Razor E300 Vs. Unagi Model One Voyager: Which Electric Scooter is Right for You?

One pioneered the scooter revolution; one lowered the access barrier to owning electric scooters – we’re talking about Razor and Unagi, respectively.

Razor has one of the largest roles in the electric scooter revolution. They were the first brand to mass-produce scooters, originally focusing on kids' electric scooters. Razor is one of the few top brands that manufacture chain-drive, lead-acid battery-powered scooters, like our highlight, the Razor E300 electric scooter.

Unagi, on the other hand, provided a middle ground for riders who did not have the cash to purchase a decent electric scooter but were tired of the problems associated with rental scooters. The membership model has made owning an electric scooter possible for anyone who needs it–without breaking the bank.

Razor E300 Vs. Unagi Model One Voyager Comparison Table

The Table below highlights the basic features of the Razor E300 Model One Voyager electric scooter.

Cost

Razor scooters are some of the best budget electric scooters on the market. There are certain design choices the company makes that keep manufacturing costs low, as we’ll discuss with the Razor E300 electric scooter. The Razor E300 electric scooter costs $359.99.

The Unagi Model One Voyager is the most affordable decent electric scooter you can own, courtesy of the subscription-based ownership model. Unagi lets you pay as little as $59 a month for the Model One Classic, and $79 for the Model One Voyager.

You can opt to bundle your monthly payments for further discounted pricing or check the website for seasonal discounts. Meanwhile, students should take advantage of the student discount code that gives them the first month free, plus 10% off subsequent monthly payments.

Performance

The Razor E300 is a 250 W chain-driven scooter, going up against the dual motor Unagi Model One Voyager with 250 Watt high-torque front and rear hub motors. The Razor E300 and Model One Voyager are both rated to carry a max rider weight of 220 lbs.

Speed and Acceleration

The Razor E300 electric scooter rides to a max speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) and is controlled by a single-speed mode. The acceleration is mild, but the electric scooter maintains a steady pace once you get going with input from the twist throttle.

The Unagi Model One Voyager gets to a top speed of 20 mph, which matches the manufacturer-cited maximum speed. You can control max speed settings from the Unagi App. However, note that different states have varied electric scooter top-speed regulations, usually in consideration for public safety.

We have city riding guides for:

Check out the laws, scenic routes, and riding tips if you live in or visit these areas.

Range and Battery

The Unagi Model One Voyager is a long-distance commuter, usually covering between 12-25 miles of range on a single charge. Power is supplied by a 360 Wh battery, with energy-efficient battery cells that are good for battery life. It also has a fast charging system, that powers the scooter to 50% in an hour, and full charge in three hours.

The Razor E300, on the other hand, is powered by a 168 Wh (24 V, two 12V) sealed lead-acid battery, that powers the scooter through 40 minutes of continuous use, which is equivalent to about 10 miles of range.

Reasons why people opt for lithium-ion over sealed lead-acid batteries

• Lithium-ion batteries of the same size deliver more power and have longer range compared to lead-acid counterparts
• They facilitate more charge-discharge cycles
• They are more environmentally friendly
• They require less maintenance, i.e., do not need regular discharging

Reasons why people opt for a sealed lead-acid battery over lithium-ion batteries

• They are relatively cheaper
• You can repair a sealed lead acid battery if it gets damaged and continue to use it
• They are recyclable
• They can maintain a good power supply in cold climates
• They are not prone to chemical reactions or explosions like lithium-ion batteries

Hill Climbing

The Model One Voyager’s high-torque dual motors are great for hill climbing. The Razor E300 electric scooter might, however, disappoint you as its smaller rear wheel chain-drive system is not as efficient in torque delivery.

Braking

The Unagi relies on a dual electronic braking system to come to a stop. The brakes are controlled by an electronic brake pedal on the left side of the handlebar. Meanwhile, the Razor E300 has a hand-operated rear drum brake. Given the mild top speeds, the braking power from both electric scooters is more than sufficient for stopping.

Build Quality

The Razor E300 is a well-built scooter but lacks the modern integrations most riders prefer when shopping for an electric scooter today. Meanwhile, the Model One Voyager leverages almost all modern technologies, to match rider needs.

Materials and Durability

The Razor E300 features an all-steel frame and fork. Steel is a durable, and high-strength metal whose characteristics carry to the Razor scooter. The Model One Voyager, alternatively features a combination of carbon fiber on the stem, magnesium alloy on the handlebars, and a single-piece machined aluminum frame. These materials have a high strength-to-weight ratio, giving you a strong yet super lightweight electric scooter.

Aesthetics

Think of the Razor E300 as a vintage scooter–you don’t see many chain-driven motor scooters these days. They are, however, uniquely identifiable since the deck is relatively bulkier to accommodate the motor and chain system. The steely gray profile is a bit dull but works with the overall design.

