Cheap electric scooters for adults

It Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

Electric scooters are becoming more popular in cities and towns, and with good reason. They combine the versatility and Eco-friendliness of a scooter with a motor vehicle’s convenience, making them the ideal way to get around town. Are cheap electric scooters worth buying? Yes they are. Provided you get the best quality scooter. And that is why you are here.

Choosing the right electric scooter can be challenging since there are so many factors to keep in mind. Our electric scooter buying guide can help you figure out precisely what you need from your e-scooter, from max speed to extra features like cruise control and a convenient folding mechanism. The only thing you then have to consider is your price range.

Cheap electric scooters have a bit of a bad reputation, mainly due to poor manufacturing practices, which led to underpowered, potentially dangerous scooters. Luckily, the technology behind electric scooters has improved dramatically, meaning that there are plenty of cheap electric scooters with solid built quality out there.

If you want to buy an electric scooter on a budget, your first concern should be the scooter’s build quality. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best electric scooters in the mid-range and affordable price bracket to help you find the perfect scooter for your wallet. While you won’t find the WideWheel Pro on this list, there are still plenty of electric scooters at a considerably more attractive price

Here is the list of Cheap electric scooters for adults

Gotrax GXL V2 (2020 Edition)

BEST UNDER $300

GXL V2 COMMUTER SCOOTER 2020 EDITION

Top Speed: 15.5 MPH

Range: 9-12 miles

Weight: 27 lbs

Motor: 250W

Wheel Size: 8.5 inches

Warranty: 3 months

The first on our list of cheap electric scooters for adults is the Gotrax XL. The under-$s price range is where manufacturers have to start making concessions to keep costs low. Finding a cheap electric scooter in this category can become interesting since many makers tend to skip on core features while still trying to make their scooters appealing to the mass market. It is one of the best electric scooters for adults.

Luckily, Gotrax understands what costs to cut and what features to keep. The GXL V2 2022 Edition is the perfect balance of performance and cost and is ideal for short commuter rides. It’s light enough to comfortably carry onto public transport while still offering good build quality and a robust motor.

The new 2020 model has improved on the safety of the original GXL by replacing the relatively laggy e-brake with a hand-brake setup that’s significantly more responsive and safer. With a top speed of 15.5 mph, you’ll appreciate having the stopping power when you need it most.

Motor

The 250-watt motor in the GXL V2 remains the same as in the original version, and it’s still a pretty good prospection. While it’s not powerful enough to climb steep hills, it will do the job perfectly well in flat areas, offering smooth acceleration and reliable cruise control. The low deck and fairly low weight mean that you can use the GXL V2 as a kick scooter if you run out of juice.

Battery

The 36V battery pack has a four-hour charge time and has a range of up to 12 miles on a single charge under ideal conditions though with a limited 187.2Wh battery capacity, you’ll most likely run a little short of that. The recharge time makes this an appealing proposition as a daily commuter since you’ll have plenty of time to recharge before you have to head home.

The pneumatic tires provide extra cushioning, which is essential in a scooter with no spring suspension. The ride is comfortable enough under most conditions, but you won’t go off-roading with this scooter any time soon. The 8.5″ diameter tires are also perfect for keeping traction and handling up to 220 lb of rider weight with no issues.

Pros

Has high-end features including pneumatic tires and hand-operated brakes

Easy to fold and store, and lightweight enough to carry comfortably

The low deck makes it easy to switch between walking, riding, and kicking

Four-hour recharge time means you’ll always be ready to go

Click here to purchase it from Amazon.

GoTrax XR Ultra

If you like the look of the XR Elite but your budget can’t stretch that far, the XR Ultra is your next best option. You can’t get any better than an LG battery promising charge cycles for years to come. Plus, with air-filled tires and a dual braking system, the Ultra is a scooter you can rely on.

When looking at scooters under $400, it’s worth considering the XR Ultra, another awesome budget offering from electric scooter pros, GoTrax. It ticks a lot of the same boxes as the XR Elite but is $40 cheaper. It also boasts some impressive specs for the price, making it a seriously good low-budget option.

