Is a Razor Electric Scooter Worth the Money?

(Hint: We’ve got some great alternative suggestions!)

Verdict: No, consider buying an affordable kids’ scooter from a reputable electric scooter maker like Gotrax or Segway.

If you’re shopping for an electric scooter for kids, Razor might be the first name that comes to mind. But scooters have come a long way since the 90s when Razors first became popular. And electric scooters have especially evolved in the last few years.

Razor electric scooters, on the other hand, haven’t come so far, as the playfully retro look of the Razor Icon (top) might suggest. The fun design of this nostalgic scooter is a throwback to kick scooters of the company’s past, with the skateboard wheels replaced by large solid rubber ones. But this scooter is made for adults.

When it comes to kids scooters, Razor has new models like the E90 and E100 for youngsters age 8 and above. Their beginner scooters range in price from around $169 to $229, and they appeal to parents because they are some of the most inexpensive models on the market and come from an established brand.

However, Razor scooters for kids do not compare well to other electric scooters for kids that offer more value for the same money. The E100, for example, is a very popular Razor kids scooter. It comes in different colors and lighting packages, but the base model Razor E100 weighs nearly 30 lb, takes 12 hours to charge, travels 7 miles, and achieves a top speed of 10 mph.

If 30 lb sounds heavy for a kids scooter, consider that the brightly colored Razor Power Core E90, a scooter designed for ages 8 and up, weighs almost 50 pounds. This scooter also achieves a claimed maximum speed of up to 10 mph and promises “up to 40 mins” of battery life for a MSRP of $209.00.

For the price, it’s possible to do much better than these bulky, heavy Razors with their long battery charging times.

While Razor kids scooters get fair reviews from purchasers, we think there are much better alternatives out there from brands like Gotrax and Segway.

In many cases, these electric scooters are smaller, slightly less powerful versions of the adult scooters their older sibs and parents ride, giving kids the option of upgrading to a larger scooter with the same high quality, good looks, and simple controls as they age up.

Additionally, these scooters are made with higher quality parts and materials and have better warranty coverage. Their prices are competitive with Razor’s kids scooters, or even better, and their quality and coverage are superior.

We’ve been particularly impressed at Rider Guide with the quality and value of Gotrax electric scooters for adults. For kids on the youngest end of the age range, around 7 or 8, we’d recommend their GKS scooter, which cruises along at around 7 mph and gets around 6 miles of range.

The max speed and range of the GKS are no more than a small child needs. The scooter also weighs a mere 17 lb., costs only $100, and takes just 5 hours to fully charge. Taller kids and those with a need for more speed can step up to the GKS Pro, with a top speed of 9 mph and a larger frame for $149.

For older kids, we’d recommend the G2 Plus, a smaller version of the adult G3 Plus (more on that scooter below). With a 200W motor, the G2 Plus can reach speeds of up to 12 mph – compared to the Razor E100’s max speed of 10 mph.

The G2 Plus has a range of around 7 miles, weights 21 lb. and charges in 5 hours. It goes for $199, with refurbished scooters selling for $149.

Segway has become as famous for their electric scooters as Razor became for its kids’ kick scooters. They’re known as Segway Ninebot now, and they make electric scooters for everyone, from small kids to electric scooter racing pros.

For kids ages 6-14, we’d recommend Segway Ninebot’s line of kids’ scooters, which range in size and motor power depending on the rider’s height.

A direct competitor to the Razor E100 in term of price, these scooters reach speeds of around 9 mph, have a front shock absorber, and weigh just under 18 lb. They’re about the same price as the Razor E100, around $229 from Amazon.

Verdict: No, consider alternatives from better brands with superior build quality, specs, and service and support.

The retro-looking Razor Icon costs $599, the same price as one of our highest rated budget commuter electric scooters, the NIU KQi2 Pro, which has 10-inch air filled tires and an exceptional build and ride quality. The KQi2 Pro has made several of our Best Of lists over the past couple years and we continue to recommend it as a great buy — It’s miles beyond what you get from Razor for the same price.

While Razor might pull off the looks of a cool electric scooter for adults, the truth is that there are several better options out there if you’re serious about buying an electric scooter for everyday use. While many of Razor’s scooters look similar to scooters we regularly review here at Rider Guide, they don’t offer much more for the price than the Icon.

We have not, as yet, reviewed any of the Razor scooters, but from the specs, we can tell that these are not the same high quality scooters you’ll find in a similar range from brands like Gotrax, Segway Ninebot, Apollo, EMOVE, and Fluid Freeride, all of which we have reviewed and can recommend.

Gotrax: Best for Ride Quality and Value

We highly recommend the Gotrax G3 Plus and Gotrax G5 as alternatives to the Razor T25 and C35. Both have 10 inch pneumatic tires and the G5 also comes with front suspension for excellent ride quality.

Segway: Best for Ultimate Value

The Segway Ninebot E2 is a dependable alternative to many of Razor’s adult folding scooters, and a great choice for students because it’s totally maintenance free. And for $299, it’s probably the cheapest adult scooter you can buy. Its solid wheels do a better job than any we’ve ridden of absorbing bumps, and its lightweight, 32 lb build make it easy to carry from place to place.

Fluid Freeride: Best for Boutique Service

Fluid Freeride sells some very sweet commuter electric scooters, like the CityRider and Horizon, that are competitive in price, and superior in specs, to Razor’s scooters for adults. And Fluid is well known as a pioneer in the electric scooter space with boutique levels of customer service and support.

Apollo: Best All-Around Upgrade

If you can spend a few $$ more, we definitely recommend the Apollo Air, one of our top choices for best ride quality among entry level electric scooters. The Air has 10 inch tubeless tires, front shock absorption, an app, and built-in IoT for constant updates and live stats.

For more guides on electric scooters for adults, see the Rider Guide lists Best Electric Scooters of 2023 and Best Cheap Electric Scooters of 2023. For more general information about electric scooters, see below.

Electric Scooter FAQ