Where to Buy an Electric Scooter: Recommended Retailers & How to Choose

Buying an electric scooter can be overwhelming.

Over the last few years, many new electric scooter brands and retailers have entered the market. However, not all of these are made equal, and knowing which you can rely on is essential, especially considering that the majority of electric scooters cost upwards of $1,000.

Josh Riding on the SPLACH Twin on a Dirt Track

Some scooters can be purchased directly from the manufacturer, while others are available from online marketplaces, electronic & retail stores, and dedicated electric scooter retailers.

Do you buy from a marketplace like AliExpress? What about Best Buy or Walmart? Maybe a scooter retailer like Fluid Free Ride?

We’ve been reviewing electric scooters for the last 4 years and have had our fair share of good and bad models from varying retailers. So, to ease the process of deciding where to buy from, we’ve boiled down our years of experience to show you the retailers that we recommend, as well as the key questions that you should ask yourself before buying.

See which electric scooter retailers we recommend based on our experiences.

Discover the two key questions you should ask yourself before buying.

Recommended Electric Scooter Retailers

So, you want to buy an electric scooter. Problem is, there’re so many retailers pulling up trees in this thriving market that it can be tricky to figure out where to start. Here, we’ve listed some of our favorites to help guide you on your journey into this brave new world.

AnyHill

AnyHill Logo and Website

Led by a mission to release humanity from the carbon-spewing steel prisons that clog up our roads and streets, AnyHill is a team of engineers formed in 2021 to make traveling fun, clean and liberating. Its goal is simple: to be the most customer-centric brand in the scooter market

With three cost-effective product lines – the UM-1, UM-2, and UM-3 – that cater to commuters, thrill-seekers, and kids alike, AnyHill has rapidly carved a reputation for innovation and performance without compromising on its user-friendly ethos.

Prices range from $300 to $900.

Apollo

Apollo Logo and Website

To put it simply, Apollo is a bonafide rockstar of the electric scooter world. Loved by both newcomers and aficionados for its commitment to design and performance in equal measure, this brand has one quest: to transform short journeys by reimagining what’s possible with an electric scooter.

Its product line is a testament to this. From the entry-level Apollo Air, which at $999 is the cheapest scooter Apollo sells; to the commuter-friendly Apollo City; to the mind-melting performance of the Apollo Ghost, Phantom, and Pro (which is the most expensive model at $3,599): the Apollo brand is underscored by style, power, and quality. If your budget allows, an Apollo scooter is worth every dime.

FluidFreeRide

FluidFreeRide Logo and Website

Unlike AnyHill and Apollo, FluidFreeRide doesn’t just make and sell an exclusive line of models. Instead, it’s a curated one-stop-shop featuring a plethora of scooters that meet any need and experience level. From its own Fluid range of bestsellers – including the CityRider, Horizon, and Mosquito – to ultra-performance behemoths from brands such as Kaabo and NAMI, you can be sure of finding the right scooter for you.

What sets FluidFreeRide apart, however, is its commitment to customer service. Each scooter comes with a dossier of reviews, spec sheets, and expert analysis, while visitors can also take quizzes and book virtual consultations to find the right model for them.

So, whether your budget sits at $600 or $4,000, FluidFreeRide is a great place to start your journey.

GoTrax

GoTrax Logo and Website

One of the most popular electric scooter brands in the world, GoTrax has built its empire on a desire to make commuting smarter, greener, and more unique. A laudable aim, I’m sure you’ll agree – but what truly distinguishes GoTrax from its competitors?

Tao Motors – that’s what. Based in the same Texan facility, Tao’s manufacturing heritage and GoTrax’s electric vehicle expertise have coalesced to produce a line of budget scooters that guarantee reliability for casual riders. From the $350-priced GXL V2 to the world’s very first three-wheel electric scooter, the $899 G Pro, GoTrax is a brand that never fails to set tongues wagging.

Hiboy

Hiboy Logo and Website

Hiboy is all about fun. From its colorful designs to its varying line of scooters, ranging from kids to performance models, this brand is a labor of love by founder, inventor, and former general engineer, Mark Liu.

Having been in operation for 7 years now, Hiboy has been around longer than many of its competitors, and this experience manifests in the reliability of its models. However, one thing to be aware of is that the vast majority of Hiboy’s models are cheap OEM units, meaning they are white-labeled products. Ultimately, Hiboy is the cheap and cheerful brand of the scooter world. Its products range from $350 to $1,650.

Rev Rides

Rev Rides Logo and Website

Not only does Rev Rides specialize in the selling of scooters made by brands such as VSETT and EVOLV; but it also stocks any kind of part or accessory you could need. This all-around focus distinguishes Rev Rides as one of the go-to retailers for both newcomers and experts who like to upgrade their models.

