Choosing the Perfect Electric Scooter

Looking to buy a new e-scooter and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of details, models, and features to consider? No worries, we’ve got your back!

Inside this guide, we’ll break down the important factors to consider when choosing your ideal e-scooter. We’ll cover everything from budget and performance to speed and ride quality so you can make a more informed decision.

And don’t worry about getting lost in the options – we’ll give you our top recommendations in each category to make it even easier for you to find what you’re looking for.

Let’s kick things off by exploring the very basic category: budget or entry-level scooters. These scooters are perfect for short rides, which explains their popularity among college students, and novices entering the world of electric scooting.

Within the budget category, you’ll find affordable scooters equipped with a single motor. They are lightweight and without most of the bells and whistles, with most priced under $600.

With wheel sizes typically falling between 8-10 inches, they are compact and easy to handle. Weighing under 40 pounds, they won’t be a burden to carry around. The battery voltage ranges from 21-48 volts, offering a decent range of 8 to 15 miles on a single charge.

When it comes to their dimensions, these scooters are designed with portability convenience in mind. They have a compact platform size, along with shorter or narrower handlebars. The ergonomics are not exactly ideal, but with the right riding stances, you are able to enjoy comfortable commutes. 

It’s worth noting that they have lower weight limits and may struggle a bit when tackling hills with adult riders. Nevertheless, if you decide to start your search here, we highly recommend going for well-established brands that have a proven track record of quality and reliability. Some recommended brands in this price range include Segway, Hiboy, and Gotrax.

Here are our top picks for this category:

The GoTrax G5 is a great budget commuter with an incredible spec sheet for its price. It’s the first ever GoTrax with front suspension, which paired with the 10-inch tubed tires makes for quite the comfortable ride. The design is practical and it features more modern aesthetics than the predecessors. And for commuters looking for a cheap performing scooter, the G5 offers an awesome blend of speed and safety, even for riders close to the 265 lbs rider weight capacity.

This has been the scooter to beat under $600. It offers a good balance of performance and ride quality. Riders will enjoy good top speed, decent range, excellent braking, and best of all, a decent ride quality from the KQi2 Pro’s 10-inch tubeless tires. The KQi2 also features one of the best build qualities, and not just in its class, and NIU knows it, as evidenced by the industry-leading 2-year warranty. And if you catch it on offer, the bang you get for your back is unbeaten

Check out our full review of the KQi2 Pro.

This is probably the cheapest electric scooter worth buying in the market today. First, it comes from one of the biggest brands, which speaks to the quality of its build and its reliability. The E2 plus also prides itself on being a low-maintenance scooter, from its solid tires, drum and electronic brake pairing, and rubber padded deck that’s fairly easy to keep clean. Unlike many scooters in this class, it connects to a state-of-the-art companion app, and has RGB ambient underdeck lighting.

See our full review of the cheaper Segway E2 and the E2 Plus.

If you’re new to the scooter world and have a decent budget, this category serves as an excellent starting point for your search. We’re talking about scooters priced between $600 and $1000, offering a step up from the basic entry-level options. Let’s dive in and explore what this tier has to offer.

At this price range, you’ll find plenty of options that offer a noticeable improvement in build and ride quality and a stronger featureset compared to the more budget-friendly choices.

As expected, most of these scooters come with a single motor, delivering power outputs ranging from 350 to 500 watts. This means you can comfortably cruise at speeds around 22 miles per hour and conquer average hills quite effortlessly.

The ride experience is also enhanced by larger platforms and ergonomically designed handlebars for a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

Battery-wise, most scooters in this category operate on a 36 to 48-volt system, providing ample power and offering a range of approximately 15 to 25 miles. That should cover most people’s daily commuting needs.

For first-time adult riders looking for a reliable and reasonably priced scooter, this tier is where you’ll find your perfect match. Again, stick with trusted brands like NIU, Apollo and Segway, which are known for their consistent quality and performance in this price range.

