As electric scooters become more and more popular, you may be considering purchasing one. It’d be a choice you wouldn’t regret: electric scooters offer great mobility, they’re perfect for various purposes (commuting, riding around campus or your neighborhood, commuting to school or work, having a lot of fun) and they’re sustainable.
If you purchase your own scooter, instead of keeping renting one when you need it, you’ll be also able to save a lot of money. Wondering what is the best electric scooter for adults in 2020? You’re just landed in the right place: with this article, we are going to provide you with all the information you need on how to pick the best electric scooter suited for you. Read on to find out about every features worth knowing and considering before spending money on such a device.
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What are the things to consider when buying an electric scooter?
1. Dimensions
Always check the scooter dimensions before making your purchase. In particular, you want to be sure the handlebar height – whether it’s adjustable or not – is right for you: if it’s too low you are going to be uncomfortable while you’re riding; if it’s too high your riding would be not only uncomfortable but also unsafe.
You also want to check the deck size: consider if there would be room enough for your feet.
2. Weight limit
Another thing you want to check before making your purchase is whether the electric scooter will be able to carry you. Check its weight limit and be aware that if the manufacturer states that the weight limit is 220 pounds, the scooter won’t carry a person heavier than that. If you weigh 240 pounds, you are not going to be safe on that scooter.
3. Brake system
The brake system on an electric scooter is more important than speed. No matter how fast your scooter will go, you want to be able to slow it down and stop it safely. This is what you need to know: the best brake system would be hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical disc brakes are second best. Drum, band, and V-brakes would be the third choice.
4. Performance
Performance is given by power and speed. A good choice for an adult electric scooter would be a 500-watt motor. If the route you take every day is not too hilly, 250 watts would also be fine. For off-road path, instead, you may need more power (1000 watts or more – there are devices on the market with up to 5000 watt-motors).
An electric scooter with a 250/500 watt motor, can provide a speed of 15-20 MPH, which would be enough for the most common uses.
5. Portability
Not every electric scooter is foldable, so if you’ll need to carry it with you when not riding it, or need to store it in a narrow space, check this feature before buying it. If you opt for a foldable scooter, also check the scooter’s weight to be sure you’ll be able to actually lift it and carry it without much effort. If you’ll opt for a non-foldable scooter, be sure it is provided with a stable kickstand, otherwise, you’ll have to leave your scooter lying on the floor any time you’re not using it.
6. Battery
What type of battery your electric scooter should have?.
From the composition part is easy: the best electric scooter features Lithium-ion batteries that can provide a long-range with shorter recharging time compared to Lead-Acid batteries (on the other hand, lead-acid batteries are cheaper).
Regarding the size of the battery, you will have to consider the length of the trip you usually take so you can decide if you need a bigger or smaller battery.
10 Best Electric Scooters for Adults 2020
1.Segway Ninebot MAX Electric Scooter
The Segway Ninebot MAX is a large and sturdy electric scooter with a range of up to 40 miles, perfect for commuting. Its wide deck, tall front step, and large wheels offer a comfortable ride. Its particularity is that the motor is placed on the back: this not only can provide a better acceleration but also better stability and braking.
The Segway Ninebot MAX also features tubeless tires. Tubeless tires retain air pressure and help avoid sudden air loss in the case of a puncture.
One of the best features about this electric scooter from Segway is its battery: it charges really fast (6 hours, while most of electric scooters need to be charged for 12 hours) and it allows you to ride your scooter for 40 miles while constantly going at high speed.
The 350-watt motor placed on the back of the scooter provides a steady acceleration that can get to top speed very quickly. The scooter’s top speed, on the other hand, is not that fast: the Segway Ninebot MAX can reach 18.6 mph. It’s faster than a kid electric scooter, of course, but you may expect more from such a quality device. By keeping the top speed so moderate, the manufacturers probably find the best balance between performance and battery life. The fact that you can ride your Segway scooter at top speed for half an hour and still have 60-70% battery life left is probably one of the best features of this device.
The brake system is very efficient: the handlebar brake engages both the front drum brake and the rear electric brake at the same time, allowing you to come to a safe and quick stop.
