Why You Can Trust CNET Get a hoverboard for $219.99
From the Cheapskate: Forget everything you've heard. These two-wheeled self-balancing scooters are ridiculously fun.
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Man not included.
I have a friend, let's call him Dave (because that's his name), who thinks hoverboards are just as lame as selfie sticks. Never mind that he routinely falls off any motorized vehicle with fewer than four wheels; he just thinks they're silly.
He's wrong. Hoverboards, which admittedly don't hover, rock. They also roll. Thank you, I'll show myself out.
More hilarity in a moment. For now, this: MDA Direct (via Rakuten) has a no-brand self-balancing two-wheeled scooter for $219.99 shipped. That's after a $50 coupon automatically applied at checkout.
Update: Sorry, folks, but I just heard from the vendor that there's a customs issue forcing all orders to be canceled. They asked me to express their sincere apologies for this. Needless to say, I'll be on the lookout for additional hoverboard deals I can share soon. Sorry this one fell through!
Update No. 2: Talk about bad timing! Because I was traveling, I wrote this post a few days ahead of its publication. Little did I know there was some fairly serious hoverboard-related news due to drop the very same time. What really bugs me is that I was told these models were UL-certified, even though the recent story indicates no current hoverboard models have received that certification. That said, I have every confidence this safety issue will be resolved soon enough. Until then...no hoverboard for you!
Before you break out your fire-retardant shoes, this model promises both UL certification and a Samsung battery. Does that mean it absolutely positively won't burst into flames? No, because just about anything with a battery carries that tiny risk. (Although hoverboard fires got a lot of coverage in the press, and rightly so, people forget that similar incidents have been reported with smartphones and laptops.) If you're really concerned, check out the Hovervault.
All I can tell you is I've owned one of these for the past few months, and I seriously love the thing. My son and daughter love it. Their friends love it. Even though it's winter, we all just tool around the house. There's something deeply satisfying about having motorized wheels beneath your feet.
Your mileage may vary, of course. If you're balance-challenged like my friend Dave, you may not enjoy the experience. But if you've been itching to try one of these without spending $500 or even $300, this is one of the most affordable options I've seen. Your thoughts?
Bonus deal: How's the Wi-Fi coverage in your house? If the signal won't reach every room, consider a range extender. Like this one: Amazon has the Netgear N300 Wi-Fi range extender for $29.99, which is $10 off the regular price. Just plug it into a strategically chosen wall outlet and you should enjoy faster throughput in the far corners of the house.