Longboards are better than skateboards in some aspects. That’s why the former can be much more expensive than the latter. Luckily for you, we’re here to help you save money by introducing some cheap longboards.
As the name suggests, longboards are longer than skateboards. They usually have bigger wheels as well, making them faster. No wonder they’re highly recommended for racing, downhill riding, commuting, and cruising.
Are longboards only about the added length and higher speeds? Learn more about their capabilities by finally going over the products we’re about to reveal. Later on, we’ll provide you with a buying guide so you can choose the exact right option for your lifestyle and skills as a skater.
Best Cheap Longboards Review
Quest QT-NSC44C The Super Cruiser The Original Artisan Bamboo and Maple
Having a length of 44 inches, the Quest QT-NSC44C can be a standard in terms of size. More importantly, it has world-class quality because of its seven-ply hybrid deck made of stiff maple and flexible bamboo. And, since a longboard has to move flawlessly, its seven-inch trucks connecting the deck and the wheels together are composed of lightweight aluminum.
If you’re in a hurry to use a brand-new longboard, you don’t need further adjustments with this product just to ensure a smooth ride. Its setup uses a top-mount design for a higher deck to guarantee deeper turns. It’s perfect for experienced skaters because of the fluid up-and-down motions of the deck.
Top-mount longboards have a major disadvantage, though, and it’s excessive wobbling–the number one enemy of first-time users or beginners. Aside from that downside, some units of this product have an off-putting look especially around the logo which is caused by messy paintwork. Even the surfaces of some wheels tend to chip, which can affect the entire appearance of the longboard.
Pros:
- Standard size
- Stiff but with enough flex to combine durability and performance
- Feels lightweight
- Can be used as soon as you open the package
- Can simulate surfing
Cons:
- Too shaky for inexperienced skaters
- Messy paintwork
- Chipped wheels
Atom Drop Through – 41 Inch
Basically, the Atom Drop Through aims to help you push in a more effortless way to maintain durability, especially for daily commuting. Another feature that can make it easier for you to push this longboard is the ultra-low design that can increase stability even when you do some downhill carving. As a plus, the chances of bad turns and wheel bites are minimal because of the special shape of this product giving 9.6-inch leverage.
While the first option uses bamboo and maple, this one only features the latter for its laminated deck. As for its trucks, they’re RKP or Reverse King Pin. Meanwhile, the axles measure 245 millimeters.
Despite the toughness of maple, the deck still has the tendency to crack even if you’re not too heavy or not using the longboard too much. Also, the sloppy paintwork might force you to repaint everything. That can also lead to another problem, which is stripped bolts since you have to unscrew them if you want to paint the entire surface.
Pros:
- Easier time when you’re pushing the board
- Longer-lasting structure despite frequent use or high mileage
- Stable downhill rides
- Less likely to make bad turns
- No more wheel bites
Cons:
- Breakable deck
- Sloppy paintwork
- Stripped screws
VOLADOR 42-Inch Freeride Longboard Complete Cruiser
Constructed with advanced engineering, the VOLADOR 42-Inch Freeride Longboard uses a camber deck with a drop-through design to increase flex and absorb impact. It also has a wide deck and a sturdy wheelbase to ensure stability.
Speaking of the wheelbase, it’s connected to the deck with aluminum trucks you can easily adjust to achieve the angle that can improve your control and movements. It also includes polyurethane wheels that work with ABEC-9 bearings for smoother rides.
If you’re particular about sustainability, this longboard uses environment-friendly materials like epoxy glue and eight-ply maple. As a plus, its designs are so unique, intricate, and meaningful, which can boost your style as a skater.
Despite the product’s ability to absorb shock, a strong impact can still snap the deck in two even if you’re just carrying or transporting it. And, even though this longboard has high-quality wheels, it’s possible that you’ll receive a unit with dirty bearings that can affect your speed. That can also produce annoying sounds because of the small parts grinding against each other.
Pros:
- Modern construction
- More flex
- Can reduce the impact
- Stable rides for a smoother experience
- Better maneuverability
Cons:
- Breakable structure
- Slower movements
- Noisy rides
Yocaher Complete Drop Down Skateboards Longboard
Ideal for first-time skaters, the Yocaher Complete Drop Down Longboard has a shape that can keep you comfortable throughout each ride. And, when it comes to durability, it features a nine-ply deck made of maple as the previous options only settle for seven or eight.
Since longboarding can be dangerous, this product ensures a higher level of safety by including a grip secured with a strong adhesive.
Focusing on the lower half of this longboard, the aluminum trucks can endure heavy use and keep you stable on the deck. As for the wheels, they’re durable enough to survive minor obstacles like pebbles and small cracks while having a bit of elasticity to enhance their grip on the road’s surface.
