As Bird, Lime, and countless other shared scooter startups have made their mark in cities across the globe in recent years, one side effect has been a huge and growing interest in privately owned electric scooters. With all the convenience of a shared scooter, but without the hassle of finding one every time you need to go somewhere, it is no wonder commuters are saving money by buying their own ride while beating the traffic—as well as pollution. 

With a battery range similar to that of ebikes, scooters have the advantage of being portable enough to fit into the back of any Uber, in the subway or train, or under your desk when not in use, rather than a police report waiting to happen at the bike racks.

And as demand has skyrocketed, there are now hundreds of scooter models ranging from $300 all the way up to $6,000, and from under 30 lbs to over 150 lbs.

Our firm, Electric Scooter Guide, has professionally tested (real-world range, top speed, build, etc) more scooters than any other group on the planet. Here are our tips for how to shop wisely, and our favorites in each category. For our most up-to-date recommendations, you can always check out our list of best electric scooters.

Tips for Buying

A couple tips before you purchase. 

Reputable Sellers: You can get a big discount by buying directly from China on Alibaba. However, you may wait months on shipping, then have little to no support if something goes wrong. My recommendation - buy from a local shop or established online retailer that has a physical presence in your country.

You will need support after the sale, as e-scooters are new technology and issues do spring up from time to time. Availability of replacement parts like a tube, tire, or throttle lever can make the difference between a quick repair, or your scooter becoming an expensive paperweight. In the US, some of the top locals are Alien Rides, Apollo, Fluid Freeride, Unagi, UScooters, and VORO Motors.

Safety First: Make no mistake, with the smaller tires, electric scooters are inherently less stable than bicycles. For top-notch safety on scooters that go over 20 mph, look for 10” or larger tires and dual brakes. (And of course, wear a helmet.) Lastly, don’t think of scooters as toys. While they are ridiculously fun,  it’s probably best to think of them more along the lines of being very small motorcycles rather than the kids toys you might have grown up around.

Size Matters: Think about your needs. Will you need to carry your scooter up stairs or shove it into the trunk of a car when coming home late?  Weight and portability need to fit your lifestyle, otherwise you won’t get much value from your scooter. The best scooter is the one that meets your daily needs the best. Personally I used to max out at a 45 lb scooter because I had to lift it up two flights of stairs every day (one at home and one for work). Now that I’ve moved and my commute has changed, I like scooters in the 60-85 lbs range that are faster and more comfortable to ride.

Range Anxiety: If the battery runs out, you can technically use an electric scooter like a kick scooter (i.e. propelling yourself by pumping your legs) but trust me, it’s not fun. Just like with scooter weight and portability, it is best to think of how you’ll be using the scooter to determine the range you’ll need. Of course more range is usually better, but more range equals more weight. If you’re exclusively “last-miling it” between the train station and the office, range almost doesn’t matter at all.

• Pro tip: manufacturer listed range is not going to be accurate unless you weigh 160 lbs and only ride around 10 miles per hour (which is how they measure). We’ve range tested 81 scooters ourselves, from full charge until the scooters shut down. Our typical result is 60% of the manufacturer’s listed range, when tested in top performance mode on a semi-urban test loop in Berkeley, CA.

Top Speed: Make sure to pick a scooter that’s going to keep up with your local traffic conditions. I advise first-time shoppers to think about the typical speed you want to go, and then add 5 mph in case you need a little extra oomph. So if you’re planning to ride in the bike lane at 15 mph, pick a scooter with a top speed of 20 mph. Planning to flow with 25 mph car traffic? Then a 30 mph top speed is ideal. Higher top speed generally means faster acceleration, and better hill climbing ability. Almost all scooters have settings which let you limit top speed once you get to know how it rides.

Set Your Expectations Appropriately: As a point of reference, shared scooters generally max out around 15 mph and can travel 15 to 25 miles on a single charge — you can purchase something very similar for under $1000. Here is what you should expect to get in a given price range:

• Under $600: 15 mph top speed, 15 miles of range. We don’t usually recommend models in this price range due to short warranties and minimal customer service. 
• $600-$1000: 25 mph top speed, 25 miles of range. These budget options will have better range, ride, and speed than a shared scooter. May struggle on the steepest hills.

• $1000-$1500: 30 mph top speed, >30 miles of range. Faster, longer-ranged, better ride quality and more features than lower-end models.
• $1500+: 30-50 mph top speed, 25-50 miles of real-world range. These scooters have dual-motors, hefty suspension, and can compete with cars on speed.

At this point, people usually ask me which electric scooter they should buy. To which I reply, it really depends. Let’s look at some top picks for different kinds of commuters.

Lowest price I recommend

 1. Apollo Air Pro: 37 lbs, 19 mph, 18 mi range, $649

The Apollo Air Pro is the best entry-level e-scooter on the market right now. Simple controls, big tires, and suspension make it easy and fun to ride. Paired with the Apollo App, which features in-app navigation, route planning, and accurate estimate of remaining miles, commuting is a breeze.  The Air Pro also includes an industry-leading warranty that extends up to 2 years.

For convenience and portability

2. Unagi Model One (Dual Motor): 29 lbs, 20 mph, 9 mi range, $990

Referred to by proponents as the Apple or Tesla of e-scooters, the Model One is a lightweight scooter crafted from carbon fiber, magnesium, and titanium. It is the lightest dual-motor scooter in existence and has quick, smooth acceleration. Fly-by-wire paddle controls and super smooth one-click folding mechanism are industry firsts. Though similarly priced scooters may outperform on specs, the Model One’s premium user experience and looks are unmatched. It’s also unique in that it’s available in subscription form directly from Unagi for  $49/month, a handy option for folks who don’t want to worry about repairs, or aren’t sure they want a long-term relationship with a scooter.

