Adults and kids both love and get thrilled by riding an advanced mini-vehicle like hoverboards, caster boards, or ripstiks. These are all two-wheeled mini-vehicle loved by everyone.
Kids use them to do fun activities and roam around the town, and adults spend their time and take short trips with the help of these boards.
These are mini-vehicles but are different in terms of many things like size, control, looks, etc. You need to understand these differences in order to choose the better option for you or your kid.
Hoverboard and Ripstick are both mini vehicles. Hoverboards are battery-operated self-balancing vehicles, but Ripstiks are manual & smart vehicles. The hoverboards have 2 medium-sized wheels that travel in the front-facing direction, but Ripstiks have 4 mini wheels that travel like a skateboard.
I am going to discuss Hoverboard vs. Ripstik in depth. Did you know what they are? How do they work? Or what is the difference between them? Let me tell you all the details.
Hoverboard vs. Ripstik
Hoverboards and Ripstiks are dual-wheel mini-vehicle popular with kids and teenagers of different ages. Both vehicles have many significant differences that make them different from each other.
But they are considered in the same category because they provide almost the same thrill and fun while riding.
So, below, I have explained some major differences between Hoverboard and Ripstik.
Ripstik’s Design Is Different Than Hoverboard’s
The biggest difference between Hoverboard and Ripstik is their design. Both have two wheels that operate the board. Ripstik’s wheels are slightly smaller than Hoverboard’s wheels.
Another difference is the size of the footboard. Hoverboards have a compact-sized footboard, but on the other hand, Ripstik has a slightly bigger-sized footboard to help the rider while handling.
The rider has to ride a hoverboard in the straight direction while standing on the footboard in a straight shoulder-width position. But Ripstik operates by a rider standing in a perpendicular direction like skateboard riders.
Hoverboards Are Automatic, And Ripstiks Are Manual
The hoverboards are self-balancing vehicles operated by a powerful battery. They are rechargeable e-vehicles that provide an excellent travel range in a single charge, and controlling a Hoverboard is not difficult.
You just need to shift your weight forward to increase the speed, lean backward to stop or go reverse, shift your weight on the left or right feet to take turns.
But on the other hand, Ripstiks are not battery operated, and the rider manually operates them just like a skateboard. However, some of the ripstiks are battery-operated, but they are not so much common.
That is why there is no travel range or limit. You can go as far as you want. You can take turns by shifting your weight on the footboard accordingly.
So, Hoverboard and Ripstick are very different in terms of working principles and controlling.
Hoverboard Has Speed Limitations As Compared To Ripstik
As you know, hoverboards are battery-operated, that is why they provide a limited speed between 12-15 KM per hour.
The speed can be increased or decreased according to the surface on which you are riding your Hoverboard. Speed also depends on the battery backup and wheel motors’ power. But the simplest thing is they are e-vehicles that provide a good travel speed.
But, Ripstik is a manually operated mini-vehicle that doesn’t have any speed limitation. The rider controls it with its feet and movement and increases or decreases the speed accordingly like a skateboard. Besides, its speed depends on many factors, including Surface, Rider’s motion, etc.
Ripstiks Are A Little Safer Than Hoverboards
Safety is a thing that is lacking in both vehicles. Riding a footboard-operated standing mini-vehicle is full of risks. A rider can fall down and get severely injured while riding it on the road or anywhere else. So, both devices are not recognized as safe while riding.
Also Read: Are Hoverboards Safe For 7,8,9,10,11, and 12 Years Old?
Hoverboards are not considered safe due to the exploding incidents in the past. They consist of lithium-ion batteries that can explode if mishandled. That is why they are not considered safe all over the world.
But the Ripstiks are not battery operated and do not have any electronics involvement. So, Ripstiks may be considered safe by this aspect because there is no risk of fire catching or exploding.
Ripstiks Are Cheaper Than Hoverboards
The most significant difference you will notice between the Hoverboards and Ripstiks is their price.
The Hoverboards are made by many manufacturers and are sold at different prices. You can buy them from 200 USD to 750 USD depending on their features.
And Ripstiks are made by the only company named Razor. They have different Ripstiks that they sell between 40 USD to 80 USD.
