Electric scooters are becoming more popular in cities and towns, and with good reason. They combine the versatility and eco-friendliness of a bicycle with a motor vehicle's convenience, making them the ideal way to get around town.
Choosing the right electric scooter can be challenging since there are so many factors to keep in mind. Our electric scooter buying guide can help you figure out precisely what you need from your e-scooter, from max speed to extra features like cruise control and a convenient folding mechanism. The only thing you then have to consider is your price range.
Cheap electric scooters have a bit of a bad reputation, mainly due to poor manufacturing practices, which led to underpowered, potentially dangerous scooters. Luckily, the technology behind electric scooters has improved dramatically, meaning that there are plenty of cheap electric scooters with solid built quality out there.
If you want to buy an electric scooter on a budget, your first concern should be the scooter's build quality. We've compiled a comprehensive list of the best electric scooters in the mid-range and affordable price bracket to help you find the perfect scooter for your wallet. While you won't find the WideWheel Pro on this list, there are still plenty of electric scooters at a considerably more attractive price.
The Turboant X7 Pro is the premium offering from this innovative electric scooter company. It builds on the popular X7 while adding larger tires and a higher maximum range, making it one of the best electric scooters on the market price considered.
Many cheap scooters will feel flimsy, and loose handlebars are an increasing problem for beginners and experienced riders alike. The X7 Pro has amazing build quality with solid handles, a thick folding tubular stem, and a removable battery. It feels reliable even when loaded to its max weight capacity of 275 lb, making it a solid pick for heavy riders as well.
The 350-watt motor may not win prizes for being one of the fastest electric scooters on the road, but it makes up for it by being one of the most reliable. Acceleration feels smooth up to around 16 mph, after which it slows down noticeably. It's still zippy enough to get you around town with ease, which is all that you need.
The battery is one of the best aspects of the T7 Pro. The lithium-ion 360Wh battery can power the motor for around 30 miles under ideal conditions, translating to approximately 15 - 20 miles under everyday road use. Unfortunately, the battery does take up to six hours to charge fully, so it's a good idea to keep a spare around, just in case.
While most people don't take their scooters off-road, the 10" tires should be able to handle light trails and a bit of grass. Larger tires tend to absorb impact better, and while you'll still feel every bump in the road, it's not nearly as jarring as with smaller wheels solid wheels. The tires have plenty of road grip which makes controlling the scooter easy and comfortable.
Turboant spent a lot of time working on this scooter’s ergonomics, and the results speak for themselves. The rubber handles feel stable yet comfortable, and the push-brake handle is conveniently located at the right handle. The entire braking system feels responsive, and the lag time is negligible on the e-brake, which is a massive improvement on the original T7.
Overall, the Turboant T7 Pro is an excellent buy at this price point. It's comfortable, reliable, and has a long-lasting battery that's perfect for your daily work commute. Most of the competitors that offer similar features and specs are well out of this price range, making the T7 Pro our top choice. For those reasons, this is our top pick under $600.
Given its incredible value and solid range, it's one of the best electric scooters for commuting.
The Turboant X7 is an excellent cheap electric for someone looking to spend around $500 on their scooter. It is sturdy, comes with a removable battery pack, and has three independent braking mechanisms.
The 350W engine packs enough of a punch to get you up moderate hills while providing smooth acceleration and an acceptable top speed. It can handle hills of up to 10% steepness, but you may need to add a bit of a kick to help things along beyond that.
A great feature of the Turboant X7 is the triple-redundant braking system, ensuring that you'll stop safely, even in an emergency. The system consists of an e-brake, a traditional disc brake, and a foot brake. You can activate the e-brake and disc brake simultaneously using the hand lever, but you may need to tighten up the disc brake to get responsive braking power.
The Tubroant X7 weighs 29.7 lb, mostly due to the removable battery pack. It's a bit bulky but is still relatively easy to carry onto public transport and into a building. The handlebars don't fold away, which can become extremely annoying if you're regularly navigating narrow doorways.
