Segway vs hoverboard: Battle of the self-balancing scooters

Are you interested in trying the new personal transportation methods that have hit the streets? Well check out our Segway vs hoverboard comparison to find out which of the self-balancing scooters would best suit you.

These new methods of transportation include the famous Segway and never hoverboards that have become very popular. But you may not know that there are some huge differences between these products that you should understand before you making a purchase.

Segway vs hoverboard: What’s the difference?

For example, it should be pointed out that ‘Segway’ is the name of a specific product made by one company with a patent. But hoverboards are manufactured by many different companies, giving you a much wider range of options when buying self-balancing scooters.




The most major difference between a Segway vs hoverboard is their size. Segways are much larger machines with large wheels and weigh upwards of 50kg.

On the other hand, Bluefin hoverboards have wheels as small as 6.5inches in diameter and weigh 10kg. This means hoverboards can be carried, while Segways need a vehicle to transport them.

But it is not all about size. A hoverboard simply has two wheels and a board for balancing your two feet. Whereas a Segway has a more robust overall design and features a handlebar for steering and balance.

Self-balancing scooters: Navigating

We have already touched on one of the major differences between the two boards: the handlebar. The bar plays a major role in navigating for the Segway, which makes it more intuitive to use. Tilt the handlebar to the left, and the Segway will turn left, and vice versa. On a hoverboard, you control the turning with your feet.

Something that both boards have in common is that movement forwards and back is controlled in the same way. You lean forward to move forward and lean backwards to reverse. For both vehicles this is something that’s very easy to pick up and feels natural without much effort.

Segway vs hoverboard: Cost

The price is one area where we see a really noticeable difference between the two types of Self-balancing scooters. The hoverboard is undoubtedly the cheaper machine and  can be purchased for as little as £150. It is worth pointing out that you should always buy from a reputable and experienced supplier. From which you will usually find a minimum price of around £200 to £250.

There are a range of different hoverboards available with different options, however, many of them are pretty much the same machine with a slightly different colour scheme that companies change up to £500 for. If you’re planning on buying one, look carefully at the options available first.

Segways, on the other hand, are significantly more expensive. The can cost in excess of £5,000 and more advanced models can go for even more. This cost may be prohibitively high for some buyers, which is why many people choose to go on a Segway experience days rather than purchasing their own.

Who are self-balancing scooters for?

Segways are clearly a large and expensive piece of kit. It’s worth pointing out that there are currently almost no public spaces in the UK that will allow you to ride one without being granted special permission.




Segways are illegal on pavements. Furthermore they cannot be used on roads as they lack a range of safety features and specifications that would allow them to be classified as road-worthy vehicles.

This means that they can only really be used on private land. So if you’re going to buy a Segway and want to get lots of use out of it, you’ll need a huge garden or have access and permission to use private land.

Unfortunately, these rules also apply to hoverboards. They cannot be used on pavements or on roads either, and like Segways there are a limited number of parks across the country where their use is permitted. But if you have a large garden you can get plenty of use out of a hoverboard.

Segway vs hoverboard: Which is right for you?

Clearly the choice between hoverboard and Segway will depend on your circumstances and needs. If you’re just looking for a fun toy for your kids to play with at home, a hoverboard is the product for you. But if you’re seriously about getting off-road on private land, a Segway can be a great choice.

We hope you found this interesting and enlightening. Be sure to check out our adventure travel discounts as you could save a packet on your next holiday.