Best Electric Scooters for Adults- Reviews/Buyers Guide 2021
The adult-size electric scooter scene has changed a lot recently. Before the e-scooter frenzy in 2017, these rideables were mainly used for cruising around and catching some air on a nice day.
Today, the best electric scooters you can buy have significantly improved speed, range, and braking to usher in the era of easy travel. Most of them are exceptionally practical, too, and can be folded for portability and storage.
Whether you want an adult-sized scooter for casual fun rides or as an additional vehicle to your local commutes, these are the top e-scooters for adults in 2021.
Best Adult Electric Scooters of 2021- Reviews
Gotrax GXL V2 – Best Electric Scooter under $300
Top speed: 16 mph
Range: 9-12 miles
Charge Time: 3-4 hours
Priced around the $300 mark, the Gotrax GXL V2 is an ideal scooter for beginners. Its fully-featured design also makes it a worthy contender for individuals looking for a no-nonsense cheap electric scooter for local commutes and fun rides. Let’s have a low-down of this e-scooter, starting with the motor.
The Gotrax GXL V2 flaunts a 250w brushless motor, which is typical of most scooters in this price range. This motor has a manufacturer-claimed top speed of 16 mph, although most speed tests have achieved around 13 mph.
This isn’t the fastest electric scooter in the market, but it’s pretty decent for most beginners and nimble enough to navigate busy streets. The motor requires to be kicked into action because it lacks a zero-start feature. Again, this is common in most budget electric scooters, and I don’t think it makes it any less fun.
The Gotrax GXL V2 has a 36v5.2Ah li-ion battery. According to the manufacturer, this battery should last a 220-lb rider up to 12 miles when fully charged. In realistic conditions, expect 7-10 miles depending on how close or far you are to the 220-lb weight limit.
Luckily, should the juice ever run out on you, this scooter’s deck is low to the ground allowing you to use it as a kick scooter. Also, its fast recharge time of 3-4 hours is quite impressive considering that most cheap scooters take 9-12 hours to charge fully.
Switching gear to its ride quality, I must say that the Gotrax GXL V2 is the king of affordable electric scooters for adults. Despite its lack of inbuilt suspension, this scooter’s 8.5” air-filled tires roll well on average-to-well maintained surfaces. Pneumatic tires also have more grip, and this makes riding on wet terrain a lot safer.
It’s almost impossible to get a sub-$300 electric scooter with cruise control. But that’s one of the many things that make the Gotrax GXL V2 different from the rest. And as if that’s not enough, the GXL V2 impresses once again with its dual braking system- a front regenerative electric brake and a rear disc brake operated using a hand lever on the left handlebar.
I think this scooter performs exceptionally well in terms of portability too. Its one-step folding system, coupled with its weight (26.4 lbs), makes it super-duper easy to fit in most car trunks, carry upstairs, and slide it under desks. I do wish that its handlebars fold parallel to the frame, but that’s easy to live with considering the price of this thing.
Pros
- Great value
- Pneumatic tires
- Dual braking system
- Cruise control
- Quality construction
- Collapsible design
Cons
- Below-average acceleration
- No rear light
- Not the best for heavy riders
Gotrax XR Ultra - Best Premium Budget Electric Scooter
Top speed: 12-15 mph
Range: 16 miles
Charge time: 3-4 hours
The XR Ultra is among the recent releases by Gotrax, and it’s meant to be a nicer upgrade to the Gotrax GXL V2 reviewed above. This scooter costs $50-$100 more (depending on where you’re buying it), but it resides among other affordable electric scooters for adults.
At the core, the Gotrax GXL V2 and XR Ultra are pretty much the same scooter. Both are comparably lightweight at 26.4 lbs and can accommodate riders of up to 220 lbs. Also, the 2 scooters are non-suspended and feature 8.5-inch pneumatic tires.
Here are my thoughts on where the XR Ultra wins.
