How to Choose an Electric Scooter
If you are searching for an electric scooter, you are in the correct place because we will help you choose the best electric scooter. The decision to choose an electric scooter can be challenging; the market is full of different models.
So, what makes the best electric scooter different from the regular electric scooter depends on many things. Some folks are simply concerned about the cost. Some individuals just want a light e-scooter that they can easily transport.
Some people are just concerned with peak speed and want to travel as quickly as possible. Perhaps you are one of them. Or maybe you simply want to relax. No matter what it is, today, in our buying guide, we will discuss how to choose an electric scooter.
How to choose an electric scooter
Comfort
Before we rush down to discuss any other aspect, the most crucial point is comfort. Unfortunately, some e-scooters have so poor ride quality that they can’t be ridden for more than a mile on anything less than a pristine surface.
On regular pavements and virtually anyplace else, an Electric Scooter without either suspension or air tires will be practically unrideable. Every tiny bump in the road is communicated to the standing platform via the handlebar.
Hence, make sure to choose an electric scooter that has proper suspension and tires to ensure max comfort (we will be talking about suspension and tires more below.
Tires
Pneumatic or airless tires are available on electric scooters.
Air-filled tires
While air-filled tires or airless tires provide better stress absorption than airless tires, they also require more maintenance.
You’ll also need to check your air pressure on a frequent basis on air-filled tires and top it up if it’s low. For safety, braking efficacy, and traction, proper tire pressure is critical. Underinflation causes wear, reduces battery life, prevents you from achieving peak speeds, and makes you more vulnerable to punctures.
Moreover, a Puncture protection fluid should be used. You may never need to change your tires if you use this before your first ride.
Solid tires
If you often ride where there is a lot of glass, thorns, or nails, e-scooters with solid tires require almost no maintenance and provide a solution to punctures. A low-maintenance solid tire’s drawback is that it’s not as pleasant to ride, so you’ll notice more bumps and vibrations.
Size of the tire
Some scooters come with very small wheels; this is absolutely not recommended for adults. We highly urge you to avoid wheels with a diameter of fewer than 10 inches. Smaller wheels provide a choppier ride and are more likely to get trapped in potholes.
Large wheels with air in the tires are required in most cases. In addition, you’ll need fat-treaded tires and suspension if you plan on doing a lot of off-road riding.
Suspension
An electric suspension scooter functions similarly to that of a vehicle, smoothing out bumps and shocks from the road. Consider whether you’ll be riding off-road or on rough terrain, and if so, the suspension should be a top priority when shopping for an electric scooter.
If you don’t have it, you’ll have a vibration in the handlebars, which may be annoying on longer rides. An electric scooter with good suspension is a good option if you want an off-roader that can handle more challenging terrain.
Suspension can be fitted to either the front or back wheels or both. However, a smoother ride may be had on an e- scooter with big, air-filled tires without suspension than on one with solid tires with suspension.
Weight and load limit
When selecting an e-scooter, keep in mind the scooter’s carrying weight, which affects portability and the weight limitations for users. Also, consider your daily commute and how much weight you can lift up the stairs or keep firmly on the bus.
Riders should examine if the e-scooter is the correct size for them when riding and if it can be folded down and stored easily. A folded scooter should be easy to store, but not all e-scooters fold, so double-check before purchasing, especially if you have a limited storage room at home.
Build Quality
Electric scooters are made up of different materials. Make sure to select scooters that are made up of heavy-duty materials.
It’s fantastic to see that the frame is built of aviation metal. It’s also fantastic to see that the e-scooter frame is built of carbon fiber. The combination is really fantastic. If it is constructed of steel, it is safe for children and practically unbreakable.
Also, make sure that the standing dick comes with a grip so your feet don’t fall off when you ride your scooter for long periods.
Battery and charge
The amount of time it takes to charge an e-scooter is determined by its battery life. So if you’re commuting long miles on your electric scooter, you’ll want to make sure that a full charge will at least get you there.
Weight, height, headwind, terrain, topography (hills), and how much starting and stopping you do are all critical factors in determining the range a scooter can go.
There are two types of batteries available nowadays: lead-acid and lithium-ion. You must charge lead-acid batteries for an extended period of time in exchange for a limited range.
Whereas, Lithium-ion batteries charge in a fraction of the time and give substantially more range. Keep in mind that lower-cost e-scooters have lower-quality batteries and the amount of energy they can store decreases with each charge.
The majority of electric scooters have a range of 15 to 20 kilometers. However, ranges of 20 to 30 miles are also popular, and some luxury (expensive) versions may reach 40 or even 50 miles.
A greater range necessitates a larger battery, which is worth considering because it will make the e-scooter heavier and cost more.
Speed
The maximum speed and the comfortable cruising speed are the two sorts of specified speeds. The highest speeds of most electric scooters are around 20 mph, which is more than enough to give you a thrill and make you smile.
