Apollo Air Pro Vs. Segway Ninebot Max: Which Is The Better For Beginners?

The Apollo Air Pro and Segway Ninebot Max are two of the best entry-level e-scooters you can buy right now. While the Ninebot Max excels at range and hill climb speed, we think the Air Pro is a better choice for first-time riders — keep reading to find out why.

Air Pro vs Ninebot Max Comparison

	Apollo Air Pro	Segway Ninebot Max
Price	$799	$899
Max Rider Weight	220 lb	220 lb
ESG Tested Specs
Weight	37 lb	43 lb
Top Speed	18.8 mph	18.4 mph
Range	17.7 mi	21.6 mi
Acceleration
0 to 15 mph	6.0 s	6.0 s
Features
Brakes	Front: Drum Rear: Foot	Front: Regenerative Rear: Drum
Tires	10.0 inch Front: Pneumatic Rear: Pneumatic	10.0 inch Front: Pneumatic, Tubeless Rear: Pneumatic, Tubeless
Suspension	Front: Spring Rear: None	Front: None Rear: None
Lights	Front: High Rear: Low	Front: High Rear: Low
IP Rating	IPX4	IPX5
Throttle Type	Thumb	Thumb
Dimensions
Deck Width	7.8 in	6.8 in
Deck Length	19.5 in	19.8 in
Folded Length	47 in	46 in
Folded Width	22 in	19 in
Folded Height	21 in	21 in

Performance

• The Air Pro is faster, with a top speed of 18.8 mph. 
• The Max has longer range (17.7 mi) and faster hill-climbing performance.
• Both have a drum brake nearly identical measured braking performance (under 15 ft).

Apollo Air Pro: Pros + Cons

• Better ride quality. The Air Pro has superior ride quality due to its large tires and excellent front spring suspension.
• More comfortable. The Air Pro’s deck is nearly 1 inch wider, giving you more room for a comfortable stance.
• Faster. The Air Pro is just a hair faster (18.8 mph top speed) than the Ninebot Max (18.4 mph).
• More nimble (and fun). The Air Pro has rounded tire profiles that make it more agile and incredibly fun to whip around. 
• Sophisticated looks. Though a matter of personal preference, most ESGers think the Air looks better and more sophisticated.
• Lighter. The Air Pro is lighter than the Max (37 lb vs. 43 lb tested weight), making it easier to lift and carry.
• Less expensive. The Air Pro retails steadily for $799 , with occasional discounts. The Max retails for $899 but has seen wide price fluctuations reaching nearly $1,000 at times. 
• 2 year warranty. The Air Pro comes with 2 years of warranty coverage, with the first year being comprehensive and the second year covering wear-parts for self-install.

Segway Ninebot Max: Pros + Cons

• Long-range. The Max gets nearly 21.6 miles of range.
• Super durable tires. The Max has tubeless, air-filled tires that are self-healing and incredibly flat resistant.
• Built like a hammer. The Max is well-built and very durable.
• Stronger hill climbing. However, neither scooter is a hill climb champ, but the Max performed better during our hill climb test.  

Verdict

Both scooters are easily the best in this price category. However, we think the Air Pro is the more desirable e-scooter to ride — the one we would choose most the time — though Max handily beats it on range.

Apollo Air Pro

The Air Pro is great for first-time buyers who want to experience the joy and simplicity of e-scooter ownership.

They don’t want to feel like they are riding a shared scooter everywhere.

The Pro’s suspension is best in class. It is easy and nimble to ride, thanks to rounded tire profiles.

Though it doesn’t go as far as the Max, you’ll actually want to ride it till the battery is dead.

Segway Ninebot Max

On the other hand, the Ninebot Max excels at being as practical and durable as a hammer. It’s the better scooter on paper, but not our first choice out-the-door.

We love its long-range and robust build. There is a reason it’s one of the most beloved e-scooters of all time.

However, riding the Max feels a bit like riding a shared scooter.

Long rides can feel tiring and clunky due to lack of suspension. The air-filled tires help do their part, but lust because it can go far doesn’t mean you’ll want to.

Where the Max beats it on specs, the Pro shines in being the scooter we’d choose to ride (most of the time).