Close ties with manufacturers and rigorous pre-shipment checks are just two of the ingredients that make up Rev Rides’ special sauce. At its heart, however, is the peerless customer service, with a host of tutorial videos, expert riders, and in-box materials all in plentiful supply for customers looking to learn more about scooters. Prices start at $800 and rise to $4,300.

SPLACH

SPLACH Logo and Website

The brand behind the popular Ranger, Turbo, and Twin models is backed by Indiegogo crowdfunding, which has seen SPLACH go viral on forums and other online communities.

With over $770,000 raised from more than 1000 backers since the launch of its industry-first campaign, SPLACH is a brand with considerable momentum. They specialize in taking popular OEM units, adding their flare, and offering scooters at a discounted rate. We’ve been impressed with the value that their scooters deliver, so if it’s a powerful all-rounder that you’re after, SPLACH will have you covered. Prices range from $600 to $1,300.

TurboAnt

Turboant Logo and Website

TurboAnt is a US brand that bills itself as ”your personal transportation assistant”. This line does a great good job at encapsulating what these guys are all about, with a suite of budget-friendly electric scooters that are purpose-built for first-time riders.

Ranging from $450 to $700, the portable, zippy scooters TurboAnt is known for may not excite adrenaline junkies. But that’s ok with this brand because it’s the commuters and weekend wanderers among us that TurboAnt is interested in. Its mission is to make life easier and cleaner – and who are we to argue with that?

Unagi

Unagi Logo and Website

Would you class yourself as the fashionable type? Someone with a creative eye and passion for design, who values your time above all else? Enter Unagi, a brand created by urban sophisticates for urban sophisticates who are fed up with Ubers, cramped trains, and missed meetings.

So confident is Unagi in its products, that it only has one: The Model One. Starting at $790, the Model One comes in a choice of four colors to fit your style, while its lightweight, super sleek iPhone-esque frame, and plucky power make it an attractive option.

Voro Motors

Voro Motors Logo and Website

Like FluidFreeRide, Voro Motors is a curated online shop for customers who want to reinvent the way they get around. Stocking the best models made by brands such as EMOVE, Kaabo, and Dualtron – Voro Motors is a real powerhouse in the electric scooter community.

So, whether you want to fork out $6,500 for a top-performing Dualtron model – with Voro being the official distributor of Dualtron scooters in North America – or limit your spend to $900 on one of their own EMOVE brand scooters, there’s something for everyone. You can even shop for parts and accessories to upgrade your model.

How to Choose an Electric Scooter Retailer: 2 Key Considerations

Buying an electric scooter is a big deal. You’re parting with a lot of money, so you want to make the right decision. There are a couple of things to bear in mind when shopping around: the type of retailer, and the level of customer support you’re likely to receive.

Learn about different types of retailers, why some are better than others, and which ones you can trust.

Learn about what you should look out for when assessing whether or not you can rely on a retailers customer support.

1. Finding a Retailer You Can Trust: Where’s the Best Place to Buy?

Not all retailers are born equal when it comes to purchasing an electric scooter. Finding the right one for your needs is key.

Types of Retailer

Dedicated Electric Scooter Retailers (Apollo, FluidFreeRide, Voro Motors, etc)

We always recommend buying from a specialist scooter retailer.

Electric Scooter Retailers

Why? To put it simply, they know their stuff. They’re staffed by experts who can offer advice and knowledge to help you make the right choice. This level of technical support is very hard to find from marketplaces and more generalized electronic retailers, which is far from ideal when purchasing a scooter that may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Dedicated electric scooter retailers also offer the best warranty and post-purchase support. For instance, they stock all the parts and accessories you could possibly need, have comprehensive quality control checks, offer a range of contact options – including live chat, phone, and email support – and even partner with specialist service centers across varying cities of the world to make it easier for you to arrange a repair should you need to.

Some leading retailers – like FluidFreeRide – give you lifetime service commitments that grant you a 50% discount on all parts and labor once your warranty expires.

Combined with the technical expertise of teams whose very job it is to know the ins and outs of every scooter that they sell, dedicated electric scooter retailers are, hands-down, the most reliable place to buy an electric scooter.

Electronic & Retail Stores (Best Buy, Dicks Sporting Goods, Walmart, etc)

Electronic and Retail Store Logos

We have nothing against the likes of Best Buy or Walmart – anywhere that’s helping to grow the sales the electric scooters is a good thing in our book. But, when all’s said and done, they cannot supply the expert guidance that dedicated scooter retailers can.

Typically, these types of stores will sell basic run-of-the-mill scooters, but the best models from the most reputable brands are sold via dedicated electric scooter retailers.

