Buying an Electric Scooter: A Beginner’s Guide

After 4 years of testing scooters, amassing a database of 140+ models, and helping 100,000+ people find the right scooter every month, we’ve summarized our expertise into the ultimate guide that’ll take you through each step and consideration that you should take when buying an electric scooter.

Josh With Lots of Electric Scooters

Beginner's guide on how to choose and buy an electric scooter.

All the factors that you should consider when choosing a scooter

Find the best electric scooter for your needs by use case.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Choose an Electric Scooter

1. Your Experience Level: What Type of Rider Are You?

The first step you need to take when choosing an electric scooter is to determine what type of rider you are. There are three categories to choose from: beginner, intermediate, and expert.

Beginner

If you haven’t ridden an electric scooter before and only have experience on push scooters or bikes, you’ll need to look for one that is suitable for beginners.

Josh With Turboant M10, as well as X7 Max and V8

These types of scooters will have simple, easy-to-use controls, slow acceleration, kick-start functionality, and a top speed of 20 mph.

Recommended Scooters Categories: Entry-Level and Commuter

Intermediate

If have some experience riding electric scooters, are familiar with their controls, and can maintain balance at various speeds, then you can be considered an intermediate rider.

Josh With Apollo Air Pro, Ghost, and Phantom

Scooters that fit the profile of an intermediate rider will be more powerful than those destined for beginners. They have more motor power, bigger batteries, and are packed with features. The top speed of these models can reach 40 mph.

Recommended Scooters Categories: Commuter and Performance

Expert

Riders that have owned and ridden several different types of electric scooters are considered experts.

Josh Standing With the NAMI Burn-e Viper and Dualtron Storm

An expert rider has the experience needed to ride the highest-performing scooters. These scooters are exceptionally powerful and fall into the categories of performance, high-performance, and ultra-performance. Most will have a top speed greater than 40 mph, blistering acceleration rates that less experienced riders will struggle to control, and a wealth of premium features – including hydraulic brakes, hydraulic suspension, and high-quality batteries. They also have excellent build and ride quality.

Recommended Scooters Categories: Performance, High-Performance, Ultra-Performance

2. Scooter Categories: Choosing the Right Type of Scooter

Now that you understand what type of rider you are (beginner, intermediate, or expert), you can select the type of scooter will best suit your experience level and needs.

Entry-Level:

Entry-level electric scooters are simple models that have been designed to minimize cost while maintaining as many key features as possible.

Turboant X7 Max Sleek Frame

They are ideal for beginners because of their low speed, lack of complicated extra features, and cheap price tags.

They generally cost between $300 and $700, are light, and don’t exceed 20 mph. Importantly, they are fitted with small motors and batteries, and because they rely on their tires for shock absorption, are suitable for use on well-maintained sidewalks and streets.

The build quality of budget models is basic, however, several have surprised us (i.e. the Turboant M10 and X7 Max).

Our Top Pick: Turboant X7 Max

SpecsDescription
Price:
Price Range$300-$700
Power:
Motor Power250-500W
Top Speed10-20 mph
Battery Power5-10Ah
Max Mileage10-30 miles
Incline Ability0-5 degrees
BrakesElectronic, Disc, Foot
Ride Quality:
SuspensionNone
Tires Size8-10 inches
Tires TypeSolid, Pneumatic (Inner-Tube)
Design:
Weight20-40 lbs
Load220-275 lbs
FoldingFoldable Stem
Terrain:
StreetYes
Off-RoadNo

Further Information:

Entry-Level Electric Scooters

Commuter:

Commuter scooters are perfectly suited to getting you to and from work. They’re also favored by weekend warriors who are in search of a fun means of cruising around the city or getting from A to B.

Side Profile of Mosquito Frame

Compared to budget models, they pack more motor and battery power, meaning you can ride faster and further. Consequently, you’ll have to pay more for them, with the average price ranging from $700 to $1,500.

