Why You Need a Lightweight Electric Scooter

Lightweight can be strong.

First, we should note that lighter weight does not have to mean less sturdy. The Model One “feels built to last,” as many reviewers have noted. Its aerodynamic carbon fiber stem and machined aluminum deck makes its build quality comparable to that of some of the fastest, strongest, and lightest racing cycles. “Every design and component decision improves this e-scooters strength, boosts performance, or improves the user experience,” writes Digital Trends in a glowing review. This is one great reason to choose a premium brand.

And as we’ve noted, heavier does not necessarily mean stronger or more powerful. Torque is especially important in a high-quality scooter for conquering hills and accelerating quickly, but it can also come at the cost of added weight, since generating more power requires a larger, heavier motor.

Unagi’s dual-motor design generates 500 watts per wheel for 1000 total watts, among the many reasons Tom’s Guide ranks Unagi “the best electric scooter you can buy today” in 2021. It “powers up hills with aplomb, zipping along twice as fast as other scooters with just a single motor” at a low weight of only 26.5 pounds. To give you an idea of how light this is, Marek Dziekonski writes at Wired,

“when the handlebar stem is folded, it's easy to carry with one hand. I don't struggle with carrying it in and out of my house or putting it in the trunk of my car.”

The Model One’s one-click folding mechanism and portability make it “much more versatile” than other scooters on the market. A lightweight scooter like Unagi excels at bridging the gaps in transportation options and is especially easy to fold and carry onto subways and buses or toss into a cab. “As a bonus,” Lopez writes, “the Unagi’s minimal weight and fairly low base height make it easier to actually kick than bigger scooters should the battery run out during your last few blocks.”

Running out of battery life is not really a concern with Unagi’s typical range and the typical electric scooter rider’s average trip. What is most of concern for riders is getting where they’re going quickly and conveniently, with minimal – or no – fuss over parking and vehicle security. A lightweight, portable, easy-to-fold electric scooter makes the most for the most riders, since it can be toted almost anywhere. Unagi even “fits in a grocery cart in a pinch,” Dziekonski marvels.

Scooters with slightly more range and power can weigh 10 to 20 pounds more than Unagi, making them difficult or impossible to carry them around when convenience is what you need most. Moreover, heavier scooters made of bulkier materials tend to fold into a triangular shape, which renders them harder to store. Part of the advantage of owning a folding electric scooter is the ability to slide it into out-of-the-way spaces when you don’t need it.

Let’s face it, if your needs are like those of most electric scooter riders – a balance of speed, power, range, and portability – you need a lightweight scooter like Unagi. The Model One combines all these qualities in a durable, lightweight vehicle that is as beautiful to look at as it is fun to ride. “Because it’s so compact,” writes Lopez, “I can bring it with me inside most venues without being obnoxious…. It’s had the effect of making my neighborhood feel bigger.” Unagi is the ideal way to expand your range, “from a few blocks to a couple of miles” outside your everyday routine.