The wheels have a downside, however, and it’s the subpar quality of their bearings. Their axles might be rusty as well, which will only make it hard for you to remove some components for maintenance. Another hassle is the possibility of assembly mistakes, especially super-tight components.
Pros:
- Comfortable shape
- More material within the structure for durability
- Safer rides because of the improved grip
- Heavy-duty parts
- Can withstand most obstacles on the road
Cons:
- Low-quality bearings
- Rusty axles
- Excessively tight parts
Atom Pin-Tail Longboard (39-Inch)
With its laminated maple deck, the Atom Pin-Tail Longboard is a good option for most skaters. What we want to emphasize, however, is how great it is for beginners. It uses the traditional pintail form to ensure it’s effective for cruising and preventing wheel bites. Its grip tape is also made for inexperienced skaters since it covers the entire surface of the longboard’s top.
Other features include the lightweight aluminum trucks, urethane wheels, and ABEC-5 bearings. They’re essential for all skill levels, not just beginners.
To fully impress a crowd, the style of this longboard is superb. The section underneath the deck has attractive graphics to wow people as you jump and do tricks.
Unfortunately, some units of this product aren’t packaged carefully, which affects the safety of the components–especially the tiny ones. Meanwhile, a small number of units can also be very slow because of tight wheels, forcing you to do extra work.
You should also know that the pintail shape doesn’t extend too much from the wheels, which is a huge disadvantage if you’re the type of skater who loves to try a variety of tricks.
Pros:
- Decent choice for most skill levels
- Highly recommended for beginners
- Can improve your experience when you’re cruising
- Can stop wheel bites
- More coverage for the grip
Cons:
- Careless packaging
- Too slow for some users
- Not for complicated techniques
Magneto 44 Inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard Skateboard
Aside from being a good option for pros, the Magneto 44 Inch Kicktail Cruiser Longboard is specifically designed for beginners because of the stability of its stiff deck. Despite the lack of flex, this product is still versatile for it’s both effective for skating and cruising as well as different riding styles.
Now, let’s focus on the deck. Its outer layers are composed of bamboo veneer while its core is made of maple, the main reason for the stronger structure of this longboard. Also, it has a unique sandy finish to strengthen the grip between your shoes and the surface.
Speaking of having a more secure grip, the wheels are more on the softer side to stick on road surfaces easily, especially when you turn.
Unfortunately for the beautiful deck, its material and construction aren’t resistant to breakage. Just a little crack on it and you’ll instantly notice the stronger vibrations all over the board when you ride it. Some units also have uneven trucks, affecting the smoothness of your rides.
Pros:
- Higher stability
- Versatile option
- Stronger feel
- Unique appearance
- Intense grip
Cons:
- Breaks in the worst way possible
- Can vibrate too much
- Uneven trucks
MINORITY Downhill Maple Longboard 40-inch Drop Deck
As you can see from the full name of this product, the MINORITY Maple Longboard uses the traditional downhill-drop design for its deck to ensure low gravity for different speeds. The features contributing to that kind of platform or construction are the 10-inch deck, the well-designed wheelbase, and the eight-ply hardrock maple.
Meanwhile, to improve control and mobility, the aluminum reverse trucks can be adjusted to 45 or 50 degrees. Attached to the trucks are the polyurethane wheels with ABEC-9 bearings to make your rides consistently smooth.
Since more and more skaters are switching to environment-friendly products, all the wooden sections of this longboard are from sustainable materials and the adhesive used is non-toxic epoxy glue. Even some graphics represent nature, which is different from the typical style of most skateboards that heavily involve loud colors and sharp lines.
Just like any product, this longboard has its downsides, starting from the possibility of cracks before you even get to open the package because of the lack of cushioning. Next, it has no risers, hence the constant scraping every time you turn. Lastly, the aluminum trucks are much lighter than what other options have, as if the component is plastic instead of metal.
Pros:
- Can instantly adapt to your speed whether it’s slower or faster
- Can be adjusted for better control
- Consistently smooth sides
- Eco-friendly materials
- Meaningful graphics
Cons:
- Possible cracks even before the initial use
- Deck scraping the ground at times due to the lack of risers
- Flimsy trucks
Magneto Bamboo Longboards for Cruising, Carving, Free-Style, Downhill and Dancing
If you prefer something smoother to touch than the first Magneto model we’ve introduced, we’re recommending this particular version. The Magneto Bamboo Longboard isn’t just perfect for cruising, dancing, freestyle techniques, and downhill rides; it’s also best for carving on the streets, roads, campuses, and beaches.
For stability, the deck uses a drop-through design to position the center of gravity lower. And, for consistent performance, the trucks feature a Paris-style drop-through. More importantly, for better carving, the bushings aren’t too stiff.
