Most hoverboards are designed for use on smooth road conditions, but some models have additional capabilities, and they will work for light off-roading.
Of course, they won’t cope with the sorts of terrain that an electric mountain bike or even an off-road electric scooter will. For use on gravel, grass or sand, however, some can cope better than others and offer a smoother riding experience.
If you are looking for a model that will handle some off-roading, this article will help you understand what to look for.
We will also provide some of the best hoverboard reviews below, to give you some suggestions for models that can handle some rougher terrain more effectively.
Best Off-Road Hoverboards Comparison
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Safety and Recalls
Back in 2015, electric hoverboards were at the height of their popularity. They were on many kids’ Christmas lists, and they were all over social media and being heavily promoted by some high profile celebrities.
This meant that demand skyrocketed and, of course, a lot of businesses wanted to capitalize on this. The market became saturated, and there were a lot of low-cost models being produced.
Inevitably, this led to some manufacturers cutting corners and, unfortunately, there were a number of incidents with batteries overheating when charging and then catching fire.
These cases, quite rightly, received significant media attention and, as a result, over half a million hoverboards were recalled from the market in the United States in 2016.
Always Look For UL2272 Certification
Encouragingly, since then, there has been a crackdown on the requirements that manufacturers have to meet to ensure that their models are safe enough to be on sale to the general public.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission stipulates that only hoverboards that are UL2272 Certified will meet the safety standards required for sale in the United States.
This means they will have passed specific tests around the reliability and safety of things like their battery and other electrical components.
All of the models we have reviewed below are UL 2272 Safety Certified hoverboards.
Take Sensible Safety Precautions When Riding
It’s not just the bad press they received as a result of the problems with the overheating batteries that have created some negative perceptions of hoverboards.
You are also more likely to get injured on a hoverboard than the likes of a scooter of e-bike. Learning to balance and mastering high speeds can be very tricky.
To minimize the chances of a fracture or something worse, you should always ensure that you or your child wear appropriate safety gear. Most important is a helmet, but it is also a good idea to consider using elbow and knee pads as a minimum.
Making sure that your child is appropriately supervised, has completed the training modes on the board, and that they know where to use it is also vital.
Off-roading carries more risks, and it may be worth limiting the top speed by using the speed modes available on some models. This will avoid your kid getting out of control on rough, hilly terrain.
Looking for hoverboard go-kart attachments? We review those here.
Off-Road Hoverboard Buying Guide
When you are looking at what hoverboard to purchase to allow you to tackle some off-roading, some key things are worth considering, including the following:
Speed and Power
To allow a hoverboard to cope with rougher terrain and possibly hills too, it really does need to have a powerful motor and battery.
The motor will help to power it over less smooth surfaces. Rough terrain drains the battery much more quickly and, without additional power, the range and strength of acceleration the board will produce will be piddling.
If a board is being advertised as being capable of off-roading, but it only has a 250w motor, this is likely to be false advertising. You also, ideally, want to be looking for at least a 36v battery strength.
Weight and Size
Heavier boards will provide more traction and stability.
Most off-road capable hoverboards are more substantial than their more general usage counterparts. It does mean they are not as easy to transport, though.
Their bulky frame can also mean they are less easy to maneuver. It is needed, though, to make sure they are robust and powerful enough to handle more difficult terrain.
They are usually wider and tend to come with 8.5-inch tires or even larger. This can make them a bit more difficult to manage for the younger riders, but it means they are much more stable when taken off-road.
Mobile Apps and Other Features
You don’t need any phone apps to make your board a good one to take off-road. This is just a nice additional feature for those that have smartphones.
Reviews of the Best Hoverboards for Off-Roading
Specs
| Motor | 350w dual motors |
| Battery | 4.0Ah/36V Lithium Ion Battery |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 9.95 mph |
| Max Distance | 9.5 miles |
| Max Capacity | 265 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 33 lbs |
What We Loved
Considering its mid-range price tag, the Gyroor has a lot of things going for it, especially if you want to take it off-road.
If you have a lot of hills to contend around the areas you plan to off-road, the Gyroor could be a great choice. With its impressive 700w of motor power, it can manage hills with a massive 30-degree gradient.
This is a lot more capable than many other hoverboards; often they can only manage 10 or 15 degrees in steepness with any effectiveness.
It also has a sturdily built aluminum alloy frame, and the solid rubber 8.5 inch grippy all terrain tires provide a lot of traction and additional stability. Compared to some of the other boards we reviewed, it has a really solid construction.
Despite it being such a powerhouse, it still manages to charge up in no time at all. It only takes 2 hours for the hoverboard to reach full charge, a lot quicker than your average powerful hoverboard.
The Warrior also has built-in Bluetooth speakers, perfect if you want to listen to your favorite music while riding and it makes it more appealing for kids too.
It also has a decent app, and it even allows you to set it for a child or adult mode. Perfect if you don’t want your kid to take it up to its top speed on almost 10mph.
