Turboant M10 Lite Review
$399.98 Original price was: $399.98.$299.98Current price is: $299.98.
PUBLISH DATE
March 30, 2023
When it comes to budget scooters, Turboant is like Stone Cold Steve Austin clearing a ring full of horse jockeys. Unpretentious yet dominant, this is the brand that has made the likes of the X7 Pro, X7 Max, V8, and M10 household names among newcomers to the world of electric scooters.
Now, Turboant is back at it again. It’s taken the successful blueprint of the M10 and created the all-new M10 Lite, a scooter that’s rewritten the rulebook of what a sub $400 model can deliver.
From chart-topping performance in its price class to a design that surpasses its similarly-priced competitors, this is one scooter not to be missed.
Turboant M10 Lite Review: Best Electric Scooter Under $400
The good and the bad
Who we recommend it for
Is it worth its price tag?
Look, feel, and functionality
Results from our tests
Other scooters to consider
Pros & Cons
- 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
- Elongated fenders prevent splashback
- IP54 water-resistance rating
- Deck is a little short
- Cruise control has a habit of kicking in uninvited
- Taillights aren’t visible enough
Who It's Best For
If it’s a simple, low-cost, zero-fuss model that’ll withstand the rigors of daily life you’re after, then the M10 Lite is a bolt from the heavens.
Ergonomically designed, easy to fold, and protected by an IP54 water-resistance rating, Turboant has succeeded in building a scooter that’s custom-made for modern city life.
Value For Money
Turboant is a brand renowned for its budget scooters. Comfortable to ride, durable, and surprisingly premium in performance, their popularity is well earned.
The M10 Lite brings all these qualities to the table at an even lower price point. In fact, it offers the best return on investment compared to any other sub $400 electric scooter. Not only does it top the charts of both speed and range, but its build and ride quality surpasses its price tag.
Turboant M10 Lite vs M10
The key differences between the M10 Lite and M10 are:
- The Lite is cheaper
- Both scooters share the same size motors, but the M10 has a top speed that is 4 mph faster (16 vs 20 mph)
- The M10 has a 14% bigger battery and a 2.5-mile range advantage (15.5 vs 18 miles)
- The brakes on the Lite are better calibrated and result in a 41% shorter stopping distance from 15 mph (2.9 vs 4.9 meters)
- The Lite’s cockpit and controls are more ergonomic (thumb vs finger throttle)
- The M10 has larger tires (8.5 vs 10 inches)
- The Lite has a more aesthetically pleasing design that benefits from better build quality.
Turboant M10 Lite | Turboant M10 | |
---|---|---|
Where to Buy | Turboant | Turboant |
Price | $299.98 | $359.98 |
Award | Best Under $400 | Best Under $450 |
Review | N/A | Review |
Performance | ||
Top Speed | 16 mph | 20 mph |
0-15 MPH | 7.8 s | 7.6 s |
Max Range | 15.5 miles | 18 miles |
Tested Range | 10 miles | 11 miles |
Braking | 2.9 meters | 4.9 meters |
Max Incline | 15 degrees | 15 degrees |
Optimal Incline | 7 degrees | 9 degrees |
Specs | ||
Motor | 36V 350W | 36V 350W |
Throttle | Thumb | Finger |
Battery | 36V 6.6Ah FST | 36V 7.5Ah FST |
Charge Time | 5 hours | 5 hours |
Brakes | Disc, Electronic | Disc, Electronic |
Suspension | None | None |
Tire Size | 8.5 inch | 10 inch |
Tire Type | Air (Inner-Tube) | Air (Inner-Tube) |
Weight | 30.9 lbs | 29.8 lbs |
Load | 220 lbs | 220 lbs |
Foldability | Folds at Stem | Folds at Stem |
Lights | Headlight, Taillight | Headlight, Taillight |
IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 |
Terrain | Street | Street |
Design & Features
Cockpit
At 19.7 inches, the handlebars are surprisingly wide. Measuring 3.2 inches wider than the typical budget scooters that we’ve tested – including those from Turboant – the M10 Lite feels natural to control. This is further enhanced by grippy rubber handgrips that ensure you have a firm hold.
