We were only getting used to the Segways and now hoverboards have become the next cool gift that every kid and the young guy is looking forward to. These small self-balancing scooters not only look cool but are more fun to ride than their handled counterparts.
If you have been looking forward to owning one, then questions like how much do hoverboards cost and are hoverboards safe must be circling your mind. Well, if that’s the case, then you are at the right place because we have all the answers that you need right here.
You might think that you would need a fortune to buy a hoverboard, but that is certainly not the case. A wide variety of hoverboards are available in the market and the cheapest of these costs less than 100 bucks, whereas, if you are looking to own a state-of-the art hoverboard, you will have to shell out upwards of USD 1000. We suggest that unless you have more money than you know how to spend, buy a hoverboard that costs around USD 500 so you don’t have to worry about warranties and customer support. Razor and IPIKGO are two trusted names in the hoverboard market; therefore, you can buy products from these to avoid buying low-quality hoverboards.
(Image Courtesy: Swagtron)
In 2015, several reports of hoverboards exploding or catching fire came out. A combination of bad electronics and faulty batteries were to be blamed in most cases. Lithium ion batteries that are used to power hoverboards are known to overheat and explode under rare circumstances. A similar thing happened with Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 devices.
An investigation regarding the safety of hoverboards was conducted by Consumer Product Safety Commission in early 2016 which recommended that all the new hoverboards to be imported into the US have to comply with the UL 2272 certification. Also, buying cheap hoverboards could also land you in the hospital as they are more prone to bursting into flames.
Hoverboards catching fire is just a part of the concerns you need to take care of while riding a hoverboard. Falling off and hurting yourself is the major cause of hoverboard related injuries. Since these gadgets can go up to the speed of 10 miles per hour, these are capable of causing serious injuries to the user.
The risks of getting caught and injured in a traffic accident are also quite high. Though the law in the US state of California deems hoverboards as bicycles allowing them to be ridden on the streets and roads, it brings in grave chances of you being involved in a road accident.
(Image Courtesy: Best Two Wheel Electric Scooter)
While there is a wide range of hoverboards available in the market, most of them work the same, with small differences in style and specs. Some even argue that there aren’t any significant differences in the way the medium range and high-end hoverboards ride. Just make sure that the hoverboard you are splurging on comes with UL 2272 certification. Also, we suggest you refrain from purchasing a low-quality cheap product because you would simply be wasting your money away.
Do you own a hoverboard or are you looking to buy one? Do you think personal transportation is the future? Is performing stunts on hoverboards safe? Tell us through your comments below. We would love to hear from you.
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Though hoverboards boards are amazing and pretty easy to use, they can take some time getting used to. Carelessness while learning how to ride one can lead to injuries. saying this from personal experience. And you do not have to worry about your hoverboard catching fire unless you have bought a cheap product to save money. It is going to be a one-time investment if you buy a decent model. You will never regret paying a little extra for a decent hoverboard which lasts long.