TechGearLab

The Baker Complete is a standout option for someone just starting, as well as a more serious and dedicated skateboarder. The setup that we ordered came with a 7.8" wide deck, which can be used by kids, teens, or adults. However, this model is also available in a handful of additional sizes going up to 8.5", which may be more ideal for a bigger person. This deck is very crisp and has a steeper concave than any of the others we tested, allowing for more control and giving it the most pop of any board we tested. This board is fun to ride. The bearings, made by a brand called Amphetamine, have an ABEC-5 rating, but they roll better, faster, and farther than some of the others with much higher ratings. The wheels are of average size and hardness, which allows them to deliver a smooth ride on most surfaces. While the grooved lines on the wheels make them a little slick at first, they lose their slickness and grip the ground well once the lines are worn off. This complete is one of the best we tested. The deck is great, and this model will assist riders in developing their skills. 
The Baker Complete is the only model in our test group that doesn't come already assembled, and there are no tools included. For anyone seriously interested in skateboarding, learning to put your board together is necessary as one progresses and develops their personal preferences, which could be a positive point for some. Assembling a skateboard can provide a sense of accomplishment, along with the opportunity to get creative and customize certain parts. There are numerous videos online for how to assemble a complete, or you can take it to your local skate shop and have them show you how it's done. Baker is a popular and reputable skate company with great quality parts, but the majority of the other parts included are from lesser-known brands and are of varying quality. This won't make a noticeable difference for anyone new to skating, and this is still a suitable option for a wide range of skill levels. The main part of this setup that was a little disappointing was the Core brand trucks. These trucks were extremely tight, and the bushings were quite stiff, so they did not initially turn very well. Fortunately, some minor adjustments made a big difference, and after loosening them up, they started to turn better. New trucks often require some breaking in, and the more you ride them, the better and more responsive they get, so this wasn't a huge surprise. Overall, the Baker Complete is a great skateboard for all skill levels and can help any rider improve their abilities. 

Best for Most

amazon.com

The Z-Flex Shadow Lurker Pool is a signature model of the late Jay Adams. Adams is a legend in skate history as he became one of the early professional skateboarders in the mid-1970s. So, it makes sense that this board's style is geared more towards an earlier skateboarding crew, boasting a wide 9.5" deck, the biggest board we tested. Every component is this board is made internally by Z-Flex, and the quality is top-notch, like the offerings from Element and Powell. The large wheels make the ride especially smooth and effortless, even on choppy surfaces, while the trucks turn and grind nicely. We found this setup's bearings to roll the quickest amongst any other we tested, with one push sailing past 65 ft on this hybrid board that is somewhere between a regular style and a cruiser model. It's a great transportation board because of the soft wheels; however, the full nose and tail still make it possible to keep good control and manage tricks. This board isn't quite the standard-shaped deck, though. It has a pointed nose and a squared off tail, giving off those 'old-school' vibes. There are also wheel wells on the underside to avoid getting "wheel bite" &#40;when the wheels rub against the deck and stop it from rolling&#41;. Along with the dagger style shape, everything on this model is black with minimal branding, adding to Jay Adams' tough, punk rock aesthetic. 
When first brought out for testing, the Shadow Lurker Pool board had a large air bubble in the middle of the grip tape. Luckily, this was easily fixed by simply pushing it down, and the bubble completely disappeared once we stepped on and began riding. This was the only visible flaw on this skateboard and was minor. Being that this complete is bigger than the others, it is also a bit heavier, making it less ideal for kids; it's a lot of board to handle. Although doing some tricks is possible with this board, the width and the weight make more technical maneuvers quite difficult. This isn't the best board for someone who wants to do a lot of flip tricks, but it's an excellent setup for rolling around town while throwing in the occasional trick. The Z-Flex Shadow Lurker is one of the most versatile and fun boards we tested.