Because the focus is on commuting, they often come equipped with a range of foldable mechanisms – including telescopic stems and collapsible handlebars – to make their folded dimensions as compact as possible so that they can be transported and stored easily.

Our Top Pick: EMOVE Cruiser

SpecsDescription
Price:
Price Range$700-$1500
Power:
Motor Power500-1000W
Top Speed20-30 mph
Battery Power10-30Ah
Max Mileage20-60 miles
Incline Ability5-10 degrees
BrakesElectronic, Regen, Disc, Drum
Ride Quality:
SuspensionFront & Rear (Springs, Rubber, Swingarms)
Tires Size8-10 inches
Tires TypeSolid, Pneumatic (Inner-Tube)
Design:
Weight40-60 lbs
Load220-352 lbs
FoldingFoldable Stem, Foldable Handlebars, Telescopic Stem
Terrain:
StreetYes
Off-RoadNo

Further Information:

Electric Scooters For Commuting

Performance:

Performance electric scooters are well suited to intermediate and expert riders. They have large motors (1000W-2000W), reach high speeds (30-40 mph), and deliver fast acceleration rates. As a result, they are higher up on the price scale and can cost between $1,500 and $2,500.

SPLACH Titan From Side

Most will have high-quality suspension, excellent hill-climbing capability, and can be ridden along dirt paths and forest trails, as well as burn rubber in the city.

To cope with the higher speeds you’ll also find better brakes including semi and fully-hydraulic systems. However, they’re also more expensive and can cost between $1,500 and $2,500.

As to be expected, performance scooters are much larger and heavier than budget and commuter models. They can still fold, though – and some sport foldable handlebars to make their folded dimensions more compact.

With all that performance scooters have to offer, it will come as no surprise to learn that they are one of the most popular types of scooters.

Our Top Pick: SPLACH Titan

SpecsDescription
Price:
Price Range$1500-$2500
Power:
Motor Power1000-2000W
Top Speed30-40 mph
Battery Power15-30Ah
Max Mileage30-70 miles
Incline Ability10-25 degrees
BrakesRegen, Disc, Semi-Hydraulic, Full-Hydraulic
Ride Quality:
SuspensionFront & Rear (Springs, Rubber, Swingarms)
Tires Size10 inches
Tires TypePneumatic (Inner-Tube)
Design:
Weight50-80 lbs
Load265-330 lbs
FoldingFoldable Stem (Some Foldable Handlebars)
Terrain:
StreetYes
Off-RoadYes

Further Information:

Fast Electric Scooters

High-Performance:

High-performance scooters can do everything performance models can, but they increase the power to an entirely new level.

NAMI Burn-e 2 Imposing Frame

With these scooters costing anywhere between $2,500 and $3,500, you can expect huge motors, herculean batteries, and excessive amounts of power that can take you from 0-50 mph in a matter of seconds.

Unlike performance models, these usually come with large tubeless tires. Now while this may seem like a trivial difference, it plays a vital role.

Firstly, because high-performance scooters are designed for aggressive riding, they need to be able to withstand wear and tear, and tubeless tires do just that. Using these instead of pneumatic tires with inner tubes substantially reduces the risk of puncturing since there’s no tube to puncture – whether that be from sharp objects or pinch flats when the tube is squashed between the tire and rim. Secondly, they’re faster because they have a lower rolling resistance.

Ultimately, high-performance scooters are best suited to riders that seek adrenaline.

Our Top Pick: NAMI Burn-e 2

SpecsDescription
Price:
Price Range$2500-$3500
Power:
Motor Power2000-3000W
Top Speed40-50 mph
Battery Power20-35Ah
Max Mileage40-90 miles
Incline Ability25-35 degrees
BrakesRegen, Disc, Full-Hydraulic
Ride Quality:
SuspensionFront & Rear (Springs, Hydraulics, Swingarms)
Tires Size10-11 inches
Tires TypePneumatic (Tubeless)
Design:
Weight70-110 lbs
Load265-330 lbs
FoldingFoldable Stem
Terrain:
StreetYes
Off-RoadYes

Further Information:

Fast Electric Scooters

Ultra-Performance:

Ultra-performance scooters are the Bugatti Chiron’s of the scooter world.

