Cruising around on a skateboard is fun and good for you, it is a green form of travel that has few economic overheads. There are no traffic jams, parking problems, and no fuel costs. You cannot get a parking or speeding ticket either! Choosing the best cruiser skateboards for needs is a time-consuming task but this article and review should help you and free up your time in the process. We have compiled the ultimate buyer’s guide. Read on.
Table of Contents
What are The Best Cruiser Skateboards?
- Best Cruiser for Adults: Sunset Ghost Cruiser Skateboards
- Best Cruiser in 2018: Santa Cruz Ratboy Shark LG Skateboards
- Best Cruiser in 2019: District Bogan Cruiser Skateboards
- Best for Cruising: Penny Cruiser Skateboards
- Best Cruiser in 2021: Quest QT-NSC44C Skateboards
- Best under 100: Retrospec Zed Bamboo Skateboard
- Best Wood Cruiser: Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboards
- Best Mini Cruiser: Cal 7 Mini Cruiser Skateboards
- Best for Cruising Around Town: Playshion Cruiser Skateboards
- Best Budget: ChromeWheels Cruiser Skateboards
- Best for Smooth Ride: VOLADOR Cruiser Skateboards
- Best for Trick: MINORITY Maple Skateboards
- Best for Beginner: Skatro Cruiser Skateboards
- Best for College: Landyachtz Cruiser Skateboards
Best Cruiser Skateboards Reviews 2021
Quest QT-NSC44C Cruiser Skateboard
- Superb stability and control on whichever terrain you’re riding on
- Steady and smooth for beginners to learn how to cruise
- Extended deck’s length for stability and balance
- Wheels aren’t durable
Retrospec Zed Bamboo Cruiser Skateboard
- Multi-ply bamboo maple deck for perfect stiffness and flex for different riding styles
- Reverse kingpin trucks with reactive and smooth gliding performance
- Superior shock absorption for smooth riding
- Wheels have a rock hard finish for aesthetics and durability
- Trucks are squeaky when turning
- Prone to wheel bite
Playshion 39 Inch Cruiser Skateboard
- Reverse kingpin trucks allow you to customize the board to your style
- Pre-lubricated ABEC-9 bearings for smooth rolling and speed to support your performance
- Soft, big wheels for stability and superior shock absorption
- Good grip tape
- Release rattle sound
ChromeWheels 31 inch Cruiser Skateboard
- Easier braking and better control to perform tricks
- While skating, the non-slip surface retains your balance and board’s stability
- Anti-shock wheels for a smoother riding experience
- The graphics at the board’s bottom are prone to peel off
- Large riders might feel the wheels too small
Skatro Mini Cruiser Skateboard
- Skatro Flexy Technology boasts a smooth-ride, feel and stability
- Easy to control and weave in and out of busy foot traffic with ease
- Can adjust the board’s components anytime needed thanks to the provided T-tool
- Skatro Ultimate Abec 7 Bearings to increase speed while giving no wobbles or squeaky noise
- Some customers complained about its over-flex
- Need to adjust trucks
- Smells horrible right out of the box
Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard
- Double kick tail adds versatility
- Ideal size for cruising
- Lightweight and compact for easier transport or carrying
- Slow bearings
Cal 7 Cruiser Skateboard
- Many additional components to eliminate wheel bite
- 1-year warranty
- Long-lasting grip tape that isn’t prone to peel off under high impact
- Chinese maple wood seems softer than the American
- Wheels are easy to wear out
Playshion Mini Cruiser Skateboard
- Ultra-sturdy and durable with a fiberglass deck to hold up well against the harsh abuse of kids
- Unique anti wheel bite feature underneath the deck to prevent rough stops
- Included T-tool for convenience
- Bad smell when unboxing the package
- Badly stuck stickers on the board, not ideal for kids
VOLADOR 42inch Freeride Cruiser Longboard
- 50-degree trucks with pre-lubrication for more responsiveness and turning accuracy
- Shock-absorbent deck with wider wheelbase and wheels for decently smooth riding and stability
- Nice artwork, diverse color and pattern options
- Terrible packaging
- Not good bearings
Cal 7 22-Inch Mini Cruiser Skateboard
- Colorful, bright and unique design
- Weighs3.6 lbs. and only 22.5” in size anyone will find it easy to carry, hang on your backpack or transport
- Fully assembled to ride out of the box
