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Scooters have become a popular choice for those looking for a way to reduce their monthly expenses or just have a fun alternative to driving. Making the right choice boils down to understanding your unique needs, the environment you’ll be riding in, and the features that matter most to you.
In this guide, we’ll look at what you should consider when it comes to motor power, speed, range, tires, comfort and safety features to help you choose the right scooter for your needs. Our top choice is the Segway Ninebot F3 Electric Scooter, which has a durable high-grade magnesium alloy frame and an impressive 44-mile range.
Motor Power: 450W with bursts up to 1,000 W | Weight: 42 lb; 265 lb limit | Speed: Up to 20 mph | Suspension: Front hydraulic & rear elastomer
The Segway Ninebot F3 Electric Scooter strikes a solid balance between comfort and range for city commuters. The front hydraulic and rear elastomer suspension, paired with 10-inch self-sealing tubeless tires, soaks up rough pavement and reduces vibration.
The smart display, Bluetooth unlock and “SegRange” battery management add convenience to make longer commutes more comfortable. You can get around 44 miles in eco mode, but you also have the option to add an external battery to push it to around 81 miles. That said, it’s worth noting that there are some reports of it not performing well on hills.
Still, if you want a reliable scooter with long-range potential, this is a good pick that's sure to last you for many adventures.
Motor Power: 350W brushless (500W variant available) | Weight: 31 lb; 300 Ib limit | Speed: Up to 22 mph | Suspension: Dual hydraulic front & rear suspension
The KEQ KL09 Electric Scooter features dual hydraulic suspension that makes a big difference on cracked sidewalks and short stretches of gravel.
It gets up to around 22 miles per hour and handles small hills pretty well, although you’ll get less out of the 350-watt option in that regard.The foldable design makes it a solid choice for sliding under a desk or packing onto a bus.
On top of that, the smartphone app features GPS and even cruise control. If you’re looking for an affordable scooter with modern features, this is a solid pick.
Motor Power: 350W (S2) or 500W (S2 MAX) | Weight: 35.5 lb; 220 Ib limit | Speed: Up to 19 mph | Suspension: Rear suspension
The Hiboy S2 Series Electric Scooter features a 350-watt hub motor and tops out at around 19 miles per hour. The battery lasts long enough to travel around 17 miles on the S2, and around 40.4 miles on the S2 MAX.
The rear suspension, dual braking system and three-position lighting make turning and stopping feel safe and predictable, and the app gives you access to customizable speed settings, cruise control, and a smart lock. There are a few reports of mechanical and electrical issues, but they seem to be isolated issues for the most part.
Overall, if you’re looking for something for short trips here and there, the S2 is a solid choice. If you need something for longer commutes, you’re going to want to consider the S2 MAX.
This is probably one of the first things most people think about, but you have to think about it in the context of how the power is actually delivered. Efficient thermal management and torque tuning matter as much as the actual power.
That aside, scooters in the 350-to-500-watt range are usually solid for city riding and handling small hills. Most in this range should offer smoother acceleration along with controlled speed limits to keep you legal.
Most scooters advertise top speeds around 19 to 22 miles per hour, which seems straightforward until you ride one. Your real world cruising speed is often going to be lower since you’ll naturally back off a bit for bumps, turns and crowded paths. On top of that, scooters that reach 20 to 22 miles per hour usually feel more comfortable at around 15 to 18 miles per hour.
Acceleration is often more important than top speed, since it allows you to start smoothly at stop signs, cross streets confidently and avoid sluggish starts when you have your backpack or groceries with you.
No one wants to walk their scooter home because they ran out of power. A scooter with at least a 20-mile range should be sufficient, but for greater peace of mind, a range of 30 to 40 miles is best. Some scooters offer an energy-conserving eco mode, which gives you less power and speed but also extends your range.
Whether you’re riding at night or get caught in the rain, you need a scooter that’s designed with safety in mind. A quality scooter will come with lights in the front and rear and possibly even the middle as well as reflectors. You should also look for one with some kind of waterproofing, such as an IP54 or (even better) IPX6 rating for water resistance; a nonslip deck is also nice to have.
In addition, being able to stop at a moment’s notice is crucial. More powerful scooters should come with front and rear brakes rather than just on one wheel. Some scooters even offer a regenerative electronic anti-lock braking system (eARB), which uses the electric motor to brake the rear wheel while capturing energy to help recharge the battery and extend the range. And finally, to ensure your safety, always wear a helmet to protect your head.
Comfort might not be the first thing you think of when shopping for a new scooter, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most important. It determines whether or not you dread riding it after a week or two and is also tied pretty closely to safety, because a stable, comfortable scooter is easier to steer, brake, and manage on tricky terrains.
Suspension plays a huge role in comfort, as it’s going to determine how much you feel bumps, vibrations, and braking. Front suspension helps with steering stability, which can reduce wrist fatigue. On the other hand, rear suspension does a better job of smoothing ongoing vibration and keeps the back wheel planted.
When it comes to tires, you have a few options. Tires made of durable solid rubber are ideal for riding on smooth pavement, and you don’t have to worry about ever getting a flat; take them on rough terrain, however, and you’ll feel every bump in the road unless you opt for “honeycomb” solid tires, which provide a bit more of a cushion.
On the other hand, tubeless pneumatic tires can handle any type of surface and offer less vibration for greater comfort, and, compared to tires with an inner tube, they aren’t as easily punctured. They also provide much better traction than solid tires. Additionally, if you’re new to scooters, you may want to look for wide tires that make balancing easier.
We started by defining the most common adult riding scenarios, like daily commuting, campus travel and mixed-surface city riding. Scooters that clearly fit one or more of these use cases were evaluated further.
We looked into how power, acceleration and braking are balanced; motor wattage, peak output, hill performance, brake system design and stopping control. Those that offered controlled, predictable performance ranked higher.
We factored in comfort and range to determine how useful each scooter would be for the average user. We then reviewed frame materials, structural design and other safety considerations.
A. They aren’t inaccurate, but they’re definitely based on ideal conditions (lighter riders, flat terrain, moderate speeds, and mild temperatures.) In reality, you probably won’t get the exact range they promise, but it still gives you a good idea of which ones outperform the competition.
A. They play a big role in the scooter’s comfort and safety. Scooters with pneumatic tires and a solid suspension will handle bumpy rides significantly better than rigid models. If you ride daily, a good set of tires and a good suspension will make or break your experience.