These top-of-the-range scooters are priced above $3,500, can reach wind-whipping speeds of up to 80 mph, boast blistering acceleration rates, and have outrageously huge batteries that can keep the wheels rolling for between 70-140 miles.

Dramatic Shot of the Wolf King GT Frame

Imagine high-performance scooters but with jet thrusters.

Given the immense size of all the components that go into making an ultra-performance scooter, it's no surprise that they are also the heaviest. Weighing between 80 and 150 lbs, you can wave goodbye to portability and make space for their huge, hulking frames.

This category of scooters is home to the smallest number of models since they are built for electric scooter enthusiasts, as opposed to the mass market – like budget and commuter scooters.

Our Top Pick: Wolf King GT

SpecsDescription
Price:
Price Range$3500+
Power:
Motor Power3000-4000W
Top Speed50-80 mph
Battery Power30-45Ah
Max Mileage70-140 miles
Incline Ability35-50 degrees
BrakesRegen, Disc, Full-Hydraulic
Ride Quality:
SuspensionFront & Rear (Springs, Hydraulics, Swingarms)
Tires Size11-13 inches
Tires TypePneumatic (Tubeless)
Design:
Weight80-150 lbs
Load265-330 lbs
FoldingFoldable Stem
Terrain:
StreetYes
Off-RoadYes

Further Information:

Fast Electric Scooters

3. Selecting a Scooter: How to Choose a Reliable Model

Now that you know which type of scooter you want, it’s time to choose a reliable model.

Check If the Scooter Has Been Featured on Trusted Review Websites

Electric scooter manufacturers go to great lengths to convince you to spend your money on their scooters. The best way to sieve through all the sales talk and work out which is best for you is to look at which models are recommended by trusted review websites.

To ensure that a review can be trusted, look for those that are just as honest about the bad points as they are about the good. It’s also important that they take a neutral stance, letting you come to your own conclusion without pushing you to make a specific purchase.

Similarly, some websites don't review the product hands-on. Instead, they do desk research. As a result, they aren’t able to give an accurate representation of how a scooter performs. A good indicator of this is sites that use stock imagery (i.e. pictures showcasing scooters on a white background). Here, you should only trust websites that have reviewed the scooters hands-on.

Josh With Lots of Electric Scooters

At Electric Scooter Insider, one of our core foundations is impartial advice – we don’t just focus on the good, we also highlight the bad to let you be the judge. You can read more about how we test and review electric scooters here.

Check the History of the Brand’s Product Line

Once you’ve chosen which scooter you want to buy, a good step to take is to check out the previous history of the brand.

This can easily be done by visiting their website and looking at their other scooters. You should then look for reviews of the other scooters. This will give you a detailed understanding of the brand’s track record and give you peace of mind that the scooter you want to purchase will be a good choice.

Multiple Apollo Scooter Reviews

At Electric Scooter Insider, we are continually testing and reviewing scooters from established brands – whether that’s new iterations of existing scooters or completely new models. By taking a look at our reviews page, you’ll be able to see all of our reviews categorized by brand.

Electric Scooter Brands to Avoid

With hundreds of electric scooter brands competing for your cash, it’s no surprise that there are many untrustworthy ones. Unfortunately, some attempt to pass off inferior scooters as more expensive models.

Aliexpress Electric Scooters

When shopping for electric scooters, avoid miscellaneous brands found on marketplaces like AliExpress. While they may match the performance specs of more well-known brands, they rarely have the same build quality. They also don’t come with the same level of after-sales support or warranty, all of which are essential.

Scooter Brands We Trust & Recommend

Based on many years of testing scooters from various brands, we’ve pulled together a list of the brands that we trust and recommend.

