Knock-off hoverboards unsafe: fire and explosion risks

PHOENIX - One of the hottest gifts this holiday season is the hover board.

The self-balancing device is a hot item on wish lists around the country, but some of the hoverboard knock-offs brands are being sold for a cheaper price and prone to catch fire or explode.

There have been a string of videos posted online showing hoverboards on fire, and one was even responsible for burning a house down.  

While some knock-off hover brands make look like similar to the Hoverboard made by Hoverboard Technologies, they may contain inferior parts.

A representative from one hoverboard retailer said, “They all look the same on the outside but it's what's on the inside that's what's most important.” He added, “this customer bought a board online, plugged it in, and said it smelled like it was burning.” He attributed the burning smell to a cost cutting measure by the manufacturer who “put in a cheap battery.”

In the end, you get what you pay for.

Knock-off hover boards ranger in price from about $20-$700, while those made by Hoverboard Technologies are listed between $2,995-$9,995 on their website.