The Z-Flex Shadow Lurker Pool 9.5 is a signature model of the late Jay Adams. Adams is a legend in skate history as he became one of the early professional skateboarders in the mid-1970s. So, it makes sense that this board's style is geared more towards an earlier skateboarding crew, boasting a wide 9.5" deck, the biggest board we tested. Every component is high-quality and made internally by Z-Flex, like the offerings from Element and Powell. The large wheels make the ride especially smooth and effortless, even on choppy surfaces, while the trucks turn and grind nicely. We found this setup's bearings to roll the quickest amongst any other we tested, with one push sailing past 65 ft on this hybrid board that is somewhere between a regular style and a cruiser model. It's a great transportation board because of the soft wheels; however, the full nose and tail still make it possible to keep good control and manage tricks. This board isn't quite the standard-shaped deck, though. It has a pointed nose and a squared off tail, giving off those 'old-school' vibes. There are also wheel wells on the underside to avoid getting "wheel bite" &#40;when the wheels rub against the deck and stop it from rolling&#41;. Along with the dagger style shape, everything on this model is black with minimal branding, adding to Jay Adams' tough, punk rock aesthetic. 
This board came with a large air bubble in the middle of the grip tape. Luckily, this was easily fixed by simply pushing it down, and the bubble completely disappeared once we stepped on and began riding. This was the only visible flaw on this skateboard and was minor. Being that this complete is bigger than the others, it is also a bit heavier, making it less ideal for kids; it's a lot of board to handle. And though doing some tricks is possible with this board, the width and the weight make more technical maneuvers quite difficult. This isn't the best option for someone hoping to do a lot of flip tricks, but it's an excellent setup for rolling around town while throwing in the occasional trick. Overall, we found it to be one of the most versatile and fun boards of the test group.

Upgrade Pick

The Golden Dragon Complete from Powell-Peralta Skateboards is a great quality setup, similar to the Element or Baker. It's smaller in size, making it the best option for younger kids interested in learning tricks. This is a mini version of a signature model from legendary Powell pro Steve Caballero. Every part of the setup is made well and has a dragon motif throughout, so the function keeps up with the fashion. This complete is ideal for ages 5-12. The smaller size will help young ones find their balance and learn the basics and allows for progression and more advanced tricks. The deck is nice and poppy with good grip tape that provides excellent traction but isn't too grainy. The wheels and bearings for this skateboard are top quality. The wheels are pretty small, so they work best on smooth surfaces, but they are slightly softer and, therefore, less slick than the others of similar size. The bearings are good and maintain their speed well, giving the board a smooth ride that will help the rider build confidence as their legs grow. The Golden Dragon trucks are solid and reliable. They respond well while turning, even for those with less weight, and also grind smoothly on all suitable obstacles. 
The Powell Golden Dragon did show more signs of wear than the Baker or Element after enduring our testing process. This was likely due to having full-grown men riding a kid-sized board, which put more stress on it. However, the deck didn't crack or break. The fact that it felt less crisp after rigorous testing wasn't too surprising. The trucks were a bit tight initially, but any adjustments made to the kingpin &#40;the biggest and central bolt on the trucks&#41; were reflected immediately and made them more responsive. Like with all of the non-cruiser options, rougher asphalt will make for a bumpier ride, and the smaller wheels can get caught on rocks or cracks. But all in all, the Golden Dragon Complete is a professional quality setup and our top recommendation for kids who have a serious interest in skateboarding and a desire to not only ride but learn tricks as well.

The Powell Golden Dragon 3 is a great quality setup, similar to the Element or Baker. It's smaller in size, making it the best option for younger kids interested in learning tricks. This is a mini version of a signature model from legendary Powell pro Steve Caballero. Every part of the setup is made well and has a dragon motif throughout, so the function keeps up with the fashion. This complete is ideal for ages 5-12. The smaller size will help young ones find their balance and learn the basics and allows for progression and more advanced tricks. The deck is nice and poppy with good grip tape that provides excellent traction but isn't too grainy. The wheels and bearings for this skateboard are top quality. The wheels are pretty small, so they work best on smooth surfaces, but they are slightly softer and, therefore, less slick than the others of similar size. The bearings are good and maintain their speed well, giving the board a smooth ride that will help the rider build confidence as their legs grow. The Golden Dragon trucks are solid and reliable. They respond well while turning, even for those with less weight, and also grind smoothly on all suitable obstacles. 
The Powell Golden Dragon did show more signs of wear than the Baker or Element after enduring our testing process. This was likely due to having full-grown men riding a kid-sized board, which put more stress on it. However, the deck didn't crack or break. The fact that it felt less crisp after rigorous testing wasn't too surprising. The trucks were a bit tight initially, but any adjustments made to the kingpin &#40;the biggest and central bolt on the trucks&#41; were reflected immediately and made them more responsive. Like with all of the non-cruiser options, rougher asphalt will make for a bumpier ride, and the smaller wheels can get caught on rocks or cracks. But overall, the Golden Dragon Complete is a professional quality setup and our top recommendation for kids who have a serious interest in skateboarding and a desire to not only ride but learn tricks as well.

