The urban trend of automated commuting continues, and with that, the market of electric skateboards grows at a rapid pace. With every day passing, electric skateboards are getting more popular than the day before. As more and more people choose this eco-friendly option in order to boost their commute, companies are coming up with plenty of new models to accommodate every type of user. Electric penny boards are a special type of e-boards and one of our favorites.
Based on their functionality, these electric skateboards have the potential to become revolutionary for the electric skateboarding community. If you are an environmental enthusiast who has always searched for an efficient and eco-friendly way of commuting short distances, then you should end your search right away because you would certainly not regret buying your own penny electric skateboard.
Before we dive deep into finding the top penny electric skateboards available in the market, let’s learn more about these unique boards.
What is a Penny Electric Skateboard?
A ‘Penny board’ or a ‘short cruiser’, as everybody in the skateboard community likes to call it, is a lightweight skateboard first coined in 2010 by an Australian-based company. Since then, this type of skateboard became so popular amongst teenagers around the globe that the term ‘penny’ is now interchangeably used to call all small skateboards. The popularity of the brand attracted other companies to replicate the original idea and create their own versions of the Penny Boards, because of which the term has become broadly genericized to describe compact plastic skateboards (both electric or manual).
As mentioned before, penny skateboards are known for being lightweight. In order to reduce the weight without compromising on the durability, the deck of a penny board is entirely made up of plastic. Apart from this, these boards are easily distinguished because of their wide wheels, raised tails, and footprint-shaped board style. The overall built of these boards are efficient for cruising rather than doing tricks, well, with the electric version, it’s hard to do tricks in general.
So, if you like to put on a show by doing a lot of tricks on your board, then this one is probably not for you, well, just get a classic skateboard for that.
What are the Benefits of Electric Penny boards?
An eco-friendly commute
Just like any other electric skateboard, penny boards, too, are extremely environmentally friendly. These boards have the capacity to use minimal electricity while providing miles worth of commute. For short distances, it is a way more efficient method of transportation rather than using a car that not only uses fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources but also emits destructive gasses. Apart from this, the batteries made for these boards are eco-friendly and recyclable. Once your battery expires, you can simply replace them with new ones while turning your old battery for recycling. All in all, penny electric skateboards are a fun and efficient mode of transportation, which happens to play a crucial part in the green revolution.
Lightweight and portable
Perhaps you are testing the limits of your board, and the battery drains out, or you just travel a lot through busses and subways; every once in a while, you will have to carry your electric board around. You will not only require to lift your board but also hold it for the rest of your journey. You are certainly not the Hulk, so carrying a bulky e-skateboard can be a cause of inconvenience. That is why it is recommended to consider the portability of your board as well while deciding which one to buy. A penny board offers this portability. The deck of a penny electric skateboard is entirely made out of plastic, making it super light in weight. Carrying around your e-skateboard has never been so convenient and stress-free.
Hybrid skateboards
The electric penny board is a perfect combination of a manual penny board and a regular e-skateboard. The manual penny board side offers great cruising experience thanks to its streamlined architecture. On the other hand, it’s electric skateboard side, allows an effortless commute on the city roads and even up the hills. Getting a penny electric skateboard is certainly the best option if you want to extract the benefits out of both manual penny boards and electric skateboards.
Air Travel
Everybody loves the idea of carrying their boards while traveling to other countries. Unfortunately, the majority of e-skateboards available are either too bulky or noncompliant to TSA rules regarding lithium batteries. A penny electric board can be your perfect travel companion if you fly a lot and want to carry an electric skateboard to accompany you on your trips. They are generally small and weigh a lot less than regular electric skateboards. Moreover, their batteries are fully in compliance with TSA rules so that you can carry them on most of the planes.
How to Ride an Electric Penny Board
Just like any other skateboard, riding a penny board can be tricky. With little practice, you will be easily able to master the art of skateboarding. Before you hit the road, it is essential to ensure that you are well-equipped with a helmet along with a pair of shoes designed specifically for skateboarding.
Once you have taken the appropriate safety measures, you can step on your board for a ride. Make sure that you start on a flat surface that is free from any kind of obstacle. Use your wireless remote control to adjust the acceleration, braking, and speed modes, according to your liking. The functionality of your remote control will vary depending on the model of your penny board. Some remote controls also offer options such as cruise control and nitro. Explore the different options offered by your particular model. Continue practicing until you are fully confident in hitting the road.
Top Electric Penny Skateboards available in 2021
Boosted Mini X
When it comes to power and comfort, we start with the best skateboard on this review list, the Boosted Mini X. There are a lot many features on this board that makes it so revolutionary. These boards offer plenty of speed along with great brakes, a perfect recipe for a comfortable ride. Another big plus is that these boards have a higher weight capacity than the majority of boards in the market, making them an ideal option for all kinds of users.
This board beats its competition by offering a 1000-watt motor that can push this board up to 20 miles per hour. If you stay at this speed, you could easily travel 14 miles of the smoothest ride of your life.