Hoverboard Or Ripstik – Which Is Best?
Both are mini-vehicles operated by different methods but used for the same purpose. So, it is challenging to suggest that which is best and which is not. Both vehicles are excellent in their own aspects and are performing well worldwide.
There are situations and circumstances where Ripstik is considered best, and Hoverboard is regarded as the best in some aspects. So, let’s discuss this in detail and understand the science behind it.
A hoverboard Is Best For:
As you know, hoverboards are battery-operated and can travel more than 12-15 km in a single fully charged battery. So, if you want a vehicle that doesn’t need your involvement that much and provides good efficiency, then Hoverboards are best for you.
Because they are not just battery operated, but they provide a stylish look. You can travel around the town without losing your energy and maintaining your style.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take For A Hoverboard to Charge?
If you want to buy a mini-vehicle that helps you travel around the town or other places with incline roads, the best option is Hoverboard.
Many new generation hoverboards are capable of climbing uphills up to 30 degrees incline. That is why they are considered best for uphills, and Ripstiks are not able to climb up hills.
Ripstik Is Best For:
Ripstiks are a kind of mini-vehicles that are self-operated like a skateboard. But they have only two wheels that can rotate in a 360 degrees direction.
The rider’s movement can operate them; the rider does not have to move it with the feet but to twist the body according to the direction to move and handle the Ripstik.
So, if you are a person that loves traveling around the town on a skateboard, then this is better than a skateboard and provides a better thrill and experience.
Another benefit of riding Ripstik is exercise. Yes, riding a Ripstik is a kind of exercise that can help you lose weight while you are not technically working out or doing exercise. Isn’t it amazing?
While riding a Ripstik, you have to move your body in different directions to control the wheels. These movements help to activate your foot, legs, hips, side, and shoulder muscles, and muscles burn calories and fat while they are activated.
So, if you want to lose weight and fat in your body but don’t want to do challenging exercises, then Ripstiks are best for you.
Also, they are not so expensive to buy. You can buy Ripstiks from 40 USD to 80 USD from different online and offline stores. They are very affordable because there are no electronics involved, making them one of the best mini vehicles.
Is Ripstik A Hoverboard?
Ripstick is not a hoverboard because it is not battery operated, but it is an advanced type of skateboard with two wheels. It works the same as a skateboard, but it is slightly difficult to control and balance yourself. But, once you get familiar with it, you will be able to understand and ride it smoothly.
Is Riding A RipStik Easy?
Ripstik is not as easy to ride as it seems, but it is slightly difficult. You have to be skilled enough and able to speed up, slow down, and take turns to ride it smoothly. A beginner can learn Ripstik riding for a few weeks by practicing regularly.
You have to slightly move your legs and body in left-right motion to generate thrill on the board. This will speed up the Ripstik and allow you to move forward.
Similarly, you have to put some pressure on your back feet; this will reduce the Ripstik speed and let you stop the board anywhere.
You have to lean left or right and put pressure in the desired direction to take turns. At the start, it will be difficult for you to take turns because of two wheels. But, practicing daily for one hour will help you understand the turning principle of Ripstik.
How Fast Is A RipStik?
Ripstick is a manually operated mini-vehicle. It can go as fast as you want because your body parts’ motion can speed it up.
Besides, Ripstik speed depends on the surface or the road on which you are riding it. If it is smooth, you can go up to 30 to 50km per hour, and if the road has some incline bumps and a rough surface, then the speed will be gradually slow.
Speeding is not recommended while riding a ripstik because there is no braking facility given on the board. You have to lean pressure and your body weight on your back foot to reduce the speed, but it’s not confirmed that the speed will be reduced.
A high speed can put you at risk of falling down and getting hurt. It can also cause severe injuries that can be crucial. So, be careful and ride it under the speed limit of 20 to 25.
Conclusion
Hoverboards and Ripstiks are two different types of mini vehicles that provide almost the same thrill while riding. They are different in many aspects, and I have discussed some significant differences above.
These differences will help you understand both vehicles and also help you decide which one you should buy. I have also explained which vehicle is better and why. I hope you have got the information you were looking for.
Still, have confusion or any query?
You can discuss this directly with me via writing in the comment section. I respond to each query in a minimal time.
