The best electric scooters should make it easy and fast to maneuver around town, from bike lanes to sidewalks. Many towns are adopting them as an eco-friendly way to run to the office or grocery store. Choosing an electric scooter can be tricky, though. Even wheel sizes can mean the difference between a smooth or bumpy ride. And, if you have a need for speed, a scooter that goes only 10mph will simply not cut it when some models can top 15.5mph.

Never fear—here at Lifewire, we know a thing or two about electric scooters. Taking into account various specs such as battery life, motor power, and ease of use, we compiled the best electric scooters on the market. Take a look at the list below to see which one will fit your lifestyle and budget.

The GOTRAX GXL V2 electric scooter is a dream to ride, and hands down the best for its value. Its 36V 10.4ah battery lasts up to 12 miles on a single charge, making it perfect for short rides to the grocery store and around town. And, if the battery runs low, it charges in less four hours. Cracks and pavement bumps are no match for airless 8.5-inch heavy duty tires meant to grip almost any surface.

Best Overall

GOTRAX GXL V2 Commuting Electric Scooter

  • Somewhat portable design

  • Speedy

  • Simple controls

  • Large handle bumps and cracks well

  • Battery goes over 12 miles on one charge

  • Heavy

  • Running start required to start the motor

  • Height not adjustable

  • Sensitive brakes

  • No reverse option

  • Long charging time

If bike paths are part of your daily routine, the scooter has two speed settings for its 250W motor: 8mph and 15.5mph. Best of all, you can lock in cruise control on either speed if you hold the accelerator for a couple seconds.

“When we drove it around town, the speed registered at 16.2 mph on downhill slopes when shifted into second gear, even higher than the advertised 15.5 mph maximum.” — Rebecca Isaacs

If you feel the need for speed, the Glion Dolly Adult Electric Scooter is your new best friend. The near-noiseless 250W motor boasts speeds of up to 15mph and its massive 36V battery gives a runtime of up to 15 miles. You can adjust the height of the aluminum handlebars three different measurements to ensure a more customized riding experience, too.

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Glion Dolly Foldable Lightweight Adult Electric Scooter

  • Small, compact design

  • Water resistant

  • Long-lasting battery

  • Adjustable height

  • Fast

  • Small wheels struggle with bumpy roads

  • Difficult to control at top speed

  • Expensive

Military-designed honeycomb tires measure 8 inches to maneuver around town. And if you’re heading into the office or stopping at a restaurant, the Glion is capable of folding compact enough to sit under a table or in a closet.

“The Glion takes no time in maxing out at its highest speed thanks to the 250-watt, near-noiseless motor.” — Rebecca Isaacs, Product Tester

Commuters, rejoice. With a massive motor of up to 300W and a 37V battery, expect the Swagger 5 Boost Electric Scooter to help you get to and from the office easily with up to 11 miles of battery life. If it’s a new commute, the Swagtron app syncs with your phone’s location to navigate you from point A to point B.

Best for Commuters

Swagger 5 Elite

  • Great display

  • Bright brake light

  • 8.5-inch tires

  • Solid battery life

  • Awkward foldability

Three speed modes with cruise control technology built into the app and the scooter help ensure easy, fast commuting. Honeycomb tires measuring 8.5 inches also keep free from needing any wheel maintenance, making this a great choice for the scooter commuter.

Razor’s E300 model is a real bargain for an electric scooter with a steel frame. The scooter handles cracks and bumps with ease thanks to its 9-inch wheels, and a 250W chain-drive ensures that you’ll be able to go places at speeds of up to 15mph.

Best Budget

Razor E300 Electric Scooter

  • Great value

  • Steel frame

  • 9-inch pneumatic wheels

  • Low battery life

  • Weak on hills

  • Lead-acid battery

No need to worry about adjusting speed, as the Razor E300 comes with one top speed. The 24V lead-acid battery lasts up to 10 miles, making it a great option for short store visits and a quick commute.

The Razor E100 scooter proves that electric scooters are great fun for the whole family. Coming in six colors, this scooter was designed for children aged 8 and older. Wheels measuring 8 inches ensure a safer riding experience while driving on sidewalks. A 24V lead-acid battery allows up to 40 minutes of fun. And with a 100W chain-drive motor clocking in a maximum of 10mph, parents will feel safer knowing their kids can go fast, but still maintain a safe speed on sidewalks.

Best for Kids

Razor E100 Electric Scooter

  • Multiple colors

  • Slower speeds

  • Lead-acid battery

  • Low battery life

Important to note: The max weight on this scooter is 120 pounds.

For those who like to try and beat their personal best times, the EverCross Electric Scooter is the best option. An 800W motor helps this scooter power over hills and through city streets, and can fly up to 28mph. The scooter comes equipped with a detachable seat for a more bike-like experience. A dual-brake system helps maintain control even at high speeds, and bright LED lights along the chassis sides will help cars spot you as you fly along the streets.

