The Best Electric Running Boards

What Are Electric Running Boards?

Electric running boards, also known as retractable, power-retractable, or electric retractable running boards, are a modern innovation in side step technology. Though power-retractable steps were patented back in 2000, these products didn’t experience massive aftermarket popularity until the 2010s. However, once word got out and manufacturers like RealTruck’s AMP Research® expanded, power-retractable running boards became one of the hottest accessories on the market. 

These innovative steps utilize one or two electric motors, hinged brackets, and wiring harnesses to mount to a vehicle’s chassis and interface with its electrical system. Electric running boards tuck tightly against the rocker panels with the doors closed. When you or a passenger opens a door, the boards automatically deploy for a solid step-up into the cab.

Electric Running Board Benefits

So, aside from the cool factor, what are the key benefits of electric running boards compared to a conventional fixed-position side step?

Clearance

First, let’s talk about clearance, Clarence. Ground clearance is king while trekking off-road, reducing the risk of rubbing, scrubbing, and hanging up on obstacles. Unfortunately for the conventional running board and nerf bar users, these accessories substantially lower the height of a vehicle’s rocker panels. Though fixed steps offer moderate rocker protection, they also significantly decrease ground clearance, directly impacting off-road performance. 

Alternatively, electric running boards maintain nearly factory levels of ground clearance while retracted, ensuring maximum clearance over even the trickiest, most challenging off-road obstacles.

Styling

Next, let’s discuss styling. While lustrous, chrome-plated tubular nerf bars were all the rage at the beginning of the century, we’re nearly a quarter through the 2000s. Times are changing, and loud, in-your-face styling is giving way to subtle, sleek aesthetics. Electric running boards perfectly fit into this new trend, practically disappearing from view while retracted to retain the flow of factory body lines and design elements. 

Improved Accessibility

Lastly, let’s talk about functionality. Whereas traditional fixed-position side steps face placement limitations, i.e., requiring low enough positioning to offer solid assistance in the cab but high enough positioning for tidy aesthetics, electric running boards do not. Electric running boards can tuck as tightly to the cab as desired while retracted and stretch as low as desired while deployed, offering up to 12 inches of drop on some applications. This enhanced drop, paired with extra-wide, cab-length step treads, makes accessing even the tallest cabs a breeze.

Best Electric Running Boards

With the what and why of electric running boards covered, let’s get into our experts’ top picks. This section covers the best electric running boards for trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs, offering exceptional build quality, performance, and styling. 

AMP Research PowerStep™

As the original power-retractable running boards, AMP Research—a RealTruck brand—has more stake in the electric running boards claim than any other manufacturer. Offering unmatched build quality, reliable construction, and RealTruck’s impressive customer support, AMP Research PowerSteps are tough to beat. 

These premium electric running boards feature high-quality electric motors, robust die-cast aluminum construction with a military-grade PTFE (Teflon) coating, corrosion-resistant stainless steel hinge pins, and an extra-wide, textured, non-slip step tread for unmatched accessibility. 

AMP Research PowerSteps come backed by a 5-year warranty. 

Features: 

• The original power-retractable running boards

• Premium, single-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards

• Corrosion-resistant die-cast aluminum construction

• Military-grade black PTFE coating

• 6-inch wide, cab-length steps

• Textured, slip-resistant step surface

• Low-profile integrated LED courtesy lights

• Includes vehicle-specific installation guide and mount kit

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

• Newer applications connect to the OBDII port via a plug-n-play module

• 5-year limited warranty

Go Rhino E1 Electric Running Boards

New to the electric running board game but not new to the industry, Go Rhino—a RealTruck brand—debuts its impressive E1 Electric Running Boards. These heavy-duty running boards feature standard dual electric motors per side for unmatched torque, preventing freezing and gumming up due to excessive caked-on mud and debris. 

Rugged aluminum construction ensures maximum durability, while your choice of a textured black powder coat or protective bed liner coating offers superior traction and corrosion resistance. 

Other standout features include innovative magnetically-activated door switches, integrated LED courtesy lights, and a limited-lifetime structural warranty. 

