8 Best Electric Scooters Under $2000-Premium Electric Scooters

The Most Comfortable and Upgradable Sport Commuter Apollo Phantom V2

If you’re surprised to see Apollo’s flagship the Phantom V2 on a list of scooters that cost less than $2,000, so are we! But right now, they have both the hydraulic brake version and a variation that comes with a front and rear mechanical disc brake, for less than $2,000.

We love the Phantom for its ergonomic throttle, big deck, high-mounted headlight, and zero wobble stem that give the scooter a premium feel. But we also love that Apollo keeps releasing upgrade kits when they release a model update. So V1 owners could upgrade to V2, and soon V2 owners can update to V3 with its left-side throttle brake and Ludo mode. 

The kit is available for pre-order now.

Best for Acceleration and Cheapest SineWave-Controller Scooter–Solar P1 2.0

After hearing so much about Solar electric scooters, we’re glad not only to have our hands on a few of them but also with the fact that they’re finally making their debut in the US. Solar is a UK-based brand that’s breaking ground in the US. And we know you’ll wonder–no, the scooters are not powered by solar, but their warehouses in the UK and now in LA run on solar. We got our hands on the entry-level Solar E1, the high-performance FF Lite, and their popular entry-level performance scooter, the Solar P1 2.0, which is our focus today.

The base model Solar P1 2.0 electric scooter retails for $1,300. However, you can get yours with optional Tron lights for about $140 and an optional fingerprint scanner for $100. Getting yours fully specced out will set you back $1,540, and we’d advise you to just go for it. Reason? The optional fingerprint scanner also comes with sinewave controllers for the dual 1200 W (2400 w total) motors. 

The sinewave controllers are smooth and not laggy at all. From 0 to 15.0 mph, the scooter sprints in just 2.3 seconds, comparable to the beastly Segway GT1 and the Dualtron Victor Luxury. And through the scooter’s P-settings, you can further fine-tune the scooter’s Launch mode, comparable to other scooters’ boost modes. The only difference is that once you set Launch mode, it picks up every time you start the scooter and doesn’t go off till you go back in and do it manually.

Another reason to get the optional fingerprint scanner is for security, of course. We particularly love that it stores up to 10 fingerprints. Moreover, it also accommodates for a keyed ignition, giving you two levels of security. Getting this optional biometric unlock means that the Solar P1 2.0 becomes the cheapest scooter with sinewave controllers, and we love that such features are no longer just a reserve for high-end electric scooters.

The Tron lights are another must-have. They simply look fantastic around the deck–and their glow is unlike what you’re used to. They are not made of LED but a UK-made electroluminescent. Turning on the main headlight also turns them on. The headlight also impressed us with the option to have high beam, low beam, and flashing mode. You also get a rear light, brake light, and turn signals.

The scooter is a performer with a top speed of 40.0 mph that exactly matches the manufacturer’s specs. Nothing cheaper goes faster. The power of the 2400 w motors is also felt on hills, with a time of 8.8 seconds to the top of our 200.0 ft, 10% hill climb. This was another best in class. On the other hand, the 936 wh battery pushed the scooter as far as 25.8 miles, which is typical of this class of scooters. And finally, the dual mechanical disc brakes plus regenerative brakes brought the scooter to a stop in 10.9 ft from a speed of 15.0 mph.

We loved the ride quality. You don’t expect hydraulic shocks at this point, but the Solar P1 2.0 has two up front and one in the back. In addition, the scooter rolls on 10.0-inch, wide tubeless, hybrid offroad tires. If all that hasn’t sold you on the P1 2.0, how about the scooter’s limited 2-year warranty? In short, this is best e-scooter if you’re after value for money at this price.

The Synergy Aviator 2.0 for No Flat Tires, Solid Performance

Synergy is a brand with a heavy presence in Canada who’ve just entered the US market. They have a big line-up of electric scooters, but the first one that caught our attention was the Aviator 2.0. It’s an unusual spec: a powerful dual-motor scooter with solid tires, so it’s a good fit for people who want a scooter with dual-motor performance that will never get a flat tire. And to smooth out the ride from the solid tires, the Aviator 2.0 comes with a full suspension system you usually see on more expensive scooters: adjustable front and rear spring suspension with polyurethane bushings on the inside. 

