7 Best Commuting Electric Scooters for Short to Long Distances

Your daily commute sets the tone for the day.

It’s tough to have a good day when you’re crammed in a smelly Subway train, or honking behind a wheel in traffic. Most of us aren’t strangers to how stressful the daily commute can be: and the fact that the bills pile up doesn’t help either.

Electric scooters aren’t just more fun to ride on your daily commute, they’re actually cheaper as well. The lesser up-front cost, as well as next-to-no maintenance costs, means that you save a major chunk of your annual expenses. The cherry on top: you’re contributing to a better planet the whole time.

There are plenty of electric scooter models built specifically for in-city commute, where quick acceleration and quick braking are more important than overall top speeds. Portability is a big factor for commuter scooters as well: since you’ll need to fold your scooter and store it away during your day.

Finally, you need enough juice to get back home. I reviewed all the scooters on this list while keeping mileage, portability, and performance as criteria. You’ll find an electric scooter for every kind of commute, short, long, or rainy.

If you don’t have the time to read through these in-depth reviews, my quick recommendation goes to the TurboAnt X7 Pro Folding Electric Scooter.

7 Best Commuting Electric Scooters

Here are the best electric scooters for commuting every single day.

The TurboAnt X7 Pro is our top pick by a considerable margin. It’s tough finding a mid-range electric scooter with a balance of features like this one, and that’s precisely why the X7 Pro enjoys notoriety in the electric scooter world.

I chose the X7 Pro as the top pick primarily because of the range. This electric scooter can deliver 30 miles in a single charge: which is by far the best range that an electric scooter under $500 has to offer. Most electric scooters in this price range offer between 18-25 miles on a full battery.

If 30 miles isn’t enough, you can actually extend the mileage to 60 miles by purchasing an additional battery. This is super convenient because it means you don’t have to charge your scooter during the day, and only have to swap batteries.

When it comes to speed, you can expect a modest 20mph. This is pretty standard as far as affordable electric scooters go, and you can expect a higher top speed from a more premium electric scooter.

I like how the X7 Pro looks, sleek and polished without grabbing too much attention. It’s definitely more lightweight than it is heavy-duty, and you can easily carry this 33lb scooter around. It also folds down in a three-step folding mechanism.

At the end of the day, the X7 Pro sports a 350watt motor. It’s powerful enough to carry a rider weight of 275 lbs, but it’s not going to do so well on uneven or hilly terrain. If you live in a city where there are plenty of slopes, it’s unlikely that the X7 Pro will deliver the same smooth ride. It got 10-inch wheel sizes, with pneumatic tires.

Suitable for

The X7 Pro is incredibly high on value for money and delivers unmatched range for the price point. It would work best for you if you weigh around 200 lbs and ride on even, leveled asphalt. But if your daily commute has plenty of inclines, you’ll need a more powerful scooter.

While the TurboAnt X7 Pro is a great overall option, it’s nowhere close to some of the premium scooter options in the market. The KAABO Mantis Pro is right up there on the scoreboard and is perhaps the most powerful and impressive commuter scooter ever made.

The KAABO Mantis Pro has not one but two brushless 60V motors that deliver a grand total of 2000watts. For a point of comparison: a standard electric scooter has about 350watts of motor power. So what does the Mantis do with almost six times the power of a regular scooter?

The answer lies in the acceleration. This is the kind of acceleration that almost yanks your arm out of the socket, and you can reach 20mph in three seconds. In under 10 seconds, you can hit the KAABO’s top speed: 40mph. As far as speed goes, that’s definitely up there. Rental electric scooters are usually around 15mph, while a standard budget scooter can get you to 25mph.

All that acceleration and speed definitely contribute to an above-average commuting experience. One of the main reasons why people hesitate to switch to a commuter scooter is because of the speed, and KAABO Mantis Pro offers a speed that no one can complain about.

The 2000watt brushless motor doesn’t call it a day at the acceleration and speed, and also delivers an incredible 30° incline capability. This is perfect if your daily route can have its ups and downs (pun intended). As a rider under 150lbs, I tested the KAABO Mantis Pro on a steep slope and saw no dip in speed, and found the same results with a rider weighing 230lbs. This doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, since the Mantis Pro can handle a maximum weight limit of 265 lbs.

Naturally, a premium scooter like this one is going to have the most comfortable ride ever. With swing arm dual spring suspension, the ride feels incredibly steady, verging on a buttery smooth ride.