Budget Pick

yotpo

powerreviews

The Magneto Mini Cruiser is another versatile model and our favorite for use as transportation. Even though it's called a mini-cruiser, it's slightly bigger than the plastic cruisers we tested and has more options for use. This one has a larger deck of maple, with a longer wheelbase &#40;the space between the trucks&#41;, which allows for a wider stance and gives the rider more stability and control. The deck has a kick tail and a very short nose, increasing the maneuverability and allowing for some basic tricks. The top side has a clear sandy grit finish in place of grip tape, which shows off the wood grain underneath. The wheels are thick, soft, and wide, and the bearings are fast, enabling them to roll smoothly and maintain speed on any ground, whether concrete or asphalt. The soft wheels also grip the ground well, so even at high speeds, there's a lower likelihood of slipping out or losing control. The bearings on the Magneto Cruiser were among the best in our test group and were able to roll about 60 ft. from a single push. Similar to a longboard, the trucks on this cruiser are wider than the deck and stick out from the sides, but they respond well to any shift in weight and have an excellent turning radius. The Magneto cruiser also comes with an all-in-one skate tool to make adjustments or replace any parts. This cruiser is a lot of fun to ride and is a great option for anyone who's looking for something to get them from point A to B, but it also gives them the ability to ollie up curbs and do some simple tricks. 
While there isn't much to criticize about the Magneto Mini Cruiser, there were a few things that took some getting used to. The bushings in the trucks are very soft, which helps them to turn well, but they were so soft that it also made them somewhat sticky at first, causing the trucks to pull one way or the other, similar to a car that's out of alignment. This improves over time, but it caught one tester off guard when stepping on during one of the first rides and caused him to jump off and go for a tumble. The wide wheels also reduce the surface area of the hangars on the trucks, so while some tricks are possible, doing any grinds is not very likely. The gritty finish on top of the board has a very thick grain to it, much thicker than an average grip tape. So, while this does provide good traction when riding, one must be cautious when carrying this board, and it can easily tear through shoes if tricks are attempted. All in all, the pros greatly outweigh the cons with the Magneto Cruiser. If you're a kid or an adult looking chiefly to cruise around town, this is our recommendation for you.

The Magneto Mini Cruiser is another versatile model and our favorite for use as transportation. Even though it's called a mini-cruiser, it's slightly bigger than the plastic cruisers we tested and has more options for use. This one has a larger deck of maple, with a longer wheelbase &#40;the space between the trucks&#41;, which allows for a wider stance and gives the rider more stability and control. The deck has a kick tail and a very short nose, increasing the maneuverability and allowing for some basic tricks. The top side has a clear sandy grit finish in place of grip tape, which shows off the wood grain underneath. The wheels are thick, soft, and wide, and the bearings are fast, enabling them to roll smoothly and maintain speed on any ground, whether concrete or asphalt. The soft wheels also grip the ground well, so even at high speeds, there's a lower likelihood of slipping out or losing control. The bearings on the Magneto Cruiser were among the best in our test group and could roll about 60 ft. from a single push. Similar to a longboard, the trucks on this cruiser are wider than the deck and stick out from the sides, but they respond well to any shift in weight and have an excellent turning radius. The Magneto cruiser also comes with an all-in-one skate tool to make adjustments or replace any parts. This cruiser is a lot of fun to ride and is a great option for anyone looking for something to get them from point A to B, but it also gives them the ability to ollie up curbs and do some simple tricks. 
We didn't have many grips with the Magneto Mini Cruiser, but a few things took some getting used to. The bushings in the trucks are very soft, which helps them to turn well, but they were so soft that it also made them somewhat sticky at first, causing the trucks to pull one way or the other, similar to a car that's out of alignment. This improves over time, but it caught one tester off guard when stepping on during one of the first rides and caused him to jump off and go for a tumble. The wide wheels also reduce the surface area of the hangars on the trucks, so while some tricks are possible, doing any grinds is not very likely. The gritty finish on top of the board has a very thick grain, much thicker than an average grip tape. This provides good traction when riding, but you should be cautious when carrying this board, and it can easily tear through shoes if tricks are attempted. All in all, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. This is our recommendation for both kids and adults looking chiefly to cruise around town.

