commuting Device

I BMX at a local skatepark in my town, and I always see a young skater arriving on his Meepo electric skateboard with his shortboard under his arm. Electric skateboards are a great commuter device for any age. In cities across the world, electric skateboards are becoming people’s main mode of transportation. Some boards will allow you to travel 20+ miles on a single charge. You can charge just about anywhere without people giving you a hard time. Buy a coffee at a local shop and you are able to recharge your board while you drink it. For the cost, this is an environmentally friendly cost-effective way to get to and from work or errands if you do not have a car.

teen commuting on electric skateboard

What makes an electric skateboard kids-friendly?

Reputable and Safe

There are a lot of electric skateboard companies on the market today. You won’t choose a company that has a good reputation and responsive customer service.  Now that most companies have years of research and development under their belts,  find a more reputable company has become easier and easier.  most of today’s popular boards are manufactured in China but there are some that are US-based.

group of teens riding electric skateboards

Soft Acceleration Curve 

 it is important for a new rider to have an electronic speed control or ESC with a soft acceleration curve. If you are not used to electric skateboards and how they operate a fast jolt of the throttle may throw you off the board.  Most boards will have different modes and any new rider should always start in Eco or safe mode until they are used to the board and the way it responds to the accelerator.

Good Brakes

As technology improves braking on electric skateboards has gotten better and better. Most boards will have a single wheel for acceleration and when you pull that wheel back the board will brake. Most of the lower-priced point electric skateboards will have Hub driven Motors and the breaking on hub driven Motors will be slightly less aggressive than that on a belt-driven board. But, Hub driven skateboard still have amazing braking abilities and as you become a more experienced rider you will be in tune with the board and the way the braking system works. Every time I get on my electric skateboard I am very impressed with the brakes and the ability of the board to stop. 

Doesn’t need to be the fastest

People are always concerned about the top speed of an electric skateboard. Most higher-end boards give you the ability to travel upwards of 30 miles per hour. This is not necessary for a new skater. When you are shopping for an electric skateboard for a kid do not be concerned about the top speed if the board can go 12 to 15 miles per hour this is plenty enough speed for a new skater to have an amazing ride as well as be safe. As a rule of thumb you never really want to travel faster than you can run on an electric skateboard. This way if you were to fall you could potentially run out of the Fall instead of hit the asphalt.

Low Weight & Portable 

The larger Electric boards can get pretty heavy. As a 190 lb rider who is in good shape, I would dread the day that I would have to carry my Evolve Bamboo GTR a few miles if anything were to happen. When choosing a board for a youngster I would absolutely recommend looking at the weights and sizes. Another feature that some boards do offer is a handle. If the board has a handle it will be MUCH easier to carry in the event that something were to happen if the board needed to be held and walked with.

Electric Skateboard Weight Limit - Maximum Load Capacities Compared

What else should you consider before buying an electric skateboard for kids and teenagers?

What will be the purpose of the board?

Some general purposes to think about when buying a board for kids: will they be Commuting, Riding only for fun, Riding Off-Road, making tricks? If you are looking at commuting with the board then the range will be one of your top priorities. If the board will just be ridden for leisure then you may not need to worry about many of the specs. If you are looking to be able to take the board offroad then you need to focus on what types of trucks and wheels the board offers. 

Price

Now we all know that kids won’t take the best care of all their belongings that is just common knowledge 🙂 There are a few boards that you can get for under $300. I would probably start here for a new e-skater, and once they are enjoying the sport and taking care of the board, think about upgrading from there. Cheaper boards are also going to be built with less quality parts and may not last as long.

Battery Size (Range)

This is going to be the feature that increases the price of the boards drastically and quickly. Some boards even have an extended range option where the manufacturer will provide a larger battery. Bigger batteries are always going to increase the price and range capabilities of the board. Most of the cheaper boards will give you about a 10-mile range, which for a new rider could be hours of fun!

Customer Service 

Finding a company with good customer service is very important. Look at some reviews, pay attention to warranties, and how people are talking about the brand. Youtube is a great tool for exploring how companies treat their customers.

Best Electric Skateboards for Kids and Teens

Backfire G2 Black 2020 – Best Overall Eskate for kids

The Backfire G2 Black 2020 is probably one of the best budget electric skateboards right now. It is an updated version of Backfire’s successful G2 board. The company has updated various specs to make the board more competitive and compelling especially comparing to the Meepo V3, one of the most sold eskates. They have increased the board’s deck’s size a bit. Customers have wished for that for a while now. They also updated the Hobbywing ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) and it’s Remote, the remote control now has an LCD screen. Additionally, Backfire sealed the cases of the Battery and ESC better, thus making it more water-resistant. All of these changes are tiny but overall these details add up making an eskate experience much better. I highly encourage you to check out our Review on the Backfire G2 Black 2020 edition. It’s one of the best and in-depth going reviews we have ever published!

