It has been a decade since the first hoverboard was invented, and the world hasn't been the same since.
At first, the divisive 'toy' was welcomed warmly as a futuristic advance, with fans dizzy at the prospect of being able to glide from A to B, oat milk latte sitting undisturbed in hand. Sure, they weren’t quite Marty McFly’s hoverboard in Back To The Future - these boards are fitted onto wheels - but they were close.
That fizz soon died down after the Crown Prosecution Service and Department for Transport put the kibosh on hoverboards for pavement and road use in 2015.
It's all for the best, really. Hoverboards, though undeniably fun to ride and great at honing balancing skills, are toys that belong far away from street and pedestrian traffic.
Are hoverboards legal in the UK?
Yes, but there are rules. Government guidelines state that ‘powered transporters’, a term that includes hoverboards, can be used in private spaces with the landowner's permission, but not public roads or pavements, including cycle lanes and car parks.
Private property like a garden or yard offers plenty of space to allow the two-wheeled self-balance boards to do their thing and for riders to master tricks without the possibility of knocking passing pensioners, small pets or toddlers off their feet.
With the right attachments, you can even turn some hoverboards into Go Karts, adding to the play possibilities.
Best hoverboards at a glance
- Best for users with acres of private space: ZIMX G2 Pro Hoverboard - Wild Orange - £299, Currys
- Best for children: iHoverboard® H1 Yellow 700W Self Balancing Hoverboard 6.5" - £109.95, iHoverboard
- Best for young adventurers: MEGA MOTION Hoverboard - £139.99, Amazon
- Best for superhero style: ZINC Megastar Hoverboard - £199, Currys
- Best for teens: ZIMX Hoverboard HB2 With LED Wheels - £184.99, Robert Dyas
- Best for Griff Tannen-vibes: Hover-1 Rival Black Hoverboard with LED Wheels - £120, Argos
- Best for big kids: RCB Hoverboards for Kids and Adults - £139.99, Amazon
They make great gifts for children, teens and young adults, as long as they understand the guidelines around using them. If you’re thinking about buying one as a present, it’s best to speak to their parent or guardian first to ensure they’re on board.
Got the green light? We’ve rounded up the best hoverboards below for different ages below.
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ZIMX G2 Pro Hoverboard - Wild Orange
Best for: users with acres of private space
- Max load: 100kg
- Top speed: 10mph
- Charging time: 2.5 hours
- Special features: Bluetooth, IP54 water resistance
Got plenty of room to roam free at your disposal? Then consider the ZIMX G2, a beast of a board that can reach up to 10mph with a range of up to 12 miles.
The supersized 8.5-inch wheels can take on all kinds of terrain, from concrete slabs to dirt roads, sand and grass, all while running at a whisper-quiet noise level.
Well, unless you use the Bluetooth feature which allows you to listen to your favourite tracks while on the move. Suitable for users aged 6+ with appropriate safety gear.
Buy now £299.00, Currys
iHoverboard® H1 Yellow 700W Self Balancing Hoverboard 6.5"
Best for: children
- Max load: 100kg
- Top speed: 7.5mph
- Charging time: 4 - 5 hours
- Special features: LED lights, cool body design
With a bright and colourful anti-fire shell, iHoverboard's H1 design is aimed squarely at kids.
The gadget can handle inclines of up to 15° with a top speed of 7.5mph, supported by a 350W dual motor that keeps things running smoothly. LED lights, 6.5-inch solid tyres and wear-resistant pedals add to the appeal. The hoverboard also boasts Bluetooth connectivity, allowing riders to play their favourite tunes through the on-board speaker.
Add-ons include helmets and safety pads, wise extras to invest in for first-timers.
Buy now £109.95, iHoverboard
MEGA MOTION Hoverboard
Best for: young adventurers
- Max load: 100kg
- Top speed: 9mph
- Charging time: 3 hours
- Special features: Aluminum alloy wheels, bright headlights
Built with child's safety in mind, this flashy hoverboard not only comes in a slew of attractive colours but is packed with mindful features: think anti-shake, anti-fall and anti-tilt.
It can reach speeds of up to 9mph and with a 100kg user weight small kids and adults can enjoy the toy together.
Buy now £139.99, Amazon
ZINC Megastar Hoverboard - Chrome
Best for: superhero style
- Max load: 100kg
- Top speed: 6.2mph
- Charging time: 5 hours
- Special features: Bluetooth speaker, IPX4 splash resistance
This impressive machine is armed to the eyebrows with features, from colourful LEDs on the front and around the wheels, to puncture-proof tyres and a Bluetooth speaker to play songs as you go.
Made for users aged 14 and up, the 2000mAh batter takes five hours to fully charge. Sold with a one-year guarantee.
Buy now £199.00, Currys
ZIMX Hoverboard HB2 With LED Wheels
Best for: teens
- Max load: 100kg
- Top speed: 8mph
- Charging time: 2.5 hours
- Special features: quiet motor, LED light-up wheels
Boasting a sleek-looking black chassis, this hoverboard from ZIMX will appeal to older children and teens. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 8mph, the wheels light up and there are underside LED pathfinder lights to help users see where they are going.
Charging is super-fast too - just 2.5 hours will get you back up to full battery - giving up to 3.5 hours run time.
Buy now £184.99, Robert Dyas
Hover-1 Rival Black Hoverboard with LED Wheels
Best for: Griff Tannen-vibes
- Max load: 72kg
- Top speed: 7mph
- Charging time: 5 hours
- Special features: wide wheels, foot-operated acceleration
It's not quite the machine Griff Tannen sports in the Back To The Future franchise, but it's close. Hover 1 is a sturdy design with wide wheels and ultra-bright lights to light the path ahead. Additional LEDs flash multicolour lights on the wheels. It can conquer inclines of 8° with a top speed of 7mph.
It’s suitable for children aged 15+ and comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £120.00, Argos
RCB Hoverboards for Kids and Adults
Best for: big kids
- Max load: 100kg
- Top speed: 7mph
- Charging time: 5 hours
- Special features: Bluetooth speaker
With non-slip footpads and lights galore, children will love playing with this hoverboard. It boasts robust 6.5-inch wheels and uses two motors to propel movement with Bluetooth ready to stream music through the built-in speaker. It's available in a selection of colours and designs to best suit you. A seat can be purchased to turn this hoverboard into a Go Kart.
Buy now £139.99, Amazon
