Electric Scooter Buying Guide

Are you planning to buy an electric scooter? If so, then you have made a good decision. Electric scooters are an excellent mode of transportation that is not only cost-efficient but environmentally friendly as well!

But not all electric scooters are equal. They vary in features and price. There are many things you should know before purchasing an electric scooter.

In this article, I have provided you with an electric scooter buying guide to help you make the best decision based on your needs.

Categories Of Electric Scooter

#1. Kids Electric Scooter

Kids’ electric scooters are usually under $100. They have a low-powered motor (less than 100 W), and the top speed is either low or limited by a speed limiter.

Speed limiters allow for multiple speed modes, for example, 3 mph, 6 mph, and 9 mph. This feature helps parents adjust the maximum speed of the vehicle as their child grows.

Most kids’ scooters have safety features such as LED lights, UL certification, and powerful braking. Some of them also have adjustable handlebars that can be increased in height as the child grows.

One example is the Razor E100 electric scooter with a 100 W motor with a maximum speed of 10 mph.

#2. Budget Electric Scooter

You can get a budget electric scooter for under $300. If you ride electric scooters occasionally or for recreation, then you may prefer to buy one of these affordable electric scooters. However, do note that the scooter will not have a powerful motor or battery capacity.

The GOTRAX GXL V2 is a good example. It has a 250 W motor and 36 V battery. The top speed of this scooter is 15.5 mph. You can travel up to 9 – 12 miles on a single charge on this scooter.

#3. Commuter Electric Scooters

Commuter scooters are meant for the day-to-day commute from your home to office or school/college. This class of electric scooters is very big. So I have divided it into three categories.

Budget Commuter

You can get a budget commuter electric scooter for between $300 – $600. You can use these electric scooters for daily commuting on smooth local roads, but most of them will not be capable of climbing hills comfortably.

These electric scooters are light, which makes them easy to carry from one place to another.

The GOTRAX XR Elite is a good example of this class of scooters. It has a 300 W motor and a top speed of 15.5 mph. This electric scooter has both disc brakes and ABS along with 8” wheels, which makes a rider comfortable.

Midrange Commuter

The mid-range commuter electric scooter will cost you between $600 to $900. These electric scooters have a slightly larger battery and higher motor power than the budget commuter scooter. One of the best options in this segment is the Segway Ninebot Max. It has a 350 W motor with a top speed of 18.6 mph and 551 Wh battery capacity.

Premium Commuter

You can purchase a premium commuter electric scooter for between $900 – $1200. Here you will find large motors and robust battery and suspension systems. These electric scooters will give the rider all the comfort they could ask for.

The EverCross Electric Scooter has an 800 W motor with a 28 mph top speed and a 48 V battery. This scooter is available at the higher end of the price range.

#4. Performance Electric Scooters

Performance electric scooters ($1200 – $1600) are meant for the sheer joy of riding. These scooters have powerful motors, very high top speeds, great suspensions, and can climb inclines as easily as they tear down a flat road. These are off-road vehicles meant for personal use and races.

UberScoot is a perfect example in this category. It has a 1600 W motor and 48 V battery that can go up to a top speed of 30 mph. It can also climb steep inclines with ease.

#5. Extreme Performance Electric Scooters

These are the beasts of the electric scooter world. They have the kind of specs that will leave you breathless, and the prices are accordingly high – beyond $2000 in most cases.

For example, the Wolf King has a dual 1500 W motor and can travel at 62 mph. It can climb inclines of up to 50°, and due to its highly efficient battery management system, you can travel up to 90 miles on a single charge. One caveat is that it does take 19 hours to charge, though!

Electric Scooter Buyer’s Guide

#1. Wheel Size

If you want to purchase an electric scooter for commuting, you need to avoid those scooters with wheels less than 10” in diameter.

Smaller wheels can get stuck on potholes and create a problem for you. So I always prefer large wheels on my electric scooters. But if you are choosing a scooter for kids, then 8” wheels are good enough.

#2. Tires

Try to choose an air-filled tire when picking an electric scooter both for adults and kids. They absorb the shock better, but they have some limitations. The air-filled tires require a lot of maintenance. You may need to inflate the tires from time to time.

I advise that you check the tire of your electric scooter before riding. If you feel that air pressure is low in your tires, immediately fill the tires with air.

