Best Electric Skateboards under $500 (in 2023)

At times, it might seem impossible to find a solid skateboard without having to pay the hefty price of an arm and a leg. Some of the top-of-the-line electric skateboards can easily run into thousands of dollars in price. This is enough to make even the most interested future skaters give up on the dream entirely. But in reality, there’s no need to worry. It’s actually pretty easy to find a high-performing board without breaking the bank. Our guide will help you along with some tips and strategies to find the best electric skateboards for under $500.

Things to consider when buying an Electric Skateboard under $500

Price

It’s no secret that the electric skateboard markets are filled to the brim with expensive, high-end models. Top shelf boards can cost $1,500 or more. However, a growing number of electric skateboard companies are known for their inexpensive and high-quality builds. The main thing to remember when it comes to price is that you want to balance affordability with functionality. If a board is made with materials that are cheap and technology that is old, it’s unlikely that the skateboard will offer the kind of performance you’re looking for. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a board with the very best materials might cost far more than you’re willing to spend. After all, it isn’t cheap to create a build using the most cutting-edge tech.

Several factors help to determine the cost of your board. This guide will address how each component of a skateboard’s build contributes to its total cost in the subsections below. But on the most basic level, both the base materials used in a board and the performance offered by the board are used to determine its market value. Additionally, the brand behind a skateboard is a major source of its value. Some riders will pay quite a bit of money for the most popular brands, especially considering the solid track record of customer service associated with companies like Boosted Boards. Generally, riders who want to save money on their board should avoid the most popular brands. Paying the premium of brand recognition can really drive up costs, which might be troublesome for budget shoppers.

Battery Capacity

Battery size is a big indicator of performance, especially if you plan on commuting or traveling on your board. A larger battery comes with several benefits. The most obvious plus to a larger battery is that it allows the device to travel for larger distances without needing a charge. This isn’t a necessity for most riders, but commuters should pay special attention to the range of a device. If you’re going to be traveling to and from your workplace on an electric skateboard each morning and evening, you don’t want an e-board that runs out of juice halfway to your destination.

Especially if you don’t plan on commuting or traveling extended distances on your e-skateboard, there are also advantages to looking for a smaller battery on your device. Big batteries drive up the weight of your electric skateboard. But the most pressing downside of powerful batteries is that they reduce the portability of a board when it comes to travel. If the battery power of your board exceeds a certain wattage, generally 100 – 160Wh, it may be prohibited from being taken on airplanes. Get more info on our eskate air travel guide.

Battery type and size usually isn’t a huge indicator of price. The top boards will almost invariably have powerful batteries, but even some of the boards on this inexpensive list come equipped with solid batteries. Commuter riders should strongly consider looking for the sub-$500 boards that come with the most quality batteries with extended range capabilities.

Riding Experience

The riding experience offered by a board is one of the hardest value components to clearly quantify. The biggest reason for this is that riding experience is dependent entirely on your own preferences. For example, a rider who needs to commute on his or her electric longboard will really want a portable device with large wheels and a maximum range. Off-road riders will also want larger wheels, but might not want or need such a significant range. These examples could go on forever. The point is that it’s impossible to know exactly how an e-skateboard will perform for you unless you have a firm understanding of what you want out of your skateboarding device.

Acceleration and Braking

While acceleration and braking capabilities are determined by different technical elements of a board, these performance metrics are deeply related. If your board can quickly accelerate to hit top speeds, then you’ll want a braking system that’s able to bring you to a stop very quickly. Even if your e-skate doesn’t go from 0 – 30 in a couple of seconds, it’s still good to have a solid set of brakes. Failing or ineffective brakes can be a serious safety hazard for new and experienced riders alike. There’s nothing more dangerous or terrifying than not being able to slow down as you quickly approach a car, pedestrian, or obstacle.

Acceleration power comes mostly from a board’s motors. Dual motors are the standard, and it’s excessively rare to find any device with only one motor to offer. The size of a skateboard also contributes to its acceleration power, as lightweight boards are often more likely to hit top speeds quicker. A warning to new riders: a speedy acceleration can be tough to get used to. If you’re not accustomed to adjusting as your board quickly climbs to its maximum speed, this can pose a pretty big threat and lead to potential falls and collisions.

