As electric scooters become more and more popular, and we are all becoming more and more aware of the problems of pollution and sustainability that are affecting our planet, a lot of us are considering getting ourselves an electric scooter. When buying your first one, you probably don’t want to spend too much on it. And you don’t have to! There are high-quality electric scooters on the market that you can buy without spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars. But what cheap electric scooter to buy in 2020?
You can’t compare affordable electric scooters to top of the line models – those models have better motors, batteries, etc… but they can also cost a thousand dollars and even more! For this article, we’ve created a list of good and cheap electric scooters with the aim of providing you with the best value for money on the market.
Every scooter on this list can provide good speed and features, a good mile-range and construction quality. Without further delay, let’s move on to the list of the 5 best affordable electric scooters in 2020.
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Cheapest electric scooters you can buy in 2020
1. MEGAWHEELS S10 Electric Scooter
With a weight of just 26.7 lbs, the MEGAWHEELS S10 Electric Scooter can carry an adult up to 220 lbs of weight. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame allows for the scooter to be lightweight and sturdy at the same time.
If you need to carry your scooter in your car trunk or to store it somewhere narrow, this electric scooter can really suit you: not only it features a slim design, but it is also foldable. When it is folded it occupied very little space and can be easily carried up the stairs, on the bus, or basically anywhere. The buckle lock at the base of the handlebar feels very secure: you won’t risk your scooter to suddenly fold as you ride.
The MEGAWHEELS S10 can reach a top speed of 15.5 mph thanks to its brushless hub 250-watt motor. It can handle various types of terrain, but it has some difficulties when going uphill – in fact, it can climb an inclination of a maximum 8 degrees.
The electric scooter is powered by a row of batteries that provides a total of 7500 mAh. The battery has a very quick charge, but it doesn’t allow an impressive mile-range: you can ride up to 10-14 miles on a single charge.
The MEGAWHEELS S10 feels very smooth while riding and very durable. It’s a very good value for money.
Features
- Dimensions (unfolded): 18 cm x 43 cm x 115 cm
- Dimensions (folded): 108 cm x 43 cm x 44 cm
- Mile-range: 10-14 miles
- Top speed: 15.5 mph
- Maximum load: 220 lbs.
- 7500 mAh lithium-ion batteries
- 250 watt motor
- Max climbing: 8 degree
- Weight: 26.7 lbs
- UL2272 Certified and suitable for EU certification
- 12 months warranty
Pros
- Foldable design – very compact when folded.
- Solidly built
- Decent top speed
- Very quick battery charge
- Affordable electric scooter
Cons
- It struggles when riding uphill
- Mile-range could be improved
2. Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter
The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter features a very sturdy frame that, thanks to the aerospace-grade aluminum from which is made, is also very lightweight (26.9 pounds). The frame is also foldable so the lightweight of the device is very helpful when you fold it and need to lift it and carry it around with you.
The scooter can reach o top-speed of 15.5 mph which is the average speed for electric scooters on the same price range. The motor is very quiet and allows a smooth ride on a variety of terrains. The scooter gives its best on flat terrains, but it still can climb inclinations up to 14 degrees.
The braking system is very efficient: the scooter features a rear disc brake and a front regenerative anti-lock braking system that can recharge the battery while the scooter slows down. The Xiaomi Mi can be brought to a safe stop within as short as 4 meters.
The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter can be paired via Bluetooth with a mobile app that is extremely useful for visualizing the scooter’s data, such as remaining power, and riding statics, but it can also work as a cruise control visualizing the current speed and other real-time information.
You can read a more detailed blog post about Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter here!
Features
- Dimensions: 42.5’’ x 16.9’’ x 44.9’’ (unfolded)
- Weight 26.9 pounds
- Load Range: 55-220 lbs
- Top speed: 15.5 mph
- Mile-range: 18.6 miles
- Battery: 30 x 18650 mAh lithium battery units
- Charging time: 5 hours
- Double braking system
- Maximum climbing: 14 degree
Pros
- Foldable design
- Very quiet motor
- Free App to view riding statistics and data
- Good mile-range and top speed
- Spare tires and tubes are included
- Affordable electric scooter
Cons
- The attached light isn’t enough to enlighten the street at night
- You must avoid puddles and riding under the rain
- Replacing the tires is a complicated process
3. Razor E300 Electric Scooter
The Razor E300 features an extra-wide deck for improved control and balance during the riding. It is suitable for both adults and teens (13 years old and up) so even the design can suit the taste of both kids and young adult and it’s available in some color options. This is a great affordable choice if you have to share your electric scooter with your kids: you can buy one scooter for the whole family.
The E300 features a rear brake that can be operated with a brake lever on the left handgrip. When the brake is activated, the motor is also cut to bring the scooter to an extra safe stop. On the right handgrip, the rider can operate the twist-grip throttle acceleration control that is very responsive and very comfortable to use.
The 2 x 12V battery allows this affordable electric scooter to be ridden for 40-50 minutes on a full charge. The chain-driven motor is super quiet and allows the scooter to reach a speed of (up to) 15 mph.
