12 Best Cruiser Skateboards 2020: Cheap & Basic

Cruising around on a skateboard is cool and beneficial. This way of transporting within distances is quite safe for Earth and economic for you. Let’s think about it!

No traffic jams. No need to find a parking slot. No fuel cost. And, worry-free about parking tickets.

However, to choose the best cruiser skateboards for your cruising style, it’s a time-consuming task but once you’re here, congrats, you are in the right address!

I’m going to give more free time and effort on your hands by rounding up the best cruiser skateboards on the market. Plus, there’s an ultimate buying guide listing all must-considered features and also, are some frequently asked questions for novice riders. Read on!

What are The Best Cruiser Skateboards?

Best Cruiser: Quest QT-NSC44C Skateboard

Best under 100: Retrospec Zed Bamboo Skateboard

Best Wood Cruiser: Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard

Best Mini Cruiser: Cal 7 Mini Cruiser Skateboard

Best for Cruising Around Town: Playshion Cruiser Skateboard

Cheapest: ChromeWheels Cruiser Skateboard

Smooth Ride: VOLADOR Cruiser Longboard

Best for Trick: MINORITY Maple Skateboard

Best for Beginner: Skatro Cruiser Skateboard

Easiest to Ride: District Skates bogan

Best Cruiser in 2018: Sunset Skateboards Ghost

Best Cruiser in 2019: Santa Cruz Ratboy Shark LG

Top 12 Best Cruiser Skateboards Reviews In 2019

For Adults

Quest QT-NSC44C Cruiser Skateboard

(For Beginners)

Start off this collection is a super cruiser longboard from Quest.

Highlight many elite features that act just like the name, such as the 7-ply wooden deck combining of hardwood maple and super-flex bamboo, or the 70mm polyurethane wheels with a hardness 80A.

Though I can’t promise you a phenomenal performance such as jumping and bouncing on the street like Tom Cruise or any action actors did in their movies, it does bring the key feeling of adventurousness, fastness, and freedom in the roll.

This cruiser board is the best choice for both beginners and professionals due to its superb stability and controllability whether it’s a ride down hills, around the city full of foot traffic or in your campus.

However, I want to notice that its wheels are not robust enough to bear harsh terrains like rocks or cracks or even abuses. So, ride it in easy, flat surfaces only.

Product Specs

Retrospec Zed Bamboo Cruiser Skateboard

(Best overall)

Next up, another perfect option for all riders, whether you are an expert or just a beginner – Retrospec Zed Bamboo Cruiser Skateboard.

Featured a cool and eye-catching sleek design, its outlook is even polished significantly when riding on sunny days.

But to talk about what impressed me the most, it must be the durability. Unbelievable that this small bad boy can hold a weight limitation up to 150kg whilst giving skateboarders smooth and comfortable rides.

Besides, it can do a thing that the Quest’s can’t – rolling over cracks, stones, and debris – thanks to the hard wheels. In other words, its versatility gets no remorse.

Another big bonus that I bet any environmentalists will fall for is its eco-friendly materials. Not only are they toxic-free to the environment, but also considered to be stronger than the traditional wood.

All in all, really highly recommend it!

Product Specs

Playshion 39 Inch  Cruiser Skateboard

(For Freestyle)

This skateboard looks very sturdy! It has a reinforced fiberglass plus PP deck that can hold up to 220 lbs. Both kids and adults will have fun riding this baby.

What I love about this Playshion skateboard is that it has a unique anti wheel bite feature underneath the deck. What this feature allows you to do is turning left and right drastically without getting any rough stops.

Other than the high-quality deck, the wheels are made from soft PU measuring 59mm in diameter. They have ABEC-9 bearings that ship oiled for buttery smooth glides. The solid aluminum trucks also hold the wheels in place very nicely.

It’s also great that Playshion included a T-tool with the package. This tool helps you adjust the wheels and trucks to fit your very own riding styles.