Just don’t be surprised if this longboard squeaks a lot no matter how light or heavy you are. It might also crack even with minimal use. And, worse, you might drop this board and end up with a completely broken deck.
Pros:
- One of the smoother Magneto models
- Effective for different riding styles
- Highly recommended for carving
- Low center of gravity for stability
- Promotes consistency
Cons:
- Constant squeaking even with a lightweight rider
- Cracked sections despite minimal use
- Might break upon impact on the ground
Seething 42 Inch Longboard Complete Cruiser
While the previous option is all about carving, the Seething 42 Inch Longboard is meant for cruising because of its Canadian maple deck that’s also light enough for freestyle slalom and dancing. Because of the deck’s sturdiness, it can also support 330 pounds max.
Regarding the grip, the paper used on the deck is highly dense, waterproof, and slip-resistant to increase the friction between the board and your shoes. Meanwhile, the surface underneath the deck has a more elegant design, far from the dark, edgy look of many skateboards.
If you’re worried about dealing with a complicated setup, then you’ll surely appreciate the fact that no assembly is needed for this longboard because everything is already installed.
Despite the classy appearance of this longboard, the edges are quite rough. The graphics also don’t have the finest quality possible. In terms of performance, some units have wheels that can’t move properly.
Pros:
- Best for cruising
- Can support at least 300 pounds
- Foolproof grip
- More relaxing look
- No need for you to assemble components
Cons:
- Rough edges
- Low-quality graphics
- Limited movements because of the faulty wheels
BOCIN 41 Inch Longboard Complete 8 Layer
Probably the best option for plus-size skaters, the BOCIN 41 Inch Longboard can support weight up to 440 pounds while staying flexible for performance and ensuring comfort through sufficient cushioning. It can also keep the rider safe by using an eight-ply deck composed of genuine maple covered with waterproof and non-slip emery paper.
This longboard is simply great for intermediate skaters because it can help them improve their control, balance, and strength by letting them try different styles like freestyle and downhill riding. The elastic polyurethane pad will make everything easier.
Meanwhile, the seven-inch trucks are pure aluminum alloy. Their angle can be adjusted to match your preferences.
Just like the pad, the wheels are also polyurethane for durability. To ensure smoother rides, they have ABEC-9 bearings.
If you’re going to buy this product as a gift, good news! It can be used straight out of the package. There’s no need to assemble anything.
This longboard can be slightly disappointing, though, if you’re the type of skater who’s particular about appearance. Some units tend to lose their protective wrap, cover, or top layer in just a few weeks. That can affect the overall look of the board, which is supposedly brand-new instead of worn-out.
Pros:
- Fun and comfortable to use, especially for heavier people
- Completely safe for skaters of different shapes and sizes
- Can help an intermediate skater to be more versatile
- Adjustable in the right places
- Already assembled for convenience
Cons:
- Worn-out appearance after a few sessions if the surface slowly loses its thin protective covering
Junli 41 Inch Freeride Skateboard Longboard
Very similar to the product before this option, the Junli 41 Inch Freeride Longboard is also an effective choice for skaters who are still trying to master flawless control. It doesn’t require assembly as well since every essential component is already set up for all skill levels.
Since every experienced skater needs to observe regular maintenance of their boards, disassembling components can’t be avoided sometimes. That’s why this product comes with a free multipurpose tool.
While other boards have a special grip on their deck, this one simply has a brushed surface to stop you from slipping. It’s also interesting how the polyurethane wheels have a rock finish.
Aside from the well-designed wheels, this longboard has a special ring that can absorb every impact while you’re cruising.
Going back to the brushed surface of the deck, there’s really a good reason why more boards are resorting to grip tape or paper. It turns out that this longboard doesn’t exactly have a strong, long-lasting grip.
This longboard can also be annoying once its bearings or trucks are damaged because of the loud rattling noise. The feel can even be off-putting if the flex is too much for you.
Pros:
- Ideal for intermediate skaters
- Pre-assembled for your convenience
- Free tool for disassembling
- Slip-resistant grip
- Can absorb impact
Cons:
- Temporary grip
- Can be very loud even with just a tiny damage
- Excessive flex for some skaters
How to Choose Good Cheap Longboards
Budget
Entry Level
Not all cheap longboards have bad quality. The same idea goes for expensive ones since a higher price doesn’t always mean that the product is better than cheaper options.
However, since there’s a higher risk of damage with cheaper longboards, you can’t expect them to last for a very long time. That’s why they’re best for beginners. Experienced skaters tend to look for another type of board that can match their improved skills, which usually means more money to spend.
So, how cheap is a cheap longboard? Fortunately, the affordable options with a decent quality don’t have to exceed $100. In fact, you can find something impressive at $50.
