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In major cities across the world, the use of electric scooters has shifted out of the playground and onto the pavement. Advances in both battery technology and product engineering mean these quick and compact commuters are easy to store in the smallest of car boots. They can allow you to park more cheaply or even for free a fair distance away from your ultimate destination and then scoot the remaining way.
In addition, electric scooters are perfect for getting around event campsites, race tracks and shows. We charged up six of the best on the market, and then put them to the test to see which is the one to stash in your car’s luggage space.
• Product Awards 2019
How we tested them
All the scooters used in this trial were first charged overnight and then ridden over a test course of three miles around a private estate. We figured this would simulate an average commute. Two riders – one weighing 79kg and the other 90kg – then tried to ride up a four per cent slope to see whether the scooters would manage to ascend minor hills without any assistance.
Additional points were awarded for models that were easy and quick to fold and load into a car’s luggage area. We found that some of the scooters are available at lower prices from overseas websites – but it’s worth checking the warranty and parts-supply situation before choosing one of these vendors over a UK-based company.
Verdict
The Xiaomi M365 is a great all-rounder that does everything you need at a good price, so it takes the win here. However, if we were regularly riding for longer than a couple of miles or needed to climb hills, we would be tempted to make the investment and go for the Zero 9. The gadget-laden Ninebot takes the final spot on our podium.
Xiaomi M365
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £399
Scooter weight: 12.5kg
Maximum rider weight: 100kg
Range (claimed): 18 miles
Rating: 5/5
The M365 is the world’s best-selling electric scooter – and it’s easy to see why. It handled our hill test with no problems, and the pneumatic tyres did a reasonable job of soaking up bumps, even without suspension. There’s no fancy LCD display, but there is a smartphone app to control and monitor functions.
Unlike some of the scooters here it uses a conventional bike-style brake lever, which felt more natural than a thumb switch. It’s not the lightest, fastest or best equipped, but it does everything at a reasonable price.
Buy now from Halfords
Zero 9
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £995
Scooter weight: 18kg
Maximum rider weight: 110kg
Range (claimed): 27 miles
Rating: 4.5/5
Aimed at the rider who will need to use their scooter every day, the Zero 9 is nicely built and boasts a 600W motor – more than twice the power of most rivals here. To handle the speed it has twin brakes, including a front disc. With front and rear suspension, along with pneumatic tyres, it gave us a smooth ride. It handled our hill easily, even with the heavier rider.
At 18kg, the scooter itself is on the heavy side, but it folds down easily to a boot-friendly size. If you intend to ride a lot, saving up for the Zero 9 might be worthwhile - however, there's also the new Zero 9E model which features a detuned battery and comes in around £200 cheaper.
Buy now from Personal Electric Transport
Ninebot Segway ES2
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £399
Scooter weight: 12.5kg
Maximum rider weight: 100kg
Range (claimed): 15 miles
Rating: 4/5
The Ninebot ES2 is packed with all sorts of gadgets. There’s a smartphone app that can control various functions and even change the colour of the lights under the deck. More useful are the comprehensive LCD display, easily accessible charger port on the handlebar stem and lever that makes folding easy.
It managed our tests without issue, but we found the brakes tricky, making the scooter hard to balance going around corners. It’s a good product, and has recently reduced in price to compete with the similar-looking M365.
Buy now from Segway
Zero 10X
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £1,595
Scooter weight: 35kg
Maximum rider weight: 150kg
Range (claimed): 60 miles
Rating: 4/5
In size, looks and performance, the Zero 10X is at the extreme end of the scooter world. The 10X has two 1,000-watt motors, two-wheel drive and can top 40mph. It hardly noticed the test hill and could actually spin both its wheels. At 130cm long and weighing 35kg, it’s not the sort of thing you’d want to be lifting often, though.
Its sheer size also means it looks more like a vehicle than a toy, so it is unlikely to be welcomed in public places. If you have a private estate to ride around, however, it’s sure to be great fun.
Buy now from Personal Public Transport
Micro Merlin
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £799
Scooter weight: 11kg
Maximum rider weight: 100kg
Range (claimed): 15 miles
Rating: 3.5/5
The Micro Merlin does everything well, and it has some useful features, too. These include a full-LCD display, cruise control, automatic lights and folding handlebars that make it far easier to store in a confined space. At 11kg, it’s light, too. Solid tyres mean there are no punctures to worry about, but with suspension on both wheels, the ride is still comfortable enough.
It made good progress up our four per cent test hill, even with the heavier rider on board. We really liked the Merlin, but it doesn’t look great value in this company.
Buy now from Micro Scooters
Razor E-Prime
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £299
Scooter weight: 9.8kg
Maximum rider weight: 80kg
Range (claimed): 15 miles
Rating: 3/5
Despite its lightweight, the Razor looks well made – but with no suspension and solid tyres, it’s uncomfortable on anything except the smoothest roads. It is also held back by a maximum rider weight of 80kg. As a result, the Razor didn’t manage our four per cent test hill, even with our 79kg rider.
The low price means you can’t expect much equipment, either, with no lights and a basic battery-level display. However, it is very well priced in this company, and could well make sense for lighter riders who mainly scoot on smooth surfaces.
Buy now from Halfords
Continue reading...
In addition, electric scooters are perfect for getting around event campsites, race tracks and shows. We charged up six of the best on the market, and then put them to the test to see which is the one to stash in your car’s luggage space.