- Soft wheels that are hard to ride over bumps, cracks, and rocks
- Sides of the board are prone to damage
Merkapa Cruiser Skateboard
- Colorful LED lights that run without batteries for entertainment and safety
- Extra abrasion resistance and shock absorption
- PP plastic deck for superior durability -> can withstand temperature up to 300 Fahrenheit.
- 6” wide deck to fit snugly little feet -> more comfort
- The trucks aren’t entirely solid even once tightened
- Bearings aren’t as good as other components
ENKEEO 22 Inch Cruiser Skateboard
- 100% pre-assembled for riding out of the box
- Ultra-durable deck with bendability feature to last longer and give easier usage
- CE certification for health protection
- Wheels are over-tightened and need some adjustment
- The graphics are cheap and soon peel off
Which are the best cruiser skateboard Brands?
Retrospec Retrospec is an outdoor-gear brand established in 2009 by Ely Khakshouri an outdoor enthusiast and up to now, their lines are varied, including cruiser skateboards. Retrospec focuses on perfectionism, from style to quality and especially, performance. Quest A well-known brand that always impresses customers with its huge product range for all levels of riders. With Quest’s cruiser skateboards, especially, riders get a well-balanced board with amazing design aspects and features. The price is budget-friendly. Playshion Differing from the two previous brands, Playshion is a new entrant to the market but has quickly become a reliable producer and provider in the skateboarding industry. They are a Chinese company but have many certifications such as CTI and GVS anti-terrorism certificate tp help get a foothold in this competitive industry. ChromeWheels Like Playshion, ChromeWheels is a newcomer and has two showrooms: one in the USA and one in Hongkong; clear proof for they are growing. Their success is due to high-quality products that have proven themselves in Canada, ASTM, European Union, and so on. Their best seller is their cruiser skateboard for tricks. Skatro The story of Skatro is interesting because they were a small start-up company. Their products are the key elements for their success. They create their own technology and self-produce many components that make their products unique in terms of performance. Magneto An OG in the skateboarding industry, Magneto has over 50 years of experience. They are a multiproduct company and customers love them. The best thing about Magneto cruisers is that they are made in the USA, exceptional customer service and the customer service and warranties are excellent Cal 7 Cal 7 was established in the 1970s and built on the raw skate culture, combined with contemporary innovation, making them a legend in the skateboarding world. Competitively priced and customer-friendly designs are two key-core strengths that help Cal 7 beat off other competitors. VOLADOR I love VOLADOR a lot for their futuristic vision about the environment. Despite their enormous product lines, they have tried their best to use as few toxic materials as possible, such as using epoxy glue to make their boards. Their sleek, catchy colors and patterns are another strength that woe customers. Merkapa In contrast to Cal 7, Merkapa cruiser skateboards have a modern look and use the latest technologies. Their products are always designed with customers in mind that aim to satisfy their “GOD” as much as possible. For this reason, their products usually receive compliments for both quality and affordability. ENKEEO Not many people have heard of ENKEEO, however, my appreciation for them is due to their sophistication and hard work to ensure that every single released board delivers good price and good quality. They are a rare brand that ensures products have good performance while maintaining the lowest price on the market.
How to Choose the Best Cruising Boards – The Definitive Buyer Guide
The right equipment for skateboarding does matter! Learning and practicing also matter, but if the board you choose isn’t suitable, it’s hard to show off your real talent no matter how professional or laborious in training you are. Never underestimate the importance of purchasing the correct skateboard while considering these four elements: Wheels, trucks, bearings, and decks. Wheels