Why it Might Not Work For You
Like a lot of off-road capable models, the Gyroor, at 33 lbs, is pretty hefty. It is not going to be so easy to carry around between rides, especially for kids.
The solid rubber tires do provide a lot of traction, and you don’t have to worry about developing a puncture on rough terrain. You don’t get such a smooth ride, the way you would with air-filled tires.
This isn’t one of the fastest of the off-road models we reviewed. Although, when tackling rough terrain, you probably wouldn’t want to be trying to hit top speeds anyway.
The Bluetooth speaker connection can sometimes be a bit flaky. This is only a minor gripe but, if this is an important feature for you, it is something to be aware of.
As the Warrior battery drains to low, it can lose power significantly, and it can become a little less stable. Ideally, you want to keep this topped up if you can.
Overall Verdict
If you are looking for a sturdy, versatile, reliable and powerful all-rounder at a fair price point, then the Gyroor Warrior is worth considering – it’s our top pick for a reason.
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Specs
| Motor | 300w dual motors |
| Battery | 36V/4.0Ah Li-ion batteries |
| Charging Time | 6 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 10 mph |
| Max Distance | 10 miles |
| Max Capacity | 260 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 30 lbs |
What We Loved
For the price, this is a decent off-road model. It has a generous weight capacity, a pretty powerful motor and a decent top speed of 10mph.
The 8.5-inch grippy tires provide plenty of traction, especially when you are tackling hills.
If you want to keep to the cheapest price point, select the version without Bluetooth capability, however, some models come with it too.
Why it Might Not Work For You
This is not as sturdily built as the likes of the Gyroor Warrior. I guess you can’t expect such a solid construction for the price point. But, if you plan to do some serious off-roading, you may be better selecting a more robust model.
The Sisigad takes a frustratingly long time to charge up to full capacity. Six hours charging time is longer than the average, and way longer than the 2 hours it takes the Gyroor Warrior to charge up.
This is another model that has issues with the Bluetooth connection dropping in and out (obviously this is only an issue for those that select the Bluetooth model option).
Overall Verdict
This is a very affordable off-road model that still offers a decent amount of power. It may be better suited to only lighter off-roading, though, as it is not as sturdily built as some of the more expensive models.
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Specs
| Motor | 300w dual motor (600w power overall) |
| Battery | 36v, 96.2 WH |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 12 mph |
| Max Distance | 12 miles |
| Max Capacity | 420 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 30.55 lbs |
What We Loved
The biggest selling point when it comes to the Swagtron Swagboard Outlaw T6 is the fact that is has a much more generous weight capacity than any of the others reviewed.
It is one of the few hoverboards on the general market that can handle over 400lbs in weight. This makes it a perfect choice for heavier riders, or for parents that might want to give their kids a bit additional support on their hoverboard.
It has a pretty powerful motor, and it tackles hills and rough terrain with relative ease. It is another board that can cope with gradients up to 30 degrees. It doesn’t have quite the same oomph and acceleration as the Gyroor Warrior, but it still has a kick to it.
This board is fast. It reaches top speeds of 12mp, which is higher than most boards. You just don’t want to be tackling the roughest trails at those speeds, hitting a bump would be likely to throw you off balance.
Unlike a lot of the models we reviewed, which have 8.5 inch wheels, this model’s are 10 inches wide. This helps to give more balance and stability on rough ground, and they are plenty grippy enough, providing good traction.
The T6 has a good app, and it also has three riding modes (some models only have two). This means that if you have kids riding it, you can set it to a lower mode for additional safety while they are learning.
Why it Might Not Work For You
This is not for those on a budget; it is one of the more expensive of those we have reviewed.
Swagtron may be one of the biggest hoverboard manufacturers in the business but, disappointingly, they don’t have the strongest reputation for their after-sales customer support.
Overall Verdict
The Swagtron T6 is a fast, sturdy and powerful board that is perfectly suited to heavier riders. It is just not for those on a budget and, if you have any problems, don’t expect top-notch customer service.
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Specs
| Motor | 400w dual motor (800w overall) |
| Battery | LG 4300m AH, 37v battery pack |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 10 mph |
| Max Distance | 10+ miles |
| Max Capacity | 240 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 26 lbs |
What We Loved
EpikGo is fast developing a reputation as providing some of the most well-made and reliable hoverboards available.
The Epikgo Self-Balancing Classic Board has a very powerful motor, and it provides a good punch of acceleration on flat surfaces.
This is also the lightest of all the boards we reviewed, coming in at just 26lbs. Of course, it is still not feather-light, but for a model that is off-road capable, this is decent.
It will make it a more attractive option for kids that may have to carry the board a lot between usage.
It is also another one that charges up in just 2 hours, much faster than your average model.
Why it Might Not Work For You
This board is super expensive, considerably more than any of the other boards we reviewed. While this brand has a reputation for producing very well made models, it is hard to justify the price tag.
Because it is so expensive, it is very disappointing that it doesn’t have an app or Bluetooth capability.
