Looking to enliven your commute while saving the planet? Electric scooters, also called e-scooters, might be just the ticket. No longer just a toy for suburban kids, these practical little runabouts have become a serious mode of transportation for adults across the nation.
However, trying to find the best scooter on the market can be draining. Before you start scrutinizing spec sheets until your eyes are watering, check out our expert’s curated list of the best options on the market. If you want the best of the best, they determined that you can’t go wrong with the QINGOR Q1. It was selected as the best electric scooter on the market thanks to its great mileage, impressive max weight capacity, and high top speed.
Wondering how fast scooters can go? Read our guide to scooter speeds.
Our Expert’s Top 5 Electric Scooters
Here are the top scooters on the market, as determined by product quality, performance, and customer feedback. Check out the stats and see how they compare.
| Expert's Picks | Brand | Rating | Foldable | Miles Per Charge | Max Speed | Charging Time | Max Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | QINGOR Q1 | 25 | 18.6 MPH | 8-12 hrs | 264 lbs | ||
| Best Budget Buy | GoTrax Apex | 15 | 15.5 MPH | 3-4 hrs | 220 lbs | ||
| Best for Commuters | Segway Ninebot Max | 40 | 18.6 MPH | 6 hrs | 220 lbs | ||
| Best for Speed | EverCross H5 | 25 | 28 MPH | 4-7 hrs | 330 lbs | ||
| Best Sit and Ride | Razor EcoSmart Metro | 12 | 18 MPH | 6.5-8 hrs | 220 lbs |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy an Electric Scooter
- Frequent scooter renters – If you are constantly renting an electric scooter, why not buy your own? It’ll be far more cost efficient in the long run, plus you’ll never need to guess when and where you might find a rental unit available.1
- Those who don’t own a vehicle – For those who rely on public transport, ride share services, or good old-fashioned foot power, an electric scooter is a cheap and easy way to incorporate some portable, motorized freedom into your life.2
- Those living in urban or suburban areas – Small, nimble, and easily stashed away, scooters are ideal for getting around urban and suburban areas. In the country, you’re probably better off with an off-road go-kart.
Who Should Not Buy an Electric Scooter
- Those living in rural areas – Scooters have a limited distance per charge, and most models don’t do well on unpaved roadways.
- Highway travelers – Scooters are city runabouts, not highway cruisers. If you’re always hopping on the interstate, don’t trade out your car for a scooter just yet.
- Those frequently shuttling passengers – Scooters are strictly a one-person affair. They don’t do well accommodating a second passenger, let alone three! If you’re constantly ferrying passengers, this isn’t a great option.
Research Tips (from an Expert)
Here are some tips and best practices to consider when purchasing a new electric scooter. Be sure to do some research on the scooters you’re considering before purchasing one.
- Consider how far you’re traveling – Distance is a huge factor when it comes to electric scooters. They will all have a maximum mileage per charge, but remember, those figures presume ideal conditions and a full battery, so actual range may vary.
- Determine when and where you will charge it – It’s easy to overlook the fact that scooters need to be regularly recharged. If you’re an apartment dweller, do you have an adequate parking situation to facilitate daily charging? If so, what about your workplace, or any other places you may frequent? Be sure you take into account these types of considerations before splurging on a scooter.
- Think about size and portability – Scooters vary in size and weight. Some fold; others do not. Not everyone needs a scooter they can fold up and toss into their trunk, but bulky scooters may be an unexpected hindrance depending on your lifestyle. Thinking about portability and size is vital before buying.
- Consider your own build – A lot of scooters have a maximum load of 220 lbs. That may sound like a lot, but many healthy individuals may tip the scales at such a weight. Adding cargo, such as a bulky laptop or some heavy groceries, may be enough to exceed the weight limit as well. Brushing up against the max weight limit will also hinder total range and efficiency. Be mindful of all this when shopping scooters.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $250 and $900There is a lot of variability in the world of electric scooters. Generally, a higher price tag translates to more features and better build quality. Lower-priced electric scooters are typically geared more towards teens and other young riders due to their slower speeds and limited range.
If you want our advice, avoid anything priced at under $200. The quality and performance goes up drastically with options priced from $250 to $900. You’ll find a lot of great options across the spectrum. What you ultimately choose really comes down to how important certain features are to you. For example, if you’re not traveling very far, you can probably save a couple hundred dollars going for a model with less range and a smaller battery. But if distance is crucial, be ready to pay for it.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Motor Sports Village
The scooters listed here were selected based on customer feedback, with product features and functionality in mind. Our recommendations took into account each electric scooter’s ability to meet user needs, the features they offered, and how well their actual performance measured up to manufacturer claims.
The Best Electric Scooters: Full Reviews
The QINGOR Q1 is what’s left after separating the wheat from the chaff. Sporting a 350W motor, the QINGOR is a powerful scooter that can reach speeds of 18 MPH and go as far as 25 miles in a single charge. With a max weight load of 246 lbs. it also offers more gross-weight carrying capacity than many other scooters on the market. With solid 10-inch tires, it provides a comfortingly stable ride.
