The Best Electric Scooters for Adults

2023-01-09 21:33:20 By : Ms. Nicole Fang

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

These electric scooters will make your commute easier—and a whole lot more fun. off road scooter

The Best Electric Scooters for Adults

Whether you’re looking for an electric scooter to take you the last mile to work in the city or to have fun with on the weekends, the market is flooded with affordable and durable electric scooter options. Some electric scooters are capable machines that can take you more than 20 miles on a single charge, powering up hills and absorbing shock on rough streets, while others are meant just to go about 10 miles per charge—ideal for subway and bus riders looking to speed up the home stretch of their commute.

When it comes to buying an electric scooter, first and foremost, you first need to consider how you plan to use it. Are you looking for reliable, year-round transportation to and from work or to run local errands? Or are you looking for a scooter to take you longer distances and even climb hills? Do you want something that can operate in the rain and at night, or do you want a speed demon? Below, find out what we think you should consider before making your purchase.

Safety and consideration for others should be a top priority when buying and using scooters. Most of these electric scooters top out around 18 mph, but some can travel as fast as vehicles, up to 60 mph. Even at 10 mph, riders can seriously injure themselves or others by crashing into people, curbs, trees, and other obstacles. At the very least always, always wear a helmet—if not more protection—while riding an electric scooter.

Know the local laws regarding riding electric scooters. In many jurisdictions, electric scooters aren’t allowed on sidewalks. In others, small electric devices like scooters and e-bikes are limited to certain speeds and other places have their own, unique laws. For instance, in Florida, e-scooters with seats must be registered and have a title and license plate.

The range of a scooter is based on battery and motor size or sizes and is impacted by a number of factors, including rider weight, weather, and whether or not users are primarily riding in flat or hilly areas. The ranges listed below are based on manufacturers’ claims. Many are designed to get up to 10 miles per charge, but some can last for up to 40 miles or more on a single charge.

Most e-scooters top out around 15 mph, that’s more than fast enough to zip along city streets and paths. Some reach much higher speeds—up to 60 mph—and we’ve included one of these for riders seeking a quicker commute or more of a thrill.

Electric scooters often have motors with a power rating between 250 and 350 watts. This is enough for most daily city commuting. If you're a heavier person or are riding primarily in hilly areas, you may want to opt for a scooter with a larger, more powerful motor.

Almost all electric scooters have rubber tires. Some are solid rubber tires, some have tubeless tires, and some have tires with inner tubes. Solid rubber tires are the longest-lasting and are ideal for those making shorter rides on smooth streets, but they also absorb less shock than their tubeless counterparts.

Tires with inner tubes were more common in the past, but we’re starting to see more tubeless and tube-ready tires today. Both tubeless and tube-ready tires can suffer punctures but offer more cushioning during a ride than solid rubber models. Tubeless tires are often found on more expensive electric scooters. Many more expensive scooters with bigger motors and batteries have bigger suspension as well, and these may include small air or coil shocks.

If you plan on riding a scooter in the early morning or night, look for a scooter with good front and rear lights. It’s also a good idea to look for a scooter with a horn or bell to warn bikers, pedestrians, and other scooter riders that you’re approaching. All scooters should have good brakes as well. Some only have them on one wheel, while more powerful scooters should have front and back brakes and possibly a motor brake so you don’t go flying down a hill faster than intended. Motor brakes can also provide some regenerative braking, extending the scooter's range slightly.

Some other extras to look for on electric scooters are items like seats or baskets. These are great to have if you prefer a seated ride and/or if you plan on using the scooter for errands, like grocery shopping.

Most adult e-scooters start around $300-$400. You can find some for less but you’ll also be getting a lot less in terms of power, range, battery life, and safety features. High-end electric scooters can cost well over $2,000. We considered the benefits of both less and more expensive scooters.

With hundreds of options out there, we based our picks on research, evaluating the opinions and ratings of professional reviewers, as well as checking out customer reviews and rankings, and evaluating each model's most important specs. We chose reputable brands available from large retailers, selecting electric scooters that are not only the highest-performing models on the market, but also the easiest to find in stock.

For more ways to make your commute a whole lot more fun, check out our picks for the best e-bikes and electric skateboards.

If you’re looking for a scooter that can do just about everything well—with a long range, to boot—check out the Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max. It can go up to 40 miles on a single charge, handle hills with grades up to 20 percent, and carry riders up to 220 pounds.

Its 10-inch pneumatic tires are great at absorbing bumps in the road and it folds easily for storage. At just over 40 pounds, it’s heavier than some commuter scooters but that’s thanks to the bigger battery for extended range.

If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive last mile electric scooter, the GoTrax XR Ultra needs to be on your radar. At just over 26 pounds, it’s light and easy to carry and fold. The scooter can handle riders up to 220 pounds and hills up to about 15 degrees. But best of all, it has a great price tag—about $400 less than the Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max.

If you want a scooter with a ridiculous amount of speed and range, check out the Outstorm Maxx Pro Plus. Outstorm states it can go up to 62 miles per hour and travel up to 60 miles on a single charge—essentially it’s a scooter that’s as fast as a small motorcycle.

As such, it also has hydraulic front and rear shocks. At 100 pounds, it’s not a light scooter, but it does fold up for rolling.

The ES4 KickScooter from Segway isn’t as burly or beefy as the Max, but it’s designed with safety in mind and can handle wet rides without shorting out. It still has a longer range than many other scooters and a pretty fast top speed of 19 mph. It also has a customizable LED light system and has both front and rear LED lights.

If you’re looking for a basic electric scooter to get you that last mile in the city, the GoTrax GXL V2 is worth considering. It’s under $400, making it more affordable than many comparable models. It’s also among the lightest e-scooters out there, making it easy to carry and take into work or your home at the end of the day.

With a less powerful motor than similar models, it’s not great for hilly areas and it also only has a rear brake, so there are definitely compromises, but it’s still a great purchase with more than 7,500 reviews and an average customer rating of 4.5 stars.

For those who prefer to sit down and ride, or anyone who wants more features, like a seat and a basket, the Glion Balto e-scooter could be the perfect fit. It can handle riders up to 250 pounds and has a decent range for getting groceries and running errands.

The Balto also folds up easily, with rollers for walking around, and Glion sells a 500-watt AC inverter for the scooter, allowing it to charge your devices.

You can buy the Hiboy S2 Pro with or without a seat. Either way, it’s a solid e-scooter with decent range and speed. Though it has rubber wheels, it also has a rear suspension to help it absorb shock while you're riding around town. The top speed of 19 mph will get you there quickly, too!

The Unagi Model One E500 is one of the sleekest-looking electric scooters out there. It’s also one of the most powerful by weight and has good range. What really sets it apart, though, is the ability to rent it rather than buy it. Through the rental program, you can get the scooter for as little as $39 a month if you don’t want to shell out nearly $1,000 for one.

The Best Electric Scooters for Adults

electric kick scooter If you’re looking for an easy scooter for getting around town, the Razor EcoSmart Metro HD is a great option. It’s got a comfy seat and basket/rack for carrying groceries and other items. It’s heavier than many scooters, but also has a wider base than many scooters and a low center of gravity, making it easier to stand upright again if it falls over.