Wheel size (diameter)

Electric scooter wheel size ranges from 5” to 10”. As a rule of thumb, larger wheels offer relatively smoother and more comfortable rides than smaller wheels. However, while smaller wheels cause more vibrations in rough terrains, they make taking corners easy. For the best ride quality, consider wheels that are at least 8 inches in diameter. These tend to strike a balance between comfortable rides and maneuverability.  

Type of tire (pneumatic vs solid)

Pneumatic or air-filled tires are naturally flexible, so they bond nicely to the ground. This means 2 things. First, these tires offer tons of traction, making turning and riding on wet surfaces a lot safer. Also, air-filled tires have damping responses under impact, which will cushion your rides a bit, especially if the scooter is non-suspended. The major drawback to pneumatic tires is that they are prone to punctures, but this won’t be a big deal unless you’re offroading a lot.

Solid tires are just that… solid. There’s no risk of ever getting a puncture. Unfortunately, these tires have arguably less grip on wet and cold surfaces. I’d never recommend cruising on one when it’s raining. Also, electric scooters with solid tires tend to have bumpier rides because the tires don’t deform easily to absorb road surface roughness. If you’re going for one of these, ensure that it has a suspension system.

Suspension

The best electric scooters with suspension have much smoother rides than those without it. This system takes the brunt when cruising over bumpy surfaces. It also boosts your overall safety when braking and taking corners.

But keep in mind that a full suspension system will add significantly to the weight and price of the scooter. Again, this is an additional component that will demand a level of maintenance, albeit not so often. Ultimately, whether the suspension system is necessary for an electric scooter comes down to your budget, your preferences (comfort vs. performance), and where you’ll be taking it.

Motor power

An electric scooter’s motor power determines 3 things:

1. Top speed
2. Maximum incline angles that the scooter can climb
3.  Maximum weight that it can carry

Motor size in electric scooters for adults ranges between 200w and 6000w. Most of the shared electric scooters you find swiping on the road today, including Bird and Lime, use a 250-watt motor. This motor has sufficient power to get to speed really quickly when riding on flat surfaces. It will also climb inclines of around 4 degrees with relative ease but may struggle on anything steeper.

If you’ll be climbing ascents of around 10 degrees, a 350w-500w motor should suffice. More power means better climbing ability.

Note that besides the gradient, an electric motor’s capability is also affected by the rider’s weight and type of tires. Correctly inflated pneumatic tires offer better grip making it easy to climb hills.

Battery Size and Range

The range is another vital consideration when choosing the right electric scooter. The range is mainly determined by battery size. A larger battery will store more power allowing you to cover more ground on a single charge. But don’t forget that a larger battery means more weight.

Factor in the additional weight if portability and range are at the top of your must-haves. If every pound matters to you, a scooter that charges faster might make up for a slightly shorter range.

The best electric scooters for commuting promise 15 to 70 miles per charge. However, note that most manufacturer-rated scooter ranges are overestimated and need to be taken with a grain of salt. Manufacturers base their estimations on optimal conditions than you’re more likely to be riding in. For this reason, the actual range in typical conditions may be up to 70% of the manufacturer’s claim.

Weight and Portability

Lighter is better when comparing different electric scooters. However, note that most lightweight models almost always compromise motor power (which affects speed) and battery size (which affects range). On the other hand, heavier scooters tend to have more features; bigger battery capacity, larger motor, and a capable suspension system.

Ideally, you want to get a scooter that you can lift and carry upstairs comfortably. A scooter that can fold for easy storage and get in and out of trams and buses will make your life considerably easier.