But the biggest upgrade is definitely its battery. Backfire has made it bigger, it’s now a 180 Wh instead of a 144 Wh battery. Backfire claims that this battery will give you a range of 11 miles/ 18 km. And I have to say both from my experience and from reviews that this advertised range will be very close to a true and real-life range. Thank you Backfire for now overstating.   

Another advantage of Backfire is that they have a US Warehouse. Hence Shipping time can be as short as a few days. Compared to Meepo and Exway this is unbelievably fast. This could be a major buying decision factor.

Specs and Features

Top Speed24 mph (38 km/h)
Range11 miles (18 km)
Battery Size180 Wh
Drive TrainHub Motor
Motor Power2 x 400 Watts
Weight16.3 lbs (7.4 kg)
Max weight capacity260 lbs (120 kg)
Hill climb30 %
Recharge time3.5 hours
Water resistanceyes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size96 mm
Warranty6 months
Link to our ReviewBackfire G2 Review
Link to Website(Global) backfireboards.com/g2
(US Stock) backfireboardsusa.com/g2
Price$409 – Sea Shipping
$509 – Air Shipping

Meepo Mini 2 – Best Shortboard for Kids

This board packs a serious punch for its size. It is a ‘shortboard’ with a kicktail and has a much stiffer feel than a traditional longboard. This shortboard is only 30 inches long, compared to V3 which is a whole 8 inches longer. The kicktail allows you to lift the backend of the board off the ground, which makes handling in smaller spaces easier. You can even use the kicktail to manual with this board. Meepo offers two batteries for this board, like most of their other models. With the standard version you can expect up to an 11-mile range, and with the extended version around 18 miles.

This board is very stealthy. Its small size, lightweight, and quiet hub motors allow you to really blend in if using this board to commute or get from point A to point B. The price on this board, similar to the V3 is very appealing to new riders. You can get into the electric skateboard game for under $400, with good customer service and a 6-month warranty on the board. This board is best for kids because of the small size, light weight, and affordability. 

Specs and Features

Top Speed25 mph (40 km/h) – Meepo Mini 2
29 mph (46 km/h) – Meepo Mini 2 ER
Range11 miles (18 km) – Mini 2
20 miles (32 km) – Mini 2 ER
Weight16 lbs (7,2 kg) – Mini 2
18 lbs (8 kg) – Mini 2 ER
Battery SizeNo info
Drive TrainHub Motors
Motor Power2 x 400 Watt – Mini 2
2 x 540 Watt – Mini 2 ER
Max Weight Capacity300 lbs (136 kg)
Hill Climb20 %
Charge Time2 hrs
Wheel SizeWheel Diameter: 90 mm
Water ResistanceNo rating
Warranty6 months
Link to Websitemeepoboard.com/mini-2
Price$ 379 – Meepo Mini 2
$ 579 – Meepo Mini 2 ER

Backfire Zealot – Best Belt-driven Eskate for Kids

When it comes to price and performance this board stands out amongst the crowd. It is powerful, has a great range, and a variety of modes for every rider. This is because of its belt drive system. All other boards that we have spoken about thus far have been hub motor driven. Hub motors are basically a motor inside of the skateboard wheel or sleeve, which gives you a smooth, efficient and powerful ride. Belts will provide more torque, and most likely a higher speed depending on the conditions and riders weight. The belt drive systems connect the motors gear, and gear on the wheel with a rubber belt. Belt driven boards are becoming more popular, and accessible, and affordable now. You used to have to spend well over $1000 USD to get a board with specs like this one, which is now $699. 

What’s good about this board for new riders is that you will be able to grow into it. You can start a new rider in eco mode, which will provide smooth acceleration and braking and a lower top speed. Once the rider feels comfortable with this mode then you can jump up to sport mode. This board also offers a turbo mode with speeds up to 30mph which can be very dangerous for new riders, but also fun for experienced riders. Backfire skateboards was founded in 2013, giving them a bit more time in the electric skateboard game. Given its longer company lifetime, Backfire does seem to have good reviews, this includes products and customer service. If this board is in the budget, you can learn on it until you are comfortable and then increase the torque and speed. Make sure to check out our Backfire Zealot Review.

