In a rapidly growing sport, there are tons of companies emerging trying to make a name for themselves. Electric skateboarding has come very popular over the past few years, and with rapid growth, comes some growing pains. So let’s take some time to talk about all the companies on the market today and dive into their roots. If you are looking for the best electric skateboard company break down…you have found it!
Most Reputable Budget Electric Skateboard Companies
Backfire
Backfire was co-founded in 2009 by Randy and Jerry, with a mission “for the company to deliver high quality, affordable skateboards and fun to all skateboarders in the world.”
Research and development started in 2011, with the first board designed in 2012 and hitting the market in 2013. This board was called the G1. The companies main office and warehouses are in Shenzen China, which is where the parts and boards are manufactured. Backfire has a good, long-standing reputation online. The boards are a great value for the cost, and the customer service is great. They have sales and service centers in, Germany, The UK, and LA. You can reach support in China at [email protected] and for the US you can email [email protected]. Backfire also provides and China (Tel: +86-13649827278) and the US (Tel: 1-804-404-3371) phone numbers on there contact page for support.
Meepo
Founded in 2017 by Kieran Mao, Meepo has been a rapidly growing company ever since. Meepo’s first board (The V1.5) became one of the top-selling boards in the US rapidly. Fast forward to today, and there are more than 30,000 Meepo board riders in over 70 countries! Pretty impressive for a newer company. There are mixed reviews on this company, and the build quality of the boards, but that is to be expected with a rapidly growing company and sport. With the high demand for boards and longer wait times on shipping, there are bound to be some upset customers. If you search through Reddit and youtube, you will find plenty of satisfied customers and riders. Meepo Board is responsible for the co-founding of international Eskate day, and they currently are organizing group rides around the world. You can contact customer support through there website here.
Exway
Exway is currently celebrating there 4th anniversary, and they are providing discounts on almost all their boards (September 2020). Founded in August of 2016, Exway has an interesting core value. They take “Born for Freedom” as their brand concept. They encourage people who live in cities to pursue freedom. This is an awesome concept because electric skateboards break the mold of traditional transportation and allow you to go places that traditional transportation won’t. Exway is headquartered in Shenzen, China, and was founded by two extreme sports enthusiasts. Similar to Meepo, this is a newer company with mixed reviews on products and support. You can reach customer service at [email protected] or [email protected]. They also have the customer support phone number listed on their site as 0086 755 84584875.
WowGo
WowGo was founded in 2017 by “Jason and Aiden”. As two entrepreneurs, and college graduates they also founded the company in Shenzen (the home of Exway and Backfire as well). WowGo’s mission is “to bring joy, passion, and youthfulness into peoples’ lives through the most affordable high-quality electric skateboards on the market.” WowGo is another newer company again with mixed reviews on products and service. WowGo claims to be using the highest quality parts on the market with batteries from Samsung, Sanyo, and Panasonic and bearings from Zealous. They do have a bunch of ways of contacting the company listed on their contact page.
Most Reputable Premium Electric Skateboard Brands
Lacroix
Lacroix is a Canadian e-board company founded by two brothers, Alex and Pat. With over twenty years of boarding experience, this company is setting the ‘premium board’ standard high. Pat departed from the company in 2018, but Alex is still operating the company with his team. They currently have three boards in production, starting at $2500 and ranging up to $4000. You can tell by their website and branding that they mean business. There is a lot of humor hidden in there websites and marketing which is refreshing to see as well. They offer a 90-day warranty on all their boards and 60 days of free labor after that. Their tagline ‘Like Nothing Else’ is a true statement for their high-end boards.
Metroboard
Born in Oregon in 2003, Metroboard is a US-based premium electric board brand. The company was started by Ilan Sabar, who is a mechanical engineer and studied at Standford. They only sell one board at the moment (but have sold a handful of other models previously), but it can be configured it a slew of different ways. Metroboard is claiming that they have the most powerful, advanced, longest range board on the market. The ‘Metroboard X’ starts at $2500 but unlike other board companies, you can a deposit to start the process and pay the rest before the board ships. They do have an ambassador program with a few skaters in the US, which is cool if you want to try the product out before buying. You can expect a top tier product and customer service from Metroboard.
Kaly NYC
Kaly’s about us page is pretty empty. “Hi my name is Ernesto Clark, I am a member of the DIY eSk8 community and started kaly.nyc”…That’s all ya get 🙂 Kaly is based out of the Bronx and there are mixed reviews about there customer service and response time online. Their boards absolutely stand out though…You can tell Ernesto is a DIY guy, just due to the fact that their production boards resemble most DIY boards. It will take you around $2850 to become a Kaly customer, and you will be buying a one of a kind board for that price. With 8-inch all-terrain wheels and a real-world range of 40 miles, it will be hard to be disappointed. There isn’t a whole lot of flash on the website, and no mission statement or catchy slogans, Ernesto just builds badass QUALITY boards. You can reach them through there contact page which also has their warehouse address listed.
