When looking to buy the best cheap skateboard ramp, there are many variables you should keep in mind. There are different types of ramps meant for different styles of skateboarding and tricks.
You must also consider how much room you have in your driveway (or backyard) and if you will need to be moving the ramp frequently out of the way of cars or due to bad weather.
You should also think about what you can do with the ramp in the future as you get better and learn more complex tricks. Some ramps can be combined with others to build larger ramp setups or can be used in a fun line of ramps, rails, and gaps.
Building vs. Buying a Skateboard Ramp
When searching the internet for skateboard ramps, you have probably come across “ramp plans” for sale. These blueprints allow you to build your own ramps or halfpipes.
I will caution you about building your own ramps though, as I have tried myself but found wood and metal prices to be much higher than expected.
Also for quarter pipes, halfpipes, or other ramps with concavity, it is incredibly difficult to cut the perfect curve that is smooth and consistent on both sides.
If you have a carpentry background or are a contractor by trade, I say “Go for it!”. Otherwise, I recommend you buy already build ramps or kits with all the wood precut and measured. They will be much more sturdy and a better long-term investment.
Types of Skateboard Ramps
Wedge Ramps
Wedge ramps are the simplest type of skateboard ramp and are typically the most common driveway ramp.
They are typically relatively small (less than 2 feet) and don’t have much concave.
Wedge ramps can be plastic, wooden, metal, or a composite “Skatelite” type material.
Don’t really worry too much about the material, except keep in mind that metal ramps can get very hot in the summer and plastic ramps can get very slippery when wet … (but who skates in the rain, anyway?)
They are great for beginners and driveway skaters and can be paired with rails, boxes, and other larger ramps as your skill level improves.
Wedge ramps are a great addition to any line as they are very portable and “flow” nicely. A good example of a line that can be created with a wedge ramp would be a Quarter Pipe than a small wedge and then a rail on a long driveway.
But the possibilities are really endless with wedge ramps.
Launch Ramps
Sometimes also called “kicker ramps”, launch ramps are pretty similar to wedge ramps, except that they more concave.
This additional concave allows a skater to maximize the air time they get and allows them to practice grabs and other tricks that are typically difficult to do on regular wedge ramps.
Similar to wedge ramps, launch ramps can be made of almost any material and can be paired with other boxes, ledges, rails, or ramps.
Launch ramps are great for intermediate skaters who want to get a little more air to experiment with more advanced tricks and grabs.
Skateboard Fun Boxes
Fun Boxes are typically two kicker or wedge ramps connected with a box in between.
Sometimes grind boxes or rails are added to them or more ramps on all four angles makes a skateboard pyramid setup. The rail on this specific funbox is galvanized to allow for easy sliding and little wear to trucks.
The great thing about fun boxes is that they are fully customizable and can accommodate all skill levels.
Beginners can have fun just riding across the box and trying to keep a manual, while an advanced skater can perform flip tricks over the entire midsection. Fun boxes can either be purchased or built with other ramps and boxes.
Quarter Pipe Ramps
Quarter pipes are another extremely common home skateboard ramp type.
They are cheaper and more accessible than half pipes and are sold by a variety of brands.
Quarter pipes can be skated a ton of different ways. They can be a great way to gain speed at the beginning of a line or there are hundreds of stalls and airs that can be done my all skill levels on coping (piping at the top) of them.
Tip: A Skateboard “Spine” ramp is when you place two quarter pipes back-to-back of each other.
Half Pipes
Halfpipes are traditionally what people think of when they hear about “skateboard ramps”. They consist of two quarter pipes connected with a flat bottom portion.
These are the ramps that old-school “vert” skater’s used to love back in the day, and they have regained popularity among today’s youth.
Half pipes can be quite expensive, but they are great for the ultimate skater’s dream basement or backyard due to their size requirements and flexibility.
Half pipes are typically made of wood or a wood-like composite material and they are pretty much immobile due to their size and weight. Today, many half pipes are for sale online and can be delivered right to your house and assembled for you.
Best Skateboard Ramps
1. Landwave Skateboard Ramps
(2 Pack, Starter Kit, Driveway Kit, 4-sided kit)
Landwave skateboard ramps are the legos of ramp building.
The ramps themselves are super durable and are all-weather resistant. But the real draw of these ramps is their compatibility.
