Whether it’s for getting to work, going to the store, or just having fun, it’s worth taking one of the best electric scooters for a spin. These modern conveyances are great for when it’s too far to walk, but too short to drive. They’re quick and quiet, and also a lot more portable than bikes.
Electric scooters range in price from models for kids that are less than $150, to $2,000 high-end, full suspension rides that can whip you along at up to 35 miles per hour. We’ve tested a number of the top models to bring you our picks for the best electric scooters.
What are the best electric scooters?
After taking a number of models for a spin, we think the best electric scooter overall is the Unagi Model One (E500). This scooter has motors in each of its wheels, which allows it to cruise up hills better than the other models we tested. The Unagi has a large, bright display, easy to use controls, a built-in horn, and bright head- and taillights. It also has a sleek design that’s sure to turn heads, and you can even get a custom skin as an add-on. However, the Unagi Model one is a pricey $990.
If you need a scooter that can go the distance, we recommend the Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max. While It weighs more than 40 pounds — heavier than most models — it has a battery that will last up to 40 miles on a charge, which is double that of many other scooters. And, it’s powerful enough to get you up pretty steep hills.
We’re currently testing a few other electric scooters, including the $2,200 Segway C80, which is more of an electric moped than scooter, but has a range of up to 47 miles and a top speed of 20 miles per hour. It also has full suspension, anti-theft systems, and regenerative brakes. Stay tuned for our full review, but in the meantime, check out our picks for for the best electric scooters.
Dualtron Storm
The Dualtron Storm is not a last-mile electric scooter, it’s a leave-your-car-at-home product. From the first moment I stepped on it to more than 1,500 miles later, it still impresses me with its power. Capable of 50-plus miles per hour and able to hit 40mph in its power-saving Eco mode, this scooter does not disappoint.
The Storm can support riders up to 330 pounds and when I say “support” I mean both the build and the motors. A lot of products claim to support certain weights but performance generally takes a hard hit when they’re pushed close to the edge. That is not the case with the Storm and its dual 1,500-watt hub motors
The scooter can reach 80 miles on a full charge, and I think this is possible for disciplined riders that maintain slow speeds (15 to 25mph), depending on rider frame and terrain. Its big battery can take up to 19 hours to top off with the standard charger. But the company does offer a fast charger that can do it in under 7 hours.
The Storm scooter model has a wide deck, rear signal lights, a horn and deck lights that can be customized via the supplied remote. All the lights make it very visible in low-light conditions, which is good because scooters can be tough to spot in traffic. Two Nutt hydraulic 160mm disc brakes are used to bring this hefty scooter and its 11-inch tubeless tires to a stop fast. And while it might be big, the handlebars and stem can be folded down, making it small enough to fit in a car trunk.
Razor EcoSmart Metro
It’s time to take electric scooting to the next level with a model that allows the option to sit down if you tire of standing for too long. The Razor EcoSmart Metro has an almost vintage style, with a comfortable seat and basket for easy transportation. Admittedly, there aren’t many electric scooters with seats on the market, but this one easily jumps to the top of the list with its soft padded seat and wide bamboo deck.
Fast and powerful, it has an almost silent motor and promises smooth handling from the start of your journey until you reach your final destination. Effortlessly fusing the gap between an electric scooter and an electric bicycle, the Razor EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter has a motor designed for longer distances, a design perfect for cosy journeys and an appeal that’s a winner for all.
At $4,490, the price is as substantial as the scooter itself, but you get a great riding experience in return. You’re buying into a great community, too, that is good for sharing tips, customizations and meet-ups for all riders.
Unagi Model One
Thanks to its dual 250-watt motors, the Unagi Model One powers up hills with aplomb, zipping along twice as fast as other scooters with just a single motor. Using both motors (you can opt to use just one) causes the battery life to drop significantly lower than the scooter’s advertised 15-mile range.
The Unagi also has a great display that’s bright enough to easily see even in daylight; we also liked its intuitive controls and loud, electric-sounding horn. It has both head and taillights, the latter of which blinks rapidly when you hit the brakes.