The Unagi Model One, alternatively, is a modern-looking scooter. It is sleek in design, with a minimalistic look. It comes in the colors cobalt blue, cool mist, matte black, and latte, which allows owners to specifically match the scooter to their own aesthetic. Unlike the razor, it has no visible wiring and everything is as intact as it should be.

Ride Quality

The ride quality of the two scooters differs due to their inherent design choices. However, what stands out the most is the noisy nature of the Razor scooter’s chain mechanism, which many riders find annoying.

Tires

The Razor E300 electric scooter rolls on 9-inch tubed pneumatic front and rear tires. These tires are great for ride comfort, and stability on the road, and have a good profile for cornering. The major downside, however, is their susceptibility to punctures–it adds to maintenance requirements, on top of needing to regularly oil the chain.

The Model One Voyager has low-maintenance, 7.5-inch hollowed-out tires that are flat-free and give you more shock absorption over rough surfaces than your regular solid tires. Additionally, their small profile reduces the overall dimensions of the scooter, keeping in theme with its portability-centric design.

Suspension

Neither scooter has a suspension system, which is the case with most other scooters in this category.

Deck Space

The Razor’s super-sized deck is not just bulky, it’s quite spacious. You get 26.2 inches x 8 inches of riding platform, with grip tape in the middle for riding stability. The Model One Voyager’s rubber deck is less spacious but still adequate for adult riders with 19.2 inches by 5.04 inches of riding space.

Portability

The Unagi Model One Voyager is the lightest electric scooter. The scooter weighs just 29.6 lbs, and with its quick one-click folding mechanism, you can collapse the scooter down to a package measuring 37.8 inches x 16.5 inches x 15 inches.

The Razor, alternatively, does not have a folding mechanism, which is not very practical for a first and last-mile commuter. It is bulky at 40 inches x 16.5 inches x 42.5 inches. Additionally, it weighs 43 lbs, which besides being awkward to lift, gets heavy on the arms over just a short distance.

If you’re a commuter considering purchasing your first electric scooter, find out what makes a good scooter by scrolling through our beginners’ guide to commuting.

Water-Resistance

The Razor E300 electric scooter does not have a water resistance rating; therefore, it’s advisable to avoid riding it in the rain. Additionally, riders should avoid riding over puddles to protect the chain from water contact which fastens rusting–the chain is covered by the deck board on the top but is left exposed on the underside.

The Unagi Model One Voyager has an IPX4 rating. This protection level lets you ride through light showers without damaging the electrical components, as well as splash through shallow puddles of water. However, seek shelter the minute you can and dry off the scooter to avoid malfunction. Read up on the significance of IP ratings.

App and Controls

The Razor E300 electric scooter has a mostly bare steering column with steel grips. On the left, you have a mechanical rear brake lever, and on the right is a twist grip acceleration control, with nothing in between. The scooter’s power button is located along the deck next to a reset button. However, that’s as far as it goes with the scooter’s controls.

The Unagi model One Voyager has a neat, integrated center display that gives you access to all your riding stats and functions. It has a single-button operation mode. Additionally, to get further access to ride settings, the scooter connects to the Unagi App that lets you:

• Access the remaining range calculator that calibrates your weight and riding speed to get the most accurate results
• Top speed settings
• Single and dual motor riding modes
• Remote locking and unlocking of the scooter
• An interface for your scooter subscription management

Lights

The Razor E300 electric scooter is not meant to be ridden at night–it does not have a headlight, tail light, brake light, or reflectors. Riders need to purchase these lights as aftermarket accessories should they prefer to take the scooter out at night. Additionally, riders should consider wearing reflective gear to increase their visibility to vehicle traffic.

The Unagi, however, has a high-mounted headlight to light up the path ahead, a blinking taillight that indicates braking intent, and reflectors all around to remain highly visible in low-light conditions.

Verdict

The Razor E300 electric scooter is designed for a very specific market–teen and adult riders who need the scooter for daytime leisure rides. It’s not built for speed, or to go the distance. However, if the goal is to get from point A to B and back, the scooter will reliably and safely facilitate that. As far as commuting goes, you’re better off considering a scooter with a folding mechanism.

The Unagi Model One Voyager is a scooter that fits most people’s needs. It has good performance, which is elevated by the scooter’s dual motors. It is well-built, looks good, has a decent ride quality, is highly portable, and above all, won’t leave you in financial ruin thanks to the membership plan.

Besides the low cost associated, the membership plan also accords you the following perks:

• Free and express delivery, 2-3 days after successful subscription
• Upgradability to the latest model
• Theft coverage
• Maintenance
• Discounts for bundled monthly payments
• 10% off student’s discount
• A $59 alternative - the Unagi Model One Classic.

Therefore, if you are considering getting a scooter, the Model One Classic is not just comparatively good but is also the best electric scooter for adults you can get in 2024.