BrandBudgetCommuterPerformanceHigh-PerformanceUltra-Performance
Fluid    
Mercane    
Unagi    
AnyHill   
GoTrax   
Turboant   
Hiboy  
SPLACH  
INOKIM   
EMOVE   
Apollo  
VSETT 
Dualtron  
Kaabo  

4. Buying a Scooter: Where’s the Best Place to Buy From?

So, you’ve found the exact scooter that you want and now you need to choose where to buy it from.

Finding a Retailer You Can Trust

In our experience, retailers that are dedicated to selling electric scooters and similar products, are far better than generic marketplaces or sites that focus on a broad range of electronic goods.

This is because dedicated retailers are experts in their products and can provide you with specific, detailed buying advice. They are also the best for technical support.

Electric Scooter Retailers

Marketplaces, electronic, and general retail stores simply can't deliver the same level of service.

Before you purchase your scooter take your time to familiarize yourself with the customer support options. This will give you a good indication of how much support you can expect if you have questions before the purchase, or if there is an issue or problem after the sale is completed.

Look through the contact pages, FAQs, and policies to establish what they provide in terms of technical support, servicing, repairs, warranty, shipping, and return procedures.

Retailers That We Recommend

Using the table below you’ll be able to find the retailers that we recommend alongside the brands that they sell.

RetailerBrands They Stock
AnyHillAnyHill
ApolloApollo
FluidFluid, INOKIM, Kaabo, Mercane
GoTraxGoTrax
HiboyHiboy
Rev RidesVSETT
SPLACHSPLACH
TurboantTurboant
UnagiUnagi
Voro MotorsDualtron, EMOVE, Kaabo

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Electric Scooter

The factors that you should consider when choosing an electric scooter can be boiled down into 7 broad categories, including power, ride quality, design, applicable terrain, extra features, customer support, and legality.

Power:

Motor Power & Top Speed

Motor power is measured in two units: Watts and Voltage.

Watts (W): Affects the size of the motors and their power output. Higher Watts = Higher speed.

Voltage (V): Affects the motor’s torque. Higher Voltage = Faster acceleration.

SPLACH Titan Front Motor

Budget scooters typically have a single 36V 350W motor and can hit top speeds of 20 mph, while ultra-performance models can have dual 72V 2000W motors and reach 80 mph.

Ultimately, the larger the motor, the faster the scooter can go.

Battery Power & Mileage

Battery power is measured in Watt-Hours (Wh).

To calculate Watt-Hours, you take the amount of current that the battery can produce in Amp-Hours (Ah) and multiply it by its Voltage (V).

For example, a budget scooter may have a 36V 10Ah battery. Multiplying these figures together shows us that the battery’s storage capacity is 360Wh. This will keep the wheels rolling a maximum of 25-30 miles. On the other hand, an ultra-performance model may have a 72V 35Ah (2520Wh) battery that has enough energy stored for 100 miles.

Electric Scooter Charge Ports

Generally, the higher the Wh value, the longer the battery will last, and the greater range you will get.

It's worth noting that not all batteries are made equal. Some electric scooters come with cheap Chinese batteries – which are chosen to keep the cost of the scooter down – while others use high-quality name-brand batteries from LG, Samsung, Panasonic, and Dynavolt. The key difference is prolonged battery life. Just as your phone battery decays the more times you recharge it, scooter batteries do the same. Those that are high-quality (i.e. name-brand batteries) tend to last for hundreds more charge cycles.

Some scooters are also equipped with battery management systems. These regulate battery usage to ensure that they operate at optimum efficiency and are protected from damage.

One other useful nugget of information is that when a scooter’s maximum mileage is calculated it’s based on a 175 lb rider, riding on a flat surface at a low speed. Consequently, most people can expect to get about two-thirds of the maximum mileage when letting the throttle rip.

Incline Ability

Each scooter is given an incline rate to indicate the angle of the slopes that it can climb.