Previously, the Turboant M10 was fitted with a small trigger-style finger throttle, and while it was easy to use, it has been replaced with one of the thumb variety. The ergonomics of the thumb throttle are far better.
Elsewhere, on the left, you’ll find the brake lever, the latch that snaps into the hook on the rear fender when folded, and in the center is the display.
Displays these days come in many wonderful shapes and sizes, and the one on the M10 Lite hits the nail on the head. Not only is it anti-glare – meaning you can read it in direct light – but its simple presentation of data is easy to consume at a glance. The four curved bars on either side of the speedometer show your battery level. Based on our tests, bars one, two, and three roughly have a few miles each, while the last bar turns red indicating you have just one more mile left in the tank.
USB Charging Port
Positioned below the display is a USB charging port. Now, we’ve tested quite a few scooters that have this feature, but the success rate of the ports working has been around 50%.
Thankfully, the port on the M10 Lite works, meaning you can use it to charge all your devices (we tested it with an iPhone 11). This is the first time we’ve seen this feature successfully implemented on a budget scooter, and as a result, it receives great praise from the ESI team.
It must be noted, though, that we only recommend using the port in times of desperate need, or if you only plan on riding a couple of miles. Using it saps large amounts of energy from the battery.
Frame
What else could you expect from Turboant besides a frame that not only looks good but can survive wear and tear? Made from an aluminum alloy, it’s both lightweight and robust. The stem, meanwhile, is solidly built and free from wobble.
Aesthetically, the frame also gets a thumbs up. Everything from the handlebars to the stem and deck seamlessly flows into each other. The attention to detail for a scooter so cheap is impressive. In fact, when standing the M10 Lite alongside its predecessor and more expensive model – the M10 – it’s easy to think that the Lite could be the more premium scooter of the two since its design and build quality have the edge.
Deck
Lined with a deeply-treaded rubber, the deck packs a punch where style and flair are concerned, but it also delivers on the practical goods. This is another area of the M10 Lite’s design that supersedes its sub $400 counterparts. Often, we find that scooters in this price range cut corners and are equipped with a thin rubber matt that's not been fitted with the greatest precision (i.e. they can be a bit rough around the edges). With the M10 Lite, there’s none of this whatsoever.
While testing the scooter, we noticed that the deck was on the short side, though. There’s enough room to position your feet in an L-shape, and you can, at times, use the reinforced rear fender as a kickplate (so long as you don’t put too much weight on it). By comparison to other budget models, you lose around 2-4 inches of available foot space.
Tires
A crowning glory in the M10 Lite’s arsenal is its 8.5-inch pneumatic tires. Years ago, air-filled tires were rare to find on a budget scooter – many brands would opt for solid rubber tires to keep costs down, but these lacked any form of shock absorption. Those on the M10 Lite, however, provide ample cushioning to soak up the irregularities of streets and sidewalks.
Their smaller size is great for maneuverability and they even feel stable while riding at 16 mph. Plus, thanks to their pliable design, you’re able to lean into corners at speed since they maintain traction when rolling from side to side.
Portability
As a confessed commuter scooter, you’d expect the Turboant M10 Lite to cut no corners when it comes to portability. I can confirm that this is correct – though it’s not an entirely clean rap sheet.
The 3-step folding mechanism is exceptionally quick and simple to operate. To fold the scooter, you rotate the safety catch to free the folding lever. You then pull down on the lever, lower the stem, and latch the handlebars to the rear fender.
However, we did find that the latch on the handlebars occasionally came loose out of the anchor on the rear fender, meaning you had to reattach it before attempting to pick the scooter up. For future models, it would be great if the latch could have a stronger spring-loaded mechanism so it clicks into place as opposed to having to manually attach it.
Once compacted, the M10 Lite has a small enough profile to fit in a car trunk or under your desk with minimal fuss. Plus, it weighs just 30.9 lbs, meaning it's relatively easy to carry.
A Guide to Foldable Electric Scooters (Lightest & Most Compact)
Load
The question that most riders have is whether or not the scooter will perform the same for them as it did for us, and this, ultimately, comes down to your riding conditions with the biggest factor being how much you weigh.
When testing the scooter, I (Josh, here) weigh roughly 190 lbs. If you weigh less than this, then you should see better performance, if you weigh more, then you may see worse.
