Quick List: Best Lightweight Electric Scooters
I tested 21 lightweight electric scooters to find the 6 best models.
- Turboant M10 Lite – Best Basic Budget (30.9 lbs)
- NIU KQi2 Pro – Best Folding Design (41 lbs)
- Turboant X7 Max – Extendable Range (34 lbs)
- VMAX VX5 Pro GT – Best Overall Budget (36.8 lbs)
- VMAX VX2 Pro GT – Longest Range (45 lbs)
- Apollo Go – Best Suspension, Dual Motor & Fastest (46 lbs)
Best Lightweight Electric Scooters
Best Basic Budget
Turboant M10 Lite
Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 30.9 lbs
- Folded (L x W x H): 44.5 x 19.7 x 20.5 in
Folding Mechanisms:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
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
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 Folding Design
NIU KQi2 Pro
Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 41 lbs
- Folded (L x W x H): 45.2 x 20.5 x 20.5 in
Folding Mechanisms:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 17 mph
- Real Speed: 16.3 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 6.0 s*
- Max Range: 25 miles
- Real Range: 17 miles*
- Braking: 5.2 meters*
- Max Incline: 8.5 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 6 degrees*
- Weight: 41 lbs
- Load: 220 lbs
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Winner of an iF Design Award
- Best build quality in the sub-$400 class
- Comprehensive two-year warranty
- Exceptional folding mechanism
- Thick tubeless tires promise excellent traction
- Advanced battery management system
- Mobile app integration
- Bright and easy-to-read display
- Wider-than-normal handlebars inspire confidence
- Cable management is among the best I’ve seen
- Well suited to tall riders
- Iconic halo headlight
- IP54 water resistance rating
The Bad:
- While the taillight is bright, it doesn’t flash when you brake (instead, it just glows brighter)
- The brakes could be better calibrated, though it does have a regenerative system that recycles braking energy into battery power for extended mileage
- With just 3 inches of ground clearance, you need to avoid curbs and other obstacles
Video Review
Photos
Extendable Range
Turboant X7 Max
Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Folded (L x W x H): 45.3 x 16.5 x 20.1 in
Folding Mechanisms:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
Performance Report
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 20 mph
- Real Speed: 18.6 mph*
- 0-15 mph: 6.9 s*
- Max Range: 32 miles
- Real Range: 18 miles*
- Braking: 3.0 meters*
- Max Incline: 15 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 9 degrees*
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Load: 275 lbs
Pros & Cons
The Good:
- Extremely popular budget scooter
- Table-topping range in the sub $500 category
- Detachable battery means you can extend your range indefinitely with the purchase of spares
- Reliable dual-braking system
- Plush 10-inch tires
- Intuitive folding mechanism
- Well suited to both tall and heavy riders
- Sleek, sweeping frame
- Ergonomic controls
- IPX4 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- Additional lighting is needed for night rides
- The thick stem can be cumbersome to carry for small hands
Video Review
Photos
Best Overall Budget
VMAX VX5 Pro GT
Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 36.8 lbs
- Folded (L x W x H): 43.7 x 21.9 x 18.5 in
Folding Mechanisms:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
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
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
Longest Range
VMAX VX2 Pro GT
Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Folded (L x W x H): 44.5 x 23.0 x 19.3 in
Folding Mechanisms:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
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
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 Suspension, Dual Motor & Fastest
Apollo Go
Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 46 lbs
- Folded (L x W x H): 46.5 x 20.4 x 22.8 in
Folding Mechanisms:
- Folding Mechanism: Stem Lever
- Foldable Handlebars: No
- Telescopic stem: No
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
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
Compare Lightweight Electric Scooters
Turboant M10 Lite | NIU KQi2 Pro | Turboant X7 Max | VMAX VX5 Pro | VMAX VX2 Pro | Apollo Go |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | Turboant | NIU | Turboant | VMAX | VMAX | Apollo |
| Price | $299.98 | $399 | $409.98 | $499 | $899 | $1,099 |
| Award | Best Basic Budget | Best Folding Design | Extendable Range | Best Overall Budget | Longest Range | Best Suspension, Dual Motor & Fastest |
| Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
| Performance | ||||||