Marketplaces (Amazon, Ebay, AliExpress, Newegg, etc)

Marketplace Logos

We get the appeal here. The idea of finding a high-end scooter at a considerably lower price is a tantalizing one. But be warned: what you think is an authentic scooter may be a cheap knock-off that could put your safety at risk. Always do your research – or better yet, just bite the bullet and opt for a dedicated scooter retailer.

Electric Scooter Brands: Well Known vs Generic Unknown Brands

With different retailers stocking varying brands of electric scooters, knowing which brand to choose can be confusing.

Here, well-known brands always trump the unknowns.

Established and reputable retailers will have strong relationships with either the distributors or scooter brands themselves. As a result, if you see a retailer that is selling well-known brands, you can rest assured that they have been vetted for their service and after-sales support. The same can’t be said for retailers that stock unknown brands.

2. Customer Support: Can You Rely on the Pre & Post-Purchase Support?

Aside from which type of retailer you should choose, the other key consideration is the customer support you will receive. Let’s break down the most important elements.

Contact Options

Whether you have a question about your purchase or need technical support, being able to reach out to the retailer is imperative. Check whether the retailer offers any of the below.

Electric Scooter Contact Example

Live Chat

This is a great way of talking to someone in real-time, though do be aware that the person you’re talking to will be a customer service representative and therefore, won’t have the knowledge to help diagnose any issues you may have. However, they can help point you in the right direction of which model to pick.

Phone

Most retailers will have a phone number you can contact. This is the quickest and most reliable way to get answers to a problem or question.

SMS / WhatsApp

SMS or WhatsApp can be ok for quick exchanges around simple questions. Anything more complex, and you’ll need to email for more in-depth help.

Email

Tried-and-tested, email is one of the most reliable means of receiving customer support. The biggest retailers will typically have two email addresses – one for generic customer support, and the other for technical help.

Social Channels

Depending on the size of the retailer, active social channels may enable you to reach out for support. These can be a quick and easy route, but may not always be manned by the people who can help if your issue is a technical one.

Technical Support

The type of technical support you should receive will fall into one or both of the following categories.

Electric Scooter Technical Support

Self-Help & Troubleshooting Resources

These are areas of a retailer’s website – as seen on Apollo’s, for example – dedicated to helping anyone with a common issue.

Articles and videos around frequently asked questions may enable you to solve a problem on your own without having to deal with anyone else. Chances are if you’re experiencing an issue, someone else probably has to, so this is always a good place to start. Every decent retailer should provide troubleshooting resources.

One-2-One Technical Help

One-2-one technical help is vital.

The very best retailers will offer this for every scooter that they sell. A good indication of this is if they provide a technical support email, as well as if they offer self-repair support at home, repairs at their service centers, or repairs at their service partners.

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

Servicing & Repairs

The elite scooter retailers will provide a host of servicing and repair options. This may entail shipping spare or replacement parts to you so you can fix a problem yourself, or offering you the option to send your scooter to a service center to be repaired.

Electric Scooter Service Center Warranty

Some, like FluidFreeRide, also work with service partners in cities across the country, so you may be able to take your scooter to them without having to post it.

Warranty

There are three things to look out for here, including the length of coverage, what’s covered, and the ability to extend.

Electric Scooter Warranty Example

Length of Coverage

The standard length of a scooter warranty is 12 months. This, however, is subject to each retailer’s discretion. GOTRAX, for example, offers a warranty of just 90-days, so it’s always worth checking.

Some scooter brands offer warranties on top of what the retailer provides. For instance, NAMI has an extended three-year warranty on its frames.

What’s Covered

As with most warranties, mechanical and electrical failures are covered. This should include replacements and repairs in the case of manufacturer defects on the frame, stem, motor(s), battery, and controller(s), as well as other components like voltmeters, displays, and throttles.

Accidental damage, wear and tear, or issues caused by misuse, however, will not cut it when it comes to making a claim. Additionally, water damage is not covered.

Ability to Extend

Some retailers will allow you to extend your warranty, as is the case with Voro Motors. This means you can purchase extra one-year, two-year, or three-year protection plans on top of your customary warranty period when buying a scooter. The extended warranty will kick in once your initial term expires, so there’s no overlap.

Shipping & Returns

Before purchasing a scooter, it’s always worth looking into the retailer’s shipping and returns policies.

Shipping Policy

Some companies will only ship to certain countries. This is more likely if the retailer is small or targets specific countries. For larger, more established retailers, you can expect worldwide shipments and tracking.

Returns Policy

Many retailers will allow you to return your purchase within a certain timeframe, providing the scooter is still in its packaging and hasn’t been used or incurred any marks. A return fee may be applied.

Some retailers, will, however, accept returns of used scooters, providing they have not exceeded a certain mileage and have manufacturer defects.

Always do your due diligence before purchasing an electric scooter.

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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