Overall, this is a great starter skateboard. Some customers even bought a second and third one for their twins or siblings. You couldn’t be happier getting yourself or your loved this skateboard. Seriously, you’ll play in fashion!

Product Specs

ChromeWheels 31 inch Cruiser Skateboard

(For Tricks)

It’s not impossible of a cruiser skateboard that is used for tricks. The key elements lie on its dimensions, wheel size, kicktail, and hardness of wheels.

With the ChromeWheels 31”, you’ve got ABEC-7 bearings, a stiff 8-ply maple deck, and ultra-small wheels that make you gain more speed to support for your tricks. Moreover, the board features a double kick concave, which highlights easier braking and better control.

My most favorite in ChromeWheels 31” is the additional anti-shock ability applied on its wheels to prevent wobbles efficiently. As you might know it or not, the smaller the skateboard’s wheels, the easier it causes wobbles. That’s why these specialized PU wheels are so precious.

Another big bonus is its emery non-slip surface to emphasize superior grip during skating, retaining your balance while under high speed.

Product Specs

See also:

• Top 19 Best Skateboards For Beginners In 2020: Selected By Me
• How to Choose Best Beginner Skateboard for Kids: The Definitive Guide [2020 Update]
• Top 15 Best Electric Skateboards In 2020

Skatro Mini Cruiser Skateboard

(For commuting)

Now, here comes another incredible cruiser skateboard!

It’s a well-built model from Skatro brand, highlight the signature Skatro Flexy Technology that I must say it deserves every single penny (no pun intended).

Can’t deny that in the very first moments, beginners might find a little bit struggling to keep balance on it. However, once finding out the right footing, you will see the ride can’t be more comfortable.

Compared to the Penny Boards, I love this model more for its price and its performance.

But I won’t say that the Skatro Mini Cruiser Board is going to be ready out of the box. In other words, you need to make some adjustment to get it loose and nice for smoother turns. That’s why they included a T-tool inside of the package.

Besides, due to its lack of stability, rocks or cracks might disturb your rides. From that point, make sure you’re confident with your cruising skills when rolling this board on the roads.

But in turns, its significantly small dimensions are a great helper for you to maneuver easily through sharp turns.

In brief, for those who are finding a cruiser skateboard as a mean of transportation across blocks or in your college campus, I highly recommend this.

Product Specs

Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard

(For cruising)

With a modest silhouette, no strange when Magneto Mini Cruiser highlights an incredible lightness that even a kid can easily carry around. The board is also compact enough to trap behind your backpack for transport whenever it’s not in use.

But the most outstanding feature must be its decent construction with an emphasis on multi-ply premium maple deck and superior quality wheels to capably support a max load of 275 lbs.

Regardless, the board still comes with little flex to let you controllably ride within crowded foot traffic without bumping anyone.

Though I don’t be impressed much on its sense of speed catching, the small-sized medium-hardness wheels combining with compatible wheelbase strike back with good capability of speed retaining. Therefore, making this board a good choice for short-distance cruising.

Product Specs

Cal 7 Cruiser Skateboard

(Low Price)

Priced under $28, I initially didn’t expect much on this Cal 7 longboard but just the basic function for beginner riders. But unexpectedly, it gives more than what I bargained for.

Compared to ordinary cheap longboards, this comes with many differences. The very first is its additional HR95A bushings and 3mm riser pads. This perfect combination truly can eliminate wheel bite when you’re carving.

And plus, the grip tape in this unit is carefully edge-to-edge pre-applied to ensure holding up well against harsh abuse. Even if you perform some stunts or tricks, the bottom shows really minimal wears.

Finally, have you ever found such affordable cruiser skateboard with a 1-year warranty?

Product Specs

For Kids

Playshion Mini Cruiser Skateboard

(Best overall)

Product Specs

VOLADOR 42inch Freeride Cruiser Longboard

(For girls)

Though not officially, kid’s skateboards have been divided into for boys and for girls so far.

