Getting an electric scooter for commuting gives you ultimate freedom and flexibility over where you go and when you go. Ditching public transport for a compact commuter scooter is one of the best choices you can make and the benefits are vast;
Electric scooters come in a wide array of types, designed to serve specific purposes and the market can be a jungle to navigate with so many different models and factors to consider - but fret not. Our team of experienced micro-mobility experts has tested more than 40 different commuter scooters across thousands of miles to find the best ones on the market.
In this guide, we'll share exclusive picks for the best electric scooters for commuting. After that, we'll share the most crucial features and buying factors you should consider if you intend on using your electric scooter around town on your daily commutes.
One electric commuter scooter that makes it to the top of practically all our electric scooter buying guides is the incredible X7 Pro from Turboant. Building upon the success of the immensely popular vanilla X7, the 2020 Pro version is the best electric scooter for commuting in our opinion.
This electric commuter scooter provides an excellent balance between range, performance, safety, convenience, and portability - all at an incredible price. With a simple-to-use folding system, an ergonomic thumb throttle and front and rear LED lights, this scooter is as handy as can be.
Two 10-inch air-filled tires that act like shock absorbers and optional cruise control make for pleasant and smooth riding quality. The X7 Pro has seen a battery upgrade from the initial model, featuring a 360Wh detachable that makes it ideal for long-range commutes.
Read our full Turboant X7 Pro review here.
If you feel the #1 pick was a little too heavy and you have a little more money to spend, the UScooters Booster Sport is the best ultralight folding electric scooter for your commutes. Despite only weighing 24.5 lbs, it boasts a powerful 500W motor capable of reaching a max speed of 22 miles per hour. The improved motor enables this scooter to handle inclines of up to 25 degrees which makes it well-suited for hilly areas where smaller motors won't suffice.
The UScooters Booster Sport is the pinnacle of lightweight performance. With its 36V, 8.7Ah Samsung cell li-ion battery, you'll be able to cover almost 16 miles on a single charge.
A 3-point folding mechanism allows you to carry it around easily and since the battery is located in the deck, the weight is distributed evenly throughout the scooter.
The UScooters Booster Sport has 8-inch solid tires which means you won't have to worry about flats. Since solid tires don't provide as much shock absorption as pneumatic tires, it has front and rear spring suspension to give you a smooth ride.
If the two first picks don't quite cut it in terms of range and you'd like a bit more power and better ride quality, the incredibly popular Apollo City is one of the best performance models for you.
With its high-voltage 48V 600W brushless rear-wheel hub motor, the Apollo City blazes through the city at up to 27.4 MPH. It deals with hills really well and we tested it to handle 20-degree inclines smoothly.
The Apollo City also boasts the best range on the list (so far) with its 48V 13.2Ah Dynavolt cell battery pack giving it a 23.1-mile range in real-world riding conditions.
A forged aluminum frame and an IP54 water resistance rating means you can ride confidently even when the road is slightly wet.
One of the most noteworthy things about this commuter scooter is its 24-month market-leading warranty. You can rest assured that you have a reliable ride for years to come, backed by an industry-leading Canadian-based company.
The feature list is long and impressive but some of the highlights are a front disc brake, rear drum brake, dual spring suspension, 8.5-inch air-filled tires, three riding modes and cruise control functionality.
While the price tag is slightly higher than on the first two mentions, the Apollo City does feature a more comfortable ride with better suspension, more range and a more powerful motor.
Read our full Apollo City review here.
If you're on a tight budget but you still want a reliable commuter scooter, you really can't go wrong with the Gotrax Xr Ultra. While not the most impressive accomplishment in terms of specs, it is pretty much unrivaled in its price range.
We tested the Gotrax Xr Ultra and found it was able to ride for about 12.6 miles on a single charge, making it a solid budget-oriented choice for short commutes.
Even though it's not as exciting as our top picks, there are many things to like about this scooter. The folding mechanism is firm and easy to use and it only weighs 26.5 pounds, making it the 2nd lightest pick on this list so far. 8.5-inch air-filled tires give you a comfortable ride and the thumb throttle design is a sure winner for comfort.
Smart design choices are evident throughout this commuter scooter. The IP54 waterproof rating means you can ride worry-free even when light rain starts to fall (and that'll almost inevitably happen at some point). The rear disc brake is a very welcome addition as it's one of the most efficient and reliable braking types around.