3. UScooters Booster GT SE: 30 lbs, 23 mph, 15 mi range, $1,049

The Booster GT SE is the world’s most portable scooter and one of the lightest, despite its solid top speed and range. Featuring a folding mechanism that’s ultra secure and easy to use, the GT folds so compactly that it will fit in spaces that you never imagined: a locker, under your seat, in a gym bag. Unfolded, it’s a powerful and legendarily durable transportation machine (we’ve seen odometers exceeding 10k km).

The “goldilocks” solution 

4. EMOVE Touring: 40 lbs, 22 mph, 19 mi range, $899 

The small but mighty Touring supports riders up to 308 lbs and has one of the largest decks (most comfortable) out there, despite its portable size. The Touring is one of the best general purpose scooters — doing many things well and suiting many purposes. It has a split tire configuration (air-filled in front, solid in rear) that provides balance between flat risk and ride quality. Full spring suspension cushions your ride and an IP54 water-resistance rating means getting caught out in rain won’t kill the scooter.

The car replacement (for long-distance commutes) 

5. EMOVE Cruiser: 59 lbs, 30.5 mph, 47 mi range, $1,499 

The EMOVE Cruiser is legendary for its range and comfortable ride.  It’s a complete package with turn signals, integrated horn, and adequate built-in lights. Riders using the Cruiser as a daily commuter may go a week or more between needing to charge. Despite its electron-sipping motor, the Cruiser has enough oomph to conquer most hills. The Cruiser is hard to beat as the long-range, do-everything, daily commuting e-scooter.

For a vehicle-grade scooter

6. Apollo Phantom V2: 76 lbs, 40 mph, 31 mi range, $2,099 

The Phantom is the Porsche 911 of electric scooters: sporty as heck, but also excellent transportation. The only other thing you’ll need is a helmet, because right out of the box, it's got you covered: a bright high-mounted headlight for night riding, turn signals, and large easy-to-read center display are all standard. It even (accurately) tells you how many miles the battery has remaining, which means you’ll be doing a lot less math in your head at stop-lights. At 76 lbs, it’s a “light heavyweight,” so it’s best suited to ground-floor destinations, but most people would be able to carry it up a single flight of stairs, if necessary. 

For speed demons

7. Kaabo Wolf Warrior X: 80 lbs, 44 mph, 32 mi range, $1,099

This often overlooked grand tourer has a rare combination of high top speed and smooth throttle-response due to its sine wave motor controllers (a feature previously unheard of at this price point). It also comes with the best handling tires ever fitted to a production scooter. Side effects of the base model Wolf X may include: improved punctuality and arriving looking refreshed (other than having helmet hair; nothing cures that). The Warrior X is a tight fit in most trunks, and is not very easy to lift or carry, but the ride is worth every pound of heft. If you’re feeling sporty and don’t mind the extra weight, the Wolf Warrior X is a secret gem: a base model scooter that is actually better than the more expensive Pro model.

8. NAMI Burn-E: 106 lbs, 59 mph, 53 mi range, $4,499

The BURN-E’s ride quality and acceleration are truly exquisite. However, price and lack of portability mean this heavyweight champ isn’t for everyone. As scooters reach 100 lbs, they begin to have more in common with small motorcycles than with the shared scooters you may be used to; both for good and bad. The good: easily able to keep up with traffic, and handle 50-mile-long rides. The bad: heavyweights are difficult for one person to lift, and impossible to fit into a typical trunk (wagons and SUVs are no problem). Our favorite accessory to go along with ownership of a heavyweight scooter: a smaller scooter, because the big one isn’t coming into the grocery store with you, and it’s too valuable to leave outside. 

Post-Purchase Tips

Locking Your Scooter: While any electric scooter can be locked, you should minimize the amount of time it is out of your sight because nearly every lock can be broken. Another option, especially if you have a smaller scooter, is to ask if you can wheel it with you inside a store. Another pro tip: hide an Apple Airtag (or two) to help locate your scooter if it should be stolen, like this guy did.

Get Safety Gear: Besides wearing a helmet, if you take your scooter out at night, you’ll want to make sure you have proper high-mounted lighting. About half of scooters do not come with a handlebar-mounted front light - so make sure to pick up at least a 1000 lumen light that attaches to handlebars. On the rear, nearly every scooter includes a red light, but they are mounted on the rear fender,  making them very hard for drivers to see. So pick up a rear light that can clip onto your backpack or helmet.

Storing Your Scooter for the Winter: Keep your battery between 40-70% (60% optimally) charge when storing for long periods of time to optimize battery longevity. If your scooter has an alarm, either disable it for storage, or check the battery level every 2-3 weeks to make sure your battery did not drain to empty. Over-discharge is the most certain way to turn your battery into a brick that can never be charged again. 

Tire Care: If you have air-filled tires, consider picking up a tire sealant as a preventative measure against flats. For just a few dollars and five minutes of work, you could avoid getting stranded on your next commute.

General Riding Tips. If you’ve never ridden an electric scooter before, you’ll want to check out a couple videos on how to ride. Here are some primers we have made. There will be some easy techniques that will improve your experience. 

Chuck Temple is the cofounder of Electric Scooter Guide and the man behind it all. Since his first electric scooter purchase in 2016, Chuck has been spreading the scooter love, starting with the r/electricscooters community on Reddit which led to what is now the Electric Scooter Guide empire.