Finally, you can’t review a commuter scooter without paying extra attention to the range. The maximum range on the Mantis Pro is 45 miles, but you can extend this even more by riding in a single motor mode. For a simple city commute, single motor riding with 1000watts should be more than enough, especially if you weigh below 220 lbs.

Suitable for

If you’re serious about making the switch to an electric scooter, here’s the best in the game. The KAABO Mantis Pro is one of the most powerful and durable electric scooters you can choose from without sacrificing portability. While it’s not a budget electric scooter from any angle, it’s an investment in quality and performance for a long time.

If your streets have a lot of slopes (we’re looking at you, San Francisco 40° streets), you’ll absolutely need an electric scooter like the Mantis Pro to stand up to the challenge. Any other scooter can give up mid-way, making way for a potentially dangerous scenario.

After looking at one of the most high-end electric commuter scooters in the e-scooter market (the KAABO Mantis Pro) it’s time to travel to the other end of the spectrum. While the Swagtron SG-5 Swagger isn’t competing with the Mantis Pro any day soon, it’s a winner in its own right.

As the most affordable electric scooter on our list, the Swagtron SG-5 is a gift to college students and young working professionals everywhere. This commuter scooter is equipped with a 300watt electric motor that can handle an insane maximum weight of 320lbs. That’s a better weight limit than most premium electric scooters.

Of course, handling greater weights comes at a sacrifice: the top speed on the Swagtron SG-5 is 18mph, and this goes down to around 13-15mph with a rider weight of above 220lbs. So while yes, this commuter scooter isn’t going to collapse with a 320lbs rider, it’s not going to go very fast either. Still — it’s impressive for the price. That can make or break a rider’s decision, depending on what you want from your commuter scooter.

The maximum range is where the Swagtron gets interesting. While this electric scooter can only go for a maximum of 11 miles on a full battery, it also recharges in about 3.5 hours. So if you have a longer commute, you can get away with charging the scooter during your day so you have the power to get back.

The 300watt motor is, unsurprisingly, not strong enough to handle inclines as well (especially with heavier rider weights), so we’d suggest choosing another scooter if that’s what you need.

Suitable for

This is the best electric scooter for someone on a budget. Out of all the budget models we reviewed, the Swagtron SG-5 has the highest weight capacity and decent performance on the speed and acceleration front. It would be most suitable for someone who has a short commute of below 5 miles, but you can try carrying the charger with you to charge your scooter during the day.

You’ll find the Segway Ninebot ES4 on plenty of Scootermap’s reviews: we can’t help it, it’s such a great e scooter! And when it comes to short-distance commutes, it’s also a category winner. The Segway Ninebot ES4 is an electric kick scooter with reliable ride quality. Segway Ninebot makes some of the best electric scooters in the market, and these scooters are known to last at least a couple of years.

If portability is on your mind, this is one of the lightest electric scooters. Weighing less than 30lbs, it’s super easy to fold this scooter up and carry it with you, especially for riders who need to alternate between their electric scooter and public transport.

With a maximum range of 28 miles, this is definitely a short-distance commuter scooter. It can also go at a top speed of 19 miles per hour, which is a good standard speed-to-range ratio. It’s not immediately apparent that the Segway Ninebot ES4 is a mid-range scooter from the speed and range specifications, but you’ll know the moment you start riding it. The dual suspension definitely kicks into action, delivering a much smoother ride and experience.

You can get a commuter scooter at a cheaper price (such as the Swagtron on our list), but it will not have the same cushioned, stable ride that the Segway Ninebot ES4 offers. For extra comfort, you can also choose to invest in a seat attachment on this scooter. If you are looking for electric scooters with seats you can check out our guide on that.

Suitable for

The Segway Ninebot ES4 is most suitable for riders looking for a short-distance daily commute. If your daily commute is anywhere below 20 miles round trip: this electric scooter is a great choice. This is the perfect mid-range electric scooter for a rider who wants high quality, but not necessarily luxury.

Scooter riders with short commutes can make do with just about any affordable electric scooter, but if you need an e scooter that clocks in miles on miles: we’re going to have to climb the price scale.

On the bright side, commuter scooters that offer higher mileage, such as the EMOVE Cruiser, offer a whole host of premium features along with it. At the end of the day: you don’t just have a long-distance commuter scooter, but a premium and powerful one. The EMOVE Cruiser offers 56 miles on full battery life, which is one of the longest ranges that an electric scooter can achieve.

