The 11 Best Commuter Electric Scooters

Unagi E500- Monthly Rental Option $55/month

Why We like the Unagi:

• Easy entry to the world of electric scooters at $55 a month
• The speed goes up to 20.0 mph, enough speed to get you going throughout the campus
• Super lightweight 
• Stylish aesthetics

Previously, your options were A–purchase the electric scooter, and B–rent the scooter. Then Unagi came up with a business model that almost sounded too good to be real, option C–the monthly rental option. 

A little more on Unagi’s monthly rental ownership model.

• No commitment subscription
• Monthly rental fee of $55 a month
• Insurance against damages and highly affordable add-on anti-theft insurance is available
• Cancel any-time policy

And, ESG offers an exclusive coupon code for one month free off your Unagi subscription.

Use “ESGHALF” for half off your first month!

Besides that, you will get an electric scooter that is perfect for quick, short commutes, giving you a max speed of 20.0 mph and a battery that covers 8.5 miles max range in top performance mode. And you will do so on one of the most stylish electric scooters we have on the market.

The Unagi electric scooter weighs 28.6 lbs, which is light enough to carry around campus and up the stairs to your hostel. It also folds down to small dimensions, allowing it to fit in cramped spaces.

Another big one for us is the dual 250 W motors that give the electric scooter impeccable hill-climbing ability. On our standard 200.0 ft 10% hill climb, the Unagi sustained a speed of 10.9 mph. It also has decent acceleration and took only 4.4 seconds to reach 15.0 mph. 

The ride is not too shabby. The Unagi comes with 7.5-inch honeycomb tires, which are maintenance-free since you can’t get a flat on them. The air pockets also cushion your ride in the absence of suspension. Note that suspension is not common in this class of electric scooters since it adds greatly to the overall weight of the electric scooter–and that’s counterintuitive for a portable commuter.

Apollo City Pro

Why We Like the Apollo City Pro

• When riding this electric scooter, it’s not going to knock your socks off with the speed 
• You can instantly feel the quality while riding
• App gives it that next-level boost 
• Suspension can handle almost all types of roads
• Great variable regen and dual drum brakes

It has been called the most integrated electric scooter of the year 2022–and with good reason. The dual motor City is an Apollo in-house design with the rider experience in mind. You can tell this by the clean design and the easy-to-use interface.

The following are features on the City 2022 that make riding just that much more fun:

• The City Pro has one of the fastest setups out of the box
• Turn signals within reach of the thumb. They beep when on, just so you don’t forget to turn them off. They also self-cancel once they’ve been on for a while–in case the beeping doesn’t get to you.
• The App experience is one of the best. It has an accurate range remaining counter and can be used to dial in the acceleration and braking intensity, among other things
• Strong and functional front and rear fender 
• The 3 Amp fast charger charges the battery quickly in 4 hour
• The charge port cover flaps back in place when not in use
• It has a robust kickstand

The City Pro is fast, at 18.3 mph against a manufacturer-stated 32.0 mph. On full battery charge, the 864 wh battery will take you as far as 22.7 miles. And thanks to the dual motors, the City Pro has no problem going up hills–we managed to reach the top of our hill test in just 10.1 seconds.

The ride feels incredible–thanks to the 10.0-inch, tubeless, puncture-proof tires. We put the claim to the test, and the tires are really impervious to punctures. You also get dual, front and rear suspension and a wide deck measuring 19.0 inches x 7.8-inches. The handlebar is delightfully high at 41.5-inches, which works well with bigger taller riders.

Unlike the original City, the Pro comes with a high-mounted headlight. For added safety, it also comes with a strong front and rear drum brake + regenerative braking. And, the electric scooter is rated IP56 for all-weather riding–the highest water protection in our database. If you have a little extra in your budget, then the City Pro is a great electric scooter.

Taur

Why We Like the Taur

• The foot deck is weird at first, but it’s nice
• It folds straight up to make it even more portable (bonus for commutes, train, bus, and office space
• Great night light for when your work/school day is over
• Awesome cockpit 
• The 12.5-inch air-filled tires
  

Taur is a great new scooter for commuting that’s trying to reinvent the scope of what e-scooters should be. Carson Brown, a Co-founder, says that the Taur is the scooter parallel for bike and car ownership, since it’s that efficient and practical. But enough about how unique the Taur is, let’s see what exactly sets it apart from your regular e-scooter.

