Hoverboard Shopping? Here's What You Need to Know

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - It hottest and the most expensive item on the holiday lists this year; a self-balancing hoverboard.

However, there are tons of questions surrounding them.

Hands free smart boards, hoverboards, whatever you call them, they're all over YouTube, and it's viral videos making this item number one on the holiday wish lists.

But, there are some things you need to know.

For starters, you have to be the right size, Matthew Simmons represents SwagWay.

"Weight wise, between 44 lbs. and 220 lbs. The reason that is a guideline for weight is because the unit actually uses the weight and the core of the ride to balance it," Simmons explained.

Simmons has seen the reports of homes catching on fire, and he says the best way to prevent this is buying a board with the right battery.

"The difference is we use the Samsung or LG Ion-Lithium Battery, which is the best battery that you can get in one of these units," Simmons said.

SwagWay and Glitek both admit that the battery is the most important thing for consumers to investigate.

The branded batteries like Samsung and LG have something the others don't; circuits. This way if something goes wrong or shorts out, the battery has the ability to shut itself off.

If you're looking at buying a board, and the name brand of the battery is not provided then that should be taken as a warning. Another key component for shoppers is warranties.

Tony Le of Glitek says if the board does not come with a warranty, it like does not have a name brand battery.