Quick List: Best Portable Electric Scooters
I tested 26 portable electric scooters to find the 5 best models.
- Turboant M10 Lite – Best Basic Budget
- VMAX VX5 Pro GT – Best Lightweight
- SPLACH Turbo – Most Compact Foldable Scooter
- VMAX VX2 Pro GT – Best Long-Range
- Apollo Go – Best Dual-Motor
Top Picks
Best Portable Electric Scooters
Best Basic Budget
Turboant M10 Lite
Summer Sale: $299.98 $399.98
Folding Functions:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
Dimensions (L x W x H):
- Unfolded: 44.5 x 19.7 x 45.9 in
- Folded: 44.5 x 19.7 x 20.5 in
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 16 mph
- Real Speed: 15.8 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 7.8 s*
- Max Range: 15.5 miles
- Real Range: 10 miles*
- Braking: 2.9 meters*
- Max Incline: 15 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 7 degrees*
- Weight: 31 lbs
- Load: 220 lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Outstanding value for money
- Chart-topping performance in the sub $400 category
- Ride and build quality are impressive
- Dual-braking system is strong
- Clean and tidy cable management
- USB charging port that works
- Super quick and easy folding mechanism
- Anti-glare display
- Long fenders prevent splashback
- IP54 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- Deck is a little short
- Cruise control has a habit of kicking in uninvited
Video Review
Photos
Best Lightweight
VMAX VX5 Pro GT
Summer Sale: $549.00 $649.00 – Get Extra $15 Off With Code: ESI
Folding Functions:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
Dimensions (L x W x H):
- Unfolded: 43.7 x 21.9 x 46.9 in
- Folded: 43.7 x 21.9 x 18.5 in
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (197 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: mph
- Real Speed: mph*
- 0-15 mph: s*
- Max Range: miles
- Real Range: miles*
- Braking: meters*
- Suspension: n/a
- Max Incline: degrees
- Optimal Incline: 8 degrees*
- Weight: lbs
- Load: lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Competitive performance profile
- 11% faster acceleration compared to the average of its rivals
- Shortest stopping distance among its rivals
- Best design and build in its price class
- Wider than normal handlebars promote good handling
- Regenerative braking system recycles kinetic energy to recharge the battery on the go
- High quality UL2272-certified battery
- Grippy and nimble 8.5-inch tubed tires
- Immaculate cable management
- Mobile app allows for customized performance
- Slick folding mechanism
- 40.2-inch deck-to-handlebar height makes it suitable for tall riders up to 6’3”
- Protective IPX6 water-resistance rating
- Long fenders that prevent splashback
- Quiet motor
- Low maintenance
- 2-year warranty
The Bad:
- Display gets washed out in direct light
- The taillight is bright at night, but it doesn’t flash when you brake - it just glows a brighter red
Video Review
Photos
Most Compact Foldable Scooter
SPLACH Turbo
Summer Sale: $699.00 $999.00 – Get Extra $65 Off With Code: ESI
Folding Functions:
- Folding Mechanism: Cantilevered
- Foldable Handlebars: Yes
- Telescopic stem: Yes
Dimensions (L x W x H):
- Unfolded: 44.7 x 24.0 x 46.7 in
- Folded: 43.0 x 7.9 x 15.7 in
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 28 mph
- Real Speed: 25 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 4.3 s*
- Max Range: 22 miles
- Real Range: 18 miles*
- Braking: 2.4 meters*
- Suspension: 6/10*
- Max Incline: 14 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 9 degrees*
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Load: 265 lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Outstanding value for money
- Chart-topping speed and acceleration
- Dual swingarm suspension is rare in its price category
- Responsive dual drum brakes outperform competitors
- Exceptionally nimble
- Adjustable handlebar height
- Suitable for both tall and heavy riders
- NFC security system to unlock the scooter
- Low maintenance
- IPX5 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- The lighting setup scores top marks for style - the problem is, there isn’t enough illumination for night rides
Video Review
Photos
Best Long-Range
VMAX VX2 Pro GT
Summer Sale: $999.00 $1,19.00 – Get Extra $15 Off With Code: ESI
Folding Functions:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
Dimensions (L x W x H):
- Unfolded: 44.5 x 23.0 x 48.3 in
- Folded: 44.5 x 23.0 x 19.3 in
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: mph
- Real Speed: mph*
- 0-15 mph: s*
- Max Range: miles
- Real Range: miles*
- Braking: meters*
- Suspension: n/a
- Max Incline: degrees
- Optimal Incline: 9 degrees*
- Weight: lbs
- Load: lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Longest tested range in the sub-$1,000 class
- Fastest acceleration among similarly priced single-motor scooters
- Strong brakes that use a regenerative system to recycle kinetic energy to recharge the battery on the go
- Exceptionally quiet motor
- Impeccable build quality
- Nimble tubeless tires
- Suitable for tall and heavy riders
- Bright lights with excellent turn signals that are visible from the front, rear, and sides
- Mobile app allows for customized performance
- Slick folding mechanism
- Tidy cable management
- Protective IPX6 water-resistance rating
- Long fenders that prevent splashback
- Low maintenance
- 2-year warranty
The Bad:
- Doesn’t have suspension
- Display gets washed out in direct light
- The taillight is bright at night, but it doesn’t flash when you brake - it just glows a brighter red
Video Review
Photos
Best Dual-Motor Foldable Scooter
Apollo Go
Summer Sale: $1,099.00 $1,299.00 – Get Extra $50 Off With Code: ESI
Folding Functions:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
Dimensions (L x W x H):