Typically, the maximum incline rate is written in degrees. However, it’s important to note that if you were to take your scooter on a hill that matched its maximum incline rate, the motor would struggle, causing the scooter to either be extremely slow or stop completely.

Electric Scooters for Climbing Hills

As a general rule of thumb, an electric scooter's real-world incline rate is approximately 60% of what the manufacturer quotes. For example, if the scooter has a maximum incline rating of 10 degrees, it will only be able to comfortably climb hills with an incline of up to 6 degrees.

Brakes

The faster and more powerful a scooter is, the better quality brakes it needs.

Mantis King GT Rear Tire and Brake

There’s a range of braking mechanisms to choose from, including electronic, regenerative, foot, drum, disc, semi-hydraulic disc, and fully-hydraulic discs. Fully hydraulic brakes are the best you can get and can be paired with regen braking for exceptional stopping power.

For scooters that don’t exceed 20 mph, a single braking mechanism is sufficient. For scooters that can reach up to 40 mph, dual brakes are needed, and for those that surpass 40 mph, we recommend opting for a scooter that has dual hydraulic brakes.

Charge Time

Most electric scooter batteries can be fully charged within 4 and 24 hours depending on their size. Smaller batteries charge quickly, and larger ones take longer.

Electric Scooter Charger Plugged Into Scooter

Some scooters come with dual charging ports and have fast chargers to speed the process up.

Further Information:

Electric Scooter Charging Guide

Ride Quality:

Suspension

Suspension is a flexible joint placed between the scooter’s wheels and its frame. It protects you from the bumps and vibrations of the ground and significantly improves a scooter’s ride quality.

Scooters with suspension are more expensive but will allow you to ride on a variety of different surfaces comfortably.

Varla Eagle One Pro Rear Suspension

Basic suspension setups include metal springs and air shocks; they absorb shocks by compressing when the scooter passes over a bump. More complex types include swingarms, rubber cartridges, and hydraulics. Some of these can be adjusted to provide a greater range of motion and make for a more plush riding experience.

Tire Type

Scooter tires are either solid, foam, or pneumatic.

Solid tires are cheap, made of rubber, and don’t get punctures, but they don’t absorb bumps and vibrations.

Foam tires are filled with polyurethane foam that traps small pockets of air. They’re lighter than solid tires and have slightly better shock absorption.

Varla Eagle One Pro vs Varla Eagle One Tires

Pneumatic tires are filled with air – some come with an inner tube, while others are tubeless meaning they only have an outer tire. In some instances, tubeless tires are lined with tire slime that plugs any punctures to prevent air from escaping – these are known as no-flat tubeless tires.

Out of all the tire types available, those that are pneumatic – whether inner-tube or tubeless – deliver the most shock absorption. They also serve as the best tire type when it comes to maintaining traction thanks to their pliable design.

Tire Size

Electric scooter tires range between 8-13 inches tall and 2-4 inches wide.

Short vs Tall Tires

Cheaper, less powerful scooters have smaller, narrower tires, while more expensive, powerful models have larger ones.

The larger the tire, the greater the level of shock absorption.

Tire Profile

An overlooked, yet influential factor that can affect a scooter’s maneuverability is its tire profile. While all tires share a perfectly circular shape, the front-on profile can differ. Some tires have square front-on profiles, while others benefit from more curvature.

Round vs Square Electric Scooter Tire

Having tires with a more rounded profile enables better cornering and handling since the curvature ensures that the rubber maintains traction at acute angles. When you learn into corners on tires with a square profile, they roll onto their edges and lose grip. In some circumstances, this can lead to the scooter sliding out from beneath you.

Design:

Weight

Electric scooters can weigh anywhere between 20 and 150 lbs.

Lighter scooters are more portable but have lower top speeds and shorter ranges. Heavier scooters have more powerful motors, bigger batteries, and more features, but are difficult to pick up and carry.

INOKIM Quick 4 Folded

Load Capacity

The load capacity of a scooter indicates the rider weight that it can support.