#3. Suspension

The suspension is attached to either the front wheel, rear wheel, or both wheels of the scooter. If your electric scooter doesn’t have suspension, then your handlebars will vibrate while riding on bumps and uneven surfaces, which is quite uncomfortable.

But electric scooters with suspension are costlier. If you intend to ride an electric scooter offroad, you absolutely must have an electric scooter with suspension.

However, if you intend to ride an electric scooter just on your local city roads, you may not need a scooter with suspension. In that case, you may prefer large tires filled with air, as they will be enough to give you a smooth ride. Most kids’ scooters don’t have suspension either.

#4. Brakes

You will find three types of brakes in an electric scooter. One is electric brakes which require very little maintenance, but they are not very efficient. Your electric scooter will not stop immediately after applying the brake.

The other two brakes are the drum brake and disc brake. Disc brakes are best at stopping your electric scooter immediately, but they wear out after a few days.

#5. Motor Power

The higher the motor power, the higher the acceleration of the scooter, and similarly, the higher the ability of the scooter to climb up hills.

The budget commuter electric scooters have 250 – 300 W motors. These have speeds below 20 mph, and you will not be able to climb uphill with these scooters.

Kids’ electric scooters usually have a motor power of 100 W. These scooters are generally limited to speeds below 10 mph.

Off-road electric scooters have larger motors starting from 500 W and going up to even 6000 W. These scooters can negotiate any terrain and reach super-high speeds.

#6. Water Resistance

Most electric scooters are not waterproof. When your battery comes in slight contact with water, it may be damaged and its lifespan lowered. So you should avoid riding in the rain.

If you live in an area that has a lot of rain, I would suggest you check for an IP rating on your scooter. IP rating identifies how much water a scooter can endure before sustaining damage to its electric components. Waterproof scooters have a rating higher than 5. One good example is the GOTRAX GXL V2, which has an IP54 rating.

#7. Range

You will find that most electric scooters have a range of 10 – 20 miles, like the Razor Power Core E90 electric scooter, which has a 13-mile range. However, premium scooters have a range of more than 30 miles.

The range of an electric scooter depends on the motor power and battery size. A cheap electric scooter has a small battery and low motor power. So, it has a low range.

I suggest you purchase an electric scooter with a range of 15.5 – 18.5 miles, which will be perfect for your daily commute.

The range of an electric scooter for kids is usually 10 – 15 miles.

#8. Speed

You will find many electric scooter models with a top speed of 15 mph, like the Razor E Prime or the Glion Dolly. A 15 mph electric scooter is sufficient to ride on the streets of your town. However, you may find a top speed of 18 mph in some electric scooters, like the Segway Ninebot Max Electric Kick Scooter.

Kids’ electric scooters have a top speed of 7 – 10 mph. Their top speed is low for safety purposes—for instance, GOTRAX GKS electric scooter has 7.5 mph.

#9. Weight

The premium electric scooters, which have a large battery size, have more weight. This makes them more difficult to fold or carry. But daily commuting electric scooters are lightweight, and you can easily carry them—for instance, Razor Power Core E100 Electric Scooter, which weighs a mere 24 lb.

What Are the Accessories You Need to Buy After Getting an Electric Scooter?

#1. Helmet

You should buy a helmet to protect your face and head from unexpected accidents.

#2. Elbow Pad and Knee pad

Elbow pads and knee pads will protect you from injuries.

#3. Lights

You need to install a good LED light on your electric scooter for proper visibility in the dark.

#4. Puncture Protection Fluid

You should buy puncture protection fluid if your tires are filled with air to reduce punctures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Electric Scooters Street Legal?

The laws for electric scooters differ from one state to another. But in most states in the United States, you can legally ride an electric scooter on the street.

However, you are restricted to bike lanes or bike paths, and your top speed must not exceed 30 mph. You are also not allowed to ride on sidewalks in most of the states to avoid accidents.

How Long Does An Electric Scooter Last?

An electric scooter usually lasts for 5 years. For the first 3 years, a rider typically doesn’t face any problems. You can ride continuously for 50 – 80 minutes on a single charge. Your electric scooter will demonstrate good range.

But after 5 years, the efficiency of your electric scooter decreases by 80 – 90% compared to a new scooter. You will therefore need to purchase a new one.

Some electric scooters may deteriorate fast. Not every scooter is waterproof. So, when you ride in the rain, it may damage the battery or any component. This will cause early deterioration, so you need to be sure to maintain your scooter to make it last for at least 5 years.