Mini cruiser skateboards are perfect for commuting and carving, offering a fun and agile ride in a compact package. Unlike larger longboards, mini cruisers are easy to carry around, making them ideal for navigating city streets or cruising along boardwalks. This guide dives into the best mini cruisers on the market, providing in-depth reviews and insights to help you choose the right board for your needs.
Best mini cruiser skateboards for commuting
Top Mini Cruiser Skateboards: Tested and Reviewed
This isn’t just a list of pros and cons; it’s based on personal testing and experience. While individual experiences may vary, the following boards have consistently impressed with their quality, performance, and fun factor.
1. Landyachtz Dinghy
The Landyachtz Dinghy is a top-tier mini cruiser known for its high-quality components and exceptional performance. As the smaller sibling to the Tug Boat, the Dinghy is meticulously crafted, making it a favorite among both seasoned and beginner cruisers. It excels straight out of the box, offering a responsive and enjoyable ride.
Landyachtz, a brand with decades of experience, is renowned for producing its own high-quality wheels and trucks. The Dinghy is designed for easy portability, with smaller versions even fitting into a backpack. It’s a perfect option for commuting, and some airlines allow it as a carry-on. Its compact wheelbase and 105mm trucks make it responsive, while its surprising stability allows for a comfortable ride.
Landyachtz Dinghy detailed view
Key Features of the Landyachtz Dinghy:
- Portability: Its 28.5″ size makes it ideal for commuting and carrying around.
- Versatility: The kicktail allows for tricks and navigating curbs.
- Smooth Ride: High-quality, soft wheels provide a comfortable ride on various surfaces.
- Responsive: The mellow concave makes the board very responsive and easy to control.
- Durable: Built with quality components for long-lasting use.
The Dinghy is versatile for cruising, carving, and even some basic tricks, though a regular skateboard is better for advanced tricks. While it might be pricier than some, its quality makes it a worthwhile investment.
Board (Deck):
The deck is made of 7-ply maple wood, known for its durability and stiffness. A mellow concave provides excellent grip, and wheel wells prevent wheel bite. The kicktail enhances its trick capabilities.
Trucks:
The Dinghy uses Landyachtz’s Polar Bear trucks, with reinforced axles. The 105mm trucks are responsive and well-suited for cruising. The baseplate offers options for both old and new school setups.
Wheels and Bearings:
The Dinghy features soft 78A, 63mm wheels, which glide smoothly over cracks and rocks. It also comes with Bear Spaceball bearings, which are protected by spacers to keep dirt and dust out.
Pros:
- Excellent quality and durability
- Smooth, silent, and fun to ride
- Suitable for both beginners and experienced riders
- Portable and easy to carry
Cons:
- May require tightening of trucks after some use
- Can be a bit pricey
Landyachtz Dinghy parts detail
2. Magneto Mini Cruiser (Budget)
The Magneto Mini Cruiser is a budget-friendly option for those looking to get started without breaking the bank. While it may not match the quality of the Landyachtz Dinghy, it still offers a decent cruising experience for the price.
The Magneto Mini Cruiser has a design similar to the Dinghy, but with a few compromises to keep the cost down. While the bearings may not be the best, they can be improved with silicone lube, or you could replace them for better performance.
Magneto mini cruiser
Key Features of the Magneto Mini Cruiser:
- Affordability: The most budget-friendly option on this list.
- Beginner-Friendly: Soft bushings and loose trucks make it easy to learn.
- Decent Ride: Suitable for casual cruising, despite its flaws.
The board’s main issue is that you need to push often to maintain speed. However, it’s still a good option for beginners and those new to cruising.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Suitable for beginners
- Has a similar look to higher-end models
Cons:
- Lower-quality bearings
- May require frequent pushing
- Potential for warped deck
Magneto cruiser side view
3. Arbor Oso (Old School Cruiser)
The Arbor Oso Foundation cruiser is a wider, old-school style board that’s great for beginners. It’s a high-quality board with great components. It offers a more stable and relaxed riding experience compared to the Dinghy or Magneto.
