4 Best Budget Electric Skateboards For Quality Seekers

By Matt Powell •  Updated: 02/14/24 •  12 min read

The thrills of electric skateboarding should not be restricted by the confines of a hefty price tag. As the e-skate culture flourishes, the market responds with a variety of boards that fuse performance with affordability. In this exploration of value-packed rides, we spotlight four standout budget electric skateboards that promise quality without draining your wallet. These boards cater to both the e-skate novices and the cost-conscious enthusiasts who crave a mix of speed, range, and durability, providing an insightful guide to your next electrified adventure on wheels.

Backfire G2 Black

When passion for speed collides with the reality of a tight budget, finding that high-performance sweet spot can be a thrilling challenge.

No need to break the bank to satisfy the need for speed; here’s how you can rev up performance without burning a hole in your wallet.

  1. Opt for the Sleeper Look:

    Skip the flashy aftermarket add-ons. Direct your funds to what really makes a difference under the hood. Performance air filters, a better exhaust system, or even a simple ECU tune-up can significantly boost power at a fraction of the cost of aesthetic mods.

  2. Hunt for Used Performance Parts:

    Garage sales, online forums, and enthusiast networks can be goldmines for pre-owned performance parts. With a little patience and thorough research, gems like turbochargers, sway bars, and performance tires can be snatched up for a steal.

  3. DIY Maintenance and Upgrades:

    Roll up those sleeves and get your hands dirty. There’s a wealth of resources available, from online tutorials to community workshops, that can empower you to tackle maintenance and upgrades. Labor costs can dwarf parts expenses, so self-service is a wallet-friendly way to enhance performance.

  4. Focus on Weight Reduction:

    It’s simple physics – less weight means quicker acceleration. Stripping unnecessary items from your vehicle not only improves speed but also handling. Think like a minimalist; if it’s not essential for performance or safety, it probably can go.

  5. Prioritize Tires:

    All the power in the world means little if you can’t transfer it to the tarmac. Investing in high-quality performance tires is arguably the most significant upgrade for any speed enthusiast on a budget. Better grip means better control and faster times.

  6. Regular Tune-ups:

    It’s not just about adding stuff. Keeping your engine well-tuned and changing fluids regularly can make a world of difference. Often overlooked, these basic maintenance tasks can restore lost power and efficiency.

  7. Learn from the Community:

    No one knows your machine and how to squeeze out every bit of performance like fellow enthusiasts. Join forums, attend meet-ups, and absorb collective wisdom. The tips you learn could lead to affordable tweaks that dramatically improve performance.

  8. Aerodynamics Over Aesthetics:

    Sure, that giant rear spoiler might look cool, but does it really help? Often, aerodynamic improvements not only cost less but also provide more tangible performance benefits than purely cosmetic enhancements.

  9. Plan Your Build:

    Spontaneous purchases are the enemy of budget performance. By planning upgrades, you can save for quality parts over time and avoid the pitfalls of cheap, ineffective fixes that ultimately cost more in the long run.

  10. Education Is Key:

    Understanding your vehicle inside and out gives you the upper hand when it comes to affordable performance. Learn about your car’s specifics – every model has its own quirks and potential for improvement that can be exploited without maxing out credit cards.

By combining savvy shopping, mechanical self-reliance, and strategic upgrades, speed enthusiasts can enjoy the rush of high performance without the accompanying financial stress. Remember, when it comes to performance on a budget, it’s not about how much you spend, but how smartly you invest in your ride.

Image of a car engine with tools, representing tips for improving performance on a budget

WowGo 2S

Crave for a Smooth Ride That Won’t Cost a Fortune?

Seek Out Deals on Discontinued Models

For those with a keen eye and a patient disposition, an excellent cost-saving strategy when enhancing your ride is scouring the market for discontinued models. Manufacturers often slash prices on parts and upgrades for cars that are no longer in production, presenting an opportune moment to snap up high-quality components at a fraction of their original cost.