• Foot platforms instead of the regular deck. They are made of aluminum alloy and lined with a high-grip surface. The parallel platforms allow stable weight distribution and fold up when not in use.
• The scooter has some large 12.5-inch continental, puncture-resistant, kevlar-reinforced wheels. They feature deep tread cuts that give you one-of-a-kind traction–and being a UK-made electric scooter, the thought behind it was especially for rainy day rides.
• The frame is recyclable–which we absolutely love. It is also robust, lightweight and features a matte-powder coating for that sophisticated finish. The electric scooter has a uniquely steep steering angle that offers better stability at high speeds or over obstacles.
• The headlight is 300 lumen—high-powered directional beam. Along the sides is a 240-degree frosted light. And at the tail end is a night projector that shines onto the rider’s back, coupled with the rear light.
• The battery is 50.2 V, 405 wh, with high-performance cells. The battery management system works great and can accurately calculate the remaining range. What’s more, it charges from zero to full in under 3 hrs.
• The scooter is optimized for storage. You can store it head first on its bull-horn handlebars.
• The cockpit features a pixel display, and the electric scooter receives over-the-air updates through the robust user app.
• The control comes in the form of a 5-way joystick rather than the standard buttons.

Taur is here to solve most of the problems experienced by scooter owners and renters by giving us a scooter with a longer lifespan,follows the requirements of most regulators, a premium scooter that is relatively affordable and an electric scooter that just feels good to ride.

Emove Cruiser

Why We Like the EMOVE Cruiser

•  One of the older e-scooters on this list, but other scooters still fail to hit the commuter accolades this scooter can.
• The ULTRA COMMUTER, hands down
• The Cruiser can last in a rain storm and goes as far as you need
• Great speed
• Superb braking from the mechanical disc brakes
• Supremely high rider weight for a commuter

For what you pay to get this scooter, it’s still baffling the immense value you get. The 2021 EMOVE Cruiser is a 1000 w single, rear-wheel drive electric scooter that seems to do everything. Everything, including going out in the rain, thanks to the IPX6 rating. 

First, you can’t do better than the Cruiser in terms of range per dollar. The Cruiser has the 6th longest range we’ve tested–going as far as 47.0 miles on a single charge. This range can be attributed to the 52 V, 1560 wh, LG MJ1 battery, with energy efficient 21700 cells. It does take 9-12 hrs to reach full charge–but that’s a small price to pay for the miles you’ll get out of it.

The Cruiser is a performance beast, hitting a maximum speed of 30.5 mph and taking only 3.8 seconds to reach 15.0 mph. And with such great top speed, we expect even better braking, which the Cruiser delivers with an incredible 10.4 ft stopping distance from 15 mph. This incredible braking is thanks to the scooter’s long wheelbase, the lower center of gravity, and the dual hybrid XTECH hydraulic disc brakes.

The e-scooter has the highest hill-climb speed on a single motor scooter, reaching the top of our 200.0 ft, 10% hill climb in just 12.2 seconds. But what’s even more interesting is the rider weight capacity on this scooter–a whopping 353.0 lbs. The big dawgs will definitely love this one, and even more so since the ride is comfortable thanks to the front spring suspension and rear air shocks.

The e-scooter also comes with plug-and-play cabling, which facilitates the application of some of the mods. The available mods include a twist throttle, thumb throttle, rear grab handle, a trunk kit, a seat, and adjustable handlebars. Therefore, you get to customize your ride to your exact liking. The electric scooter also comes in 5 colors–orange, black, purple, white, and red.

EMOVE Roadrunner 

Why We Love the EMOE Roadrunner

• Genuine car replacement, indeed. This is a Vespa/e-bike alternative. 
• The Roadrunner is the best for long commutes. 
• You can sit down and ride without the stress on your legs 
• Carry a spare battery for double the range
• A lovely, fun ride

This is a great alternative to an e-bike and actually gets confused for one. But this e-scooter has foot pegs, not pedals, as your bike would. With that out of the way, let’s get right into what Voro Motors has given us with the EMOVE Road Runner. 

The Roadrunner electric scooter is a dual motor, 350 W, with a peak motor power of 850W. It is a great seated scooter whose seat is padded with memory foam for extra comfort. The scooter is comfortable to ride thanks to the 14.0-inch pneumatic inner tube tires and front fork suspension that dampens road vibrations.

The e-scooter comes with a powerful 1253 wh battery with enough juice to ride 33.0 miles on a single charge. And if that’s not enough, the scooter’s battery is removable, allowing you to extend the range by another 33.0 miles–luckily, the battery doesn’t weigh too much at 15.0 lbs (the weight of three college textbooks).

The Roadrunner e-scooter is fast–going to a max speed of 35.5 mph and accelerating from 0 to 15 in just 3.9 seconds. The thumb throttle is smooth and intuitive to use, even for new riders. The scooter is also great on hills, reaching the top of our 200.0 ft 10% hill test in just 11.8 seconds.

Braking is world-class on the Roadrunner. The front and rear semi-hydraulic disc brakes bring the scooter to a stop from 15.0 mph in just 10.4 ft. And there’s no regen, so the harder you brake, the faster you stop.

The electric scooter has a weight capacity of 330.0 lbs, and the handlebar height and angle are adjustable–meaning you can customize the ride to your preference.

