Best electric scooter 2024: top micro-commuting machines

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Pure Advance Flex electric scooter

(Image credit: Pure Electric)

01. Best overall: Pure Advance Flex
02. Best premium: Apollo City 2022 Pro
03. Best budget: Busby Wasp
04. Best mid-range: Xiaomi MI 1S
05. Best long range: Segway Ninebot Max G30
06. Best affordable: Riley Scooters RS3
07. Best lightweight: Segway Ninebot Air T15
08. Best all-rounder: Decent One Max
09. Best for stability: Aike T

The best electric scooters are practical, easily foldable tools for micro-commuting – there's nothing better than an e-scooter for getting around town! These days, thanks to the public's acceptance towards these battery-powered two-wheelers, more practical adult-sized scooters are entering the market than ever before.

If you have a journey or commute that suits this kind of personal transport, the best electric scooters can reduce your journey time and get you through the traffic easier and faster than walking. That said, the question of 'Are electric scooters legal' depends on your local jurisdiction, so you need to exercise caution here.

Electric scooters are only growing in popularity; they're nippy, fun, and much more portable than the best electric bikes. They might be the mode of personal transport you've been looking for. We've reviewed and rated the best e-scooters you can buy because while they look similar, not all electric scooters are created equal. Below, you'll find our top choices for micro-commuting machines. 

Best electric scooters you can buy right now

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall

Pure Advance Flex e-scooter

(Image credit: Future)
Best electric scooter overall

Specifications

Best for: Commuting (where allowed) and portability
Max Speed: limited to 15.5 mph / 25 km/h
Range: 25 miles/ 40km
Weight: 16 kg / 35.2 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Innovative folding design makes it ultra-portable
+
Forward-facing riding position
+
Premium build quality
+
Built-in indicators

Reasons to avoid

-
Carrying handle would be good

The Pure Advance Flex is a cool-looking e-scooter that stands out from the crowd thanks to its innovative design, excellent colour options and sheer practicality. Pure’s designers have done a brilliant job with the design of this model, and the completely collapsible nature of it makes the Advance Flex ideally suited to anyone with space issues to contend with.

We loved the forward-facing riding position when we tested the Pure Advance Flex – it really is the next best thing in the electric scooter world. The e-scooter has more than enough power to carry up hills, so riding in this position makes a lot more sense; not to mention, it feels more natural, too.

The tubeless tyres also provide comfort when you’re on the go. Power control is easy and delivered in a seamless, linear fashion. Stopping is equally painless while being seen is also wonderfully covered thanks to the full array of lights, topped with bright flashing indicators. You get the added benefit of the wide deck arrangement, which offers one of the most pleasing ride experiences we've tried so far.

Read our full Pure Advance Flex review.

Best premium

Apollo City 2022 Pro electric scooterT3 Awards 2023 Logo

(Image credit: Future)
Best premium electric scooter

Specifications

Best for: Hill climbs
Max Speed: 32 mph/ 51.5 kph (unresitricted/where allowed)
Range: up to 38 miles/ 61km
Weight: 65 lbs/ 29.5 kg

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible build quality
+
Very smooth ride
+
This thing can move!

Reasons to avoid

-
Folding hook doesn’t stay in place
-
Seriously heavy

The Apollo City 2022 Pro is perhaps the ultimate electric scooter in terms of rideability. It’s big, powerful and makes you feel safe and secure when you ride it. The triple suspension system is excellent and helps turn otherwise bumpy roads into a smooth riding experience. The City Pro is a powerful electric scooter model that can climb steeper and go longer to cope with any city commute; if you can commute with e-scooters in your country, that is.

Read our full Apollo City 2022 Pro review.

Best budget

Busbi WaspT3 Award

(Image credit: Future)
Best budget electric scooter

Specifications

Best for: Affordable electric scooting
Max Speed: 15.5 mph / 25 km/h
Range: up to 17.4 mls / 28 km
Weight: TBC

Reasons to buy

+
Air-filled tyres provide a smoother riding experience
+
Compact design
+
Decent range
+
IPX4 water resistant

Reasons to avoid

-
Some cheaper components
-
Rather reflective display
-
Quite heavy

The Busbi Wasp is a solid and dependable electric scooter with a price tag that’ll appeal to many people. While it’s not the lightest model you’ll ever ride, this isn’t too much of an issue unless you have to carry it up flights of stairs or on and off public transport. There are a few compromises in the component department, although that’s hardly surprising given the affordability of this e-scooter. Performance is good on the whole, and the ride quality is very impressive, thanks to those air-filled tyres. It’s worth taking for a test drive if you get the opportunity.

