The 6 Best Skateboards (2024)

Board Type: Plastic Mini-Cruiser | Deck Size: 6" x 22.5"

The Retrospec Quip 22.5" Classic is a "Penny" style cruiser and a fun option for all ages, but especially for kids. This cruiser is much smaller than any of the other boards we tested, which gives it excellent maneuverability and the greatest ease of control while riding. The plastic deck is only 22.5" long and 6" wide, so it's ideal for kids, but most teens and adults will still be able to have fun with it. Fortunately, for anyone who needs a little more board to hold onto, these cruisers are also available in a 27" model. Both sizes are offered in a large number of color combinations as well. The flexible plastic deck is molded with a textured pattern on the top side for traction, which won't damage shoes like boards with grip tape but also doesn't allow for much aside from simply rolling. The bearings maintain their speed quite well, and the big and rubbery wheels roll over cracks easily, providing a smooth ride on any type of surface. While the trucks are very small and aren't meant for grinding, they do perform well and can turn on a dime. With its compact size, this cruiser is great for transportation and can be stored in nearly any space.

As its name states, the Retrospec Quip is a cruiser and is not designed for doing tricks. There is a kick-tail to assist with control, but the small size and lack of grip tape make getting this skateboard up into the air extremely difficult and landing back on it nearly impossible. While the textured pattern does provide some traction, the plastic can still be a bit slick, so use caution when adjusting your feet while riding. Being that this cruiser is so compact, even the larger model may be too small for anyone with larger feet. Also, having such a short wheelbase requires the rider to keep their feet close together, making it harder to lower their center of gravity, which decreases one's stability. While these plastic cruisers are very agile and are the most affordable models that we tested, they are only meant for transportation and do not have the ability to get off of the ground or up a curb without the assistance of some sort of ramp. Overall, the Retrospec is a very fun option for zipping around and is great for kids improving their balance and learning how to ride.

Board Type: Plastic Mini-Cruiser | Deck Size: 5.5" x 22"

The BELEEV 22-Inch Mini Cruiser is nearly identical to the Retrospec Quip in size, looks, and performance. The most notable difference is that the wheels on this cruiser light up when rolling. The light-up wheels are a fun, unique effect that none of the other models have. The wheels have bright, multicolored lights inside that begin to glow as soon they start to roll, and there are no batteries to insert or electrical components, so they don't require any charging. This mini cruiser is even smaller than the other "Penny style" board, with a length of 22" and a width of 5.5", so it's meant for smaller kids, around 5 - 8 years old. The molded pattern on the top is slightly deeper on the BELEEV, giving it a little more traction, and the deck is also not as flexible and bouncy as on the Retrospec. The wheels are big and very soft, providing a smooth ride and excellent shock absorption, and the bearings outperformed the other plastic cruiser, going 45 ft. from one push. The BELEEV also includes a T-tool for minor repairs and adjustments, as well as some extra nuts and bolts, just in case any fall out or become damaged. With its light-up wheels and compact size, this cruiser is ideal for young kids who want to develop their balance and roll around.

Like the other plastic model, the BELEEV Mini Cruiser is meant to be used as a mode of transportation. It has a high level of maneuverability, but it is not designed for tricks or technical skating, so anything more than cruising isn't very likely. While the light-up wheels are a fun and added draw for this board, they aren't nearly as enjoyable for the rider as they are for a spectator. In fact, the wheels have the potential to divert attention away from what's ahead of the rider. The trucks on this cruiser weren't as responsive and didn't turn as well as the ones on similar models, but some small adjustments helped, and they will get better as they break in. This mini cruiser doesn't come in any larger sizes, but it is offered in a handful of colors and at a very reasonable price. Being the smallest board in our test group, the BELEEV Mini Cruiser is an option for kids who are starting to explore their interest in skateboarding, but that doesn't mean that it won't be fun for slightly bigger or more advanced skaters.

Board Type: Popsicle | Deck Size: 7.8" x 31.25"

The WhiteFang Complete is an example of a model that would be sold at a big box store. So, while the quality is far lower than anything from a recognized brand, this is still a suitable option for any kid that's still figuring out if skateboarding is for them or not. This board will help beginners learn the basics of riding, build their confidence, and assist them in developing their ollie and possibly some tricks. The deck is 7.8" wide and 31" long, so it's a decent size for most ages, but it may feel a bit short for anyone that's fully grown. Both ends of the board are symmetrical, so it doesn't matter which way you ride it, and there is a mellow concave throughout for added control. The wheels are the same size, shape, and hardness as those on similar setups in this price range that we tested, so there isn't a noticeable difference there, but they were among the hardest of all the wheels, which made riding on rougher surfaces more difficult. The WhiteFang bearings rolled better and farther than the other two budget boards but still were only mediocre at best. This board won't be seen under the feet of your favorite pro on the X-Games, but it is a decent starting point for those with a desire to learn.

