(Top 5) Best Cheap Skateboards Review & Buying Guide - 2023 (2023)

FAQs

Whats a good budget for a skateboard? ›

So how much does a good skateboard cost? The average retail price of a skateboard is $100 USD. Lower quality skateboards range from $30 to $60 USD, where high-quality skateboards can cost over $200 USD. Mass produced skateboards are cheaper than custom assembled skateboards.

Skateboards between 50 and 100 dollars are good for beginners and will have well-made wheels and trucks and can easily turn. This is what you want. You can feel a big difference riding on a cheap versus a quality board.

Longboards are a popular choice for beginners because they are the easiest to ride from day one. Drop through boards are even more friendly to beginners because they lower the ride height for extra stability and easier pushing. When choosing longboard size, it is important to keep your own size in mind.

2 weeks, to 2 years, is the wide range of how long pop can last on a board. Serious skaters on shortboards may only have 2 weeks - while casual longboard riders won't need a new board for 12-24 months, usually.

27″ Nickel Board

It's a better option for most people because that extra 5″ really allows you to balance easier. This is commonly referred to as the Nickel board since it's the step up from the Penny. I'd recommend the Nickel board for anyone that wants that classic Penny board look, but with more deck space.

Expert skimboarders may also go for a smaller board as they are more flexible and easier to perform tricks on, and they are good enough to balance on them. But if your goal is speed and distance, then a longer board will suit you better.

We recommend starting with a skateboard deck width that is proportional to your shoe size. If you wear men's size 6.5 to 9, start out with a deck width of 7.5 to 8.0 inches. If you wear shoes 9.5 or larger, we recommend getting a deck between 8.0 and 8.5 inches.

A skateboard costs between $75 and $150 depending on the quality of the parts you select. High-quality components add up to the total sum of your skateboard. Additional costs come from shoes, skate parks, protective gear, and apparel.

The reasons to avoid Walmart skateboards are because they are low-quality and unsafe. The trucks consist of cheap materials and are likely to break. The wheels are often out-of-round, causing them to wobble. They have a bad concave (curved shape) and feel uncomfortable.

A high quality skateboard deck will be lightweight while remaining durable and providing “pop” - the right combination of flexibility and rigidity that allows the board to respond during ollies and other tricks where the deck needs to be “popped” off the ground.

What skateboards last the longest? ›

Resin Hybrid Maple

These decks are built to last longer than your average deck. The decks are individually pressed meaning all decks have identical shapes and concave. I'm sure this makes the decks more durable but they'll still snap when you put too much weight on the wrong spot.

Gazelle flips are considered to be one of the hardest street tricks to land, and can take months or even years for the most experienced skateboarders to master. The gazelle flip is a combination of a backside 360, 360 flip, and a bigflip.

If your goal is to learn and master new tricks but you've never stepped foot on a skateboard, try a longboard first. Since they're larger and more stable, they're easier to balance on. Once you get more confident on a longboard, transition to a skateboard, and teach yourself how to balance better on a smaller board.

Most skateboard bearings will last anywhere from six months to a year before they need to be replaced. However, if you ride your skateboard often or do tricks that put a lot of stress on the bearings, they may only last a few months.

Longboards are typically faster than skateboards due to their larger wheelbase (distance between trucks) and bigger wheels.

Wheel Size

A larger wheel helps you skate rougher ground and ride up transitions easier. You can still skate street with larger wheels, but it will result in your skateboard feeling heavier. Wheels between 55-58mm are great for skating slightly rougher terrain or for skating bowls and ramps at a skatepark.

There is nothing wrong with Penny Boards — they are a short, cheap board BUT Penny Boards are not a good board choice for most people in most riding scenarios due to their small size. Penny Boards aren't bad, they just are not as versatile as a longboard or a skateboard for transportation.

If You Can, It's Better To Build Your Own

You can pick out your own deck, your own bearings, your own trucks, and more. You can also spend more on parts, meaning you're much more likely to get higher quality gear. [When should I replace my skateboard deck?]

(Mini/Small) 7.00" to 7.50": 46 lbs to 59 lbs. (Mid Size) 7.50" to 8.00": 60 lbs to 101 lbs. (Full Size) 8.00" to 8.50": 102 lbs to 152 lbs. (Full Size) 8.50" and up: 153 lbs and over.