Specs and Features

Top Speed28.5 mph (46 km/h)
Range17.5 miles (28 km)
Battery Size311 Wh
Drive TrainBelt Drive
Motor Power2 x 750 Watts
WeightUnknown
Max weight capacity260 lbs (120 kg)
Hill climb30 %
Recharge time6 hours
Water resistanceyes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size96 mm
Warranty6 months
Link to Website(Global) backfireboards.com/zealot
(US-Stock) backfireboardsusa.com/zealot
Price$699 – Sea Shipping
$799 – Air Shipping

WowGo AT2 – Best All-Terrain Board for Kids

All-terrain boards are a TON of fun. They bridge the gap between being able to ride on the just the street, and taking your board on trails and places that regular boards cannot. This is considered one of the best AT boards that has pneumatic (or air filled tires) VS the hard rubber tires. Pneumatic wheels give a more comfortable, stable and grippy ride. You feel as if you are gliding over the pavement, as your wheels, double kingpin trucks, and flexy deck will all help absorb bumps and cracks. What is also amazing about these types of all-terrain boards is the ability to switch out wheels. You can use airless, pneumatic, cloud wheels, or regular street wheels. Now, this comes with a price. You will be spending more than $1,000 to jump into this board or any other all-terrain boards.

You can turn this board on and off with JUST the remote. Traditionally you will need to power on the board and the remote separately, but not with the WowGo AT2. WowGo also claims this board is highly water-resistant which is always a plus. The double kingpin trucks allow this board to carve like crazy, and also turn on a dime. Wowgo, similar to Meepo, was founded in 2017. They are a newer company as well. Again, there are mixed reviews on this company for service and products. This board is great for kids due to the flexibility to change wheels, and the pneumatic tires allowing riders to glide over all surfaces with ease!

Specs and Features

Top Speed25 mph (40 km/h)
Range22 miles (35 km)
Battery Size504 Wh
Drive TrainBelt Drive
Motor Power2 x 1500 Watts
WeightUnknown
Max weight capacity260 lbs (120 kg)
Hill climb30 %
Recharge time6 hours
Water resistanceyes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size7 inch or 120mm
Warranty9 months
Link to Websitewowgoboard.com
Price$1099 – Pneumatic or Cloudwheels
$1219 – Pneumatic and Cloudwheels

Meepo V3 – Great Alternate Budget Board 

This is one of the best selling e boards on the market right now. Coming in a $379 this board should be on your radar if you are looking for a board for a youngster. What stands out on this board is the ability to change ride and brake modes separately. Unlike other boards where braking changes with ride mode, you can change these variables individually on the V3. With a top speed of 29 mph, this board does offer some insane speed for the price. The range on this board and many others within this price range is around 10 miles. For a beginner rider this will be plenty of fun. For someone more advanced who is looking to commute or adventure on this board, it may not be enough.

Meepo was founded in 2017, so they are a fairly new company. The customer service reviews have been mixed across the board, but we do have to take into consideration the current world pandemic, which has created high demands for boards, and long shipping time waits. This board is best for kids because of its reliability, comfort, and ease of use. Make sure to check out our Meepo V3 Review.

Specs and Features

Top Speed28 mph (45 km/h)
Range11 miles (18 km)
20 miles (32 km) – ER (Extended Range)
Battery Size144 Wh
288 Wh – ER
Drive TrainHub Motors
Motor Power2 X 540 Watts
Weight16 lbs (7.2 kg)
Max weight capacity300 lbs (136 kg)
Hill climb30 %
Recharge time2 – 2.5 hours
Water resistanceyes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size90 or 100mm
Warranty6 months
Link to Websitemeepoboard.com/V3
Price$ 379 Meepo V3
$ 579 Meepo V3 ER
Link to our ReviewMeepo V3 Review

Backfire Ranger X2 – Great Alternate All-Terrain Board

The Backfire Ranger X2 is very popular among Beginners and advanced riders. The Ranger X2 has one of the biggest wheel sizes of the boards on this list. The board is marketed as an all-terrain device, and these 6.5 inch diameter rubber wheels make it one of the most versatile and comfortable options available. This option might be especially appealing if you’re commuting in an area with multiple or rough terrains. Although this model will run you about $1200, it’s larger frame, increased stability, and stronger motor might help offset the increased cost.

The weight of the Ranger X2 is one factor to consider. At 28 lbs, the Backfire Ranger X2 is one of the larger and heavier boards on the list. Like we said above, this shouldn’t be an insurmountable problem. You can still tow the board behind you like a trolley. Finding a solid backpack, shepherd’s hook, or deck hook might also help to mitigate the effects of the increased weight this device brings to the table.

If you’re looking for a mid-range priced electric skateboard that can handle the bumps of uneven pavement or road, the Backfire Ranger X2 might be the board for you!