The price of the Gotrax XR Ultra affords you a 300w brushless motor. This motor can manage 430 watts of peak power and a top speed of 12-15 mph. Like other cheap adult electric scooters, don’t expect this model to win races for you. However, new electric scooter buyers and riders switching from a lesser-powered model will find this speed sufficient.
Like its siblings, the Gotrax XR Ultra is not cut for the steepest hills, but it’s a comparably better climber than the GXL V2 above.
A powerful motor only calls for a powerful battery- and that’s what Gotrax has done with the XR Ultra. This scooter uses a 36V 7Ah (252 Wh) premium LG battery with an advertised range of 16 miles (around 25 kilometers) per charge for riders weighing 220 lbs and below. You may get closer to this range when driving in relatively flat terrains in low-power mode. However, at top speed, you should expect a significant range drop to around 12 miles (19 kilometers), which isn’t bad anyway. This battery recharges in 3-4 hours.
An important feature not to overlook here is the LG-based Li-ion battery used for the XR Ultra. It’s not every other day that you see big-name brands like LG, Samsung, and Panasonic on cheap e-scooters for adults. So, having it on the Gotrax XR Ultra is a biggie.
When it comes to ride quality, this scooter has several features to make for enjoyable rides. Its 6.6-inch deck with an anti-slip rubber grip is wide enough to accommodate most riders’ feet comfortably.
As mentioned before, the XR Ultra does not have a shock absorption system. But its 8.5-inch air-filled wheels should suffice if you’ll be riding on relatively smoother roads. Also, because the battery pack is enclosed in the stem, the deck flaunts a slimmer profile and has some flex to it. This will soak up some of the vibrations, further improving the ride.
The Gotrax XR Ultra has cruise control to rest your thumb and a dual braking system (rear: mechanical disc front: regenerative) that I found impressively responsive, reliable, and safe.
Lastly, this scooter folds just like the GXL V2. However, the process is much easier with the Ultra because the release pin is built into the folding system.
Pros
- Dual braking system
- Premium LG battery for prolonged use
- Easier folding mechanism
- Impressive performance for its price
- Great value
Cons
- Lacks rear light
- Can be tricky to assemble
Gotrax G4 - Best Electric Scooter for Adults below $500
Top speed: 20 mph
Range: 25 miles
Charging time: 4 hours
Gotrax never stops pushing the envelope of what can fit in an affordable electric scooter. If you have a budget of around $500 and are looking for the best adult-size electric scooter for commuting, I bet the G4 will impress you on so many levels. As you’re about to find out, this scooter has several serious upgrades that aren’t standard in its price range.
Let’s start with the overall design and functionality. Compared to the GXL V2 and the XR Ultra, you’ll realize that the G4 has a much more robust design. Almost everything is beefy, from the wheels to the deck and the bridge connecting the standing area and the stem. This beastly construction speaks a lot about its durability and the value that you’re getting here.
First things first. Its 10-inch innertube pneumatic tires don’t come easily in budget-tier electric scooters. As I’ve mentioned in the guide to buying an electric scooter for adults, bigger is better for e-scooter wheel size. Larger wheels will roll over obstacles with much ease.
These supersized wheels are nicely complemented by a 350w motor that surprisingly generates higher torque while being slow on power consumption. The Gotrax G4 has a manufacturer-claimed top speed of 20 mph (32.2 kph). While the actual top speed in real-life situations varies slightly depending on the rider’s weight, incline, weather, and terrain, there’s no doubt that the Gotrax is among the fastest electric scooters for adults in the budget commuter class.
Another key seller of the G4 is its range. This scooter uses a 36V10.4Ah li-ion battery with a suggested range of 25 miles (40.23 km) per charge- again, a new record in electric scooters below $500.
Overall, the Gotrax G4 punches well above its weight in terms of ride quality. Like other scooters from Gotrax, this model doesn’t have the traditional shock absorbers. But its badass air-filled wheels quickly make up for that by absorbing most of the vibrations to provide more stability and better handling when cruising on no-so-perfect roads.
