Choosing the right electric scooter can be overwhelming with so many models flooding the market. As someone who repairs and rides scooters regularly for keyfobx.com, I’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the best e-scooters of 2024. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly ride or a high-performance machine, safety and enjoyment should be your top priorities. Let’s dive into the scooters that stand out this year, alongside essential safety gear.
Essential Safety Gear: Helmets
Before we explore the scooters, let’s talk safety. A helmet is non-negotiable.
The Beam Virgo Helmet
For riders exceeding 15 mph, a full-face helmet like The Beam Virgo is highly recommended. Having tested this helmet extensively, its robust protection and cool design are impressive. The flip-down visor is incredibly useful in rain, preventing water from hitting your eyes directly. While putting it on can be snug, especially for larger sizes and glasses wearers, the comfort once it’s on is undeniable. It accommodates glasses and earbuds comfortably. The padding can occasionally shift, requiring readjustment, but the MIPS technology is a crucial safety feature, reducing rotational motion impact during accidents.
Thousand Heritage 2.0 Helmet
For slower speeds, the Thousand Heritage 2.0 Helmet is an excellent choice. Its stylish design and comfortable fit have been praised by many users. The convenience of one-handed clasping adds to its user-friendly appeal. It’s a great option for riders who prioritize style and comfort for everyday, slower-paced commutes.
Top E-Scooters to Consider in 2024
Having tested numerous e-scooters, these models stand out as top contenders for 2024, each offering unique advantages depending on your needs.
MiniMotors USA Dualtron Togo
The MiniMotors USA Dualtron Togo is a strong contender, especially if found at discounted prices. While its full price might be steep, a sale price makes it exceptionally valuable. Its performance on a 13-mile Brooklyn to Manhattan round trip is notable, though it did fully deplete the battery. The ride can feel stiff, and it may be better suited for riders of average height due to the handlebar reach. The throttle safety lock, initially bothersome, proves to be a useful safety feature. It can reach 25 mph, but battery life can be unpredictable, with the gauge being unreliable at times. Ideal for lighter riders due to a 220-pound max load, it’s a solid, powerful scooter, particularly at a lower price point. Its weight is 54 pounds.
Niu KQi3 Pro
The Niu KQi3 Pro is a consistently reliable and enjoyable scooter. It was previously a top pick and remains a strong option due to its excellent range for the price. Consistently achieving around 15 miles in hilly urban environments, it can likely reach 18-20 miles under less demanding conditions. It reaches 20 mph and features comfortable 9.5-inch tubeless tires and dependable disc brakes. Practical features include a bell, lights, and handlebar space for accessories. Folding is easy, though its 45-pound weight isn’t the lightest, and non-folding handlebars can be cumbersome in tight spaces. While slightly older, it remains a great value, especially if found on sale, and is succeeded by the newer Niu KQi 300X and 300P models.
MiniMotors USA Dualtron Mini Special
The MiniMotors USA Dualtron Mini Special offers a powerful ride, though setup can be challenging. Assembly instructions are unclear, and the app is not user-friendly, making it less suitable for beginners. However, once operational, it provides a great riding experience, reaching speeds up to 35 mph with a realistic range of 25-30 miles. It handles inclines well, but its 200-pound max load is surprisingly low for its 59-pound weight.
Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito
For those prioritizing portability, the Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito is an excellent ultra-lightweight option. At just 29 pounds, it’s easy to carry and features a convenient built-in handle. It folds quickly and offers a top speed of 24 mph. However, its lightweight design comes with compromises: suspension is adequate but not exceptional, wheels are narrow, and braking can lead to skidding during sudden stops. Range is limited to around 9 miles in real-world testing. Speed modes must be set before riding, lacking on-the-fly adjustment.
TurboAnt M10 Lite
The TurboAnt M10 Lite is a solid budget scooter, best suited for riders under 200 pounds. Assembly requires extra steps, and achieving its 16 mph top speed may be challenging for heavier riders. It offers about 8 miles of range but features a quick folding system, bright display, and a light 31-pound weight. It is not recommended for steep hills.
Gotrax Apex
The Gotrax Apex is a foldable, 32-pound scooter with integrated bell and digital display. Reaching speeds up to 15 mph, it’s a reliable option for short commutes and errands. However, the ride isn’t the smoothest, and its 250-watt motor struggles with inclines, significantly impacting battery life, typically around 9 miles. Handlebar height may be an issue for taller riders. Braking power is adequate but could be better.
Gotrax GX2
The Gotrax GX2 is a powerful and long-range scooter, similar in class to the Apollo Phantom. Weighing 76 pounds, it offers significant power and range, reaching 35 mph with dual 800-watt motors, though typically ridden at 20 mph. It achieved over 18 miles in testing with remaining battery. Its heavy build and thick stem make it difficult to carry. The parking mode, engaging after a few seconds of inactivity, is an annoying, non-disable feature. Build quality concerns include motor noise and a stem latch that easily disengages. Potential buyers should inspect for these issues and consult Gotrax or a scooter shop if problems arise.