Best Speeds

EverCross Electric Scooter

  • Up to 28mph speeds

  • Bright LED lights on chassis

  • Long charge time

  • Heavy

Ten-inch airless wheels also make for easy, controlled navigation. A 48V 10ah battery will make sure that the scooter can go for up to 31 miles before it needs a charge. And thanks to the detailed Advanced Integrated Control System right beside the ignition, you can check that as well as adjust cruise control while riding.

Dual batteries are a game changer for the Segway Ninebot ES4. They extend the scooter’s range to 28 miles, one of the longest on the market. If you’re looking for a scooter that can go the distance, or you simply don’t want the hassle of frequent charging, then Segway’s premium electric scooter might be for you. Although the price is higher than many of its competitors, this is a well-made and comfortable scooter that seriously delivers, even uphill. Charging time is seven hours, handy for charging within the space of a working day.

Best Splurge

Segway Ninebot ES4

  • Water resistant

  • Dual-brake system

  • Dual battery system

  • 220lb weight load

  • Weak suspension for price

Thanks to a massive 800W motor, the ES4 can reach up to 19 mph and is easy to ride and control. It also comes with useful features such as an alarm, anti-theft function, and cruise control. While this is an expensive scooter, it delivers a powerful punch and will certainly appeal to fans of the Segway brand.

About Our Trusted Experts

Rebecca Isaacs is a technology writer who’s been working with Lifewire since 2019. Her expertise includes e-readers, electric scooters, and other tech home lifestyle products. Thanks to her career in higher education, Rebecca uses electric scooters regularly to move across campus quickly—and has tested the GOTRAX and Glion scooters on this list.

With its easy maneuverability, fast speeds, and those large 8.5-inch tires, the GOTRAX GXL V2 is the best electric scooter on the market. Riders will enjoy a safe yet fast riding experience with easy cruise control settings. And, with the ability to charge during a morning or afternoon office shift, the GOTRAX will always be ready for a quick zip to and from the office.

What to Look for in an Electric Scooter

Battery Life - Battery life can mean the difference between making it home or having to walk the electric scooter the rest of the way. Higher battery voltage doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll run for longer periods of time. Instead, look for the range. Ideally, anything with a range of 12 to 15 miles will be a good choice.

Wattage - Wattage in an electric scooter is a fancy way of referring to the motor’s power in an electric scooter. The higher the wattage, the faster the motor will go. Some of the electric scooters on this list have 800W motors, while others have smaller 250W motors. The difference is quite noticeable, as the smaller watts go up to only 15mph.

Tires - Tires are arguably the most essential piece of equipment in an electric scooter. Air-filled tires might seem like they’re a good idea, but when you pop a tire on a stray rock or nail, it could leave you stranded. Airless tires might be a better option to take those concerns away—since they don’t use air, they’re harder to damage. Pneumatic tires, however, are designed for a smoother ride and can ease bumps along the path. Also, take into account tire size. The Glion scooter on this list has smaller tires, making it difficult to jump curbs or weather hitting a large rock. Tire size can mean the difference between staying upright or crashing on the pavement.

Weight Capacity - Scooters are usually built with steel or aluminum frames for a strong chassis. However, in taking a closer look, some electric scooters can handle only 220 human pounds, while others can go up to 250 and even 270.

  • Can my scooter go uphill?
  • Most scooters can handle light inclines. Others have taken up to 15-degree inclines into account and have implemented stronger motors to ensure that hills are no match for the scooter. Usually the company will highlight that the scooter can handle hills or certain incline degrees.
  • Is my scooter waterproof?
  • Based off experience, no scooter is 100% waterproof. They are, however, water resistant. Most scooters are not recommended for rainy days, as water can get in through the scooter’s cracks and crevices and wreak havoc on the machinations—and that’s not even taking into account potential tire risks! If you need to make a run somewhere with the scooter, weigh the costs and risks before taking it out.
  • Can I use this scooter manually?
  • You can! However, keep in mind that most of these scooters weigh at least 20 pounds. It will be harder to push the scooter manually than keeping it charged.

Most scooters can handle light inclines. Others have taken up to 15-degree inclines into account and have implemented stronger motors to ensure that hills are no match for the scooter. Usually the company will highlight that the scooter can handle hills or certain incline degrees.

Based off experience, no scooter is 100% waterproof. They are, however, water resistant. Most scooters are not recommended for rainy days, as water can get in through the scooter’s cracks and crevices and wreak havoc on the machinations—and that’s not even taking into account potential tire risks! If you need to make a run somewhere with the scooter, weigh the costs and risks before taking it out.

You can! However, keep in mind that most of these scooters weigh at least 20 pounds. It will be harder to push the scooter manually than keeping it charged.