Bigger wheels can definitely make your skateboard go faster. But there are other factors to consider as well, such as the type of terrain you're skating on and your own skating style. If you're looking to go fast on your skateboard, then bigger wheels are definitely the way to go.

Does the length of a skateboard matter? ›

Skateboard size doesn't matter in most cases. It depends on your personal preference and the style you prefer. Shoe size, your height, or weight hardly have anything to do with the correct deck size, with a few exceptions.

Most skate decks are right around 31" - 33" long. Decks with a length of 33" and longer will also generally have a width of 8.5" or wider.

A bigger deck is generally more stable, but a smaller deck is easier to maneuver. Which one is easier depends on which skillset you are more adept in. The best bet is to try both and see which feels better under your feet.

Skateboard Deck Width & Shape

There is no right or wrong deck, it's all a matter of personal preference, so trying different sizes and shapes is best. In general, wider boards tend to be more stable while narrower boards are usually more responsive and easier for tricks.

Do not buy cheap skateboards at Wal-Mart, Target, or sporting goods stores. Although they are cheaper and you may think they will be better for "beginners," buying a cheap skateboard, which is more of a "toy," can actually make your child's experience worse and may have negative effects.

Cheap skateboards aren't good for anyone who intends to learn tricks or skate for a long time. Sometimes buying a cheap skateboard first to see if you're interested in skating is an option. Once you are trying to learn any tricks, a cheap skateboard will just hinder your progress and cost you more money.

Generally speaking, a skateboard shouldn't be narrower or wider than the length of your feet.

A standard deck is made from seven layers of 1/16-inch thick hard maple veneer laminated with PVA glue and pressed to a complex form. The grip tape is a top surface sandpaper-like sheet that helps the skateboarder to grip the skateboard. Trucks are attached to the deck by bolts.

Most Durable Deck Boards: PVC

PVC decking is also the top choice for long-lasting, durable deck boards.

What are the strongest boards? ›

Hickory is the hardest, commercially available common wood. Next in line are pecan, hard maple and white oak. Hardwood includes wood like hickory, oak, mahogany, maple and walnut.

7.00" to 7.50": Narrow decks ideal for youth riders. 7.50" to 8.00": Medium deck width for teen or adult riders skating street terrain or doing more technical tricks. 8.00" to 8.50": Ideal for various street and transition terrain.

Kickflip. The kickflip is probably the most well-known trick in skateboarding, although it is somewhat difficult compared to an ollie or a pop shove-it. A kickflip happens when a skateboarder pops the board in the air, and then spins the board a full rotation before landing back on top of it.

Another advantage of Penny Boards, is that they have softer (and bigger) wheels than traditional skateboards. This means they can go over rough street terrain much easier - without throwing you off the board. Pebbles, cracked pavement, trash, obstacles - they will be less of an issue when riding a Penny Board.

Most skateboarders are faster than at least some bicyclists. And while on average bicyclists are about two miles per hour faster than skateboarders, other conveniences of skateboarding can counter that advantage.

Yes! There are heaps of first-time skaters that start on a Penny Skateboard. We reckon it's better to start with a bit of extra board under your feet. We recommend starting on the 27" option of the 22", as it will be easier for you to get the hang of skating and cruising around the streets.

A quality and cheap skateboard costs between $80-$90 for a complete set-up.

A high quality skateboard deck will be lightweight while remaining durable and providing “pop” - the right combination of flexibility and rigidity that allows the board to respond during ollies and other tricks where the deck needs to be “popped” off the ground.

A larger or wider deck will be more stable and comfortable for riding, while a smaller or skinnier deck will be more nimble for flip tricks, ledges, and technical skating.

Are cheap skateboard decks good? ›

Buying a blank skateboard deck is recommended when you're on a budget. The downside is that lots of blank decks are not single pressed and known for deformation. Make sure to buy from a reputable seller that doesn't press blank decks en masse. There are great blank decks out there but you have to know what to look for.

You may be wondering, “Is it better to buy a complete skateboard or build one from scratch?” The short answer: It's usually cheaper to buy a complete. However, there are pros and cons to both custom-built skateboards and completes. You'll want to consider more than just the price of each option.