The best electric scooters of 2021

The best electric scooters is one of the newest and best alternative modes of transport. Electric scooters are not just a way to get from point A to point B. Riding an electric scooter is a pleasure. They carry you quickly and silently, and because they are more compact than bicycles, they are easier to store in apartments and small spaces.

There is an electric scooter for just about everyone, from models under $200 for kids to models that cost over $1,500 and can go up to 40 mph and can go off-road. We have tested all these types and many more to bring you our best electric scooters.

1. Unagi Model One

999$

Sleek design
Powerful
Clear display
Harder ride than other scooters
Expensive

Powered by dual 250-watt motors, Unagi Model One climbs hills with confidence, moving twice as fast as other single-engine scooters. Using both motors (you can only use one) causes battery life to drop well below the scooter's advertised 15 mile range.

The Unagi also has an excellent display, bright enough to be easily seen even in daylight; we also liked its intuitive controls and loud electric horn. It has both front and rear lights, the latter of which flashes quickly when you hit the brakes.

We were also fascinated by Unagi's sleek design; its carbon fiber A-pillar changes geometry from circle to triangular for an intriguing look. And on the Unagi website, you can personalize the look with custom skins.

2. Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max

$595.98

Comfortable ride
Powerful
Large range
Loud, easy to use call
Heavy

Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max big and heavy - more than 18 kg - but all this is the weight of the battery. With an estimated range of 40 miles, the Kickscooter Max is more than double the range of most other scooters, making it the best electric scooter for long time riders.

And thanks to a powerful 350-watt rear-wheel drive motor and large 10-inch inflatable tires, the Kickscooter Max will not only be able to easily climb hills, but also do it in comfort. In our tests, it was second only to the Unagi in maintaining speed on steep climbs. We also loved the Kickscooter Max bell which was loud and loud enough to get people out of our way.

3. Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite

The size: 45.3 x 41.5 x 17 inches |Weight: 27.5 pounds |Max speed: 18 mph |Range: 11 miles |Maximum wearer weight: 150 kg

$329.99

Accessible
Supports larger riders
Inexpensive
Slow takeoff
Slow on slopes

The Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite is another affordable scooter, although it is slightly faster and has a top speed of 18 mph. It's well-equipped, with a folding chassis, 250-watt motor, and air-filled front tire for a smooth ride.

The Swagger 5 weighs 27.5 pounds and can carry up to 320 pounds on the go. It also comes with a shock-absorbing spring and a phone mount that you can use to track the Swagger's top speed and battery life along with the Swagtron companion app. However, its range is a bit more limited and it struggles with hills more than scooters like the Glion Dolly.

4 Glion Dolly

The size: 36.2 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches |Weight: 28.7 pounds |Max Speed: 15 mph |Range: 15 miles |Maximum wearer weight: 115 kg

$429.99

Retractable stand
Portable
bright headlight
Small rubber wheels make the ride harder
touchy choke

The Glion Dolly is the best electric scooter for commuters thanks to its super-folding design. The Dolly is foldable and weighs 27.3 pounds, which is enough to carry you up the stairs on your way home. It can reach a top speed of 15 miles per hour and lasts about 15 miles in roaming, making it suitable for residents of small towns.

The Dolly has a bright front headlight and a built-in rear reflector, which is useful when driving home in the evening or during the winter months when the sun sets too early, and built-in fenders to protect the wheels. You can also carry the Dolly like a suitcase when you're not riding it, and it comes with a stand to keep it upright on its own.

Perhaps the only drawback of the Glion Dolly is its small hard rubber wheels and lack of suspension, which makes the ride bumpier than other electric scooters.

5Apollo Explore

1299$

super fast
Large range
cool colored lights
Difficult to read display in sunlight
Rear wing flaps go through bumps

This is one fast electric scooter. With its 1000W motor, the Apollo Explore can reach speeds of up to 31mph, more than enough to keep up with local traffic. The powerful motor also takes you uphill with ease. And because it has dual suspension and air-filled tires, it delivers a smooth ride even on the roughest roads. We also liked the Explore's colorful display, but it was difficult to read in daylight.

Turn on the Apollo Explore headlights for a visual treat: the blue running lights on either side of the scooter will make everyone turn their heads. But it all comes at a price: the Explore costs $1,299, and at £52, that's a lot to haul up the stairs. But on the road, this scooter is a beast.

If you want something even faster, check out our Apollo Ghost review: This model goes up to 35 mph and has a range of up to 39 miles, plus a keyed ignition.

6. GoTrax XR Ultra

$399

Accessible
Good performance for the price
No rear brake light
A little hard to assemble

You won't win races on the GoTrax XR Ultra, but this affordable electric scooter will get you where you need to go. Its 8.5-inch air-filled tires provided a comfortable ride even without additional suspension, and its 300-watt motor was powerful enough to keep us moving.

I wish the XR Ultra had a rear brake light, but at this price range it's a feature you don't often find. At 26.5 pounds, the XR Ultra isn't overly heavy, so most people should be able to carry it up stairs. However, we found the locking mechanism on the rear fender to be a little temperamental. In general, this is a good electric scooter at a good price.