The ride on the Aviator 2.0 is stable, and the throttle response is good, even with the p-settings maxed out. The 20.0 inch x 6.8 inch rubber deck is roomy enough and has a good grip. Speaking of grip, the ones on the handlebars are screwed in, so they don’t move, making for an incredible ride. And the sliding collars on the folding handlebars are easy to slide in and out of place, ensuring the bars stay in place when unfolded.

The Aviator e-scooter comes equipped with dual drum brakes, so you also don’t have to worry about bent rotors or brake adjustments either. They bring the scooter to a halt in a stopping distance of 10.7 ft from 15.0 mph. The powerful 1200W dual motors generate what feels like 2000 w peak motor power, which came in handy on our 200.0 ft 10% hill test, with the Aviator 2.0 clocking an easy 9.3 seconds to the top. The acceleration to 15.0 mph is more than adequate at 2.6 seconds, and the max speed is well above average at 27.2 mph.

This is the best electric scooter, if you want a low maintenance, high-speed, relatively affordable, lightweight dual motor scooter.

Voro’s EMOVE RoadRunner–The Best Seated E-scooter, with Speed and Range for Days

Voro’s seated masterpiece, the EMOVE RoadRunner, seems to find a spot on every list of best electric scooters, thanks to having high top speed, being ultimately easy to ride, having long range, and giving you a place to sit while you pile on the miles. And besides that, it has a high max rider weight capacity of 330.0 lbs, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The adjustable bars also make it ideal for the varying comfort of different rider heights.

The RoadRunner’s seated form is especially handy given if you pick up a spare battery because the Roadrunner lets you double or triple the range with a quick swap. The 1253 wh battery gives you a whopping 33.0 miles on a single charge and in max performance mode. It’s surprisingly stable all the way up to its 35.5 mph max speed thanks to its 14.5-inch tires and adjustable front fork spring suspension, and just a ton of fun to ride. 

As far as commuter scooters go, it doesn’t get better than the RoadRunner. So, for anyone that wants to retain the riding ergonomics of an e-bike but without that pesky pedaling, the RoadRunner is the best electric scooter for you.

The Emove Roadrunner now has an upgraded version – the Emove Roadrunner Pro. We recently had the opportunity to review it and were thoroughly impressed. If you want to learn more about this impressive scooter, check out our video:

Uscooters GT Sport–A Casual Commuter with Ultimate Portability

Uscooters is a brand known for long-term reliability and high speed-to-weight ratio scooters. But it is their 30.0 mph GT Sport version that really broke the barrier on how fast and light an ultraportable scooter can be, coming in at a tested weight of only 29.6 lbs. The GT Sport’s foldable handlebars, telescopic stem, and small deck and tire dimensions make it one of the easiest scooters to bring into the office and one of the easiest to take multi-modal, like on a bus or in an Uber. 

The GT Sport is one of the more expensive ultra-portable scooters out there, but that’s because it uses premium Samsung battery cells. Premium cells beat generic cells since they guarantee longer battery life. And the large 504 wh battery capacity on this tiny scooter gives it an extended range of 13.8 miles. The extra power is especially handy given the high 275.0-lbs rider weight capacity. However, the ride may feel a bit stiff since the GT Sport comes with small, 8.0-inch solid rubber tires that are not efficient at absorbing vibrations. But you do get a basic front and rear suspension installation that helps with larger bumps.

Despite the trade-offs for portability, the scooter has perks like a Bluetooth app that lets you activate zero start, adjust riding modes, change units on the dash, lock the scooter, and turn the lights on and off. It has an IPX5 rating and has the added benefit of having a cruise control function. You also get separate levers for the drum and electronic brakes.

It is the best electric scooter, if you’re just looking for an affordable, basic commuter.