So, what makes the Ultra stand out? This is an easy question to answer: the battery.

Battery

The advantage here doesn’t lie in an improved range, but rather in the quality of components used. The Ultra isn’t powered by cheap Chinese cells (which some cheap scooters are). Instead, you’ll be getting the best of the best with a high-capacity battery made by technological superstars, LG.

To put this into context, LG batteries are generally reserved for scooters with a price tag closer to $$$ and above. When designing a budget scooter, manufacturers can be tempted to cut costs by using lower quality components but with the Ultra, you’ve got no fear of that.

Not only does the LG battery give a maximum range of 16 miles, but it offers a recharge time of a mere 3-4 hours. That means you could top up your juice whilst at the office, or plug in during a quick weekend coffee catch-up. My point is, you won’t have a long wait when you do find yourself needing to recharge which is always a bonus.

Speed

In terms of speed, the Ultra competes well with others of the same price point, featuring a 300W motor that translates into a top speed of 15.5 mph. The acceleration is fairly mediocre, matching that of the XR Elite, making it perfect for beginners. Although, like the XR Elite, hill climbing isn’t the Ultra’s greatest forte. Climbing a hill with a grade of 10-12% will cause the scooter to slow and chug along at 6-8 mph. However, if you don’t live in San Francisco and your neighborhood is relatively flat, the XR Ultra should serve you just fine. Nevertheless, I’d still recommend checking out my guide on the best hill-climbing scooters.

Ride quality

Where the Ultra does shine, though, is when it comes to ride quality. The Ultra is equipped with 8.5-inch air-filled tires but similarly to the XR Elite, it doesn’t have a suspension system. Although the air-filled tires provide cushioning and deal with standard sidewalk bumps and cracks like a dream, you won’t get the best out of the Ultra if you insist on riding it on uneven terrain. This is one scooter that excels on smoother, flatter surfaces.

Braking System

Adding to the comfort factor, and upping your confidence while riding, the XR Ultra comes with that all-important dual braking system, which is another point in its favor; some more expensive models only manage to incorporate one brake into their design. It has the same electronic and rear disc brake system seen on the XR Elite, delivering impressive stopping power in all weather conditions.

Display

And, as you would expect, an LED display is embedded into the handlebars, showing your current speed and charge level, so a flat battery won’t ever catch you out by surprise. It also offers the bonus of cruise control, promising the option of setting your speed so you can relax and enjoy the ride as the miles fly by.

Folding and portability

When it comes to portability, there are not many other scooters that rival the XR Ultra for weight. Weighing in at 26.4 lbs, it is in the upper echelon of light electric scooters placing in the top 15% of our 100+ scooter database. Combined with its small folded dimensions of 43.3” (l) x 17.1” (h) x 14.6” (w), the Ultra is the perfect scooter for carrying and stowing away out of sight.

Lights

One area of the scooter that you will need to upgrade, though, is the lights. If you plan on using it on those darker winter nights, the Ultra’s headlight sits in the bucket of basic light setups. Sadly, it also doesn’t come with a taillight and the reflective panels aren’t sufficient, either. I’d recommend either buying additional lights or splashing just a little more cash and upgrading to the Turboant X7 Pro.

Battery

Overall, the XR Ultra offers fantastic quality, especially for a mere $$$. The inclusion of the LG battery, if nothing else, shouldn’t be underestimated and gives this budget scooter an edge over others in the category. That paired with decent power and great portability makes this an excellent entry-level choice.

Click here to buy from Amazon.

Hiboy S2

Are you looking for electric scooter with seat for adults? Well. This is a scooter for you

GoTrax isn’t the only name in the budget scooter business. Hiboy S2 is out to grab a slice of the pie too, serving up rival scooters like the S2. But can it live up to the high standards set by GoTrax?

In terms of speed and power, the answer is yes. The S2 features a powerful 350W motor that allows riders up to 260 lbs to travel as fast as 18.6 mph, which is a step up from the GoTrax Apex, GXL V2, XR Ultra, and Elite. Despite only weighing 29.5 lbs, the S2 is deceptively powerful for its size, and it boasts a much zippier acceleration for something that only costs $400.