The QINGOR weighs less than 40 pounds and is foldable, making it great for those who regularly pop on and off public transit. It has a smart battery design to help you monitor how much juice you have left in the proverbial tank, ensuring you won’t be left stranded with a dead battery.
The main drawback with this scooter is the app that it’s tied to. Unfortunately, many users have voiced their frustration with how difficult it is to use and navigate—a shame, seeing as the app is required to use the scooter. Otherwise, everything about this well-built, quick, and portable scooter makes it a top choice.
- Higher-than-average weight allowance
- High miles per charge for its category
- Can handle up to 20% hill grades
- Long battery charge time
- Packaging it arrives in isn’t the best
- Non-intuitive app
The GoTrax Apex is a great option for the occasional scooter rider who wants solid quality and performance at a fair price. With 8.5″ pneumatic tires and a 250W motor, it isn’t as impressive as the QINGOR. However, it still provides a comfortable ride and a decent top speed.
Aside from a few complaints around quality control, the GoTrax is built well enough to belie its $330 asking price. This is on the lower end of the price spectrum for nice scooters, but the GoTrax is pleasantly surprising in that its speed, range, and charging all punch a class higher than its price tag suggests. For that, it’s our favorite budget option.
- Quick charging
- Light and easy to carry
- Dual braking system to ensure safe stops
- Motor could use more oomph
- Only goes 15 miles per charge
- Some customers had quality-control concerns
If you’re looking for the electric scooter that will get you there and back without having to worry about another charge, look no further than the Segway Ninebot Max. It offers a whopping 40 miles of range—in the scooter world, that’s equivalent to Tesla’s 400-mile range Model S. Exploiting that range isn’t taxing, either, thanks to 10-inch pneumatic tires that provide a cushioned ride and plenty of stability. Once you do finally need a charge, budget 6 hours to top off the battery via the single-cord, smart-charging system that can also double as a cell phone charger.
For $900, the Segway isn’t cheap. But with loads of perks like app connectivity, consistent and useful firmware upgrades, and Bluetooth functionality, The Segway Ninebot Max was built for the modern urban commuter who is ready to ditch their car and try a more eco-friendly option.
- Can go 40 miles on a charge
- Relatively low charge time
- Bluetooth capabilities
- Cruise control
- Not very portable
- 220-lb. weight capacity
- 6-hour charge time
- Expensive
The EverCross H5 is designed to get you to your destination as quickly as possible. With a top speed of 28 MPH, you’ll have other scooter drivers eating dust as you zip by to your destination of choice. This is possible thanks to the powerful 800W motor, which, besides an excellent top speed, enables the 25-mile range and 330-pound maximum carrying capacity.
This scooter is notable for its removable seat, enabling riders to sit down during their jaunts – a luxury usually reserved for the 50-cc-and-up scooter class. It has plenty of other useful features as well. The three-speed cruise control, LCD display, LED lights, dual-braking system, and the 10-inch pneumatic tires are just a few examples. We love that this option isn’t just fast—it is comfortable and livable. For that, we nominate it as the best scooter for those with a need for speed.
- Max rider weight of 300 lbs.
- Max speed is almost double that of most competitors
- 3 cruise control speed options
- Detachable seat gives you the option to stand or sit
- Conflicting user reports on ease of folding
- Expensive
- Some complaints around recurring flat tires
The Razor EcoSmart Metro combines the best of a beachside cruiser bike and a motorized scooter. It looks the part of the former thanks to its bicycle-style wheels, bamboo deck, and rear basket. The highlight of the Razor is its thick, padded fixed seat, which is a novelty in this class. The large, 16-inch pneumatic tires are almost as large as a small bike tire.
As this visually appealing electric scooter is powered by a 500w motor, it can reach a respectable speed of 18 MPH when pushed. For $449, it’s a great choice for those looking to save a bit of money without sacrificing style.
- Larger tires for a smoother ride, especially over uneven terrain
- Built-in cargo carrier for groceries, personal items, etc.
- Comfortable and well-padded seat
- Retro, seaside aesthetic
- Heaviest scooter on this list
- Less range than other scooters
- Long charging time
Frequently Asked Questions
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Article Sources
Motor Sports Village uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Eggert A. E is for environment: Unpacking the benefits of e-scooters. Forbes.com. Published March 5, 2020. Accessed July 19, 2021.
- Sanders R, Branion-Calles M, Nelson T, To scoot or not to scoot: Findings from a recent survey about the benefits and barriers of using e-scooters for riders and non-riders, Transp Res Part A Policy Pract, 2020;139:217-227. doi:10.1016/j.tra.2020.07.009.
- Pizarro H. Easy maintenance keeps your electric bike or scooter battery in top shape. Motorbiscuit.com. Published January 19, 2021. Accessed July 19, 2021.