We were also enamored with the Unagi’s sleek design; its carbon-fiber front post changes in geometry from a circle to a triangular shape, making for an intriguing look. And, on Unagi’s site, you can personalize the look with custom skins.
All of this comes at a price: The Model One costs $990. However, Unagi now has a scooter rental program in New York, LA, Austin, Miami, Nashville, Phoenix, Seattle, and San Francisco, which lets you rent one of its scooters for $49/month, or $39/month with an annual subscription.
Apollo Phantom
The Apollo Phantom is a high-end electric scooter that’s not messing around when it comes to taking you from point A to point B, looking stylish as you speed down the road. As you might expect from a premium electric scooter, this is one that comes with all of the bells and whistles; carefully tucked away to ensure a streamlined design, of course.
Expect an effortless journey that’s smooth and stable, on an electric scooter that anticipates your needs and becomes preferable to taking a car or, God forbid, walking. The Apollo Phantom was carefully-crafted based on feedback from 20,000 other scooters sold, which means it brings together all of the good features and hastily removes any of the bad. It’s made from aerospace-grade aluminium, giving it strength without the bulk. It’s also one of the fastest on the market.
Xiaomi Mi Pro 2
The Mi Pro 2 builds on the successful M365 formula. Here, customers are treated to the longest range (a claimed 28 miles) and the most powerful motor technology, which is capable of increasing its output to 600W under heavy loads.
Much of the Xiaomi Mi electric scooter range looks the same, with the aerospace-grade aluminum for the majority of the framework and handles, while the main platform, battery-pack housing, and rear fender are fashioned from sturdy plastics.
The Pro 2 features a powerful LED headlight, as well as a rear brake light that can be switched to permanently on via an accompanying smartphone app. To bring it in line with new European legislation, the Pro 2 also packs front, side and rear reflectors for added visibility.
The quick-release to reverse this also neatly doubles-up as a bell.
The addition of pneumatic tyres transforms the ride of an e-scooter and the 8.5-inch numbers featured here do a great job of ironing out bumps in the road and tackling rougher surfaces. These can be a pain to change if you get a puncture, but there’s a spare tyre included in the packaging and some online retailers offer the pre-installation of puncture protection slime. The Mi Pro 2 requires the Xiaomi Home smartphone app to operate, something that’s not immediately obvious when first unpacking the scooter. There are a number of applications on the App Store and Google Play that suggest they are compatible with Xiaomi’s range of scooters, but they’re not.
Glion Dolly
Because of its ultra-folding design, the Glion Dolly is the best electric scooter for those who have to take it on public transportation. The Dolly is foldable, and at 27.3 pounds, it’s light enough to cart up a flight of stairs on your way home. It can reach top speeds of 15 miles per hour and lasts for about 15 miles of roaming, which makes it a good fit for small city dwellers.
The Dolly has a bright headlight and built-in tail reflector, helpful when riding home in the evening or in the winter months when the sun sets too early, as well as integrated fenders for protecting the wheels. You can also transport the Dolly like a suitcase when you’re not riding it, and it comes with a kickstand so that it stays upright on its own.
Perhaps the only drawback of the Glion Dolly are its small hard rubber wheels and lack of suspension, which makes for a bumpier ride than other electric scooters.
Razor E300
Finding an electric scooter that hits the midpoint for teenagers can be difficult… unless you’re purchasing the Razor E300 Electric Scooter. Larger than those designed for kids but with not quite the same amount of power as electric scooters designed for commuting, the Razor E300 has an all-steel frame and fork for a solid ride that’s smooth on even the roughest of surfaces. Assembling this bike takes mere minutes, which means that after a quick charge, it’s ready to go for all kinds of adventures.
While it’s suitable for teens, it’s also got a strong enough base for adult riders, which makes it a great electric scooter if you’re looking to branch out into the world of eco-travelling without all of the power of a full-sized scooter. It’s one you’d maybe buy for a teen before not-so-subtly using yourself.
RION RE90
RION RE90 calls itself the world’s “first and only hyper scooter” which, even if you wouldn’t consider yourself an avid technology fan, comes with an assumption that this model moves pretty fast. And this electric scooter lives up to the hype, with a superpowered motor akin to something from Formula One…if there was an electric scooter equivalent.