• Product Awards 2019
How we tested them
All the scooters used in this trial were first charged overnight and then ridden over a test course of three miles around a private estate. We figured this would simulate an average commute. Two riders – one weighing 79kg and the other 90kg – then tried to ride up a four per cent slope to see whether the scooters would manage to ascend minor hills without any assistance.
Additional points were awarded for models that were easy and quick to fold and load into a car’s luggage area. We found that some of the scooters are available at lower prices from overseas websites – but it’s worth checking the warranty and parts-supply situation before choosing one of these vendors over a UK-based company.
Verdict
The Xiaomi M365 is a great all-rounder that does everything you need at a good price, so it takes the win here. However, if we were regularly riding for longer than a couple of miles or needed to climb hills, we would be tempted to make the investment and go for the Zero 9. The gadget-laden Ninebot takes the final spot on our podium.
- 1. Xiaomi M365
- 2. Zero 9
- 3. Ninebot Segway ES2
Xiaomi M365
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £399
Scooter weight: 12.5kg
Maximum rider weight: 100kg
Range (claimed): 18 miles
Rating: 5/5
The M365 is the world’s best-selling electric scooter – and it’s easy to see why. It handled our hill test with no problems, and the pneumatic tyres did a reasonable job of soaking up bumps, even without suspension. There’s no fancy LCD display, but there is a smartphone app to control and monitor functions.
Unlike some of the scooters here it uses a conventional bike-style brake lever, which felt more natural than a thumb switch. It’s not the lightest, fastest or best equipped, but it does everything at a reasonable price.
Buy now from Halfords
Zero 9
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £995
Scooter weight: 18kg
Maximum rider weight: 110kg
Range (claimed): 27 miles
Rating: 4.5/5
Aimed at the rider who will need to use their scooter every day, the Zero 9 is nicely built and boasts a 600W motor – more than twice the power of most rivals here. To handle the speed it has twin brakes, including a front disc. With front and rear suspension, along with pneumatic tyres, it gave us a smooth ride. It handled our hill easily, even with the heavier rider.
At 18kg, the scooter itself is on the heavy side, but it folds down easily to a boot-friendly size. If you intend to ride a lot, saving up for the Zero 9 might be worthwhile - however, there's also the new Zero 9E model which features a detuned battery and comes in around £200 cheaper.
Buy now from Personal Electric Transport
Ninebot Segway ES2
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £399
Scooter weight: 12.5kg
Maximum rider weight: 100kg
Range (claimed): 15 miles
Rating: 4/5
The Ninebot ES2 is packed with all sorts of gadgets. There’s a smartphone app that can control various functions and even change the colour of the lights under the deck. More useful are the comprehensive LCD display, easily accessible charger port on the handlebar stem and lever that makes folding easy.
It managed our tests without issue, but we found the brakes tricky, making the scooter hard to balance going around corners. It’s a good product, and has recently reduced in price to compete with the similar-looking M365.
Buy now from Segway
Zero 10X
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £1,595
Scooter weight: 35kg
Maximum rider weight: 150kg
Range (claimed): 60 miles
Rating: 4/5
In size, looks and performance, the Zero 10X is at the extreme end of the scooter world. The 10X has two 1,000-watt motors, two-wheel drive and can top 40mph. It hardly noticed the test hill and could actually spin both its wheels. At 130cm long and weighing 35kg, it’s not the sort of thing you’d want to be lifting often, though.
Its sheer size also means it looks more like a vehicle than a toy, so it is unlikely to be welcomed in public places. If you have a private estate to ride around, however, it’s sure to be great fun.
Buy now from Personal Public Transport
Micro Merlin
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £799
Scooter weight: 11kg
Maximum rider weight: 100kg
Range (claimed): 15 miles
Rating: 3.5/5
The Micro Merlin does everything well, and it has some useful features, too. These include a full-LCD display, cruise control, automatic lights and folding handlebars that make it far easier to store in a confined space. At 11kg, it’s light, too. Solid tyres mean there are no punctures to worry about, but with suspension on both wheels, the ride is still comfortable enough.
It made good progress up our four per cent test hill, even with the heavier rider on board. We really liked the Merlin, but it doesn’t look great value in this company.
Buy now from Micro Scooters
Razor E-Prime
Razor E-Prime Price: around £299 Scooter weight: 9.8kg Maximum rider weight: 80kg Range (claimed):&nb
Xiaomi M365 Price: around £399 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nb
Micro Merlin Price: around £799 Scooter weight: 11kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):&nbs
Ninebot Segway ES2 Price: around £499 Scooter weight: 12.5kg Maximum rider weight: 100kg Range (claimed):figcaption>
Zero 9 Price: around £995 Scooter weight: 18kg Maximum rider weight: 110kg Range (claimed): 27 m
Best electric scooters - header
Zero 10X Price: around £1,595 Scooter weight: 35kg Maximum rider weight: 150kg Range (claimed):
Price: around £299
Scooter weight: 9.8kg
Maximum rider weight: 80kg
Range (claimed): 15 miles
Rating: 3/5
Despite its lightweight, the Razor looks well made – but with no suspension and solid tyres, it’s uncomfortable on anything except the smoothest roads. It is also held back by a maximum rider weight of 80kg. As a result, the Razor didn’t manage our four per cent test hill, even with our 79kg rider.
The low price means you can’t expect much equipment, either, with no lights and a basic battery-level display. However, it is very well priced in this company, and could well make sense for lighter riders who mainly scoot on smooth surfaces.
Buy now from Halfords
Continue reading...