The specs and stats won't make your jaw drop but the price tag will. The Xr Ultra is for beginners and people with a strict budget. The value is incredible and all the essentials are in place, ensuring your safety.
Its limited speed and range along with lightweight build makes it one of the best electric scooters for kids.
Read our full Gotrax Xr Ultra review here.
For those of you who require a weight capacity above what the average scooter offers, the Emove Touring is an excellent option. With its sturdy yet fairly lightweight design and its efficient 48V 500W motor, it has a max weight limit of 330 lbs.
The 48V motor setup yields better acceleration than usual 36V systems and with both rear electric and drum brakes, braking performance is amongst the best on this list.
Emove scooters are known for their excellent safety features and superior ride quality and the Touring is no exception. With an 8" pneumatic tire at the front and a solid 8" rubber tire, you get a balance between convenience and performance.
To make the ride even smoother on uneven surfaces, Emove has installed a triple front spring suspension system and dual springs at the back. This makes the Emove Touring arguably the most comfortable electric commuter scooter on this list overall.
An IP54 weather resistance rating ensures the ride is fully protected against dust ingress and water splashes so even when weather conditions are somewhat poor, you can ride with confidence.
Read our full Emove Touring review here.
The Ninebot MAX is the ultimate commuter offering from the famous Segway brand. Very few scooters have the stylish appeal of the Segway Ninebot MAX and the award-winning design is a testament to that.
Many previous Segway models suffered from poor range and significantly declining performance as the power level decreased, but it's safe to say they've addressed these issues with the MAX.
The MAX is all about mobility and mileage. It doesn't have the most impressive speed or acceleration but the sizable 551 Watthours lithium-ion battery delivers a long range with minimal performance cut-off.
The generous 10-inch pneumatic tires increase comfort, absorb road vibrations, and easily deal with potholes and curbs.
The scooter is a little hefty at 41 pounds but it's a fair trade-off for the improved range and strong construction. The MAX leverages a widened 7-inch anti-slip design deck that ensures proper contact friction so you don't slip.
One of the most unique aspects of this scooter is the Segway-Ninebot smartphone App. Using this smartphone app, you get quick access to all your riding data and new firmware updates that'll improve your ride. You can also lock/unlock your scooter and engage cruise control.
Read our full Segway Ninebot MAX review here.
The Unagi Model One is one of the coolest electric scooters to commute on. Labeled "the Teslas of car-less transport", the Unagi Model One is an ultra-portable yet powerful solution that is sure to make heads turn when you ride down the street.
While not the cheapest electric scooter on this list, there are so many premiums that make this scooter well worth its price tag. The beauty is in the details.
Available in two versions (E250 and E500) this scooter weighs just 23lbs or 26.5lbs depending on the version you opt for.
These ultra-slim beauties are designed with the busy commuter in mind. An intuitive one-click folding function allows you to fold it in seconds and the unique 7.5" honeycomb-style custom tires is a perfect midway that reaps the benefits of both pneumatic and solid tires.
The E500 version features a dual-motor setup (one hub in each wheel) - it's the only double motor scooter on this list! While the extra motor doesn't mean much in terms of top speed, it greatly improves acceleration and climbing ability so if you live in a hilly area, the E500-version is the way to go.
If you want to ride in style on an ultra-sleek scooter with a premium look and don't need that much mileage, the Unagi Model One is the way to go.
Read our full Unagi Model One review here.
The Xiaomi Mi M365 reigns as one of the most popular commuter scooters of all time. Its iconic design won it the Red Dot Design Award back in 2017 and ever since it's been one of the go-to models around the globe.
Many things about the M365's design are great - that's why it was previously used by many ride-sharing companies. It weighs a mere 26.9 pounds, making it easy to carry around and with recent price drops, it offers great value.
A sturdy aerospace-grade aluminum frame provides excellent structural strength and corrosion resistance. This makes the Xiaomi M365 electric scooter a durable option that can go through plenty of wear and tear.
Disc brakes are the name of the game and this commuter scooter features one for the rear wheel along with regenerative motor braking that'll both assist in braking and increase overall mileage.
It's definitely not one of the fastest electric scooters out there, peaking at 16.1 MPH in our tests, but it's enough for most urbanites. While the mileage isn't incredible, it's still some of the best you'll find at this price point.
