Not all hoverboards are made equal. If you are a beginner, it is crucial to understand what a hoverboard is, how it works and the different brands available in the market before making a purchase. One of the areas in which they vary the most is wheel sizes. There are four main wheel sizes to consider when purchasing a new hoverboard: 4.5-inch, 6.5-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch. Keep reading to learn about the differences in hoverboard wheel sizes.
Hoverboard Wheel Sizes Compared
Below, we compare the different hoverboard wheel sizes so you can make an informed decision about which one works best for your preferred experience so that you can choose the best hoverboard for your needs.
Why Wheel Size Matters for Your Hoverboard
Your hoverboard’s wheel size plays a large part in how you experience your ride. And with such a wide variety of different wheel sizes from which to choose, we recommend you purchase a new self-balancing scooter with wheels to match your riding preferences. Additionally, you should understand how to take your hoverboard’s wheels apart and replace them to ensure your hoverboard is running smoothly at all times.
4.5-inch Hoverboard Wheels
These are the smallest kind of hoverboard wheels, and they’re designed specifically for hoverboards designed for kids. With such small wheels, you’ll experience lower speeds overall, which is better for younger riders. If you have a hoverboard with 4.5-inch wheels, don’t ride on it if you’re over the weight capacity because you will ruin the tires.
Warning
Be aware that 6.5-inch wheels only provide a low amount of ground clearance, meaning they can get stuck in off-road scenarios.
6.5-inch Hoverboard Wheels
These are the most common hoverboard wheels, and as such, they offer the most versatility. With a weight range between 65 and 220 pounds, most people can ride these hoverboards with ease. We recommend riding these types of hoverboards only on flat and smooth indoor surfaces for the best riding experience. Be aware that 6.5-inch wheels only provide a low amount of ground clearance, meaning they can get stuck in off-road scenarios.
8-inch Hoverboard Wheels
8-inch hoverboard wheels offer more versatility than their 6.5-inch counterparts, thanks to higher ground clearance and slightly faster top speeds. These types of self-balancing scooters can also handle higher weight capacities, so we recommend 8-inch wheels for heavier riders. The one downside of these wheels is the fact that they are heavier overall than smaller sizes.
10-inch Hoverboard Wheels
This is the largest hoverboard wheel that you can purchase today, and it offers much more versatility for outdoor riding than other models. These extra-large tires give you a lot of ground clearance so you can easily ride on offroad and uneven surfaces. You’ll also typically get much more speed out of 10-inch hoverboards. Just be sure you have the best hoverboard battery so you can ride for an extended period of time. Also, please note that 10-inch wheels have tubes inside the tires, meaning they will require a little more maintenance than other types of hoverboard wheels.
F.A.Q.S
What are your hoverboard wheel size options?
Most hoverboard manufacturers offer four main wheel sizes: 4.5-inch, 6.5-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch.
Which hoverboard wheel size should you buy?
The hoverboard wheel size you should buy depends mainly upon the environment in which you are riding. Smaller wheel sizes work better on flat, indoor surfaces, while larger wheel sizes work better for off-road riding on uneven surfaces.
What are the things that make a self-balancing scooter?
On the outside, self-balancing scooters are made up of a steel frame, plastic casing, wheels and tires, and footpads to help you balance. Many self-balancing scooters also feature LED lights and Bluetooth speakers. On the inside, hoverboards feature a ton of electronics to make everything work, including two gyroscopes for balance.
How does a self-balancing scooter or hoverboard work?
Self-balancing scooters, also known as hoverboards, use a combination of electronics – including logic boards and infrared sensors – gyroscopes, pressure plates, and motors to detect your movement and respond in kind. It can take some getting used to, but once you learn how to ride a hoverboard, you’ll be cruising in no time.
STAT: Hoverboards with standard wheel sizes can carry a max of 220 pounds, while those with larger wheels can hold upwards of 300 pounds. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-balancing_scooter
- https://swagtron.com/faq/hoverboards/how-do-hoverboards-balance/
- https://www.livescience.com/53046-hoverboard-scooter-how-it-works.htmlr
- https://transporthistory.wordpress.com/2019/01/30/the-history-and-evolution-of-the-hoverboard-by-charles-watson/
- https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Hoverboard-Safety-Alert.pdf?mSAM5F_iz1JtmMI8UvtzohHxB6xSqARX
- https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/HoverBoard.ashx