Finding information on acceleration and braking isn’t quite as easy as finding info about a board’s top speed or range. Your best bet is usually to look for secondhand reviews from blogs, YouTube channels, or other online resources. Braking capability and acceleration curve are two big performance indicators that most reviewers will outline when trying out a new board.

Top Speed and Range

The importance of range and maximum speed are pretty easy to understand. As we covered in the above section, range is directly correlated with the size/power of a battery. The more powerful the battery, the better the range. Some boards can travel for thirty miles or more on a single charge. The charging time of a board can help to offset an undesirable range, as commuters might be able to charge their electric skateboard at work before heading home. Many of the boards on our list come with sufficient ranges, so understand that cheaper boards can certainly offer the kind of range you need for whatever purpose.

Top speed is even more of a negotiable factor in this aspect of board performance. Some riders prefer boards that can hit top speeds of over 30 miles per hour, while others are less interested in these high-octane riding experiences. We generally recommend that new or inexperienced riders avoid high-speed modes, at least until they get some riding hours under their belt first. But looking for a board with high stability and gradual acceleration is one way to mitigate the risks associated with higher top speeds.

Drive Train and Motor Type

As you might have guessed from the above sections, the strength of a motor is a major technical asset that influences a board’s riding experience and performance. You should know that the type of motor is one of the main considerations that riders should keep in-mind as they evaluate potential devices and comparison shop. It’s hard to get a straight answer about the subjective performance of a motor, but you can develop an opinion on which motor type works best for your purposes. Generally, e-skateboards either use belt systems or hub motors. The vast majority of boards use dual motors, as two motors provide considerably better performance than just a single. Some boards use direct or gear drive, but this is relatively uncommon and our list below includes none of these models.

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Belt systems are louder, but they also often provide higher top speeds and a quicker acceleration. This type of motor also typically works better for riders who frequently go up and down hills, as the belt system allows for more torque than the hub or direct drive systems are able to provide. Belt Systems also have the advantage that you can change wheels way more easily than with hub motors. Fruhter more you can use wheels with more a bigger urethane core and hence have more suspension and overall a smoother ride. The downside of this type of motor is that you probably have to maintain it more often. Additionally, belt systems are generally louder than hub motors. Where price is concerned, belt systems are sometimes more expensive than hub motors, but they also involve more individual parts. This means that riders with the necessary knowledge might be able to replace specific parts, rather than replacing the entire model when something goes wrong. This makes belt systems a viable investment for some e-skaters.

Hub motors are used in a greater portion of the skateboards on today’s list of the top boards for under $500. Hub motors are typically quieter than belt systems. Most hub motors can’t reach the top speeds of belt systems, although some hub boards get pretty darn close. One often understated advantage to hub motor systems is that the board can usually be kick-started and operated as a regular board if the battery dies. Most belt systems don’t make this so easy.

Costumer Service

You should never underestimate the importance of customer service. The e-skateboard industry is quickly changing and always shifting, with new companies hitting the market every quarter. Quality customer service is generally a great indicator of the future success of a new skateboard company. Boosted Boards was the top electric skateboard producer in the world for a while, and this is largely a result of the spectacular customer service that riders had come to expect from them. As multiple companies try to fill the void left by their recent unexpected shutdown, the performance of their customer service teams will be a major deciding factor in long-term success.

Concerning price and cutting costs down, a good customer service experience is everything. Imagine what would happen if a part or set of parts on your device stop working within a few weeks of purchase. As most companies have a warranty in-place to cover replacements or repairs on defective models, you should theoretically be able to fix your skateboard instead of having to buy a new one or cover repair costs out-of-pocket. But if the customer service team for your skateboarding company is slow to answer your emails or help you through the process, you might be out of luck. A good customer service team can also help to answer your questions and point you in the right direction as you bargain shop and compare models within a given manufacturer’s product line.

It can sometimes be hard to find reputable information on the customer service quality of a given company. The best strategy is to explore multiple online resources, including Reddit, YouTube, and various blogs written by e-skaters. If you still can’t find a solid rating for your company’s customer service team, just try asking them a question and see what kind of response you get.