Cruise control is standard with Gotrax scooters, and the G4 has it. A small caveat to report here is that you can’t disable this feature for good. The only option is to turn it off whenever it engages by tapping the brake.
Regarding its safety features, the Gotrax G4 employs an electronic and disc braking system on the rear wheel. These brakes are activated by a hand lever on the left handlebar and have a 15-0 mph braking distance of around 7 yards.
Other safety feature upgrades include a handlebar-height mounted bright headlight, a braking light on the back fender, and 6 reflectors on the wheel’s front, rear, and sides.
Even better, the Gotrax G4 has a digital lock that requires you to key in a 3-digit code before turning it on. I also like that it comes with a cable lock built into the stem, so you don’t have to carry a separate lock.
The Gotrax G4 electric scooter weighs 36 lbs (16 kgs), which isn’t surprising considering its robust construction. All in all, most people shouldn’t struggle to lift it a few stairs. And despite its seemingly large size, this scooter folds easily and will also fit in most medium-size car trunks.
Pros
- Best speed among budget scooters
- Robust construction for the money
- 2 safety features: smart 3-code lock and built-in cable lock
- 10-inch air-filled wheels
Cons
- Cruise-control engages automatically
- No suspension
Segway Ninebot Max - Best Electric Scooter for Adults Under $1000
Top speed: 18.6 mph
Top range: 40 miles
Charging time: 9 hours
As you move up the price ladder, the Ninebot Max comes out easily as one of the best commuter scooters for adults under $1000. This model is designed to succeed the Xiaomi M365 Pro- another very popular 2-wheel rideable in the market. However, it has several important upgrades that have made it a popular choice for the modern commuter.
First, I have to admit that the Ninebot Max isn’t the sleekest electric scooter ever. But that’s because Segway favors giving you a reliable commuter-friendly scooter, not a mind-bending sci-fi toy.
The Max is a large scooter fitted with 10-inch air-filled wheels and a 350w rear wheel-mounted motor that peaks at 700w. This motor has a stated top speed of 18.6 mph in near-perfect conditions, although the best it has been tested at is around 17.5 mph tops. Nevertheless, most commuters in the USA will find this speed ample when sharing the bike lane with other road users.
The other area where the Segway Ninebot Max beats most electric scooters below $1000 is range. With a 36v (551 Wh) Li-ion battery, the Max has a manufacturer-rated travel distance of 40 miles (64 km). In real-life scenarios, riders below this scooter’s 220-lb weight limit will be getting around 30 miles (48 km) on it.
This longer-than-average range makes up for this scooter’s slightly longer charging time of 8-9 hours. For 9 to 5 workers, remember that you can always plug in this scooter, and it will be ready for you by the end of the shift.
So, how does the Segway Ninebot Max measure up in terms of ride quality?
Now, although this is a non-suspension electric scooter, its 10-inch pneumatic wheels and a wide deck with a low center of gravity contribute to fairly smoother rides. It starts nicely and has a Sport mode that boosts the rate of acceleration to get you to top speed quickly. It also has an eco-mode that trades slower acceleration for a longer range.
As far as braking, the Segway Ninebot Max has dual brakes: a rear E-ABS electronic brake and a mechanical drum on the front wheel. Most people fear that having the most powerful brake at the front increases the risk of toppling over. While this is a possibility, the brakes on this scooter work gradually to bring it to a stop.
In terms of portability, keep in mind that this is a fairly heavy electric scooter at 42 lbs. Luckily, it folds nicely for lifting and will easily fit in most car trunks.
Pros
- Best in class range
- Excellent speed for the price
- Robust construction
- Air-filled pre-slimed tires
- Above-average rides
- Walk assist mode
Cons
- Comparably heavy
- No suspension
- Has no zero start
Segway Ninebot ES1L Scooter - Best Lightweight E-Scooter for Adults
Top speed: 12.4 mph
Top range: 12 miles
Charging time: 6 hours
The Ninebot ES1L is another trendy model in the Segway electric scooter family. This unit is often sold at around $300, so it joins my top recommendations for the best cheap electric scooters 2021. Note that this is not an ultra-commuter. But it will fit the bill if you’re looking for an affordable last-mile solution and a cheap but quality scooter for fun rides within the neighborhood.