- Unfolded: 46.5 x 20.4 x 49.0 in
- Folded: 46.5 x 20.4 x 22.8 in
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (197 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 28 mph
- Real Speed: 25.5 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 3.8 s*
- Max Range: 30 miles
- Real Range: 17.6 miles*
- Braking: 3.1 meters*
- Suspension: 6/10*
- Max Incline: 25 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 12 degrees*
- Weight: 46 lbs
- Load: 265 lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Ultra-sleek design
- Premium build quality
- Packed full of useful features
- Cybertruck-inspired lights
- Handlebar integrated turn signals
- Well-designed geometry delivers intuitive control and handling
- Best-in-class cockpit ergonomics
- DOT Matrix display is extremely bright and easy to read from any angle
- Comes with a free QuadLock phone case accessory (saving you $30)
- Integrated mobile app for customized performance
- Stable and nimble thanks to its 14-degree rake angle
- Reliable self-healing tires
- A regenerative braking system recycles kinetic energy to recharge the battery by up to 10%
- A 40-inch deck-to-handlebar height and 265 lb load-bearing capacity make it well-suited to tall and heavy riders
- Impeccable cable management
- Extremely low maintenance
- Battery management system ensures long-term health
- Protective IP66 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- The plastic caps that encapsulate the turn signals are prone to damage
- The taillight is dim during the day
- The clip-in, clip-out folding hook system is a little fiddly
- The handlebars are slightly narrow
Video Review
Photos
Comparison
Compare Portable Electric Scooters
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Turboant M10 Lite | VMAX VX5 Pro | SPLACH Turbo | VMAX VX2 Pro | Apollo Go |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | Turboant | VMAX | SPLACH | VMAX | Apollo |
| Price | $299.98 | $549 | $699 | $999 | $1,099 |
| Category | Best Basic Budget Foldable Scooter | Best Lightweight Foldable Scooter | Most Compact Foldable Scooter | Best Long Range Foldable Scooter | Best Dual-Motor Foldable Scooter |
| Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
| Portability | |||||
| Weight | 30.9 lbs | 36.8 lbs | 45 lbs | 45 lbs | 46 lbs |
| Folded Length | 44.5 in | 43.7 in | 43.0 in | 44.5 in | 46.5 in |
| Folded Width | 19.7 in | 21.9 in | 7.9 in | 23.0 in | 20.4 in |
| Folded Height | 20.5 in | 18.5 in | 15.7 in | 19.3 in | 22.8 in |
| Folding Mechanism | Stem Lever | Stem Lever | Cantilevered | Stem Lever | Stem Lever |
| Foldable Handlebars | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Telescopic Stem | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Performance | |||||
| Top Speed | 15.8 mph | 17.4 mph | 25 mph | 24.5 mph | 25.5 mph |
| 0-15 MPH | 7.8 s | 6.7 s | 4.3 s | 3.8 s | 3.8 s |
| Max Range | 15.5 miles | 22 miles | 22 miles | 37 miles | 30 miles |
| Tested Range | 10 miles | 19 miles | 18 miles | 30.6 miles | 17.6 miles |
| Braking | 2.9 meters | 2.0 meters | 2.4 meters | 3.0 meters | 3.1 meters |
| Shock Absorp. | n/a | n/a | 6/10 | n/a | 6/10 |
| Max Incline | 15 degrees | 14 degrees | 14 degrees | 15 degrees | 25 degrees |
| Optimal Incline | 7 degrees | 8 degrees | 9 degrees | 9 degrees | 12 degrees |
| Specs | |||||
| Motor | 36V 350W | 36V 400W | 48V 600W | 48V 500W | 36V 350W (x2) |
| Throttle | Thumb | Thumb | Finger | Thumb | Thumb |
| Battery | 36V 6.6Ah FST | 36V 10.4Ah FST | 52V 10.4Ah FST | 48V 16Ah FST | 36V 15Ah FST |
| Charge Time | 5 hours | 5 hours | 7 hours | 8.5 hours | 7.5 hours |
| Brakes | Disc, Electronic | Drum, Regen | Dual drums, Electronic | Drum, Regen | Drum, Regen |
| Suspension | None | None | Springs, Swingarms | None | Spring, Rubber Block |
| Tire Size | 8.5 inch | 9 inch | 8.5 inches | 10 inch | 9 inch |
| Tire Type | Air (Inner-Tube) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Inner-Tube), Solid (Rubber) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Tubeless, Self-Healing) |
| Load | 220 lbs | 265 lbs | 265 lbs | 287 lbs | 265 lbs |
| Lights | Headlight, Taillight | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Stem Strip, Deck LEDs, Taillights, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IPX6 | IPX5 | IPX6 | IP66 |
| Terrain | Street | Street | Street | Street | Street |
Testing & Analysis
How Did I Test the Scooters?
Test Criteria
To find the 5 best portable electric scooters, I tested 26 models. Each was evaluated across its weight, dimensions, foldability, performance, and overall value.
Weight
Based on my independent database of over 180 models, electric scooters can weigh anywhere between 25 and 150 lbs. As a result, I made sure to test and select the top-performing scooters that fell into the lower third of the weight bracket.
Dimensions
Thanks to a multitude of folding mechanisms, electric scooters can vary in their dimensions. In the interest of portability, I made sure to select the models that had the most compact frames, taking into account their folded length, width, and height.
Foldability
While some scooters only fold at the stem, leaving wide handlebars to protrude outwards, others make use of varying applications to reduce their size. Here, I chose the scooters that combined the best folding mechanisms.
Further Information:
Performance
I tested and compared all 26 models across the metrics of speed, acceleration, range, braking, hill climbing, shock absorption, and ride quality. I also reviewed their features and build quality.
Further Information:
Value
The last step in the selection process, was to identify the scooters that offered the best overall package for their price. I compared them all across their weight, dimensions, folding functions, and performance.