Portability and Weight

Luckily, finding information about the weight and portability of an electric skateboard is quite a bit simpler. Almost any reputable e-skateboard company will clearly list the gross weight and length of their devices on their website. And if they don’t, you should be able to just Google the product and find a review which will break down its size and weight, among other performance factors.

Weight may matter to some riders more than others. Lightweight and portable skateboards can often hit extreme top speeds, but their petite frames might make riding pretty unstable. Companies can do a lot to offset this instability and provide for a smoother ride, and the advantages of having an extremely portable board are clear. Commuters and travelers might like to use a low-weight board. Lugging a thirty-pound device around on the bus, train, or car can quickly become a pain.

Several things contribute to the net weight of your electric skateboard. Materials used in the deck, the length of the e-board, and even the size of the motors and battery can drive up the weight.

Deck

Although the aesthetic of a deck might make it stand out initially on the shelves, the real performance indicators of a deck come from its material and type. Boards are generally made of bamboo, but they can also come in a variety and combination of materials. Decks mainly vary in flexibility. Highly flexible boards are generally more comfortable to ride on, but they are more likely to become unstable when you hit top speeds. On the other hand, a stiff deck is stable at higher speeds but might shake quite a bit and become uncomfortable when you run over rough pavement and similarly difficult terrains.

A growing number of skateboard manufacturers have also started using tools like specialized grip tape to help mitigate the shakiness of instability of their boards. Special and high quality wheels can also help to minimize discomfort while riding. Large wheels are great for all-terrain riding, for example, and can help to offset shaking caused by rough pavement if you’re riding on a stiffer deck.

The boards on our list vary pretty significantly in board type, composition, and qualities. When you’re searching for a cheap but quality electric skateboard for under $500, the quality of a device’s deck is incredibly important.

Wheel Type and Size – Comfort of Ride

As we mentioned above, the size and type of wheel used in an electric skateboard make a pretty big difference when it comes to the quality and comfort of your riding experience. You can find a more extended breakdown of wheel sizes and types on our guide here.

Larger wheels made out of rubber are generally the standard when it comes to all-terrain skateboarding. But aside from this, there are a number of types of wheels and tires use in popular skateboards. If you plan on shifting between different applications for your e-board, it might be good to look for a board that allows for variability in wheel type or size (look for belt drive systems). A truck that can accommodate both larger and smaller wheels will allow you to change easily from off-road riding to high-speed carving and more.

Best Electric Skateboards under 500 Dollars

Meepo V3

The Meepo V3 is the known king of the budget boards. The big choice you’ll have to make when buying the Meepo V3 is the battery. The original battery for the V3 is 144 Wh and provides a range on the device of 11 miles. One upside tot his option is that it might be allowed to travel on airplanes, as long as you check with the airliner first. This is also the cheaper option, coming in at only $379. If you choose to go with the Extended Range (ER) option, the price is hiked up to $579, but the board will be able to travel 20 miles on a single charge. This battery is unable to travel by air because of the increased wattage of 288 Wh.

Regardless of the option you choose, the Meepo V3 offers a top speed of 28 miles per hour. The board is pretty lightweight at only 16 pounds, and its wheels are relatively large (90-100 mm). The Meepo V3 seems to be a solid affordable option from an up-and-coming manufacturer.

Review

Specs and Features

Top Speed	28 mph (45 km/h)
Range	11 miles (18 km) 20 miles (32 km) – ER (Extended Range)
Battery Size	144 Wh 288 Wh – ER
Motor Power	2 X 540 Watts
Weight	16 lbs (7.2 kg)
Max weight capacity	300 lbs (136 kg)
Hill climb	30 %
Recharge time	2 – 2.5 hours
Water resistance	yes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size	90 or 100mm
Warranty	6 months
Link to Website	meepoboard.com/v3
Price	$ 379 Meepo V3 $ 579 Meepo V3 ER
Link to our Review	Meepo V3 Review

Backfire G2 Black 2020

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. 

