The Best Electric Scooter in 2022 - Who Has Time for Traffic Jams?

Best known as a smartphone manufacturer, Xiaomi is basically the ACME of Chinese brands. If you’re too young to have grown up with Wile-E-Coyote, that means Xiaomi makes practically everything. From selfie sticks to TVs and air purifiers, if it’s a smart device, there’s bound to be one with a Xiaomi logo on it. The same goes for adult electric scooters: Xiaomi Mi Pro 2 has become synonymous with these moving gadgets. Smartphones notwithstanding, this is probably the best-selling Xiaomi product.

There are many reasons to crown the Mi Pro 2 as the best electric scooter right now: It’s fast, with a top speed of 15.5 mph, won’t run out of juice even on longer rides, and it’s easy to carry around when it’s not carrying you around. The new generation of batteries in Xiaomi electric-powered scooters holds its charge for nearly 30 miles, which is more than enough for a full round-trip to the office, even if you’re driving over slopes. Speed freaks will find a lot to love with this scooter, too. You won’t be breaking any records, but you’ll still be zooming around with ease. This reliable electric scooter comes with three modes that determine its speed limit and ensure a smooth ride throughout.

The Mi Pro 2 is a top electric scooter, thanks to its safety features. It’s not just that the battery affords an impressive maximum range - it will also supply intense lights that make you clearly visible to other traffic participants. The rear lights are more prominent and bright than on previous models, and this new electric scooter from Xiaomi is equipped with several reflectors on all sides - nightriders will especially appreciate that.

The brakes have also gotten an upgrade: Now, there is an E-ABS regenerative brake on both wheels, paired with a strong disc brake in the rear wheel. The braking system activates them one by one to avoid drifting and reduce the time needed for a complete stop. Unfortunately, both front and rear suspension are missing from this scooter, but you can get additional upgrades to correct that, especially if you use your scooter for everyday riding.

It’s also the best budget electric scooter right now. Priced at the lower end of the commuter class, Xiaomi Mi Pro 2 is an excellent value proposition when we consider all of its features and the quality of the materials Xiaomi used.

Segway was a pioneer in the electric vehicle era and has since become synonymous with alternative transportation methods. Today, this company also makes the best electric scooter for commuting - the Segway Ninebot Air T15.

One look at this e-scooter, and you’ll know it’s a Segway product. Smooth lines, futuristic designs, and the black-and-white color scheme are practically company trademarks in the electric scooter world. Its screen is seamlessly integrated into the handlebar, presenting all the relevant information about current speed and remaining battery power. 

This is also the only scooter with retractable handlebars, and folding the scooter in half makes them self-retract. This innovative approach truly makes the Segway Ninebot Air the best foldable electric scooter today and turns storage issues and difficult packaging into a thing of the past. However, this comes at a price - as most lightweight scooters, the Ninebot Air has foregone suspension, and thus reduced ride quality, as well.

Let’s take a look at its driving performance: The Ninebot Air T15 has four speed modes, and the Standard riding mode is recommended for daily use. Its top speed is 12.4 mph, but that’s only available in Sport mode. The battery has less than half of Xiaomi’s capacity, so the range you’ll get on a full charge is significantly shorter, especially if you ride through strong winds or up a slope. Still, these limitations won’t affect the average commuter much, and - we can’t emphasize this enough - this is the most portable electric scooter, so some downsides in terms of motor power are to be expected.

Though it may not be a road hog, Segway’s scooter doesn’t skimp on safety. Strong LED lights, both front and back, provide excellent visibility of the road ahead and the rider for other traffic participants. The electronic brakes are coupled with a rear fender brake for secure and quick stopping power. With sturdy wheels and a water-proof chassis, this scooter has a long lifespan.

This is not a particularly affordable scooter, but you won’t need to get a loan, either; still, this is Segway’s best electric scooter, and the price reflects the build quality for those intending to use this scooter every day. If that sounds like you, it would probably be worth it.

Kaabo Mantis 8 is just what you need if you are looking for a performance-oriented electric scooter. The first thing you’ll notice besides the great-looking design are the shock absorbers, as this scooter comes equipped with dual suspension. After all, Kaabo is known for producing top-notch e-scooters for off-road conditions.

This electric scooter packs a punch, too: It’s equipped with two 500 W engines, making it one of the top electric scooters for adults. You can switch between the dual motors engineered for performance and a single motor for a power-saving ride. The brushless motor hubs located within the front and the back wheels can pull off a top speed of 25 mph and even handle 20-degree inclines.

So, the speeds are incredible, but what about range? To stay competitive with other electric scooters, going the distance is all but mandatory. Thankfully, the Mantis 8 can breeze through 24.8 miles on a single charge, and it only takes up to three hours to fully charge the built-in 48 V 13 Ah lithium-ion battery and get this impressive range back.

The Mantis 8 frame is a single-forged 6082 aluminum alloy frame designed to be light but durable. Therefore, you get what you’d expect from a candidate for the best adult electric scooter around: Portability and endurance, all in one package. While heavier than most electric scooters at 53 lbs, the Mantis 8 can carry up to 264 lbs in rider weight.

Road safety is not something you should ever ignore. The scooter has deck lights in the form of LED strips along both sides and even brighter LEDs in front and back. Even though these lights do a good enough job, it’s still advisable to have a high-mounted light and a rear blinking taillight if you plan to drive in dimly lit areas.