Specs and Features

Top Speed22 mph (36 km/h)
Range21 miles (35 km)
Battery Size504 Wh
Drive TrainHub Motor
Motor Power2 x 1200 Watts
Weight28 lbs (12,7 kg)
Max weight capacity260 lbs (120 kg)
Hill climb30 %
Recharge time3 hours
Water resistanceIP 55 (splash water & dust resistant)
Wheel / Tyre Size6.5 inch | 16,5 cm
Warranty6 months
Link to Website(Global) backfireboards.com/ranger-x2
(US-Stock) backfireboardsusa.com/ranger-x2
Price$1049 – Sea Shipping
$1249 – Air Shipping

Recommended Safety Gear for Kids and Teens

Helmet

I recommend the Triple 8 Dual Certified Helmet because it has numerous safety certifications. In fact, the helmet is not only certified twice like the name suggests but in fact 4 times. That level of safety is provided by a reasonable and fair price. Additionally, you can buy the helmet with MIPS Technology. MIPS features a non-friction layer that absorbs much of the rotational force during a fall or crash, reducing the incidence of injury. As such, it shouldn’t be a big surprise that the helmet has become one of the most popular helmets among eskaters. For more information check out my comprehensive guide on electric skateboard helmets.

Check Price on Amazon

Gloves

Nobody likes a scraped hand. Unfortunately, a scraped hand is after a fall on asphalt almost inevitable. Hence it’s more than recommended to wear proper hand protection. Flatland3d a small US-based company offers great gloves for eskating. In fact, they were designed for electric skateboarders. Providing lots of protection while also offering enough flexibility to hold the remote control comfortably. Flatland3d Pro gloves have a special protection system (SPS) built in to protect your hand and wrist by adding two sliders to the palm of the glove. This will convert most of the impact energy into a controlled slide. If you want to learn more about eskate gloves and wrist guard options check out this blog post.

Check Price on Flatland3d

Knee Pads

Let’s think about taking a fall. You will probably fall onto your hands and after that land on your knees. So proper knee protection can save us a lot of pain. The company, “187 Killer Pads” has been producing pads for professional skaters for the past decade. Started by a long-time skater in a family-owned shop, 187 Killer Pads has since become a reputable choice of skaters – and eskaters – worldwide. Check out my article on eskate pads for more information.

Check Price on Amazon

Padded Hoodie

For additional safety, a Hoddie made out of Kevlar and integrated shoulder, elbow and back pads will be a great idea. The Lazyrolling Armored Hoodie is designed epsaiclley for eskaters. Besides the safety features is also have waterproof pockets for your phone, keys, and any other items you may have and special zippers creating an airflow system for temperature regulation. For more info check out our Lazyrolling Armored Hoodie Review.

Check Price on Lazyrolling. Use discount code “E-SKATEBOARDER” to get $20 off.

Lights

If you want to let your kid ride in the evening or at night, don’t forget to equip the board with proper Lights. As such your little one can see possible crack in front of them but also will be seen by other traffic participants. Ad for board lights you can’t go wrong with the Shredlights SL-200. They were designed for eskaters, hence they are built for rough conditions such as heavy vibrations, falls, and water splashes. If you want to learn more about eskate lights check out my article here.

Check Price on Shredlights

Electric Skateboard Safety Tips For Kids and Teens

Wear protective gear

The bottom line is that this sport is dangerous. Concrete is not a forgiving surface. Broken bones happen. Road rash happens. Wearing the proper protective gear dramatically reduces the risk of injury, and has saved my skin MANY times. If you are purchasing a board for a youngster, make sure to purchase a helmet and a good set of protective pads as well.

Teach them how to ride before letting them on the road

I learned to drive my first car in an empty parking lot. The same thing should be done for electric skateboards. Parking lots, empty parks, anywhere where there are no cars or people should be where everyone learns to ride. Although they are toys, these boards can be dangerous and it is important to ride within your limits and never exceed your comfort zone.

Teach them the rules and regulations of the road

Again similar to driving, it is important to learn the regulations of the road. Always ride with traffic, make sure you are visible and use bike lanes when possible. I stay off all main roads whenever I can, just due to the fact of my highly populated state and reckless drivers. 

Avoid Rain And Snow

I never ride my board if there is rain or snow anywhere in the near future. There is too much risk when it comes to electronics and water. Some board manufacturers will claim that a board is water-resistant, but I wouldn’t take the risk of testing the limits. This sport is for dry, sunny weather and that makes it all the more fun to get outside and enjoy nature!

Final Thoughts 

I love this sport, and I share it with people whenever I can. Young, old, it doesn’t matter. That’s what’s so great about this sport, anyone can enjoy it! In today’s day and age, technology is consuming too much of our youth’s time. It is important to show them that you can have fun outside and get active and stay fit while getting stoked! If you are considering purchasing a board for a youngster, do your research, educate them, and most importantly HAVE FUN!

2 thoughts on “Best Electric Skateboard for Kids and Teens (in 2023)”

  1. Thanks for useful article!
    Buying a board for the little ones gets confusing because of the wide choices available. Having the proper skateboard will surely solidify my bond with my kids. This will also make sure that every visit to the park or every ride on the street will be an enjoyable experience.

    Reply

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