How Fast Does a Hoverboard Go? Speed Explained for Kids, Teens & Adults

It’s probably the first question every parent asks before buying one, and honestly, the first question every kid asks the second they unbox it. How fast does this thing actually go?

The answer depends a lot on which hoverboard you’re talking about, who’s riding it, and what surface they’re riding on. So instead of giving you a vague “it depends” and leaving it there, we pulled together the real numbers from our own range at Australia Hoverboards and broke it down by age group, because a six year old and a fully grown adult have very different needs when it comes to speed.

The Short Answer

Most hoverboards sit somewhere between 10 and 15 km/h, with entry level and kids’ models topping out closer to 10 to 12 km/h, and more powerful adult or off road models pushing up toward 15 km/h. If you want something faster than that, you’re really looking at electric scooters instead, which is a different category altogether and can go a lot quicker.

Now let’s get into the actual detail.

Hoverboards for Younger Kids (6.5 Inch Models)

Our 6.5 inch self balancing hoverboards are the most common starting point for younger riders, and for good reason. These come fitted with two 350 watt motors and hit a top speed of around 12 km per hour, which sounds modest, but at kid height on a hoverboard, 12 km/h feels plenty fast enough. They’re also fitted with a 29V Samsung lithium ion battery that gives you a travel distance of up to 20 kilometers on a full charge, so a quick charge easily covers an afternoon of riding around the driveway or the local park.

These models are genuinely built with safety as the priority rather than raw speed, which is exactly what you want for a first time rider.

Hoverboards for Teens (8 to 8.5 Inch Models)

Once kids get a bit older and more confident, the 8 to 8.5 inch models tend to be the natural next step up. Take our Lamborghini style hoverboards as an example. These are rated to reach speeds of 12 to 15 km/h, with a max weight capacity of 120kg, so they comfortably handle bigger, heavier riders without sacrificing stability. The bigger 8.5 inch tyres also mean they can handle a slightly rougher ride than the smaller kids’ models, including mild inclines up to around 15 degrees.

There’s also a built in acceleration sensor on some of these models that alerts the rider once they cross 12 km/h, which is a small but genuinely useful safety feature for a teenager who wants to push the limits a little.

Hoverboards for Adults and Off Road Riders

This is where the NS8 Off Road Hoverboard comes in. It’s built with a genuinely powerful motor setup that can reach speeds of up to 12 km/h, and it’s UL certified, which is worth paying attention to because that certification reflects real durability and safety testing, not just a marketing badge. It runs on a Samsung 158Wh battery with an average lifespan of around 3 years, and it can carry riders up to 90kg thanks to its sturdy alloy rimmed monster wheels.

What makes the NS8 different isn’t just outright speed, it’s that it holds that speed steady across grass, gravel, and uneven ground, where a standard hoverboard would usually slow down or lose grip entirely.

It also comes with built in safety protections, including a speed alert that kicks in once you go beyond roughly 6mph, plus a low power warning system, so you’re never caught out mid ride.

What If You Want Something Faster Than a Hoverboard?

If 15 km/h isn’t cutting it and you’re after something with real pace, that’s genuinely a different product category. Our electric scooters, like the ESA GTR, are built for that. With 1000W peak power and speeds ranging from 25 up to 45 km/h depending on the model, they’re designed for older teens and adults who want a proper commuter ride rather than a backyard toy. Just keep in mind that speeds like this come with different legal rules depending on your state, so it’s worth checking local e-scooter regulations before you buy.

A Quick Word on Safety

Regardless of top speed, the same rule applies across every age group. Faster isn’t always better, especially for younger or less experienced riders. Most of our hoverboards include built in safety systems like speed alerts and automatic slow down features once a rider crosses the recommended limit, and that’s intentional. A hoverboard that gently reminds a nine year old to slow down is doing its job properly.

If you’re shopping for a first hoverboard, we’d always recommend prioritising a model that matches the rider’s age and confidence level over one that simply has the highest number on the spec sheet.

Final Thoughts

So, how fast does a hoverboard actually go? Somewhere between 10 and 15 km/h for most riders, with the exact number depending on the motor size, tyre type, and terrain. Kids are well served by the 6.5 inch range, teens tend to outgrow into the 8 to 8.5 inch models, and adults or off road enthusiasts get the most out of something like the NS8.

If you’re still not sure which speed and size suits your family, feel free to get in touch with our team directly. We’d rather help you pick the right one the first time than have you sending one back.

Browse our full range here: Australia Hoverboards