Here are our top picks for this category:

The KQi3 Max is a Segway Ninebot Max alternative, with a richer spec sheet, and NIU’s industry-leading 2-year warranty. The scooter has an impeccable top speed of 22 mph and an even more impressive 23.3 miles of range on a single charge. It has no suspension, but instead makes up for ride quality with the 9.5-inch tubeless tires, though we wish they’d retained the 10-inch we had on the KQi2 Pro. Braking is world-class at 9.3 ft from a speed of 15 mph–which is way ahead of its peers on this front.

See our full review of the NIU KQi3 Max

The Apollo Air 2022 is a  Great Alternative for this Category

The new Max G2 is Segway’s sequel to their ultra-popular Ninebot Max. The Ninebot Max G2 has a ton of features we’re excited about e.g., the new front hydraulic suspension plus adjustable dual rear spring suspension. The suspension paired with the scooter’s 10-inch tubeless tires delivers an incredible ride experience. The scooter also introduces some proprietary tech: RideyLong. Thanks to RideyLong tech, the G2 is able to leverage on the high performance brushless motor and low rolling resistance of the tires to stretch out the range–we got 26.6 miles from the scooter’s 551 wh battery. And, the G2 is the first ever scooter to incorporate the ‘Apple Find My’ feature into the scooter’s app.

See our full review of the Segway Max G2

Once you surpass the $1000 mark, the scooter landscape becomes more nuanced. It’s no longer enough to categorize scooters based solely on price. Instead, try to consider their specific use cases and other practical features.

Knowing the purpose you have in mind for your scooter is key at this point. Understand that a scooter designed for commuting may not necessarily be suitable for navigating dirt roads. Similarly, a heavy and high-speed sport scooter may not be practical for those who need to carry it up apartment stairs.

In the following section, we will explore a couple of sub-categories based on portability and range to help you find the perfect scooter for your unique needs.

As the name implies, scooters under this sub-category are lightweight and foldable as they are more focused on convenience and movability. You can easily carry them with one hand as they weigh anywhere between 30 and 40 lbs.

To achieve their compactness, they often sacrifice a bit of comfort and range. For example, they may have smaller wheels, lack suspension, or come with a smaller battery.

Don’t underestimate their lightweight nature, though. Despite their size, some scooters in this segment can reach speeds of around 25 mph. Some models even feature dual motors, enabling impressive acceleration and smooth hill-climbing.

In terms of pricing, portable scooters typically fall in the $1000-1300 price range, which offers a good balance of affordability and quality.

Here are our top picks for this category:

This is the scooter for you if you’re after a lightweight electric scooter for your daily commutes without sacrificing on performance. The Voyager is a dual motor scooter, therefore riders can expect impeccable acceleration and hill climbing. The Voyager also has improved range over the predecessor’s, which was the chief concern with the Unagi Model One.

But that’s not even the best thing about the Unagis. Unagi lifted the barrier to scooter ownership when they introduced their monthly rental model that allows subscribers to own their scooters for a low monthly fee–no commitment fee, cancel anytime membership plan. And, you can even add theft and damage insurance for a truly worry-free ownership of the Unagi. Oh, and did we mention that the Voyager connects to one of the most remarkable apps ever.

To learn more about the Voyager, read our full review highlighting the 10 things we love about this scooter.

You can also check out our other featherlight commuter recommendation–the Fluid Mosquito.

In this subcategory, we take a look at commuter scooters that prioritize comfort and longer ranges over concerns of weight and portability. We like to refer to them as the ultra-commuters.

Regardless of whether you choose a single or dual motor scooter, these machines pack a punch. Most are able to handle inclines with ease and reach speeds of between 25-30 mph.

To keep things hassle-free during your daily commute, these scooters often come equipped with tubeless air-filled or solid tires. And with their larger 10-inch wheels and decent suspension systems, you should have an easy time gliding over uneven surfaces.