This scooter’s key strength is in its compact size and lightweight design. The ES1L measures approximately 40″ by 16.3″ by 44.5″ when unfolded and 44.5″ by 16.3″ by 12.6″ when the tube is collapsed. This size, coupled with a weight of around 24.9 lbs (11.3 kgs), gives you a scooter that will comfortably get into Ubers, buses, subways, and personal car trunks.
Despite its evident focus on practicality, the Ninebot ES1L has a solid construction for its cost. This model is fitted with a 250w motor with a top speed rating of about 12 mph (19 kph) in flat terrains and around 9 mph (4.5 kph) in real-world applications. Like other scooters in this motor-size category, you won’t be cruising past other powerful models. But at least it’s much faster and perhaps more fun than walking.
The Segway ES1L is powered by a 5100mAh lithium-ion battery. How far this battery takes you depends on the riding mode, among other variables. The Sport Mode is the fastest and will let you enjoy a top speed of 12 mph for around 7 miles. On the other hand, the Eco-mode sacrifices speed for range. This mode will get you close to 12 miles, but it keeps the speed at around 7 mph. If you want to balance speed with range, then you’ll mostly be cruising on Standard Mode. This mode holds down the speed at about 9 mph for a range of around 9 miles.
About its wheels, Segway opted for 8-inch non-pneumatic honeycomb tires. These are fit-and-forget tires with an obvious upside of never going flat. They don’t beat air-filled tires when it comes to cushioning you from vibrations. But Segway has taken care of this, albeit partially, with a front-wheel front suspension.
As a member of Ninebot’s E-scooter series, the ES1L uses an electric front-wheel brake operated by a black lever on the left-hand side handle. Also, the rear fender is hinged and will work as a foot brake when you step on it.
Pros
- Cheap adult scooter
- Solid construction
- Lightweight and easily portable
- No-maintenance hollow tires
Cons
- No built-in safety feature
- Comparably low mileage
Hiboy S2 - Cheap but Tough Electric Scooter
Top speed: 18.6 mph
Top range: 17 miles
Charging time: 4-6 hours
There’s a reason why the Hiboy S2 is often regarded as an inexpensive adult electric scooter with a premium flair. If this scooter seems familiar, that’s probably because it’s a clone of the Xiaomi Mi M365- an overwhelmingly popular scooter that you may have seen a lot already. These 2 scooters are similar in so many ways, but the S2 is cheaper, stronger, and faster too.That said, the Hiboy S2 may make a great purchase if you’re looking for a tougher version of the M365 at a lower price.
The Hiboy S2 is a nicely built electric scooter with a solid construction and a frills-free outlook. It has a fairly wide standing deck and slightly narrower-than-average handlebars. Both of these have a grippy rubber matting to provide stable and comfortable rides ensuring your safety.
The cockpit features a simple and clean streamlined LED display, 2 thumb-control levers, a mechanical bell, and a handbrake lever. At the front, this scooter has a bright headlight mounted at handlebar height. I feel that a high-mounted headlight does a better job of making you visible to the oncoming traffic than wheel level-mounted lights.
With a weight limit of 260 lbs, the S2 beats most of its competitors to become one of the best electric scooters for heavy adults. Rightly so, this scooter boasts a 350-watt motor capable of hitting top speeds of up to 18.6 mph. This is a powerful motor with above-average hill-climbing ability and an impressive acceleration speed of 0 to 15 mph in around 7 seconds.
The S2 draws power from a 7.8Ah Li-ion battery located under the deck. This battery has an estimated range of 12 to 17 miles depending on the mode.
