At the end of this guide, you’ll be up to speed (apologies for that pun) with absolutely everything you need to pick the perfect eScooter for you, or your child. We’ll cover what you need, what you don’t and common mistakes to avoid.
Two big things you want to think about: Range and Terrain
Top speed
Scooter weight and weight distribution
Weight distribution is a hard one to get a handle on (no pun intended). This is how the scooter feels when carried. While it’s obvious that your scooter should be comfy to carry, it’s not always the case. This is hard to judge by just reading but look out for any forum posts complaining how a scooter is awkward to carry up stairs etc.
What’s the max user weight?
One of the things that varies a lot between electrics is the upper weight limit. While not an issue on a kids scooter, or for more petite folks, heavier riders will need to keep an eye on this spec.
What should I get?
Pick a scooter with a bit of wiggle room in the upper weight department. If you’re 90kg, get one with 100kg or higher weight limit.
Is it waterproof?
You’d assume that eScooters would all be waterproof, right? Oddly enough, it’s not something they all have. There actually aren’t many eScooters that go beyond splashproof (meaning you can’t use it in the rain) and some don’t even have that.
What should I get?
If you’re in the UK and looking for something you can ride a lot, definitely go for a waterproof one.
Max scooter range
Another key spec here is how far you can go on a charge, normally shown as the range of the scooter. This is increasing with each generation of scooters, as batteries get better, smaller and tech improves.
This is one you’ll have to balance with your budget and obviously higher is better.
What should I look for?
If you’re looking for something serious to get around on, aim for something with at least a 15km range.
One thing to look out for with the range is that to achieve this, some electric scooters will use an ‘eco’ mode, where the scooter will run at a reduced speed. Technically, it will achieve the range but you’ll be half asleep by the time you get there.
Dead stop: picking the perfect brakes
A really important part of your new scooter is the braking system. There are really two kinds of brakes you’ll find on scooters.
- Electric braking –
- Brake lever – this is the same sort of braking you get on a bicycle.
Which one is the best?
There’s no best here, it’s really down to personal preference. Some people like the feel of a cycle style brake. If you want the best of both worlds, some eScooters have both types on the same scooter.
How easy is it to store and carry
Another thing you’ll want to cast a critical eye over is
Picking a good brand
While it’s not an option if you’re on the hunt for a super-bargain scooter, one of the best things you can do to make life easier is to pick one of the bigger, more well-known brands.
What are some good brands of electric scooters?
- Segway (Ninebot)
- Pure Electric
Getting the right motor
A decent motor in your electric scooter can make a huge difference in performance. Electric motors are rated in W, a larger number meaning a more powerful motor.
Definitely don’t skimp on this one. Your scooters motor affects pretty much every part of your riding experience including:
- Acceleration
- Top speed
- Hill climbing
What should I get?
If you’re looking for something to get around on and will be using it on at least some incline, grab a scooter with a 500w motor.
Anything else I should know?
The motor power is normally an average wattage.