We found the Turboant X7's control panel intuitive and easy to use. The LED has all the information you need at a glance, including power, lights, and cruise control settings. The throttle has several integrated settings, making it very convenient to control your scooter, even during longer rides.
The Turboant has three different P-settings, which you can play around with until you find something you like. P0 changes your display from mph to km/h, P1 toggles cruise control on or off, and P2 lets you choose whether you need a kick-start or not.
The X7 has a max rider weight of 275 lb, making it a great scooter for adults. This carrying capacity is significantly higher than the X7's direct competitors' max rider weight, while it also costs considerably less.
If you live in a rainy part of the world, you'll appreciate the Turboant X7's IP54 rating, which means that it can tolerate getting splashed with water. You can't go driving through puddles regularly, but you can still use your scooter to get around on rainy days.
The Elite is a facelift of the Gotrax XR Ultra, a pretty good and popular budget scooter. The company has learned several lessons during the XR Ultra release and has applied these lessons to the Elite, making it a better choice overall.
The XR Elite is a budget-minded scooter that knows what to focus on and what to ignore. Instead of fancy add-ons and gadgets, this scooter is a no-frills, no-fuss machine that will get you from point A to point B reliably for years to come.
The 15.5 mph top speed is enough to get you where you need to go safely, often with time to spare. The battery also has a specified maximum range of 18.6 miles, though you're likely to only hit between 10 and 15 under normal riding conditions.
Where the Gotrax XR Elite really shines is in its safety features. Most electric scooter manufacturers will settle for some LED lights at the back and front, but Gotrax has added several extra reflectors and lights on the scooter's side. If you ride a lot at night, you won't have to worry about visibility ever again.
The dual-braking system uses disc brakes at the back and a front e-brake to provide you with the stopping power you need to avoid running into pedestrians or cyclists. With the dual-brake system, you get enough braking power to both wheels, ensuring you maintain balance and control even when stopping abruptly.
The 8.5" air-filled tires offer a comfortable ride over most roads and provide enough grip that you'll always feel in control. We've found that air-filled tires provide a better ride than tubeless tires, especially on non-suspension scooters. While you do run the risk of getting a flat tire, you'll find the increased ride quality is worth the occasional inconvenience.
The XR Elite is the perfect affordable electric scooter for daily commutes. It can cover up to 18 miles on a single charge, and the front and rear lights ensure your safety at all times. It's not a scooter that will knock your socks off with excitement, but it is one that will do exactly what you expect it to and provide reliable service for a long time to come. It’s an excellent daily driver for the price, especially compared to its rivals like the Razor E300.
The under-$300 price range is where manufacturers have to start making concessions to keep costs low. Finding a cheap electric scooter in this category can become interesting since many makers tend to skip on core features while still trying to make their scooters appealing to the mass market.
Luckily, Gotrax understands what costs to cut and what features to keep. The GXL V2 2020 Edition is the perfect balance of performance and cost and is ideal for short commuter rides. It's light enough to comfortably carry onto public transport while still offering good build quality and a robust motor.
The new 2020 model has improved on the safety of the original GXL by replacing the relatively laggy e-brake with a hand-brake setup that's significantly more responsive and safe. With a top speed of 15.5 mph, you'll appreciate having the stopping power when you need it most.
The 250-watt motor in the GXL V2 remains the same as in the original version, and it's still a pretty good prospection. While it's not powerful enough to climb steep hills, it will do the job perfectly well in flat areas, offering smooth acceleration and reliable cruise control. The low deck and fairly low weight mean that you can use the GXL V2 as a kick scooter if you run out of juice.
The 36V battery pack has a four-hour charge time and has a range of up to 12 miles on a single charge under ideal conditions though with a limited 187.2Wh battery capacity, you'll most likely run a little short of that. The recharge time makes this an appealing proposition as a daily commuter since you'll have plenty of time to recharge before you have to head home.
