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How to Choose a Waterproof Electric Scooter

When choosing an electric scooter for wet weather rides it needs to tick the performance and safety boxes to ensure that you’re able to navigate rain-soaked streets without worrying about water damage or losing control on slippery surfaces.

Turboant M10 Lite in the Rain

From understanding IP ratings to evaluating tire performance, braking systems, handling, and splashback protection, I’ll walk you through the key factors to help you find the best scooter.

A word of caution: While it can be tempting to choose a scooter with immense power, I recommend scaling back your selection to those that don’t exceed 35 mph. Riding faster than this on wet, unpredictable roads isn't worth the risk.

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Josh Testing Deck Grip in the Rain

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IP Ratings: Understanding Different Levels of Moisture Protection

The key measure of a scooter's ability to withstand damage from wet and dirty environments is its IP rating (Ingress Protection). This is an international standard that specifies the protection that electrical components (i.e. wiring, motors, batteries, etc) have against water, dust, and other external elements.

Josh Testing Turboant M10 Lite's Handling in the Rain

All IP ratings start with ‘IP’ and are followed by two digits (e.g. IPX4, IP54, IP66, etc). Understanding what these digits mean is imperative since they each relate to a different level of protection. Here’s how to interpret different ratings:

First Digit (Intrusion Protection): The first digit refers to the grade of resistance against the intrusion of solid foreign objects (i.e. dust).

DigitExampleIntrusion Protection
XIntrusion Protection 0No Protection
1Intrusion Protection 1Objects greater than 50 mm
2Intrusion Protection 2Objects greater than 12.5 mm
3Intrusion Protection 3Objects greater than 2.5 mm
4Intrusion Protection 4Objects greater than 1 mm
5Intrusion Protection 5Partial protection against dust
6Intrusion Protection 6Totally dust-tight

Second Digit (Moisture Protection): The second digit indicates protection against various forms of moisture (i.e. rain, sprays, submersion, etc).

DigitExampleMoisture Protection
XMoisture Protection 0No Protection
1Moisture Protection 1Vertically falling water droplets
2Moisture Protection 2Water droplets when tilted at 15 degrees
3Moisture Protection 3Spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical
4Moisture Protection 4Water splashes from all directions
5Moisture Protection 5Low-pressure jets (6.3 mm nozzle) of directed water from any angle
6Moisture Protection 6High-pressure jets (12.5 mm nozzle) of directed water from any angle
7Moisture Protection 7Submersion for a depth of up to 1 meter
8Moisture Protection 8Extended submersion for depth of 1 meter or more

IP Rating Examples: Here are the IP ratings that you’re most likely to find on electric scooters.

Rating Protection
IPX4 Protected against water splashing from any direction
IP54 Partially protected against dust and protected from water spray from any direction
IPX5 Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction
IP55 Partially protected against dust and protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction
IPX6 Protected against high-pressure water jets from any direction
IP56 Partially protected against dust and protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction
IP66 Totally dust tight and protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction

As a rule of thumb, electric scooters with ratings of at least IPX4 can withstand light showers and puddle splashes. However, for heavy downpours, I recommend choosing a scooter with a moisture rating of at least 6.

EMOVE Touring in the rain

Further Information:

IP Ratings: A Beginner’s Guide

Tire Performance:: Maximizing Grip in Wet Conditions

Alongside IP ratings and reliable brakes, tires are among the most important safety features. The following four factors determine performance:

Tire Type: Throughout my wet-weather tests, it became evident that pneumatic tires consistently outperformed solid ones in slippery conditions. This is because of their flexible design. Here, the thick layer of air allows them to conform to irregular road conditions resulting in superior grip.

Tire Size: The larger the tires, the bigger their contact patch, and the greater their traction.

Apollo Air 2023 Front Tire

Tire Profile: Tires with rounded front-on profiles maintain more traction than those that are squarer. This is particularly evident when leaning into corners since tires with rounded profiles maintain larger contact patches with the ground, even at acute angles. Those that are square, however, roll onto their edges, lose grip, and can cause the scooter to slide out from underneath you.