Read our full Busbi Wasp review.

Best mid-range

Xiaomi Mi 1S reviewT3 Award

(Image credit: Xiaomi)
Best mid-range e-scooter

Specifications

Best for: An affordable all-rounder
Max Speed: 15.5 mph / 25 km/h
Range: 18.5 miles / 30 km
Weight: 12.5 kg / 28 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Most popular brand
+
Advanced battery saving features
+
Easy folding
+
Good app

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most attractive
-
No as good as Pro model
-
8.5-inch wheels

Although Xiaomi might be better known for its affordable smartphones, the Mi 1S proves the company is equally adept at creating smart electric scooters. As we noted in our review, while the top speed isn't the highest out there (although, at 15mph / 25 km/h, it's absolutely no slouch), this folding electric scooter has some of the best app connectivity features we've seen. 

As well as tracking your journeys and just how fast you've barrelled down those hills, you can get a quick look at how much of the massive scooter battery still remains. The Mi Home app also brings advanced battery conservation features, meaning you could potentially eke out an extra mile or two if you're clever about how you use it, and the F1-like KERS setup means the battery charges as you brake. It's really smart and a big bonus in our eyes.

We found the Xiaomi Mi 1S speed and acceleration controls incredibly simple, anyone can learn to ride in minutes. The light, aluminium construction means you can quickly fold it down for carrying and storage. It's also one of the lighter models we've reviewed.

Read our full Xiaomi Mi 1S review.

Best long-range

Segway Ninebot Max G30LP review

(Image credit: Future)
Best long-range electric scooter

Specifications

Best for: Covering long distances
Max Speed: 15.5 mph
Range: 40.4 miles / 65km
Weight: 18kg

Reasons to buy

+
Long-range
+
4 riding modes
+
Colour display

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy to carry long distances
-
US versions offer faster performance

Perfect for longer journeys, this e-scooter comes with all the trimmings, from a battery life that will give you up to 40 miles of travel and a legally-limited maximum speed of 15.5 mph to an LED dashboard, three-speed modes, app support and even cruise control. 

It has a hill grade of 20%, which we found ideal for use in cities with mixed terrain, and an IPX5 water-resistance rating, making it great for splashes and light rain. And, while it isn’t exactly the lightest out there, we did find it easy to fold and put away.

But what really makes this electric scooter a great pick is its price tag. We think it's a great price when you consider everything you're getting. And, unlike other solid black e-scooters, this one comes in a classy dark grey and orange colourway.

Read our full Segway Ninebot MAX G30LP review.

Best affordable

Riley Scooters RS3 e-scooter

(Image credit: Future)
Best affordable electric scooter

Specifications

Best for: Commuting (where allowed) and portability
Max speed: 15.5 mph/ 25km/h
Range: up to 15.5 miles/ 25km
Weight: 14kg/ 30.8 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Fairly easy to carry
+
Solid performance
+
Removable battery

Reasons to avoid

-
Convoluted folding mechanism
-
Grip can be a bit hit and miss
-
Display hard to read in broad daylight

We like the idea of the Riley Scooters RS3 fully-collapsible machine. It might feel cumbersome at first, but the folding mechanism gets easier the more you open and close the electric scooter. However, until you've mastered this dark art, getting ready to go with the Riley two-wheeler is a chore. We certainly find the process less intuitive than the Pure Advance Flex listed above.

Aside from the high faff factor, there's no quibbling over the quality and sheer rideability appeal of the Riley Scooters RS3. It goes and stops with ease, there's more than enough power on tap, and the ride quality is generally pretty good. Those wheels and tyres aren't entirely to our liking, as we'd prefer a bit more cushioning, especially on the lousy road surfaces where we tested the e-scooter. Nevertheless, for lower-speed riding and getting from A to B, this is a decent e-scooter.

Read our full Riley Scooters RS3 e-scooter review.