Read our full Xiaomi Mi M365 review here.
Before the Ninebot MAX, there was the Segway Ninebot ES4 scooter. While it's not the newest scooter from Segway, it's still a truly great design that many e-scooterists will stand by for their city commute. The ES4 is considered an electric kick scooter as it's one of few offerings that is designed to work seamlessly when you're out of power.
The Segway Ninebot ES4 electric scooter features greatly improved mileage from its predecessor thanks to its dual batteries - one being external and detachable.
Its 300W front-wheel hub motor gives plenty of power and speed and the front and rear shock absorption dampens your ride so the road will feel a lot more forgiving.
With a 30.9-pound body, The ES4 has a lighter build than the Ninebot MAX and this is also what allows it to handle hill grades of up to 15%.
The Ninebot ES4 electric commuter scooter is ideal for asphalt and flat pavement but due to the fairly small 8"/8.5" solid non-pneumatic tires, it won't serve you well on trails, grass or dirt.
Read our full Segway Ninebot ES4 review here.
We finish the list off with possibly the most popular scooter on Amazon. With more than 900 global user reviews and an average 4.3-star rating, the Glion Dolly is without a doubt a user favorite.
The Glion Dolly is known for its great value and reliability. As the only scooter on this list, it features a unique carrying handle that can telescope in and out of the deck as needed. This will allow you to roll it around almost like a suitcase between your commutes.
The Glion Dolly electric scooter features a rear-wheel 250W motor which reliably pushes the ride towards its peak 15.6 MPH.
We feel the Glion Dolly lacks a proper braking system. While conveniently activated from the left handlebar, we don't feel electronic brakes are enough. Should the technology fail (against all odds) you'll have a hard time coming to a stop unless you're super responsive.
Read our full Glion Dolly review here.
There are a handful of features and specifications you want to value highly when the main purpose of your electric scooter is to serve you reliably on your commutes.
You can always find the current electric scooter prices on top models on our electric scooter price database.
If your electric scooter doesn't have enough battery power to make it comfortably through your entire commute, it's no good at all. Therefore, arguably the most important aspect to look for range. Look for scooters with a lithium-ion battery pack (more on batteries here) as they're more compact and provide unmatched performance.
Before deciding on an electric scooter, work out how much range you need for your commute. If you have 10 miles to and from work, you want an electric commuter scooter with at least 20 miles of range but usually, you can't expect to get the full advertised range. To ensure it's sufficient for your trip, we recommend going with a stated range of at least 30% above what you need. Real-world trips will be more demanding than the manufacturer tests so you want to have a margin of safety to avoid running out of 'juice' on the go.
In our main guide to the best electric scooters, we share our exclusive findings from our real-life range tests on various models which will give you a good indicator of what you need.
As a commuter, you want something lightweight and compact. Bulky electric scooters for adults quickly get annoying in crowded areas and bringing them up the stairs or on public transport is no fun at all.
Weight is a crucial aspect of commuter scooter selection but you also want something that folds together into a compact size. This allows for easy storage and seamless transportation. Most e-scooters fold at the stem but some will fold at the handlebars as well which is added portability.
We recommend getting something that is no heavier than 40 pounds if your sole purpose is to commute. Beyond that, it starts to get difficult to carry around and the convenience-aspect crumbles quickly.
Some scooters are quite front-heavy (or back-heavy) which can also be an annoyance when carrying them around. Even weight distribution is most often achieved by electric scooters with the battery in the deck as opposed to in the stem which makes them quite front-heavy. It's not a deciding factor but definitely something worth noting before making up your mind.
Safety is of the essence when shopping for an electric commuter scooter. You want something reliable that'll hold up to the inevitable wear and tear accumulated through hundreds of miles on the road. It's difficult to compare built quality between different models as it comes down to design choices, built materials, maintenance, and unpredictable external variables.
It's essential to have LED lights equipped both at the front and rear. Most models have integrated solutions for this but if they are not sufficient, you can always purchase additional lighting like you would with a bike. At the bare minimum, you should have;
It's also advisable to have either side-lights or reflectors that'll increase your visibility to others in the traffic after the sun goes down.
This leads me to another important point. Depending on where you live, there will be different laws in place in regard to electric scooters. Some countries/cities have very limited top speed requirements and motor wattage limits but it's almost universal that there are laws in place that require you to have head and tail lights.
