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Electric scooters are the next eco-friendly urban commuting trend. In many areas (especially those with warm weather), savvy city dwellers, visitors, and workers already use their bicycles to get around. Bikes are fun, convenient, inexpensive and reduce your carbon footprint, but they can also leave you messy, disheveled and tired. An electric scooter can zip you from one neighborhood to the next without breaking a sweat or wrinkling your work clothes. Much like bike-sharing programs, rentable scooters are popping up in cities all over, too.
Why not enjoy their benefits for your daily commute? The market is filled with electric scooter options for almost any need. Although today’s scooters resemble foldable aluminum kids’ modes of transportation, they are not toys. Electric scooters are full of convenient features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, and can be light and portable or more rugged. When you are shopping for an electric scooter, it’s important to know what features are best for your commute.
Electric Scooter FAQs
- Eco-friendly, easy commuting in a variety of settings
- Gives consumers a new transportation option in areas where there are traffic bottlenecks or subway delays
- Runs on a next-generation rechargeable battery with extended ranges and speed options
- checkExtensively available online through Amazon and other e-commerce sites as well as manufacturers’ websites
How We Reviewed
There are a lot of electric scooter choices on the market, so choosing the right one can seem daunting. Some are great for speed and acceleration, while others boast long range. We believe it’s essential for shoppers to know all the benefits and potential drawbacks of an electric scooter model upfront. We’ve thoroughly researched the features of the most popular and up-to-date models. We collected information from manufacturers and resellers and analyzed customer reviews to give you an unbiased list.
Top 10 Electric Scooters
The following are the top 10 electric scooter models available today. These are in no particular order but will help you narrow down the best option for your needs.
[amazon link=”B077QHRLPB” title=”Xiaomi MiScooter” /]
[amazon box=”B077QHRLPB”]
Scooter-sharing programs are taking off in San Francisco, Washington, D.C, and Austin, Texas through startups like Bird, Limebike, and Spin. Don’t worry if your city doesn’t have its own sharing program, simply pick up the most common model, manufactured by Xiaomi. The MiScooter is simple, sleek and easy-to-use, which is probably the reason why it’s being rolled out to the masses for rental. Users give this electric scooter model high marks for weighing a mere 26.9 pounds. Its foldable aluminum frame is sturdy and easy to carry, too. With top speeds of 15 miles per hour and a battery range of up to 18.6 miles, the MiScooter will get you around even the largest city. Available through Aliexpress.com and Amazon, it is one of the cheapest models on the list and boasts great performance.
[amazon link=”B018KTMOPG” title=”Glion Dolly” /]
[amazon box=”B018KTMOPG”]
Similar to the MiScooter in portability and design, the Glion Dolly electric scooter adds never-flat tires, a quiet brushless and gearless motor, and a battery that reaches a full charge in 3.75 hours. Best of all, the Glion folds into a dolly, so it maneuvers like rolling luggage. This scooter comes with a pedestrian bell, which is handy for alerting those around you — especially since it boasts such a quiet motor. The Glion Dolly also tops out at 15 miles per hour but has a slightly shorter range than the MiScooter at 15 miles.
[amazon link=”B06XCRFBLY” title=”IMAX S1+” /]
[amazon box=”B06XCRFBLY”]
A high-powered and highly-rated electric scooter, the IMAX S1+ gets its power from a 500W motor. Reach top speeds of 20 miles per hour and cruise in comfort on its wide decking and soft, air-filled tires. The IMAX is heavier than some at 36 pounds, but safety and comfort take up most of the extra bulk. From a real wood deck to disk brakes and a 20-mile range, the higher price of this electric scooter pays off in features and benefits. Available through Amazon.
[amazon link=”B0100QMBWI” title=”Uber Scoot 1600W” /]
[amazon box=”B0100QMBWI”]
The Uber Scoot 1600W electric scooter looks nothing like a child’s foldable Razor-scooter. It has a chain-drive, inflatable 11-inch tires, and an adjustable seat so that it can pass for a small mini-bike. The 1600W motor gives it power and speed and can accommodate a 265-pound rider — which is the most of any on the list. That power takes some time to recharge, though, with up to eight hours required to get to 100 percent. The range is on the low side, with users reporting an average of 10 miles, but several users report reaching up to 30 mph on this electric scooter. Available through Amazon.
[amazon link=”B07JYJFT5Q” title=”Qiewa Q1 Hummer” /]
[amazon box=”B07JYJFT5Q”]
The Qiewa electric scooter looks like a regular scooter, but it is filled with bells and whistles to make it a well-rounded method of transportation. From dual-disc brakes to a waterproof design, this scooter has premium features not found on some of the other available models. With an 800W brushless motor and powerful lithium-ion battery, riders can expect up to a 25-mile range and fast, smooth acceleration. These features do up the price though. The Qiewa is available through third-party sellers at Amazon.
[amazon link=”B002ZDAEIS” title=”Razor EcoSmart Metro” /]
[amazon box=”B002ZDAEIS”]
Razor is known as the company that brought foldable foot-powered scooters to masses of children. The company also has a line of solidly-built adult electric scooters. The EcoSmart Metro takes its design cues from Italian motorized scooters of the past while retaining a skateboard, cruiser-bike look as well. With top speeds of 18 miles per hour, this cheaper electric scooter can get you to your destination quickly. Battery life and charging time is a little less impressive, though. The EcoSmart will go about 10 miles on a charge, but it takes up to 12 hours to fully charge.