The ones for girls are more about design, outlook, and safety features because this group of riders usually feel insecure more than boys. VOLADOR 42” cruiser is my go-to.

Don’t worry about its big silhouette as this board is quite lightweight to carry around and its drop deck is another bonus to help girls easily stand on, keep balance, and cruise around. The bigger deck comes with bigger wheelbase and trucks.

But the trucks in this cruiser are built with a special capability that flips to 50 degrees, highlight responsive riding and turning accuracy.

Finally, I believe that the unique, eye-catchy artwork of these VOLADOR 42” longboard will be your daughter’s bias.

Product Specs

Cal 7 22-Inch Mini Cruiser Skateboard

(Lightweight)

In my mind, the biggest selling point of the Cal 7 Complete Mini Cruiser is its colorful, bright and unique design. It is also one of the trendiest in my collection. Whenever riding on this board, I feel like this micro board is an artifact left of an energetic and hot summer. That’s how fantastic the design is!

Sizing 22 inches with ABEC 7 grade bearings, that means it works perfectly on all ages. Plus, the lightness and portable design make this board super easy to carry around. Just strap it to your backpack and there you go.

Whether it’s crossing your school campus, going to a nearby store or weaving in and out foot traffic, you hardly notice it’s on your back.

But, this board turns out to trouble in the same weakness as the Quest’s skateboard – soft wheels. It means rocks and cracks are going to be your biggest enemies.

Product Specs

Merkapa Cruiser Skateboard

(For Beginners)

Imagine the most spectacular light shows right under your control. This Merkapa skateboard is a firework display right your feet. Little kids to even teenagers will get excited about this model.

You don’t even need to put batteries inside the wheels. They light up thanks to the energy generated from the rolling wheels. Yup, that’s right. Whenever you roll, the lights will show. This is so cool!

The deck measures 22” long and 6” wide. It fits little feet very nicely. It’s made from PP plastic. This makes the board very lightweight and durable. In case you’re wondering, PP plastic is the kind of high-quality plastic they use in the lab. In fact, it can withstand temperature up to 300 Fahrenheit. It’s super safe to use.

The base of this board is made from high-quality aluminum. The wheels have ABEC-7 bearings. Also, there are many colors to choose from. Personally, I like the multicolored one. It looks like a popsicle to me! What color would you choose?

In a nutshell, this is a great beginner skateboard that will get you well on your way to mastery.

Product Specs

ENKEEO 22 Inch Cruiser Skateboard

(Low-Price)

With under $30, let see what features can ENKEEO 22” longboard give us?

First off, is the polypropylene deck. It’s a kind of plastic but way more durable and…bendable to ensure two basic things: stiffness and flex. It doesn’t be too flexible that riskily make your kids fall off, but just enough to help them quickly learn how to ride and have fun with their board.

If parents you also have no idea of how to set up a cruiser, don’t fret, this affordable model arrives with full pre-assembly that your kids can ride out of the box.

With 22 x 6 inches of dimensions, the most amazing thing is ENKEEO can hold a max load of up to 220 pounds, which means if you’re a young adult with small feet, this is worth considering. The wheels are particularly crafted in this model, with resistant PU for long terms of use.

So, I think the replacement fee afterward is really trivial.

And one last good news, this unit is one of the rare cruisers get the CE certification for safety, health and environmental protection. Parents now just worry-free to pick these for your kids, huh?

Product Specs

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 have spread through variable niches, including cruiser skateboards. Retrospec products focus on perfectionism, from outlook to quality and especially, performance.

Quest

A well-known brand that always impresses customers by their vast product lines for all levels of riders. Particularly with Quest’s cruiser skateboards, riders can surely get a well-combined model with amazing styles and features. While the price is rather budget-friendly.

Playshion

Differing from two previous brands, Playshion is quite brand new but quickly, they become a reliable producer and provider in the skateboarding industry.