Best lightweight

Ninebot Segway Air T15 reviewT3 Award

(Image credit: Ninebot Segway)
Best lightweight electric scooter

Specifications

Best for: Compact design
Max speed: 12.4 mph / 20 km/h
Range: 7.5 miles / 12 km
Weight: 10.5 kg / 23 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to carry and store
+
Low maintenance
+
Lots of cool features

Reasons to avoid

-
Relatively slow
-
Limited range
-
Small wheels

The Ninebot Segway Air T15 certainly looks the business, but it is smaller, slower and lacks the range of similarly priced rivals. We think it's perfect, however, for those who want to easily stow it in the boot of a car or wheel it onto public transport. During our review, we found it delivers a perfectly acceptable ride, so long as the surfaces are smooth and you haven’t got too many steep hills to contend with.

Of course, 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. The choice between this and its many rivals will be down to the sort of use it is destined for and if you really need that futuristic design.

Read our full Ninebot Segway Air T15 review.

Best all-rounder

Decent One Max Electric Scooter ReviewT3 Award

(Image credit: Decent)
Best all-rounder electric scooter

Specifications

Best for: A great all-rounder
Max Speed: 18.6mph / 29.9 km/h
Range: 20 miles / 32 km
Weight: 15 kg / 33 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Removable battery
+
10-inch tyres
+
Cruise control
+
Fast

Reasons to avoid

-
Spare battery is expensive
-
Could be more robust

There's no avoiding it, the Decent One Max is identical to a number of scooters with different names (Turboant, Riley, Elka), but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The factory pumping these out should be experts by now!

The battery is removable and mounted on the handle (rather than the footboard). That means you can keep it indoors at more battery-friendly temperatures rather than in a cold garage or shed. We think that's rather smart, and found being able to charge the battery at our work desk very useful. You can also purchase spare batteries (although these are pretty expensive).

We were also very impressed with the One Max's ride – there's plenty of torque, so acceleration is quick, and the bell, light, and throttle are easy to control. It even has large 10-inch wheels, which make it safer than the Xiaomi, although it's not the most stable e-scooter we've reviewed.

Read our full Decent One Max Electric Scooter review.

Best for stability

Äike T e-scooter

(Image credit: Future)
Best electric scooter for stability

Specifications

Best for: Stability
Max Speed: limited to 25 km/h (15.5mph)
Range: up to 40km (25 miles)
Weight: 22.8 kg / 50.2 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Sprightly despite the weight
+
Plenty of (limited) power
+
Air-filled tyres
+
Looks the part

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky and heavy
-
Some design quirks
-
Seemingly hard to purchase

We’ve got mixed feelings about the Aike T e-scooter. Aside from all the shenanigans involved in simply getting it over to try, this electric two-wheeler is a bit too heavy for our liking. That’s good from a stability point of view, and it does help if you’re a chunkier type that would make a lighter machine feel inadequate. However, there are more lightweight electric scooters on the market that offer similar or better stability with less heft.

As for the rest of it, the Aike T e-scooter performs well enough and starts and stops admirably. When you’re on the go, those rubber tyres provide a comfy ride while the controls are responsive. The range is also satisfactory, while the security features make it a chore for thieves to run off with. Overall, the Aike T e-scooter is a solid machine which, for the right person and market, could be ideal. It does need a little more refining, mind...

Read our full Aike T review.

How to choose the best e-scooter for you

Picking up the best electric scooter for you is absolutely imperative – it's a proper investment, so you need something you're going to want to ride and something that suits your needs. These things are essentially a narrow plank racing up to 20mph, so safety needs to be a main concern, as these are far more advanced than kids' scooters. But that isn't the only thing you'll need to consider…

Some electric scooters are well suited to a quick hop-on-and-off, sacrificing distance for a vast weight reduction and increased portability. These are ideal for long-distance commutes, where you also need to travel on a train or bus. Other e-scooters pile on the battery for maximum range but leave themselves super-heavy in the process. These are better if you live and work in the same city, and want to avoid using the bus or subway system. Basically, it's a balancing act. If you're commuting a long way, put your money in batteries, but if you're just scooting that final mile, a lighter, more compact scooter might be a better choice.

Is the best electric scooter the fastest electric scooter? Not necessarily. Top speed in the UK is limited to 25km/h (15.5mph), and while most e-scooters will go faster than that, it’s worth noting that you’re more likely to be stopped by police and get your scooter confiscated (and potentially fined) if you're speeding around, driving recklessly, and weaving through traffic. Naturally, common sense is a priority here – don’t ride like an idiot and you probably won’t get stopped.

