Electric scooters are a popular tech gift or purchase for gadget heads and folks that want to take a more sustainable approach to their commute. Clearly an electric scooter might not be efficient for people with a long expressway commute, but for urban dwellers as well as those who live close to the office, electric scooters are becoming a more popular travel option. We looked to our sources for the top five best electric scooters on the market today.
Living sustainably requires more effort than you might think. Careful care must be taken to reduce waste and make environmentally friendly purchases. While many are making strides to do so, there is still plenty of work to be done. In fact, seven in 10 Americans admit that they treat their own home better than they treat the planet.
It doesn’t stop there. Three in five Americans care just as much about saving the environment as they do about saving money, new research suggests. As part of a recent survey into the sustainability habits of 2,000 U.S. residents, 64 percent of those polled said they care about the health of the planet and their wallet in equal measure. And 66 percent claimed they’d be “willing to try anything that can help save the environment” – although naturally, certain habits proved much more popular than others.
For 75 percent of respondents, it’s as easy as turning off the lights when leaving a room. Similarly, 66 percent make sure to turn off running water whenever possible, and 63 percent choose to shower rather than bathe. For some, particularly city-dwellers and students living on campus, the solution could be to ditch a car and go with an electric scooter instead.
Scooters can be a great fit for people that need to travel to locations that are just outside of walking distance or who want a quick way to avoid the hassle of mass transit. The models on our list of the top five best electric scooters have earned praise for creative design and intuitive features. Let us know your favorite rides in the comments below!
The List: Best E-Scooters, According to Experts
1. Niu Kqi3 Max Electric Kick Scooter
Niu produces several highly rated electric scooters, but the Kqi3 Max model is regarded as the best of the best. “This e-scooter has four custom riding modes: e-save (up to 9 miles per hour), sport (around 20 miles per hour), pedestrian (walking speed while rider walks alongside it), and custom (raise or lower speed to rider’s preference)… While it lands on the more expensive end of the spectrum, this e-scooter’s deck is larger compared to many other models, and riders may travel as far as 40 miles on a single charge,” details Travel & Leisure.
“Overall, the Niu KQi3 Max scooter provided a comfortable, stable ride during testing, and would be a great choice for anyone with the budget for a higher-end option. The halo-style LED headlight, large rear brake light and side reflectors make it well suited for nighttime riders too, and the Bluetooth connectivity allows you to quickly lock the unit with your smartphone — great for running inside a store or to an appointment,” opines CNN Underscored.
“You also get bonuses like the scooter’s app with a clean UI, a large deck, the adjustable always-on halo light, wider bars, a great folding mechanism, a big bright taillight, a steady stem, and of course, NIU’s leading 2-year warranty. With the NIU KQi3 Max electric kick scooter, you’re getting a ton of performance and outstanding build quality for the price,” according to Rider Guide.
2. Apollo City
The Apollo City scooter is described as a good model for city commuters or students on large campuses. “A do-it-all scooter for your joy rides and commutes, the Apollo City is a solid option for anyone looking for a high-quality electric scooter for any road condition. You can rock around town at 25 mph and break with ease, thanks to the triple-braking system. You’ll feel comfortable navigating potholes, thanks to its cushy front and rear spring suspension. And while 39 pounds doesn’t exactly sound light, it’s lighter and easier to maneuver than models with a similar range and speed capabilities,” writes Vetted.
“The Apollo City Pro is hands down the best commuter, and for reasons we can’t comprehensively cover in this summary, but we’ll try. The City Pro is a dual 500 w scooter packed in a super clean integrated design. The custom-built City Pro is also bursting with tech to deliver one of the ‘funnest’ commuting experiences,” raves Rider Guide.
“It won’t be a practical choice for those who prefer a lightweight, sleek-looking option, but if you want a scooter that can go extremely fast and travel extremely far, the Apollo City Pro could be a great choice. Its twin 500W motors allowed me to easily hit 26 MPH, and a more adventurous rider could adjust the max speed up to 32 MPH. I was most impressed with the range of this scooter, and was able to travel for 25 miles before exhausting the battery,” states CNN Underscored.
3. Segway Ninebot Max
This scooter is considered by our sources to be a good everyday use option. “I used this electric scooter for my 30 minute commute for about a month. It’s a heavy electric scooter that I felt comfortable and safe riding every day. The wide, grippy footboard helped my feet stay firmly planted, even as I rode over bumps at 15 miles per hour. The handlebar grips have a slightly knurled texture, which helped me maintain a steady grip too. This remained the case when my hands were sweaty or while I wore thick gloves. The textured footboard and handlebars, combined with its smooth acceleration and braking, led to a comfortable ride daily,” according to NBC Select.
“Striking a better balance between power, range and compact size than any other scooter we tested, the Segway Ninebot Max was our favorite electric scooter overall. Riding the Segway Ninebot Max is about as easy as it gets, and we were ready to hit the streets after about a minute of experimenting. The thumb throttle is responsive but not too jerky, and the mechanical handbrake allows for confident, gradual control of your speed, as well as more-sudden stops if needed,” posits CNN Underscored.
“The Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max is large and heavy — more than 40 pounds — but it’s all battery weight. With an estimated range of 40 miles, the Kickscooter Max has more than double the range of most other scooters, making it the best electric scooter for those who have long rides,” details tom’s guide.
4. Unagi Model One E500
For those that plan to use their scooter more for sport leisure the Unagi Model One E500 could be a great choice. “The Unagi Model One E500 might be the sleekest and most futuristic-looking e-scooter out there. More importantly, it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to carry – perhaps the most lightweight one I’ve ever tested. And, its massive bright LCD panel looks just as elegant, which just elevates rides,” praises Tech Radar.
“The E500 features a 500W battery so you can ride up 15-degree slopes with ease and dual electronic anti-lock brakes to stop quickly and safely. Overall, we’re impressed that Unagi manages to pack so much in to such a light package,” according to Vetted.
Our sources also offered some critical feedback. “With minimal exposed cabling and a handlebar uncluttered by a bell or mechanical handbrake, it’s easy to appreciate the sleek, streamlined design of the Unagi Model One. This stripped-down design not only looks good, but also makes it an extremely easy-to-use machine. Unfortunately, the Unagi is best suited to smooth surfaces and short rides, as the solid tires and lack of any suspension make for a bumpy and uncomfortable ride over rough pavement or asphalt surfaces. I felt every crack and bump as I rode,” offers CNN Underscored.
5. Fluid Mosquito
As the name implies, the Fluid Mosquito is small and compact. “The award for best ultraportable, super lightweight electric scooter comes down to a tie between the Fluid Mosquito, which currently retails for $899, and the Uscooters GT Sport at $1099. Both are products of E-TWOW, with the Mosquito resulting from a collaboration with retailer FluidFreeRide. Getting either one depends on your preference,” adds Rider Guide.
“I’m waiting for the day I can just pop a compact hoverboard out of a backpack and glide home, like Marty McFly, but until that day comes, the Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the next best thing. It’s the lightest electric scooter in this guide at a mere 29 pounds, and there’s a comfy grab handle built in for easy toting. It’s fast to fold and powerful, with a top speed of 24 mph,” offers Wired.
You might also be interested in:
Sources
- Electric Scooter Insider
- Rider Guide
- Wired
- Tech Radar
- Travel & Leisure
- NBC Select
- Vetted
- CNN Underscored
- tom’s guide
- CNET
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.