When hoverboards were first released to the general public in 2015/16, they were incredibly popular. Of course they were — they’re hoverboards! Unfortunately, while these new designs were exciting, they weren’t exactly ready for the market. Many even asks do hoverboards blow up because of their technology.
Poor safety standards combined with lithium-ion batteries led to overheating, causing hoverboards to blow up. Or, at least, start smoking. This was followed by massive recalls and improved safety standards.
But for many people, the image of an exploding hoverboard is a tough one to shake! However, new hoverboards have to conform to much more rigorous safety standards, ensuring the wiring and batteries can handle the power needed to move a hoverboard and rider.
In this guide, we’ll explore do hoverboards blow up and why they have a reputation of exploding.
Do Hoverboards Blow Up?
So, do hoverboards blow up? In 2015 and 2016, the news was dominated by stories of hoverboards exploding. The fires caused accidents and property damage, as well as painting all hoverboards with a bad image.
However, since 2018 hoverboards have been fitted with better batteries and wiring, reducing the risk of fires.
It might seem an understatement to say that hoverboards exploding was a teething problem, but as a new technology, it was hard to know how they’d perform in the real world. It turned out that when used in real-life situations, the hoverboard battery could quickly overheat. Thus, hoverboards blow up in a way.
This led to the fires and “explosions”. It should be noted that not all hoverboards blew up! But a lot of them were recalled due to the risk of overheating. As it quickly became apparent that the fires were a serious problem, hundreds of thousands of hoverboards were recalled.
Retailers stopped selling them and warnings were circulated for any potential owners. The next batch of hoverboards to hit the market were released following rigorous safety testing, to prevent the risk of overheating.
Why Did Hoverboards Blow Up?
When hoverboards, or self-balancing boards, were first released to the general public in 2015, they were set to be the next new trend. Huge numbers of hoverboards were sold, most of them sourced from Chinese manufacturers. After a while, they started catching on fire.
Most of these hoverboards were made overseas, in countries without rigorous safety regulations. And when they proved to be a hit, companies started copying the designs.
So, a cheap design would be replicated by another factory at an even lower cost, in a repeating cycle. People took advantage of minimal safety standards to push their products onto the market as quickly as possible. This led to some inevitable problems.
A lot of power is needed to get a hoverboard going and to keep it going. The wiring, the batteries, and even the charging cable were all pushed to their limit to power the hoverboard.
As they worked, they got hot, leading to smoke and sparks. When this heat reached the battery, the whole thing would blow up.
How Do I Know If My Hoverboard Will Blow Up?
If you want to feel safe riding your hoverboard, you need to check that it conforms to EU safety regulations and UL testing. This means that the battery, the wiring, and the charger have all been rigorously tested to ensure they can handle the heat the hoverboard (see also: How Much Is A Hoverboard Charger?) puts out.
You can also check the safety of the specific brand by searching “hoverboard brand + recall” online. If the brand has been recalled, you must stop using it immediately.
The good news is that although a lot of hoverboards were recalled between 2015 and 2017, these recalls have since slowed down significantly, and almost completely stopped.
What Can I Do To Prevent My Hoverboard From Exploding?
The best way to prevent your hoverboard from exploding is to check it reaches safety standards. If it was released post-2018, then it should conform to UL 2272 and European testing. However, it’s always better to check anyway.
If you have an older hoverboard, released prior to 2018, then there’s a good chance it isn’t safe to use. We recommend disposing of it safely before it has a chance to catch on fire. UL released new safety standards in 2018, but it took some time for manufacturers to catch up.
Quality hoverboards do come at a higher price, but it’s worth paying the extra for a product that won’t blow up. That doesn’t mean you need to fork over thousands of dollars, but we recommend investing upwards of $300 in a hoverboard.
Never buy a hoverboard from a brand you don’t trust or from an online dealer you don’t recognize. Never leave your hoverboard charging once the battery has reached 100%.
Otherwise, you can overcharge the battery, which is a fire risk even in the best-quality hoverboards. Once the hoverboard is at 100%, use it as soon as possible. Don’t leave a full battery sat in storage.
Finally, don’t push your hoverboard too hard. Avoid bashing into things, take breaks from time to time, and only use it on safe surfaces. When you aren’t using the hoverboard, store it in a cool area.
Final Thoughts
When hoverboards were first released they were poorly constructed and had undergone minimal safety checks. They were also an exciting new product, which is why hundreds of thousands of them were sold.
Unfortunately, poor safety testing was exposed when these self-balancing boards started to blow up. Following major recalls and rigorous safety standards, new hoverboard models are significantly less likely to overheat.
If you buy a hoverboard, always check for UL certification. While new hoverboard brands are safer, the user still has to play carefully!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Hoverboards A Fire Risk?
Hoverboards released post-2018 should be safe to use, but always check that they have UL certification and conform to European testing standards.
Although they’re largely safe, the lithium-ion battery pack still poses a minimal fire risk. Avoid overcharging your hoverboard and always use it safely.
What Hoverboard Brands Have Been Recalled?
Numerous hoverboard brands have been recalled since 2015, including models by Swagway, iMotos, Powerboards, and Jetson. If you want to know if your hoverboard has been recalled, search for the brand name and model number online.
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