Apollo Air

Why We Love the Apollo Air

• Runs on plush 10.0 inch tires
• Has suspension
• Strong regen braking
• One of the best apps

Apollos’ entry e-scooter, Apollo Air, is not the most budget-friendly, but if you are a new rider looking for something premium out the gate, this is for you. The Air 2022 is Apollo’s retake at the original Air, which we already loved. The scooter looks even more high-end in the dashing graphite gray color scheme. But it’s not just the looks and sleek design–the performance is great as well.

The ride is comfortable–and is one of the best rides you can get for under $ 1000. The electric scooter rolls on plush, Aramid-reinforced inner tube tires, which gives both a smooth and puncture-resistant ride. This is complemented by the motorcycle-style dual front fork suspension that do a pretty good job at absorbing road shocks.

The electric scooter gets even better with its super wide handlebars that sit a perfect 40.0-inches above the deck. The deck is a good size for most riders’ feet, measuring 19.5 inches x 7.0-inches, and tapers towards the end, making for a very neat riding platform. You can also engage cruise control and take your thumb off the throttle to enjoy the ride a little more.

Performance is also good–with the 500W powerful motor propelling the Air to a speed of up to 19.9 mph. You also get the convenience of a 540 wh battery with energy-dense 21700 cells that give a 19.5-mile range on a single charge, and a longer battery life. On the other hand, the well-executed regen plus drum brake combo gives you formidable stopping–going from 15.0 mph to 0 in just 10.4 ft.

Other than that, the Air has one of the best app support on an entry level. The app does all that it’s meant to and more. You get to see the remaining charge and can even get over-the-air firmware updates for your scooter. The Air is an e-scooter worth the investment.

NIU KQi2 Pro

Why We Love About the KQi2 Pro

• It is pretty much the best under $ 600
• Great looks
• Great warranty 

NIU is one of the new kids on the block–but with four incredible releases, we’ll have to stop calling them ‘new.’ NIU brought their design experience from building moped-style scooters to the kick-scooter industry, and they’ve been crushing it with their commuter models. The KQi2 Pro kick scooter, especially, stands out as the best value for money under $ 600.

The KQi2 doesn’t look or feel cheap. In fact, NIU believes in their scooter so much that they give you a comprehensive 2-year warranty, which covers even the most expensive parts on an electric scooter, a.k.a., the controller, dash, and battery. 

The ride quality is something that really sells the KQi2 Pro. The scooter’s 10.0 inch x 2.3 inch tires absorb road imperfections while ensuring that you do not experience pinch flats. Besides that, you get large handlebars and a large rake angle that ensure stability and a wobble-free ride.

Performance is great for its price. In sport mode, you get an ESG-certified top speed of 16.3 mph. You can set the riding mode to 3 predetermined max speeds or customize your very own mode in the app. Beginners are put through a compulsory app tutorial that caps the speed at 6.0 mph and only unlocks after one is through with the tutorial. There is no zero-start, which expert riders might not like so much.

The 48 v, 365 wh battery gives you 15.7 miles on a single charge, which is a best-in-class for the KQi2. Another excellent feature is the small drum brake up-front working with the rear regen to deliver a short braking distance of 14.1 ft. The throttle is smooth and gradual, getting you to 15.0 mph in 7.6 seconds.

A staple on NIU electric scooters is the always-on, high-mounted halo light that ensures your night rides are as safe as can be. The dash is bright and easy to read, showing you all your vital stats. Besides that, you get an IP54 resting that ensures you can still ride when caught in light showers or ride through shallow puddles.

For riders under 220.0 lbs on a budget, this is the best electric scooter.

Hiboy S2

What We Love About the Hiboy S2

• Ultra budget – cheapest we recommend
• Fastest affordable scooter
• Great performance stats
• Rear Suspension 

It’s almost impossible to believe that the Hiboy S2 retails for under $ 500. The scooter over-delivers on the basics, which is why we’re relentless in recommending it for anyone on a really strained budget. Now, you need to remember that this is a budget offering, and it will offer ‘budget’ in some areas.

Starting with the scooter’s superpower, the scooter hits a max speed of 19.0 mph. This is excellent speed per dollar and per pound (31.9 lbs). It accelerates to 15.0 mph in just 6.2 seconds and brakes from 15.0 mph in 14.6 ft. The 270 wh battery gives you just 12.7 miles of range, which makes its 6-hour charge time quite bothersome. But, the scooter is better on hills than even electric scooters that double in price.

The ride itself is decent for a budget electric scooter. The e-scooter runs on 8.5-inch honeycomb tires, which are less stiff than their fully solid counterparts. The tires plus the rear shocks make riding over cracked City tracks a breeze. However, the 17-inch x 6-inch deck, with a 38.0-inch handlebar height, can be limiting for bigger individuals, despite the 265.0 lbs weight limit.

The kickstand is solid, but the fenders are a little rattly on the go. You might also need to lean back hard when braking. And you might need a reflector jacket or aftermarket reflective strip for night riding in the absence of a tail/ rear brake light.