Tire Tread: Tires with moderately patterned treads are the best at dispersing water to prevent slippage.

Apollo Air 2023 Tire Tread

Braking Power: Ensuring Reliable Stopping in the Rain

Aside from coming to a stop quickly, it’s important to consider how different types of brakes fare in the rain.

Discs: Disc brakes can sometimes fade when wet because of the reduced grip that the calipers have on the rotors.

Drums: Drum brakes tend to perform consistently because their sealed design prevents water from compromising their functionality.

Regen Systems: Regenerative braking systems perform exceptionally well because they are impervious to the fading effects of water. Instead of relying on mechanical components, they use electronic circuits to draw kinetic energy away from the motors. This creates drag and slows the scooter.

Josh Braking on the Wolf King GTR

When assessing each scooter’s braking setup, you should also take note of their stopping distance to identify the top performers.

PerformanceStop From 15 MPH
Excellent< 2.5 meters
Very Good2.5 - 3.0 meters
Good3.0 - 3.5 meters
Fair3.5 - 4.0 meters
Poor> 4.0 meters

Handling: Staying in Control on Slippery Roads

The ability to control and maneuver a scooter while riding in wet conditions is critical to your safety. There are several factors relating to a scooter’s design, geometry, and build that you should consider:

Handlebar Width: Wider handlebars improve control. This is especially important for riding in the rain since you need to maintain precise maneuverability.

Deck-to-Handlebar Height: Taller handlebars promote better posture and a more confident riding stance, thereby improving your stability. For riders over 6 feet tall, I recommend handlebars that are 40 inches or higher.

Rake (Steering Column) Angle: The angle of the steering column relative to the ground affects how agile or stable a scooter is. A smaller rake angle makes a scooter more nimble, while a larger one enhances stability. Based on my experience, the optimal angle is between 9 and 11 degrees.

Josh Testing the Apollo Air 2023's Hill Climbing

Deck Size & Grip: The bigger the deck, the better you can distribute your weight to improve your balance. Those that measure at least 19 inches long typically provide enough room. You should also look for decks that are slathered in grip tape or rubberized surfaces as these help to keep your feet firmly in place.

Weight Distribution: Imbalances, such as bottom or top-heavy designs can make scooters feel twitchy. This is particularly hazardous in slick conditions, so it’s best to choose a scooter with a well-balanced frame.

Cockpit Ergonomics: The layout of the handlebars, including the positioning of the throttle, controls, and brake levers should be intuitive so that they can operated with minimal thumb or finger movement to ensure quick reactions. Tactile handgrips with anti-slip patterned rubber are also important for keeping a tight rein. The best example of this that I’ve seen is on VMAX’s scooters (i.e. the VX5 Pro, VX2 Pro, and VX4) – they are designed with a stippled top half and cross-hatched underside to maximize grip.

Apollo Air 2023 Cockpit

Splashback Protection: Preventing Debris and Water Spray

The shape and position of fenders have a direct impact on their ability to suppress splashback.

Josh Testing Deck Grip in the Rain

Expert Tip: Using a ruler, you can gauge the angle between the tire and the end of the fender to give you a fairly accurate idea of how protected you’ll be. The more acute the angle, the greater the splashback protection.

For example, if the ruler is positioned at 90 degrees, your back will get covered in significantly more debris than if it's angled at 45 degrees.

Apollo Air 2023 Motor

Need Help?

Still unsure which scooter to choose? Check out my recommendations and compare models below.

Josh Testing Deck Grip in the Rain

Top Picks

See my selection of the best waterproof electric scooters.

Compare

Filter, compare, and sort through waterproof electric scooters.

Josh Frisby
Josh Frisby

From basic budget and feature-packed commuters to all-terrain trailblazers and ultra-performance behemoths, I've spent the last 5 years testing every type of electric scooter. All of the scooters that I review are put through a rigorous review process so that I can clearly distinguish where one is better or worse than another. See how I test electric scooters or check out my guide to the best electric scooters. Contact me anytime: josh@electricscooterinsider.com

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