As you probably know, skateboarding is all about pushing limits, creativity, and trying new things. With these ramps and boxes, you can build any setup your want and easily change, adjust, alter and experiment.
I was hesitant at first about the stability of these ramps when stacked and connected, but after creating a large bank ramp with 6 of these ramps I can assure you that you can’t even tell when there are multiple pieces connected. Landwave ramps are great for beginner skaters and anyone who want to continually test and try new combinations and configurations.
Pros
- Great Price
- Excellent Brand Reputation
- No Assembly Required
- Weather Resistant
- Beginner Friendly
- Endless Possible Setups and Combinations
Cons
- Sometimes Difficult to Detach After Being Connected
- Plastic Ramps Get Slippery When Wet
2. Kryptonics Micro Pyramid Ramp
Fun little launch ramp that’s the perfect size for little skateboarders (and just young boarders). The lower height is ideal for those just starting to learn how to skateboard and it allows for easy transitions from the ground to the ramp.
Definitely more for beginners due to its size, but the concave of the ramp allows skaters to get more air than with an ordinary wedge ramp. A great driveway ramp that can be combined with rails, grind boxes, or in other setups.
This ramp features a textured riding surface (to prevent your board wheels from slipping on the ramp, and rubber feet to prevent the ramp from slipping along the driveway.
Pros
- Versatility with 4 directions of approach
- Very Portable and Tons of Potential Variations of Lines and Combinations
Cons
- Plastic may not be durable enough for long-term use
3. Graw Jump Ramps G20 for Skateboard, Bikes, Rollers, RC Cars
An awesome little traditional ramp for just about any level of skill. This 9.8″ tall ramp is made of fifteen layers of curved plywood. The wood is Birch and Poplar and it’s the lightest model from the Graw brand. By the way, Graw is an Italian brand founded in 1984.
The board itself is super easy to transport. It does need some assembly of the base plate but the screws and hex key are included and that’s a one-time thing (other than tightening potentially).
As far as size (I want to know this) it’s 33.5″ long, x 15.7″ wide x 9.8″ tall and it weighs 8.8 lbs.
You can use this ramp for BMX bikes, Mountain bikes, inline skates, scooters, RC toys, and of course, skateboarding!
Actually, anything you can think of can be launched off of this sturdy platform which, by the way, is made even sturdier and more stable by the rubber pads on the short steep side to help stability on uneven or slick surfaces.
Pros
- Very Versatile, Can Be Used in Many Lines and Combinations
- Great Height for Beginners
- Ramp Angle Perfect for Airs and Grabs
- Weatherproof
- Combo Set of (2) Launch Ramps and a Connecting Table Top
- 1 Year Warranty
Cons
- Ramps Sometimes Slide When Skated Aggressively
- Too Small for Older or More Advanced Skaters
4. FreshPark 4-Foot Quarter Pipe
At over $500 this ramp is not for the cash-strapped beginner skater. It’s a serious piece of hardware made from 10-gauge cold-rolled steel tubing and 33-inch tall (legs). It measures 47″ x 33″ x 10″ and can support up to 500 pounds.
It’s foldable (into a funky, little triangle) and portable (if you can call 157 lbs portable!) and it even comes with a narrow top platform for grinding. The weatherproof urethane/ABS riding surface won’t splinter, rot or warp.
This quarter pipe is designed to attach to all FreshPark pads and ramps so you can expand indefinitely as your bank account allows.
Lots of buyers use this ramp for BMX biking, so you know it’s durable and sturdy.
Pros
- Excellent, Professional Skatepark Quality Ramp
- Very Easy Assembly
- Very Reputable Ramp/Rail Company
- Perfectly Measured and Smooth Concave
Cons
- 157 pounds heavy!!!
- High Price (“You Get What You Pay For”)
5. Ramptech Kicker XL
This ramp, we’re proud to say, is made in the USA and not just “designed in the USA” but made in Zhejiang Province. This ramp is precision-made to exacting specifications and it’s built with nearly indestructible ABS plastic (top) and HDO (side panels).
It includes steel coping to add to the durability. We like the fact that this ramp has no varnished wood that will eventually wear and splinter or worse – unprotected plywood like a typical homemade ramp.
The unit includes portable casters for ease of transport and comes with the dimensions of 54″ long” x 24″ wide x 24″ tall.
