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Technological advancements are the main reason behind the inception of many types of human transport. However, many of these modes of transportation have resulted in high levels of carbon emissions unfavorable to the atmosphere. But, if you seek to reduce these emissions and travel more quickly than walking, electric scooters are your ideal solution.
These two-wheeled kick scooters operate on rechargeable batteries, and they are available for both children and adults. These ‘vehicles’ are convenient, rechargeable, and environmentally-friendly solutions that will enable you to navigate around different places with ease.
Some of them have seats, while others do not have a seat. Most of them come with variable ride modes, which means that they have different gears and levels of electric assistance. Notably, the top ride speed increases with more advanced settings but at the cost of battery life.
Also, while purchasing an electric scooter, consider the type of terrain that you will be riding to ensure that you get the best device or just read our electric scooter buying guide. Typically, an electric scooter covers up to 20 miles on a single charge depending on different factors like terrain, traffic, and speed.
In this article, we review the top five electric scooters for adults in 2020. All the scooters covered have received a rating of between 3.5-5 from the users who have already bought and used these scooters.
Best Electric Scooters for Adults
Segway Ninebot MAX Electric Kick Scooter 350W
Price range: $750 – $850
The Segway Ninebot MAX is a top scooter suited for adults based on its designs and performance. With a single charge, the Segway Ninebot electric scooter can go up to 40 miles at a speed of 18.6 mph with a load of 220 lbs.
It is also portable thanks to the folding design. Notably, the folding process does not consume a lot of time as it can be done within three seconds.
This scooter guarantees you a safe and comfortable ride due to the mechanical and electrical anti-lock braking system that was designed with a focus on the rider’s safety. This scooter also comes with anti-theft functionality for locking the scooter.
The Segway Ninebot MAX electric scooter gives a rider a complete guide of the ride with the innovative mobile application integration via Bluetooth. The app is also meant for extra security and firmware updates. Notably, the mobile application is an intuitive full-color display for an exceptional experience during the ride. This scooter has the LED display for cruise control and selecting riding modes.
The central section of the Ninebot MAX is IP7-rated giving you peace of mind since it is waterproof. Furthermore, it has the front and rear lights and reflectors for safety on the roads. The 10-inch pneumatic tubeless tires offer exceptional suspension for a smooth ride.
Segway Ninebot MAX PROS:
- Long battery life and convenient recharging
- Offers more mileage than competitors
- Lightweight
- Roomy footrest with anti-slip surface
- Smartphone connectivity
- High-quality assembly
- It really kicks
- Tubeless tires
Segway Ninebot MAX CONS:
- The lithium-ion battery cannot be dismantled
- Can’t adjust the height
- Pricey
Segway Ninebot ES2 Electric Kick Scooter 300W
Price range: $550 – $650
The Segway Ninebot ES2 electric scooter has the potential of hitting 15 mph with a load of up to 220 lbs thanks to the 300W motor. For long battery life, the manufacturer installed the smart battery management system for close monitoring of the battery cells.
This is a lightweight scooter with a total weight of 27.6 lbs which enables the rider to fold it. It is a perfect travel companion because it can be folded and stored in a car or on public transport, making it a perfect travel companion.
The construction of the Segway Ninebot ES2 electric scooter put the comfort and safety of the rider in mind. The front and rear wheel shock absorbers have sizable solid tires that provide maximum rider comfort. This scooter comes with a mechanical and electrical anti-lock braking system for responsive braking at a distance of just 13.1ft. The dual system ensures that riding stability is maximized. The system cushions the bumps and absorbs the shock giving you a smooth ride.
You can also easily manage your rides with Ninebot Kick scooter by Segway ES2 mobile app. The app enables you to customize your rides for safety and firmware updates. This electric scooter has a LED display, Bluetooth cruise control, and customizable ambient light color.
Segway Ninebot ES2 Pros
- Ideal for long-distance commute
- It has a very powerful battery
- It has front and rear suspension
- High-quality assembly
- Tubeless tires
- Foldable scooter for maximum mobility
- ~$200 cheaper than Segway Ninebot MAX
Segway Ninebot ES2 Cons
- It takes a long time to fully charge
- It’s still quite expensive
Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter with Long-range Battery, 250W
Price range: $330 – $430
The Xiaomi Mi electric scooter is perfect for individuals commuting for a longer period.
This scooter’s single battery charge lasts longer at the same time while maintaining a good speed. With a 250W motor and long-range battery, this scooter can attain a maximum speed of 15.5 MPH and a travel range of up to 18.6 miles under specific conditions.
As you commute for long, there is a guarantee of safety thanks to the double braking system that protects the rider. This system enables the scooter to stop within 13.1 feet. This is possible due to the disc braking and regenerative anti-lock braking system that responds effectively.
One of the stands out features for the Xiaomi Mi Electric scooter is the design. It comes with 8.5-inch tires with shock absorption and anti-slip treads. You can easily monitor the battery life on the handlebar due to the four LED notification lights. It is also foldable so the maximum mobility is quaranteed.
Xiaomi Mi scooter Pros
- Foldable
- Modern design
- Long-distance commutes
- Attractive price (~$370)
- Has a disc braking system
- Smart device connection through the app
- Has ‘Scooter Repair Program’
Xiaomi Mi scooter Cons
- Accelerates more slowly compared to Segway’s Ninebot MAX and ES2 scooters.
Populo Electric Scooter 350W
Price range: $395 – $450
The Populo electric scooter is known for its compact size making it a perfect choice for long-distance commuters. It comes with a 350W brushless hub motor that can attain up to 15mph backed by the high capacity battery with a maximum travel range to 14.5 miles under specific conditions. Riders with a maximum weight of 220lbs will find this scooter comfortable.