[amazon link=”B07F45HL7M” title=”Swagtron City Commuter” /]
[amazon box=”B07F45HL7M”]
While many of the scooters on this list boast top speeds and range, none are as light and portable as the Cellot Carbon Fiber. This electric scooter will make you do a double-take, as it looks like a child’s kick-powered toy. The innovative battery and motor system is tucked neatly away, resulting in a sleek 17 pounds that you can carry anywhere. Such portability effects power, though. This electric scooter a range of as low as five miles, and top speeds of 15 miles per hour. Available through Amazon, the Cellot is an inexpensive option for those who want a light and reliable scooter for small trips.
[amazon link=”B0188CQQF4″ title=”Giga Byke Groove” /]
[amazon box=”B0188CQQF4″]
Sometimes, an electric scooter looks like a moped. The Giga Byke Groove nails this look, complete with functioning pedals to save battery life — or get you home if you miscalculate your range. This electric scooter has a strong frame that not only resembles a street-legal moped; it also is street legal itself in many states. With its 750W motor, the scooter has a 20-mile range and reaches top speeds of 20 miles per hour. It also boasts an LED headlight for night driving, directional signals, and a comfortable seat for long rides. The Giga Byke Groove is not the most portable electric scooter, however. It is not foldable, and it weighs a whopping 180 pounds. For those looking for a sturdy, motorcycle-like ride, you might not miss the lack of a folding frame. Available from Amazon.
[amazon link=”B0063V2DJQ” title=”Super Cycle Super Turbo” /]
[amazon box=”B0063V2DJQ”]
A rugged, high-powered electric scooter, the Super Cycle Super Turbo is another mashup of a scooter and a moped. It features knobby tires for stability and performance when the road gets rough, but is designed to offer smooth performance and portability. Expect top speeds of 26 miles per hour and distances of 18 miles per charge. A full battery recharge should take six to eight hours. Unique among the others on this list, the Super Cycle features motorcycle-like design and functional elements, such as a shock suspension, handlebar throttle, and a disc brake system. An added feature is the ability to dial in a balance between performance and battery use by using three power modes. This scooter is a bit heavy, though, weighing 77 pounds. Available on Amazon, the Super Cycle is a lot of scooter for the price.
[amazon link=”B077VYGXFC” title=”EcoReco M5″ /]
[amazon box=”B077VYGXFC”]
At first glance, the EcoReco looks just like some of the other sleek, foldable urban commuting scooters on the market. Like the Super Cycle though, you can dial in maximum speed based on your preferences. Just tooling around town? Cap the speed at seven miles per hour to sip from the battery. Looking to get home quickly? Dial it up to 20 miles per hour and get moving. This electric scooter charges in just a few hours and will take you anywhere between 10 and 20 miles per charge, depending on the speed setting. Currently only available through EcoReco directly.
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Product |
Details |
Price |
|---|---|---|
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[amazon fields=”B077QHRLPB” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B077QHRLPB” title=”Xiaomi MiScooter” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B077QHRLPB” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B018KTMOPG” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B018KTMOPG” title=”Glion Dolly” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B018KTMOPG” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B06XCRFBLY” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B06XCRFBLY” title=”IMAX S1+” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B06XCRFBLY” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B0100QMBWI” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B0100QMBWI” title=”Uber Scoot 1600W” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B0100QMBWI” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B07JYJFT5Q” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B07JYJFT5Q” title=”Qiewa Q1 Hummer” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B07JYJFT5Q” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B002ZDAEIS” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B002ZDAEIS” title=”Razor EcoSmart Metro” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B002ZDAEIS” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B07F45HL7M” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B07F45HL7M” title=”Swagtron City Commuter” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B07F45HL7M” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B0188CQQF4″ value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B0188CQQF4″ title=”Giga Byke Groove” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B0188CQQF4″ value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B0063V2DJQ” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B0063V2DJQ” title=”Super Cycle Super Turbo” /] |
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[amazon fields=”B0063V2DJQ” value=”button”] |
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[amazon fields=”B077VYGXFC” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”] [amazon link=”B077VYGXFC” title=”EcoReco M5″ /] |
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[amazon fields=”B077VYGXFC” value=”button”] |
The Verdict
While all of the models in this list have solid user reviews, we believe that the best model combines portability with speed and charging performance. You don’t want a super-fast scooter, as the high velocity can make the scooter less safe and can reduce battery life. At the same time, you want enough power to maneuver hills and get you across the city. For us, the EcoReco S5 takes the classic look of a Razor scooter and adds premium power and features. The versatility of its speed selection mode helps you only consume the battery power you need.
Availability is the only concern with the EcoReco. Like several electric scooters that we researched, inventory often becomes scarce. The EcoReco S5 is supposed to be available from the manufacturer at the end of July 2018.
For those looking for an entry-level electric scooter option, the Xiaomi MiScooter will give you reliable performance. Since these are the boilerplate scooters for many city sharing programs, they may be the simplest to operate and easiest to maintain. Their mass acceptance may also result in more service options in the future as well.
What do you think? Have you driven a scooter from a rental program or do you know someone who owns one? Tell us your favorite in the comments and pass on some consumer power.
Featured Image: CC by 2.0, by Aaron Anderer, via Flickr
