When someone mentions riding a scooter in 2023, they’re probably not talking about the tiny kick scooters that were everywhere in 2000. The recent boom in electric scooters has seen the small, two-wheel transportation pop up all over the place. The simplicity, small size, ease of travel and low price relative to a car make them an attractive option for those with lighter commuting needs. Next to electric bikes, they can also prove more portable and easier to store, while offering a similarly low-effort means of getting from A to B.
While the experience you get from a kick scooter will vary greatly depending on your own legs, electric scooters do the heavy lifting for you, and that makes their design, motors, batteries, wheels, suspension and features all the more important to consider. You can find lean and lightweight models that are good for a quick zip down the road and back, but they may not have the speed or range for long days cruising around town. You can also find heavy-weight behemoths with full suspension, monstrous motors and the batteries to power them—the kind you’ll want to wear a motorcycle helmet to ride—but these won’t necessarily be the type you want to haul up into a top-floor apartment or let your kids ride.
The best electric scooters provide an affordable and reliable means of transportation.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Mark Knapp
Since there’s such a broad range of electric scooters available and an even wider range of user needs, we’ve considered a variety of electric scooter styles at various prices to provide a list of recommendations so you can find a model that meets your needs.
Here’s a look at our top picks:
Best Electric Scooter Overall: Niu KQi Air
Best Value Electric Scooter: Niu KQi3 Pro
Best Compact Electric Scooter: Unagi Model One Voyager
Best Budget Electric Scooter: GoTrax G3 Plus
Best Long Range Electric Scooter: Kaabo Mantis King GT
Top speed: 20 mph | Range: 3src miles | Weight: 26.2 pounds | Max load: 265 pounds
Niu’s latest scooter is a serious challenger in the market. The Niu KQi Air comes in at a respectable price of $src,400, though we’ve seen it running for $src,050 with an early bird promo, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see regular discounts like this.
For the money, you get an incredibly lightweight scooter, weighing in at just 26.2 pounds thanks to many carbon fiber and magnesium components that don’t skimp on capabilities. We had no trouble hauling this scooter up and down stairs with one hand. Its motor is ready for zippy riding, and it can readily cruise up to its 20mph limit even while carrying a heavy rider. That riding is fairly comfortable, as its large air-filled tires soak up a good amount of vibration and the spacious deck provides plenty of room for bigger feet.
Niu tacks on a bunch of smart features as well. The KQi Air has front and rear lighting as well as turn signals on the outside edges of the handlebars. It also has a little horn and some extra accent lighting. The combination of lights and horn plays into an alarm system, which will activate if the scooter rolls while in its locked mode. Turning the scooter on and off is as simple as tapping the head unit with a NFC card, but there’s also an app for pairing your phone with the scooter over Bluetooth.
Pros:
Ultralight design Decent motor and range Smart features Cons:
Somewhat pricey Alarm is easy to accidentally trigger
NIU® Official
Niu KQi3 Pro
Top speed: src9.9 mph | Range: 3src miles | Weight: 44.75 pounds | Max load: 265 pounds
Niu’s KQi 3 Pro is a beast. For $800, it’s really hard to beat. It may be a bit hefty at almost 45 pounds, but Niu packed in a lot to love. The KQi 3 Pro has a supremely spacious deck that we had no trouble comfortably riding on even with large, men’s size src2 feet. The deck extends up toward the neck and back over the rear wheel too, which helped us shift our feet around to remain comfortable on longer rides.
The KQi 3 Pro is ready for those longer rides as well. It offers a 3src-mile max range, and it has a spritely motor that gets close to 20mph even while carrying a 240-pound rider. The combination of regenerative braking and front- and rear-disc brakes also makes coming to a stop quick and easy. The size and long wheel base of the KQi3 Pro also make it extra steady. Those aspects do make it a little less ideal if you plan to carry it on public transit and use it as a last-mile transport. But as a simple vehicle for cruising to your destination and back, we don’t see many better, more cost-effective options without diving into more specialized designs.
