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With White Glove Love, we go where you go. All-Access members who are traveling can get an Unagi electric scooter for use during their trip, delivered to their hotel or Airbnb, at no extra charge. Now available in 8 U.S. cities.
Explore our latest feature in the Voyager's smart mobile app: Ride Recording. Now, you can effortlessly track your journeys, monitor stats, and review your ride history to see how far you've traveled, and much more. Discover this and more in the Unagi Voyager’s smart app!
People all over the world are discovering how your own perfect electric scooter can make life more efficient, adventurous, and fun. Emma Magidson is a New York-based set designer who’s always on the go — the Unagi makes it possible.
Our selection of the best electric scooters 2024 spans the fastest e-scooters to the most portable ones, the ones designed for city riding and off-road, the best scooters for rain, budget electric scooters for students, and more powerful ones for skilled riders.
In this article, we'll explore the alternatives and see if we can find a match-or maybe even something that edges out the Balto. It's not just about replacing your ride; it's about upgrading your urban adventure.
In this article we'll check out two alternatives in the affordable e scooter range - the less well-known Xiaomi 1S (upgraded from the epic, award-winning M365), and the style scooter boss No.1, Unagi Voyager.
Electric scooters are a great way to get around without the hassles of traffic or parking, or the environmental costs of burning fossil fuels.
But how much does a reliable electric scooter cost? Can you get a decent scooter that won’t fall apart for under $1000? What about under $500?
The answer is yes! Or, yes but…. You need to be careful at the budget end of the spectrum, since there are so many poor quality imitations on the market. You don’t want to get stuck with a lemon you can’t get fixed or a scooter you hate riding.
The best electric scooters, even on the budget end of things, are safe, fun to ride, and dependable.
So, what should you look for in an affordable scooter, and how much will a set of decent features cost? To answer these questions, we’ll look at 6 of the best options for economical electric scooters that will stand the test of time and that are fast and fun to ride.
Unlike some of the no-name cheap electric scooters for sale on Amazon, these brands are proven winners with customers on a budget andelectric scooter reviewers.
Some of these makes, like Gotrax, TurboAnt, and NIU, have trained their focus on perfecting their formulas for entry level rides.
Others, like Hiboy, make scooters for every rider, from beginner to expert.
Anyhill is a new company that made a strong debut last year with two of the most unique budget scooters on the market, the UM-1 and UM-2.
Our final mention, the Unagi Model One (Classic or Voyager), can fit almost any budget with its subscription model. The Model One breaks down barriers to entry even at the budget end of the market.
There’s no need to drop a few hundred bucks on a scooter when you can get a new Unagi with full warranty and theft protection shipped to you for a small setup fee of $50 and a lease of $50-$60/month.
But whether you own or subscribe, you can find the best electric scooter to fit your needs below if you’re looking for a quality budget option.
Some budget scooters have solid tires and some have pneumatic (or air filled) tires. The style you prefer comes down to a number of factors, including whether you do almost all city riding or hit the occasional patch of dirt or gravel.
The advantages of solid rubber tires are several: they never go flat, they don't require maintenance or additional equipment; in fact, you generally don't have to think about them at all.
Pneumatic tires, on the other hand, require regular maintenance and a small array of accessories (pump, spare inner tubes if they're tubed tires, tire levers, patch kit, etc.).
There's some know-how and experience required to fix a flat or change a tire. Since most bike shops don't service scooters for adults and scooter service shops are few and far between, these skills are essential to owning a scooter with air filled tires.
On the whole, pneumatic tires offer better ride quality – especially on bumpy roads or off-road conditions – but they require more elbow grease and are at risk getting punctured during a ride.
Source: Electric Scooter Guide
At the budget end, nearly every electric scooter you can purchase is a single motor scooter. That means the scooter has one brushless hub-mounted motor, either in the front wheel or the rear, powering the vehicle.
Single motor scooters can be fast and powerful but dual motor power will, in every case, give you more power and torque for better acceleration and hill climbing.
The only scooter on this list with dual motors is the Unagi Model One, and Unagi remains the only dual motor electric scooter you can buy for under $1000.
One of the most sought-after features in a budget scooter is portability – meaning light weight and ease of folding and carrying.
Since many commuters combine electric scooter travel with public transit or ride sharing, they want a scooter they can lift up a few flights of stairs, carry on a subway, or stow in a car without a struggle.