There are longboards worth less than $30, but they’re more like toys. Most of them, if not all, are made of plastic and won’t give you a satisfying experience because of their wide range of limitations.
There are $40 longboards that are good enough for more serious skaters, but we suggest sticking to the $50 to $100 range if you’re seeking to buy the cheapest option possible while considering the quality.
Experienced Level
If you’re already a pro but still looking for an affordable longboard, an option slightly more expensive than $100 is a good bargain. It’s more likely to include a high-quality set of essential components like the deck, trucks, bearings, and wheels. It’s also typically created by a well-known brand.
Come to think of it, how different is a $100 longboard from a $200 one? The latter features a couple of advanced technologies sometimes. It may also use fiberglass or carbon, which is a huge difference from traditional wood materials.
Material
Maple
If you prefer a stiffer longboard, you should definitely look for something with a maple deck. It’s best for downhill riding.
Maple decks can still be flexible, but it all depends on the variation used and how it’s constructed. What’s consistent is that they’re heavier and more durable because of their sturdier structure.
How good are maple decks for cruising? They aren’t comfortable, but they can provide you with more feedback so you can control your longboard better.
Bamboo
Obviously, bamboo decks are lighter and much more flexible than the maple type. And, the best part, they’re actually stronger. Remember that durability isn’t about strength; it specifically refers to the ability to resist wear and tear. A longboard’s strength has something to do with how much it can produce force.
A higher flex is helpful for cruising, commuting, and dancing. It can serve as the suspension of the longboard since it can dampen the vibrations caused by road obstacles like rocks and cracks.
Unfortunately, bamboo decks don’t age well. They can actually lose flex and even sag.
Hybrid
If you really can’t choose between maple and bamboo decks, you can choose a longboard that features both materials. Maple is usually placed in the core for a more durable structure while bamboo is added into the outer layers so you can feel the flex even for just a little bit.
Construction
How important are plies or layers within a longboard? They can significantly affect the flex or stiffness of the whole deck regardless of the material used.
A heavier, sturdier deck should have more layers. On the other hand, a lighter deck with more flex should have fewer plies.
Shape
Skateboard
Longboards and skateboards have their differences, but some products are considered “longboard skateboard” or “skateboard longboard” because of the shape. This is a modern approach for having the best of both worlds.
The skateboard shape has a relaxed concave for a flatter riding style. Each end has a kicktail, making the longboard symmetrical for easier turns and tricks without forcing you to pick it up all the time. This is ideal for the streets and pool parks.
Kicktail
While the skateboard shape has a kicktail on both ends, there’s actually a kicktail shape. It has a low-grade concave for better control. You can literally kick it up effortlessly.
Pintail
If the longboard looks like a leaf, it’s more likely a pintail. The concave of pintails is flat for a more effortless time on the board, which is perfect for beginners. No wonder this shape is the most common type.
Fishtail
It’s not that hard to identify a fishtail shape. The front end is the usual pintail tip while the back end looks like a fishtail you see in cartoons.
The radial concave of a fishtail longboard is steeper while its flex is lower. This boosts control as you carve or pick up speed.
Cruiser
Another popular shape, cruiser longboards are the shortest ones. That’s why they’re more portable for campus use.
Because of the smaller size, you can easily carve like a pro. The kicktail will also let you do sharp turns while maintaining full control of your longboard.
Drop-Through
More and more longboards use the drop-through shape. That’s because the cutouts on both ends will let you mount the trucks on top to put the deck lower. This is effective for achieving a higher level of stability even when you move faster. The lower flex and medium concave also contribute to that benefit.
Drop-Down
To keep the center of gravity lower, choose a longboard with a drop-down shape. It aims to keep the trucks higher than the deck to reduce flex for downhill racing.
Double-Drop
Also referred to as low riders, double-drop longboards combine the advantages of using drop-through and drop-down shapes. They’re the best when it comes to stability, but they’re quite rare.
Symmetrical Topmount
Also known as the bi-direction shape, the symmetrical topmount style will help you change directions seamlessly since you don’t have to do anything complicated with your legs, feet, and even hands. Unlike some of the previous shapes, the trucks are kept underneath the deck.
Conclusion
Considering the overall quality alone, we highly recommend the BOCIN 41 Inch Longboard. It’s so durable and strong that it can support weight more than 400 pounds instead of the usual 300-pound capacity. As a plus, it’s still flexible and comfortable regardless of your weight. It can even keep you safe most of the time because of the long-lasting waterproof grip.
There are a lot of factors to consider before buying a longboard, but you should prioritize the material, construction, and shape because you can just replace the trucks, wheels, and bearings. Remember that maple and bamboo are the major options when you’re choosing a deck, but they can also be combined through a hybrid board.