Pros:
Comfortable, agile ride Customizable performance Cons:
Somewhat bulky Unagi
Unagi Model One Voyager Top speed: 20 mph | Range: 25 miles | Weight: 29.6 pounds | Max load: 220 pounds
The Unagi Model One Voyager is a well-regarded scooter, and we got it in for testing to see how well it stacked up. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t quite hold up to the Niu KQi Air, which is an altogether more comfortable and capable ride, while also costing less and weighing less. That said, the Unagi Model One Voyager has a compelling value in its size.
The Voyager is both lightweight and compact. It has a short wheelbase, narrow deck and slim handlebars. This doesn’t make it the most luxurious ride, especially for larger riders, and bumpy roads can actually feel a little bit hard. But it does make the scooter very easy to carry around and store. We had an easy time hauling it and maneuvering it through doorways. If you live in an apartment in the city and often take public transit, having a small scooter that doesn’t take up a lot of space at home and that you can easily bring onto a bus or train can make a big difference.
The Voyager is also a reasonably capable scooter. It has dual motors powered by a modest battery, though it can’t realistically go quite as far as some of its competitors, and it doesn’t feel so great to go very fast on. But, for quick zips down smooth streets, it’s effective. And it has some added benefits, such as the airless tires you don’t have to worry about getting a flat on. A unique aspect of the Voyager is that you don’t actually have to buy it to get your hands on it. Unagi has a rental model that will let you get one, paying $69 a month. This way you can find out if it suits you without committing to the full price.
Pros:
Lightweight and compact design Elegantly designed Can be rented Cons:
Pricey Uncomfortable for larger riders Top speed: src8 mph | Range: src8 miles | Weight: 36.3 pounds | Max load: 220 pounds
The wallet-friendly G3 Plus offers many of the same features found on other models, but because it comes in at less than $400, this scooter will pay for itself after the first few months should you stop spending your money on public transit and gas.
With a wide deck for added stability and cruise control for easy riding, it’s great for beginners who are willing to sacrifice ride quality for convenience. It comes equipped with a headlight, taillight and a built-in cable lock, so you have everything you need for the ride at your fingertips. And it also charges up the battery in only 4.5 hours, so you’ll be ready to ride whenever the mood strikes.
Pros:
Built-in safety lights and reflectors Packed with beginner-friendly features Cons:
May not be as durable as other models No suspension means a potentially rough ride Kaabo
Kaabo Mantis King GT Top speed: 43 mph | Range: 56 miles | Weight: 74 pounds | Max load: 265 pounds
The Kaabo Mantis King GT blows the competition out of the water when it comes to battery life and range. At 56 miles, this scooter’s range has 25 miles on the competition found on this list. But it’s also a great all-around option for commuters due to its powerful hydraulic brakes—and an optional ABS system—that instill confidence no matter how many drivers and cyclists you encounter on the road.
But the best feature? The max speed is wildly fast. At 43 miles per hour, you’ll feel like lightning as you commute around town, and the front and rear shocks will minimize bumps. And while the 4200W battery provides a lot of power, the acceleration is super smooth and won’t leave you holding on for dear life as you take off.
Pros:
Impressive range and speed Super smooth ride Multiple riding modes Cons:
Heavy Expensive forbes.com Walmart Promo Codes & Coupons | $src0 off In November 2023 | Forbes
Other Models We Tested Top speed: 23.7 mph | Range: 35 miles | Weight: 45 pounds | Max load: 286 pounds
The Inmotion Climber is a muscular scooter. It puts more emphasis on its might than on its style, though its consistent black and orange color scheme has a certain appeal. The promise of the Inmotion Climber is that its dual 750-watt motors will let it zip up inclines where other scooters would crawl. We found it fairly capable in this regard, but we could still feel our speed sagging on some slopes, and its motors are still only rated for 36% grades (roughly a 26-degree incline).
