Riptide R1

Whether you’re travelling to work or school, or cruising down the beach boulevard, it’s an excellent board that allows you to bask in the environment of any city and explore the world. It has enough juice to get you where you need to go around town, while having the speed to give you a thrill of ride. It’s truly one of the most portable electric skateboards available, perfect for taking on the train, into cafes, shops and hiding under your desk at work.

Finishing in the upper portion of the group, we originally had high hopes for the Riptide R1, thinking it had some serious potential for claiming a Best Buy Award. Unfortunately, this board didn't quite live up to our expectations and fell a little short. In particular, we felt the controls were a little on the oversensitive side, and this board noticeably struggled with hills when the battery level dropped below 50%. However, it is decently speedy and does an acceptable job of stopping. Overall, we would usually recommend saving up a little more for a slightly better board when shopping on a budget, but if you absolutely can't spend more, then the R1 is a decent option.

The R1 is just the first in a line of leading motorized boards from Riptide, who sourced their very first funds through IndieGoGo. Their commitment to their customers continues today as they pack industry-leading durability and performance into each of their skateboard tiers. With a few key features packed on board like regenerative braking, the R1 is a go-to choice for those looking to get in on this new skateboarding evolution with the help of a well-regarded manufacturer.