The RION RE90 is slick and sporty: a jet black scooter that doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality or quantity. And it offers both in hefty measures. This electric scooter’s sharp edges, slick tires and ultra-present carbon make it undoubtedly the smoothest on the market if you’re looking for an electric scooter set to impress. Designed to break records, the materials are entirely from carbon, which allows it to quickly reach maximum speed without any hefty design flaws holding it back.
Levy Electric Scooter
We loved riding the Levy electric scooter; its 8.5-inch air-filled tires handled sidewalks and potholes with ease, and its powerful 350-Watt motor got us up the steepest of hills. The Levy also has a good range, but if you have to go longer distances, you can swap out its battery—a feature almost all other electric scooters lack.
The Levy electric scooter also has a bright display that was easy to read in daylight, and a handy cruise control feature, so you don’t have to hold down the accelerator when traveling long distances. We also liked that its taillight flashes when you hit the brakes — an important safety feature. And, at $500, the Levy is one of the best electric scooters at this price.
Levy has a newer model, the Levy Plus ($699), which has a larger 10.4aH (374wH) battery and 10-inch tires, in case you’re looking for something with a longer range.
GoTrax XR Ultra
You won’t win any drag races on the GoTrax XR Ultra, but this affordable electric scooter will get you where you need to go. Its 8.5-inch air-filled tires provided a comfortable ride, even without any extra suspension, and its 300-Watt motor was powerful enough to get us moving.
We wish the XR Ultra had a rear brake light, but in this price range, that’s a feature you don’t often find. Weighing 26.5 pounds, the XR Ultra isn’t too heavy, so most people should be able to carry it up a flight of stairs. However, we found the locking mechanism on the rear fender to be a bit temperamental. Overall, though, it’s a good electric scooter at a good price.
Slidgo X8
In many ways, the Slidgo X8 is a lot like the Levy electric scooter. It has a removable battery. However, the slide sits on the outside. It’s a less sleek look but makes it easier to remove.
The Slidgo X8 also has rubber, rather than inflatable tires, which makes them more durable, but also results in a rougher ride over potholes. As with the Levy, we enjoyed riding the Slidgo X8 around town; it made it a lot easier to get places that were previously just a bit too far to walk.
Hiboy S2 Pro
Sleek and smooth, the Hiboy S2 Pro is designed to do it all and then a little bit extra: in the sense that it’s the perfect electric scooter for anyone, even if you’re a little taller or a little heavier or just appreciate slightly faster speeds. While other electric scooters may falter past 15mph, the Hiboy S2 Pro Electric Scooter is able to coast along at a smooth 19mph without any kind of hesitation.
The power from this scooter comes partially from its impressive motor and partially from its high capacity battery. Together, they produce a seamless journey that’ll effortlessly accompany you to the office, to the shops or simply for a quick journey around your neighbourhood. This is a scooter you’ll ride for convenience but also simply for pleasure.
NINEBOT SEGWAY AIR T15
The Ninebot Segway Air T15 certainly looks the business but it is smaller, slower and lacks the range of similarly priced rivals. For those who want to easily stow it in the boot of a car or wheel it on to public transport, it absolutely perfect and delivers a perfectly acceptable ride, so long as the surfaces are smooth and you haven’t got too many steep hills to contend with.
The lightweight body, diminutive package, and clever stowage solution mean there is a trade-off in performance. Though, but the Ninebot Segway Air T15 majors on clever additional features and a classy smartphone app.
Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite
Electric scooters don’t have to come at a high cost, as proven by the success of the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite. A scooter that’s just as comfortable to ride as it is for your bank balance. This electric scooter comes with an upgraded motor from previous models. The Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite is your perfect commuting companion on a budget. It’s a scooter that easily transports you down the road without a bump in sight.
A single folding click means it’s almost effortless to set this electric scooter up. Better yet? This electric scooter will set you back at less than $500. If you’re looking to elevate your commute or get on board with tech for contrast to walking, the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite is a brilliant companion.