Big Performance and Huge Fun at a Bargain–The Apollo Ghost 2022

In 2022, Apollo went in-house with their designs and revamped all their existing scooters. It felt great to see some totally awesome scooters get much-needed upgrades instead of the usual rolling out of new models with so much potential lying with the existing ones. The Apollo Ghost received several upgrades, making it much more efficient than its 2021 predecessor. And with just a price difference of $150, it was interesting to see how the two Ghosts pitted against each other. Here’s our take.

The 2022 Ghost e-scooter received motor power upgrades from the dual 800 w to dual 1000 w. Apollo also slightly improved the controllers, so naturally, there was some effect on power. On hills, the 2022 Ghost was just a bit faster, scaling our 200.0 ft, 10% hill in 8.5 seconds over the original Ghost’s 8.7 seconds. Also, when riding the two, you get to feel the improved efficiency and, more so, for the heavier riders.

With this new power, Apollo also had to reinforce the scooter’s build to ensure durability. This came in the form of a thicker reinforced stem that is responsible for a more solid riding experience. The tire rims on the 2022 Ghost are also 50% thicker and made of stronger alloy, reducing the chances of wear and tear. 

The range also benefited from the improved efficiency, and the 2022 Ghost electric scooter travels 24.8 miles on a single charge, which is ideal for most commuters. The ride is fun–especially due to the increased stability. The middle of the scooter’s large deck could use more grip tape to better the grip, but that’s an easy fix. And the 10.0-inch air-filled tires and the front and rear spring suspension come in quite handy in ensuring a smooth ride.

If you weigh 165.0 lbs and below and you watched our video review of the Apollo Ghost 2022, Paul promised to give you tips on how to fix the suspension to suit your rider weight. Here’s the tip:

“My favorite mod for the Ghost is to add a small rubber washer and metal washer to the top of the bolts for the suspension spring. This keeps the suspension from clunking when it reaches the top of travel. The trick is finding washers that fit into the space between the spring-bolt and the top of the swingarm. You can add a stack of rubber washers for more cushion. It’s best to use washers with fibers embedded in them, otherwise they will pop off. I’ve even seen folks work a small spring into that space, but I’ve not tried this.”

“My favorite mod for the Ghost is to add a small rubber washer and metal washer to the top of the bolts for the suspension spring. This keeps the suspension from clunking when it reaches the top of travel. The trick is finding washers that fit into the space between the spring-bolt and the top of the swingarm. You can add a stack of rubber washers for more cushion. It’s best to use washers with fibers embedded in them, otherwise they will pop off. I’ve even seen folks work a small spring into that space, but I’ve not tried this.”

If you weigh closer to the 285.0 lbs spec, you’re fine. 

The 2022 Ghost electric scooter gets a Zoom hydraulics disc brake option, which brings the scooter to a stop from 15.0 mph in 9.5 ft. This is the 7th shortest recorded braking distance–a tie with the Segway GT1. For $150 less, you can get yours with a mechanical, front and rear disc brake instead. Other things stayed standard, like the IP54 water protection, the same short front fender, huge palm grips, and the awesome lighting profile, complete with deck lights and swag lights.

The last thing we liked about the Ghost is that it is the lightest in its category, and even just a few pounds really makes a difference, especially if you have to carry your scooter up a flight of stairs. The Ghost weighs less than you’d imagine, 67.0 lbs, thanks to the multiple cut-outs in its ghost design. It also comes with folding handlebars. And the redesigned folding mechanism is quick to fold and latches more securely.

As a commuter scooter, the Ghost 2022 is the best scooter at this price.

Unagi Model One Subscription

Finally, this last one is almost like having a cheat code to get the experience of owning an electric scooter without actually buying a scooter. You can get an Unagi Model One now by monthly subscription. It’s an ultra-lightweight, super stylish, fun, dual-motor adult electric scooter that you can treat like your own for $55 a month; without a long-term commitment, so it’s easy to cancel if it turns out that scooters just aren’t for you. And with an electronic braking system, and a solid front and rear wheel, the maintenance is as easy as it gets.

If you move quickly, you might still be able to buy a 2022 Unagi Model one for $590 before they sell out.

This is by far, the lowest price we’ve ever seen. So you could get a small fleet of these electric scooters and still be under $2,000.