The best electric scooters are a great alternative way to commute to work safely without a car. E-scooters have become the new popular way to get around, and not only are they pretty cool, but they're environmentally friendly too and great for getting around the city. Motorised scooters are also portable and can get up me surprisingly brisk speeds that will quickly get you through the morning traffic on the roads and sidewalks.
If it's your first time investing in an e-scooter, we recommend reading our guide on choosing an electric scooter. And once you've found the suitable model for you, don't forget to purchase your safety equipment, such as a cycle helmet for protection, and accessories which you can find in our guide to the best electric scooter accessories to make your ride even more enjoyable.
Best electric scooters to buy right now
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If you're looking for a scooter to completely replace your regular transport options rather than just get to that bus or train faster, the Apollo City 2022 is for you. This is one serious scooter. It has a 30-mile range and a top speed of 27mph. Riding is silky smooth thanks to large tubeless 10-inch tires and sprung suspension on the front and rear. It even had indicators to help keep you safe on the road.
We loved the build quality of the Apollo City 2022 and the fact that it's IP56 rated, so you can put a power washer on it when it gets dirty. For those looking for a lightweight scooter to fold and take on the bus, this isn't for you, but if you want to go fast or far, it will certainly deliver.
Read our full Apollo City 2022 review.
What the GoTrax XR Elite does, it does very well. This budget model has features you would expect on a more expensive model, from the powerful headlight and large deck to the cruise control and dual braking system. While the range isn't huge, it will easily cope with a city commute, and it's still light enough to carry into the office or on to the train. And though there are much faster e-scooters out there, this stays within the speed limits of most states, so you can floor it with impunity.
At this price, it's no surprise that there are some features it does miss out on, such as an app, decent suspension and a heavier weatherproofing. This is not the model if you intend to go off-tarmac or out in heavy showers. However, for day-to-day use, the XR Elite is a bargain.
Read our full GoTrax XR Elite review.
The latest edition in Xiaomi's scooter range offers a few subtle updates from the Mi Pro 2. With its 600W max power motor it provides a top speed of 15.5mph and a range of 18.6 miles. While this range is less than the Mi Pro 2, the Mi 3 is lighter and comes in two great new color options.
The Mi 3 includes regenerative braking and coasting to extend the range, along with a combination of dual disc brakes and eABS to bring you to a stop quicker. The air-filled 8.5-inch tires provide a smooth ride and a new bracket design ensures quick folding so you can pick it up.
This scooter strikes a great balance between performance, weight and price that make it the ideal choice for many looking to use it for a short commute. It's a lot of fun to ride and easy to pick up and take on the train, bus or into the office.
Read our full Xiaomi Mi 3 review.
Perfect for urban commutes, this e-scooter comes with all the trimmings, from a battery life that will give you up to 25 miles of travel and a decent maximum speed of 18.6 miles per hour to an LED dashboard, three speed modes, app support and even cruise control.
It has a hill grade of 20%, which makes it 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, it’s easy to fold and put away.
But what really makes this the best overall pick is its price tag. Cheaper than the original Segway Ninebot MAX as well as rivals with comparable capabilities, this model is a sure win, whether or not you’re on a budget. And, unlike other solid black e-scooters, this one comes in a classy brownish-gray color.
Read our full Segway Ninebot MAX G30LP review.
The Ninebot Segway Air T15 may look like the stuff of science fiction movies, but we can assure you it’s real and readily available for purchase. In fact, it’s already gathered some accolades, including being a CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree.
Designed to be extremely portable, this electric scooter is only 23.2lbs – one of the lightest out there – and has a beautifully crafted folding system that cuts it down to only 8.7 inches thick.
That’s not all that’s impressive here. It’s also got four riding modes – Pedestrian Mode, Energy-saving Mode, Standard Mode and Sport Mode – instead of the usual three, a bezel-less dashboard, a retractable handlebar, LED ambient light with customizable colors, and its own stands for vertical and horizontal storage. That’s without mentioning its unique, head-turning design.
If those nifty, futuristic features aren’t enough to convince you, then its price might. At less than $800, this is a great bargain for those folks who only need an electric scooter for short rides. Is this the face of future e-scooters? We hope so. At the very least, it sets the tone for where these green vehicles should be headed.
Read our full Ninebot Segway Air T15 review.
Electric scooters now span a wide price and feature range. Although it's nice to have one that does everything, sometimes all you need is something that will get you from A to B, quickly and not weigh a ton when you have to carry it into the office (or bar). If that's all your looking for, and you want to keep you budget under $500, the TurboAnt M10 is a great choice.
This svelte e-scooter weighs less than 30lbs and can run for a respectable 18 miles on a single charge. It's also pretty quick off the mark, topping out at 20mph – which is better than most models in its price range. The ride isn't bad either. The scooter feels sturdy in use and thanks to the pneumatic 10-inch tires, it's pretty smooth sailing too.
It's not the ideal choice if you want to go up hills, and as there's no app to connect to, there's no way of tracking the device or immobilizing it when you park it up. But these are premium features that not everyone needs, and considering the price here, you can't expect the world.
Read our full TurboAnt M10 review.
The Yadea KS5 Pro is a giant of a scooter, with tall handlebars, a 7-inch wide footplate, and weighing in at 46lbs. This is actually great if you intend to use it on the road, as it feels a lot more secure than some of the more miniature models.
