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Electric skateboard vs electric scooter- both are fun, easy, and eco-friendly ways to get around, and although the differences to some degree are obvious, knowing all of them will help you choose which is the best electric scooter or skateboard for you.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
An electric skateboard (sometimes called a motorized skateboard) and an electric scooter can both vary significantly in price, depending on size, power, components such as motor, and other variables. However, the most important factor is the type of rechargeable battery used. Powerful batteries are needed to power electric skateboards and scooters and reach maximum speed.
Electric skateboards typically start in the $200-$300 range, but some models can go for upwards of $3000, while inexpensive e-scooters start in the $300-$500 range, but a high-end e-scooter easily be priced well over $3000. On the other hand, traditional skateboards are much more affordable, ranging from around $50-$150. Electric skateboarding is becoming a popular activity, and with so many different brands and models of electric skateboards available on the market today, it’s no wonder why.
Since they’re both accessible to everyone regardless of budget, it’s worth exploring what both can offer and what they can’t. For instance, an electric board has a maximum range that can be affected by the terrain. While it can easily go over flat surfaces, going up hills or over rough terrains may affect its range more than expected.
If you’re open to other transportation options, it might be worthwhile looking at the differences between electric scooters and onewheels or scooters vs mopeds.
Insider Tip
An e-scooter’s ease of use, top speed, efficiency, and safety features make it an optimal light commuting vehicle
Though both are relatively safe ways to get around city streets if ridden responsibly, e-scooters easily win out when it comes to safety- both for their ease of use and their hydraulic braking system and pneumatic tires. Additionally, e-scooters allow for faster speed, making it easier to reduce the amount of time spent commuting. However, with these faster speeds comes a need for caution; always check local laws and be conscious of the speed limit. Furthermore, make sure to check your wheel/tire size, which promotes a safe, comfortable ride.
E-skateboards, like regular skateboards, aren’t safe for riding in traffic, are harder to learn to ride, and generally lack a real braking system, though their lower top speed counteracts this somewhat. The learning curve difference between the two may not be as extreme as it is between electric scooters and electric unicycles, but it’s certainly a factor.
This is a factor that can vary quite a bit from model to model, but the large frames of e-scooters allow for much larger and more powerful motors capable of much higher top speeds than the most high-powered e-skateboards, and the weight of the rider is less of a factor in drag, especially compared to an e-skateboard with a heavier deck.
Depending on the make and model, there are usually multiple speed modes to choose between, with a max speed that can range from around 10 mph to up to 25 mph in some cases. It’s important to know the terms of speed for each model of e-scooter before purchasing, as this will determine how much control you have over your ride.
Also, if you are really wanting more speed, you should read our comparison between electric vs gas scooters, as gas scooters can go much faster than electric ones. Alternatively, if you are wanting to make sure the rider can’t go too fast, like for a child, you should see the comparison of electric scooters vs kick scooters.
Though the range of prices between e-scooters and e-skateboards is somewhat similar, the edge goes slightly to e-skateboards. While high-quality e-scooters can be found for under $300, the selection is definitely slimmer, and the price ceiling is considerably higher and more component-dependent.
The basics of operating an e-skateboard are minimal- however, the balance required to ride safely and the fact that most people are familiar with riding a bicycle make e-scooters easier to control right away and get used to for most people.
Warning
E-scooters are a more practical choice in many ways than e-skateboards, but they’re a bigger investment, especially for higher-end models.
F.A.Q.S
Does an electric skateboard need maintenance?
E-skateboards are fairly easy to maintain in good condition- occasionally replacing the grip tape, keeping it charged when not in use, and an occasional light cleaning of each wheel and board with a damp cloth is all it should require to stay in good working order.
Which is more practical, an electric skateboard or an electric scooter?
If you’re looking for an electric vehicle for commuting that provides a comfortable ride, an e-scooter is far more practical, given its longer range per battery charge, higher top speed, and ease of use.
Is an e-scooter as fast as an e-bike?
Not quite- the fastest e-scooters usually top out at about 22 miles per hour, whereas an electric bike with a powerful motor can often reach top speeds of 30mph or higher. The differences in the electric motor, frame, and the larger wheels of e-bikes all factor significantly in this.
STAT: The Guinness Book of World Records holds the fastest speed ever reached on an electric skateboard as 59.99 mph (source)
STAT: The average speed of an electric skateboard riding normally is around 10mph (source)
STAT: A recent study showed that about 70% of commuters questioned said that an e-scooter is a good way to commute. (source)
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