Apart from an incredible max range, the EMOVE Cruiser sports a 52V brushless 1000watts electric motor that can handle up to 20 ° of hill climb and a rider weighing up to 352 lbs. The maximum speed isn’t shy either, and you can reach 33mph.

The EMOVE Cruiser is also an overall premium option: with a water resistance rating of IPX6, tubeless tires, and a motorcycle-grade suspension system. You’re riding premium, with three different speed modes, hydraulic brakes, and key start ignition. Other electric scooters don’t come close in terms of the smooth riding experience.

Of course, you can’t get everything. The EMOVE Cruiser provides everything except for portability. As a 52 lbs scooter, this is difficult to fold and carry around. It’s definitely built heavy-duty but is compact enough folded to fit in most car trunks.

You don’t have to have a long commute to be able to ride this beast of an electric scooter. Even with an everyday commute of 5 miles, you can charge the EMOVE Cruiser once every two weeks or less!

Suitable for

Experienced riders will appreciate the top-notch performance and superior riding experience on the EMOVE Cruiser, but it’s an ideal investment if you need long mileage. With a max range of 56 miles, long distances are no problem. It’s also great if you need a powerful scooter as a heavier rider or one that can handle hilly terrain.

I always test electric scooters for commuting with a special focus on portability, and the Hiboy S2 Pro is especially great in this category. Here’s an electric scooter that can be folded down in a 3-second single folding mechanism, and it gets really compact. It’s also easy to carry: weighing 36.3 lbs.

When it comes to speed, the Hiboy S2 Pro offers a max speed of 19 miles per hour and a maximum range of 25.6 miles. These are the standard specs you’d expect, and I found that the 25.6 miles can even be pushed to 30, depending on how lightweight the rider is. The Hiboy S2Pro has a 500watts brushless motor, and can actually handle a 30-40 ° incline as long as the rider’s weight is below 200 lbs. The Hiboy S2 manufacturers claim the scooter can handle a maximum weight limit of 220lbs, but heavier riders definitely slow the scooter down and consume more battery life.

One of the best features of the Hiboy S2 Pro is the dual shock absorbers. Most electric scooters in this price range do not have shock absorbers or suspension lifts, but the Hiboy S2 Pro does a pretty decent job of cushioning a bumpy road. While you’re not going to get a buttery smooth ride to rival the KAABO Mantis Pro, this is definitely a huge step up from a regular budget scooter without any suspension.

The only caveat with the Hiboy S2 Pro is the headlights. For night riding, they can be too dim, and the beam doesn’t travel as far ahead as it should. But for the price, many riders are happy to purchase a third-party headlight and attach it to this otherwise-well-performing electric scooter.

Suitable for

As far as commuter rides go, the Hiboy S2 Pro is one of the most portable options out there. It folds easily and is light and easy to carry in a car trunk. It’s also easy to carry on public transport. This is a perfect option for beginners to the scooter world, or anyone on a budget looking for a commuter scooter that’s light and portable.

One of the biggest concerns for electric scooter riders can be the rain. It’s only natural that you’re worried about something electric getting wet, and that’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the water-resistant (IP) rating on an electric scooter you’re considering.

Among the many incredible features of the GoTrax XR GMax Ultra electric scooter, it has a rating of IPX4, which is safe in light drizzle and rain. This is one of GoTrax’s high-performance models, and the GMax Ultra offers a competitive 20 miles per hour max speed and a mileage of 45 miles. 45 miles is definitely on the higher side, making this electric scooter perfect for commuting longer distances. Of course, you can also use this scooter for shorter distances if you enjoy charging your scooter less frequently!

GoTrax calls this scooter ‘the ultimate commuter scooter’ and it sports a 350watt improved motor with 10-inch air-filled tires.

My favorite thing about this scooter is how quickly it charges. It gets to a full battery in 4-5 hours. Like a few of the other scooters on our list, the GoTrax GMax Ultra is also a folding scooter. It doesn’t fold very compact, but it’s well balanced and easy to carry since it weighs around 46.3lbs.

The GMax Ultra stands out because of its many safety features, which is something most scooters lack.

Suitable for

If you live in an area where there’s plenty of rain, you’ll be reassured riding the water-resistant GMax with a rating of IPX4. It can survive less severe conditions in water such as being splashed with rain, but won’t do so well being submerged in water. So as long as your city experiences rain and not floods, you and your GoTrax GMax should be fine!

