The Weight Limit of Hoverboards: Everything You Need to Know

Hoverboards have become popular all over the world. Some riders use them for fun or to move around short distances. Workers also use hoverboards more when moving across factories and warehouses. However, one of the most significant concerns about a hoverboard is its weight limit.

The weight limit of the hoverboard is crucial in determining its performance and longevity. So it’s essential to know how much your hoverboard can take. You might be wondering how much a hoverboard can hold, and today, we will find out the answer. We will also discuss the implications of the weight limit and what might happen if you exceed or fall below them.

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need a Weight Limit in Hoverboards?

The weight limit of a hoverboard is essential for different reasons. All manufacturers declare a minimum and maximum weight limit for their hoverboards. The weight can also help know whether the hoverboard has a good range and speed.

Most hoverboards come with a minimum capacity of 44 lbs. If you or your kid weigh less than this, riding the scooter may not be safe. The reason is that hoverboards depend on body weight for control and maneuverability, so low body weight can mean you won’t be able to ride it safely or properly.

The maximum weight is also crucial, as is set by the wheel size, materials used to make the board, battery capacity, etc.

For example, most hoverboards use polycarbonate or ABS plastic as their frame material. They are durable but still can develop cracks or break under the heavyweight. So it would help if you didn’t put excess weight on the hoverboard, which could crack the frame and damage the electronics inside.

Other hoverboard components also have a close relationship with the weight limit. For example, the screws, wheels, wheel axles, brackets, and other board elements can get damaged if you overload the board frequently.

Besides, how much power the motor of your hoverboard has is related to the weight. That means if you go over the maximum limit, you might get less power or make the motor work to its maximum power.

All hoverboards must comply with UL 2272 certification before being sold. Before they are sold to you, manufacturers test their operational limits comprehensively. As a result, the weight limit seems to be more based on actual metrics than being arbitrary.

What is the Weight Limit for Hoverboards?

As we already said, the manufacturer of your hoverboard will declare the minimum and maximum weight capacity. That being said, here are the general weight limits based on wheel size-

Hoverboards with 4.5-inch wheels have a weight limit of 120 lbs or 55 kg
Scooters with 6.5-inch wheels have a weight limit of 220 lbs or 100 kg
A hoverboard with 8.5-inch wheels can hold 265 lbs or 120 kg
Scooters with 10-inch wheels can accommodate a weight limit of 330 lbs or 150 kg

Some hoverboards allow a higher weight limit of around 420 lbs and are ideal if you are a big fellow or need to carry weights around. The weight limit is generally less for kids, and the hoverboards can hold about 180 lbs or less.

We will now check out the weight of some popular hoverboards in the market to give you an idea of what to look for.

The Swagtron Swagboard Pro T1 and the HOVERZON S Self Balance Hoverboard have a maximum weight limit of over 220 lbs. On the other hand, competitors, like the CHO All Terrain Balancing Electric Scooter, can accommodate 264.5 kg, while others can go as high as 420 lbs.

For kids, the Surfus Junior Waterproof Hoverboard has a maximum weight limit of 132 lbs. The Segway miniLITE allows a weight limit of 175 lbs. The Hoverheart Hoverboard and Swagtron Swagboard Classic have maximum weight limits of 180 lbs and 187.4 lbs, respectively.

To sum up, the average maximum weight limit for an adult hoverboard is 220 lbs. For kids, the average is around 140 lbs. You should check the weight limits before buying a hoverboard to ensure you can carry the required weight.

What Will Happen if I Cross the Weight Limit?

If you weigh a few pounds more than the weight limit of your hoverboard, then it may not be a problem. But it’s better to search for a heavy-duty model if you see that you weigh more than 15 pounds or more than the weight limit.

Practically speaking, your hoverboard will not break down if you cross the weight limit one or two times. Generally, manufacturers will provide an in-built safety margin and the declared weight limit.

So if there is a situation in that you need to go overboard with the weight, go ahead, as your board won’t fail if you cross the weight limit just one time. But going over the weight limit frequently or regularly can lead to several problems.