Consider also the wheels – heavy use requires heavier duty wheels. Most affordable electric scooters come with 8-inch wheels, and while these are fine for smooth city streets, we’d recommend plumping for a model with 10-inch pneumatic tyres and suspension to give you a much smoother ride.

Most of these scooters also have companion apps, which offer a range of useful features. You can digitally lock and unlock the electric motor, which is very beneficial for security. You can also track your rides – kind of like a lazy person’s Strava. Certain companion apps also let you set up your e-scooter, choosing between Eco mode to prolong the scooter’s battery life, or Sport mode to leave panting cyclists in the dust. We like to think of a companion app as a nice bonus, rather than a necessity. 

Price is also a major point to consider. The cheapest electric scooter you’ll find is around £200 and prices can range up to around £2,500. It goes without saying, you get what you pay for, so opting for the cheapest model you will find isn’t the best idea. You want to be able to trust the scooter under your feet, because a mechanical failure at around 15mph would result in a trip to Accident and Emergency.

We think you’ll probably want to budget between £450 and £700 for a reliable, well-built e-scooter from a popular brand. This will ensure your electric scooter has the performance to get you around town quickly and won’t break breakdown after a few miles.

If you want more info on the best model to buy for your needs and the factors to consider, check out our how to choose an electric scooter guide. Oh, and you'll want to make sure you're fully kitted out with the best electric scooter accessories as well.

Are electric scooters legal?

Here's where things get a little complicated. Under UK law, most electric kick scooters are not legal for street use unless they're properly registered. Recently, though, the government has announced that privately-owned electric scooters will be made legal, with the announcement expected in the upcoming Queen's speech.

This will remove the current laws banning them (which are based on 1835 regulations surrounding horse and cart driving). This is to encourage more people to use alternative methods of transport when commuting.

These trials, which are currently running across the country, allow you to legally hire and use an electric scooter in public areas where the trials are being held (more on that later).

Some high-powered e-scooters are technically classed as mopeds, though even that classification can be a little complicated, but it is safe to assume that none of the scooters included above can technically be used anywhere other than on private land in the UK.

Pure Electric, the UK’s largest e-scooter retailer says, ‘In practice, electric scooters are already widely used across the UK illegally, with the police generally turning a blind eye to all but the most egregiously reckless rider activity.’ 

With big names entering the business, and with concerns about the environmental impact of cars at the forefront, you can bet there’s at least some pressure on legislators to get things changed. But, to clarify: electric scooters can be used on private land with the owner’s consent. Thanks to a combination of the Highways Act 1835 and the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is illegal to use electric scooters on roads, cycle paths or pavements. Exemptions have been made for the scooter trial areas, solely for the rental scooters supplied to the relevant local authority. All other scooter use on the public highway will continue to breach traffic regulations and could cause the user to receive a fine and/or points on their driving licence. 

US law varies from state to state, so you really must check local laws before you purchase an electric scooter. 

Finally, take it from us: whether the laws in your location demand it or not, you’ll want to always wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter. These things move fast and are potentially very dangerous. Protect your head and always be considerate of other people near you.

You'll also want to make sure your e-scooter is properly maintained – you can read all about that in our guide to electric scooter maintenance.

How we tested the best electric scooters

I've reviewed countless electric scooters, and over the years, I've come to develop a rather methodical test route that thoroughly puts each e-scooter through its paces. This route includes hills of varying steepness to test how the scooter handles inclines, as well as varying road surfaces to test the scooter's stability, bump absorption and comfort.

During the many reviews, I will also test to electric scooter's acceleration from a standing start, as well as how well the brakes work and how much confidence they inspire. I also ask, where possible, multiple people to test these electric scooters to see how they react to different loads.

Of course, what's perhaps more important than using these electric scooters on a test route is using them frequently in everyday life. So I'll also use them to commute, to explore a new location, and to visit the shops at the weekend. This teaches me a number of things, from how easy they are to lift in and out of a car boot to how easy they are to fold and unfold and how reliable they are when used heavily. It also gives me a better idea of how long the battery lasts and how long the battery takes to recharge.

The actual review will start when I get the electric scooter out of the box and assemble it. I'll test how difficult or fiddly it is to set up. Where possible, I will also test the electric scooter's app – whether it's easy to connect and stay connected and whether it provides anything useful to the experience. Finally, I'll test every little detail of the electric scooter, from the bell to the lights at night, to make sure you're buying a well-built and safe product.

Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active

Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.

With contributions from