walmart

target

If you are looking for a solid board to start out, Element's Section Complete is a great choice and a great size for teens, kids, and some smaller adults. We found the high level of quality we have come to expect from Element, a well-respected and dependable brand in the skate industry for decades. Many brands that will sell completes that have generic parts and a respectable deck, but notably, this Element model has quality components in every piece. The trucks are responsive when turning, and they grind well on rails, ledges, or coping. The bearings roll quickly and maintain speed, while the 'all-terrain' wheels keep the ride pleasant and fluid. It comes with grip tape that keeps good traction when applied correctly without any air bubbles. Testers were also able to get a high level of pop out of the deck when doing tricks.
Our main complaint with the purchase of this Element complete is the incorrect deck size from what was advertised. We received a deck that was just 7.62" wide instead of the 8" width we expected. Though this size difference may seem minimal, to a veteran skater, your feet can feel a significant shift with just a quarter of an inch size difference in a deck. This board will be good for teens or kids due to its small size but might not be the right fit for an adult with larger feet or long limbs. The wheels on the board are a little slippery, too &mdash; due to their small and hard design, which could be good or bad depending on what style of skating you want to do. If you are in a skatepark or on a solid surface, they should work well, but if you're on the street where you might roll over rocks or a crack in the sidewalk, these aren't your best option and might get ensnared on those surfaces. Like all boards, it will begin to show wear and tear with use, and it is possible to snap it if you land on it wrong. All in all, it has great parts and a complete professional setup, so compared to others, it should hold up pretty well. The Element Section Complete is a great deck for new skaters to learn the foundations but is a suitable option for skaters of all skill levels.

If you are looking for a solid, complete board to start out, the Element Section is a great choice and a great size for teens, kids, and some smaller adults. We found the high level of quality we have come to expect from Element, a well-respected and dependable brand in the skate industry for decades. Many brands sell completes with a respectable deck and generic parts, but this Element model has quality components in every piece. The trucks are responsive when turning, and they grind well on rails, ledges, or coping. The bearings roll quickly and maintain speed, while the 'all-terrain' wheels keep the ride pleasant and fluid. It comes with grip tape that keeps good traction when applied correctly without any air bubbles. Testers could also get a high level of pop out of the deck when doing tricks.
Our main complaint with this Element complete is the incorrect deck size from what was advertised. We received a deck that was just 7.62" wide instead of the 8" width we expected. Though this size difference may seem minimal, a veteran skater can easily feel the difference in just a quarter of an inch size difference in a deck. This board will be good for teens or kids due to its small size but might not be the right fit for an adult with larger feet or long limbs. The wheels on the board are a little slippery, too &mdash; due to their small and hard design, which could be good or bad depending on what style of skating you want to do. If you are in a skatepark or on a solid surface, they should work well, but if you're on the street where you might roll over rocks or a crack in the sidewalk, these aren't your best option and might get ensnared on those surfaces. Like all boards, it will begin to show wear and tear with use, and it is possible to snap it if you land on it wrong. All in all, it has great parts and a complete professional setup, so compared to others, it should hold up pretty well. The Element Section Complete is a great deck for new skaters to learn the foundations but is a suitable option for skaters of all skill levels.

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