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Commuting Electric Scooter for you

Not all commuting scooters are created equal: and it’s especially important that you choose the right one when you’re using it to get to work or college every day. The right commuting scooter can be a permanent shift from public transport or any other vehicle, and we’d all like to get it right the first time.

Most riders choose to start out with a basic adult electric scooter so test out the experience, and then look for a higher-end option as they get comfortable. However, your choice ultimately depends on what your commuting needs are.

All the commuting e scooters on this list were tested with a few important factors in mind:

Range or Mileage

This is the single most important factor when choosing an e scooter for everyday commuting. You’ll need to calculate the round-trip distance from your home to your college/workplace. For example: if your office is five miles away from your house, the electric scooter you should choose should be capable of at least ten miles. And since you don’t want to cut it so close, it’s a good idea to choose a scooter with around 15 miles so there’s room for riding longer in case you need to.

Rental electric scooters like Bird or Lime can go around 15-20 miles on a single charge, but most standard electric scooters offer more than 25 miles. Many riders choose an e scooter with a higher range even if they have a short commute so that they can charge the scooter less often.

If your commute is further away, you’ll appreciate a long-range electric scooter like the EMOVE Cruiser that offers a 56-mile range.

Weight

Portability has to be on your mind when you’re choosing an e scooter for your everyday commute. A light e scooter is easy to carry around, especially if you can fold it. Some riders need their electric scooters to fit in a car trunk, while others need them to be light enough to carry when they’re riding in the subway.

Most people find a scooter below 40lbs to be easy to carry. Depending on your strength, this number can vary. The scooter construction and ergonomic design also play a factor in how easy it is to carry. Having a handle on your scooter makes it easier to hold on to, even if it weighs a few extra pounds.

Speed

While electric scooters are known for being slower than other vehicles, there’s a big difference between a 15 miles per hour max speed and 28 miles per hour. Going below 20mph on a motorcycle could feel painfully slow, but it feels much faster when you’re standing on an electric scooter.

You should definitely look into the speed if you tend to ride in areas where there’s less traffic. In-city commutes can be slow no matter what electric scooter you’re riding — since you stick to a bike lane and follow the same rules as bicycle riders. Speed will make a big difference on smaller roads between blocks or near the outskirts of a city. Understanding your daily route is key to finding out how important speed is to you.

Charge Time

While regular vehicles can get a top-up at any gas station, your electric scooter needs to charge with electricity. Electric scooters tend to take more than a few hours to charge, which is why riders choose to charge them overnight.

However, some scooters charge in less than five hours. This can be a huge benefit as you can carry the charger with you on your day and charge the scooter if it’s ever running low on juice. Depending on your university and workplace, this would work for some people.

If you can’t charge your electric scooter on the go: look for one with a spare battery pack.

Acceleration

Acceleration plays a great part in picking a commute scooter. A rapid and fast responding acceleration makes all the difference in overtaking other vehicles on your way to school or work.

Brakes

Please don’t skimp out on brakes. I can’t stress the fact enough that brakes makes all the difference when riding safely to work. Our second pick MANTIS PRO uses dual disc brakes with cable. That’s the real deal.

Common brakes types are:

• Disc, Hydraulic
• Disc, Semi-hydraulic
• Disc, Cable
• Drum
• Regenerative
• Electronic
• Foot

Braking distance

Disc brakes: Going at 15 mph, the stopping distance for mechanical systems is 20 feet. Some of the top scooters can reach a stopping power under 10 feet. 

Electronic brakes (and foot): 15 mph stopping distance is around 30-40 feet. Beware!

Wheels

For a comfortable long ride to work or school, the bigger tires, the better!

I would categories wheels in the sizes:

• 13+ inches
• 11-12 inches
• 9-10 inches
• 7-8 inches

Our top pick TurboAnt X7 Pro has sturdy pair of 10 inch wheels which is good enough. Compare that with a more average ride like the Segway Ninebot ES 7.5 inch wheels.

What kind of scooters are Lime and Bird using?

Lime and Bird are typically using Segway or Xiaomi.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Best Commuting E Scooters

Final Words

It’s an everyday thing — your commuter scooter will soon become your best friend as you enjoy the open breeze, no gas bills, and the lighthearted riding experience. Most riders say riding an electric scooter brings out their inner child, no matter how old you are.

We hope you were able to pick the right electric scooter to be by your side on your daily commute. If you’re still unsure: we’d suggest going ahead with the TurboAnt X7 pro.

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