You’ll appreciate the roomy riding platforms and the convenience of adjustable handlebar heights, which are designed to cater to riders of various sizes.

In terms of control options, most long-range scooters come with a variety of throttle styles, from the classic trigger-style throttles to the newer horizontal thumb throttle designs. You can choose whichever feels most comfortable to you.

Finally, to ensure consistent performance even as the battery drains, many scooters in this category use batteries with voltages of up to 60V. This translates to impressive minimum ranges starting at approximately 25 miles, with some models capable of reaching up to 40 miles on a single charge.

To sum it up, ultra-commuter scooters strike a perfect balance between comfort and range. With their powerful motors, extended battery life, and diverse throttle options, they offer an enjoyable riding experience for your daily commutes and beyond.

Here are our top picks for this category:

The Vista is an affordable, low-maintenance, comfortable, efficient, and portable e-scooter. For what the scooter offers, it is very well priced. First, you get a good 22.8 miles from the scooter’s 810 wh battery. Next, you get front and rear suspension–the rear spring is especially beefy and together both shocks offer a very cushy ride. And in light of the solid, flat-free tires, the suspension installations are even more welcome. 

The scooter also has incredible ride ergonomics from the super wide handlebars that are swept back for improved control, a wide deck, a solid frame capable of supporting the 265 lbs rider weight capacity, a comfortable thumb throttle with no dead zone, and a well-laid out cockpit. Finally, the top speed, and other performance numbers are on par with other scooters in its class.

To learn more about the Fluid Vista, check out our full review.

The Apollo City Pro is another great recommendation for this category.

What can’t the Cruiser S do? A sequel to the original ‘last scooter you’ll ever need,’ the Crusier S offers even more value to commuters. The Cruiser S is an outlier for range, just like the original Cruiser, giving riders a whopping 43.6 miles on a single charge. And it’s not just the range that’ll impress you. The scooter also has an incredible top speed for a scooter in this price class–31.7 mph. The deck is ultra-roomy, the second longest we’ve tested. 

You also get quad suspension paired with 10-inch tubeless tires to ensure that your long journeys are comfortable. It is also one of the most customizable scooters out there, with a ton of factory accessories available on Voro’s website.

There’s much more to the Cruiser S, so check out our full review.

In this next category, we will take a look at highly versatile, dual motor scooters that strike the perfect balance between fun and practicality, all without draining your wallet. These scooters typically cost anywhere between $1000 and $2000 – a sweet spot for most experienced riders looking for an all-rounder.

As we said, scooters in this segment come with dual motors ranging from 500 to 1200 watts. You can zip around at speeds of 30-45 miles per hour, which is pretty decent. And while they may not have the longest battery life like those ultra-commuter models, their 52-60-volt batteries still give you a reliable range of 15 to 30 miles, depending on how you ride.

Wheel sizes often range from 10-11 inches for optimal maneuverability and stability. What’s more, their air-filled tires come in either tubed or tubeless versions, ensuring a smooth ride on various terrains. 

In terms of design, these scooters offer a comfy riding platform, often with a rear tail for extra stability when you’re cruising at higher speeds. Some models even come with cool and on-demand features like hydraulic brakes, hydraulic suspension, and full-color displays.

You might also find fancy stuff like sine-wave controllers for smoother acceleration and better throttle control. And yes, some even let you swap out handlebars, handlebar clamps, brakes, and grips so you can customize it to your heart’s content.

If you’re into off-road adventures, these scooters have got your back too. Many of them are built with robust suspension systems, making them quite capable when you fit them with knobby tires.

To sum it up, these affordable dual motor scooters give you the best of both worlds: fun and practicality. With their fast speed, decent range, and options for customization, they’re a solid choice for riders looking to level up their scooter game without breaking the bank.

