Here in 2015, most of us are still stuck using our stupid, feeble legs for everyday transportation, but perhaps you’ve noticed the latest rapper trend: auto-balancing skateboards that look like smaller, cooler Segways. Everyone from Wiz Khalifa to Nicki Minaj to Soulja Boy is flaunting these things on Instagram nowadays, but which one is the coolest?
Let’s take a look at the major players.
Hovertrax
Overview: This is the British version of the balancing-board phenomenon. It was a big deal at January’s annual Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, but has yet to garner any major celebrity endorsements. Thus the randos pictured above.
Price: $935 and up
Advantages: It’s cheaper, and you can get one with red flames on it. Goes up to 6 mph.
Disadvantages: No one cool rides it, and it doesn’t go that fast
Celebrity spokesriders: Jason Derulo, Nathan Fillon, Casper Smart, and dancers from Dancing With the Stars
IO Hawk
Overview: This was a slightly bigger deal this year at CES. That might be due to a Today Show appearance, a healthy online presence, and the all-powerful Justin Bieber endorsement.
Price: $1,800
Advantages: You can customize it to be Gucci. Goes up to 10 mph. Chris Brown looks like a self-serious monk who throws raves when he rides one.
Disadvantages: It’s expensive. Which might actually be an advantage, because people like expensive stuff. Also, it’s back-ordered til August.
Celebrity spokesriders: Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, Mike Tyson, Jermaine Dupri, Paul Wall, Deion Sanders, Skrillex, Deadmau5, James Harden, DJ Khaled, Young Thug, Migos, and, well, this guy.
PhunkeeDuck
Overview: The PhunkeeDuck is the same basic concept as the other boards, but it’s faster and has the Instagram market almost completely cornered. It is also permanently attached to Wiz Khalifa.
Price: $1,500
Advantages: Celebrities like it best, it’s been on late-night shows, and it’s cheaper. Goes up to 12 mph. According to Wiz Khalifa, you can ride it while grocery shopping (see above). Knockoffs are easy to find.
Disadvantages: Knockoffs are easy to find
Celebrity spokesriders: Jamie Foxx, Kendall Jenner, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Wale, Tyga, Adrian Peterson, JR Smith, Rae Sremmurd, Soulja Boy, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill
Soulja Board
Overview: This is Soulja Boy’s own version of a half-Segway. As far as I can tell, he is the only one who has one, which is a power move, if you think about it.
Price: $1,500
Advantages: It carries the Soulja Boy seal of approval, and comes in Ninja Turtle green. Goes up to 6 mph. According to you-know-who, you can literally ride it to do everything, even walk the dog or navigate an airport.
Disadvantages: It’s slow, and branded by Soulja Boy.
Celebrity spokesriders: Guess who