Best Electric Scooter for 2024 - CNET

Nov 05, 2024

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Electric scooters are a simple and efficient way to get where you need to go.

The Apollo Go is the best electric scooter overall for most people. It has a slight edge over the competition for its features, including a suspension system and dual motors, a stylish design and a compact size, all at a reasonable price. Borrowing from boxing terms, I've also included light, middle and heavyweight options for those whose needs aren't met by the Apollo Go.

Whether you're a commuter headed to work, a student running to class or anyone else who wants to have fun while zipping from point A to B, an electric scooter is a great way to go. They're convenient, speedy and eco-friendly. I can tell you from first-hand experience that they're much cheaper to repair than a car.

All of the electric scooters were tested on commutes through sections of Manhattan, bike paths around Central Park or the West Side Highway bike path in New York City. Others were tested for suburban commutes and off-road when applicable. All scooters were tested by riders who met the weight requirements specified by the manufacturer.

The Go's quality feel and features, inspired by earlier Apollo models, are evident -- from the handlebar signal lights and sleek deck to the LED display and Quad Lock mount for attaching a phone as a display.

The Apollo iOS/Android app can lock the Go, estimate remaining battery life and allow firmware updates. Notably, it shares the Pro's front and rear regenerative brakes, rear drum brake and thicker kickstand for stability. Powered by dual 350-watt motors with a top speed of 28 mph, the Go pushes what a last-mile scooter should be. Weighing 46 pounds and able to support 265 pounds, the Go can travel an estimated 20-30 miles on a full charge.

We recommend the Go for its features, price and usability, but the Apollo Air is worth considering if you don’t mind a performance drop to get a lower price. There’s also the top-tier Apollo Pro, which made this list and the Apollo City, which squeezes in between the Go and the Pro, so there is a good option for any rider.

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The RS can hit a top speed of 68 mph with smooth yet aggressive acceleration. Its four-speed modes provide versatility for balancing performance and battery life. For example, the scooter's D mode (The RS has 4 modes: Eco, D, S and X) can hit 40 mph, quickly accelerating to 30 mph in just over 3 seconds, which is great for riding in city traffic. If not ridden too aggressively, which is hard not to do, riders can squeeze out close to 100 miles on a full charge.

It features an adjustable suspension that can be height-adjusted for off-road terrain and lowered for smoother pavement rides. Additionally, the scooter's handlebars can be height-adjusted to accommodate riders of all sizes, and it features a built-in steering dampener for stability at high speeds. Thanks to its hefty build, this heavyweight scooter weighs 128 pounds but can support a payload of up to 330 pounds.

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The Voyager is one of the lightest premium last-mile scooters at 29 pounds. Unagi offers a subscription service in addition to sales, which is great for those on a budget or who like to try before buying. When unlocked, the scooter can hit a top speed of 20 mph. Its folding mechanism is simple and fast, so you can quickly fold, grab and go. The narrow stem makes carrying it around painless, too. It has regenerative brakes along with a spoiler brake for those steep hills.

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The Apollo Pro is a big, fast scooter that’s a good pick for multi-user homes. Even my partner, who prefers bikes, loves the Pro. I can tell by how much she rides it. It features large 12-inch tires and color-customizable integrated lights illuminating red when the brakes are applied. Additionally, it has built-in self-canceling signal lights in the handlebars. It even has a 5-watt speaker that can play music and blast the horn when you need it. Like the smaller Apollo Go, it features a quad-lock mount that securely holds your phone, can inductively charge it and acts as the scooter's display. It has an official top speed of 44 mph and one of the smoothest accelerations you'll ever experience on a scooter.

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The VMax VX2 Pro is impressive for its excellent range of approximately 37 miles and a top speed of 24 mph. The display is simple and bright. The scooter feels solid and durable, weighing 45 pounds and can support a rider weight of 267 pounds. It has integrated signal lights in the rear and handlebars. Its 500-watt motor offers impressive low-end torque to get you moving. The front and rear brake levers activate drum brakes and motor regeneration for smooth stops.

There are three versions of the VX2 Pro, each with a similar appearance but different battery sizes, offering various ranges and price points: the LT (22 miles, $699), the ST (28 miles, $799) and the GT (37 miles, $899).

I’ve ridden many e-unicycles (EUCs), and as a big guy, I truly appreciate the V13’s 22-inch tire, dual air suspension and a design that supports up to 287 pounds. A 126-volt, 3,024-watt-hour battery and a 4,400-watt motor power the wheel. The combo can get the V13 up to 55 mph though my top speed during testing was 46 mph. I’ve ridden it more than 800 miles, and I still can’t get enough. With its power and 117-pound weight, this isn’t an ideal wheel for beginners. For new riders, Inmotion offers several options, like the smaller V5 or the versatile V11. They even have the kid-friendly E20 with two tires on a single rim.