Here are our top picks for this category:

British manufacturer Solar makes a ton of great scooters, and one of their most popular entry-level performance scooters is the Solar P1 2.0. It’s a dual motor scooter that weighs only 50 lbs, and you can get yours with dual sine wave or square wave motor controllers. And  for as little as it costs, nothing goes faster than the Solar’s 40 mph top speed, at least nothing with warranty. 

Speaking of warranty, it comes with a 2-year warranty like the NIU scooters, in theme with the super solid construction. You can also get yours upgraded to come with biometric unlock and Tron lights, which are honestly worth the splurge. To add to the unending list of things we love about the Solar P1 2.0, is that it comes with front and rear hydraulic shocks, which is quite the anomaly at this price.

There’s so much to say about the Solar P1 2.0, so check out our full review.

We have two other recommendations for our favorite under $1500 everyday recreational scooters: the Varla Pegasus and the Vsett 9+

The Ghost got a 2022 update that took the scooter’s game to a whole different level. The new dual 1000 w motors give the 2022 Ghost incredible efficiency under heavy loads, which is great given the scooter’s 285 lbs capacity. The range and top speed are sufficient for regular commuters, and if you live in hilly areas, the motors are more than capable. The suspension is great and works with the scooter’s 10-inch tubed tires to deliver a comfortable ride. Apollo also reinforced the stem, which greatly improved the scooter’s fun factor. And with a relatively light weight of 67 lbs and the super quick folding mechanism–it’s the most portable scooter in its class.

See what more the Apollo Ghost offers in our comprehensive review.

We have another recommendation for an under $2000 everyday recreational scooter–Kaabo Wolf Warrior X 

This is the flagship scooter by RoadRunner, who were previously the exclusive Nanrobot distributors in the US. It’s a high performance dual motor scooter that can travel to an insane top speed of 41.6 mph. It’s also a very out there scooter with a futuristic aesthetic. That aside, it has the kind of features you want from a scooter under the $2500 mark, e.g., sinewave controllers, hydraulic disc brakes, a removable battery, a large deck, tall handlebars, big bright LCD display, tubeless all terrain tires, a huge LG battery, and a unique key cylinder located on top of the stem. And thanks to their time served as a distributor, RoadRunner are near-perfect in after sale support, are reliable in availing spare parts and repair services, and they even accommodate warranty extension for the RS5 scooters to as many as 4 years.

To learn more about the base RoadRunner RS5 and the RS5+, check out our  full review.

If you’re an adrenaline junkie who isn’t afraid to invest big in a high-performance scooter, this category is perfect for you. These scooters offer super-swift acceleration and can reach speeds exceeding 45 mph all within the price range of $2000 to $3000.

Expect features such as hydraulic brakes, sine wave controllers, adjustable hydraulic suspension, and tubeless tires, all which have become standard in this category.

To maintain a sporty and nimble ride, scooters in this class often come fitted with 10-inch wheels.

Here are our top picks for this category:

Mitchell’s current favorite scooter, the Klima is as much a record breaker as NAMI’s flagship scooter, the BURN E. The Klima is a 2000 w beast, with twin 40 A sinewave controllers. The powerful motors can do it all–including give us record-breaking hill climb times, and acceleration comparable to the twice as expensive Dualtron Storm. It’s powerful, yet nimble, which is great for handling and cornering at speed. Speaking of speed, the 41.6 mph max speed is more than sufficient. The build quality is standard NAMI but in a smaller, lighter 84-lbs package–you get a stand-out bright center display, a unique welded tubular frame, front and rear adjustable suspension, Logan branded hydraulic brakes with a 9.4 ft stopping distance from 15 mph, and spectacular lighting. 

Check out what more we discovered about the KLIMA during our weeks of testing.

