The 7 Best Electric Skateboards under $500

After comparing a selection of the best electric skateboards from top manufacturers, we found the best belt electric skateboard under $500 is the Apsuboard X1. With Exway X1, the best longboard, and the Meepo Mini 2 best shortboard.

In this article, we compare price, power, speed, range, and ride. There are many good electric skateboards. The best for you will depend on your budget, whether you are going to take it that last mile or just having fun, so keep reading to find which one you should choose.

Apsuboard V3

The Apsuboard V3 is one of the cheapest boards we recommend. It is built from generic trucks, enclosure, flex deck with handle, a 144wh Samsung 20R battery in 10s2p configuration, and the LingYi ESC (or our choice the Hobbywing ESC for $20 more).

These are all quality parts from a known brand. At this price, torque and acceleration are a little weak, and the 250W 90mm hub motors can be noisy. It has a 10 miles / 22 km range, and the top speed is a reasonable 28 mph / 45 km/h.

It may be a little unrefined riding experience, but if you are on a tight budget and need to spend as little as possible, the Apsuboard V3 is it.

Riptide R1

The Riptide R1 is powered by a 1800w dual belt drive that is reliable and powerful when it comes to keeping the 18 mph top speed and 7-mile range. It may not be as easy to maneuver as some, but make up for it hill climbing with internalized gears.

The R1 is durable thanks to its Canadian maple deck and proprietary 83mm urethane wheels. It also manages to clock in at a comfortable 13 lbs, for carrying from one of twin carrying handles.

A few key features are packed on board such as three user modes, regenerative braking, a kicktail, and an RX remote – this should be your go-to choice on a budget whether you are an amateur or a pro.

Meepo V3

The Meepo V3 is 38-inches long and 9-inches wide, with a 32.5-inch wheelbase. The deck is built with 7 layers of durable Canadian maple wood, offering plenty of dampening without sacrificing too much flex.

At 16 lbs, it’s easy to carry and can handle a 300 lbs load. It uses shredder trucks and an upgraded Meepo ESC. There are 4 different ride modes with an 11-mile range on a standard battery with a 2-3 hour charge time.

If you are okay with a bumpier ride, the Meepo V3 offers a great package at a fraction of the price compared to other boards with similar top speed, acceleration power, and range.

Backfire G2 Black

The Backfire G2 Black uses a customized Hobbywing ESC with a sensor. It has a smooth acceleration to a top speed of 24mph / 38kph and braking. A range of 11-12.5 miles / 18-20 km and 96 mm wheels gives it better vibration dampening and better grip on road surfaces.

The familiar Backfire 8 ply Maple deck with a subtle concave and a little bit of flex, making it pretty comfortable. Backfire uses quality parts for everything, including high-quality wheels and suitable bearings. The G2 also includes a set of proprietary trucks and bushings.

The Hobbywing 350W motors are more robust and quieter. The 180WH battery pack doesn’t have significant sag to it and only slows down minutes before it completely drains.

The Backfire G2 Black is a pretty well-rounded entry-level board. For $400, you get the complete package, a comfortable riding experience, functional specs, and a polished look.

Meepo Mini V2

The Meepo V2 is an alternative to the Boosted Mini. It has a very functional kicktail and a 30-inch short 7 layer maple deck. It’s fast and marketed with a top speed of 29 mph / 46 kph in no time. The Hobbywing ESC is perfectly smooth with a floaty feeling and stable ride thanks to the larger wheels, shredder trucks, and new bushings.

Sometimes the V2 doesn’t feel as crisp as a shortboard and carves more comfortably like a longboard. Meepo Mini V2 ER comes with Samsung 40T in a 10s2p setting, making it an 8Ah pack with 288wh.

The V2 is easy to carry at 16 lbs/ 7.2 kg and a little heavier for the ER at 18 lbs / 8.0 kg). The regular Mini 2 has a range of 11 miles / 17.7 km, the ER version lets you ride for 20 miles / 32 km and is more suited for riders closer to the 300 lb load limit.

The Meepo Mini 2 ER is for riders that love speed and torque and want it in a compact package, and it may fit the bill even better than Boosted Mini X with its lower price.

Exway X1

The Exway X1 is an innovative and well-designed board. With entirely bespoke components, the X1 has high-efficiency direct drive brushless motors. Fully sealed 80mm custom hub motors that are water-resistant, dust-proof, and maintenance-free.

The low angle trucks are designed by seismic, which are stable at high speeds and amazingly agile. The power is 1000 watts x2, no belt drag, and the ability to climb 30% hills. This board is fast at 26 mph and easy on the arms with a weight of just 14 lbs.

The deck is a composite cutaway made with Canadian Maple, Bamboo, Fiberglass, and Carbon Fiber, making it stiff. Combined with the 80mm wheels, the ride can be a little harsh and hard on the ankles.

The Exway X1 is the best hub motored powered electric skateboard at this price range. You get a fantastic board designed to be low maintenance, resist water damage, and provide sufficient speed for the most demanding customer.

Apsuboard X1

The Apsuboard X1 uses a concave 8 layer deck built from 1 bamboo and 7 maple layers. The X1 uses two aluminum enclosures underneath the board, which should withstand more abuse than its plastic counterpart. Inside these lies the Hobbywing ESC and amazingly 40 batteries.

There is also a USB port if you want to use it as a power bank or an emergency power to charge the remote. It features 2 650W belt motors, regenerative braking, handles up to a 30% slope.

There are 3 ride modes with a top speed of 26 mph / 42 km/h and range 17 to 19 miles. Vibration is limited thanks to a combination of the belt drive and flexible deck.

The Apsuboard X1 uses 90mm 80A wheels with an ABEC core and a pair of generic Chinese trucks that do a pretty good job. There is simply no belt-driven longboard that competes with its value and riding experience.

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