The Oso is wider and less nimble than some other options. This makes it a great board for those who may be heavier, taller or just looking for a more comfortable ride. The board is fast, stable, and handles various surfaces without issues.
Arbor dinghy and magneto cruisers
Key Features of the Arbor Oso:
- Stability: Wide deck and trucks provide a very stable ride.
- Beginner-Friendly: Forgiving and easy to balance on.
- High-Quality: Durable construction with premium components.
Specs:
- Length: 31.5″
- Width: 9.5″
- Wheelbase: 14.5″
- Concave: Radial – Medium Depth
- Griptape: Clear, Spray-On
- Wheels: 78A – 61mm – 36mm contact patch
- 7 Ply Maple Construction
Pros:
- Stable and comfortable
- Great for beginners and larger riders
- Fast and handles rough surfaces well
Cons:
- Can be harder to find in stock
- Less nimble than smaller boards
Arbor pilsner front view
Deck:
The Oso’s deck is wide, measuring at almost 10 inches, offering impressive stability. Its large kicktail is ideal for tricks and navigating obstacles.
Trucks:
The 169mm Paris trucks provide excellent stability but may need to be loosened for better maneuverability.
Wheels:
The original 58mm/80a wheels were a bit of a compromise, but the board now comes with softer Arbor Easy Rider wheels, offering a significant improvement for cruising.
Bearings:
The bearings are good for a complete setup, providing decent speed and performance.
Arbor Oso Foundation bottom view
4. Arbor Pilsner (Winner!)
The Arbor Pilsner is the top pick for the best mini cruiser. It combines top-quality Paris trucks, excellent wheels, and a slightly wider deck. It’s nimble, fast, and stable, making it a joy to ride.
The Pilsner is a fantastic board for experienced riders and beginners. It excels in speed, maneuverability, and stability.
Arbor Cruiser
Key Features of the Arbor Pilsner:
- Top-Quality Components: Features Paris trucks, and Arbor Easy Rider wheels.
- Performance: Fast, nimble, and stable.
- Versatile: Suitable for both cruising and carving.
Specs:
- Deck: 8.125″ x 28.75″
- Trucks: Paris Trucks
- Wheels: 61mm/78A Easyrider Bogart Wheels
- Bearings: ABEC 5 Bearings
- Wheelbase: 15″
- Clear Grip
Pros:
- Excellent overall performance
- Great for cruising and carving
- Durable and reliable
- Available in many colors/prints
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than the Dinghy
5. Comet Cruiser
The Comet Cruiser is not a traditional mini cruiser or a longboard, but rather a mid-size cruiser. It’s built with custom components from Comet, meaning you get high-quality parts.
The Comet Cruiser is fun for casual cruising but limited in terms of versatility. It features a flexible CNC deck, Powell Peralte Snakes wheels, and Venom SHR bushings.
Comet cruiser longboard
Key Features of the Comet Cruiser:
- Custom Components: High-quality, non-stock parts.
- Fun Ride: Good for casual cruising.
- Limited Versatility: Not ideal for tricks or varied riding styles.
Components:
- Powell Peralte Snakes – 69mm/77A Wheels
- Venom SHR bushings
- Zealous precision bearings
- Flexy CNC’d deck
- Paris trucks
Pros:
- Custom, quality components
- Fun to ride
Cons:
- Limited in versatility and stability
6. Globe Big Blazer (Best for Beginners)
The Globe Big Blazer is a fantastic option for beginners and taller or heavier riders. It’s a stable and fast board with a wider deck than most mini cruisers.
The Big Blazer is designed for comfort and stability. Although less agile than some smaller cruisers, it provides a smooth ride. It comes in various sizes with fun graphics.
Globe Big Blazer side
Key Features of the Globe Big Blazer:
- Beginner-Friendly: Great for those new to cruising.
