Quick List: Best Adult Electric Scooters
I tested 73 electric scooters to find the 6 best models.
- VMAX VX5 Pro GT – Best Under $750 (Beginner)
- VMAX VX2 Pro GT – Best Under $1,000 (Beginner)
- Apollo Go – Best Under $1,250 (Intermediate)
- VMAX VX4 GT – Best Under $1,500 (Intermediate)
- Apollo City Pro – Best Under $1,750 (Expert)
- Mantis King GT – Best Under $2,250 (Expert)
Scooter Categories:
Beginner: These scooters minimize cost while maintaining as many key features as possible. They have simple, easy-to-use controls, and reach top speeds of up to 25 mph.
Intermediate: These scooters have more motor power, bigger batteries, and are packed with extra features. The top speed of these reach up to 30 mph.
Expert: These scooters are perfect for riders that want to experience immense power, range, and the highest level of ride quality. These can reach speeds of 40 mph.
Top Picks
Best Electric Scooters For Adults
Best Under $750
VMAX VX5 Pro GT
Summer Sale: $549.00 $649.00 – Get Extra $15 Off With Code: ESI
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
Best Under $1,000
VMAX VX2 Pro GT
Summer Sale: $999.00 $1,19.00 – Get Extra $15 Off With Code: ESI
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 Under $1,250
Apollo Go
Summer Sale: $1,099.00 $1,299.00 – Get Extra $50 Off With Code: ESI
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
Best Under $1,500
VMAX VX4 GT
Summer Sale: $1,449.00 $1,649.00 – Get Extra $15 Off With Code: ESI
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (197 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 25 mph
- Real Speed: 25.8 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 3.2 s*
- 0-25 mph: 9.6 s*
- Max Range: 62 miles
- Real Range: 36.7 miles*
- Braking: 3.4 meters*
- Suspension: 6.5/10*
- Max Incline: 18 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 11 degrees*
- Weight: 63.9 lbs
- Load: 330 lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Long real-world tested range
- Zippy acceleration
- Quiet motor
- Smooth front and rear suspension
- Versatile hybrid tubeless tires
- Great handling
- Excellent build quality
- Regenerative braking system that recycles kinetic energy to recharge the battery on the go
- Immaculate cable management
- Spacious dimensions
- Suitable for tall and heavy riders (up to 6’4” and 330 lbs)
- Bright turn signals ensure 360-degree visibility
- Display remains visible under direct sunlight
- Long fenders prevent splashback
- Protective IPX6 water-resistance rating
- Low maintenance
- 2-year warranty
The Bad:
- While the folding lever is simple to operate, the same can’t be said for how the latch on the back of the handlebars hooks to the kickplate. It’s difficult to connect the two, and they have a habit of becoming unhooked. This makes the scooter cumbersome to maneuver when folded
- Installing the handlebars is fiddly - there was a lot of extra slack in the thick wires and a very narrow hole to stick them through
- The button pad to control the settings, turn signals, and riding modes is well positioned but would benefit from a more responsive design - with gloves on it was hard to tell if I had pressed the turn signal or riding mode button
- The taillight is bright at night, but it doesn’t flash when you brake - it just glows a brighter red
Video Review
Photos
Best Under $1,750
Apollo City Pro
Summer Sale: $1,299.00 $1,799.00 – Get Extra $50 Off With Code: ESI
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 32 mph
- Real Speed: 31.2 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 2.3 s*
- 0-25 mph: 6.1 s*
- Max Range: 43 miles
- Real Range: 27 miles*
- Braking: 2.1 meters*
- Suspension: 7.5/10*
- Max Incline: 20 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 13 degrees*
- Weight: 65 lbs
- Load: 265 lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Competitive performance profile
- Fast acceleration
- Smooth power delivery
- Sublime handling
- Sleek aesthetic
- Feature-rich
- Proprietary design ensures top-class build quality
- Tubeless, self-healing tires
- Shock-absorbing triple spring suspension
- Regen brake recharges the battery by up to 10%
- Intuitive folding mechanism
- Good lighting setup with the best turn signals that I’ve tested
- Battery management system ensures long-term performance
- Integrated mobile app for customized performance
- Fast charging
- 10,000 km warranty
- Low maintenance
- Suitable for tall and heavy riders
- High IP66 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- The display could be brighter
- Similarly priced models go faster, but the Apollo City Pro’s overall package is superior
Video Review
Photos
Best Under $2,250
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 43 mph
