Best Hoverboards for 8 and 9 Year Olds (and older kids!)

The Best Hoverboard for 8 and / or 9 Year Olds (and older kids too!)



Hoverboards (also known as self-balancing scooters) are a popular craze. The first hoverboards were built for adults but now it's standard to see kids as young as 8 and 9 on a hoverboard.

The key to using the board is that you balance to ride them (unfortunately they don't really hover - maybe they will in the future). For kids, a smaller, lighter and slower board is easier to control and manoeuvre as well as ensure a safer ride.

Check out our hoverboard buying guide and specific suggestions of excellent hoverboards for kids.

Buying Guide

Wheel Size

There are three main wheel sizes to look out for on hoverboards, which are 6.5", 8" and 10". You'll find most hoverboards have 6.5" wheels.

6.5" wheels are better for younger kids. The smaller size means these hoverboards aren't as bulky, therefore they are easier for 8 or 9 year olds to manage. 6.5" wheels are also better for mastering tricks and work well on smooth and flat surfaces. Hoverboards with smaller wheels are compact and light to carry. They also require a smaller motor to power them so cost less.

8" or 8.5" wheels add extra weight to the hoverboard but they're still fairly compact. They tend to reach higher speeds than hoverboards with 6.5" wheels and they are generally more expensive as they need a bigger motor to power them. They can handle bumps in the road more easily and some of them are designed for off road use.

The hoverboards with 10-inch wheels are better for use off-road and on uneven terrain. If you're looking for a hoverboard to use on rough terrain, choose one with all-terrain tyres.

Speed

Some hoverboards reach speeds of 10mph or more. However, for kids, it's best to look for a slower speed of around 6 or 7 mph. The Hover 1 Superstar and the Sisigad Hoverboard (both featured in the article below) have a top speed of 6mph which is ideal for beginners and young kids.

Safety

Safety is obviously paramount. To ensure the hoverboard is safe, look for one which is CE & UL2272 certified. When purchasing, check out the company's warranty and returns policy. If something does go wrong, you want to be able to contact the company quickly and be able to return the hoverboard easily. It's often easier to buy from a UK company.

When riding for fun, it's safer for kids to stay on smooth surfaces. Surfaces with bumps can cause riders to jerk forwards and lose control which is obviously not what you want for young children. Kids should slow down to walking speed or get off the hoverboard if the path becomes uneven at any point.

It's also highly recommended that kids wear a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads for extra protection.

Motor Power

You will see that hoverboard motors are measured by wattage. The higher the wattage, the more powerful the motor. The amount of watts you need is relative to the weight of the rider. Dual 100 watt motors (200w) are great for kids up to 40kg. Dual 250 watt motors (500w) should be fine for most riders up to about 100kg - which is  all 8 and 9 year olds. However if you're buying for a heavier person, want to ride on uneven terrain or up steep hills a powerful motor is better. Some hoverboards for uneven terrain have dual motors of 400 w (800w).

Powerful motors are going to drain the battery more quickly so a powerful motor will need to be paired with a large battery capacity for a longer battery life.

Charging Time

The charging time varies wildly between different boards, but most will be charged in under 4 hours. Being aware of the charging time is important so you can plan ahead. If kids are likely to want to be on their hoverboard most of the day, a quick charge time will be more essential than for kids who want it for occasional use.

Battery Life

Most hoverboards will sustain a run time of around 60 minutes. The battery life will be affected by many features such as the weight of the person using the board, the terrain they are riding on and the speed they travel.

Weight of Hoverboard

Obviously the lighter the hoverboard, the easier it will be to carry so it's a statistic worth paying attention to. You may need to carry boards up an incline, street kerb or if it runs out of battery.

A lighter board is also easier for kids to control.

Construction

The hoverboard should have a tough and rugged frame which is durable and will withstand the abuse kids are likely to throw at it. The best hoverboards will be made out of tough materials which are also lightweight, and quite often this is what you are paying extra for when you buy a decent board.

SISIGAD Hoverboard Self Balancing Scooter 6.5"

The Sisigad Hoverboard is a good entry level board with a low top speed of 10km/h (6mph) and 6.5" wheels. At the time of writing it's the top selling hoverboard on amazon.