The other good thing about its weight is that it means it has a big battery and motor, which deliver a 37-mile range and a top speed of 21.8mph respectively. It gets up to speed fast, too, so you don't feel like you're holding up traffic from the lights. In fact, you might beat some off the mark.
The downside here is that all this size and weight make the KS5 Pro less portable. Carrying it up and downstairs is a bit of a workout. Though it features front suspension forks, the ride is also not that smooth due to the solid tires. Anything other than super-smooth surfaces are likely to shake your fillings loose, or at least give you a less comfortable ride. Still, you will get there quicker.
Read the full Yadea KS 5 Pro review.
Okay, this electric scooter is a bit of an oddity. It's designed and made by Bird, who specializes in public rental electric scooters. That means this e-scooter is built like a tank, as it is designed to withstand the punishment of hundreds of users a day – I was seriously impressed with how robust this thing felt.
It also features some super impressive connectivity features, with a really sleek app that lets you lock and unlock your scooter remotely, as well as locate it on a map. The Bird One is about as versatile and as future-proof as e-scooters get.
It's not the most compact or portable option available – I was especially disappointed that it doesn't fold – but if you’re looking for the smartest most robust e-scooter around – this is it.
Read our full Bird One review.
We’re adding this category to our list with a caveat: depending on where you live, you might have to register your motorized scooter if you’re riding it with a seat. In Florida, for example, you not only have to register it, but you also need to get a title as well as a license plate. However, if that’s something you’re willing to do, the Hiboy S2 Electric Scooter with Seat is an appealing option for its top speed, affordable price, and decent range.
It wouldn’t be the most robust of scooters out there – for that, you’d have to pay more – but it’s solid enough for typical daily commutes. That 17-mile range on a single charge should also get you across town without issue. The whole thing also folds away, including the seat, for easy storage. And, if you want to take a trip without the seat, it’ll only take you a few minutes to remove it.
If you’re suffering from leg or knee issues, but still want to skip driving and travel green instead, this one’s worth checking out.
How to buy the best electric scooter for you
When picking the best electric scooter to buy, the choice can seem overwhelming, especially If you’re new to the electric scooter world. In reality, though, it’s probably harder picking your next laptop or TV than it is choosing the best electric scooter for your personal use.
That’s partly because these green transports are pretty straightforward in their features and what they can do. You won’t need super technical knowledge to know which one suits you best, and you won’t have to go through a long checklist of considerations.
In fact, there are only a handful of things you need to look at, with range and battery life, top speed, weight and portability, and cost being the top metrics. It helps to consider the build as well.
A few other things like max slope incline, app availability, braking system, maximum load, and ruggedness and weather-proofing might be important to some, but not all. For example, if you live on a hill, you’ll certainly want to know whether or not your e-scooter is capable of climbing steeper slopes. On the other hand, if you live in a wet zone or an area that sees its share of extreme temperatures, you’ll want to look at the motorized scooter’s operating temperatures and weather-sealing.
In most cases, those four aforementioned features are what you’d want to prioritize. Many e-scooters offer a range or battery life of up to 18 to 25 miles, which is more than plenty for daily work commutes, let alone quick errands. If your office is more than 15 miles from your home, you’re better off taking the car or the train anyway. However, there are also quite a few electric scooters that only offer a 10-mile or less range – only opt for one of those if you can charge long enough at your first destination or if you plan on only using it for short trips.
As for speed, adult electric scooters offer a top speed of anywhere from 15mph to 50mph. Though your first instinct might be to get the one with the highest number, you’d want to check first how fast you can take it on the road. Federal law states that motorized bikes and scooters can only run at up to 25mph, and each state and some cities set their own limits as well. In California, for example, e-scooters are only permitted to run at 15mph, even on 25mph roads. Though if you are planning on taking it with you while traveling, having a higher top speed limit might benefit you in the long run. Just keep in mind that you’ll be paying more for it.
Consider an e-scooter’s weight and portability as well. Many of the best electric scooters in the US are foldable for easier transport and storage. This is certainly useful when you have to take it with you in your office for safekeeping, if you have to climb stairs, or when there’s no bike rack on hand to chain it to. However, these scooters are never going to be very light, despite their minimalist footprint. Most adult e-scooters are 30 pounds or more. There are some that are under 25lbs, but they’re also going to be slightly pricier.
Finally, carefully consider the price. There are some really cheap ones on Amazon that’ll set you back $300 or less, and at the other end of the spectrum, there are models that’ll cost you $2,000 or more. While you may find you pay a premium for certain names, if you’re working with a budget, remember that cheaper isn’t always better. More often than not, you’re better off getting something in the mid-range as it’ll be more robust and have better features.
If you want more information on the factors to consider and the features to look out for, you can explore our how to choose an electric scooter guide.
FAQ
Should you buy an electric scooter instead of an electric bycicle?
Electric scooters are a lot more portable than an electric bicycle, plus it's easier to master than a skateboard and much more environmentally friendly (not to mention, much cheaper) than cars. It will save you money on gas, lower your carbon footprint and emissions, and help to minimize traffic congestion.
They’ll also help keep you active, save you money on parking spots and tickets you won’t have to pay, and simply get you out there and breathing fresh air again — especially after a long day cooped up in your air-conditioned office.
So, while they might not be great for longer-distance travel (yet), utilizing one of the best electric scooters for shorter trips have proven to be beneficial, whether you’re making a quick trip to your local neighborhood grocery store or going to your office several blocks away on a sweltering hot day. And, the best part is, most of them will only cost you a fraction of a used car.