There are four common types of wheel: the 48mm, the 52mm, the 56mm, and the 60mm, with the most common size or cruising being 52mm and the 56mm. Keep in mind this basic rule of thumb when choosing wheels: The smaller the wheels, the slower the speed, and the faster the acceleration. There are three main things to determine the ideal size of wheels: Deck width, your body weight, and the terrain you’re going to cruise on. Deck width. Many people make the mistake of selecting large wheels for narrow decks and smaller wheels for more expansive decks when it should be the opposite. You should choose wheels that are as small or big as the deck is, otherwise, they will wear out quickly due to wheel bite. Bodyweight When it comes to body weight and the longboard wheels’ size the heavier the skaters, the larger the wheels should be. If a heavy rider chooses a deck with small wheels or when a kid is skating on wheels that are too large, it’s obviously hard to control turns, speed, and the ride. In some cases, you may be unbalanced and fall off. Terrains Larger wheels deliver better stability so, the more challenging the surface you’re going to cruise on (such as sandy terrains), the larger the wheels need to be. Also, don’t forget to choose the right hardness as well. Trucks

They are the t-shaped parts attached to the lower side of a longboard deck with both ends for placing wheels. Trucks are responsible for wheels turning while they are rolling, especially when you cruise around corners. Without trucks, it’s impossible to turn well. When it comes to choosing trucks, you should remember the deck width as well unless you prefer them to be visible from both sides. To cut a long story short, you should go for standard-sized trucks to get the best performance when cruising as well as minimize wheel bite when going downhills. Bearings

For those who don’t know what bearings are, this part is placed inside the wheels (usually made out of metal) that allow them to be mounted on the axle. There are various sizes of bearings that are generally based on the size of the axle and wheels. The first thing you should keep in mind when choosing a cruising skateboard is the quality of the bearings. Poor quality bearings should be replaced.
How to Choose Cruiser Decks – The Definitive Buyer Guide

To find out the best cruiser deck, first thing first, you need to determine is the terrain that you are going to skate on. Will there be foot traffic? Or, are there hills? These dictate how long the deck should be. For example, if you’re going to skate to work, to class or to the nearby shopping mall, it’s essential to consider a longer cruiser deck to help you weave in and out the pedestrians. On the other hand where there is no foot traffic at all, but just terrain, such as hills or slopes, the deck needs to be more stable and shred-able but still work well for cruising, my advice is to go for a smaller one. There are still many things in terms of deck length and two other key elements to consider are kicktail and the springy-ness of the deck.

This is the easiest element to consider amongst three. Deck lengths vary between 28”-46” and in brief, they are divided into three major kinds: the short, the mid-sized and the long. If you still have no idea of where to begin, choose the mid-sized deck 32” to 42” that has all advantages of both and will be good for all types of riding. The longboards cruising the streets these days are mostly in this range. Now, when the terrain is flat and you need a cruiser deck to practice your board-walking skills, go for the longer one (usually from 42” to 46”). It’s also perfect for long, relaxed rides on the sidewalk as well. The longer board, the heavier it is. If you don’t mind carrying a heavy cruiser longboard around, just go ahead. The short deck. Usually ranging from 28” to 32”, this kind of cruising deck is suitable for small or young riders. Note: Actually, you use a smaller deck for cruising, if you’re a pro in skateboarding in general. It is better and safer for novice riders to keep within the range of 28”-46” until you get comfortable. Kicktail Â

The question is whether you should go for a kicktail or no kicktail at all. For those who don’t understand the term, a kicktail is a raised tail that is used in some riding positions and tricks whilst making the skateboard itself more aesthetically appealing. Two typical examples of a kicktail are the near symmetrical shape you can find in the Honey AMP 6 Longboard Skateboard Deck and the twin-tip shape of the Loaded Dervish Longboard Skateboard Deck. It is not compulsory to go for a kicktail. It’s a matter of choice. With a kicktail, you can do tricks, make quick turns, or even pop up and down curbs more conveniently. Without it, you can maximize board stability. This is a good choice for novice riders. Note: The wheelbase is the distance from one axle to the other. The springy-ness of the deck

It’s your choice to choose between a stiff or flexy deck. Again, this is a matter of preference. Each type of deck will bring you certain benefits, so, read the descriptions for each one below to understand Stiff longboard deck A stiff longboard delivers better stability when you cruise downhill and if pedestrians aren’t your concern, but just the hills or slopes, go for this. It also gives you a better “direct” response in your lean and sway, which is something you don’t find in the flexy boards. Flexy longboard deck Despite its weaknesses, flexy boards are great at shock absorption over rough terrains and do relieve some of the stress on your knees and ankles. They also allow you to skate a little bit lower to the ground than the stiff ones helping to adjust your center of gravity to push or keep balance more easily. If a flexy board is what you’re looking for, you need to consider one more: flex levels. You can opt for a small amount of flex and get some shock dampening effects for skating on rough terrains and some extra leverage through turns. Choosing the flex levels is based on your body weight mostly. Many companies are very helpful and they offer different flex options on certain longboard decks to make it easier to choose. The thing about selecting the right flex of a board is that it will give you a closer ride to the ground as well as a better shock dampening over stiff ones.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about cruiser skateboards and related stuff. (Beginners shouldn’t ignore!)
Are cruiser skateboards easy to ride?
For getting around town or from one place to another, cruiser skateboards are perfect. The pointed front helps them cut through the air easily and the soft wheels for decent shock absorption help riders get to top speed with smooth riding experience.
What are the differences between cruisers and skateboards?
Two biggest differences between these two kinds of the board are wheels and deck shape.
What is the best mini cruiser skateboard?
A good mini cruiser skateboard should come in with the following features:
- A kick tail end for trick performance
- ABEC high rated bearings
- High-quality wheels
- Compact trucks
- Extended long deck
My top-rated options are
- Skatro Mini Cruiser 22x6inch
- Magneto Mini Cruiser
- Playshion Complete 22 Inch Mini Cruiser
- Cal 7 22-Inch Mini Cruiser
What size cruiser board should I get?
Cruisers vary in size and between 25” – 46” in length and 7” – 9” in width. The longer the board, the better it is for carving while the wider it is, the more comfortable it is for riders. To determine which size cruiser board you should choose, take a look at this table.
What is the difference between a longboard and a penny board?