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 Speed	24 mph (38 km/h)
Range	11 miles (18 km)
Battery Size	180 Wh
Drive Train	Hub Motor
Motor Power	2 x 400 Watts
Weight	16.3 lbs (7.4 kg)
Max weight capacity	260 lbs (120 kg)
Hill climb	30 %
Recharge time	3.5 hours
Water resistance	yes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size	96 mm
Warranty	6 months
Link to Website	(Global) backfireboards.com/g2 (USA) backfireboardsusa.com/g2
Price	$409 – Sea Shipping $509 – Air Shipping

WowGo 3

The WowGo 3 has won praise from a number of reviewers already. The dual 600 W motors contribute to a top speed of 24 miles per hour. The WowGo 3 comes with two potential battery options, which can provide a range of either 13 or 17 miles. If you go with the 288 Wh ER battery option to get the boosted range, the price of the device climbs to around $599. The lower range option is a 216 Wh battery and the price comes down to $499.

Like the above boards, the WowGo 3 comes with moderately sized wheels (90 mm) and a light weight of only 17 pounds. Because of the solid top speed, the extended range, and the low recharge time, this board might be a good budget option for consumers who commute frequently on their skateboard.

Review

Specs and Features

Top Speed	24 mph (38 km/h)
Range	13 miles (21 km) 17 miles (27 km) – ER
Battery Size	216 Wh 288 Wh – ER
Motor Power	2 x 600 Watts
Weight	17 lbs (7.8 kg)
Max weight capacity	280 lbs (127 kg)
Hill climb	25 – 30%
Recharge time	2.5 hours
Water Resistance	yes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size	90 mm
Warranty	6 months
Link to Website	wowgoboard.com/wowgo-3
Price	$ 499 – WowGo 3 $ 599 – WowGo 3 ER
Link to our Review	WowGo 3X Review

AeBoard AE3

This board offers more versatility in price than any other board on this list. You can choose between three battery options: 504 Wh, 288 Wh, and 216 Wh. Two 250 Wh motors help the device hit an exhilarating top speed of 26 mph. The 216 Wh battery option is the cheapest, costing $419 and providing a range of 13 miles. For $479, the 288 Wh battery ups this range to 18 miles. The 504 Wh battery pushes the price up to $559, but it also gives the Ae Board AE3 an incredible range of 27 miles. If you’re able to afford the higher price, it might be worth the investment to shoot for the maximum battery power.

The wheels are only 90 mm in size, which could pose a problem if you plan on hitting those top speeds frequently on the device, which is moderately trim at only 19 pounds. This board company is also still relatively new, so it might be in your best interest to read up on some more reviews before diving into the purchase.

AE2 Review

Specs and Features

Top Speed	26 mph (42 km/h)
Range	13 miles (21 km) 18 miles (29 km) 27 miles (45 km)
Battery Size	216 Wh 288 Wh 504 Wh
Motor Power	2 x 250 Watts
Weight	19 lbs (8.1 kg)
Max weight capacity	330 lbs (150 kg)
Hill climb	25 – 30%
Recharge time	no info
Water Resistance	yes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size	90 mm
Warranty	3 months
Link to Website	aeboarder.com/ae3
Price	$ 419 – 216 Wh Battery $ 479 – 288 Wh Battery $ 559 – 504 Wh Battery

Apsuboard X1

The Apsuboard X1 is the only board on our list with a belt motor system. And it’s another speedy mile, capable of reaching speeds of up to 26 miles per hour. For newer riders, it might be helpful to start out on the beginner’s mode, which maxes out at 12.5 miles per hour. The medium mode can reach a top speed of 18.75 mph, while the “Fast Mode” is able to ride at a maximum speed of 26 miles per hour. The model also offers two battery options, but it’s unclear how the battery affects its range. The bigger battery option also clearly increases the price of the model, taking it from $499 to $688. The range of this device is 17 miles, and the low recharge time of only 2.5 hours can help make it an even more viable commuter’s skateboard.

The dual 650 Watt motors are some of the most powerful motors on our list, while the low weight of only 15.5 pounds makes it a very transportable model for daily commuters and travelers alike.