However, even if you fall within the manufacturer-quoted load capacity, a heavy rider may still not be able to achieve the same speed and range as a lighter rider.

Josh Riding the Turboant M10

As a rule of thumb, we suggest choosing a scooter that has a load-bearing capacity that is at least 30 lbs beyond your weight.

Folding Functionality

The folding functionality of a scooter allows it to be collapsed into a more compact form for transport and storage.

Almost all electric scooters come with a foldable stem, while others have folding handlebars and telescopic stems to make their folded dimensions even more compact.

Small, Compact, Light and Portable Folding Electric Scooter

The more folding features a scooter has, the smaller its folded form is likely to be and the easier it should be to carry. However, folding sections can create weak points in the frame that may rattle while riding. Well-built scooters, from established brands, include strong joints and support mechanisms to prevent this.

Build Quality

The build quality of a scooter can play a huge role in how it performs. This depends on what materials are used, how the parts are designed, and how they’re assembled.

Aluminum alloy is the most common scooter material because it’s strong, light, and resistant to corrosion. It’s used to construct the frame, while the consumables (i.e. throttles, handgrips, tires, etc) are made of reinforced, hardened plastic and rubber.

Side of Apollo City 2022 Chassis

When it comes to the design of a scooter’s frame, the way it's put together can vary. For the best build quality, we recommend choosing a model that was built using CNC manufacturing. By using computerized numerical control (aka CNC), software dictates the movement of the tools and machinery making the scooter, thereby ensuring that each part of a scooter’s frame can be three-dimensional cut from a single piece of aluminum alloy. This allows for a high precision finish with zero weldings, meaning zero weak points. This method is often used by INOKIM.

Similarly, if metal components are made by being compressed into shape, this is called forging. Forged parts are stronger and more durable than those where the metal was melted and poured into a mold (known as casting).

Dimensions (Frame, Handlebars, Deck)

For the most part, the more powerful a scooter, the larger its dimensions. This can include a taller stem, wider handlebars, and a larger deck.

The height of the handlebars is particularly important, especially if you are taller than 6ft.

Josh With NAMI Burn-e and Turboant X7 Max

If you’re tall, a short stem forces you to ride with your back hunched over. To avoid this look for scooters that have handlebars that are 50-52 inches from the ground.

In a similar vein, wider handlebars provide greater stability, particularly when riding at high speeds. And, when it comes to deck size, for maximum comfort it should be at least 20 inches in length to give you enough space.

The shortest deck we’ve ever tested was that of the INOKIM Quick 4. It was notoriously short measuring just 15.5 inches, and this, unfortunately, hindered ride quality.

Applicable Terrain:

Street

Not all electric scooters are made equal and some are confined to the streets.

Scooters suitable for street use will have tires with a shallow tread pattern. Because most streets are well maintained and relatively flat there’s less need for a deep tread.

Josh Riding the Apollo Air

It’s also worth noting that scooters designed for use in urban environments don’t have the necessary robustness to conquer off-road tracks. Riding off-road exerts additional pressures on your scooter, so staying within the realms of what is possible is essential to keep your scooter in full working order.

One thing is for sure, though. All electric scooters – whether budget, commuter, performance, high-performance, or ultra-performance – can be ridden on the streets.

Off-Road

While all scooters are street-grade, only performance, high-performance, and ultra-performance models have the necessary features and build quality to tackle off-road routes.

Josh Riding the Mantis King GT on Grass

Off-road terrain can be unpredictable, bumpy, muddy, and have loose surfaces like sand and gravel. Scooters that can be used on this terrain need to have deep traveling suspension and large air-filled tires with a knobby tread. Some scooters even come with the option of off-road tires with a deeper tread pattern.

Further Information:

Best Off-Road Electric Scooters

Extra Features:

Display

Every electric scooter has a display. It’s either mounted in the center of the handlebars or attached to them.