Unless you want to risk getting a hefty ticket and a possible confiscation, we recommend you read up on local laws and ensure your commuter scooter is compliant.
Getting from A to B is one thing but getting there on time is another. This is where motor power and top speed come into the picture. Usually, a higher motor wattage equals higher top speeds and faster acceleration. This does not always hold true motor efficiency isn't necessarily the same - even though two scooters may be geared with equally powerful 300W motors.
Most commuter-friendly e-scooter models (under 40 pounds) will feature a single motor as it is sufficient for most city use cases. Entry-level models start around with 200W-300W motors while the more capable models have 350W-600W motors.
For riders 165+ lbs, we recommend going with something at least 350W as slower models will likely feel slow and struggle on hills.
Most commuter scooter models have top speeds between 12 MPH - 20 MPH. Some are capable of more but there may be local limitations due to laws and restrictions. It is worth noting that as the battery level decreases, so does the performance. This affects top speed, climbing ability, and acceleration so it may be a good idea to get something slightly faster than what you initially thought.
An electric commuter scooter puts emphasis on being an effective replacement for cars, bikes or public transport for getting around town. Not all electric scooters are ideal for this purpose, but the ones that are are usually lightweight, compact and provide a reasonably good range so you can get from A to B reliably.
Electric scooters are a genius invention and they're incredibly good for commutes. They give you complete freedom of where you go and when you do it. During rush hour, bus delays are almost a given but the bike lane is usually a lot less cramped, allowing you to glide past parked car drivers, leaving them glaring at you with pure envy.
Depending on what type of transportation you usually use, you can save a lot of money by investing in an electric commuter scooter.
The average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the US is $0.13. Let's use this rate to calculate how much it costs to travel a mile on our top pick - Turboant X7 Pro - so we can compare it to using a gas car.
We need to pull out information about the battery of the electric scooter first. Specifically, we need the voltage and amp-hour of its battery. This information is usually widely accessible on distributor or manufacturer websites.
The X7 Pro has a 36V (volt) 10Ah (amp-hour) battery. We can multiply the voltage and amp-hours to get the watt-hours and then divide by 1000 to get the kWh capacity of the battery.
36V * 10Ah = 360Wh
360Wh / 1000 = 0.36 kWh
Now we simply have to multiply our kWh value with the average price per kWh and we'll have the average cost it takes to charge this particular scooter.
0.36 kWh * $0.13 = $0.0468/kWh
So, it only costs roughly 4.7 cents to charge this electric scooter from 0% to 100%. While the actual mileage of electric scooter differs depending on a variety of factors, we tested the Turboant X7 Pro to go an average of 15.2 miles per charge when riding in a real-world setting.
The numbers are getting small now. Let's divide the cost per charge by the miles per charge to see just how little we pay on average per mile traveled.
$0.0468 / 15.2 miles = $0.00308 / mile
0.3 cents per mile. That's incredibly low! It's almost impossible to comprehend. To put it into a more reasonable context, it costs just around 3 cents to travel 100 miles on this thing.
According to AAA, the current average regular gasoline price per gallon is around $2.16.
The Environmental Protection Agency found that the average MPG (miles per gallon) on cars sold in the US is at 25.1 (which is great news as fuel economy is increasing a lot).
If we divide the price per gallon by the MPG, we get the average cost per mile for a regular gasoline car.
$2.16 / 25.1 miles = $0.086 / mile
So the average price per mile in the US is around 8.6 cents.
Time to put it together. We pay 0.308 cents per mile on the X7 Pro and 8.6 cents per mile for the average American gas car.
To compare them, we need to determine the price difference between the two numbers so we subtract the e-scooter price from the gas car price.
$0.086 - $0.00308 = $0.08292
$0.08292 is our decrease in cost (from gas car to e-scooter). To work out this number as a percentage, we need to divide it by the original gas car price and then multiply it by 100.
$0.08292 / $0.086 = 0.964
0.964 * 100 = 96.4
This effectively means you're cutting transport costs by 96.4% by opting for the electric scooter rather than the old-fashioned gasoline car.
While this is a general calculation, you can follow the same series of calculations (with your specific car mileage, local gas prices, the calculations from your desired e-scooter, and local electricity prices). This will allow you to find out exactly how much you can save - be prepared to get your mind blown away.
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.