Considering that the scooter is suitable for both kids and adults, this can be one of the most affordable choices especially if you need to share the scooter between people that have different ages and sizes.
You can read a more detailed blog post about E300 Electric scooter here.
Features
- Dimensions: deck 26.2’’ x 8’’; handlebar 25’’ x 16’’
- Weight: 42 lbs
- Top speed: 15 mph
- 40 minutes of continuous use
- Max load: 220 lbs
- Chain driven 250-watt motor
- Rear-wheel drive
- Battery: 24V
- Pneumatic tires (9’’ diameter)
Pros
- Suitable for both teens and adults
- Handy twist-grip acceleration control
- Efficient brake system
- Good top speed and mile-range
- Great value for money
Cons
- The frame is sturdy but quite heavy; it can be a hard job to carry the scooter for long distances.
4. Razor Power Core E90
The Razor Power Core E90 is an affordable electric scooter with enhanced battery life (up to 80 minutes).
This electric scooter supports a maximum load of 120 lbs. It is mainly targeted at children and most of the adults would be too heavy to ride it.
The 90-watt motor supports a speed of maximum 10 mph. This is a bit slower than average electric scooter for the same price range. Again, the moderate speed makes the E90 perfect for kids. Nevertheless, even when a kid is riding it, the e-scooter would struggle a little when riding uphill. On the other hand, kids and very lightweight adults would have no difficulty riding smoothly on flat terrains. The motor is very quiet and needs to be kickstarted.
The Core E90 by Razor features a double brake system: the rider can operate the brake lever on the left handgrip to operate the front brake and press the rear brake with their foot. The overall braking system is efficient and allows to bring the scooter to a safe and quick alt.
The Razor Core E90 features two 12V lithium-ion batteries that allow the scooter to be ridden for continuous 80 minutes. This is an excellent range for such an affordable electric scooter.
You can read a more detailed blog post about E90 Electric scooter here.
Features
- Dimensions: 31.7’’ x 12.9’’ x 32.9’’
- Weight: 21.75 lbs
- Top speed: 10 mph
- Maximum load: 120 lbs
- Battery: 2 x 12V lithium-ion batteries
- 90-watt hub motor
Pros
- Very good mile-range and riding time: up to 80 minutes
- The frame is very lightweight: you can lift and carry the scooter around whit no effort
- Affordable price
Cons
- The scooter takes about 12 hours to get fully charged. This is quite a long charging time, even compared to other electric scooters at the same price range
- The Razor E90 struggles to ride uphill
- The scooter can carry a weight of maximum 120 lbs: this makes the scooter suitable to any kids, but not to most of the adults.
5. Gotrax GXL V2 electric scooter
The Gotrax GWL V2 is a cheap electric scooter specifically designed for commuters. It features an elegant and foldable design. The frame is also lightweight which allows you to easily lift and carry the scooter with when folded. Taking it on the bus, on the metro, on storing it in a narrow space would not be a problem with the GWL V2 by Gotrax.
With its 250-watt engine, the GWL V2 can reach a top speed of 15.5 mph. The 36 V lithium-ion battery only allows a mile-range of maximum 12 miles. On the other hand, the battery can be charged very quickly (only 4 hours – a very short time for such an affordable electric scooter) – this can allow you to quickly recharge your scooter and get back on the road.
The GXL V2 comes equipped with a hand-operated brake and a rear disk brake. He brake system feels very responsive, so you can come to an alt as quickly, slowly, smoothly as you need.
On the handlebar, you’ll also find a useful smart display that shows you the current speed, battery life and allows you to change the speed settings.
The Gotrax GWL V2’s performance on flat terrains is excellent (with a quiet motor and a smooth and stable riding), but it struggles when riding uphill.
You can read a more detailed blog post about Gotrax GXL V2 Electric scooter here.
Features
- Dimensions: 43.8’’ x 17’’ x 4’’ (unfolded); 15’’ x 44’’ x 6’’ (when folded)
- Top speed: 15.5 mph
- Weight: 27 lbs
- Maximum load: 220 lbs
- 250-watt motor
- Battery: Lithium-ion 36V, 6.4 AH
- Charging time: 4 hours
Pros
- Decent top speed
- Very quick charging time
- Sturdy construction
- Foldable design
- Smart display
- Great value for money
Cons
- Moderate mile-range (up to 12 miles)
- The scooter struggles when riding uphill
How to choose an affordable electric scooter
There are different aspects to consider when you purchase your next (or very first) electric scooter. In our opinion, some are more important than others: for example, safety features and brake efficiency are more important than color options. When you opt for an affordable electric scooter, you know you are going to renounce to something – it would be definitely better to renounce to superfluous features and make sure your scooter will suits your needs in terms of speed and battery life. So how can you choose an affordable electric scooter? Read on to find out.
1.Price
Price of electric scooters can vary. Set your budget and choose the most affordable ones to narrow the field.
2. Weight limits
The first thing you want to make sure about is that your electric scooter is able to carry you. E-scooter for kids usually cost less than adult models. Don’t make the mistake of buying a scooter for kids that won’t be able to carry your weight. Always check the weight limit!