One other feature that every electric scooter review needs to consider is portability. Thankfully, Mantis 8 can be neatly folded to take up only 23.6 by 45.6 inches, so you can easily store it, even if space is tight.

If you are still on the fence about whether the Mantis 8 is the right scooter for you, consider the following features: Disk brakes with ABS, a sine-wave controller, and 8-inch wide-tread tires, all in a slick all-black or black-and-red package.

The top-rated e-scooter among the younger crowd, the Levy Electric Scooter boasts an attractive design coupled with some practical advantages not found in most electric scooters. One particularly neat trick up its sleeve is the swappable battery pack, the first of its kind, which Levy proudly promotes as its biggest selling point.

It may not be a performance scooter, but it’s a solid choice overall. The top speed is slightly under 20 mph, it can cover 10 miles on a single charge, which is a decent range, and it even has a regenerative front brake that converts the stopping energy into battery charge. 

The replaceable battery is genuinely why we consider this the best electric scooter for teens. Young riders are more likely to take their scooters for long rides instead of a pre-calculated commute route, so carrying an extra battery pack doubles their achievable range. Of course, this can also be a commuter scooter, although it’s not as compact as Segway’s model. It is a lightweight electric scooter, however - among the lightest on this list.

The braking system is similar to what can be found in most models. You have an e-brake on the front and a dual braking system in the back, combining a fender and disc brake. The tubed air-filled tires provide a smooth ride and somewhat compensate for the lack of rear-spring suspension, but provide little protection from popping. Safety-wise, Levy’s model is pretty decent, but misses one feature we already mentioned in our scooter reviews - side reflectors. If you decide to purchase this model, be sure to also pick up some add-ons.

Compared to other scooters on the market, the Levy Electric Scooter is priced pretty much exactly as expected. It’s not the best budget electric scooter, but it’s a solid middle ground, even if you include the additional $149 for a backup battery. It’s a great purchase, though: Fast, charges quickly, and it just plain looks cool. All in all, the perfect gift for your teenager.

If you have money to spare and need the best electric scooter for under 1,200 euros (and just under $1,250), look no further than Unagi’s latest and greatest. The Model One E500 is pretty much a space shuttle among rechargeable scooters, designed to seem molded from a single piece of metal. You won’t go unnoticed when you take this baby for a ride, that’s for sure.

What makes this vehicle stand out among other e-scooters is the incredible build quality. We weren’t kidding when we compared it to space tech: Unagi uses the same carbon fiber that SpaceX rockets are made of. The board is hewn from a single piece of aluminum, with a smooth finish and impeccable design. A top e-scooter needs a top-notch handlebar, so Unagi used magnesium alloy with integrated controls. You won’t see any wires or bulky buttons that ruin the overall design.

It’s not all about the space-age looks, either. With 1,000 W of instant power, the Model One E500 battery can push the motor to a top speed of 20 mph. It has a decent range - 15.5 miles on a full charge - and three riding modes ensure you can optimize your battery life. The battery takes a while to charge, but just slightly longer than some other scooters mentioned here. And though it may not be the fastest electric scooter, it’s more than quick enough to get you where you need to go.

All that tech ensures your safety while riding, too: A gentle push on a lever that triggers the dual anti-lock brake is all it takes to halt the motor safely, or you can set up foot braking if that’s what you prefer. LED lights on the front and back of this scooter guarantee perfect visibility even at night. The side reflectors are discreet enough not to distract from the design but obvious enough to make you clearly visible in traffic. Finally, the wheels’ revolutionary design makes them puncture-proof while maintaining a smooth ride across all surfaces, as if you had air-filled pneumatic tires, but without the danger of getting a flat.

As you may have guessed from the SpaceX namedrop, an affordable e-scooter this is not, but the price isn’t that outrageous. Considering the materials used, design quality, and bleeding-edge motor and brake technology, as well as the more-than-comfortable ride it offers, the price is justified.

Do you have swag? Sorry, #SWAG. Is saying “swag” still a thing, anyway? It certainly is in Swagtron’s book, and this Indiana-based company specializes in anything with wheels and a unique design. The product we’ll be checking out today is the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite, the best electric scooter for under 600 dollars.

Let’s start with the pricing, then. This is clearly a budget electric scooter, and represents your most affordable ticket into this exciting world. The price is practically unbeatable, and it doesn’t mean that this scooter is bulkier or less durable than more expensive models. To be honest, it’s quite astonishing how Swagtron manages to produce it at such a competitive price.

You can expect to ride it for up to 11 miles on a full charge. Its max speed is above average at 18 mph, and the chassis can support up to 320 lbs of body weight. The price might make you think it’s just the best electric scooter for kids, but it’s an excellent vehicle for riders of any age. Hills are its Achilles heel, though. On a semi-steep incline, it will chug along at just under 6 mph, and it won’t really be a comfortable ride. Anything steeper, and you’re better off pushing this lightweight scooter manually.

The visuals on the Swagger 5 Elite drive the branding home. Red accents as far as the eye can see and a bar plastered with lettering don’t give off the most elegant impression, so it may not be for those looking for an understated solution. The wiring is also kind of exposed, so you’ll need to pay extra attention when folding this scooter; luckily, it won’t tangle up with the rear spring suspension, as this scooter doesn’t have one.

If you’re wavering now, let us again remind you of the price - the main reason all this swagger made it to our best electric scooter list. Even though it’s not a beauty or an exceptional climber, the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite is still one of the best scooter purchases you can make.