Switching to its wheels, the Hiboy S2 is fitted with 8-inch honeycomb (solid) tires. I appreciate the low-maintenance promise of these tires. But I feel that they are a sort of a letdown for such a powerful motor. The rear wheel has a dual spring suspension system, which is quite impressive for a scooter at this price range. Although it absorbs some of the vibrations, I don’t think it’s strong enough to let you venture off-road.
What about foldability and portability?
The Hiboy S2 ticks most of the important boxes when it comes to portability. First, this model has a relatively faster and easier folding mechanism than the Gotrax models in these adult electric scooter reviews. To fold it, you pull to release a handle at the front of the stem. Next, a hook at the top of the stem will latch to a spring-loaded clasp on the rear fender to offer a solid fold.
The Hiboy S2 has a compact fold size of 45.7 x 16.5 x 19.3 inches. At 31.9 lbs, the S2 is around 5 lbs heavier than the Gotrax GXL V2 and the XR Ultra but notably lighter than the Ninebot Max and the Ninebot S4.
Pros
- Great value
- Powerful motor
- Strong acceleration
- Higher weight capability
- Feels solid
- Longer range for price
Cons
- Small wheels with honeycomb tires
- Not for rough roads
Hiboy S2 Pro - Coolest Budget Electric Scooter
Top speed: 19 mph
Range: 30 miles
Charging time: 6 hours
You guessed it right: the Hiboy S2 Pro is an upgrade to the already successful S2 scooter. But more than just an upgrade, this is a very well-thought-out scooter with several advanced features that interest a wide demographic.
Thanks to its affordability and ease of use, this model will make a great choice for beginners. It also makes an incredible pick if you’re moving from a lesser-powered model but don’t want to spend a bomb on a powerful scooter.
Also, its powerful 350-watt motor (with a top speed of 19 mph) and 30-mile manufacturer-rated battery range makes this an affordable electric scooter for commuting.
Like its predecessor, the Hiboy S2 Pro has a nicely designed LED that displays the mode, speed, and battery level. It also indicates when the headlight is on.
You’ll find a mechanical bell with a friendly chime, a thumb-operated throttle, and a physical lever for the rear disc brake on the right handle. I find it so convenient to have these 3 components positioned together- and I believe most riders will appreciate this design. The red thumb-control on the left handle controls a regenerative brake on the front wheel.
Either brake will stop the scooter safely when riding at a slow speed, so you can use them singly. When used together, these brakes will get the scooter from 15 mph to 0 in 3 seconds, which is quite impressive.
The other feature that makes the Hiboy S2 Pro a good electric scooter for adults is its 10-inch wheels. These wheels are slightly taller than their predecessor’s and will result in better ride quality when coupled with the rear wheel shock absorber. And because they are solid (honeycomb), you never have to worry about the tires going flat.
Like the Hiboy S2, the Pro has a recommended rider weight capacity of 260 lbs. However, keep in mind that the Hiboy S2 Pro weighs 36.3 lbs- five pounds extra.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Ample speed and range
- Faster acceleration
- Short stopping distance
- Well-lit
- No risk of flats
Cons
- Not the lightest
Verdict: Which Electric Scooter Should You Buy?
With so much to go for in each of these rideables, I’d say the best electric scooter for your needs comes down to your budget and what you want in terms of speed, range, ease of use, and practicality.
Best for price:
From a price point of view, the Gotrax GXL V2, XR Ultra, and Segway Ninebot ES1L should suffice if you’re after affordability.
Best for range:
The Segway Ninebot Max is the best electric scooter for range.
Best for speed:
If you’re looking for the fastest electric scooter adult size, your choice lies between the Gotrax G4 and the Hiboy S2 Pro.
Best for practicality:
Value-driven scooter fans looking for the best bang will appreciate the Gotrax G4. This is a great scooter if you’ll be making lots of short rides within the city, for instance, DoorDash. It has practical theft-deterrent features, it charges fast, and its 20 mph should be sufficient for most riders.