The Segway Ninebot MAX Electric Kick Scooter is a bit heavier than other models: it weighs 47 lbs and it’s not meant to be carried up. On the other hand, its extra size and weight offer great stability while riding.
Because of its stability, miles range, top speed, and efficient braking system, we believe the Segway Ninebot MAX is one of the best electric scooters for adults.
What we liked about Segway Ninebot MAX:
- Battery life and max range of 40 miles
- Fast battery charge time
- Tubeless tires
- Good acceleration
- Comfortable riding
- Efficient brake system
What we didn't like about Segway Ninebot MAX
- 47 lbs weight
2.Hiboy S2 Electric Scooter
The Hiboy S2 is a quality built electric scooter with a minimalist look. This is a foldable scooter, with a simple folding system and a low weight (29.5lbs) which makes it very practical as you move around the city during your everyday life.
Riding the Hiboy S2 feels really comfortable despite its lightweight (heavy scooters are usually the most stable), and it handles well on bumpy terrain as well.
The scooter’s light system combines style and efficiency: it features red lights below the deck (you can turn them off), a red brake light, and a white light that can be very useful when riding at night.
The Hiboy S2 Electric Scooter features a double brake system: eABS on the front wheel and disc braking on the rear wheel. Wheels – 8.5-inch rubber solid tires – are large and solid and provide stability and comfort while riding.
Its 350 Watt motor can provide a top speed of 18.6 – this is not the fastest scooter on the market, but its acceleration is quick and steady. The Lithium-ion 36V – 7.8 Ah battery (which can be fully charged in 4-6 hours) provides a maximum range of up to 17 miles. Miles range is probably one of the less appreciated features of this Electric Scooter.
The S2 Electric Scooter form Hiboy requires a simple assembly: unfold the steam and push it until you hear a click. Slide the handlebar onto the stem and screw the four screws (included) with the Allen wrench (also included) and you are ready to go.
The S2 App is also very useful: not only use it to see riding statistics in real-time, but you can also use it as a cruise controller and to lock your scooter.
Here you can read more about Hiboy S2 adult and teens electric scooter, here on our blog post.
What we liked about Hiboy S2:
- Lightweight
- Foldable and easy to carry up
- Fast battery charge time
- Large and steady tires
- Good acceleration
- Comfortable riding
- Efficient brake system
What we didn't like about Hiboy S2
- Moderate miles range (up to 17 miles)
3.NANROBOT D5+ Electric Scooter
When searching for the best electric scooter for adults, you can not consider the NANROBOT D5+, which offers great features at a reasonable price. First of all, it has a solid aluminum alloy structure, that provides both stability and durability, without renouncing to good-looking design.
This is a foldable scooter – folding handlebars and telescoping pole – which makes it easy to store in a narrow spot or to carry it with you when you can’t ride it. On the other hand, it might be a little heavy for a foldable scooter (70 lbs): it wouldn’t be hard to lift it, but carrying it with you for a long period may be a little tiring.
The NANROBOT D5+ main particularity is the possibility of attaching a seat, which is great for improving comfort during long rides. Furthermore, when you ride sitting on the seat, your center of gravity would be lower and this can increase the speed and enhance stability.
Another interesting feature about this electric scooter is its top speed: the NANROBOT D5+ can reach 40 mph. Such a speed is provided by a dual-motor system, with both motors featuring a 1000 watt power – so when you turn on the dual-drive, the engine can provide 2000 watt of power which is far more than most scooters can offer. This allows the scooter to have fast acceleration and to reach a top speed of 40mph very quickly. Since the scooter can reach an elevated speed, it must be provided with an efficient braking system: a front and rear disc brakes can be controlled by the left and right levers on the handlebar. They can easily and quickly bring the scooter to a safe stop.
The NANROBOT D5+ features a 52 V, 26 Ah battery that is fully charged in ten hours and allows a maximum range of 50 miles. This is more than enough to comfortably use it as a sustainable vehicle for your mid-range commuting.
What we liked about NANROBOT D5+:
- Solid structure and elegant design
- Possibility to attach a seat
- Dual motor system
- Efficient brake system
- Top speed: 40 mph
What we didn't like about NANROBOT D5+:
- a bit heavy for a foldable scooter
4.Razor E300 Electric Scooter
The Razor E300 is an electric scooter that’s suitable for adults and teens as well. It features a colored design with brighter options for the youngest, and black and white frame options that may be more suitable for adults.
