How They Ride and Who They’re For

What is a penny skateboard, and how does it compare?
A penny board is a small, lightweight cruiser with a flexible plastic deck built for short rides and portability. A traditional skateboard is designed for every trick, street skating, and park riding, while longboard skateboards deliver a smoother ride with a larger deck and bigger wheels for distance and stability. The right board depends on your skill level and how you want to ride.

The Real Difference, Fast

If you’re comparing skateboard vs longboard vs penny board, here’s the breakdown:

• Penny board

  • Ultra compact size for travel and tight spaces
  • Flexible plastic construction
  • Best for short, casual cruising
    
    

• Skateboard

  • Includes standard skateboards and skateboard completes
  • Built for ollies, flip tricks, and advanced tricks
  • Ideal for skate park, street, and technical riding
    
    

• Longboard Skateboards

  • Larger deck for stability
  • Larger wheel setups for speed and comfort
  • Best for cruising, carving, and longer distances

What Is a Penny Board?

A Penny board is the grab-and-go cruiser you keep by the door. Short, lightweight, and built with a flexible plastic deck, it’s made for rolling, not flipping. Most come in a compact 22” or slightly longer 27” shape, with a textured waffle-top feel underfoot and softer wheels that smooth out cracks and rough pavement. It’s a durable, easy-riding alternative to a traditional skateboard, built for quick missions and everyday cruising.

Quick reality check. “Penny board” started as a specific brand founded in Australia in 2010 by Ben Mackay. Since then, the name stuck, and now it’s often used to describe any small plastic mini-cruiser, no matter who makes it. Same shape, same vibe, different label.

Photo by: Connor Scott McManus

How It Rides

• Quick and nimble in tight spaces
• Handles cracks and bumps better than a regular skateboard, thanks to softer wheels
• Less stable at speed due to its small size

Best For

• Short commutes
• Travel and portability
• Casual cruising

Tradeoffs

• Limited for any serious trick riding
• Not ideal for beginners seeking stability

What Is a Skateboard?

A traditional skateboard is the most versatile and progression-focused option.

How It Rides

• Responsive and precise
• Designed for ollies, flip tricks, and advanced tricks
• Uses harder wheels for speed and slides on smooth surfaces

Best For

• Street skating and ledges
• Skate park sessions and transitions
• Riders progressing from beginner to advanced

Tradeoffs

• Rougher ride over cracks and uneven pavement
• Requires more balance early on

What Is a Longboard Skateboard?

A longboard is built for flow and distance.

How It Rides

• Stable, smooth, and forgiving
• Bigger wheels roll easily over rough surfaces
• Delivers a noticeably smoother ride than other setups

Best For

• Cruising and carving
• Commuting longer distances
• Riders who want comfort over tricks

Tradeoffs

• Less portable than a compact-sized board
• Not designed for technical skate tricks

Penny Board vs Skateboard vs Longboard

How to Choose the Right Board

Use this quick filter:

• Choose a penny board if you want:

  • Maximum portability
  • A fun cruiser for short rides
  • Something easy to carry anywhere
    
    

• Choose a standard skateboard if you want:

  • To learn tricks like ollies
  • A board for park riding and street
  • A setup that scales with your skill level
    
    

• Choose a longboard if you want:

  • The highest quality ride feel for cruising
  • Stability and comfort
  • A board for longer distances

Final Take

This isn’t just penny vs skateboard or penny vs longboard. It’s about how you want to move.

• Quick and compact
• Technical and reactive
• Smooth and flowing

Find your rhythm, pick the right size, and roll. 🛹

Take the quiz below to find the perfect board!