The WhiteFang Complete arrived fully assembled with just the deck wrapped in plastic, which is fairly standard for toy store boards. However, to fully remove all of the plastic, one would have to take the trucks off, so we just peeled it off the best we could, but there were little bits of plastic wrap left sticking out on both sides of the deck. Like the Cal 7, the deck is not as crisp and snappy. This one is also quite thick and heavier than a pro board. The trucks' material seems softer than any of the others, and they are not very stable or responsive while riding or turning. Although they seem capable of grinding, the instability makes it hard to reach any obstacle to grind it. When compared to those on the Element or Powell, the wheels are skinnier, harder, and slicker while riding. So, even though this complete did not receive high marks in any area, the WhiteFang is still a passable model for anyone that's just starting.

Board Type: Popsicle | Deck Size: 8" x 31.25"

The final board in our test group is the Pho*rOS Starter Complete, which is the last of the modestly priced setups we tested. What sets this board apart from all of the others is the additional goodies that it comes with, including a tool, two extra bearings, a sheet of stickers, a set of different colored paints, and a carrying bag. While we understand that this product is meant for kids, and we appreciate the encouragement of creativity, these bonus items didn't make up for the low quality of this model. This starter complete is similar in size and quality to the WhiteFang, so it will help a novice-level skater develop some basic skills. However, this product arrived damaged and performed worse than any other during testing, so we don't recommend it.

With the Pho*rOS, you get what you pay for. The damages we found upon unboxing included numerous air bubbles and a dirty, wrinkled-up spot in the grip tape, along with some scratches already on the deck. The grip tape was also applied with the graphic facing the wrong way, making it easy to accidentally ride the board backwards. The deck is thick, heavy, and lacks the snappy nature of a good board, and also came preassembled with the deck wrapped in plastic, so there were bits of plastic wrap left sticking out under the trucks on the bottom side, as well as around the bolts on the grip side. Damages and poor packaging aside, there are aspects of this skateboard that actually make it harder to ride than any of the others. For starters, the trucks are squirrely and hard to control, and tightening them didn't seem to make a difference. The rider can lean one way or the other, but there's a better chance of getting "wheel bite" than actually getting the trucks to turn correctly. The bearings were among the worst we tested, as they lost their speed almost immediately after pushing and only rolled a little more than 30 ft. from a single push. If price is your main concern, there are other options with better value available at a similar price. Bottom line, the Pho*rOS is an option for a kid that has never stepped on a skateboard and wants to learn to ride, but it's our least favorite model in the test fleet.

Why You Should Trust Us

After researching over 40 skateboards and strongly considering 22 potential options, we purchased 10 of the most popular models for testing. They were all purchased as a complete setup at their current retail price, so there was no mixing and matching of parts to create a custom board. To find the most fun and functional models, we spent weeks testing boards of various shapes, sizes, and materials to determine the best model for each skill level and age group. Some are designed strictly for transportation, others are meant for learning tricks, and while most can be used for both, there were a couple more versatile models that excelled in all areas. Each was tested on the sidewalk, street, and in a skatepark to see how they performed on different surfaces. Our testing methods were consistent in all areas to keep the process as objective as possible. After all of the research and a few bumps and bruises from testing, our experience and test results make us confident in our recommendations.

As a dedicated skateboarder for two and a half decades, our lead tester Adam Yee is a total skate nerd and has ridden skateboards from countless brands of all sizes and shapes. As a teen and young adult, he had several sponsors and traveled for demos and competitions in the local circuit. As he got older, Adam began to teach skateboarding lessons privately and as a skate camp counselor. He continues to share his love of all things skateboarding with people of his generation and the next. As the sport and skate lifestyle has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon, more people are getting into it, and more companies are making products for skaters to try. Adam is always at the forefront of new technology in the latest boards and passionately follows all things skate.

Analysis and Test Results

The best boards are easily maneuverable and should be versatile enough to be used for transportation and for basic tricks. A great setup should have trucks that are stable and responsive while riding, wheels that roll smoothly, bearings that maintain their speed, a crisp and snappy deck, and be durable enough to take a beating. Each component serves a specific purpose, so we based our tests on the performance of each of its parts, along with how well it performed as a whole. We spent hours with every board, rating them on these features to determine our recommendations for any age and ability.

Deck Quality

The deck is the main feature of any skateboard and should be sized according to the height and shoe size of the rider. Although the deck usually doesn't last as long as the other parts, having a good quality deck makes a huge difference in the skater's ability to develop their skills. We rated each deck on its size, weight, flexibility, and the amount of "pop" or recoil it produces, which affects how easily and how high tricks can be done. We also included the quality and application of the grip tape in this metric.

The deck quality varied considerably between the boards in our test group. Like the Powell, Element, and Baker, some are the same caliber as the pros use. Some were molded plastic, which could last a lifetime, but didn't have the same amount of capabilities, while others were thick and heavy or arrived in poor condition.

