Electric Scooter
GETTING AROUND ON AN ELECTRIC kick scooter isn’t the most stylish option. And there you are, upright and still, moving like a meerkat on wheels. But it’s fantastic and vital to lessen our dependency on gas-guzzling autos.
If you don’t like riding bikes or electric bikes, you can also travel short distances sustainably by using escooters, which don’t require burning fossil fuels. They need no waiting time on public transportation, are simple to fold up, and are typically lighter than e-bikes.
These are our top picks after testing over 35 electric scooters over almost three years. Every month, many new scooter models and brands are released. We are diligently trying them, so please return if you do not find a scooter that meets your needs. Do you need a phone mount, bell, or helmet? Our guide to the Best Biking Accessories covers you.
A Note on Speed and Range
Everybody’s experience with electric scooters will be slightly different. This is because road conditions, weather, and rider weight significantly impact range and performance. I’m a 6’4″ person and weigh about 240 pounds, so for comparison, you’ll get a more extended range and possibly quicker speeds out of some of these scooters if you’re smaller and lighter.
Best Overall
I didn’t have the best first impressions with the KQi3 Pro. During shipment, the clasp on the first unit broke. I had to ride it for 500 metres at a deliberately slow pace in “training mode” when I unboxed my second one. Don’t mistreat me! Since then, Niu has upgraded the firmware to lower this distance to 200 metres. At this point, you can unlock the full capabilities.
Best Lightweight Electric Scooter
Weighing only thirty pounds, the Unagi Model One Voyager (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a sleek scooter with a top speed of fifteen miles per hour and good sloping handling capabilities. (You can also unlock a speed of 20 mph.)
Most people will be able to achieve a little more excellent range than I could, which was 10 miles. It’s a perfect last-mile choice when combined with public transit because of its lightweight design.
It doesn’t take up much space on the train and is much easier to tote up and down stairs. The folding device is also quick and easy to use, and it charges quickly (up to 50% in an hour), so you can top it off while having breakfast at the coffee shop. Drawbacks? The 7.5-inch solid rubber tyres aren’t very good at neutralising bumps and holes outside their limited range, so stay on level roads if possible. It costs a lot too.
Best Commuter Scooter
If the range is your main concern, Apollo’s Phantom V3 is a good option (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It had 43 per cent remaining in the tank at the end of a 22-mile drive that I could take on, even after crossing two separate bridges! The top speed of the Phantom is 38 mph (41 mph in Ludo mode); however, this is too fast.
Instead, I used the accompanying app to limit the speed to 20 mph. Far more sensible. It folds down easily, has good brakes, and has a great suspension system. Turn signals are even included! Unfortunately, it is 77 pounds in weight. It’s not something you want to lug up a staircase every day, frankly.