You can use it to check key details such as your speed, distance traveled, and remaining battery life. 

Apollo Ghost 2022 Display and Throttle

More advanced versions include additional data like the temperature of the motors and controllers, and allow you to access customizable settings such as acceleration and electronic braking strength.

Lights

There are many different lighting setups to consider, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and additional deck lighting.

More expensive scooters are more likely to have turn signals and LED lights along the side of the deck, but one area of a scooter’s lighting setup that can be disappointing is the strength and placement of the headlight.

SPLACH Titan Lights

If the headlights are too low or not bright enough, they won’t cast a strong enough beam to illuminate the way ahead. As a result, we often recommend picking up an additional headlight for almost every scooter that we review.

Water-Resistance Rating

If a scooter has a water-resistance rating it is certified as being protected against water to a specific level. The most common ratings are as follows:

IP RatingsProtected Against
IPX4Protected against water splashing from any direction
IPX5Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction
IPX6Protected against high-pressure water jets from any direction
IP54Partially protected against dust and protected from water spray from any direction
IP55Partially protected against dust and protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction
IP56Partially protected against dust and protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction
IP67Totally dust tight and protected from submersion for a depth of up to 1 meter

Anti-Theft Features

Electric scooters are valuable assets and a target for opportunistic and organized crime. Consequently, some scooters come with a range of anti-theft features to keep them safe. These include:

  • Key lock ignitions that immobilize the motors until the key is inserted.
  • NFC card readers that unlock the scooter only when a pre-programmed NFC card is held close to the reader.
  • Fingerprint readers that only allow you to turn the scooter on once your biometric data has been parsed.
  • Password protection that won’t let anyone start the scooter without entering a 4-digit code.
  • Mobile apps that enable the remote locking of wheels.
  • Wireless key fobs that can arm motion sensors and alarms.
  • Built-in cable locks.

Varla Eagle One Pro NFC Card Reader

Seat Attachments

Standing up to ride your scooter can be tiring, particularly if you’re planning on traveling for an hour or more. Some scooters give you the option of fixing a seat onto the deck. This allows you to sit down and remain comfortable while your scooter puts the miles in.

Detachable seats are priced between $65 and $145.

Riding the Wolf King with Seat

Further Information:

Best Electric Scooters With Seats

Horn

Whether trekking along countryside roads or navigating busy city streets, a horn is an essential way of letting your fellow road users know that you’re there.

Typically, budget scooters don’t come equipped with a horn, but have a bell instead. Higher performance models, however, often come with motorcycle-grade horns that bellow out a loud 105db of honking action.

VSETT 9+ Horn and DDM Buttons

Customer Support:

Warranty

All trustworthy electric scooter brands offer a warranty to give you peace of mind if something goes wrong. We recommend that you don’t accept anything less than 6 months, although you should always try and get 12 months if possible.

Electric Scooter Warranty Example

It’s also important to note that not all warranties are the same. Before you buy a scooter, familiarize yourself with the terms of the warranty so you know exactly what it covers and what you’re liable for.

Some of the best warranties that we’ve had were from Apollo, Fluid Free Ride, and NAMI Electric.

Apollo offers 12-month warranty coverage against manufacturing defects and a 24-month protection plan for wear and tear.

Fluid Free Ride matches Apollo’s 12-month warranty but gives you a Lifetime Service Commitment that grants you 50% discount on all parts and labor once the warranty expires.

And, finally, NAMI Electric extends the warranty of any NAMI scooter for 3 years. This just goes to show how much investment NAMI place on quality.

DIY Support

In most cases, we recommend against any DIY fixes since they can make the problem worse and invalidate the warranty.

However, some retailers and brands offer technical support over the phone and email. Via this support, technical advisors can walk you through each step required to fix your scooter. This type of DIY assistance is reserved for issues that can be fixed without having to take the scooter apart. For instance, many new scooters come with plug-and-play connectors, meaning that you can request any replacement parts and install them yourself.