Even though it has a powerful motor, it doesn’t tackle hills as capably as the likes of the Gyroor Warrior. It manages up to a 15-degree gradient, and then after that, it will be pushing it slightly.
Overall Verdict
You know you are going to get a well-built and reliable hoverboard from EpikGo, it is also very lightweight for an off-road capable model.
Given it is so expensive, however, it doesn’t have a lot else to make it stand out significantly against the competition. It is also a shame it doesn’t have an app.
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Specs
| Motor | 350w dual motors |
| Battery | 36v/ 4.3ah |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 9.5 mph |
| Max Distance | 12 miles |
| Max Capacity | 265 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 35 lbs |
What We Loved
The Tomoloo Eagle V2 has everything you would expect from an off-road hoverboard. It has a powerful motor, and it can tackle hills with a gradient of up to 30 degrees. The all-terrain 8.5-inch grippy solid tires provide decent traction too.
It also has Bluetooth capability, a decent app, and powerful LED lights.
This model has a decent maximum range and can take you up to a 12 mile range on a single charge. Although this will, of course, be considerably less if you are tackling a lot of rough terrain and hills.
Why it Might Not Work For You
While this is a good, reliable all-rounder, there is nothing that really sets it out from the crowded market place. Especially when you consider it doesn’t have a budget price point.
The tires are not as well made as some of the other models, and it is the heaviest of all those reviewed, so not great for portability.
Overall Verdict
A good and reliable all-rounder but, for the money, it doesn’t really have any particular stand-out features.
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Specs
| Motor | 400w dual motors |
| Battery | 4.0Ah, 25.2V, 100.8WH |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 6 mph |
| Max Distance | 6 miles |
| Max Capacity | 198 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 32 lbs |
What We Loved
The Hyper GoGo Off-Road Hoverboard is a good option if you are looking for a model that will work for younger kids for off-roading.
Because it doesn’t have crazy high top speeds, it means they can stay under control more easily. This will reduce the chances of them injuring themselves.
It has a reasonably powerful motor too and can handle rougher terrain with relative ease.
It is one of the most affordable models we have reviewed, so it is ideal for those on a limited budget.
Why it Might Not Work For You
For adult riders, they may find the Hyper GoGo a little limiting.
It has a top speed of just 6mph, much lower than average, and it can only carry you up to a pretty piddling 6 miles in range. Also, this would be less if tackling a lot of rough surfaces.
Despite it not having the most generous range, it still takes an hour longer to reach full charge than a lot of the models we reviewed.
Although this will work for younger kids because it is not too crazy fast, it is frustrating that it is still pretty cumbersome. At 32lbs, it is one of the heaviest we reviewed, and it will not be so easy for young kids to carry about.
Even though it is heavy, oddly, it has a maximum weight capacity of just 198lbs. So this is another reason it won’t be so great for adult riders. A lot of people could be over the weight limit.
There is no app with this model, although it has Bluetooth capability, although this is not a surprise given its price point.
Overall Verdict
Because the Hyper GoGo doesn’t reach crazy high top speeds, it could be a good affordable option for younger kids. It will mean you don’t have to worry about them having the opportunity to travel too quickly and topple!
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Specs
| Motor | 700w motor |
| Battery | 4.0Ah/36V Lithium Ion Battery |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Maximum Speed | 12 mph |
| Max Distance | 10 miles |
| Max Capacity | 265 lbs |
| Hoverboard Weight | 33 lbs |
What We Loved
Gyroor has a good reputation for producing solid, well-made and reliable hoverboards. That is why we have two on our off-road recommendations list.
The GF-1 has a lot of similar specifications to the Warrior, but what sets it apart is that it can easily reach 12mph top speed.
It has super-fast acceleration, and there are not many boards on the market as fast as this. So if you are looking for a fast board that can also handle some off-roading, maybe at not quite such fast speeds, then this could be the model for you.
As with the Warrior, this has a really good app with lots of features. It even has an option to add racing car sounds as you power along; the kids will likely love this option.
It looks seriously sleek too; it is one of the coolest looking of all the models we have reviewed. The yellow racing color and shiny finish mean you will definitely catch the eye of passersby.
Why it Might Not Work For You
While the tires on this are good quality and can handle a variety of terrain, they are not as grippy as some of the other models reviewed.
It is one of the heaviest hoverboards we reviewed, not ideal for young kids trying to carry them around between rides.
While it does offer good value for money, it is not the cheapest model and not good for those on a budget.
For younger riders, the top speed and bulky nature of this model might be too much. If you are nervous about them traveling at such high speeds, you may be better opting for the more affordable and less powerful Hyper GoGo instead.
Overall Verdict
If you want to push the limits in terms of speed, while still being able to handle off-road riding, the Gyroor G-F1 could be a great choice. This reliable, well-made model may not be the cheapest, but it does offer good value for money.
>>Tap Here to See More Reviews and See Today’s Price on Amazon.com<<
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