So, when we take into account the M10 Lite’s ability to support riders up to 220 lbs and the results from our performance tests, we can confidently say that riders up to 190 lbs will experience a good level of performance. However, if you weigh more than this, then we recommend checking out the Turboant X7 Max and its 275 lbs load capacity.
Lights
Equipped with a 3W headlight, we measured the brightness of the beam and it came to approximately 300 lumens. This is bright enough for riding in well-lit areas during low-light conditions, but we recommend attaching an additional clip-on headlight if riding at night is going to be a regular occurrence.
As for the taillights, it has two that line either side of the deck at the rear. However, while they wrap around the deck, it would have been nice if they were more visible. Here, an improvement would be for an additional taillight to be attached to the rear fender as we saw on the Turboant M10 and X7 Max.
Electric Scooters Headlights
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Build Quality & Durability
As we’ve already alluded to, the M10 Lite looks, feels, and rides like a scooter that costs more than its low-cost price tag. Everything is solidly set, while all the wiring is hidden within the frame to improve aesthetics and safety.
The bonus of an IP54 water-resistance rating – and long fenders – also means you’ll be protected from water splashes. When we filmed our review it snowed and rained, yet the scooter held up its end of the bargain performing just as it had promised.
Performance Report
Performance Report Summary
Category | Result |
---|---|
Top Speed | 16 mph |
0-15 MPH | 7.8 s |
Max Range (Riding Slow) | 15.5 miles |
Max Range (Riding Fast) | 10 miles |
Braking | 2.9 meters |
Max Incline | 15 degrees |
Optimal Incline | 7 degrees |
Top Speed
Armed with a 36V 350W motor, the Turboant M10 Lite can reach an advertised top speed of 16 mph.
However, top speeds – like maximum ranges – are based on riding conditions that include a 175 lb rider, flat terrain, and ambient temperatures. Following our tests, we were surprised to find that the M10 Lite did, in fact, hit the 16 mph top speed, thereby making it the fastest scooter in the sub $400 price category.
Top Speed vs Price
To assess the M10 Lite’s performance against similarly-priced scooters (including those that cost more), we compared its speed to the top-performing models within a $300 bracket.
Scooter | Price | Top Speed |
---|---|---|
Turboant M10 |
$359.98
| 20 mph |
Turboant M10 Lite |
$299.98
| 16 mph |
GoTrax XR Ultra |
$419
| 15.5 mph |
GoTrax Apex |
$314
| 15.5 mph |
GoTrax GXL V2 |
$350
| 15.5 mph |
Here’s where the Turboant vs GoTrax rivalry gathers pace. Sadly for the latter, there’s only one winner.
Out of 5 models, the M10 Lite comes in at a solid second place, behind its bigger sibling, the M10, which is well clear with its 20 mph top speed.
Acceleration
Interestingly, while testing the M10 Lite we revealed that its acceleration rate of 0-15 mph in 7.8 seconds is only marginally slower than the M10’s 7.6 seconds, despite the latter costing more.
While the difference is barely noticeable while riding both scooters, the reason for the M10’s more plucky acceleration (remember it also blazes past 15 mph to 20 mph), is because of its rear-wheel drive.
The M10 Lite, on the other hand, has its motor mounted upfront and as with cars, a rear-wheel-drive vehicle of the same weight and power will accelerate quicker than its front-wheel-drive counterpart. This is because as the vehicle rolls forwards, there’s a slight shift in weight toward the back. This pushes down on the rear tire giving it better traction.
Scooter | Price | 0-15 MPH |
---|---|---|
Turboant X7 Max |
$439.98
| 6.9 s |
Turboant M10 |
$359.98
| 7.6 s |
Turboant M10 Lite |
$299.98
| 7.8 s |
Mileage
Equipped with a 36V 6.6Ah battery, it promises a maximum range of 15.5 miles from a 4-5 hour charge.
Based on our test rides, where we rode it in its fastest setting around a course consisting of undulating streets, it achieved 10 miles. That’s enough juice for most commutes to the office and back, a trip to shops, and meeting up with friends in town.
However, it’s worth noting that, once the scooter is down to its last battery bar there’s a steep drop off in power, meaning its top speed reduces to approximately 5 mph.