 The biggest differences between these two kinds of boards are size and versatility. A penny board is much smaller yet less versatile than a longboard and mostly used for daily use such as cruising around or transport between places whilst a longboard can be used for sport or a competition.
What is the difference between a cruiser board and a longboard?

Well, there many: Size, wheels, terrains, distances, speed, and the effort a rider spends maintaining speed. See this table:
Should I get my first penny boards at Zumiez?
My answer is “No!”. It doesn’t mean that Zumiez penny boards are bad. They are alright but there are two major reasons stopping me from encouraging you to use them for your very first penny board:
- Zumiez employees’ specializations
- Price range
You will get little help from their employees while looking for the first board because their specializations are more about thrasher shirts and skate shoes than boards. And the price, I personally find penny boards sold by Zumiez are more expensive than other local stores. So, it is best to go to a locally-owned shop rather than getting little help from Zumiez. Just my opinion!
What is the main function of a shortboard and skateboard?

Shortboards and skateboards are both used for riding but there are some small differences. While shortboards are specialized for vert skateboarding, city riding, and trick oriented skateboarding, skateboards can cruise pretty well. They come in various sizes, they are also used for different types of riding styles, from skateboard tricks to city riding, and they are just not as professional as the shortboards.
What size Penny board should I get?
This feature depends on your shoe size, your skating experience, and the purpose of the board. If your shoe size is less than 13, an original penny board of 22 inches is alright. In the meantime, novice riders with bigger feet should opt for 27inch Nickel Boards. If you’re a professional skateboarder, a penny board is a worthwhile try for its portability. However, if you’re okay with a heavier board, a 33” standard model will help you become a super trickster. In terms of purpose, a 22” penny board is great for short-distance rides with sharp turns whilst a 27” Nickel board is better for adult beginners to ride with ease and comfort.
What is faster a penny board or a longboard?
Many people think a longboard will be slower than a penny board in a downhill race. However, it’s only true for a penny board with $90 ceramic bearings versus a longboard with $80 ones. Just gliding down a hill, using the same bearings and wheels, a longboard will reach the same velocity as a penny board (proved by science). What a surprise!
Conclusion
I know this is a long article so, I hope it helped If there are any interesting boards you want me to review, or if you’ve got some useful tips and tricks related to skateboards, feel free to share them with me and other readers in the comment section below. Again, thanks for spending time on my website. Happy boarding!
Stevie
Great article summary – thank you. This is a concise piece you put out and helped a lot for a newb. You mentioned that the ABEC-9’s in the VOLADOR 42inch Freeride Cruiser Longboard weren’t great (in the CONS list). Is there a specific brand of bearing that you’d recommend to swap out?
Bam Ericson
Hello Stevie, I’m glad the post was helpful. The VOLADOR 42inch Freeride Cruiser Longboard comes with an ABEC-9 bearings so it’s good quality. You may have to adjust the tightness of the wheel when you initially get it to make sure it’s not too loose or tight. The bearings that come with the deck should work just fine if you are not planning on doing downhill luge-style skating. If you do some high-end bearing that will last a long time, then Bones Reds Precision Bearings or Bones Swiss Bearings will be a better way to go. Hope this helps!
Larry
The Playshion skateboard sounds like a good option, considering the fact that it can be used by both adults and kids and its unique anti wheel brake feature.
Bam Ericson
Thanks, Larry! I’m glad you enjoyed the best cruiser boards article. Let me know if you have any other questions.