The most portable scooters weigh around 30 pounds and have simple yet dependable folding mechanisms.
On the whole most electric scooters for adults on the budget end will have some basic features that come standard, including cruise control and safety features like front and rear lights, brake lights, reflectors, a bell or horn, and a slip-resistant deck and rubberized hand grips.
$499.99
Source: Gotrax
Gotrax is a large company based in China that has made major inroads in the U.S. market with high quality budget electric scooters and other personal electric vehicles. The G4 is a great alternative to the Xiaomi M365 – one of the most popular entry-level scooters – which is no longer available in many markets, including the U.S.
Usually priced at $649, the Gotrax G4 is currently on sale for only $499, a great deal for this quality entry level electric scooter. The G4 has 10-inch pneumatic tires, a nice feature at this price point.
With its own style and substance, the Gotrax scooter does everything the M365 did and more. It’s got a high top speed of 20 mph, a tested range of nearly 15 miles (in its fastest mode, with hills), and a weight of 37 pounds.
With its 500W rear-mounted motor, the G4 is an able hill climber and has zippy acceleration. Its stem latch opens and closes easily in seconds, and while it’s not the lightest scooter on this list, it’s also not particularly hard to carry at close to 37 lbs.
Brakes on the G4 combine a dual disc brake in the rear for precision with a rear electric brake for stopping power. However, both brakes are located in the rear wheel, which doesn’t make for the strongest braking performance. For better stopping power, look for a scooter with dual brakes, i.e. a brake in each wheel.
Source: Electric Scooter Guide
The G4 has other great features like a built in combination lock. While you probably shouldn’t rely on this as your primary security feature, it’s great for a quick trip in and out of a convenience store, for example, where you won’t be gone long enough for a thief to cut through the cable.
$799
Source: NIU
NIU is an established company with a stellar reputation for building electric mopeds and seated scooters. They bring their expertise to their KQi line of electric scooters, all of which are exceptionally built and great fun to ride.
The KQi3 Pro is a little pricier than many other budget electric scooters for adults, but it's worth it for the ride quality, speed, range, and solid build quality.
If you're looking to save a little more money, the KQi2 Pro costs $200 less than the KQi3 Pro (and it has 10-inch pneumatic tires).
But, the KQi2 Pro also gets much less range (around 15 miles) and has a less powerful motor (300W vs 350W), so it's only designed for riders up to 220 lbs.
The KQi3 Pro sits right in the middle of NIU’s offerings and delivers all the power and speed you need in a portable, affordable package with 9.5-inch air filled tires that do a great job of cushioning bumps.
Source: Electric Scooter Guide
The KQi3 Pro hits a tested top speed of 19 mph and accelerates smoothly and quickly, although the scooter lacks a zero start option, so you’ll have to kick to get the motor going. Once up to speed, however, the KQi3 Pro just goes and goes, its 486Wh battery propelling it to a tested range of up to 21 miles.
The KQi3 Pro’s 350W rear motor is plenty powerful for climbing hills without dropping much speed. Its speed, power, and stable ride come at a weight cost, however.
The scooter weighs about 45 pounds, and while it folds quite easily, it can feel kind of hefty to carry over distances or up more than a couple flights of stairs.
If you’re looking for a scooter to carry on public transit that doesn’t require a lot of upper body strength, you might need to look elsewhere. On the other hand, with a max rider weight of 270 lbs, the KQi3 Pro is a great scooters for larger riders and offers a very comfortable ride.
Source: Electric Scooter Guide
NIU’s scooters really shine in this area, with dual electric brakes and dual mechanical disc brakes – some of the best disc brakes on the electric scooter market.
You won’t ever have to worry about coming to a complete stop, but you also won’t get thrown over the handlebars by brakes that are too firm.
NIU scooters have distinguished themselves with a number of cool features, including an always-on halo driving light around all of their e scooters’ headlights and a sun-blocking shade in front of the easy-to-read dashboard.
Not everyone will appreciate the training program the scooter puts riders through before they can access its top speeds, but you only have to complete this once and it ensures that first-time electric scooter riders don’t take off too quickly and injure themselves before they get used to the KQi3 Pro’s controls.
$540
Source: turboAnt
The TurboAnt X7 Max is a cheap electric scooter that doesn't feel or ride like one. Where most scooters place their battery in the deck, the X7 Max mounts its battery on the stem.