The E300 is called a “chunky” scooter: it features an extra-wide deck, frame, and tires that provide great stability and comfort during the rides. Its maximum speed is 15 mph, which isn’t that fast for an adult scooter. On the other hand, the E300 features a twist-grip throttle acceleration control which is responsive and fun (it works like motorcycles’ accelerators). The braking system is quite efficient: the scooter features a rear brake that can be activated by a big black lever on the left handgrip. When the brake is activated, the power of the motor is also cut off to bring the scooter to a safe stop without kicking you off.
The E300 is powered by two 24-volt batteries: they would allow you to ride your scooter for about 45 minutes covering about 9-10 miles. Such a mile-range can be a little too short for an adult, but consider that this is both an adults and kids electric scooter and needs to be safe and suitable for both of them – if you need to share your scooter with someone in their teens, or you want to give it to your kid as gift, but you’d like to borrow it once in a while, the E300 would be just perfect for you.
What we liked about Razor E300:
- Stable and sturdy
- Suitable for both adult and kids
- Efficient brake system
What we didn't like aboutRazor E300:
- Moderate top speed (15mph)
- Moderate to low miles range and battery life
Bird is a popular Electric Scooter rental company, but this ES1 – 300 was not designed for ride-sharing. It’s a sturdy but lightweight scooter with a black and white minimalistic design. The aircraft aluminum and high-density polymer frame provide the scooter with solidity and durability whiteout adding much weight to the structure. The scooter isn’t foldable but it’s lightweight enough (27.6 pounds) to be carried without much effort.
The large tires and the shock absorption system offer a comfortable and smooth riding. The absorption system consists of a coil suspension on the front that absorbs road shocks and minimizes bouncing during the ride.
The 300 Watt motor is super quiet but it provides power for a top speed of just 15 mph. The Bird ES1 – 300 isn’t the fastest electric scooter on the market, but it will allow you to arrive on time at work or school.
The braking system is also very efficient: the scooter combines the action of an electric front braking that you can activate with your left thumb (through the lever on the handlebars) and a mechanical brake on the rear tire that you can operate with your foot.
The ES1-300 Electric Scooter from Bird is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can recharge pretty fast. The maximum range that such a battery allows is 15.5 miles.
You can read a more detailed article about Bird ES1 – 300 Electric Scooter here
What we liked about Bird ES1:
- Stable and sturdy
- Lightweight
- Shock absorption system
- Dual braking system
What we didn't like about Bird ES1:
- Moderate top speed (15mph)
- Moderate miles range (15.5 miles)
6.Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen2
The Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen2 features a slim black design, with a touch of grey on the hand-grips and a touch of red on the reflector stripes on the sides of the deck. It looks like a lightweight device, and it’s just what it is: the Ninebot ES1 Gen2 weighs less than other electric scooters on the same price range, and – thanks to its foldable frame – it’s easy to lift and carry around with you even with just one hand. It’s the perfect choice for those who use their electric scooter to commute to the bus stop or train station and need to carry the scooter on the bus or train with them.
The Segway Nine ES1 Gen2 features rubber wheels, which are considered better than inflatable tires that can be punctured and go flat. Riding the Ninebot ES1 Gen2 feels smooth and comfortable: the top speed isn’t elevated (15.5 mph – provided by a 700W motor) but it’s still enough to make you enjoy the riding, while the shock absorption system helps minimize any sort of bouncing through the heavy-coil suspension located on the front wheel.
The Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen2 is provided with a manual antilock brake system located on the rear wheel: you can operate the brake stepping on it with your foot so that the friction slows down or stops the scooter. It could be tricky to learn for beginners, while it would come natural to those who used to play with kick scooters as kids.
The ES1’s battery can charge super fast (about 3.5 hours) and allows up to 37 miles on a single charge. This is on the best ratio of charging time to travel distance compared to other brands and models.