We can assure you that 20 mph is far too fast for a cruiser like a scooter. It’s important to remember, though, that traveling so quickly on a vehicle with such little wheels may be quite dangerous. At those speeds, it would be quite simple to fall off or lose control on uneven ground.
It’s also worth noting that the quickest electric scooters necessitate larger batteries and more powerful motors, both of which are often more expensive. Electric scooter speeds are often given based on a 70kg person riding on a flat, smooth surface with well-filled tires.
People are often fixated on the peak speeds of electric scooters, but our advice is to avoid chasing maximum speed. Instead, make sure you get a scooter that can keep up with you, but also think about weather and safety. On average, a speed of 15mph is more than sufficient.
Power of Motor
The average ‘rated’ power and peak power output of an electric scooter motor are different. The higher the wattage of the motor, the more power it can create, which means better acceleration and hill ascending ability.
You should pick an electric scooter with a power output of at least 250 watts. That should be plenty to get you over flat terrain and up modest hills. Also, if you’re a larger person and there are a lot of hills, you’ll require more power. Seek out more wattage.
If you weigh more than 80 kilos, these models may struggle to climb hills and will likely struggle to attain their peak speed. A scooter with two engines or a more powerful single motor will be a preferable choice for climbing hills.
So, choose the motor power based on the area you will be riding your electric scooter on.
Brakes
If you are here, it’s obvious you need to know how to choose an electric scooter. Brakes are a real deal-breaker when choosing an electric scooter. It will help if you are very careful about brakes while buying a scooter.
You will have four different options of brakes to choose from; Foot brakes, electric brakes, drum brakes, and disc brakes.
Electric brakes are low-maintenance, but they’re not as good at stopping you immediately. As a result, these will be the least effective if you are traveling at 15 mph or faster and need to stop quickly.
Disc and drum brakes are nearly the same type of brakes with some minor differences. Disc brakes offer the highest stopping force and are lighter than drum brakes, allowing for more speed by reducing the overall load.
Drum brakes are contained within the wheel hub and need less maintenance than other forms of braking. They also work consistently in wet situations.
Foot brakes are triggered by pressing down on the rear mudguard with your foot. This takes practice unless you’re used to riding a kid’s scooter. They offer somewhat greater stopping force than drum or disc brakes, but they are less pleasant to operate and less effective.
Disc brakes are the most effective and dependable of these sorts, but they’re usually only found on the most expensive electric scooters. Electric brakes need no maintenance and perform effectively when paired with a foot brake. Unfortunately, on a dry road, the Model One has a braking distance of only 13 feet.
Budget
A scooter can come in a huge price range; it depends on what you are exactly looking for. They come in a range from $100 to $3000.
The price usually corresponds to an increase in quality. For example, the majority of high-end scooters for adults cost at least $600, but spending more will offer you additional features.
Heavy-duty electric scooters (Best scooters money can buy; $1000+)
You can achieve very speeds of up to 40mph thanks to massive, sometimes twin engines. They have high-performance suspension and hydraulically actuated disc brakes for better stopping power at high speeds.
These often start at £1,000 or more and are the best in every area except portability. However, they can occasionally outperform in terms of riding quality, braking distance, hill-climbing abilities, power, speed, and acceleration.
If you also want a scooter for off-roading then, you need heavy-duty scooters. Due to their bigger tires, they are also the only e-scooters capable of going off-road. If you have a high budget, then this is the option.
Premium range ($600-$950)
These generally cost between $600 and $950 and include features like suspension, larger engines, larger batteries, and stronger brakes. As a result, your journey will be more pleasant and safe, and the battery will last longer, ensuring that you do not become stranded.
Budget segment ($100-$500)
In case you just want a regular scooter for fun riding around and nothing fancy, then you can look into the budget segment.
This category is particularly popular among first-time riders, owing to the fact that cheap e-scooters are often priced between $100 and $500. They’re ideal for short trips because they offer a good range and a good build quality.
However, compared to higher-end versions, these e-scooters have lower-powered motors, generally rated at approximately 250W, making them seem slower – especially in regions with steeper slopes, where you may have to get off and walk your e-scooter up the hill.
Warranty
If you buy a cheaper scooter, you can skip the warranty part. However, if you are going for expensive options, then you must look into the warranty. Scooters that run on electricity are a relatively new product category. Our recommendation is to stick to the big names in the industry.
Where will you need to submit your e-scooter if you need to utilize your warranty? Hence, it is better to go for scooters that offer a warranty in our own country. This will make it easier and cheaper to send the product.
Lighting
Make sure your e-scooter has adequate illumination to protect your safety. You can always buy more lights for your e-scooter, but the finest scooters already have excellent illumination. After-dark cycling necessitates the use of both front and rear lights.
Conclusion
If you do not know how to choose an electric scooter, you might end up spending too much money on a shitty product. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, read this guide very carefully.
We carefully designed this guide to help you make the best decision and choose the perfect electric scooter. While all e-features scooters are significant, some may be more vital to you than others.
Hence, don’t always go for looks; rather, look for important features and keep in mind which areas you will be riding your scooter on.
