Quizience is supported by you the audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
You’ve seen them on your morning commute: zipping past while you sit at the red light, a grown man in a helmet getting both fresh air and a faster trip to work. And it’s not just that man—they’re everywhere, making you wonder what it’s actually like to ride one.
We were wondering too, so the Gear Team brought in eight different scooters to put them to the test. After hundreds of miles logged, we found ourselves pretty sold on the concept—especially for short, everyday commutes. Scooters are quick, nimble, and surprisingly practical. To help you know what to expect, we tested eight models for performance, range, charge time, and more.
Best Overall: Segway Ninebot Max G2
Within minutes, the Segway Ninebot Max G2 became our favorite entry in this test. It provides a great balance of everything important in a scooter—power, comfort, portability, and battery life.
The battery that provides the Max G2’s quickness also gives it a reasonably long range, and you’ll be comfortable while you’re munching those miles thanks to the front and rear suspension. Segway estimates a range of 25 to 43 miles, depending on the mode and rider. Our test showed 16 miles in Sport mode with varying rider sizes—good enough for third-best in our test.
While it is on the heavier side (54 pounds), the Max G2 handles its weight nicely, feeling agile and coming to a halt from 10 mph in just nine feet. The controls were intuitive, and the app offers even more adjustability.
We noticed a bit of lag when getting on the throttle, and we also found the charging cord to be far too short. Aside from these gripes, the Max G2 is an excellent all-rounder, making it our clear choice for Best Overall.
SPEC SHEET
| Braking Distance, 10–0 mph | 9 ft |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0–10 mph | 2.6 sec |
| Acceleration, 0–20 mph | 16.6 sec |
| Top Speed | 21 mph |
| Range | 16 mi |
| Average Speed | 11.6 mph |
| Charging Time, 0–100% | 5 hr 25 min |
| Charging Energy, 0–100% | 0.68 kWh |
| Weight | 54 lb |
| Throttle Type | thumb |
| Brake Type | front drum |
| Max Weight Capacity (Manufacturer) | 220 lb |
Most Agile: Niu KQi Air
The carbon-fiber frame of the Niu KQi Air allows its total weight to be only 27 pounds, which ties it with the GoTrax for the lightest scooter we tested. Its light weight makes this scooter extremely agile and fun once you get a feel for balancing its weight and agility with the brisk 18-mph top speed.
This is a high-tech scooter. Not only is there an NFC card to activate it (and an anti-theft alarm we accidentally discovered), but the app also allows you to control a wide range of functions, including regenerative braking, daytime running lights, and activation speed.
We did have a few complaints, though. Some of the controls are uncomfortable and unintuitive compared to other scooters we rode, and the lack of suspension makes for a bit of a rough ride. On our test model, there is a rear-wheel shroud (sort of a fender) that made a rather annoying clack over every bump, which made our range test a little less pleasant. Whether this was simply a quirk of our test model or a drawback to this scooter is hard to say.
However, if agility is what you value in a scooter, the KQi Air ranks at the top thanks to its weight and wide deck. The built-in security system also makes it worth considering for riders who frequently park their scooter in public.
SPEC SHEET
| Braking Distance, 10-0 mph | 7 ft |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0-10 mph | 2.7 sec |
| Top Speed | 18 mph |
| Range | 15 mi |
| Average Speed | 11.1 mph |
| Charging Time, 0–100% | 5 hr 20 min |
| Charging Energy | 0.49 kWh |
| Weight | 27 lb |
| Throttle Type | twist |
| Brake Type | front disc |
| Max Weight Capacity (Manufacturer) | 264 lb |
Best Value: Segway Ninebot E2 Plus
The Segway E2 Plus is an entry-level scooter that’s perfect for anyone who wants a lightweight scooter on a budget. The E2 Plus has a modest top speed of 15 mph, which ends up being respectable for this price point.
The lack of suspension and smaller wheels make for a bumpy ride, but even amid the bumps, it doesn’t feel cheap. The integration with Segway’s capable mobile app makes it easy to keep track of settings and mileage, and the integrated 2.8-inch display is great for keeping tabs on speed and battery life while riding.
Our testing showed a braking distance of 13 feet from 10 mph, which is right around average with the rest of the scooters. However, our range test starting with a fully charged battery gave us just 10 miles, so it’s not exactly a long-range ride.
For quick trips around campus or to and from work (if you live fairly close by), the E2 Plus is a reliable ride at a reasonable price. Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Editor’s note: Segway has released the E2 Plus II, which, amongst other improvements, addresses about our only complaints about this unit—it adds suspension. Our plan is to test this updated unit later this year.
SPEC SHEET
| Braking Distance, 10–0 mph | 13 ft |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0–10 mph | 4.6 sec |
| Top Speed | 15 mph |
| Range | 10 mi |
| Average Speed | 9.6 mph |
| Charging Time, 0–100% | 6 hr 30 min |
| Charging Energy, 0–100% | 0.26 kWh |
| Weight | 34 lb |
| Throttle Type | thumb |
| Brake Type | rear drum |
| Max Weight Capacity (Manufacturer) | 198 lb |
Most Portable: Gotrax GXL V2
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly entry into the electric-scooter market, the Gotrax GXL V2 is worth a peek. Weighing just 27 pounds, it folds quickly and rocks a slim foot deck, making it incredibly portable—ideal for multimodal commuting and easy storage.
During our top-speed test, the GXL V2 topped out at a VBox-verified 14 mph—about par for these smaller scooters. However, there were a few things about the speedometer and cruise control: For one, we noticed that even though the speedometer displayed 15.5 mph at full throttle, the scooter’s speed noticeably fluctuated without the speedometer reflecting those changes. As for the cruise control, while great in theory, we all experienced several moments when it failed to disengage, even after applying the brakes, which, yikes.
While the GXL V2 is a solid option for beginners or those on a budget, it’s important to note its limitations. The absence of a suspension, turn signals, and brake lights makes it less suitable for nighttime or more demanding rides. But this brings us to a critical point: Gotrax is a big deal in the e-scooter game, having earned its reputation as a leading brand in the e-scooter market with extensive offerings, including advanced models with full suspension and dual motors. These higher-end models are strong contenders, according to many other e-scooter reviewers. We hope to review a more premium model in a future update of this test.
SPEC SHEET
| Braking Distance, 10–0 mph | 9 ft |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0–10 mph | 3.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 14 mph |
| Range | 10 miles |
| Average Speed | 9.2 mph |
| Charging Time, 0–100% | 3 hrs 50 min |
| Charging Energy, 0–100% | 0.23 kWh |
| Weight | 27 lbs |
| Throttle Type | thumb |
| Brake Type | rear drumb |
| Max Weight Capacity (Manufacturer) | 220 lb |