The V13 is also one of the safest wheels on the market, from its battery management system to its redundant resistors to prevent wheel cutoff. This EUC was engineered with the consumer's best interest in mind.

I’m large, so I generally prefer larger scooters, but the Gyroor C1S is surprisingly enjoyable. My entire household loved zipping around on it. The scooter comes with an exceptionally comfortable seat and can support up to 265 pounds, including whatever you load into its two removable baskets; perfect for shopping trips without needing a backpack.

Powered by a 550-watt hub motor, it can achieve a maximum speed of 18.6 mph on its 12-inch wheels, contingent upon the weight load and speed, riders should get a range of around 20-25 miles distance. The scooter weighs just over 48 pounds and can be fully charged in approximately 5 hours. The handlebars on the C1S can fold down, and the baskets can be removed making it easy to store.

Despite its small size, the Turboant M10 Pro stands out with a top speed of 20 mph, which is impressive considering it has a single 350-watt motor. Its display is easily read and features a USB-A charging port for mobile devices. The scooter weighs just 36 pounds but can support up to 265 pounds. It rides on 8.5-inch tires and has an estimated range of 30 miles depending on terrain, weight and speed. Some riders may not achieve the maximum speed or range due to the low-watt motor. The design is clean, and the scooter is solidly built. You don’t usually get a lot of scooters at this price, but the design, features and performance of the M10 Pro make it a good low-cost commuter option.

The Solar P1 Pro is impressive on multiple levels. Powered by dual 2,000-watt motors, it boasts a top speed of 50 mph. It features rear signal lights, an audible horn, dual brightness modes on the headlight and two security options for turning the scooter on a numeric code or NFC. All this is available for $1,900. In terms of style, you can opt for the Tron edition, which has an illuminated ring around the deck in green, red, purple or blue. The display is large and bright enough to see in sunlight. The P1 Pro weighs 92 pounds and can support up to 330 pounds. Although I'm not 330 pounds, I'm not lightweight either, and this scooter easily handled my size, offering some serious torque.

Size vs. power

Shopping for a scooter may require some compromise. For example, while larger scooters may be ideal for long-distance travel, managing a 90-plus-pound scooter in a walk-up apartment is no fun. Conversely, while last-mile scooters are lighter and more portable, they typically lack the range and speed of larger models. They often slow down on steep inclines and typically lack any shock absorbers, making them less suitable for rough terrain.

Top speed

Considering a scooter with a low top speed to save on battery? While you might not need to hit 50 mph, faster scooters typically have larger batteries. Riding a 50 mph scooter at around 25 mph will likely only need to be charged once a week. In contrast, a scooter with a top speed of 25 mph that you continuously run at full speed may require daily charging.

Range

The travel range provided by manufacturers is an estimate based on a rider of a certain weight (typically 180 pounds), traveling at a set speed (usually 15 mph) on a level, smooth surface. Terrain, wind and heavy loads all play a role in how far you'll go on a single charge. Also, like a car, the faster you go, the quicker an electric scooter's battery will drain.

Protect yourself

Whether you choose a scooter or a bike, always remember to wear a helmet. Growing up as a teen in New York, I only wore a helmet on the track. A friend's advice changed my perspective: people weren't texting and driving back then. We all need to look out for ourselves. Happy riding, and stay safe out there.

We update this list regularly, and below are answers to some of the most common electric scooter questions.

Most models are what we'd call "last-mile" scooters; they're for short trips and rarely have suspensions. They have a smaller deck and wheels and can go from 15 to 25 mph depending on the model. Some larger scooters have bigger wheels, bigger batteries and shocks, and can go more than 40 mph.

No, but note that applies to electric scooters, not mopeds. The rule is that if it has a VIN, it must be registered, and you need a driver's license (depending on your state). Electric scooters can be used on bike paths but can not exceed local speed limits. For example, that's 15 mph in New York, and the scooter must weigh under 100 pounds.

A last-mile scooter is an electric scooter designed for short-distance transportation, typically covering the "last mile" of a person's journey. It refers to the final leg of a trip, such as commuting from a train station to an office or navigating through crowded urban areas. Last mile scooters are lightweight, portable and often foldable, allowing users to easily carry them when not in use. They are popular for their convenience, eco-friendliness and ability to navigate congested city streets quickly.

Scooters are easier to store and easier to bring on a bus or train. Last-mile scooters tend to weigh around 26 to 40 pounds, and with the collapsible handle, they're much easier to tote around. For example, here in NYC, many establishments will let you bring a scooter inside, whereas no bicycles are allowed.