By Ahmad · Updated November 6, 2026
My verdict
Buy the Gyroor G13 if the rider weighs under 176 lb. Of the boards below, it has the best mix of independently measured range and price, and it’s the one I’d put a kid or a lighter teenager on.
If the rider is heavier, up to 220 lb, get the Hover-1 Astro. It’s the cheapest board on this list that supports that weight.
If you want to spend about $100, the Gotrax Edge is fine for a beginner on smooth ground. It’s slow and the ride is bumpy. That’s the trade you’re making.
How I picked them, and what I haven’t done
I haven’t ridden any of these boards. What I did was compare manufacturer spec pages, independent test results where they exist, UL 2272 listings, warranty terms and the complaints that keep showing up in owner reviews.
The independent numbers come from ERideHero, which GPS-tested speed and range with a 175 lb rider. When a manufacturer’s claim and a tested number disagree, I show both.
Prices are what I saw on manufacturer or retailer pages on November 6, 2026. Amazon prices move around, so treat them as a guide and check the listing.
Quick comparison
| Board | Price I saw | Max rider | Top speed (claimed) | Range (claimed / tested) | Best for |
| Gyroor G13 | about $135 (Best Buy listing, third-party seller) | 176 lb | 7.75 mph | 8 mi / 5.5 mi | Kids 6-12, lighter teens |
| Hover-1 Astro | $119.99 (list $199.99) on hover-1.com | 220 lb | 7 mph | 9 mi / no test found | Heavier riders, app modes |
| Hover-1 Helix | $99.99 (list $179.99) on hover-1.com | 160 lb | 7 mph | 3 mi / no test found | Light riders, short rides |
| Gotrax Edge | $98 on gotrax.com | 176 lb | 6.2 mph | 3.1 mi / 3.4 mi | Tightest budget |
The boards
Gyroor G13: best for kids and lighter teens
The G13 has two 250W motors and is listed at 7.75 mph. ERideHero measured 7.2 mph, which is quick enough to be fun and still manageable for a 6 to 12 year old.
The range is where the claim and the test split: 8 miles claimed, 5.5 miles measured. That’s still the best measured range of the sub-$200 boards here that have a test.
The tires are 6.5-inch off-road tires. Sources disagree on whether they’re air-filled or solid, so check the listing. Air tires ride smoother but need an occasional top-up.
What I don’t like: the 176 lb limit means a growing teenager will outgrow it, and the 8-mile claim is optimistic. It also weighs about 20 lb, which is not light for a small child to carry.
[Check price on Amazon →]
Hover-1 Astro: best if the rider is over 176 lb
Hover-1’s own page lists the Astro at 7 mph, up to 9 miles, and a 220 lb rider limit, with a recommended minimum age of 8. It was $119.99 against a $199.99 list price when I looked.
The riding modes and headlight colors are set through a phone app, so someone needs to download it before the first ride.
What I don’t like: the range claim isn’t consistent. Hover-1 says 9 miles, but one retailer listing says 6, and I couldn’t find an independent test. I’d plan on the lower number. The warranty is also only 90 days.
[Check price on Amazon →]
Hover-1 Helix: only for light riders and short rides
The Helix was $99.99 on Hover-1’s site (list $179.99). It has a Bluetooth speaker, 6.5-inch solid tires and weighs about 14 lb.
Check the spec sheet before you buy, though. Hover-1 lists the Helix at 160 lb maximum rider weight and 3 miles of range. Some listings and older articles, including the earlier version of this guide, quote bigger numbers.
What I don’t like: 3 miles is short, and a 160 lb limit leaves almost no margin for a teenager who’s still growing.
[Check price on Amazon →]
Gotrax Edge: cheapest board I’d still consider
Gotrax lists the Edge at $98, 6.2 mph, 3.1 miles and a 176 lb limit. At 13.2 lb it’s easy to carry.
ERideHero measured 5.9 mph and 3.4 miles, so the claim holds up. They also found the ride bumpy and the motors weak, and I’d expect the same from small solid tires and two 150W motors. There’s no speaker or app.
Who it’s for: a first board for a beginner on smooth pavement or a garage floor, when you’re not sure they’ll stick with it.
[Check price on Amazon →]
If your child is under 80 lb
The Hover-1 My First has an 80 lb limit, a 5 mph top speed, 3 miles of range and weighs about 11 to 12 lb. Check the UL 2272 mark on the box before you buy. Hover-1’s documentation mentions UL certification, but one spec database I looked at lists it as not UL 2272.
Worth stretching the budget for
Gyroor Warrior G2. If you ride on grass or gravel, this is the board I’d save for. It has 8.5-inch tires, 700W of motor power and a 265 lb limit. ERideHero measured 9.9 mph and 6.4 miles. The listings I found ran from about $200 to $300, so it won’t reliably come in under $200.
Hover-1 Horizon. It supports 220 lb and has 8-inch tires. ERideHero measured 6.8 mph and 6.3 miles. Hover-1 lists it at $229.99, so it’s over budget unless you catch a deal.
Four checks before you buy
- UL 2272. It should appear on the listing and on the board. It covers the whole electrical system, not just the battery.
- Rider weight with a margin. Don’t buy a board whose limit is close to the rider’s weight, especially for a child who’s still growing.
- Warranty. The Hover-1 boards above have 90 days. That’s normal at this price, but keep your receipt.
- Recalls. Search the board’s name on the CPSC recall page at cpsc.gov/Recalls before you order.
Charge with the supplied charger only. Hover-1’s manual says a full charge on the Helix takes up to 6 hours, so plan for that and don’t leave it charging unattended overnight.
And buy the helmet. CPSC’s guidance on hoverboards recommends protective gear, and the first few rides are when most falls happen.
FAQ
Are hoverboards under $200 safe? They can be, if the board is UL 2272 certified and you use the supplied charger. Be wary of unbranded boards with no certification on the listing.
What age is a hoverboard suitable for? Hover-1 recommends 8 and up for the Helix and Astro. The Gyroor G13 is listed for ages 6 to 12 in the sources I found. Supervision and protective gear matter more than the number.
Can adults ride these? Within the weight limits, yes. The Astro supports 220 lb. The G13 and Edge stop at 176 lb, and the Helix at 160 lb.
Do I need the app? Not for the G13 or Edge. The Astro’s riding modes and lights are controlled through its app.
Final verdict
For most families, I’d buy the Gyroor G13 and a helmet. If the rider is over 176 lb, I’d get the Hover-1 Astro. If the budget is under $100, the Gotrax Edge is a sensible first board as long as you know it’s slow and bumpy.
I’ll update this page when prices or models change. If you spot something out of date, tell me through the contact page and I’ll check it.
Sources
- Hover-1 product pages: Helix, Astro and Horizon (hover-1.com), checked November 6, 2026
- Gotrax Edge product page (gotrax.com), checked November 6, 2026
- ERideHero, “8 Best Cheap Hoverboards” (updated April 7, 2025) and “10 Best Hoverboards” for tested speed and range
- Best Buy listing for the Gyroor G13 (price and specs)
- Gyroor Warrior G2 retailer listings (specs and price range)
