6 Best Electric Scooters (2024): Affordable, Lightweight, Long-Range, Fast
I've tested a ton of scooters. Not all of them deserve a spot above, but some are still worth a mention. These are a few other good scooters I like:
Gotrax GX2: The GX2 is akin to the Apollo Phantom V3 and Segway P100S in that it's 34.4 kilograms and packs a lot of power and range. This gunmetal scooter looks a bit like a Transformer and can hit a max speed of 55 km/h via the dual 800-watt motors, but I usually rode it at 30 km/h.
It took me to midtown and back to Brooklyn (a total of 29.6 kilometers) with some juice left over. I hate carrying it up and down the stairs, because the stem is super thick, making it difficult to grasp.
When you're waiting at a light, the GX2 also switches to Parking mode after a few seconds, so you constantly have to remember to press the mode button to switch it to the driving gear. Super annoying, and Gotrax says there's no way to disable it.
I am a little concerned about build quality—the motor makes a noise as if something is brushing against it, and this sound disappears if I lightly press the left brake lever while riding. The latch to keep the stem upright comes down too easily, despite a sliding lock mechanism to keep it in place; Gotrax says it might just be that it's installed too tightly. If you see any of these issues, I recommend reaching out to Gotrax and going to a local scooter shop to have them take a look.
Navee S65: Navee is a relatively new brand growing its presence in the US, and I had a great time using the S65 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). I was able to regularly complete 25-kilometer round trips at 32 km/h, but that pretty much depleted the battery.
It has great acceleration thanks to its geared hub motor, and it climbs slopes with ease, but this also makes it very loud. The motor's sound disappears if you're in a noisy city like New York City, but it can make you self-conscious on quiet streets.
It's 24 kilos, so it's heavier than the Niu despite having a similar range, and its customer service is a little questionable since it's so new. Still, I had fun riding it.
Apollo Ghost: At 29 kilos, the Apollo Ghost (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is not the scooter for walkups, but it's tremendous fun. I tested the 2021 model, but the 2022 version has some upgrades. The two 1,000-watt motors can reach speeds of up to 55 km/h, depending on local regulations. However, I typically used only one motor and traveled at speeds of approximately 30 to 40 km/h. There is a button to switch between the two motors, and different modes are available to prevent excessive speed. There's a button to switch between the two motors, and modes to make sure you don't go too fast.
Anyone in a hilly city will benefit from the power and extended range of the Ghost. I hit around 32 kilometers on a single charge (Apollo claims a generous 60). There are front and visibility LEDs built under and around the deck, along with a tail light.
As for the brakes, you can get wire-controlled discs or upgrade to hydraulic ones. The former delivered enough stopping power for me, but the latter is more responsive and reliable.
Evolv Terra: I enjoyed my time with the Evolv Terra (7/10, WIRED Recommends).
If you're considering the Apollo Ghost above, consider this first because it's slightly cheaper, a little lighter at 24 kilos, and easier to carry. It's just as powerful, with the potential to go as fast as 50 km/h when you engage both 600-watt motors (check your local speed laws first!).
Otherwise, you can cruise along at 30 km/h as I did on the second gear speed setting (there are three in total) with the single motor. Range isn't dissimilar either; I usually had two bars left after 24 kilometers on the Terra so it can potentially last more than 32 kilometers, especially if you're conservative with its speeds.
The suspension is OK but the solid tires on rougher roads can feel quite bumpy. The fenders also seemed pretty useless to me as, after a wet post-rain ride, my back was covered in specks of dirt kicked up from the rear tire. The stem's angle was also a little too close to my body, and the lack of a thumb throttle meant my wrist hurt after long rides.
You can tweak the angle of the throttle and brakes to improve this though. These are relatively minor quibbles considering the price.
Radio Flyer S533: Honestly, I'm surprised at how well this scooter did in my tests. The folding mechanism is just a latch and a sleeve you pull down to keep the latch from coming undone while you ride. It's super easy to fold and unfold, and lightweight at 13 kilos.
It's not a commuter scooter by any means—my range hovered under 13 kilometers on a single charge—and despite exceeding its 100 kg load capacity, I averaged around 22 km/h of its 26 km/h top speed. It's a nice little scooter for going to the post office, to the grocery store, or to Cinnabon when my wife asks for a cinnamon roll.
However, its price doesn't match its power and performance; it really should be cheaper. It's also worth noting that the first model the company sent me didn't turn on and the second model had a deflated front tire. Inflating it was a quick affair and I haven't had problems since.
Segway Ninebot F30: This used to be my top recommendation for most people, but after a longer testing period, I've found that the range has dramatically reduced at a much faster pace compared to other electric scooters I've tried. It used to last around 16 kilometers or so, but lately, I've only managed around 10.
I still think it's a great scooter. It goes 25 km/h, is comfy to ride, and you get a good set of essentials, such as reliable lights, brakes, and an intuitively designed bell. It's fairly lightweight, too, at 33 pounds. If your budget can stretch, I'd go for the Ninebot F40 ($797), which can go a bit faster and has better range, but I still prefer the Niu KQi3 Pro at that price.
Apollo Air Pro (2022): I have not tested the new 2023 model, but the Apollo Air Pro (2022) was a perfectly fine scooter (6/10, WIRED Review), I just don't think it's worth the high price. It goes up to 21 mph, and I was able to ride it for about 20 to 25 kilometers before it died.
You get all the accouterments, like a front light and bell, and there's app connectivity to tweak settings to your liking. However, the app is required to unlock the Air Pro's true speed—otherwise, you're restricted to 19 km/h.
I'm more miffed at the folding mechanism, which is more work than it should be. It also doesn't accelerate too fast and, despite its 18-kilogram weight, is uncomfortable to carry due to its thick stem.
Inokim OXO: I tested the Inokim OXO and WOW, this has become my new favorite scooter. The scooter definitely comes at a premium, however I recommend it if you have the money to spare. The specs are some of the best on the market for the design. The top speed is 65 km/h, however I was never really going that fast through the city. The range of 110 km makes it amazing for commuting. I can usually stretch a full charge an entire week of going to work. I live in Midtown and work in Brooklyn.
The only thing I dislike about the scooter is its acceleration. It can be kind of jolty if you have it at full speed as it accelerates quickly and kind of pulls you. The fix for this is easy, I changed the max speed in the settings to 45, although if you don’t want to do that, the OXO has 3 speed settings, so you can keep it on a lower speed level.