7Razor E100

$129

Inexpensive
fun ride
Easy to teach
Loud chain driven motor
No reflectors or bells

The Razor E100 is the best electric scooter for parents who want a scooter for their kids to ride around town safely. It comes in a variety of colors and is equipped with swivel grip acceleration controls as well as a manually operated front brake. The E100 hits 10 mph but delivers plenty of torque for uphill or hard bumps. And with a 40-minute drive, that's enough to get to and from school with a pit stop in between.

The Razor E100 is available in a variety of colors and styles so you can find the model that best suits your child's personality. Just don't forget to bring them a helmet. One caveat to the E100 is that it uses a chain driven motor which can be noisier than hub motors and may require some maintenance over time. Also, the E100 doesn't have a bell or any reflectors, so you'll want to get one from a bike shop to make your child more visible on the road.

8. Razor Ecosmart Metro HD

$579.99

Large basket at the back
Comfortable ride
Good price
No lights, reflectors or bells
Difficult to adjust seat height

If you prefer to sit while riding, the Razor EcoSmart Metro HD is your best bet. This scooter features a seat and a large bamboo deck to rest your feet while riding, as well as a rack on the back of the vehicle to carry things like groceries.

It's not going to break any speed records, but the Metro HD got us up and running quickly enough, and with its plush seat and big tires, the ride was very comfortable - perfect for a quick trip to town for groceries. I am a good option for regular riders and beginners on scooters.

9. Levy Electric Scooter

499$

Smooth ride
Replaceable battery
Bright display
fixed headlight
Fuzzy power readings

We really enjoyed riding the Levy electric scooter; Its 8.5-inch air-filled tires handled sidewalks and potholes with ease, and its powerful 350-watt motor helped us climb the steepest hills. The Levy also has a good range, but if you need to cover long distances, you can replace its battery - a feature that almost all other electric scooters lack.

The Levy electric scooter also features a bright, daylight-readable display and a handy cruise control feature so you don't have to hold on to the gas pedal when riding long distances. We also liked that its taillight flashes when you hit the brakes, an important safety feature. And at $500, the Levy is one of the best electric scooters at that price point.

Levy has a newer Levy Plus model ($699) that has a 10.4Ah (374Wh) battery and 10" tires, in case you're looking for something with more travel distance.

10. Slidgo X8

Affordable price
Replaceable battery
Solid tires don't get flat surfaces
Rides can get bumpy
Can't be used in the rain

In many ways, the Slidgo X8 is very similar to the Levy electric scooter; it has a removable battery, similar design and equivalent price. However, where the Levy's battery is completely enclosed in the downtube, the Slidgo is on the outside. It's a less slick look, but easier to take off.

The Slidgo X8 also has rubber rather than inflatable tires, which makes them more durable but also results in a tougher ride over potholes. As with the Levy, we enjoyed riding the Slidgo X8 around town; this made it much easier to access places that were previously too far to walk.

11.Nanrobot D4+2.0

The size: 49 x 45 x 10 inches |Weight: 70 pounds |Max Speed: 40 mph |Range: 45 miles |Maximum wearer weight: 150 kg

1290$

Very fast
fast acceleration
Very heavy
Expensive

If you're in the mood to splurge on an electric scooter, the Nanrobot D4+ is one of the best deals in the $1,200 and up price range. But this shouldn't be your first choice if you're new to scooting.

Since this scooter can reach speeds of up to 40 mph, the D4+ has both front and rear suspension, as well as two shock absorbers in the rear and four in the front. All this helps to make the ride smoother than most models, and will allow you to ride comfortably even on pothole roads.

What's more: The D4+ features two 1000W electric hub motors – one for each wheel – that deliver enough torque and power to reach top speed. And since this is probably your main city trip, the Nanrobot D4+ comes equipped with a bright headlight, allowing you to see ahead even in poorly lit streets.

The D4+ has an LCD display on the handle so you know how fast you're going, how much time you have left before you need a charge, and what gear is pushing you forward. The D4+ can also get you far, going up to 45 miles with the included 52V battery. That's twice as much as most other scooters.

12. Razor Pocket Mod Miniature Euro

The size: 50 x 30 x 18 inches |Weight: 62 pounds |Max Speed: 15 mph |Range: 10 miles |Maximum wearer weight: 77 kg

$361.99

Children can sit and ride
Storage under the seat
Chain driven motor requires little maintenance

Razor’s Pocket Mod Mini Electric Scooter – a real treat for stylish kids who prefer to sit and hike around the city. The high-performance Pocket Mod features a twist-grip throttle for a motorcycle feel and 12" pneumatic tires with a rear suspension system, so it's as comfortable to ride as it is to look at. It comes in a variety of colors, and there's room under the seat to store books and other things.

The pocket mod can go up to 15 mph for an extended 40 minutes of driving. Some Amazon customers have complained about flat tires and a scooter that crawls up hills at a snail's pace, but for the most part it's a popular product for kids who want a bit of independence when driving around the block.

How to choose the best electric scooter for you

For the most part, you can tell which class of scooter you're looking at by the price.

From 100 to 300 dollars: these scooters tend to be in the budget category and come with smaller motors, low capacity batteries and simple brakes, though they are maintenance free and great for the electric scooter feel.
From 300 to 600 dollars: these scooters can be considered mid-range or entry-level, and they tend to include larger wheels, slightly longer ranges, fast-charging batteries, and hill-climbing ability.
$600 and up: these scooters are in the premium category. You can expect a longer and more comfortable ride, along with bigger tires, higher speeds, disc brakes and stiffer suspension.