Our team has had the Air and Air Pro since May. Mile after mile we’ve grown increasingly fond of these affordable, but highly functional scooters.
We’ve come to believe that these are two of the absolute best entry level scooters — the Pro in, particular.
If you’re a beginner looking for your first ride, the Air might be perfect for you — here’s why.
What is the Apollo Air?
The Apollo Air is an entry-level e-scooter from Apollo tailored for the first-time rider.
It comes in two versions: the Air and Air Pro.
The Air is the most affordable ( $699 ), while the Pro ( $799 ) is faster and has an extended range.
What Are The Differences Between The Air and Air Pro
The Air Pro is the upgraded version of the Air. These are the key differences:
- Faster (18.8 mph vs. 15.6 mph)**
- Longer range (17.7 mi vs. 13.9 mi)**
- Better suspension
** = Based on our independent testing
We think most buyers should opt for the Air Pro for the ride quality alone. If you live in an area with steep hills or are >185 lbs, the Pro is a must. The base Air is best for riders under 185 lbs who won’t encounter a lot of hills.
You can see our full analysis of the Air vs Air Pro here.
What makes the Air great for beginners?
Both versions are fun, easy to ride, low-maintenance, and competitively priced.
Warranty coverage extends up to 2 years, something we love to see in an entry-level line.
Fun
With top speeds of 15.6 mph and 18.8 mph, respectively, the Airs are fast enough to be fun, but not overwhelming for beginning riders.
Easy to Ride
Both Airs have 10-inch air-filled tires upfront. They are wide and have a large contact patch (area that touches the ground). This makes the scooter stable and very easy to ride.
The Air has just two controls: a thumb-operated throttle and brake lever. Twist the throttle to go and hit the brakes to slow down. Riding is supremely intuitive and newcomers will catch on quickly.
Beginners will feel comfortable with the simple LED display that shows just speed and the remaining battery.
The Air weighs under 34 lbs (37 lbs for the Pro) and folds compactly, making it easy to bring anywhere.
Low Maintenance
Neither scooter requires regular maintenance. Wear components (tires, brake pads) will eventually need to be replaced but have a long life.
The Air has a rear split rim tire to reduce maintenance issues. Split rims, are much easier to change since you don’t have to pry the tire off the rim.x
The Air Pro has a sealed drum brake that should require zero maintenance over its life.
Competitively Priced
Finally, you won’t have to take a mortgage out on your house to purchase an Air.
The Air is currently priced at $699 , while the upgraded Air Pro is $799 .
Most first-time buyers trying out scooter riding don’t want to invest too much but don’t want junk. Though you may decide to upgrade later, the Air is a good value that doesn’t disappoint.
24 Month Warranty
The Air has an unprecedentedly extended warranty that lasts up to 24-months. Most budget scooters at this price range have warranties less than 6 months.
Through Apollo, the “bumper-to-bumper” warranty lasts 12 months and covers nearly all mechanicals and internals (including battery!).
On top of this, Apollo has done something unprecedented: the warranty includes free brake pads, inner tubes, tires, for 2 years. The end user just needs to pay for shipping.
Note: warranty may vary depending on the distributor you purchase from — so check before buying
What makes the Air different from other entry-level scooters?
Suspension
The basic Air has good suspension. However, the Air Pro has the absolute best suspension of any entry-level scooter, giving it best in class ride quality.
Many of our favorite entry-level models don’t even have suspension.
Quality Build
The Air doesn’t look like your typical entry-level scooter. The design is clean, and build quality is good for the price level.
Unprecedentedly Long Warranty
Most entry-level e-scooters below $700 have short warranties ranging from 3 to 6 months. Apollo’s comprehensive warranty lasts 2X (1 year). No entry-level scooter is even close to this.
Additionally, free consumables are covered for 24 months, though you pay for shipping and must self-install. Definitely weaker than the first year, but a nice bonus.
What Our Experts Love About The Air And Air Pro
- Build quality
- Ride quality
- Comfort
- Water-resistant (IPX4)
- 10 inch tires (9 inch rear Air base ver.)
- Split rim (Air base ver. rear)
- Affordable, but looks expensive
Okay, ESG Loves It, But What’s The Catch?
The base Air (non-Pro) does well on the flat, but is slow on steep hills (>6% grade). The Pro version is much better on steep hills.
Both scooters are rated for up to 220 lbs. However, we think they are best for riders under 185 lbs. Riders near the maximum weight will find the scooter to be relatively slow.
Neither are great for heavy riders, but really no scooter in this price range is.
The Bottom Line
The Air and Air Pro are excellent for first-time riders and arguably the best beginner’s scooters. They look better and beat out other entry-levels with superior ride quality, lower maintenance, and longer warranties.
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