The battery placement can make the scooter a little awkward to carry, but the X7 Max has one advantage no other scooter on this list can boast: a swappable, locking battery for twice as much battery life and range.
The X7 Max has 10-inch pneumatic tires for a smoother ride. The solid rims can make it very difficult to get these tires off and change an inner tube should you get a flat.
As the name implies the X7 Max is one of the best electric scooters for long rides since it allows you to carry a spare battery with you to double the battery life of the scooter.
The scooter reaches a tested top speed of 18 miles per hour.
Source:TurboAnt
This scooter’s 350W motor provides plenty of power for hill climbing and acceleration. At 36 pounds, the TurboAnt X7 Max is a bit heavy, but it's still relatively easy to carry thanks to its folding handlebars and stem.
The TurboAnt X7 Max has a bright headlight and rear taillight for increased visibility at night. It also has a digital display that shows speed, battery life, and other important information.
The unique features of this scooter really set it apart, however: a locking, swappable battery and a built-in combination cable lock for extra security.
$599
Source: Anyhill
Anyhill's UM-1 is an affordable electric scooter that won't break the bank. In fact, you might love riding it so much, you'll save money when you ditch the car.
Like all of the scooters on this list, the UM-1 lacks front and rear suspension, but it does have pneumatic tires. Again, these add maintenance costs and worries but also make for a smooth ride.
The Anyhill UM-1 has a top speed of 15.5 mph and a range of up to 10 miles on a single charge, making it a great option for shorter commutes or leisure rides around town.
The Anyhill UM-1 is one of the lightest and most portable electric scooters on the market, weighing in at only 22 pounds. It's also very easy to fold and carry, making it a great option for commuters who need to store it under their desk or take it on public transportation.
However, the UM-1 has a less powerful motor than some of the other scooters on this list, so it may not be the best choice for riders who need to tackle steep hills.
The UM-1's braking system consists of a rear disc brake and an electronic brake, which provides adequate stopping power for most riders. However, some riders may prefer the added security of a dual brake system found on some other budget electric scooters.
Source: Electric Scooter Guide
The UM-1 has some nice additional features, such as a bright front headlight and a rear taillight for visibility at night. It also has a digital display that shows speed, battery life, and other important information.
$399
Source: Hiboy
The Hiboy S2 is a solid and reliable electric scooter that offers some features you might expect from a higher-priced model.
The S2 rides on 8.5-inch honeycombed solid tires. These are no maintenance, but they aren't the smoothest ride, even with rear suspension to even out the bumps.
It has a top speed of 18.6 mph and a range of up to 17 miles, making it a great option for those who want to use it for commuting or leisure.
The Hiboy S2 is lightweight and easy to carry, weighing just 28 pounds. It also has a simple folding mechanism, which makes it easy to store in small spaces or take on public transportation.
The Hiboy S2 has a powerful 350W motor and can handle inclines of up to 15 degrees, making it a great option for those who live in hilly areas.
Source: Electric Scooter Guide
The Hiboy S2 has a dual braking system, which includes both a disc brake and an electronic brake. This provides adequate stopping power for most riders and adds an extra layer of safety when riding in traffic or crowded areas.
In terms of additional features, the Hiboy S2 has a dual braking system, including both a disc brake and an electronic brake, which provides adequate stopping power for most riders.
$50/month subscription
The Unagi Model One has a subscription model that can fit almost any budget.
Even at the budget end of the market, it breaks down barriers to entry with its full warranty and theft protection shipped for a small setup fee of $50 and a lease of $50-$60/month. The Unagi Model One is a great choice for those who want a quality budget option.
The Model One uses solid vented tires that spread out slightly under the rider's weight to absorb vibrations. These tires will never need any maintenance and will never leave you on the side of the road with a flat.
When it comes to budget scooters, the range and speed are lower than the more expensive models.
However, the Unagi Model One breaks this rule with a tested maximum speed of 19 mph and a range of up to 15 miles.
The Unagi Model One is one of the most portable electric scooters on the market, weighing in at just 29 pounds.
It's very easy to fold and carry, making it a great option for commuters who need to store it under their desk or take it on public transportation.
Both the Model One Classic and Model One Voyager have two 250W motors and have proven to be excellent hill climbers.
The Model One Voyager comes with a beautifully designed app, and the Model One Classic may soon add app connectivity.
Unagi scooters are also just beautifully designed; inside and out, top to bottom, this scooter's elegant looks and clean lines will win compliments wherever you go.
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