Mantis King GT Cable Management

If you want to minimize the time and hassle of having to package your scooter up and send it away to a service center, then it’s worthwhile buying a scooter whose components are plug-and-play.

Technical Support

Before you buy a scooter, investigate how much support the brands or retailers are willing to give you after you make the purchase. Check that they have a dedicated technical support team, easily available contact details, and a history of helping customers solve product issues.

The very best brands and retailers will provide technical support via live chat, phone, and email, as well as repairs at their service centers.

Electric Scooter Contact Example

If the retailer that you’ve chosen demonstrates any of the above, you can rely on them for post-purchase support.

Legality:

Where You Can Ride

Electric scooters are, for the most part, legal throughout the US. However, each state has specific restrictions that dictate where they can and cannot be ridden.

Scooter use is generally restricted to roads with some states banning sidewalks. However, some states only let you ride on roads that have a speed limit of 35 mph. Other states have no clear guidelines, and Delaware and Pennsylvania prohibited them altogether.

Street Legal Electric Scooter

Scooter Requirements

The legal requirements for electric scooters vary from state to state and can include a maximum top speed, motor size, wheel diameter, maximum weight, certain light setups, and brakes.

To see which electric scooters you can ride legally in each state, take a look at our guide.

Rider Requirements

The requirements for riders vary by state. Some require you to be a minimum age, have mandatory registrations, driving licenses, insurance, and wear a helmet.

Shortcut to Find the Perfect Electric Scooter

Choosing an electric scooter depends entirely on what you want to use your electric scooter for.

Each has its pros and cons, so the one that’s right for you is the one that ticks all – or at least, most – of your boxes.

Electric Scooter Under $500

For example, if you’re an experienced scooter rider that has a need for speed, you may want to opt for a scooter that has powerful dual motors. Alternatively, if you’re looking to alleviate the stress of your daily commute, chances are you’ll be after something light, portable, and resistant to the wear and tear of everyday riding.

To find an electric scooter that fits your requirements, either take a look at our best overall electric scooter guide or take a look at the guides below.

Choose By Rider:

  • Adults – Best electric scooters for adults under $1,000
  • Heavy Riders – Electric scooters that can support riders between 265 and 352 lbs
  • Students – Affordable and lightweight scooters that come with the ideal combination of speed and range that’s perfect for riding to, from, and across campus.
  • Teens – Best electric scooters based on age (13-18 years old).
  • Kids – Best electric scooters based on age (6-12 years old).

Choose By Type:

  • Cheap – Best value-for-money scooters under $650.
  • Commuting – Electric scooters that have the perfect mix of speed, range, weight, and portability.
  • Portable – The lightest and most compact folding electric scooters.
  • Fastest – The most powerful electric scooters that have wind-whipping top speeds and blistering acceleration rates.
  • Dual Motors – Electric scooters that have dual motors categorized by performance level.
  • Long Range – Electric scooters that can be ridden for 30+ miles, and have good ride and build quality.
  • All Terrain (Off-Road) – Electric scooters that have suspension systems, appropriate tires, and enough torque, motor, and braking power, as well as durability, to tackle varying terrain.
  • Suspension – From springs to hydraulics, these are the best electric scooters categorized by shock absorption.
  • Hill Climbing – Electric scooters that have enough power to scale moderate, steep, and extremely steep inclines.
  • Waterproof – Electric scooters that can be ridden in the rain.
  • Seated – Electric scooters that have either removable or permanent seats.
  • Street Legal – Electric scooters that are legal to ride (organised by state).
  • With Lights – Electric scooters that have the best lighting rigs and can be ridden safely at night.

Josh Frisby
Josh Frisby

Josh, Founder of Electric Scooter Insider. Over the last 4 years, I’ve tested countless scooters, amassed a database of 140+ models, and helped thousands of people find the right scooter. All of the scooters that I review are put through a rigorous review process so I can clearly distinguish where one is better or worse than another.

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