The motor is easily adjustable to cater for the riders height. The adjustment can be done using a height-adjustable handlebar. When folded, it becomes easy to carry around. The deck has an easy-grip surface for traction giving you a smooth ride. The Populo electric scooter gives the rider more control thanks to the 10-inch tires pneumatic tire on both front and rear. This scooter also comes with an integrated handlebar bell and a kickstand.
This scooter’s design also focused on safety and technology thanks to front and rear lights. Additionally, the double braking system with a mechanical disc braking and electrical braking keeps the rider in control when approaching danger. Furthermore, you can easily monitor the speed mode, battery life through the high definition standard board display. With a total weight of about 28.3lbs, the Populo electric scooter can be collapsed and carried around after folding within three seconds.
Populo electric scooter Pros
- Powerful motor
- Foldable
- Lightweight
- Easy to operate
Populo electric scooter Cons
- The company’s main focus is electric bike production instead of electric scooters. So this might be a hard times to get spare parts.
Gotrax GXL V2 Commuting Electric Scooter 250W
Price range: $240 – $300
The Gotrax GXL V2 electric scooter is available in three colors including black, pink and silver. This scooter comes with a classy look weighing just 26 lbs. It is easy to fold and carry around thanks to the dimension of 39 inches x 6 inches x 14 inches and weight. Notably, the Gotrax GXL electric scooter is designed for rough and tough use.
On matters of safety, the Gotrax GXL has a front regenerative brake alongside a rear disc brake operated by a hand lever, something that ensures the safety of the rider. It also features pneumatic tires that are the best for use on city roads. These tires have an inner core which is airtight ensuring they stay inflated even with a lot of weight on it.
This scooter’s dashboard is one of the standout features. The GoTrax GXL V2 ensures everything is simple for the rider to easily understand by displaying information that is necessary such as the speed of the electric scooter and the battery. The dashboard is strategically located on the top of the handle, the handle of the scooter has the brake and accelerators to control the speed at which your scooter is running.
Gotrax GXL V2 Pros
- Smoother ride thanks to pneumatic tires
- Hand-operated rear disc brake
- Foldable
- Probably the most affordable and adult-suited electric scooter
Gotrax GXL V2 Cons
- Poor quality of some secondary components due to low price.
Electric Scooter Buying Guide
Electric scooters are rising in popularity especially with a focus on green transport. With this popularity, too many brands and models are available in the market making it hard to choose the correct electric scooter. Here are several things to look out for choosing the right scooter.
Budget. Your budget is an important aspect of selecting the right electric scooter. The right price varies from person to person. In this case, the more sophisticated the scooter is, the more expensive it is. The purpose of your scooter will greatly determine your budget.
Warranty. Always look out for the warranty since you need a guarantee for your money. A warranty should be able to ensure any manufacturing defect or a quickly worn out part is fixed but not at your cost. Provided you have a warranty, you can put your mind at ease knowing that many of the repairs and replacements needed in the first year or two will be catered for by the manufacturer.
Speed. Look out for a scooter that can attain at least 15 mph. This speed is fast enough. If you are going for a top speed scooter, ensure you accompany it with safety gear like a helmet.
Maximum weight. The max weight or max rider weight is the weight limit that the electric scooter can manage. A majority of scooters allow a max weight of 220 lbs (100 kgs). If you weigh more than this ensure you go for a scooter with a higher capacity. For safety reasons, don’t exceed the weight limit specified by the manufacturer.
Suspension. Suspension for an electric scooter is important just like in an automobile. The suspension ensures a smooth ride, especially when navigating bumps and indentations in the road. Look out for good suspension especially if your commute is on rough terrain. For most electric scooters, suspension can either be attached to the front, rear, or both wheels.
Tires. Electric scooters come with two types of tires, pneumatic tires, and airless (tubeless) tires. Pneumatic tires are recommended because of shock absorption and better handling or traction. However, note that these tires need more maintenance required than the airless variety. Pneumatic tires are prone to punctures. For airless tires, they are inferior but they have no maintenance required.
Conclusion
As seen above, the market has a variety of electric scooters to choose from. With the rising popularity, electric scooters are getting better every day. Currently, electric scooters travel at faster speeds and long distances, with additional features like smartphone connectivity, headlights, solid construction, and more. In selecting a scooter, ensure it gives you value for your money.
From the above list Segway, Ninebot MAX Electric Kick Scooter stands out perfectly as the best ride for an adult. From the recent developments, electric scooters have a big room for evolution.
The following are some of the common frequently asked questions on electric scooters.
F.A.Q about Electric Scooters
Do I need a license for an electric scooter?
No. In most cities, you don’t need a license to ride an electric scooter. Normally, using a scooter is the same experience just like any other pedestrian on the road. You can ride it on the sidewalks or pathways but not the road.
Are 3 wheel scooters better than 2 wheels?
The choice of your scooter depends on your needs. For outdoor activities a two-wheeled electric scooter is preferable, but for short-distance commutes, a two-wheeled scooter is the best.
Do I need insurance for my electric scooter?
The insurance of electric scooters depends on regional and local laws. However, in most regions, you don’t need insurance to operate an electric scooter.
Do I need the training to ride an electric scooter?
Electric scooters are easy to operate for anybody, you can learn with the help of a professional friend, and also there are manuals to guide you. Additionally, check out online tutorials on how to ride an electric scooter.
Can I use electric scooters in the rain?
For safety reasons, electric scooters are not allowed in the rain. In such weather conditions, bikes are highly recommended.
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