This is a comparison or description of most types of boards based on the experiences of a 48yo dad, my 15yo son, and my 9yo daughter (keeping within Amazon's 1000-word limit):
Skateboard - There are many tricks that can be done on skateboards, but we feel that casterboards are way more fun. The Soularc Skateboard has two curved decks (one on top of the other) for a springy carving feel. The Snakeboard had two independent platforms, but it's no longer made. The Streetboard has three decks (the outer ones pivot to propel you), and you can strap your feet onto it. The Alterskate uses a swivel mechanism to propel you and do tight spins. Longboards are longer and wider skateboards.
RipStik - Kind of like a skateboard but with two smaller decks connected by a "torsion bar," and with only two inline wheels which swivel 360 degrees on casters. It seems safer than a skateboard because it doesn't shoot out from under you very easily (it just flops over onto its side). The wheels wear down quickly (see "A note about the wheels" below), but it's WAY more fun than a skateboard! After a year I took apart the casters with a wrench and cleaned them, then discovered that you can't do this with a Wave Board, giving the RipStik a slight advantage over the Wave. The RipStik "G" has an aluminum tube for doing grinds. The RipStik DLX has the aluminum tube plus some design features for higher kick-flips and smoother landings.
Wave - Essentially the same as a RipStik. The Wave Ripple is narrower and shorter to fit younger kids. The ExBoard, X-Board, EssBoard, and VigorBoard appear to be different names for the Wave in different countries. The RollerSurfer is a skateboard deck cut in two, with a crossbar and two casterwheels, as a cross between a skateboard and a Wave.
WhipTide - Similar to a RipStik, but with four inline wheels. The crossbar bends up-down and side-to-side, unlike a RipStik. It does tighter spins than a RipStik, which are fun but can throw you off-balance if you're not careful. Different tricks are possible with the bendy crossbar, except that you can't lift one wheel off of the ground. There's a slight "wiggle" motion as you go faster. I'm more aggressive on the RipStik and Wave since they don't wiggle, but my daughter prefers the wiggle in the WhipTide because it makes her go faster. The Alive Board appears to be the British version of a WhipTide. The Hurricane Board appears to be a WhipTide but with only two inline wheels.
Xglider (Xlider) - It's actually two separate (unattached) decks, so it's a bit tricky to learn and easy to lose your balance or do the splits. However, this allows for different tricks and tighter spins than a RipStik. You can't set it down and step on and go, like with other casterboards. Instead, you set the decks onto the ground just right, then carefully step onto them one at a time, then go. Freeline Skates are similar, but the wheels aren't on casters and don't spin 360 degrees. The OrbitWheel has separate decks as well, but your feet are *inside* the wheels.
PowerWing - Younger kids seem to like it, and it has safer features than casterboards (three wheels for more stability, a handlebar to hold onto and steer with, and handlebar brakes). You face forward and move your hips side-to-side, but on casterboards you face sideways and use a twisting movement with your hips. The weight limit is 143 lbs, so it's not for older kids and adults. It's easy to lean back and flip over, but with practice this allows doing wheelies. Some PowerWings have two safety bars at the back to prevent flipping over. The Rip Rider 360 is similar, but with a big plastic wheel in front with pedals, and kids ride it sitting down. The Trikke and "Slider The Unscooter" are also three-wheeled, but with unique methods of propulsion.
Bladeboard - Similar to a RipStik, but the casters are designed differently. The videos look fun, but we were disappointed in it. We cleaned and lubricated the casters, and put in new bearings, but it still feels sluggish and noisy compared to the RipStik. Bladeboards don't appear to be manufactured anymore.
PumpRockr - A skateboard with one caster wheel in front. Feels sluggish and can't make tight turns like a casterboard can. The T-Board is a skateboard with two caster wheels, but not as maneuverable as the RipStik/Wave/WhipTide. The OBoard appears to be a PumpRockr.
Bottom line, based on our experiences: The RipStik and Wave are virtually identical. The RipStik, Wave, and WhipTide are our favorite boards which we use almost exclusively. The Xglider is fun, but harder to master. The PowerWing is fun for younger kids. The Bladeboard was disappointing. The PumpRockr is just as sluggish as a skateboard on a level street.
A note about the wheels:
Our Xglider wheels aren't worn down at all, so I took two Xglider wheels and put them on our RipStik, and put the worn-down RipStik wheels on our Xglider. As strange as it sounds, if I didn't know that the wheels were swapped then I might not have noticed any difference in the RipStik or the Xglider. The worn wheels don't really impair the ride on either board. After 20 minutes on the RipStik using the good Xglider wheels, the rear wheel had become worn flat! It's something about the RipStik and Wave which wears down the wheels, but they are still fun even when the wheels are worn down (until it becomes excessive). We use our WhipTide as much as our RipStik and Wave, but the WhipTide wheels don't show much wear.
For some videos of us playing a casterboard game that we invented, go to YouTube and search for "Caster Soccer" (four videos). Another fun game is playing "tag" on casterboards. You can't really do these things with most skateboards!
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