Katie Schenk
10 min
4.7K
Remember when Razor scooters were all the rage? It's happening again. Except this time, there's a twist.
Here's the deal:
Electric scooters for adults have made headlines as both a loved and hated addition to city streets. Both sides make good points: Rideshare electric scooters are an easy and convenient way to travel around a city. They're very popular with commuters or college students. They cut down on pollution. On top of that, they're fun!
On the flip side, rideshare scooters can be left in potentially dangerous places (like the middle of the road) or become victim to vandals. They also cost money each ride.
You might be wondering:
"If that's the case, why don't I just purchase my own electric scooter?"
To that, we reply: Why don't you?
Owning an electric scooter for adults ensures you always have a ride when you need one. It has replaced Ubers, taxis and cars for commuters. They are easy to ride and most even fold up for portability.
We spent hours compiling research from all corners of the web, and we chose these as our top picks:
WHY TRUST US: Faveable spends thousands of hours researching, interviewing experts & testing products, to create carefully selected lists trusted by millions of consumers since 2013. Our independently chosen links earn us a commission. Learn more »
Have trusted our product reviews
Durable, senior-friendly, eco-friendly, and perfect if you need some storage space on your commute.
At 67 pounds, this one isn't very portable. It also doesn't fold, but it does have a kickstand.
Zero emissions. Zero gasoline. Eighteen miles per hour (which is faster than it may sound). Razor brings a seated scooter with bicycle wheels to the electric vehicle table.
Handlebar: Control acceleration with a twist-grip. Adjustable.
Battery: Enjoy a 36-volt electrical system and variable speed throttle control. Up to 40 minutes of continuous use.
Motor: Virtually silent, the motor is high-torque, variable speed, chain-driven, and 500W.
Frame: Steel
Deck: Bamboo
Paint: White with lime green accents
Wheels: Large 16" pneumatic tires
Folding: Not available
Light: It doesn't come with one, but here's one that you can add to the handlebars.
Brake: Hand operated rear disc braking system.
What makes it stand out?
Of course, the comfortable seat, (removable) storage basket and huge wheels make this electric scooter with seat stand out from the rest! Is it a scooter? A bike? A... sike? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Very powerful and boasts all-wheel drive and long battery life. As one reviewer says: "She's a monster!"
It's pretty heavy (70 lbs), so while it does fold, that feature may be pointless if you can't carry it.
While we don't think that this scooter is the perfect choice for everyone, a list without it would be incomplete.
Handlebar: Here you'll find brakes, speedometer, battery levels, the accelerator, your riding time, gear, mode, and power buttons.
Motors: Two independent 1000W motors control the front and rear wheels for up to 2000W motor power in AWD mode.
Battery: Equipped with 52V 26AH lithium battery, this incredible scooter can drive 50 miles with only 3 hours charging time.
Frame: Aluminum alloy with a comfortable seat
Paint: Black with red accents
Wheels: 10" pneumatic tires afford excellent shock absorption and anti-slip function.
Folding: Easily folds into smaller size: 45.2" x 9.4" x 1.8".
Light: Bright front and rear lights for safety.
Brake: Front and rear disc brake system; steady stop during emergency braking.
What sets it apart?
This scooter (ummm more like motorbike, actually) reaches speeds of 40 MPH and travels up to 50 miles on one charge. It also has a seat, which is a good thing, because at 40 MPH you are going to want one!
If it's good enough for Bird, you can rest assured it's a pretty amazing scooter.
It's very difficult to change the tires, and their customer support isn't much help.
You may recognize this scooter if you live in an urban city. It's the same one that Bird purchases en masse to build their fleet (flock?).
That says a whole lot - it means the scooter is stable and well-liked enough that it has thrived in cityscapes. If that's not enough to sway you, though, read on.
Battery: The long-range battery with smart power management reaches to 18.6 miles on a single charge. Smart battery management is monitored through the smartphone app, and if any issues arise, the app will alert you immediately.
In order to extend the battery life, the Mi electric scooter actually regenerates energy as you ride. The advanced battery converts and stores kinetic energy during acceleration into electrical power.
Handlebar: Anti-slip for a great grip, even on long rides! Here you will find your battery life at a glance, control your acceleration, and cycle through your power modes.
A single button controls on & off: press once to turn it on, long hold to turn it off, short press to toggle headlights, and double press to switch between normal and power saving modes. (Power saving mode is required for the 18.6-mile battery life.)
Motor: 250W brushless DC motor. This scooter may struggle with hilly terrain.
Frame: Aerospace-grade aluminum frame. They weren't messing around with integrity when this scooter was engineered. The aluminum has a low density and high structural strength. What's that mean? It's portable, light, and strong.
Awards: Good Design Award 2017, Best 100. iF Design Award Winner. reddot award 2017: best of the best.
Wheels: 8.5-inch front & rear tires with anti-slip protection and shock absorption.
Folding: Folds in 3 easy steps: flip, fold, clip. Flip the folding lever and the back wheel and handlebar will make contact. Then just clip the handlebar to the main bar.
Light: Flashing red taillights for braking, ultra-bright 1.1W headlights with a six-meter range.