Pros
- Endless Combinations and Setups for All Skill Levels
- Super Durable Steel Frame
- Easy to Assemble and Move
Cons
- Wood May Warp Slightly if Left in Poor Weather Conditions
- High Price
6. Ramptech 2′ Tall x 4′ Wide QUARTERPIPE Skateboard Ramp
Here’s a super high-quality treated wooden quarter pipe that’s available in a 2′,3′, and 4′ version. This is a very sturdy ramp, however, assembly is required and that may turn some people off.
However, you could easily find someone on Craigslist to assemble it for $20 if absolutely necessary. A sturdy ramp built for the long term.
Pros
- Weather Resistant Treated Wood Surface
- Sturdy Coping and Metal Bottom Edge for a Smooth Transition
- Can be Combined to Build a Half Pipe or Just a Long Quarter Pipe
- Portable
Cons
- Some Assembly Required
7. OC Ramps 3′ x 4′ Foot Quarterpipe
Don’t quite have the budget for the OC Halfpipe listed above? You’re not the only one, that why OC Ramps sells a quarter pipe version of the ramp. It’s much more mobile, cost-effective and if you buy two you can configure it to be a half-pipe for a much lower price.
Pros
- High-Quality Wood Construction
- Very Stable and Smooth
- Galvanized Coping for Better Grinds and Slides
- Skatelite Pro Surface Available for Additional Fee ($200)
Cons
- Assembly Required (although much less than for the halfpipe)
- High Shipping Cost Due to Size and Weight
8. Mojo Rails Sky Ramp (green)
This simply-constructed ramp is made from welded steel and a powder-coated finish. The surface of the ramp is Polypropylene, so it’s tough and durable, and it’s pretty easy to assemble.
The Allen screws tend to get surface rust soon after the first rain, but you can prevent that with a tiny dab of vaseline, motor oil, bearing grease, or even WD-40.
Pros
- Very Durable construction and skate surface
- Perfect Height and Slope for Intermediate and Advanced Skaters
- Lasts well outdoors other than surface rust on screw heads
Cons
- Steep price
- Assembly Required
- No bottom rubber grips for stability
9. OC Ramps Halfpipe Ramp – 8 Feet Wide
Here’s the ultimate product for any boarder looking for a ramp or home accessory to build skills and have fun! It’s also the most expensive, but you’re getting what you pay for relatively speaking.
This is an actual half-pipe instead of a little ramp or even an upgraded “quarter pipe”. Everything is pre-cut and pre-drilled so no worries about assembly. It comes with full instructions and photos too.
The rust-proof screws are a nice touch for the sake of aesthetics, and the galvanized metal parts also contribute to overall looks by not rusting!
Pros
- Easy Assembly
- Perfectly Measured Concave and Very Smooth Surface
- Professional, Skatepark Quality
Cons
- Some Assembly is Required
- Difficult to Move After its Been Assembled and Placed
10. Ten-Eighty Micro Flybox Launch Ramp Set Review
Perfect beginner driveway ramp. It’s very reasonably priced and allows for tons of customization and flexibility in potential combinations and obstacle setups. Heavy-duty plastic holds up well in all weather conditions and very easy to move.
The ramp has some issues with sliding when used alone, however, when combined with other obstacles this becomes less of an issue.
Only Want the Launch Ramp? Check it out HERE!
Pros
- Very Affordable Price
- Perfect for Younger Children and Beginner Skaters
- Tons of Possible Creative Combinations and Setups
Cons
- Maybe Too Small for More Advanced Skaters
- When a Single Ramp is Used Alone it May Slide Around When Skated
- Box Cannot be Skated Alone
- Ramp Becomes Very Slippery and Potentially Dangerous When Wet
The Verdict
Tons of great options on the market today in all types of ramps depending on your skill level, budget, and goals.
My personal recommendations for beginners would be the Landwave Skateboard Ramps due to the low price, great reputation, and ability to expand with additional ramps.
For intermediates, I recommend either the Mojo Quarter Pipe or the OC Ramps 3′ by 4′ Quarter Pipe as they are very versatile and there are hundreds of ways they can be skated and used.
For the most advanced and serious skaters, I recommend either the Professional Mini Ramp Half Pipe or the Mojo Port A Park due to the number of advanced tricks that can be done on these ramps.