Mileage vs Price
Compared to the 4 other models that fall within a range of $300 around the M10 Lite’s price tag, it has to settle for third behind the M10 and – gaining a modicum of revenge – the GoTrax XR Ultra.
Scooter | Price | Max Range |
---|---|---|
Turboant M10 |
$359.98
| 18 miles |
GoTrax XR Ultra |
$419
| 16 miles |
Turboant M10 Lite |
$299.98
| 15.5 miles |
GoTrax Apex |
$314
| 15 miles |
GoTrax GXL V2 |
$350
| 12 miles |
It’s important to note, however, that the 0.5-mile advantage that the XR Ultra holds over the Lite comes at an additional cost. Worth it? Well, it does have a superior LG battery that will last longer, but with everything considered (i.e. price, power, ride quality), we recommend opting for the original Turboant M10 if range is important to you. After all, it has the largest battery of all the scooters equating to 270Wh of energy (vs the M10 Lite’s 237.6Wh).
Hill Climbing
Turboant claims that the M10 Lite can handle inclines of 15 degrees. According to our hill test, the optimal hill climbing angle is 7 degrees, making it well-suited to gentle inclines.
Electric Scooters For Climbing Hills: Breeze Up the Steepest of Inclines
Shock Absorption
There’s not too much to say in the way of shock absorption because the M10 Lite doesn’t have a suspension system (and we don’t expect it to either – these are reserved for models that cost upwards of $750).
We can, however, vouch for the fact that with its air-filled, shock-absorbing tires in tow, it makes smooth work of roads and sidewalks. For context, its shock-absorbing capabilities are on par with the rest of the top-performing scooters in its price class.
Braking
One area where the M10 Lite surprised us was its braking strength. Sporting a rear disc brake and electronic brake, the scooter came to a stop from 15 mph in 2.9 meters – pretty sensational for its price, especially considering that its competitors take roughly 5.0 meters.
The secret sauce here is in the calibration of the disc brake, which is better than any other Turboant model. This translates into exceptional responsiveness when navigating busy city centers.
Ride Quality
With the combination of the wide handlebars, grippy deck, ergonomic controls, and nimble, shock-absorbing tires, the M10 Lite’s ride quality is as good as it gets for a budget scooter.
There is one slight annoyance, though. The cruise control function regularly kicks in after a few seconds of maintaining a constant pace. If you continue to hold the throttle and decide that you want to go faster, the scooter won’t respond even after pressing the throttle down further. The only way to come out of cruise mode is to release the throttle and then press back down on it or pull the brakes.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to deactivate cruise control in the settings. This isn’t a deal breaker, but there’s no denying that it takes a little getting used to.
Alternatives
Considering everything that we now know about the M10 Lite’s design, features, and performance, what other scooters should you consider?
Turboant M10
Specs:
- Speed: 20 mph
- Range: 18 miles
- Weight: 29.8 lbs
- Load: 220 lbs
Why is it Better Than the Turboant M10 Lite?
- Faster (+4 mph)
- Longer range (+2.5 miles)
- Larger tires (+1.5 inches)
Why is it Worse Than the Turboant M10 Lite?
- Costs more
- No USB charging port
- Controls aren’t as ergonomic
- Brakes aren’t as well calibrated
Turboant X7 Max
Specs:
- Speed: 20 mph
- Range: 32 miles
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Load: 275 lbs
Why is it Better Than the Turboant M10 Lite?
- Faster (+4 mph)
- Longer range (+16.5 miles)
- Has a detachable battery (meaning you can double your range with a fresh one on the go)
- Supports more rider weight (+55 lbs)
- Better suited to taller riders
Why is it Worse Than the Turboant M10 Lite?
- Costs more
- No USB charging port
Warranty
The M10 Lite comes with Turboant’s customary one-year limited warranty, and a return and refund policy of thirty days for new and unused products.
It’s worth noting, however, that the length of the warranty depends on the components. While the structural parts (i.e. the frame), LED display, and charging cables are all covered for one year, the battery, charger, controller, motor, and lights are only covered for six months.
As is usually the case, the warranty does not cover accidental damage, wear and tear, or issues deriving from misuse.
Specification Sheet
Specification: Turboant M10 Lite Review
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$399.98 Original price was: $399.98.$299.98Current price is: $299.98.