What we liked about Segway Ninebot ES1:
- Lightweight
- Shock absorption system
- Quick charge
- Appealing design
What we didn't like about Segway Ninebot ES1:
- Moderate top speed (15.5 mph)
- Tricky brake system for beginners
7.Hiboy MAX Electric Scooter
The Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen2 features a slim black design, with a touch of grey on the hand-grips and a touch of red on the reflector stripes on the sides of the deck. It looks like a lightweight device, and it’s just what it is: the Ninebot ES1 Gen2 weighs less than other electric scooters on the same price range, and – thanks to its foldable frame – it’s easy to lift and carry around with you even with just one hand. It’s the perfect choice for those who use their electric scooter to commute to the bus stop or train station and need to carry the scooter on the bus or train with them.
The Segway Nine ES1 Gen2 features rubber wheels, which are considered better than inflatable tires that can be punctured and go flat. Riding the Ninebot ES1 Gen2 feels smooth and comfortable: the top speed isn’t elevated (15.5 mph – provided by a 700W motor) but it’s still enough to make you enjoy the riding, while the shock absorption system helps minimize any sort of bouncing through the heavy-coil suspension located on the front wheel.
The Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen2 is provided with a manual anti-lock brake system located on the rear wheel: you can operate the brake stepping on it with your foot so that the friction slows down or stops the scooter. It could be tricky to learn for beginners, while it would come natural to those who used to play with kick scooters as kids.
The ES1’s battery can charge super fast (about 3.5 hours) and allows up to 37 miles on a single charge. This is on the best ratio of charging time to travel distance compared to other brands and models.
What we liked about Hiboy MAX:
- Foot-activated foldable system
- Dual braking system
- Shock absorption system
- Three riding modes
What we didn't like about Hiboy MAX:
- Honeycomb tires
- Moderate miles range (17 miles)
8.Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter
The first thing to say about the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter is that it looks great. The scooter was awarded the Red Dot Award for design offering a matte black, aluminum frame with a curved pedalboard for extra comfort. The frame is also foldable, even though the device’s weight (26.9 pounds) – still comfortable to carry for short distances – would require some effort over long distances.
The 250-watt hub electric motor can provide a top speed of 15.5 mph, which is the average top speed for mid-range electric scooters, while the 30 x 18650 mAh lithium battery units allow a mile-range of up to 18.6 miles. The battery charging time is around 5 hours, which is very quick.
The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter doesn’t feature any suspension or shock absorption system, but the 8.5-inch pneumatic tires still make a good a job soaking up small bumps and irregularity.
The braking system is top quality: it combines regenerative electric braking for the front wheel and a disc brake for the rear wheel. You can also control braking intensity to your liking through three different settings.
What we liked about Xiaomi Mi:
- Unique appealing design
- Quick charging time
- Three braking intensity settings
- Top-quality braking system
What we didn't like about Xiaomi Mi:
- lack of shock absorption system
9.EWheels - EW-19 Sporty 3 Wheels Electric Scooter
The EWheels EW 19 Sporty is a bit different from the electric scooters we’ve seen so far. It features three wheels and a large and comfortable seat and floorboard. Its dimensions are a lot wider than traditional two-wheels electric scooters 55’’ x 26’’ x 38’’ (it’s also heavier – 300 lbs), but it can reach the same average top speed of 15 mph (which is provided by the 500 watts hub brushless motor – not the quietest on the market). The four 12 volt batteries allow you to ride your scooter for up to 21 miles.
Thanks to its sturdy structure it can carry more weight than other electric scooters – it features, in fact, a weight limit of 300 lbs.
The EW 19 Sporty features a dual braking system for enhanced safety while riding: a front drum brake is located on the front wheel, while the rear wheel is provided with a disc brake. Riding the scooter feels super comfortable thanks to the front and back suspensions.
This three wheels electric scooter has a unique vintage design with its dual-colored frame and the large headlight on the handlebars. A horn is also located on the handlebars, while a large basket to store your personal belongings is placed on the rear.
The EWheels EW-19 is also shipped fully assembled. It’ll be ride ready as soon as it’ll be delivered to you.