- Stable: Wide deck provides excellent stability.
- Fun Design: Variety of graphics and color options.
Deck:
The Big Blazer features a low concave, angled kicktail, and a straight nose. Its shape is designed to help beginners maintain balance and stay on the board.
Trucks:
It comes with high-quality Tensor trucks that are wide, adding to the board’s stability.
Wheels:
The smooth 62mm, 78A wheels have a large contact patch for extra stability.
Pros:
- Very stable and comfortable
- Great for beginners
- High-quality Tensor trucks
- Fun designs and colors
Cons:
- Less agile than smaller cruisers
Globe Big Blazer bottom view
Globe Big Blazer trucks detail
Globe Big Blazer wheels detail
Globe Big Blazer vs Dinghy
7. Arbor Pocket Rocket
The Arbor Pocket Rocket is the most portable mini cruiser on this list. It’s compact enough to fit in an XL backpack and provides a fun, albeit challenging, ride.
The Pocket Rocket isn’t recommended for beginners due to its small size, but it’s great for experienced riders who value portability.
Arbor Pocket Rocket
Key Features of the Arbor Pocket Rocket:
- Portability: Extremely compact and lightweight.
- Mellow Concave: Offers some extra space for foot placement.
- Challenging: Not ideal for beginners.
Specs:
- Deck: kicktail, nose, mellow concave
- Length: 27″
- Width: 7.75″
- Wheelbase: 14″
- Trucks: Paris Street 108mm
- Arbor Easyrider: 61 mm /78A, 36 mm contact patch
- ABEC 5 Bearings with Spacers
Pros:
- Super portable and lightweight
- Fun for experienced riders
Cons:
- Not beginner-friendly
- Can be unstable due to its size
8. Santa Cruz Flame Dot Shark 28″
The Santa Cruz Flame Dot Shark is a stylish and high-performing mini cruiser, great for carving and portability.
This board has a unique design, with loose trucks and angled risers, making it a fun ride. However, it might not be suitable for beginners.
Santa Cruz cruiser skateboard
Key Features of the Santa Cruz Flame Dot Shark:
- Stylish Design: Unique and attractive appearance.
- Carvy: Great for carving with loose trucks and angled risers.
- Portable: Compact size makes it easy to carry.
Pros:
- Great for carving
- Stylish and portable
Cons:
- Not beginner-friendly
Santa Cruz Flame dot wheels
9. Custom Cruiser (Cheaper Option)
Building your own custom cruiser can be a more affordable alternative to buying a complete setup. By selecting your own components, you can create a board that suits your specific needs and riding style.
Key Features of a Custom Cruiser:
- Affordable: Can be cheaper than pre-built boards.
- Customizable: Tailor your board to your preferences.
- Versatile: Can be set up for both cruising and tricks.
Recommended Components for a Custom Cruiser:
- Deck: 8.5″ wide popsicle deck for stability (or 8.0″ for more agility).
- Wheels: OJ Super Juice 60mm/78A wheels for a smooth ride.
- Trucks: 149mm trucks (or 139mm for an 8.0″ deck).
- Bearings: Bones Reds bearings for reliability and speed.
- Additional: Griptape, skate tool and riser pads (if you use large wheels)
A custom setup allows you to fine-tune your board, ensuring it meets all your needs and budget.
Cheap cruiser skateboard
Custom cruiser trick skateboard setup
Essential Skate Tool
No matter which board you choose, a skate tool is essential for making adjustments. These boards might need some tuning out of the box to fit your preferences. Having a tool on hand will enable you to customize your ride with ease.
2 different skate tools
Check for skate tools on Amazon
Conclusion
Choosing the right mini cruiser depends on individual preferences, budget, and riding style. The boards listed here offer a variety of options for different skill levels.
Remember that practice is key to improving your riding skills. Regardless of your choice, protective gear is a must for safe and enjoyable skateboarding.
Ruben vee
Ruben Vee
Aged skateboarder and total gear geek.