Features: 

• Rugged dual-motor design

• Lightweight and corrosion-resistant aluminum construction

• Offered with a textured black powder coat or protective bed liner coating

• Large 6-in. step surface runs the length of the board

• Raised ribbed treading offers a non-slip step surface

• LED-powered courtesy light kit

• Convenient interior bypass switch for manual override

• Includes an easy-to-follow install guide and full-mount kit

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

• Magnetically activated door switches activate when the door opens or closes

• Limited lifetime structural | 5-year finish warranty

AMP Research PowerStep™ Vision

As the newest entry in the AMP Research PowerStep lineup, the all-new PowerStep Vision pulls out all the stops. These technologically advanced electric running boards pack all the same features as the classic PowerStep—including die-cast aluminum construction, a single-motor design, and automatic operation—with some exciting new twists. 

First, the AMP PowerStep Vision features integrated LED Glow Lighting built into each board. Offering a full spectrum of RGB LED lighting, the AMP PowerStep Vision’s integrated lighting makes for a truly unique appearance. When deployed, this illumination operated at full power for maximum visibility. While retracted, it returns to a dim glow for safe, stylish accent lighting. 

Additionally, AMP Research PowerStep Vision offers full smartphone connectivity. After downloading the AMP Research Smart Series smartphone app, available for iOS and Android, seamlessly control your AMP steps wirelessly through the app. 

Like all AMP steps, the PowerStep Vision comes backed by a 5-year warranty. 

Features: 

• Power-retractable illuminated smart running boards

• Full-length LED Glow Light seamlessly integrated into each board

• Lights operate at full power when deployed, then dim once retracted for sleek, color-changing accent light functionality

• Integrated remote operation with AMP Research Smart Series smartphone app (iOS and Android)

• Premium, single-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards

• Corrosion-resistant cast-aluminum construction for strength and durability

• Anodized finish with military-grade PTFE coating

• Extra-wide, non-slip 6-in. step surface runs the length of the cab

• Comes with AMP's classic LED courtesy lights

• Includes vehicle-specific installation guide and mount kit

• Sturdy, rocker-panel-mounted brackets

• Simple plug-n-play integration using the OBDII module

• 5-year limited warranty

Ionic Electric Running Boards

For entry-level pricing with premium features, check out the Ionic Electric Running Boards. These premium steps include every feature most would ever want or need, including high-strength aluminum construction, standard dual electric motors, and easy-to-install magnetic door switches. 

Non-slip, 6-in. wide running boards offer quick and efficient entry into the cab, preventing slips, falls, and injury in any weather conditions. Ionic’s integrated safety stop system offers additional protection, automatically halting the boards if an obstruction is detected while retracting or deploying. 

Ionic Electric Running Boards come backed by a limited 1-year warranty. 

Features: 

• Electric-powered side steps 

• High-strength aluminum construction supports 

• 600 lbs. weight capacity per side (for 4 door-vehicle)

• Standard dual-motor technology

• Easy-to-install, magnetically activated door switches

• Durable, non-slip, 6-in. wide step board 

• Integrated safety-stop system 

• Limited 1-year warranty

AMP Research PowerStep™ XL

For those extra-tall applications, check out the AMP Research PowerStep XL. These premium electric running boards offer the lowest deployment of any power-retractable steps on the market, extending four inches lower than the original PowerStep. 

Unlike other electric running boards, the PowerStep XL features an integrated central rail tucked tightly against the cab. This rail serves two vital functions. First, it helps to house the retractable board. Second, this rail offers exceptional rocker protection, preventing unsightly chips, dings, and scratches on your vehicle’s painted running boards. 

The AMP Research PowerStep XL comes backed by a limited 5-year warranty.  

Features: 

• Lowest deployed power-retractable running boards

• XL boards extend four inches lower than the original PowerStep

• Premium, single-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards

• Corrosion-resistant cast aluminum construction

• Anodized, then finished with a military-grade PTFE coating

• 6-inch wide, cab-length step area

• Textured, slip-resistant step surface

• Integrated LED lighting illuminated steps for safe entry

• Includes vehicle-specific installation guide, mount kit, and hardware

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

• Connects to OBDII port using patented plug-n-play module.

• 5-year limited warranty