Search "skateboard" and you'll find plenty of boards that look the part but don't ride like one: soft plastic wheels that stop dead at a sidewalk crack, particle-board decks, and parts you can't replace. A real skateboard is a different thing, and buying one doesn't have to be complicated.
That's what our ready-to-ride skateboards are for. Every one is a real skateboard from a real skate brand, assembled at the factory, so it shows up ready to roll. Here's how to pick the right one, whether it's your first board or you're buying for someone else.
What Is a Prebuilt Skateboard?
A prebuilt (or factory-assembled) complete is a skateboard that's built by the brand and ships ready to ride: deck, griptape, trucks, wheels, bearings, and hardware, all put together. There's nothing to set up and no extra parts to buy.
Those are different from custom completes, where you pick each part and the board ships in pieces, and from incomplete kits, which come boxed with a tool so you can build your own. On our site, if a board is photographed assembled, it arrives ready to ride. If it's photographed in pieces, it arrives with assembly required (and we do offer in-house assembly for those, too).
What Makes It a Real Skateboard
- A maple deck. Most decks are 7-ply maple, pressed for strength and pop.
- Metal trucks. Aluminum trucks with steel axles that turn smoothly and hold up.
- Urethane wheels. Real skate wheels in a hardness made for how you'll ride (more on that below).
- Real bearings and griptape. Bearings that spin freely, and grip that keeps your feet planted.
Every board in our prebuilt collection checks those boxes, from a brand that makes skateboards for skateboarders.
Pick the Right Size
For a first board, deck width matters most. Length and wheelbase matter more once you get into the details of how a board feels, but width alone will get you to the right board.
| Size | Width | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | 6.0" to 6.75" | The youngest and smallest riders |
| Mini | 7.0" to 7.25" | Younger kids and smaller riders |
| Mid | 7.5" to 7.75" | Older kids and smaller teens |
| Full | 8.0" to 8.5" | Teens and adults |
When in doubt, go by shoe size and comfort: smaller feet fit narrower boards, and bigger feet want a wider platform. Some brands size their boards by age and height, like Tricks, whose Midi boards are for kids 5 to 12 and Maxi boards are for riders 5' and over. For more detail, see our sizing guide.
Pick the Right Type of Board
| Type | What It Is | Look At |
|---|---|---|
| Standard skateboard | The classic popsicle shape with a nose and tail, made for learning, street, and park | Baker, Blind, World Industries, Meow, Birdhouse |
| Soft top | A soft foam top instead of griptape, easier on knees, hands, and feet, and made for kids | Blind, Meow, World Industries, Enjoi, Push, Tricks |
| Cork top | A barefoot-friendly cork surface instead of griptape | Tricks |
| Micro and mini cruiser | Small boards for the littlest riders, and a blast for adults too | Sk8 Mafia, Powell Peralta mini cruisers |
| Cruiser | Soft wheels and easy-turning shapes for getting around town | Santa Cruz |
| Old school and shaped | Wide, stable shaped decks for pools, ramps, and carving | Santa Cruz |
| Sidewalk Surfer and surf skate | Surf-inspired boards for carving the pavement | Powell Peralta Sidewalk Surfer, Santa Cruz surf skates |
Wheels: Soft or Hard?
| Hardness | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 78A to 83A | Soft, smooth, and quiet | Cruising and rough sidewalks |
| 85A to 92A | Softer side, grippy and forgiving | Newer and smaller skaters |
| 95A to 97A | Middle ground | A bit of everything |
| 99A to 101A | Hard and fast | Smooth street and skatepark surfaces |
Every prebuilt product page lists its wheel size and hardness. Want the full breakdown? Read our skateboard wheels guide.
Shop by Brand
- Powell Peralta: Classic graphics like the Ripper and Caballero dragon, with Bones Reds bearings, in standard boards, mini cruisers, and the Sidewalk Surfer
- Santa Cruz: One of the original skateboard companies, with standard completes, cruisers, old school shapes, and surf skates
- Push: Completes in a wide range of sizes, including soft tops, Make Life Skate Life boards, and incomplete kits
- World Industries: Founded in 1987 by Steve Rocco and Rodney Mullen, with Flameboy, Wet Willy, and Devilman
- Baker: Founded by Andrew Reynolds, with no-nonsense logo boards
- Blind: Classic Reaper graphics, including soft top minis
- Meow: Fun, creative boards supporting the female skate community
- Birdhouse: Tony Hawk and Lizzie Armanto graphics
- Enjoi: The Whitey Panda, including soft top minis
- Tricks: Regular-width boards sized shorter so kids ride proportionately, with foam and cork tops
- Sk8 Mafia: Standard completes, micros, and a mini cruiser
- Zoo York: New York classics like the OG 95 Crackerjack
- Plan B: Boards made from wood from Canadian forest conservation areas
One Tool Worth Having
A prebuilt shows up ready to ride, but a skate tool lets you loosen or tighten the trucks to your liking and keep everything snug as you skate. Our TGM T-Tool covers it.
FAQ
Do prebuilt skateboards come assembled?
Yes. They're assembled at the factory and arrive ready to ride, with no tools or setup needed.
What size skateboard should I get?
Go by width. Micro (6.0" to 6.75") and Mini (7.0" to 7.25") boards fit the youngest riders, Mid (7.5" to 7.75") fits older kids and smaller teens, and Full (8.0" and up) fits teens and adults.
Are prebuilt skateboards good for beginners?
Yes. They're built with real components and set up to be easy to ride, which makes them a great first board. Plenty of experienced skaters ride them too.
What's a soft top skateboard?
A board with a soft foam top instead of griptape. It's easier on knees, hands, and feet, which makes it a great pick for kids.
What's the difference between a prebuilt and a custom complete?
A prebuilt is assembled by the brand and arrives ready to ride. A custom complete lets you choose every part and ships unassembled, unless you add assembly.
Ready to roll? Shop all ready-to-ride skateboards, or browse every skateboard complete we carry.