The pneumatic tires provide extra cushioning, which is essential in a scooter with no spring suspension. The ride is comfortable enough under most conditions, but you won't go off-roading with this scooter any time soon. The 8.5" diameter tires are also perfect for keeping traction and handling up to 220 lb of rider weight with no issues.
The Swagtron Swagger 8 is the ideal introductory electric scooter for beginners, teens, and kids. The company expressly designed this electric scooter for younger riders, so there are very few luxury features to be seen. However, even though they market it as a kids scooter, an adult beginner will also find it comfortable enough to use, thanks to the adjustable handlebars and adequate carrying capacity.
The Swagger 8 has a kick-to-start function, so you have to maintain a consistent speed for six seconds before the 200W motor kicks in. It gives most people enough time to get comfortable on the scooter before it starts speeding up.
While the 5.5" solid rubber wheels may put some comfort freaks off the Swagger 8, it also features front and rear suspension to mitigate the sensitivity of the solid wheels. While 5-inch pneumatic tires would be significantly better, Swagtron has still designed an electric scooter with a moderately comfortable ride.
The 24V 108.8Wh lithium-ion battery provides enough juice for up to 7 miles of riding and has a surprisingly short charge time. So now your impatient kids won't have to wait long before getting back on their scooter again.
While the Swagger 8 seems incredibly light on features and conveniences, it's an excellent first scooter for kids. The manufacturers didn't design this scooter with daily commutes in mind. They created it as a first scooter that won't overwhelm the novice rider.
If you like the idea of owning an electric scooter but aren't 100% convinced it's the right option for you, it's a good idea to buy an introductory scooter first. And the Swagger 8 is a great first buy with decent features that will get you excited about riding even more powerful electric scooters in the future.
Just like adult electric scooters, kids scooters require some research before committing. The Razor Core E90 arguably is the best electric scooter for kids under $100.
Unfortunately, unlike scooters in our other price brackets, this one is exclusively for kids. It has a carrying capacity of 120 lb, and the small motor will struggle once you start hitting that upper limit.
The kick-start option ensures that you won't get any accidental takeoffs while your kids learn how to ride. Most children will quickly pick up how the scooter works and will be riding around in minutes.
Razor has a reputation for creating kids-friendly electric scooters, and the E90 is no different. It has a decent build quality that feels robust and solid, and while it doesn't have pneumatic tires, the urethane tires are comfortable enough for short bursts around the block.
The main drawback of the E90 is the battery. The maximum range is around 6 miles or 80 minutes of riding time, but the recharge time is 12 hours. While the scooter comes with two batteries, you'll still experience a lot of downtime while you wait for the batteries to recharge.
The Zing E10 is part of the recent Segway Ninebot line of kid-friendly scooters, offering lower power but the same excitement as scooters for adults. Segway has taken the time to design a scooter that teaches children how to ride safely and confidently.
When they first start, kids will use Safe Mode, limiting the scooter’s speed and engine. Cruise Mode allows them to glide along at the same rate without controlling the throttle, while Turbo Mode gives them full control over the throttle. It's an intuitive system that makes learning how to ride an e-scooter fun and safe.
The performance and specs of the Segway Ninebot Zing E10 are what you'd expect from a higher-end kid's scooter. The motor delivers up to 150W of power, giving enough acceleration for a maximum speed of 10 mph. The battery has a relatively low full range but does have a decent charge time.
Some of the more subtle safety features of the Zing E10 include a non-slip silicone footpad and widened deck, and reflective stickers along the sides and rear of the scooter. Unfortunately, the scooter doesn't have a front headlight, so make sure your kids aren't riding around at night or in poor visibility.
While the Segway Ninebot Zing E10 can't handle heavy downpours or complete immersion in water, it does have a water resistance rating of IP54, which means that it can handle light rain and occasional splashes. The scooter also has front-wheel suspension, ensuring that there's enough traction to handle slightly damp or smooth roads with ease.
