One of the age-old questions when it comes to personal transportation vehicles is electric scooter vs. hoverboard. The best electric scooters certainly have their merits, as do the best hoverboards. Wanna know which is the best fit for you and your daily commute? Keep reading.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Electric scooters tend to be safer than hoverboards, as they feature sturdier builds and safety-enhancing features such as integrated brakes and headlights.
- E-scooters are also easier to ride for new users, thanks to the aforementioned handlebars. Hoverboard riders must rely solely on balance.
- When it comes to maximum speed and battery life, it is essentially a draw, as both vehicle types use lithium-ion batteries.
Differences Between an Electric Scooter and a Hoverboard
Electric scooters and hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters, are both innovative and popular personal transportation vehicles. They boast similarities when it comes to maximum range, speed, and more. After all, they both use motors, which cannot be said when considered an electric scooter vs a kick scooter. However, there are some key differences between the two designs.
Ease-of-Use
Electric scooters are much easier to get the hang of than hoverboards, making them a prime choice for those who are new to the personal transportation industry. Why? They have handlebars, brakes, suspension systems, and can maneuver easily around obstacles. Hoverboards, on the other hand, take a bit more practice to get the hang of, as you have no handlebars to rely on and must rely exclusively on your own balance. That is why they are called self-balancing scooters. Still, practice makes perfect and with time riding a hoverboard can be as effortless as riding a motorized scooter.
Safety
Again, electric scooters are slightly safer to ride than hoverboards, thanks to the overall design. E-scooters typically have braking systems built into the handlebars, whereas hoverboard riders must lean back in order to brake. The handlebars of a motorized scooter give the rider a bit more flexibility when it comes to overcoming dangerous obstacles and the larger form factor ensures that riders won’t crash out while riding over cracks in the road or potholes. E-scooters also tend to have LED headlights and rear lights, both of which help with safety. No matter which vehicle you decide on, be sure to wear the appropriate safety gear during rides.
Insider Tip
Some hoverboards feature nifty add-ons, such as a built-in Bluetooth speaker, making rides more fun.
Durability
Your average electric scooter will be more durable and should last longer than an average hoverboard, though results will vary according to make and model. E-scooters tend to be built from high-grade components such as aluminum and reinforced PVC plastic. Most hoverboards, on the other hand, are made almost entirely from plastic. Both will excel on smooth terrain, but motorized scooters will excel on slightly bumpy terrain as well.
Portability
Hoverboards are more portable and lighter than electric scooters, as they feature lightweight frames and they lack weight-adding components such as handlebars. Some electric scooters are foldable, making them relatively easy to carry when not in use, but just about every hoverboard can easily be carried, even by children. Hoverboards are extremely light, after all.
Speed
When it comes to speed, it’s pretty much a draw. In theory, electric scooters can go faster, as they tend to feature more powerful electric motors. They are hampered, however, by local laws and regulations, capping most e-scooters at 20 miles per hour. Hoverboards feature the same speed limitations. If you are looking for a hoverboard with plenty of zip, be sure to avoid models aimed at children. While electric scooters can match hoverboards when it comes to speed, the same cannot be said when considering an electric moped bike vs an electric scooter.
Battery Life and Maximum Range
The maximum range of both electric scooters and hoverboards is maintained by their internal lithium batteries. Both of these vehicle types use the same batteries, more or less, so it is essentially a draw when it comes to range from a single charge. You’ll find hoverboards that can outpace electric scooters, and you’ll find motorized scooters that can outpace a quality hoverboard. If battery life and range are extremely important to you, be sure to read the stats carefully and adhere to any recommended rider weight limitations.
Warning
Always wear a helmet, knee pads, and arm pads when riding a motorized scooter or a hoverboard for safety.
F.A.Q.S
What you should consider about an electric scooter?
Take a serious look at the form factor, durability, portability, maximum speed, battery life, and more.
How does a hoverboard work?
There is a reason they are referred to as self-balancing scooters. Hoverboards include sensitive gyroscopes that translate minute body movements into thrust and velocity.
Where did all of these electric vehicles come from?
Electric vehicles have been making inroads for years, from the very first Segway and even before that. It was about a decade ago that hoverboards and e-scooters began to catch on.
STAT: Shane Chen, an American businessman, is credited with creating the first modern hoverboard in 2013. (source)