They are a Chinese company but getting many trustworthy certifications like CTI and GVS anti-terrorism certificate helps them create a solid stance in this competitive niche.

ChromeWheels

Like Playshion, ChromeWheels is a newcomer but up to now, they’ve got two showrooms: one in the USA and the other is in Hongkong. It’s clear proof for their fast-growing speed.

From my experience, what makes their success is the decently high-quality products proved through various compliances of Canada, ASTM, European Union, and so on. Out of their diverse lines, the best seller is the cruiser skateboard for tricks.

Skatro

The story of Mr. Giant – Skatro isn’t less interesting since they were a start-up company. But their products are the key elements attracting me in the first place. They create their own technology and self-produce many components to make their products one of a kind in terms of performance.

Magneto

An OG in the skateboarding industry – Magneto with over 50 years of experience. They actually are a multiproduct company but never the customers find their lack of delicate in each line.

The best thing about Magneto cruisers is USA-made which ensures quality. Then, are their good customer service and warranty.

Cal 7

Cal 7 was set up in the 1970s, built on the raw skate culture and sooner, combining with contemporary innovation, making they become a legend in the skateboarding world. Competitive price and customer-friendly designs are two key-core strengths help Cal 7 beat off other competitors.

VOLADOR

I love VOLADOR a lot for their futuristic vision about the environment. Despite the enormous product lines, they have tried their best to use as less toxic materials as possible, like using epoxy glue to make their boards.

Besides, the sleek, catchy colorways and patterns are another strength of them to allure customers with their virtuosity.

Merkapa

Contrast to Cal 7, Merkapa cruiser skateboards nail up a modern look and latest technologies. Plus, their products are always designed with customers in mind that aims to satisfy their “GOD” as much as possible. For that reason, their products usually receive compliments for both quality and affordability.

ENKEEO

Not many people have heard of ENKEEO. Regardless, my appreciation for them is the sophistication and hard working to ensure that every single released board will deliver at least two things – Good price & quality. The rare brand that can ensure products with good performance while keeping the cheapest price on the market.

How to Choose the Best Cruising Boards – The Definitive Buyer Guide

Unlike other sports, the right equipment of skateboarding does matter!

Learning and practicing are surely counted, but once the board you choose isn’t suitable, it’s hard to show your real talent no matter how professional or laborious of training you are.

From that point, never underestimate the importance of purchasing the correct skateboard as well as considering every single of these four elements.

They are wheels, trucks, bearings, and decks.

Wheels

Speaking of wheels, there are four common types: the 48mm, the 52mm, the 56mm, and the 60mm arranged from small to larger. But the most common for cruising is the 52mm and the 56mm.

Keep in mind this basic rule of thumb when it’s about choosing wheels:
The small the wheels, the slower the speed, and the faster the acceleration.

Besides, there are three main things deciding how small or big of the wheels. They are the deck’s width, your body weight and the terrains you’re going to cruise on.

First is the deck’s width.

Many people make mistakes of selecting larger wheels for narrow decks and smaller wheels for more expansive decks.

In reality, it must be the opposite.

You should go for wheels that are as small or big as the deck is. Otherwise, they will wear off soon because of getting bitten quickly during rides.

Body weight

It’s easy to guess the relation between one person’s body weight and the longboard wheels’ size, isn’t it?

The heavier the skater, the larger the wheels.

If a hefty rider chooses a deck with small wheels or a kid skating on too large ones, it’s obviously hard to control the turns, speed, and the rides. In some case, that might cause you to unbalance and fall off.

Terrains

Lastly, it’s 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.

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 take responsibility for wheels to turn while they are rolling, especially when you cruise around the corners. It’s freakily smooth without taking many pauses.

Without trucks, but just wheels attached directly to the board, it’s impossible to get such those amazing turns.

So, 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 size of trucks to get the best performance in 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 of wheels (usually made out of metal) and allow them to mount the axle more easily.

There are various sizes of bearings which are mostly based on the size of axle and wheels.