Our favorite deck overall comes with the Baker Complete. Its steep concavity gave our testers excellent control, and it felt crisp and poppy under our feet. It allowed us to get higher on our tricks and withstood our landings, too. As the most fundamental component of any setup, the quality of the deck is a good way to gauge the overall grade of any complete.

Quality of Wheels & Bearings

The wheels and bearings have the greatest effect on how smooth and how fast a skateboard rolls. Bigger and softer wheels grip the ground better and provide a smoother ride, while smaller and harder wheels are better for tricks but can be more susceptible to getting caught in cracks or slipping out. We tested the wheels by trying each set on different surfaces: sidewalks of variable roughness, asphalt, and at a skatepark. For the bearings, we tested how far each board could roll from a single push on a smooth flat surface.

All of the popsicle-shaped boards, like the Powell, came with wheels that are 52mm in diameter and 99A durometer, which is an average size and hardness for many boards that are sold as a complete. However, even between these models, there was still a difference in the width and amount of grip of the wheels. All of the cruisers had wheels that were much bigger and softer. The Magneto Cruiser has some of the widest wheels of all, but only the BELEEV had wheels that lit up while providing a smooth and gentle ride. Most bearings are rated on the ABEC scale, with the lowest being an ABEC-3 and the quality ascending with the number. Unfortunately, this alone didn't strike us as a very reliable system of measurement, as some of the ABEC-5's outperformed those listed as being ABEC-11's.

Quality of Trucks

The trucks are a crucial part of a skateboard's anatomy, as they are what give the board stability and allow you to turn. Many skaters will keep the same set of trucks for years and hate to replace them, as nothing changes the feel of a board more than changing the trucks. During testing, we rated each pair of trucks on their stability and responsiveness while turning, and if and how smoothly they were able to grind. While some cruisers aren't designed for doing tricks or grinds, their trucks had a better turning radius and a quicker response time. Overall, only a few boards with trucks covered all of the bases, which was quite surprising.

Virtually all trucks take some breaking in and getting used to. The Z-Flex Shadow Lurker and the Element Section Complete had the highest-rated trucks due to their stability, response time, and grinding capabilities. The Magneto Mini Cruiser was another model with good trucks that performed well and had the best turning radius of all, but using them for grinds isn't very likely. Some of the trucks didn't turn very well at first but were easily fixable with minor adjustments, and others felt wobbly and unstable no matter how much you tighten them. Regardless of one's skill level or size, having good quality trucks makes a huge difference.

Overall Quality & Durability

The durability and overall quality of each model produced the widest range of results. It was interesting to find that these two features weren't necessarily connected or reliant on one another. For instance, the plastic mini cruisers are more durable than any skateboard with a wood deck, but they are also limited to simply rolling, so they don't have to put up with the same demands that a regular skateboard does. We gauged the durability based on each skateboard's condition after jumping on and off various obstacles (where possible) and putting each through intense impact scenarios. We assessed the overall quality by the sum of each of its parts and performance. Although this metric yielded some surprising results, it wasn't shocking that the higher-quality boards held up the best.

As previously mentioned, the plastic boards, like the BELEEV Mini Cruiser, have limited capabilities but are virtually indestructible. So, you might break a bearing sometime, but since it's only designed for transportation, the deck, trucks, and wheels will last for many years. All of the wood boards will soften up over time and lose their pop the more they're tossed around, but the possibilities for use are far greater. The Cal 7 was unique in that it obviously wasn't at the caliber of the Element or Baker, but it proved markedly higher quality than the other popsicle boards in its price range. For a beginner, the quality of the Cal 7 suffices. As one progresses and gets more comfortable on a skateboard, having good quality equipment makes a world of difference.

Skill Level

Each complete was rated according to the skill level that it is most suitable for. While a toy store board may work for a beginner that doesn't know how much the parts can vary, an experienced skater very likely knows how much of a difference a good pair of trucks or the right size board can make. This metric was heavily based on the size of each board, as it's important to have a deck that one can control and will support them. We also considered how many uses each model has, which correlates to the amount that each allows the rider to progress. Even though most skaters can adapt to varying setups over time, some boards are definitely better for certain skill levels than others.

The ideal skill level is directly related to each model's size, materials, and overall quality. A mini-cruiser, like the Retrospec or BELEEV, can be an excellent introductory board for small kids who are just learning to ride but won't be trying tricks quite yet. Many beginners start on a budget board, such as the WhiteFang, and graduate to a higher quality setup if they decide to continue. However, any board from a respected skate company, like Element, Baker, or Z-Flex, will provide more options for use and be easier to ride and develop tricks with from the start.

Conclusion

As one of the most popular activities amongst young people today, skateboarding is growing at a rapid rate. It's even one of two new sports recently added to the Olympic Games. Our lead expert spent weeks reviewing numerous styles of completes to deliver our best recommendations. Many people think that skateboarding is only for kids, but the truth is that people of all ages are picking up a board for the first time or getting back into it after a hiatus. So, no matter your age, size, or budget, there is a skateboard to help you have some fun.