It's been designed for beginners. It's easy to use and maintain balance. It travels in a straight line and can easily turn when you want it to. It also rotates 360 degrees.

Anti-slip traction pads help kids keep their balance balance for foot-controlled, seamless manoeuvring. This makes it easy for kids to perform full turns and other manoeuvres.

The battery life varies according the weight of the user and the terrain it's being ridden on. It lasts longer when being used in the house than out at the park. The charge time is around 3 to 4 hours.

The hoverboard is light in comparison to other lightest hoverboard, weighing approximately 7.5kg, making it easier to pick up when you need to.

A low battery power indicator lets you know when to stop using the hoverboard. It's important not to use the hoverboard as soon as the low indicator light comes on and charge it. If you continue to use it, it can affect the long time life of the battery.

Perfect for both indoors and / or out use.

Overall, this is an excellent first choice in hoverboard for young kids.

GeekMe Hoverboards with Seat

The Geek me hoverboard has 6.5" wheels, a maximum speed of 9.3mph and it comes with a hover kart/ seat for extra fun. You can use the hoverboard independently or with the kart, so you get 2 activities with this set.

The hoverboard features a powerful brushless motor which can power the hoverboard up a 15 degree incline.  The weight of the board is 8kg and the charge time is 2 to 3 hours. Again the battery life will depend on the weight of the user and the terrain it's used on. The battery life is longer when using the hoverboard independently without the kart.

The kart / seat can be adjusted to suit different heights. It adds an extra element of fun. Use the handlebars to accelerate, brake and turn.

Geek Me Hoverboard (without seat)

You can also buy the Geek Me Hoverboard without a seat. It's a speedier hoverboard than other's on the page (going up to 9.3mph) so if you have a speed demon on your hands this may be a better choice. The minimum weight to use this hoverboard is 20kg (44lbs).

Zinc Smart X Hoverboard

 

With a top speed of 7mph, this is another good entry-level choice  - the perfect speed to glide in style.

The Zinc Smart X comes equipped with a battery and balance indicator. The wide 6.5" wheels can go both forward and reverse. Impressively, it can cope with inclines up to 15 degrees.

A single charge allows the hoverboard to travel up to 3 miles in one go (up to 60 minutes). It's a hoverboard at the lighter end of the scale weighing 8.3kg, making it a bit easier to pick it up when you need to.

Kids will love the lights and sounds on this board. Parents will love the reasonable price tag.

Bear in mind, the official recommended age for this hoverboard is 14 years and above.

Hover-1 Superstar Hoverboard


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The Hoverboard Superstar has 6.5 inch wheels and a maximum speed of 6 mph (9.7km/h) so you don't have to worry about young kids going too fast. Many hoverboards have a faster top speed, so it's a bit slower which will suit 8 and 9 year olds better. It supports a weight ranging from 45 to 220 lbs making it perfect for all levels of riders.

The hoverboard has a maximum range of 6.47 miles on one charge, although this will vary according to the weight of the rider, the speed and the gradient. It takes up to 4.5 hours to charge.

Kids will love the fun, multi-colour LED lights at the front. The wheels and footpads also feature eye-catching LED lights. The anti-slip footpads are also great for safety.

The motor will power the hoverboard up 12° inclines and it works best on a smooth, flat path. It can be used both indoors and outdoors.

The hoverboard is bluetooth enabled, so riders can listen to their favourite songs as they speed along.

GeekMe Hoverboards,8.5 inch all terrain Hoverboard

 

The Geek Me 8.5" hoverboard is designed to work on a variety of different terrains so if you want to use your hoverboard on other terrain rather than smooth paths this is an option to look at. The minimum rider weight is 20kg and the maximum is 100kg.

It has maximum speeds of up to 14.4km/h which is speedy but it will depend on the kinds of terrain you're using it on as to how fast it will go. It will zip around much more quickly on smooth paths. There's an app where you can control the driving and the speeds of the hoverboard.

The hoverboard is strong with solid rubber tyres which work on a range of road conditions. It is heavy weight 12kg - so isn't easy to pick up and carry.

It's powered by two 350watt motors and the battery life is 2 to 3 hours.

It features LED lights and you can connect it to a bluetooth speaker so you can enjoy your favourite music as you ride.