The very first thing you should keep in mind when choosing a cruising skateboard is high-quality bearings. If they aren’t, easily, just replace them for better options.

Only when the bearings are guaranteed their quality, the performance of wheels is optimal.

How to Choose The Cruiser Decks – The Definitive Buyer Guide

Now, to find out the best cruiser deck, first thing first, you need to determine the terrain that you are going to skate. Is there some foot traffic? Or, are you going to try some hills? This element decides 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 cases which there’s no foot traffic at all, but just the terrain, like some hills or slopes, now the deck should be more stable and shred-able but still work well for cruising, my advice is to go for a smaller one.

But that’s not all about cruiser decks, there are still many things in terms of deck length. Two other key elements to consider are kicktail and the springy-ness of the deck.

Deck length

This is the easiest element to consider amongst three.

Deck lengths are various, usually ranging between 28”-46”. But in brief, they are divided into three major kinds: the shorter, the mid-sized and the longer.

If you still have no idea of where to begin, choose the mid-sized – 32” to 42”.

As it stays between the “short” and the “long”, it inherits all advantages of both to be intendedly just right for all types of riding. And, those longboards for cruising you might see on the street these days are mostly in this range.

Now, when the surf is flat and you’re looking for 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.

BUT you should know that the longer, the heftier. If you don’t mind carrying around a heavy cruiser longboard around, just go ahead.

Lastly, the shorter deck.

It’s usually ranging from 28” to 32”. This kind of cruising deck is suitable for smaller riders or young ones. In terms of the taller, unless you’re really confident in your riding skills, don’t go for it.

Note:

Actually, you can go for a smaller deck for cruising, if you’re a pro in skateboarding in general, and in cruising in particular saying. On the contrary, it’s safer for novice riders to go within the range of 28”-46” until you get comfortable.

Kicktail

The matter is whether you should go for a kicktail or no kicktail at all.

For those who don’t understand this term, kicktail is a raised tail that can make a good use in riding positions and tricks whilst making the skateboard itself more aesthetic.

Two typical examples for 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.

Now, it’s not compulsory to go for a kicktail. It’s a matter of preference.

Get it, you can do tricks, make quick turns, or even pop up and down curbs more conveniently.

Without it, you can maximize your board to reach the most efficiency of wheelbase for more stability. This is a good choice for novice riders.

Note:

Wheelbase is the distance from one axle to the other.

The springy-ness of the deck

Or, in a more understandable way, it’s your choice between a stiff or flexy deck.

Again, this is a matter of preference. Each type of deck will bring you some certain benefits, so, just read the descriptions for each one below to get the feeling of deck’s springy-ness you will be suitable for.

Stiff longboard deck

It delivers better stability to your board to cruise downhill. Thus, as mentioned at the beginning of this part, if pedestrians aren’t your concern, but just the hills or slopes, go for this type. Plus, it gives you a better “direct” response from your lean and sway, which is something you hardly find in the flexy boards.

Flexy longboard deck

Despite such weakness, the flexy boards are great at shock absorption from some rough terrains you might skate through to relieve some of the stress on your knees and ankles. Besides, they allow you to skate a little bit lower to the ground than the stiff ones – a perfect helper to adjust your gravity center to push or keep balance more easily.

If a flexy board is what you’re looking for, you need to take one more step of consideration to find out the most suitable one – choosing flex levels.

You can go for a small amount of flex to 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 thoughtful. They offer different flex options on certain longboard decks to ease your choice more.

The thing of selecting the right flex of a board will give you a closer ride to the ground as well as a bit of a shock dampening system than the stiff ones.

Frequently asked questions

This article is about to end, but I’ll give you one last extra part, in which I have rounded up the most frequently asked questions about cruiser skateboards and related stuff. (Beginners shouldn’t ignore!)

