Electric scooters have revolutionized urban commuting, offering a fun, eco-friendly, and efficient way to navigate city streets. With a plethora of brands flooding the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This guide dives into some of the Good Electric Scooter Brands available, highlighting top picks and models to consider, as well as those you might want to avoid. Whether you’re a first-time rider or an experienced scooter enthusiast, understanding the landscape of electric scooter brands is crucial for making an informed decision.
Prioritizing Safety: Helmet Recommendations from Top Brands
Safety should always be paramount when riding electric scooters. Leading brands recognize this and often emphasize safety features in their designs, alongside recommending appropriate safety gear. A crucial piece of safety equipment is a helmet. For riders exceeding 15 miles per hour, a full-face helmet offers superior protection.
The Beam Virgo Helmet: Priced at $299, The Beam Virgo helmet is a standout for its full-face coverage and stylish design. Testers have praised its cool aesthetics and practical flip-down visor, which is especially useful in wet conditions, preventing water from splashing into the eyes. While putting it on might be a snug fit, especially for larger sizes and glasses wearers (glasses may need to be removed initially and then put back on), the helmet includes earbud holes for convenience. Comfort is a key feature, though the padding may occasionally require readjustment. Importantly, the Virgo is a MIPS helmet, incorporating technology to reduce rotational motion during accidents, thereby minimizing the risk of brain injury.
Thousand Heritage 2.0 Helmet: For riders who prefer slower speeds, the Thousand Heritage 2.0 Helmet, priced at $99, is an excellent choice. WIRED reviewers and users consistently highlight Thousand helmets for their appealing design and comfort. The Heritage 2.0 also features a convenient one-handed magnetic clasp, making it user-friendly and secure for urban commutes.
Exploring Other Top Electric Scooter Brands and Models
Beyond helmets, the electric scooter market offers a diverse range of brands, each with unique models catering to different needs and preferences. Here’s a look at some noteworthy brands and scooters:
MiniMotors USA: Powerful and Feature-Rich Scooters
MiniMotors USA is known for its Dualtron series, which are generally high-performance and robust scooters.
MiniMotors USA Dualtron Togo: The Dualtron Togo is a compact yet powerful scooter. While its retail price is around $850, it’s considered a phenomenal value if found at discounted prices, sometimes dropping to $499. In tests, the Togo managed a 13-mile range on a single charge in a demanding Brooklyn to Manhattan round trip. The ride is noted to be stiff, and the design might be better suited for shorter riders due to the handlebar reach. A notable safety feature is the throttle lock, which engages after a few seconds and requires pressing both brakes to unlock – a feature that prevents accidental acceleration. Although it can reach speeds up to 25 mph, testers rode it at 15 mph. Battery performance can be inconsistent; the gauge may fluctuate significantly. With a 220-pound max load, it’s better suited for lighter riders to achieve optimal range. It weighs 54 pounds, making it reasonably portable for its class.
MiniMotors USA Dualtron Mini Special: Priced at $1,199, the Dualtron Mini Special is a step up in performance but may not be ideal for beginners. Assembly instructions are vague, and the companion app is not user-friendly. However, once set up, it offers a pleasant riding experience with a top speed of 35 mph and a realistic range of 25 to 30 miles, despite the company claiming 40 miles. It handles slopes well but has a surprisingly low max load capacity of 200 pounds for its 59-pound weight.
Niu: Reliable and User-Friendly Scooters
Niu is a widely recognized brand known for its balance of performance, features, and user-friendliness.
Niu KQi3 Pro: The Niu KQi3 Pro, priced around $500, has been a top recommendation in its category for its excellent range and value. It consistently achieves around 15 miles of range even with demanding use, potentially reaching 18 to 20 miles under less strenuous conditions. It reaches a top speed of 20 mph and features comfortable 9.5-inch tubeless tires and reliable disc brakes. Practical features include a bell, lights, and handlebar space for a phone mount. It folds easily, though its 45-pound weight is not exceptionally light. The handlebars do not fold down, which can be inconvenient in tight spaces. While slightly older, it remains a strong contender, especially if found on sale, and has been succeeded by newer models like the KQi 300X and 300P.
Navee S65: Navee is an emerging brand gaining traction in the US market. The Navee S65, priced at $599, provides an enjoyable riding experience. It reliably achieves 16-mile round trips at 20 mph, though this nearly depletes the battery. It boasts strong acceleration and hill-climbing capabilities, thanks to its geared hub motor, which is noted to be quite loud. Weighing 53 pounds, it’s heavier than some competitors with similar range. Customer service is still developing, given its newer market presence.
FluidFreeRide: Lightweight and Nimble Scooters
FluidFreeRide specializes in scooters that emphasize portability and agility.
Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito: For those prioritizing ultra-lightweight scooters, the Fluid Mosquito, priced at $899, is a compelling option. Weighing only 29 pounds, it’s among the lightest in its class and includes a convenient built-in grab handle. It folds quickly and offers a top speed of 24 mph. However, the lightweight design has trade-offs. Suspension is adequate but not exceptional, and the wheels are narrow. Braking is effective but can lead to skidding during sudden stops. Range is limited, around 9 miles in testing. Speed modes must be set before riding, lacking on-the-fly adjustment.
Budget-Friendly Brands: Gotrax and TurboAnt
For riders seeking more affordable options, Gotrax and TurboAnt offer budget-conscious scooters.
TurboAnt M10 Lite: The TurboAnt M10 Lite, priced at $300, is a decent budget scooter best suited for riders under 200 pounds (testers couldn’t reach its top speed of 16 mph). Assembly requires a few extra steps. It achieved around 8 miles of range in testing. Its folding system is quick, the display is bright, and it’s relatively light at 31 pounds. However, it’s not recommended for steep hills.