First, your hoverboard and its components will encounter quick wear and tear and may not last as long as they should. You may notice cracks on the outer shell, or the axle may become loose, damaging the wheels. In worst cases, the wheels might also come off.

Exceeding the weight limit will also harm the motor and the battery. They will need to perform at maximum output and will not provide the performance as expected. If you put excess load on the hoverboard, the motor may find it challenging to handle the extra weight. And it can not accelerate to the specified top speeds- your board will move slower when overloaded!

If you make the motor work on maximum load, it will also impact the battery’s performance. You will derive inefficient power, and the batteries may run out quickly when they carry a heavy load.

So it doesn’t make sense to cross the weight limit regularly. The board may break or malfunction, and you can get injured. Indeed that is something nobody wants!

So it’s always better to check the weight limit before you buy a hoverboard.

Consider the Weight of Carry-Ons

The things that you carry with you also add to the weight. So you must check the total weight of everything, including your backpack, which can push the weight beyond the recommended limit.

For example, if your weight is 220 lbs and you have a backpack of 30 lbs, you will cross the recommended limit for many hoverboards.

The carry-on weight is also crucial for hoverboards used for industrial or commercial purposes. Workers may need to carry goods and other materials across the warehouse, adding to the total weight.

For this reason, you should look for a high-capacity hoverboard that can accommodate higher-weight capacities.

What Will Happen if I can’t Meet the Minimum Weight Limit?

If you are an adult, it won’t be a problem to meet the minimum weight capacity declared by the manufacturer. The problem is more prominent when you’re looking to buy hoverboards for kids.

The maximum weight limit for hoverboards for kids can be anything from 132 lbs to 180 lbs. On the other hand, most manufacturers recommend a minimum weight of 44 lbs to ride a self-balancing scooter.

Why is it Necessary to Meet the Minimum Weight Criteria?

As we already said, hoverboards depend on your body weight for controlling speed and direction. You must lean forward to move the board forward and shift your body weight backward to speed down and brake.

So if you can’t meet the minimum weight requirement, you will find it difficult to move ahead or stop. In the worst cases, your kid may not slow down and can hit obstacles or other vehicles. Of course, nobody wants their kids to go to the ER for a hoverboard accident!

The minimum weight is also crucial for making turns on the hoverboard. It would help if you pushed your foot and ankle to turn left or right. So if your kid weighs less than the recommended limit, he will not be able to take clear turns.

So, it would be best to buy a hoverboard for your kid to ride safely by checking the minimum weight limit.

Can I Ride any Hoverboard if I Meet the Weight Criteria?

As you can see from the weight limits, some of the hoverboards for kids can accommodate the weight of adults. But it’s never a good idea to ride a kid’s hoverboard, even if you meet the weight requirements.

The models are generally scaled down to meet the physical builds of children and are not suitable for adults. You can damage the board or even injure yourself by falling.

So always stick with an adult board if you are an adult! The same goes for kids- don’t buy them a hoverboard for adults even if they meet the minimum weight criteria.

Final Thoughts

The weight limit of hoverboards is not for fun and should be important when choosing a scooter for yourself or your kid.

Many things, such as the material of the frame and wheels, motor output, battery capacity, etc., dictate the weight limit.

Exceeding the weight limit regularly will increase the wear and tear of the board. You will also not get the desired performance and may become slow and sluggish.

By reading this post, you can quickly know the weight limits of different hoverboards. It would be best to consider them whether you are buying a board for yourself or gifting it. Meeting the lower weight limit is also crucial for kids and their safety. You can look for features like Learning Mode, which help your kid ride their board without concern.

Most adults will not find any problem with the maximum weight limit of 220 lbs. But if you weigh more, you should consider the all-terrain hoverboard models. They are produced with durable materials and have a powerful motor, pulling a heavier load. But you will need to pay more, and often, the models are less compact and more severe than other hoverboards.

The weight limit of hoverboards should be among your top considerations when choosing one.