One of the best things about this model that will most definitely attract most of the riders is that this e-skateboard offers two different battery modes. The users can easily switch between the standard battery mode, which gives six miles of range and extended battery mode that offers twice the range offered by the standard mode. In addition, top-quality materials are used throughout the board that adds up to its overall durability. These extraordinary skateboards are also in compliance with TSA rules about lithium batteries; this means that these boards are qualified to be on a plane.
Yes, the price is a bit higher than an average electric skateboard; however, if you get this electric skateboard penny board with a remote controller, it will be totally worth your bucks.
Pros:
- Top speed of 20 mph and a range of 14 miles
- Air travel ready
Cons:
- Apart from the price being quite high, Boosted boards still have premium quality overall, nothing else to say.
VOKUL V1
Vokul V1 is, without a doubt, one of the most frequently bought boards on the list, mainly due to its affordable price. Despite being so budget-friendly, these boards are well-equipped with everything that premium penny boards offer. The 350-watt motor may not be the most powerful motor, but its aerodynamic deck design can greatly influence the speed of this board. This board can surprisingly reach the speed limit of 13 miles per hour. And if you continue your ride on this speed, the battery would conveniently last ten miles. The credit for this incredible range also goes to its regenerative braking system and its powerful 4.4Ah lithium battery. The board also comes with wireless remote control that can be used to switch between different speed modes. The only downside to this board is that its weight capacity is only 200 pounds, making it unsuitable for some adult users.
Pros:
- Easy on the pocketbook 😉
- 10-mile range, thanks to its powerful 4.4Ah lithium battery and regenerative braking system
Cons:
- Weight capacity of just 200 pounds may not be suitable for some adult users
Swagtron Swagboard Spectra
The Swagtron Swagboard Spectra is another great addition to this list of top electric penny boards. The name of this board can easily overwhelm anybody, but this board is exactly what it says it is. The best part about this board is that it jumps from zero to full charge in less than 90 minutes, all thanks to its MagCharger. With a full battery, you could easily travel around 12.4 miles at a speed of 15.5 miles per hour, making it the fastest board in this list. This model does not come with remote control, which might be a dealbreaker for the majority of riders; however, there is a mobile phone application that can be used to switch through different speed modes and much more. The board is also equipped with a 3D Posture Control system that uses five sensors to learn your riding style and recommend some adjustments to improve your overall riding experience.
Pros:
- 3D Posture Control will enhance your riding experience.
- 90 minutes of charge is good enough to travel around 12.4 miles
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Does not include a remote control.
Maxfind Max C
At first glance, you might say that the Maxfind Max C looks nothing like a penny board. When we read about a penny board, we simply imagine a tiny board. Unlike traditional penny boards, the Maxfind Max C has a very long deck designed specifically to accommodate taller riders with larger feet. Even though these boards are relatively bigger, this model weighs only about 8 pounds. Another big plus is its phenomenal recharge time; if your Maxfind Max C runs out of juice, you can revive it in just one hour. At a full charge, this board can travel up to 10 miles at a top speed of 14 miles per hour.
The Maxfind Max C can handle hills better than most of the e-skateboards in the market. You can travel uphill at around 15 degrees without much effort. So, if you live in a hilly area, you know which board to go for. Moreover, this board is quite robust; the IP65 waterproofing certificate is proof that validates its durability. This means that despite unfavorable road conditions, this board is 100% safe to ride on wet surfaces. In addition, weighing around just 8 pounds, this board has a very lightweight and practical design; if its battery drains out completely, you can easily carry the board around, or you could use it as a regular manual skateboard.
Pros:
- long deck design suitable for taller riders with larger feet
- Can ride on wet surfaces
- Can be used as a manual skateboard as well
Cons:
- The remote controller is a little bulky
BLITZART Mini Flash
The BLITZART Mini Flash is the only board on this list that has a bamboo and maple wood deck that maximizes the overall quality of this board. This robust wooden deck has an incredible weight capacity of 250 pounds, which means that it can accommodate the majority of riders out there. The model is well-equipped with 250-watt hub motors that can attain a top speed of 12 miles per hour. The board also comes with a lithium-ion battery pack that has a reputation of being very durable. All in all, this board is no less than any top-quality board the market has to offer.
Pros:
- Incredible weight capacity of around 250 pounds
- Ideal for new skateboarders
Cons:
- The remote control may have some connection problems
Razor-X Cruiser
Razor-X Cruiser is one of the least expensive options on our list. Despite being so budget-friendly, these boards can easily go head to head with any top-end electric skateboards available. The skateboard itself weighs around ten pounds, but don’t be fooled; this board can easily handle up to 220 pounds. Thanks to its 125-watt motor, along with a lithium-ion battery, these boards can speed up to 10 miles per hour for around 40 minutes of nonstop use. The powerful motor used in this board can also handle hills quite elegantly. The deck is completely made up of maple wood, which adds to the overall sturdiness of this board.
The Razor-X Cruiser comes with a handy wireless remote control that can be used to manipulate the speed of the board. This model does not include any extra features that other boards offer, making it a perfect option to introduce electric skateboarding to kids.