Gotrax Apex: Priced at $350, the Gotrax Apex is another foldable and portable option, weighing 32 pounds. It includes an integrated bell and digital display showing speed and battery life, with a top speed of 15 mph. It’s considered reliable for short trips but not the smoothest ride. Its 250-watt motor struggles with inclines, significantly impacting battery life. Range is around 9 miles in testing. Handlebar height may be an issue for taller riders. Rear disc brake may need tightening for optimal stopping power.
Gotrax GX2: The Gotrax GX2, priced at $1,299, is a more powerful and robust scooter, similar in class to the Apollo Phantom. Weighing 76 pounds, it offers substantial power and range. It can reach 35 mph with dual 800-watt motors but is typically ridden around 20 mph. It achieved over 18 miles of range in tests. Its heavy weight and thick stem make it difficult to carry. It features a Parking mode that engages after a few seconds of stopping, which can be inconvenient. Build quality concerns include motor noise and a latch issue, suggesting potential quality control issues.
Other Brands to Consider: Evolv, Radio Flyer, Apollo
Evolv Terra: Priced at $1,170, the Evolv Terra is a 53-pound scooter that is relatively easy to carry due to its thin stem. It’s powerful, potentially reaching 31 mph with dual 600-watt motors, though speed laws should be considered. Cruising at 20 mph in second gear (of three) with a single motor is also possible. Range is average, potentially exceeding 20 miles with conservative speed. Suspension is adequate, but solid tires can feel bumpy on rough surfaces. Fenders are not very effective in wet conditions. Stem angle and thumb throttle design may cause wrist discomfort on longer rides, though adjustments are possible.
Radio Flyer S533: Surprisingly capable, the Radio Flyer S533, priced at $599, features an easy folding mechanism and lightweight design at 30 pounds. It’s not a commuter scooter, with a range under 8 miles in testing. Despite exceeding its 220-pound load capacity, it averaged 14 mph of its 16 mph top speed. Suitable for short errands, but considered overpriced for its power and performance. Initial quality issues were noted with the test units.
Apollo Air Pro (2022): The Apollo Air Pro (2022) model, priced at $749, is considered adequate but overpriced. It reaches 21 mph and achieved 13 to 15 miles of range in tests. It includes standard features like lights, a bell, and app connectivity. However, the app is required to unlock full speed, otherwise limited to 12 mph. The folding mechanism is cumbersome, and despite its 39-pound weight, it’s uncomfortable to carry due to its thick stem.
Electric Scooters to Avoid: Brands with Notable Issues
Not all electric scooter brands deliver on their promises. Some models exhibit significant drawbacks that make them less recommendable.
Niu KQi Air: Despite initial excitement, the Niu KQi Air, priced at $1,399, has mixed reviews due to several quirks. Its carbon fiber frame makes it exceptionally light at 26 pounds, with a 20-mph top speed. It folds easily and features turn signals, a good app, and regenerative braking. However, range is limited to under 10 miles in testing. Connectivity issues with the phone app, theft protection quirks (alarm and auto-braking), and reliability problems with the initial test unit (requiring a replacement) are significant drawbacks. Performance inconsistencies, such as slowing down and delayed top speed achievement, suggest potential thermal issues.
Veo Cosmo X: The Veo Cosmo X, priced at a hefty $2,499, is a sit-down scooter that underperforms for its price. Range is poor, barely reaching 10 miles at its top speed of 17 mph, despite its 94-pound weight. Its rideshare market origins don’t translate well to the consumer market in terms of value and specifications.
Gotrax G6 and Eclipse: The Gotrax G6 and Eclipse models, priced around $500, suffer from overheating issues. Both scooters experienced overheating errors after just 20 minutes of riding on an 80°F day, especially struggling on inclines. Despite a 265-pound weight capacity rating, overheating occurred under normal use conditions.
Taur Electric Scooter: The Taur Electric Scooter, priced at $995, has numerous flaws despite its unique pedal-based design and compact profile. Range is poor, especially at higher speeds (8 miles at 24 mph). Ride quality is choppy at lower speeds. The folding mechanism is not refined, and it’s cumbersome to carry despite its 38-pound weight. The app is clunky, and customer service appears to be unreliable, with reports of ghosting and difficulty obtaining repairs.
Atomi Alpha: The Atomi Alpha, priced at $299, is aesthetically pleasing but has a poorly designed kickstand that easily tips over. Performance is underwhelming, struggling to reach top speed even under the weight limit. Reliability issues were noted with a test unit failing after a few months.
Levy Plus: The Levy Plus, priced at $749, is best suited for flat terrain due to its slow performance on hills. It reaches 18 mph and is rated for only 5 to 10 percent inclines. While lightweight at 30 pounds and featuring a replaceable battery and disc brakes, its limited hill-climbing ability restricts its usability in varied terrains.
Unagi Model One Classic (Rental): Renting the refurbished Unagi Model One Classic for $59 per month is not recommended. Its specifications are outdated compared to newer models like the Unagi Model One Voyager, making it a less appealing option in terms of performance and value.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Electric Scooter Brand for You
Selecting an electric scooter involves balancing various factors like brand reputation, safety features, performance, range, portability, and budget. Good electric scooter brands prioritize not only performance but also rider safety and user experience. Brands like Niu and MiniMotors USA stand out for their reliable performance and features, while FluidFreeRide caters to those needing lightweight portability. Budget-conscious brands like Gotrax and TurboAnt offer more affordable options, though potentially with compromises in performance or features. Conversely, some brands and models, as highlighted, should be approached with caution due to reported issues with reliability, performance, or customer service. Always prioritize safety by wearing a helmet and considering models from brands known for their quality and safety features. By carefully evaluating your needs and researching different brands, you can find the perfect electric scooter to enhance your daily commute and urban explorations.