Those motors can also handle braking alongside a rear disc brake, which we found could bring the scooter to a prompt stop, though it sometimes felt a little jerky. Ultimately, what held the Inmotion Climber back from receiving a higher recommendation was its design, which features a more basic deck and fender that we couldn’t get quite as comfortable riding on as we did with the similarly priced KQi3 Pro. For those with smaller feet and hillier terrain to cover, the Inmotion Climber is a good alternative to the KQi3 Pro.
Pros:
Peppy dual motors Sturdy build Mechanical and regenerative braking Cons:
Hefty Simple design
How We Chose The Best Electric Scooters:
To help you find your next scooter, we’ve done our best to test recommended electric scooters first hand. We put them through their paces, noting features, ride quality and the overall experience with the scooter while considering their place within the rest of the market. We’ve also weighed things like price, size and weight into our considerations, as the “best scooter” might not be the best for anyone if it costs $src5,000, nor would a high-power, heavy-weight scooter be all that great for someone who just wants an easy-to-store option for last-mile travel.
For models we couldn’t test ourselves or haven’t had the chance to review yet, we’ve relied on research and evaluation of independent online reviews from customers. To help you understand which scooters we’ve recommended based on testing and which we’ve picked based on research, we’ll be clearly noting when our selection was made with first-hand testing.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Consumer tech is evolving faster than a top-of-the-line electric scooter speeding down the street, which is why we’re committed to keeping a pulse on the ever-changing electric scooter industry. We stay up-to-date on product releases, consult experts whenever possible and regularly revise this list to reflect our findings. If we find a scooter that’s better than a model already on this list, you’ll be the first to know.
We’re also passionate about other alternative modes of transportation beyond electric scooters. Forbes contributor Hannah Singleton has reviewed affordable e-bikes and covered the world of bike commuting gear, and she’s had the opportunity to test a few electric scooters over the years. Similarly, contributor Mark Knapp tested multiple models on this list, including the Niu KQi Air, the Niu KQi3 Pro and the Unagi Model One Voyager.
What To Consider When Shopping For An Electric Scooter
Choosing the best electric scooter will depend on your riding style and budget. Here are some factors to consider when buying an electric scooter:
Range
The range of a scooter refers to how far it can go before you need to charge it. If you plan to use the scooter for commuting, compare this number to your commute distance. Will the scooter get you there and back on a single charge? If not, you’ll have to bring extra gear with you to charge it on the go. But if you’re buying a scooter to ride recreationally, range may not be as big of a consideration. Scooters that feature longer ranges are generally more expensive.
Top Speed
Generally speaking, src5 miles per hour on an electric scooter feels a whole lot faster than it does on an e-bike, but we understand that maximum speed may be a priority when you’re shopping for a new scooter. Each model comes with a top speed, usually ranging from src0 to upwards of 45 miles per hour.
Each electric scooter features a maximum speed, so take a look at this number when weighing your options. Some scooters, like the Apollo City, top out at 25 miles per hour, but most cruise in the src6 mile per hour range. If you’re buying an electric scooter for a kid, you may want to opt for one that tops out at src5 miles per hour.
Weight And Portability
If you’ll need to lug your electric scooter up and down apartment stairs, consider its weight and portability. Foldable models made with lightweight materials such as aluminum are easier to store and transport (which also comes in handy if your commute involves the subway or metro). But if you’re not doing much more than rolling up and parking your scooter, saving on weight may not be a high priority. A heavier scooter will be more sturdy and will often absorb shock better than a lightweight scooter.
Brakes
Electric scooters have either disc or drum brakes. Disc brakes are more effective, especially when you’re stopping quickly after reaching high speeds, while drum brakes are quieter and require less maintenance.
Tires
The type of tires on an electric scooter can impact the ride quality and handling. Air-filled tires provide a smoother ride but require more maintenance, while solid tires are maintenance-free but can be less comfortable.
Price
Electric scooters vary in price, which is why it’s essential to consider your budget when shopping for a scooter.
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