| Top Speed | 16 mph | 17 mph | 20 mph | 18 mph | 24 mph | 28 mph |
| 0-15 MPH | 7.8 s | 6.0 s | 6.9 s | 6.7 s | 3.8 s | 3.8 s |
| Max Range | 15.5 miles | 25 miles | 30 miles | 22 miles | 37 miles | 30 miles |
| Tested Range | 10 miles | 17 miles | 18 miles | 19 miles | 30.6 miles | 17.6 miles |
| Braking | 2.9 meters | 5.2 meters | 3.0 meters | 2.0 meters | 3.0 meters | 3.1 meters |
| Suspension | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 6/10 |
| Max Incline | 15 degrees | 8.5 degrees | 15 degrees | 14 degrees | 15 degrees | 25 degrees |
| Optimal Incline | 7 degrees | 6 degrees | 9 degrees | 8 degrees | 9 degrees | 12 degrees |
| Portability | ||||||
| Weight | 30.9 lbs | 41 lbs | 34 lbs | 36.8 lbs | 45 lbs | 46 lbs |
| Folded Length | 44.5 in | 45.2 in | 45.3 in | 43.7 in | 44.5 in | 46.5 in |
| Folded Width | 19.7 in | 20.5 in | 16.5 in | 21.9 in | 23.0 in | 20.4 in |
| Folded Height | 20.5 in | 20.5 in | 20.1 in | 18.5 in | 19.3 in | 22.8 in |
| Foldability | Stem Lever | Stem Lever | Stem Lever | Stem Lever | Stem Lever | Stem Lever |
| Specs | ||||||
| Motor | 36V 350W | 48V 300W | 36V 350W | 36V 400W | 48V 500W | 36V 350W (x2) |
| Throttle | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb | Thumb |
| Battery | 36V 6.6Ah FST | 48V 7.6Ah FST | 36V 10Ah FST | 36V 10.4Ah FST | 48V 16Ah FST | 36V 15Ah FST |
| Charge Time | 5 hours | 7 hours | 6 hours | 5 hours | 8.5 hours | 7.5 hours |
| Brakes | Disc, Electronic | Drum, Regen | Disc, Electronic | Drum, Regen | Drum, Regen | Drum, Regen |
| Suspension | None | None | None | None | None | Spring, Rubber Block |
| Tire Size | 8.5 inch | 10 inch | 10 inch | 9 inch | 10 inch | 9 inch |
| Tire Type | Air (Inner-Tube) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Inner-Tube) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Tubeless) | Air (Tubeless, Self-Healing) |
| Load | 220 lbs | 220 lbs | 275 lbs | 265 lbs | 287 lbs | 265 lbs |
| Lights | Headlight, Taillight | Headlight, Taillight | Headlight, Taillight | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals | Headlight, Taillight, Turn Signals |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 | IPX4 | IPX6 | IPX6 | IP66 |
| Terrain | Street | Street | Street | Street | Street | Street |
How Did I Test the Scooters?
Test Criteria
To find the 6 best lightweight electric scooters, I tested 21 models. Each was evaluated on its weight, folding mechanisms, dimensions, and ease of carrying. I also completed performance tests to compare top speed, acceleration, hill climbing, range, braking, and ride quality.
Weight
Based on my tests where I lifted and carried a wide array of electric scooters, I consider any model under 46 lbs to be lightweight — a significant drop from the 60.2 lbs average of all the models that I’ve reviewed.
With the weight criteria defined, I then shortlisted 21 scooters and grouped them into three categories: Ultra-Light (25–30 lbs), Super-Light (30–35 lbs), and Light (35–46 lbs).
These categories, alongside the results from my other tests, helped me to identify the best-performing scooters in each weight class.
Foldability
Electric scooters are designed to be practical, so I tested each model’s folding mechanisms. Where possible, this included the main mechanism, collapsible handlebars, and telescopic stems.
While I reported on their ease of use and the time it took for each to be fully collapsed, I also assessed their rigidity (for example, I found that some folding levers loosened after repeated use, causing the stem to rock back and forth), and whether the folded scooter could be picked up and carried.
Dimensions
During my tests, it became apparent that electric scooters can vary significantly in their folded dimensions. Those with the smallest profiles combined cantilevered mechanisms with foldable handlebars and retractable stems.
Taking measurements from the most compact and least compact of my shortlisted group of lightweight scooters, the most compact model had combined dimensions (i.e. length + width + height) that were 31% smaller. The most notable difference, however, was in width. Here, there was a 75% decrease in size (7.5 vs 23 inches).
While the folded dimensions of each scooter didn’t play a particularly large role in my selection, it did prove useful in identifying the models that scored the highest in portability.
Performance
Using a set of standardized criteria for each performance test, I collected results detailing each scooter’s top speed, acceleration to 15 mph, hill climbing capabilities, real-world range, stopping distance from 15 mph, and ride quality (handling and comfort).
The results were then compared to identify the models that represented the best value for money.
