Electric scooters have seen a huge surge in popularity over the last couple of years with the discovery that they can be a surprisingly convenient and fun way to shave some time off the morning commute. With rising pollution levels worldwide, there are more people than ever looking for an eco-friendly alternative to driving or using public transport.
They're a big purchase, and you probably don't know exactly what to look for from a scooter, so we've picked out some of the best on the market, breaking down the features and specs that you need to think about before you buy.
Are electric scooters legal in the UK?
Before you rush out and buy an electric scooter you should know that privately-owned electric scooters cannot currently be used legally on the roads or pavements in the UK. This means you can only use them on private land.
However, the Government has since announced a trial of rental electric scooters in various areas of the UK. Under the new legislation, anybody over the age of 16 with a provisional drivers license will be able to ride the rental scooters on UK roads legally, as insurance and taxes are being fronted by the rental companies.
The trials are currently underway in various areas around the UK, with a nationwide rollout expected to follow if all goes well.
But as we noted before, despite the UK's new stance on rental scooters, it remains the case that private electric scooters are still illegal on UK streets. We imagine it's to do with the insurance and taxation of the electric scooter - it's not like you can head to confused.com and insure it, right?
But we are confident that private electric scooter use will eventually be legalised in the UK, following most other European countries already enjoying the perks of e-scooters.
1. Xiaomi Mi Scooter Pro 2
- 45km range
- KERS braking system
- Companion app
- Stylish
Cons
- Heavy at 14.2kg
$699.99
The Xiaomi Mi Scooter Pro 2 may be very similar to its predecessor, the hugely popular Mi 365, but that doesn't make it any less of a joy to ride - it's fast, practically silent, boasts battery power that just keeps on going and is speed-trackable via a mobile app too.
Like most modern scooters, the Mi Scooter Pro 2 has a folding design that should make this electric scooter easy to carry, although thanks to the huge battery and other upgraded tech - including an updated KERS braking system - it weighs 14.2kg, up from the already 12.5kg of the original.
It sports large 8.5in tyres that allow it to manoeuvre small kerbs and some light offroading, but it's not as smooth or capable as options with larger 10in wheels.
It will take up to 100kg of weight and keeps going up to 45km, a boost of 15km on the original. You won't manage quite this distance if you push it to its top speed of 25km/hour, but you'll still get hours of playtime.
There are some cool additional features on offer, including cruise control, adjustable acceleration, a headlight and brake light, a kinetic energy recovery system and an ABS braking system at the front and mechanical disk brake at the rear that make the Mi Scooter Pro 2 the best electric scooter for most people right now.
Read our full Xiaomi Mi Scooter Pro 2 review
2. Inokim Ox Super
- Premium, unique design
- 54-mile range
- Up to 28mph
Cons
- Expensive
- Large and heavy
Unavailable
The Inokim Ox Super is one of few genuinely unique electric scooters on the market in 2022, not just in terms of its design, but performance too. It's comfortably high-end at over £1000, but you really do get your money's worth.
The overall look of the INokim Ox Super is unique, with every design element playing a crucial part in the premium experience on offer, be it the inclusion of sensors that'll automatically enable lighting in dark environments or the large board with ample space to stand.
The highlight of the design for many will be the 'floating wheel' that isn't directly connected to the stem of the scooter. Instead, it uses a mono-fork wheel design with adjustable suspension designed for both smooth roads and off-roading, making the Ox Super a beast even when you run out of roads to ride on.
It's the performance that truly makes the Ox Super stand out though; with a 1000W motor and a 60V 21Ah battery, it's capable of speeds at up to 28mph with a range of up to 54 miles, besting every other scooter in our chart. It is speed limited to 15.5mph for safety in the UK, but the restrictions can be removed if required.
So, while the Inokim Ox Super is comfortably high-end, you're getting one of the most capable electric scooters on the market in return.
Read our full Inokim Ox Super review
3. Ninebot Max G30
- 40-mile range
- Large 10in tyres
- Easy charging system
Cons
- Expensive
- Very heavy
$699.99
The Ninebot Max G30 is a great electric scooter with impressive acceleration and a 40-mile range, but it’s not for everyone.
The Max G30 offers a smooth ride thanks to the large 10in tyres that help reduce shock when riding along, and the three driving modes offer different levels of power to suit your journey, but at 18kg, it’s certainly not portable when compared to other scooters in our chart.
That heft is mainly down to the tyres and the large internal battery that offers an impressive (but not industry-leading) 40-mile range, making it a great solution for longer commutes to work.
The issue is the weight makes it difficult to take on trains and buses - less than ideal if you’re looking to bridge the gap between your the various modes of transport you currently use.
Read our full Ninebot Max G30 review
4. Inokim Light
- Very fast
- Durable
- Works as a kickscooter
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
US$1199
Inokim builds top-quality electric scooters for adults, and the Light is a serious model that you can use every day.