- Real Speed: 45 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 1.9 s*
- 0-25 mph: 4.0 s*
- 0-30 mph: 5.7 s*
- 0-35 mph: 7.8 s*
- Max Range: 56 miles
- Real Range: 38 miles*
- Braking: 2.1 meters*
- Suspension: 9/10*
- Max Incline: 30 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 18 degrees*
- Weight: 79 lbs
- Load: 265 lbs
*Based on my tests and assessments
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Best-in-class performance
- Industry-leading design
- Exceptional build and ride quality
- 30A Sine Wave controllers deliver a smooth, fast acceleration
- High-quality Samsung battery
- Adjustable hydraulic suspension
- Terrain-agnostic tires
- Advanced TFT display
- Controllable LED lights
- Superb folding mechanism
- Wide handlebars and ergonomic controls afford excellent control
- Powerful hydraulic brakes
- IPX5 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- Headlight could be brighter
Video Review
Photos
Comparison
Compare Best Electric Scooters For Adults
Scroll right to see more
VMAX VX5 Pro | VMAX VX2 Pro | Apollo Go | VMAX VX4 | Apollo City Pro | Mantis King GT |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | VMAX | VMAX | Apollo | VMAX | Apollo | Kaabo |
| Price | $499 | $899 | $1,099 | $1,299 | $1,649 | $1,899 |
| Category | Beginner / Budget | Beginner / Budget | Intermediate / Mid-Range | Intermediate / Mid-Range | Expert / Premium | Expert / Premium |
| Best Under | Under $750 | Under $1,000 | Under $1,250 | Under $1,500 | Under $1,750 | Under $2,250 |
| Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
| Performance | ||||||
| Top Speed | 18 mph | 24 mph | 28 mph | 25 mph | 32 mph | 43 mph |
| 0-15 MPH | 6.7 s | 3.8 s | 3.8 s | 3.2 s | 2.3 s | 1.9 s |
| 0-25 MPH | n/a | n/a | n/a | 9.6 s | 6.1 s | 4.0 s |
| Max Range | 22 miles | 37 miles | 30 miles | 62 miles | 43 miles | 56 miles |
| Tested Range | 19 miles | 30.6 miles | 17.6 miles | 36.7 miles | 27 miles | 38 miles |
| Braking | 2.0 meters | 3.0 meters | 3.1 meters | 3.4 meters | 2.1 meters | 2.1 meters |
| Shock Absorp. | n/a | n/a | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Max Incline | 14 degrees | 15 degrees | 25 degrees | 18 degrees | 20 degrees | 30 degrees |
| Optimal Incline | 8 degrees | 9 degrees | 12 degrees | 11 degrees | 13 degrees | 18 degrees |
| Specs | ||||||
| Motor | 36V 400W | 48V 500W | 36V 350W (x2) | 48V 500W | 48V 500W (x2) | 60V 1100W (x2) |
| Throttle | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb |
| Battery | 36V 10.4Ah FST | 48V 16Ah FST | 36V 15Ah FST | 48V 23.2Ah FST | 48V 20Ah FST | 60V 24Ah Samsung |
| Charge Time | 5 hours | 8.5 hours | 7.5 hours | 12 hours | 4.5 hours | 6 hours |
| Brakes | Drum, Regen | Drum, Regen | Drum, Regen | Drum, Regen | Drums (x2), Regen | Hydraulic Discs (x2), Electronic |
| Suspension | None | None | Spring, Rubber Block | Hydraulic Fork, Rubber Block, Swingarms | Triple Springs, Swingarms | Adjust. Hydraulic Springs, Swingarms |
| Tire Size | 9 inch | 10 inch | 9 inch | 10 inch | 10 inch | 10 inch |
| Tire Type | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Tubeless, Self-Healing) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Tubeless, Self-Healing) | Air (Inner-Tube) |
| Weight | 36.8 lbs | 45 lbs | 46 lbs | 63.9 lbs | 65 lbs | 79 lbs |
| Load | 265 lbs | 287 lbs | 265 lbs | 330 lbs | 265 lbs | 265 lbs |
| Foldability | Folds at Stem | Folds at Stem | Folds at Stem | Folds at Stem | Folds at Stem | Folds at Stem |
| Lights | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Deck, Customizable RGB, Turn Signals |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX6 | IP66 | IPX6 | IP66 | IPX5 |
| Terrain | Street | Street | Street | Street, Off-Road | Street | Street, Off-Road |
Testing & Analysis
How Did I Test the Scooters?
Test Criteria
To identify the scooters that had the best value for money, I tested and reviewed each across 7 performance categories and 10 design assessments.
Performance
Using high-precision data collection and analysis tools — including a Dragy GPS Performance Box (DRG70) and Garmin Edge 130 Plus — I put each scooter through a set of grueling performance tests.
To establish the top performers, I tested and assessed them across the following categories:
- Top speed
- Acceleration
- Range
- Hill climbing
- Braking
- Shock absorption
- Ride quality.
Design Assessments
Using high-precision data collection and analysis tools — including a Dragy GPS Performance Box (DRG70) and Garmin Edge 130 Plus — I put each scooter through a set of grueling performance tests.
To establish the top performers, I tested and assessed them across the following categories:
- Top speed
- Acceleration
- Range
- Hill climbing
- Braking
- Shock absorption
- Ride quality.