This is one of the, if not the very best light heavyweight scooter. It’s Kaabo’s 74 lbs masterpiece with 2200 w dual motors, with 30 A sinewave controllers. This scooter rides like a dream–if the dream is cruising to speeds of up to 45.1 mph, riding as far as 36.6 miles, climbing a 10% 200ft hill in 7.5 seconds, and braking from 15 mph in just 9.6 ft. Wonderful performance aside, the Mantis King GT is reliably built with a Samsung battery, hydraulic shocks, Kaabo’s industry leading lighting, an IPX5 rating, and 10-inch hybrid pneumatic tires. 

If you want to learn more about one of Kaabo’s best performance scooters, check out our comprehensive dive into the Mantis King GT.

This category has so many other good options, like the Vsett 10+. Also, many of the Dualtrons we’ve reviewed fall under this division.

This is yet to officially be released, but we got our hands on a pre-production unit and there’s so much to rave about. It’s one of Apollo’s in-house designs and one that’s really feature packed. The entire scooter is built onto a one-piece chassis made from aerograde aluminum–and has wraparound turn signals that pair well aesthetically. 

You have the unique motorcycle-style center stand that we’ve only seen on the Anyhill UM2 before. The rubber deck also uniquely pops, and the logo is beautifully embedded. And we should mention that you can find a sim card under the deck that has a tone of functionality that we highlight in our comprehensive review. Instead of a display, the scooter has a quadloock case for your phone to serve as the display. We love that it’s IP66 rated (the highest) and that it comes with monster fenders.

There’s a lot to be said about the Apollo Pro, including the scooter’s performance and how the scooter rides. We hope you check out the review as we await the official release later in Q3.

Other scooters that are perfect examples in this category include the Segway GT1 and the Apollo Phantom V3.

On the furthest end of the spectrum, we have scooters that are specially designed for power and speed. These scooters pay little attention to weight or size and only cater to those who crave high-performance options.

They offer neck breaking speeds, comparable to sports cars, and deliver exhilarating acceleration. With spacious foot space and top-of-the-line suspension, these scooters provide an unmatched riding experience.

Riding these scooters is an adrenaline-fueled experience, though a lot of caution should be exercised due to the inherent risks associated with high-performance machines.

Models in this category often come with price tags north of $3,000, with some costing up to $8,000! However, for those seeking the ultimate thrill and performance, the investment is well worth it.

Here are our top picks for this category:

The Wolf King GT held the record for fastest production scooter for over a year and a half before it was dethroned by the incredible Dualtron X Limited. Regardless of that, the King GT remains one of the best scooters performance-wise, especially given its current price.

The motors can unleash a peak power of 8400 w, which translates to super quick acceleration and a hill climb time that can rival that of the NAMIs. The scooter also has one of the longest ranges at 55 miles–and thanks to the huge rubber coated deck, the sleek twin 50 A sinewave controllers, the progressive throttle, and that famous dual stem stability, it’s quite a breeze taking the King GT to full speed on your long excursions. The tires are puncture proof, so no worrying about that. And the display and lighting on the King GT have been a Rider Guide benchmark for 2 years now.

We cannot exhaust everything about the Wolf King GT in this short summary, so check out the full review.

If all scooters lined up in a beauty pageant, it would probably come down to either the Apollo Pro or the Segway GT2, and by a very narrow margin (if not a tie). But it’s not just looks with the GT2. You get an impressive feature set that involves the innovative transparent matrix dash, pre-slimmed pneumatic tires, a twist grip throttle, push button cruise control, the largest rake angle we’ve seen on a scooter, 900 lumen headlight, optional Bluetooth speaker, and traction control. And all that’s impressive, but it wouldn’t be a super scooter if the numbers didn’t match.

Luckily, the scooter’s performance in each category was spectacular–from top speed, to range, and especially on hill climbing and braking. As far as flagship performance scooters go–this was a total hit.

We did a full review of the Segway GT2 and GT1 scooter, and you can check out the review to see how the scooters compare.

If you’d like a third alternative for this class, check out the incredible NAMI BURN E-2 Max.