Review

Specs and Features

Top Speed	26 mph (42 km/h)
Range	17 miles (27 km)
Battery Size	288 Wh
Motor Power	2 x 650 Watts
Weight	15.5 lbs (7 kg)
Max weight capacity	330 lbs (150 kg)
Hill climb	30%
Recharge time	2.5 hours
Water Resistance	yes – but no IP rating
Wheel / Tyre Size	90 mm
Warranty	3 months
Link to Website	apsuboard.com/x1
Price	$ 499 – 288 Wh Battery $ 688 – Bigger Battery

Lycaon GR

This electric skateboard has two powerful motors of 480 Watts which allow riders to cruise at a maximum speed of up to 26 miles per hour. The range of 15 miles isn’t exactly bad, but even the fast option takes 3-4 hours to charge up the 270 Wh battery. Choosing the fast charger option only adds $30 to the total cost of the device, and it reduces the charging time from 5-6 hours to 3-4. This might make a pretty big difference for commuting riders who want to charge their device at the workplace.

This board is also a bit larger and heavier than the others on our list, weighing in at 18.9 pounds. Riders should also note that this e-board has a maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds. This might prohibit larger riders from using the board, so it’s definitely something to keep in mind. With a solid size, moderate range, and impressive top speed, this device is a pretty good value board at either $399 to $429.

Review

Specs and Features

Top Speed	26 mph (42 km/h)
Range	15 miles (24 km)
Battery Size	270 Wh
Motor Power	2 x 480 Watts
Weight	18.9 lbs / 8.6 kg
Max weight capacity	220 lbs (100 kg)
Hill climb	30 %
Recharge time	3 – 4 hours – fast charger 5 -6 hours – normal charger
Water Resistance	IP54 (splash & dust resistant)
Wheel / Tyre Size	90 mm
Warranty	3 months
Link to Website	lycaonboard.com/gr
Price	$ 399 $ 429 – Fast Charger

Meepo Mini 2

The Meepo Mini 2 comes in two options: the original ($379) and the Extended Range Meepo Mini 2 ($579). Unlike some of the other models above, the ER version of the Meepo Mini 2 actually impacts all major indicators of performance, rather than just the range. The ER means dual 540 Watt motors, while the Mini 2 comes with dual 400s. The ER weighs more (18 pounds) than the original model (16 pounds). The range and top speed are also different between the two models. A top speed of 29 mph is achievable with the ER option, and this max speed is reduced to 25 miles per hour on the original model. The range sees the biggest jump from the Mini 2 to the Extended Range option, as the Mini 2 can travel 11 miles on a charge while the ER can average about 20.

The wheel size of the Meepo Mini 2 is the same, regardless of which option you choose. 90 mm diameters should be pretty sufficient, as long as you aren’t traveling at top speeds over rough terrain or concrete. Our advice is that the ER offer such a performance boost that you might consider spending the extra $100 associated with this version of the device.

Review

Specs and Features

Top Speed	25 mph (40 km/h) – Meepo Mini 2 29 mph (46 km/h) – Meepo Mini 2 ER
Range	11 miles (18 km) – Mini 2 20 miles (32 km) – Mini 2 ER
Weight	16 lbs (7,2 kg) – Mini 2 18 lbs (8 kg) – Mini 2 ER
Battery Size	No info
Motor Power	2 x 400 Watt – Mini 2 2 x 540 Watt – Mini 2 ER
Max Weight Capacity	300 lbs (136 kg)
Hill Climb	20 %
Charge Time	2 hrs
Wheel Size	Wheel Diameter: 90 mm
Water Resistance	No rating
Warranty	6 months
Link to Website	meepoboard.com/mini-2
Price	$ 379 – Meepo Mini 2 $ 579 – Meepo Mini 2 ER

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there’s no reason to think that a high-performing electric skateboard has to cost an arm and a leg. Although you certainly get what you pay for when it comes to budget boards, the tips in this guide should help you maximize the quality of your e-board while minimizing the damage done to your wallet. After all, the electric skateboarding industry continues to expand, giving riders more options than ever to find the perfect e-skateboard for less than $500.