Best Electric Scooters: What To Look for Before You Buy

Get around safely—and quickly!

byLauren Brown West-Rosenthal|
Best Electric Scooters: What To Look for Before You Buy
Ride in style on these electric scooters. Okai Vehicles, Unsplash
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Zipping around town on an electric scooter is as fun as it looks. But, before adding one to your transportation options, you must know what to consider. From safety features to motor power. Here’s what riders of all experience levels must look for in an electric scooter. 

  • Your electric scooter should have at least 250 watts of motor power to get you over small hills or cover long distances with ease. If you live somewhere that’s steep and hilly, a more powerful motor is your best bet. A dual motor electric scooter is another great option for longer or steeper commutes as that second motor ups the ante on speed, acceleration, and torque (the overall performance of the motor). 
  • When buying an electric scooter, you can choose between pneumatic or airless tires. While both types ensure smooth rides and shock absorption, they do have slight differences to take note of. Pneumatic tires provide the highest shock absorption but are also more prone to punctures than the other kind.
  • The battery life of your scooter is an important factor that determines how often you need to charge up. On average, most electric scooters can travel about 9-15 miles and take around four hours for a full battery charge. Before planning a ride, it’s necessary to know how far you’re traveling and how much charge you have for a seamless ride.

Our Picks for the Best Electric Scooters on Amazon

Top Pick: Segway Ninebot Max

Features an LED display plus Bluetooth capabilities, cruise control, and mobile app connectivity.

Best for Kids: Razor Powercore E90

Enhanced balance and traction through rear-wheel-drive design; for children 8 and over.

Good for Beginners: Gotrax GXL Commuting Scooter

This model has a handbrake, cruise control, reinforced frame, and a lock mechanism.

Also Consider: Hiboy Pro Electric Scooter

It collapses for easy storage in car trunks and other compact spaces.

Better You is a shopping-advice and product-review site brought to you by the publishers of Popular Science and Outdoor Life magazines. We’re here to help you choose among the most popular products on Amazon, and hidden gems our experts think are worth checking out.