Go Generic on Non-Essential Parts

It’s no secret that branding can add a hefty surcharge to the price tag. When it comes to non-essential or purely cosmetic parts, consider opting for generic or ‘no-name’ options. Many of these products have the same manufacturing quality as their branded counterparts but are much more wallet-friendly.

Maximize Fuel Efficiency

While not immediately obvious when discussing performance, fuel efficiency measures can indirectly improve a vehicle’s operation while saving money. Techniques such as smooth acceleration and deceleration, maintaining a steady speed, and ensuring your car isn’t carrying unnecessary weight can all contribute to a more efficient drive without any cost to improve.

Consider ECU Tuning

Modern vehicles are often governed by electronic control units (ECU), and with the right tools and knowledge, these can be tuned to optimize the car’s performance. ECU tuning can adjust fuel delivery, air intake, and ignition timing parameters, potentially offering significant performance enhancements without the need for expensive hardware upgrades.

Embrace Preventive Measures

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially in the automotive world. Simple actions like regular oil changes, keeping the engine clean, and routinely checking fluid levels can stave off major repairs down the line. Preventive maintenance not only keeps the car running smoothly but also helps maintain its value over time.

Get Crafty with Insulation

A smooth ride isn’t just about the mechanicals—it’s about comfort too. Soundproofing the cabin with quality insulation material can greatly reduce road noise, making for a far more pleasant driving experience. Rather than opting for expensive pre-cut kits, look for bulk insulation materials you can customize to your vehicle.

Optimize with OBD Apps

Lastly, leverage modern technology to your advantage. OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) apps connect to your car and can provide a wealth of data on its performance. Use these tools to monitor your vehicle’s vitals and make informed decisions on what tweaks or upgrades could best benefit your ride—often at just the cost of the app and an OBD II adapter.

Remember, a passion for cars doesn’t have to mean a drained bank account. With some strategic decisions and a bit of elbow grease, one can enjoy a smooth and responsive driving experience that’s also kind to the checkbook.

A person driving a car on a smooth road with the windows down and enjoying the scenery

Hiboy S11

When assessing whether compact and lightweight design should dominate your decision-making, it’s worth diving into why this might make a difference. After all, the devil’s in the details, and those details can heavily influence performance, ease of modification, and even overall satisfaction with a build. Let’s roll under the hood and see why keeping things trim and fit might just be the route to take.

Track Days Just Got Easier

No one likes to be burdened with extra weight when aiming for the apex on track days. It’s simple physics: less mass equals more agility and quicker acceleration. But beyond the numbers, there’s the sheer joy of handling a vehicle that responds swiftly to every input. That toss-ability around the bends can often be attributed to stripping down to the essentials and going for builds that highlight lean efficiency over bulk.

No More Big-Bulky Syndrome

Ever tried squeezing through a tight space with something ungainly and large? It’s no fun, and the same goes for components in a build. Compact designs mean easier installation and maintenance, which can make a world of difference when you’re wrenching away in a garage that’s not exactly a capacious pit lane setup.

City Slicker Friendliness

For those who split time between urban haunts and open road adventures, compactness is a boon. Smaller parts can mean a smaller overall vehicle footprint — a blessing when navigating narrow lanes, battling for parking spots, or storing your pride and joy in a restrictive space. It’s about being street-smart, literally.

The Ease of a Modder’s Life

Let’s face it, the joy of upgrading can be dampened by overly complex or oversized components that feel like you’re solving a Rubik’s Cube with greasy hands. A nifty, lightweight part typically means a more straightforward installation process, making the upgrade path less daunting and far more enjoyable.

Enhanced Longevity of Components

Trimming down the heft isn’t just about immediate gains; it’s also playing the long game. Lightweight components tend to put less stress on the surrounding parts, leading to reduced wear and tear over time. This proactive approach can save both time and money, giving you more of both for what you’d rather be doing — hitting the road or the track.

Market Flexibility

Here’s something often overlooked: the market for compact, lightweight parts is buzzing. This means an array of options, competitive pricing, and the ability to upgrade in stages rather than all at once. Plus, the resale market on these types of parts can be quite active, offering an opportunity to recoup some of the investment if upgrades or changes are in the future.