1. Are cruiser skateboards easy to ride?

For getting around town or forming one place to another, cruiser skateboards are best to go. Due to the pointed front in that helps them cut through the air easily or the soft wheels for decent shock absorption, they help riders get the top speed with smooth riding experience.

What are the differences between cruiser and skateboards?

Two biggest differences between these two kinds of the board are wheels and deck shape.

Accordingly, skateboards are good for tricks while a cruiser isn’t a serious board but more for entertaining. If you’re looking for a board to commute over different terrains, a cruiser is good to go.

What is the best mini cruiser skateboard?

A good mini cruiser skateboard should come in with these features:

• A kick tail end for trick performance
• ABEC high rated bearings
• High-quality wheels
• Compact trucks
• Extended long deck

Due to such criteria, my top-rated options are

• Skatro Mini Cruiser 22x6inch
• Magneto Mini Cruiser
• Playshion Complete 22 Inch Mini Cruiser
• Cal 7 22-Inch Mini Cruiser

2. What size cruiser board should I get?

Cruisers vary on sizes and it’s usually within 25” – 46” in length and 7” – 9” in width.

The longer the board, the better for carving while the wider it is, the more comfort leg-rooms to riders. To determine which size cruiser board you should pick, take a look at this table.

3. What is the difference between a longboard and penny board?

The most popular question!

Two biggest differences between these two kinds of the board are their size and versatility. Obviously, a penny board is much smaller yet less versatile than a longboard. It’s mostly used for serving our daily life like cruising around or transport within distances whilst a longboard can be played as a complete sport or a competition. And, it takes the best performance at riding downhills.

4. What is the difference between a cruiser board and a longboard?

Well, there are a lot: Size, wheels, terrains, distances, speed, and effort of a rider spends on it to keep speed up. But I’ll cut the long story short in this table:

Note: All comparisons are based on general measurements and the standard double-kick tail skateboard.

5. 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 these two major reasons stopping me from encouraging you to try it for the very first penny board:

• Zumiez employees’ specializations
• Price range

Mostly, you will get no help from their employees while looking for the first board because their specializations are more about thrasher shirts and skate shoes. Even sometimes, they might lead you down the wrong path.

And the price, I personally find penny boards sold by Zumiez are much expensive than other local stores, especially the grip tape. So, it’d better go to a locally-owned shop rather than getting helpless help from Zumiez. Just my opinion!

6. 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 in vert skateboarding, city ride and trick oriented skateboarding, skateboards can cruise pretty well. As coming up with various sizes, they are also utilized for different types of riding styles, from skateboard tricks to city ride, just not as professional as the shortboards.

7. What size Penny board should I get?

This feature depends on your shoe size, your skating experience, and purpose of use.

If your shoe size is less than 13 (like young and small riders), an original penny board sizing 22 inches is alright. In the meantime, novice riders with bigger feet should for 27inch Nickel Boards.

If you’re a professional skateboarder, a penny board is a worthy try for its portability. However, if you’re okay with a hefty board, a 33” standard model will make you become a super trickster.

In terms of the purpose of use, a 22” penny board is great for short-distance rides with sharper turns whilst a 27” Nickel board is better for adult beginners to ride with ease and comfort.

8. What is faster a penny board or a longboard?

Great question!

I bet that many people think a longboard will be slower than a penny board in a downhill race. However, it’s only true when we keep a penny board with 90-buck ceramic bearings versus a longboard with 8-buck ones.

If letting them glide down a hill, using the same bearings and wheels, a longboard will amazingly reach the same velocity as a penny board (proved by science).

What a surprise!

Conclusion

Yeah, it’s the end of this article!

I know this is a long article so, thankfully, you’re still here.

Did you pick the best cruiser skateboards for your demand? I’m glad if you did. Otherwise, it’s normal because your first cruiser board needs time for the best choice.

If there are any interesting models you want me to do a review, or you’ve got some useful tips and tricks related to skateboards, feel free to share them to me and other readers in the comment section below.

Again, thanks for spending time on my website.

Happy boarding!