What we liked about EWheels - EW-19:
- Vintage design
- Dual suspensions
- Dual braking system
- 300 lbs weight limit
- No assembly required
What we didn't like about EWheels - EW-19:
- Not the quietest motor on the market
10.MEGAWHEELS S10 Electric Scooter
Despite its slim design, the MEGAWHEELS S10 adult and teens Electric Scooter features a sturdy aerospace-grade aluminum frame (26.7 lbs weight) that can carry a maximum load of 220 lbs. The scooter is easily foldable and, once closed, it occupies very little space and can easily be stored in car trunks, closets or beneath the subway seats.
The 250-watt brushless hub motor is powered by a row of batteries (7500 mAh total) and can push your S10 Electric Scooter up to a top speed of 15.5 mph. The batteries can be fully charged really quickly, but the maximum mile-range isn’t that broad: the scooter can carry you around for a maximum of 13.5 miles.
What we liked about MEGAWHEELS S10:
- Slim Design
- Really small when folded
Quick battery charge
What we didn't like about MEGAWHEELS S10:
- Moderate miles range (10-14miles)
What is the best long-range electric scooter for commuting?
Our top pick for this category is Segway Ninebot ES4 Electric Scooter (2019 Version).
If you need an electric scooter to commute to school or work, or you’re just searching for a sustainable vehicle to reach the train station every morning, you’ll need a scooter that can guarantee you a broad miles range, reach a speed that won’t make you be late every day, and you also should opt for a foldable scooter, otherwise, you’ll possibly have to leave it outside all day, or store it in an uncomfortable position. The Segway Ninebot ES4 has all these features.
The ES4 electric scooter is provided with an easy folding mechanism; the 300-watt motor can provide a top speed of 18.6 mph; it features a dual battery system that can carry you around for up to 28 miles (the first battery is internal, while a second removable battery is attached to the stem of the scooter – this system can basically double the scooter’s run time giving a great long-range for commuting).
Great Value electric scooter - Gotrax GXL V2
The Gotrax GXL V2 is a great value electric scooter. It looks great with its black matte design with red details and it’s foldable. The frame feels really sturdy with the handlebars firmly attached to the deck – there’s no risk the scooter will fold up while you’re riding it.
This electric scooter by Gotrax can attain a top speed of 16 mph and can be ridden for up to 12 miles with one full charge of the 36V battery. Of course, there are faster and better scooters on the market, as well as scooters with broader miles ranges, but at this price range, such features are average. The motor is smooth and also really quiet even when operating at top speed.
The braking system is one of the features that add value to this scooter: the GXL V2 is provided with a dual braking system. A rear disc brakes and a front electric brake which is also regenerative and can recharge the battery while braking. It’s rare to see such quality brake systems on scooters at this price range.
Read the full Gotrax GXL V2 commuting electric scooter review here
Very fast electric scooter NANROBOT D5+ 2.0 Electric Scooter
If you want to feel the wind on your face and experience some speed thrill, there’s no doubt: go for the NANROBOT D5+. With a top speed of 40 mph, it’s probably the faster electric scooter in the market. Not only it is fast, but it also provided with all the security features that can ensure you stay safe when you ride at top speed. It’s heavy and sturdy and the front and the rear brakes allow you to stop or slow down the scooter quickly and smoothly. The enhanced top speed is supported by a long-lasting battery that will allow you to cover up to 50 miles with your NANROBOT D5+ 2.0.
Read more about Top fastest electric scooters in 2020 here.
The best electric scooter overall - Hiboy MAX Electric Scooter
If we should choose the best electric scooter for adults overall, we’d certainly opt for the Hiboy MAX Electric Scooter. It is provided with anything you want from an electric scooter:
- It’s sturdy and firm with its aluminum alloy frame coupled together with PC-ABS
- It features rubber tires, which are better than pneumatic tires because they aren’t subject to puncture and won’t go flat.
- It features three riding modes – from Beginner (9.3 mph) to Sport Mode (18.6 mph – top speed).
- Dual braking system: it utilizes both the motor’s electric brake (provided with the regenerative function, which means that it recharges the battery while braking) and a disc brake mounted on the rear wheel.
- It comes with a useful App that allows you to check the scooter before riding, view riding statics, and you could also use it as active cruise control.
Read the full Hiboy MAX Electric Scooter review here