It isn't as light as the Mini and, at 13.7kg, you may not consider it light at all. But it is built like a tank and has a 250W motor in the rear hub which propels you along at a speedy 21 mph.
The brake is just as strong, and front and rear LEDs flash to warn others of your presence.
The scooter folds in half for transport or storage and the handlebars can be folded too. On the right side is an LCD display which shows your speed and total distance covered. Using the buttons you can choose between three power levels, but you can treat it like a normal kick scooter as well: you won't have to carry it when the battery runs flat.
Talking of batteries, the Light has a range of 24 miles, so you could easily use it to commute to work.
As well as the black model we tested, you can also opt for white, blue, orange or green.
5. Carrera impel is-1
- Built-in immobiliser
- Built-in cable lock
- 350W motor
Cons
- Heavy at 17kg
- Middling 18-mile range
Unavailable
The Carerra impel is-1 may look like an ordinary electric scooter on the surface, but it packs security-focused features that'll deter would-be thieves.
For a start, the impel is-1 features a built-in combination cable lock located within the stem of the scooter, making it easy to secure your scooter without having to carry a lock separately. It's admittedly more of a visual deterrent than anything - the thin cable could be easily cut - but it'll deter any chancers wandering by when you nip in the shop.
If it does get cut, the impel is-1 also sports a built-in immobiliser that requires a three-digit pin when you first turn the scooter on. If you don't enter the code, the scooter simply won't start.
Security features aside, the impel is-1 features a decent 350W motor that reaches its 15.5mph max speed quickly, with responsive acceleration and great manoeuvrability that makes weaving in and out of objects a joy.
There's also a dedicated walking mode that'll let you ride alongside somebody at walking speed, allowing you to chat and ride at the same time.
There's an 18-mile range on offer that's not particularly exciting compared to scooters from Xiaomi, Inokim and Ninebot, but it'll do for short- to medium-distance trips.
There's also the benefit of being manufactured and sold at Halfords in the UK, making it easy to get replacement parts if something does go wrong.
Read our full Carrera impel is-1 review
6. Reid E4
- Distinct design
- Customisable LEDs
- Great torque
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Solid wheels mean you feel every bump
£499.99 (Around $650)
The Reid E4 electric scooter is a great option for commuters, offering a slightly more premium experience than what you’ll get from the likes of Xiaomi, although you are paying a little extra for the pleasure.
The E4 doesn’t look like the majority of scooters you’re likely to see on the road, sporting an ergonomic shape, a large display, tilted handlebars and more customisable LEDs than you can shake a stick at. Powered by a 250W motor, the E4 can hit speeds of 15.5mph and offers a range of up to 17.4 miles.
The only real complaint is that, like the Mi M365 and other 8.5in wheeled scooters, it uses solid tyres; while it means you won’t get any punctures when riding, it also means you’ll feel every lump and bump in the road.
Read our full Reid E4 review
7. Turboant X7 Pro
- Powerful 350W motor
- 10in inflatable tyres
- Easy charging system
Cons
- Expensive
- Repairs in UK or Germany only
$699.98
Framed as a competitor to the popular Mi Scooter Pro 2, the Turboant X7 Pro is the company's most capable electric scooter to date.
It's relatively powerful on flat surfaces and can handle uphill rides too, thanks to the 350W motor (with a maximum 700W output), and the upgraded 10in inflatable wheels offer a superior riding experience compared to 8.5in scooters whether it be going up kerbs or riding over bumps in the road. It's also capable of holding the heavier rider, with a maximum weight of 125kg.
Another plus is that the battery is removable and has its own charging port, so it can be charged separately from the scooter, and you can buy additional batteries too. You could chuck one in your backpack to extend range, or leave one at work and one at home to make sure your scooter is always fully charged and ready to ride.
Like the Xiaomi, there's built-in lights and reflectors, plus cruise control which is activated by maintaining the same speed for 6 seconds, although the X7 Pro doesn't offer a connected app with extended functionality.
Bear in mind that you can only buy it directly from Turboant. There are warehouses in California and Germany where US and UK orders respectively are shipped from, but it's also where it'll need to go for a repair or replacement under warranty.
Read our full Turboant X7 Pro review
How can I secure an electric scooter?
With a design wildly different to that of a standard bike, some electric scooter owners have been caught out when it comes to securing the electric scooter outdoors.
Standard D-lock bike locks can, depending on the angle and width of the handlebars, allow a potential thief to lift and shimmy your scooter free, and although cable locks are a flexible alternative that can stop that from happening, cable locks can be cut.
One alternative we'd recommend is Master Lock's Street Cuff. As the name suggests, the lock resembles handcuffs, and Master Lock claims that, unlike cable locks, the Street Cuff is "virtually impossible to sever".
The chain is 36cm long, allowing you to securely fasten it to the stem of your scooter and a nearby fence stake or sign pole, and comes with multiple sets of keys in case you misplace them. It is admittedly a heavy lock, but security comes at a cost.
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