The Razor E100 is an entry-level kid's electric scooter. It's on the cheap end, which means that it uses slightly less sophisticated materials. It has a lead-acid battery, which has a significantly longer recharge time than similar Li-OH batteries. The motor is a chain-driven motor that is louder than the typical hub-motors found on higher-spec models.
However, despite these concessions to cost, the Razor E100 is a great little electric scooter for kids. It cruises along at a sedate 10 miles an hour (which can feel like 15 mph when you're young), and the battery life will last for about four hours or five miles.
One feature that sets the E100 apart from similar electric scooters in this range is the 8" pneumatic front tire. This significantly increases the comfort of the ride, making it smoother and more enjoyable. The hand-operated brake is an excellent safety feature, but the E100, unfortunately, lacks front and backlights.
The scooter has a water resistance rating of IP54, which means that it's perfect for light use in wet weather, though chances are your kids will want to stay inside instead.
The E100 is light enough to carry around, but it doesn't fold up since it's not designed for city riding or commutes. However, we've found that most kids will only use their electric scooters in their neighborhood, which means that they don't need extra portability.
Overall, the E100 fits the bill for a fun and exciting kid's toy. This electric scooter has all the functionality you need, without any of the extra bells and whistles. If you want a scooter for your kids that is fun, but don't expect a high-quality performance machine that regularly hits 18 mph, this is one of the best electric scooters in terms of bang for your buck.
The Hover-1 Rally is the perfect entry point into Hover's catalog of electric scooters. The 300W motor is more than capable of handling the max carrying capacity of 264 lb at max speeds, though the battery may start letting you down with its limited 144Wh capacity. Luckily, the average charge time is around three hours, so you'll be back on the road before you know it.
One of the most appealing features of the Hover-1 Rally is the built-in suspension that makes sailing along at 12 mph a lot more comfortable. The electric scooter has three-speed settings, making it easy to ride for both beginners and experts alike. At the third level, you can even achieve a speed of 15 mph, though the lack of any stopping power other than an e-brake makes this a dangerous proposition.
Overall, the Hover-1 Rally has good build quality for the price, though the standard concessions are present. You only get one braking option in a slightly laggy e-brake, and the tires are solid rubber. However, you also get rare features on cheap electric scooters, including LED headlights, a 300W motor, and a large deck that can handle up to 264 lb. We also like the user-friendly LCD screen, which is uncluttered while still giving you the information you need.
If you're looking for an entry-level scooter with decent performance at an affordable price, the Hover-1 Rally is definitely worth a look. It may not be the best electric scooter in the world, but it's a good one for a beginner or teenager.
Just because you want an affordable electric scooter doesn't mean that you have to compromise on speed. The Hiboy MAX is one of the best cheap scooters on the market and comes with many other high-end features.
The Hiboy MAX is a great electric scooter for commuting, as it can handle 15-degree inclines with ease. However, if you're using public transport as part of your commute, you may find the 34 lb weight to be a factor worth considering.
The scooter also takes into account your experience level by offering three-speed modes. The first will limit your speed to under ten mph, while the top one will give you complete control. The LED is clear and easy to understand and only offers you relevant information when you need it.
As more manufacturers enter the electric scooter market, deciding on what to buy becomes increasingly tricky. However, there are plenty of options, even at the lower end of the price bracket, and with a bit of time and research, you'll find one that perfectly meets your needs and expectations.
To make things easier for you, we used our years of background knowledge and hands-on testing in the field to bring you a list with the best budget e-scooters ranging all the way from below $100 to almost $600 per unit. Although there are high-end options out there, they don't come at this price point, so if you're just looking for something to get you around, there's almost always a solution for even the smallest budget.
Tip: You can always get live prices to compare scooters on our electric scooter pricing table page.
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Rasmus is the creative lead at ERideHero. As a jack of all trades, Rasmus handles videography, photography and review write-ups as well as website development. He has tested more than 100 personal electric vehicles of all sorts across more than 6,000 miles.