The Enviable Power-to-Weight Ratio

Horsepower isn’t the only metric that counts. The power-to-weight ratio can turn a seemingly average ride into a sleeper that’ll surprise more than a few at the lights. By focusing on a svelte design, every horsepower delivers a bigger punch, allowing for a thrilling and efficient ride without necessarily breaking the bank on high-powered engines.

In closing, while the topics of sleeper looks, regular tune-ups, and education about your build have been covered in-depth, it’s clear that compact and lightweight design deserves a spotlight. There’s a palpable brilliance in getting the large-scale performance from a smaller, smarter package. It’s like finding that perfect balance between brawn and brains, where less really can be more, and smart design trumps sheer bulk.

And hey, if nothing else, think of the joy of scooting past the competition — a testament to the agility and savvy engineering compactness brings to the table. Size matters, but sometimes it’s the smaller things that pack the mightiest punch. Keep that in mind the next time you’re eyeing up your next move in your automotive odyssey.

A visualization of compact and lightweight design, showcasing small and efficient components for a vehicle.

Meepo V3

Harness the Power of Group Buys and Special Discounts

Listen, speedsters and range chasers on a budget, the secret to unlocking high-performance at a fraction of the cost might just be through group buying power. Savvy enthusiasts come together to negotiate bulk purchase discounts, especially on those pricier, high-demand parts that can bolster your car’s capabilities. It’s a win-win — manufacturers move inventory while drivers get access to top-tier upgrades without the wallet-draining price.

Prefabricated Custom Solutions

The journey to enhancing speed and range needn’t always start from scratch. Keep an eye out for prefab custom parts that give you near-custom performance at off-the-shelf prices. These gems are designed to fit a range of models and can often be just what’s needed to give your vehicle that extra oomph without needing a completely bespoke solution.

Snipe Salvage Auction Deals

Another treasure trove for the cost-conscious is salvage auctions. Here, you can score barely-used parts from late-model vehicles at a steal. Sure, they come off cars that have seen better days, but many components are untouched by whatever misfortune befell their previous host. It’s about having that eagle eye for components that are ready to live a second life under your hood.

Harness Alternative Power Sources

Dive into the world of alternative energy sources. Electric motor assists, for example, can provide an impressive boost to both speed and range. It’s not just about going green; it’s about tapping into efficient power sources that add zip while also being kind to your pocketbook in the long run.

Involve Playback Data Analysis

Use data to your advantage. By analyzing performance data, enthusiasts can pinpoint exactly what tweaks to make for maximum impact without unnecessary cost. Not only does this approach fine-tune your ride, but it also ensures you only invest where it counts, avoiding splurging on enhancements that sound good on paper but do little on the road.

Capitalize on Software Over Hardware

Don’t underestimate the power of software in modern automotive performance. Software adjustments can unlock power and smoothness in engines, refine gear-shifting speeds, and improve overall efficiency. It’s a relatively low-cost way to significantly pump up performance metrics, and the best part is that these tweaks are often reversible, preserving the resale value of the vehicle.

Remember, the quest for heart-pounding speed and impressive range doesn’t mean breaking the bank. With a combination of strategic purchases, community knowledge, and a bit of tech-savviness, anyone can transform their ride into a formidable machine on a modest budget. Keep hunting for those deal gems and tech tweaks that give you that silent nod of approval at the next meetup.

A car with enhanced performance, representing the text's topic and the ability to upgrade car capabilities

Photo by mroz on Unsplash

Embarking on the electric skateboarding journey doesn’t have to imply a major financial commitment, and the boards we’ve delved into are a testament to this. Each model, from the Backfire G2 Black with its sleek appeal to the lightning-fast Meepo V3, exemplifies that performance and budget-friendliness can indeed go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a reliable start or an enthusiast seeking an exhilarating cruise, these boards are designed to elevate your ride without soaring costs. Their collective charm lies in their ability to make electric skateboarding accessible, fun, and thrilling, ensuring that the spirit of adventure rolls on, regardless of your budget.

Matt Powell