Bioboards
From Bioboards about us page…”We exist for one reason and one reason only: To design, build, and offer the best electric skateboards in the world.” Well damn, that’s a tall order to live up to! Started in 2018, this is a newer, performance board company. Bioboards is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and currently offers the “Plutonium” board for sale on their website right now. The “Thorium” was there previously offered board which you can find plenty of reviews and people discussing online. You can fully customize every aspect of the board on their website. There is one option that not many other companies are offering at the moment…FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE! We’re talking 50 MPH on an electric skateboard….that is just insane. With their most expensive battery option, you can get up to a 30-mile range as well. You can reach support by submitting a form through their contact page or emailing [email protected].
Trampa
Not going to lie, when you log onto Trampas website it looks a bit overwhelming. There is a lot of information on this site and a lot of parts to choose from and sift through. There is no shortage of information on their ‘about’ page either. Its awesome seeing companies transparently posting about themselves, their values, and their owners! Tramped was originally started in 2002 but rebranded in 2005. Needless to say, this company has been in the game for some years! From their about page: “TRAMPA is the most innovative, proactive & downright coolest British manufacturer out there” These boards are built to spec, so if you are a new rider, this website may confuse you. This site and company is perfect for that DIY’er who is looking to customize every aspect of their board and have a trusted company build it. You can reach them here: Our warehouse & customer service is open UK Office 8 am until 6 pm 0044 7734 905883 or submit an email through the contact page.
Hoyt St.
From their about page “Our single-minded passion is to responsibly build powerful, reliable, and beautiful machines that exceed the expectations and needs of the growing community of electric skaters. We regard each purchase as the start of a relationship and service every board as one of our own.” This portland based company offers 1 board at the moment, with the ability to choose from some custom graphics. This company is well known for there puck-shaped remote which has little to no connectivity issues, due to its channel hopping ability. Whenever one channel band gets busy, the remote will change the channel automatically. This board offers a 28 MPH top speed and a range of 12-16 miles. This is a bit lower in both categories than you would expect from a premium board. The appearance and attention to detail in their boards have been praised by everyone who touches it. Hoyts customer service has also been praised on many forums and videos across the internet. This company is heading in the right direction for sure. There is a rumor that you will have the ability to purchase pneumatic wheels for their EL1 board, which could be a game-changer for the brand.
Other reputable Chinese Budget Board Brands
Ownboard
Headquartered in Shenzen, China (like a bunch of other companies in this article) Ownboard has been in the electric skateboard game for over 5 years. From their about page: “Super Quality, Satisfactory Service” is our slogan. Ownboard offers a wide variety of short and longboards, all-terrain and street setups, and all the accessories to go with them. Ownboards prices range from $379 all the way up to $1100. You can reach their support team at [email protected] or [email protected].
Maxfind
Maxfind was founded in 2015 by two engineers and designers. According to the Maxfind website, Ben and Leo of Maxfind were the first to develop hub motors for electric skateboards in 2015. Headquartered in Shenzen, some of Maxfind’s partners are also partnered with DJI and Huawei. You can reach them by E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +1 (425) 610-9286 and WhatsApp: +86 132-4293-6005. As far as customer service goes, there aren’t a ton of bad reviews out there, but there aren’t tons of customers singing their praises. They do offer street boards, DIY kits, and all-terrain setups. Most of their products are shipping from the USA.
Verreal
Founded in 2017, Verreal is another newer company on the market. From their about page “At Verreal boards, we are passionate about creating insanely awesome carving machines that incorporate the best longboarding concepts”. Headquartered in Shenzhen you can reach them at Wechat: +86-186-8894-1204(Fastest Way to Get a Response)and Email: [email protected]. They offer a few boards, raining from $350 all the way up to $1000, in street and all-terrain configurations. They do also offer a DIY kit. Again… we have a newer company with an average website and branding and very little company information.
Vestar
This Chinese company was founded in 2018 by Frank Wong. From reading their about page, it seems that environmental conservation is what really drives the company. You can reach them here: E-mail: [email protected] and Phone: +86 13723737291. The overall feel and branding of their site VS the other Chinese companies is much better. They have a good brand identity and their website is not just a Shopify plug and play. Vestar’s boards range from $479 to $1150. They offer mini boards, longboards, street, and all-terrain configurations. Being such a new company, it is hard to find customer service reviews online.
AeBoard
From AE Boards Contact page: “Aeboard is aimed at offering every customer the best quality board as well as the first-class service, every customer’s suggestions will be taken into consideration. Your suggestions and idea will encourage us to do better. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected], Wechat: +86-13713753023” They offer boards as low as $279 all the way up to $900, in just about any configuration you could want. There is no company history and no information about this company. Their website and branding doesn’t really stand out and say much.