Navee S65
The Navee S65 is a newer brand making inroads in the US market, offering a fun and capable ride. Regularly achieving 16-mile trips at 20 mph, it fully utilizes its battery capacity. Its geared hub motor provides excellent acceleration and hill-climbing ability but is notably loud. While the noise may blend into city environments, it can be noticeable in quieter areas. At 53 pounds, it’s heavier than some competitors with similar range, and customer service is still developing due to its new market presence.
Evolv Terra
The Evolv Terra provides a solid riding experience. Weighing 53 pounds, its thin stem makes it reasonably portable. It’s powerful, potentially reaching 31 mph with dual 600-watt motors, though legal speed limits should be considered. Cruising at 20 mph in second gear (of three) using a single motor offers a balance of speed and range. Range is average, potentially exceeding 20 miles with conservative riding. Suspension is adequate, but solid tires can feel bumpy on rough surfaces. Fenders are ineffective in wet conditions. Stem angle and thumb throttle design may cause wrist discomfort on longer rides, though adjustments are possible.
Radio Flyer S533
The Radio Flyer S533 is surprisingly capable for its brand. Its folding mechanism is simple and effective, and it weighs a light 30 pounds. While not a commuter scooter with under 8 miles of range, it comfortably reaches around 14 mph of its 16 mph top speed, even exceeding its 220-pound load capacity. Ideal for short trips, its price point may not match its performance. Initial quality issues reported include a non-functional first unit and a flat tire on the second, though subsequent performance has been reliable.
Apollo Air Pro (2022)
While the 2024 model is untested, the Apollo Air Pro (2022) is a decent scooter, though considered overpriced. Reaching 21 mph with a 13-15 mile range, it includes features like lights, bell, and app connectivity. However, the app is necessary to unlock full speed capabilities, otherwise limited to 12 mph. The folding mechanism is cumbersome, and despite its 39-pound weight, it’s uncomfortable to carry due to a thick stem.
E-Scooters to Avoid in 2024
Not all e-scooters live up to expectations. These are models that, based on testing and common issues, are best avoided in 2024.
Niu KQi Air
The Niu KQi Air, despite initial excitement, presents mixed performance. Its carbon fiber frame makes it the lightest scooter tested at 26 pounds, with a 20-mph top speed. It folds easily and includes turn signals, a user-friendly app, and regenerative braking. However, range is limited to under 10 miles. Connectivity issues with phones and a bizarre theft protection system that auto-brakes when rolled (requiring the scooter to be turned on to disable) are significant drawbacks. Reliability issues include a unit that stopped working entirely and potential thermal throttling causing speed inconsistencies. While promising, these issues make it frustrating to recommend.
Veo Cosmo X
The Veo Cosmo X, a sit-down scooter, suffers from poor range. Despite its 94-pound weight and sit-down design, it barely achieves 10 miles at its 17 mph top speed. Originating from the rideshare market, this consumer model doesn’t justify its high price with its performance.
Gotrax G6 and Eclipse
Gotrax G6 and Eclipse scooters, while offering decent range and comfort, suffer from overheating issues. Both models experienced overheating errors in 80°F weather after just 20 minutes of riding, especially struggling on inclines. This persistent overheating problem makes them unreliable, despite their 265-pound weight capacity rating.
Taur Electric Scooter
The Taur Electric Scooter has too many flaws to recommend at its price. Its unique pedal-based design offers a gliding feel and compact profile, and it’s the only self-standing scooter in this guide. It provides a smooth ride with good suspension and speeds up to 24 mph. However, range is poor at high speeds, around 8 miles, improving at 15 mph but with a choppy ride. The folding mechanism is clunky, and it’s difficult to carry due to its thick stem and 38-pound weight. The app is also clunky, and concerningly, the company has reportedly ghosted customers seeking repairs, making it a risky purchase.
Atomi Alpha
The Atomi Alpha is visually appealing but plagued by a poorly designed kickstand that easily tips over in light winds. While offering a comfortable ride and visibility lights, it struggles to reach its top speed, even with lighter riders. Reliability issues include units failing after a few months.
Levy Plus
The Levy Plus is best suited for flat terrain due to its struggles on hills. While praised for its replaceable battery and reliable disc brakes, it is “agonizingly slow on hilly terrain.” Reaching 18 mph and rated for only 5-10% inclines, it’s limited to flat urban environments. Its light 30-pound weight is a plus for portability.
Unagi Model One Classic
Renting the Unagi Model One Classic is not recommended when compared to the newer Model One Voyager. The Classic’s specifications are outdated, making it a less appealing option in 2024.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Best E-Scooter in 2024
Selecting the best e-scooter in 2024 depends heavily on your individual needs and riding conditions. For safety, always prioritize a quality helmet like The Beam Virgo or Thousand Heritage 2.0. For scooters, models like the Niu KQi3 Pro and MiniMotors Dualtron Togo offer a great balance of performance and value. Lightweight options like the Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito are excellent for portability, while powerful scooters like the Gotrax GX2 cater to longer commutes and higher speeds. However, be cautious of models like the Niu KQi Air, Gotrax G6 and Eclipse, Taur, Atomi Alpha, and Levy Plus due to reported issues. By considering these factors, you can confidently choose an e-scooter that provides both enjoyment and reliable transportation in 2024.
