Two electric scooters can look the same in a photo and be completely different on the road. The difference is in the specs, and some of them matter far more than others. Here are the eight things to check, in the order we recommend.
1. Range: read it carefully
The manufacturer measures the stated range with a light rider, on flat ground, at low speed and with no wind. In everyday use, expect about two thirds of it. A scooter rated for 40 km usually takes you 25 to 30 km.
Work out your daily round trip and pick a model that covers it with room to spare. If you ride 10 km a day, almost any scooter will do. If it is 30 km, you want something like the Xiaomi 5 Max or the X9 ProMax.
2. Motor: rated and peak
Spec sheets show two numbers, for example "400 W (800 W max)". The first is the power the motor sustains without straining, the second is what it delivers for a few seconds when you set off or climb a hill. For flat city streets, around 350-400 W rated is enough. If you have steep hills or weigh over 90 kg, look at 500 W and up, like the DriveTron DT08 or the Kukirin G2.
3. Tyres
- Pneumatic: softer, but they can puncture.
- Tubeless: as soft as pneumatic, and they seal small punctures by themselves. The most practical choice for the city.
- Solid (airless): they never puncture, but you feel every pothole through the handlebar.
Size matters just as much: 10" is the sensible standard for the city, and smaller wheels are felt on cobbles.
4. Suspension
If your streets are not smooth, suspension is what separates a pleasant ride from a tiring one. A front spring fork is the minimum. Front and rear suspension, as on the Navee S65C, or the hydraulic suspension of the Xiaomi 5 Max, changes the experience completely.
5. Brakes
Disc brakes stop harder and more predictably than drum brakes. Many models pair a mechanical front brake with electronic braking (E-ABS) at the rear, which also recovers a little energy. Above 30 km/h, look for discs on both wheels.
6. Water protection (IP)
The IP code shows how well the scooter is protected from dust and water. IPX4 handles splashes, IPX5 and IP55 an ordinary rain shower. None of them means you can hose it down or ride through deep puddles.
7. Scooter weight
If you will carry it upstairs or onto a bus, every kilogram counts. Around 17-18 kg is easy to carry, like the Ninebot E3 Pro. Over 25 kg is a scooter you park, not one you carry.
8. Load limit
Most models carry up to 100-120 kg. Pick one where your weight, with your bag, sits well under the limit: the scooter will go faster, climb better and the battery will last longer.
In short
Start from your daily route, then the terrain, and only at the end the top speed. If you would like an opinion on your case, write to us with how many km you ride a day and what the roads are like, and we will tell you which model suits you.