Pros:
- Can travel on 10mph for 40 minutes of continuous use
- Lightweight design
- Can handle up to 220 pounds
Cons:
- Does not offer attractive features such as cruise control.
Voyager Neutrino
The Voyager Neutrino is a next-generation penny skateboard that offers remote control deck technology. The board is powered by 350-watt motors that give the board some serious speed. Weighing in around 9.5 pounds, these boards are extremely lightweight and super portable.
The Voyager is also equipped with a Bluetooth compatible remote control that is an ultimate skateboarding tool. The controller will not only allow you to monitor the battery performance but will also help you switch between different riding modes. This model is a certified IP55 water-resistant, which means that you will have no trouble riding through the puddles. All in all, this penny electric skateboard can provide a complete electric skateboard experience for kids and even for adults.
Pros:
- Super lightweight and portable
- IP55 rated water-resistant
Cons:
- Can handle only 176 pounds that may not be suitable for some adults
SKATEBOLT Electric Skateboard
The Skatebolt electric skateboard is the last penny board on our list. At a quick glance, you can easily recognize this board as a penny board. This board weighs only 7.9 pounds, making it one of the most portable and lightweight electric skateboards available in the market. Despite of its small size and lightweight architecture, these boards have not compromised on its durability. The deck on this board is completely made up of maple wood that is known for its sturdiness and flexibility.
Do you want convenience? These boards come with a unique remote control that will tell you your battery capacity and current speed on its display. The remote also has a cruise control option that will allow you to maintain the desired speed level. If you are looking to buy an electric skateboard penny board with a remote controller, then this board is just perfect for you.
When it comes to the performance, you can simply rely on this board that comes with a power-packed 250-watt hub motor. Add a 2200 mAh lithium battery pack to this powerful motor, and you will get a picture-perfect combination of an incredible e-skateboard that can attain a top speed of 12.4 miles per hour. At this speed, this board can surprisingly travel up to 9.3 miles per charge.
Lastly, the wheels used in the Skatebolt electric skateboard are replaceable. This means that you don’t have to replace the whole motor; a convenient wheel replacement will be enough to refresh the whole skateboard.
Pros:
- Weighing in around 7.9 pounds making it extremely lightweight and portable
- Comes with cruise control
- Replaceable wheels
Cons:
- With a range of only 9.3 miles, making it inapt for long-distance rides.
Penny electric skateboard DIY kit review
Loaded Boards Unlimited Electric Skateboard DIY kit
As you have already figured out, penny electric skateboards are becoming increasingly popular. Many skateboarding enthusiasts have found a unique way to build their own penny electric skateboard. There are many DIY kits available that can help you turn your manual penny boards into an electric penny board.
Loaded Broads Unlimited is one of the highly-rated DIY conversion kits available in the market that can completely transform your penny skateboard into an automatic vehicle. This brand offers three different models that are:
- SOLO: Weighing in around 4 pounds, this is the most basic and the lightest model offered by this brand that is best suited for relatively smaller e-skateboards. The DIY kit comes with one 840-watt motor and one battery pack that can help your board to attain a top speed of 23 miles per hour. With that speed, you can travel around 7 miles per single charge.
- CRUISER: This is the second and the most efficient kit offered by this brand. This conversion kit comes with one 840-watt motor and two batteries that can run up to 13 miles per charge. This kit can, too, attain a top speed of 23 miles per hour. Once installed, your board will get 6.6 pounds heavier.
- RACE: This the most powerful conversion kit on the list. It comes with two 1680-watt motors and two batteries that can travel up to 13 miles per single charge. Despite of weighing 9 pounds, this kit can surprisingly attain a top speed of 26 miles per hour.
These conversion kits are compatible with any type of deck and truck. Moreover, the batteries are very easy to swap; this means that you can carry a spare battery with you for a long trip. In addition, these models offer three different riding modes that can suit all types of riders. Apart from this, you can also use their smartphone application to set the maximum speed, braking, and acceleration up to your liking. This user-friendly application will also allow you to use features such as nitro and cruise control for a fully controlled riding experience.
How to convert your regular penny board into an electric penny board?
Step 1: Disassemble
The very first step that you are ought to take is to disassemble your existing manual penny board by taking out the trucks. After disassembling, you can simply install the conversion kit onto your skateboard.
Step 2: Installation process
The installation process may sound a little technical, you might think that you will require to drill holes or make some kind of modifications, but instead, you will only have to bolt the trucks that came with the kit onto your deck.
That’s about it.
Add the batteries that came with the package, and you are good to go. The whole process will hardly take five minutes, and that includes opening the box as well!
Conclusion
The market for the penny electric skateboard is still evolving. There are many options available but, the prices are still too high for the majority of people out there. However, only a few of the skateboards are actually worth your hard-earned money.
According to our list, the Boosted Mini X remains to be our top pick, because of the diverse set of features this board has to offer. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more affordable option, than you might want to consider the Vokul V1 or the Swagtron Swagboard Spectra.
Whether you are an experienced or a beginner skater, choosing a skateboard can be an overwhelming experience. However, when you are ready to buy one for yourself, this guide can best assist you in narrowing down your options.