Lycaon
I have seen ads for this company all over Facebook, and I’m sure if you are reading this you have too. “LycaonBoard was founded to offer accessible electric skateboards for eskate lovers at a revolutionary price.” This is a Chinese based company, 3 different boards, and a slew of accessories. The website and branding are refreshing, but the customer service reviews online are not that plentiful, and not that great. You can reach them with your inquires here: Email: [email protected] and Phone: +86 173 2437 3014
Apsuboard
There isn’t much company information about Apsuboard online. Here is a bit from their contact page “Apsuboard is one of the leading Skateboard Wholesale Distributors, Electric Skateboard Wholesale Suppliers, Skateboard Wholesale Prices, Skateboard Suppliers Online. Apsuboard Team will try our best to help you solve the problem, if you have a question, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Skype: Apsuboard” Boards from Apsu range from $299 up to $1299 in all configurations. It is tough to find customer service reviews on this company, most of the product reviews are on their website, which can be a bit biased.
Electric Skateboard Accessory and Safety Gear Brands
Flatland3d (Gloves and other accessories)
This website offers some cool protective gear and odds and ends for your eskate needs. You can grab some gloves, or a padded hoodie to keep you safe while riding. They also have bearings, bushing and remote covers to keep you covered while riding. They also have a cool how-to page on their site with loads of videos and useful information.
Shredlights (Lights)
When I first bought my board, I didn’t ever think I’d need lights. Boy was I wrong…These can be a bit pricey ($50 bucks for two lights) but well worth it. Not only will lights keep you safe and visible to cars while riding…It will also allow you to ride after the sun goes down. I have had some of my best rides at sunset! You can grab some super bright white LEDs for the front of your board (they mount underneath and are practically invisible) and some red LEDs for the rear. The lights can strobe, and have three levels of intensity. When fully charged, and on full strength, these lights last up to 3 hours!
Lazyrolling (Padded Hoddie)
Not only good to keep you warm for those autumn or winter rides, but these padded hoodies will also give you an extra level of protection for your rides. They offer some cool features like thumb loops, zipper pockets, and even a waterproofed zipper inner pocket for your phone or electronics.
iWonder
Now, these are a game-changer…When they first came out they did have some issues with cracking, but that does seem to be resolved with their newer version. You can put these wheels on your belt-driven street board, and basically be able to tackle any terrain. Now…they aren’t going to give you that pneumatic feel…but you can remain confident going over bumps, cracks, dirt, rocks, and even grass. They are available in a few different sizes to fit most belt-driven boards.
Alterbags (Backpack)
These bags are great if you are looking for something to strap your board onto. They are made from ballistic durable nylon and come with some reflective materials to increase visibility at night as well. Some models sport some awesome features like laptop pockets, helmet storage, and side slot pockets for a speaker or your phone.
Skateboard Accessory and Safety Gear Brands with use in Eskate
Riptide (Super Popular Bushings)
As an electric board rider for a few years, I have personally used these bushings. Now, they can be a bit costly, but if you know how to configure them properly they will transform the way you ride your board and the way it handles. Bushings are an extremely important part of ride quality and if you purchase a kit of these for your board, be sure that it is WELL worth the investment.
Abec 11 (Popular Wheels)
This company obviously has a long-standing reputation in the skateboarding industry, and it is a good one to boot. These wheels will cost ya, but they are worth it in every aspect. If you are looking for a high performing urethane skateboard wheel, that’s handles bumps and cracks but can also stick to the pavement this might be the right wheel choice for you.
TSG (Most popular Full Face Helmet)
This company has TONS of helmets on their site, it is actually impressive! Their Pass Pro model has become popular in the eskate community. It is technically made for downhill riding but is perfect for electric skateboarding. It’s a fiberglass helmet, that is extremely aerodynamic. It also has a scratch-free, fog proof visor! Not to mention, looks pretty sweet too.
Triple 8 (Popular Helmets + Protective Gear)
I have used Triple 8 products for well over 20 years. Way before electric boarding was a thing 🙂 This company has been making protective gear for a long time. Rest assured that when you purchase a product from this company you are going to receive a quality product. I currently have a triple 8 helmet that goes everywhere I go!
187 Killer Pads (Great Protective Pads)
This company has been in the game for over a decade. This California based company offers a wide variety of pads to keep you safe while riding. One unique feature about these pads, is they have a custom pad builder that will allow you to design pads that no one else has!
MBS (Trucks)
This is a Colorado-based, Mountainboard company. They offer a wide variety of Boards, parts, and accessories. They even offer some parts for electric boards as well. Their website has a ton of useful information, as well as videos and photos. Most electric boarders will find this site useful for parts. Tires, tubes, wheels, bearings, trucks, you can buy it all here!