Brake: Like its battery, the Mi's eABS regenerative anti-lock braking system is also regenerative for emergency braking. Furthermore, the scooter boasts disc braking, producing a safe, double brake design. It's capable of coming to a halt within 13.1 feet.
What sets it apart?
Weighing in at 26.9 lbs, this is one of the lightest scooters on the market.
Extremely portable (perfect choice for commuters), this scooter is fun to ride, easy to balance, and a fan favorite.
The bell and handlebar controls can use some work. It doesn't have a speedometer.
This electric scooter for adults may not have the pro marketing like The Model One or the fame from Bird like the Mi, but it has a huge user following because of its reliability, quality build and portability. This is a scooter that doesn't need marketing or fame.
Handlebar: All handlebar controls are water resistant and easy to use. On the right, twist your grip to accelerate. On the left, twist your grip to stop. It also has a convenient battery indicator.
Motor: 250W (Peak 600 w) brushless, gearless, electric hub motor. Hills may be a problem.
Frame: 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum alloy (powder-coated)
Wheels: The wheels on the Glion are one of its best features. The secret to the smooth ride is the 8-inch tires with a honeycomb interior. The military developed these tires, so they have a couple high-level traits: they never need air and they will never go flat. Judging by reviews, this actually holds true!
Folding: Another really unique feature is that it stands up on its own. It folds in one second with a foot pedal. And then, of course, you can roll it like a suitcase.
Light: There is a headlight, but the power drains a lot quicker when it's turned on, so keep that in mind for night riding. There's also a rear reflector.
Brake: Braking is smooth and safe with an anti-lock electronic brake placed inside the rear hub motor.
Battery: LG Lithium-Ion 36 V, 7.8 Ah
Battery charge time: 2 hours 75%, 3.5 hours 100%
Battery cycle life: 1000+ cycles (3-5 years)
What sets it apart?
What makes this personal vehicle such a favorite? It's easy to see from browsing even just a few reviews that it's become an invaluable mode of transportation for many. The original idea of it came from the co-founder's need for a "last mile" vehicle on his commute and his passion for renewable energy. They wanted it to be energy efficient, durable, and portable above all else.
This high-end scooter is a mix of power and luxury. It may even be able to replace your car or bike as a method of transportation in cities.
Demand for this scooter is so overwhelming that shipping may take 4-6 weeks. But isn't it worth it to wait for a good thing?
Where to begin? This is the king of electric scooters in 2019. That's just it. We're willing to bet nobody who's stepped foot on The Model One didn't love it.
Which model is best for you?
E250: 250 Watts. Ideal for flat terrains, like a typical metropolitan city scene.
E450: 450 Watts. There is added torque to handle 15-degree hills. (More than 15 degrees may need a kick to help)
What's it made of?
Handlebar: The magnesium alloy handlebar took more than thirty prototypes to perfect, but they did it. Magnesium is 33% lighter than aluminum, which makes the whole scooter more portable. Intuitive controls that command the scooter are located on the sleek dashboard, which is integrated into the handlebar. Here you'll find throttle, brake, an LED headlight and a horn. Here you WON'T find visible wires or unnecessary bulk and weight.
Motor: The motors are custom built and use a monitoring system with rare-earth neodymium magnets. That means top performance and responsiveness without overheating. It's built to last, too.
Tube: For the tube, Unagi leverages TORAY carbon fiber from Japan to reach an unparalleled balance of heavy-duty strength and low weight. The compound is anisotropic - a scientific term that means it's handcrafted in a way that optimizes durability.
Fun fact: Elon Musk uses this same carbon fiber in Space-X rockets.
Deck: The deck is a single piece of machined aluminum. It's embedded with silicon on the top surface for traction.
Paint: A smooth, luxurious finish graces the exterior of the Unagi scooter. Three coats of paint come in four vivid colors that won't ever rust.
Wheels: The 7.5" wheels are puncture-proof and made of solid rubber, so you won't ever have to deal with flat tires. Air pockets dispersed throughout the periphery of the wheel act as a front and rear suspension system. This ingeniously absorbs shock while still feeling responsive to the road.
What makes it stand out?
Folding: One button folding. At the press of a button, the Unagi patented stainless steel hinge system folds up and locks in one smooth and satisfying click. This engineering breakthrough makes it super easy to fold up and take with you anywhere.
Light: What literally makes this electric scooter for adults stand out is a flush-mounted 47 lumen LED front light and rear blinking LED. Mitigate nighttime risks, even in low-visibility conditions.
Brake: A gentle push to an ergonomically optimized lever engages dual electronic anti-lock touch-sensitive brakes that will bring you to a safe and steady stop.
An exciting startup:
In just five days, the Unagi team reached 300% of their fundraising goal on Kickstarter. To bring The Model One to life, 323 people pledged $242,263 on Kickstarter. Production and shipping started early January 2019, so this electric scooter is still brand-spankin' new.
Factors to consider when purchasing an electric scooter for adults:
Vote to enter our $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.
Join the conversation
5 Best Electric Scooters for Adults
Thanks for reading my article. I value your feedback and invite you to join the conversation:
- Share your opinion on the list
- Suggest an item for consideration
- Review items you've tried
— jennyaquaro