3. Speed
Usually, the more you pay for an electric scooter, the faster it will be. If you opt for an affordable model, you know you can’t ask for a top speed of 40 mph. In our opinion, a decent speed is about 15 mph. A lot of cheap electric scooters feature a top speed of 15.5 mph and we’ve always found them fast enough to suit most of the adults’ needs.
4. Safety features
Never underestimate the danger of riding an electric scooter, especially if you’re going to ride along the streets. You must make sure your electric scooter features an efficient braking system. (Dual systems are usually better than single foot-operated brakes). If you opt for a foldable design, make sure the e-scooter won’t fold as you ride. There are a lot of affordable and safe electric scooters on the market. Just check for the safety features before making your purchase!
5. Durability
When choosing an affordable electric scooter, make sure the frame is sturdy enough and made from a durable material. If you don’t want to spend lots of money on an electric scooter, this doesn’t mean you want it to fall into pieces after a week or two.
What are the costs of owning an electric scooter
Electric scooters are actual alternative means of transport. They become popular when some companies started their e-scooter rental services. People started using electric scooters to go around on Sundays as well as to commute to work; they start enjoying using an eco-friendly, sustainable, low-consuming vehicle and they started buying their own scooters to save on the costs of renting. But what are the costs of owning an electric scooter? You try to save money on an affordable model, but how much it costs to own an electric scooter?
In this section we thought of analyzing the actual costs of an electric scooter:
1. The cost of the electric scooter
This is obvious; if you purchase an electric scooter you have to spend some money on it. As we’ve just seen in this article, though, there are a lot of affordable models that have excellent features and that are great values for money. Furthermore, an electric scooter is always far more affordable than a car or motorcycle.
2. The costs of the protective gear
When you ride an electric scooter, especially if you commute to work/school/bus stop, you need to provide yourself with some protective gear, at least a helmet. We all wear protective gear when we ride our bikes, why shouldn’t we wear it when we ride an electric scooter? Also, don’t make the mistake of checking for every safety feature on your scooter and then being negligent on your safety gear. Be smart: electric scooters are fun, but are not a toy. Always make sure to stay safe when riding.
3. Costs for electricity
Electric scooter runs on batteries that need to be charged. If you use the e-scooter to commute, you’ll probably need to charge it every day, Most of electric scooters can be fully charged in 4-5 hours, but some can even take up to 12 hours. Get informed about your local electricity provider’s rates to estimate the cost. 12 hours can look like a lot of time, and a lot of electricity requires – but it will always be far less than the cost of gas.
4. The cost of replacing the scooter
Electric scooter are cheaper than cars and motorcycles, but they don’t last forever. You’ll probably need to replace sooner than what you’d do with your car. You can own a car for even more than 10 years, but when your scooter has 3-5 years old you need to start thinking of replacing it. Still, replacing your e-scooter every 5 years is cheaper than replacing your car every 15 years.
Also very important, bear in mind that in few years when your electric scooter’s batteries are going to be dead, most of the manufacturers can sell you a new set of batteries, so you don’t necessarily need to buy a new electric scooter.
The costs of owning an electric scooter are much lower than owning any other forms of transportation. So using your electric scooter instead of your car or motorcycle is totally convenient in terms of costs, pollution, and sustainability.
5. Durability
When choosing an affordable electric scooter, make sure the frame is sturdy enough and made from a durable material. If you don’t want to spend lots of money on an electric scooter, this doesn’t mean you want it to fall into pieces after a week or two.
Conclusion
When considering buying an affordable electric scooter you may feel like you’re getting a low-quality device, or that you could have better if you could afford to spend a little more. This isn’t always the case, actually. Many brands and electric scooter are overpriced, but also many high-quality devices come at an affordable price nowadays.
So what determines an electric scooter price?
The price of an electric scooter is determined by some fundamental features, plus some additional ones that can be considered superfluous.
- This is something that comes at a cost: usually, e-scooter that comes at a higher price can go faster.
- Material used. This also comes at a cost, but we found that there is a smaller gap between cheap and expensive electric scooters, meaning that manyof the affordable scooters, feature very sturdy and durable frames.
- Battery quality and mile-range. It is true that quality batteries cost more than lower quality ones. But the mile-range is determined by a lot of other factors other than the battery type and brand. So thinking that spending more money on an electric scooter would ensure a longer mile-range would be a mistake. Mile-range is determined by the power of the engine, how fast you ride, the type of terrain and the rider’s weight.
There are also some additional features that can increase the cost of an electric scooter, but they – if you’d like to save some money – you can definitely do well without them:
- Software and apps. Expensive scooters come with built-in cruise control or an App that allows you to visualize riding statistics and data. If you want to save money on your purchasing, think of renouncing to such extra features.
- Simple and linear designs cost less than complicated and sophisticated ones. Appearance can be an aspect where you can decide to save a lot of money.
Now that you know what determines an electric scooter price and what are the most essential features to consider, you can make your mindful choice among the best affordable electric scooter in 2020. We believe we’ve just given every information you need to get a quality and durable electric scooter that fit your needs, without spending a fortune.