Hiboy S2 Frame

One of its most notable features, or should I say two features, is the addition of its shock absorbers – something that GoTrax scooters generally lack. The S2 features dual spring suspension in the rear to help provide a smoother ride quality. It’s rare to see any kind of shocks on cheaper models, but the S2 bucks the trend.

This being said, the spring suspension isn’t the same quality as those you’ll find on more expensive scooters. It doesn’t provide as much cushioning as expected, meaning that you’ll still feel the majority of bumps and cracks that you ride over. The S2’s major downfall is that as you gradually increase speed, the ride quality equally nose dives.

Hiboy S2 Solid Rubber Tire

Given that the S2 is fitted with 8.5-inch solid rubber tires rather than the larger plush pneumatics of its main competitors, the ride quality isn’t quite as enjoyable unless you stick to completely smooth paths.

On the other hand, though, opting for solid tires does eliminate the risk of flats and minimizes the need for maintenance as most rubber tires are fairly wear-resistant. This is ideal if you’re a scooter novice and don’t want the hassle of having to deal with fiddly tire changes and laborious upkeep. Nevertheless, if you are stuck choosing between the Hiboy S2 and a GoTrax model, I’d recommend opting for the latter. Our tests have shown GoTrax models, even the cheapest ones, to be comfortable to ride.

Range

When it comes to range and efficiency, the S2 stands out. You’ll be able to travel for up to 17 miles on a single charge, placing it in the middle of the GoTrax XR Ultra and Elite. However, bear in mind, when your battery does run dry, you’ll have to wait 6 hours, which is longer than other models.

Hiboy S2 on a Road

For a budget scooter, the S2 does everything it can to boost your power. It does this in several ways but mostly with its unique kinetic recovery system. In brief, every time you brake, the S2 converts and stores the excess energy to prolong battery life.

Your control over your speed also extends further than just how hard you brake. The S2 features two different speed settings: Sport mode and Comfort mode. Unsurprisingly, the Sport setting allows you to hit the top speed, giving you more power off the starting line, whereas the Comfort mode caps your pace at 13 mph. This is ideal for conserving the battery if you want to go further. You can use it alongside the S2’s integrated cruise control.

Hiboy S2 LED Display

With most budget scooters, these settings would be accessible through the handlebar display, but Hiboy has opted for a much cooler method: their Hiboy mobile app. With the click of a button, you can pair your scooter and control your riding mode, lock the S2, and operate your lights. There are plenty of scooters out there that connect to apps, but not at such a reasonable price.

This isn’t the only luxury that Hiboy offers. When purchasing the scooter, you also have the option of adding a seat for an extra $. This’ll appeal to you if you’re planning to do a lot of riding. You can easily flick on cruise control and relax, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city, rather than focusing on keeping balanced and maintaining speed. For context, the next best seated scooter I recommend is the Zero 8 which costs significantly more than the S2 ($894).

Lights

Like all good electric scooters (even the budget ones), the S2 features everything you need to keep you safe. It’s fitted with a bright built-in headlight as well as taillights and sidelights for effective nighttime riding. It also comes with a double braking system including a rear disc brake and an electric brake so that you can ride with confidence.

The S2 is a great scooter for a beginner, delivering an impressive level of power, speed, and range despite its small and portable size. It measures up well against the likes of the GoTrax models, however, the suspension and ride quality let it down. If your commute involves any sort of uneven terrain, I’d look elsewhere, but if it’s smooth sailing from your door, the S2 is one to consider.

Click here to buy from Amazon.

Swagtron Swagger 8

BEST UNDER $200

Swagtron Swagger 8 Folding Electric Scooter for Kids & Teens

Top Speed: 15 MPH

Range: 7 miles

Weight: 12.7 lbs

Motor: 200W

Wheel Size: 5.5 inches

Warranty: 3 months

The last cheap electric scooters for adults in this list is Swagtron Swagger 8. The Swagtron Swagger 8 is the ideal introductory electric scooter for beginners, teens, and kids. The company expressly designed this electric scooter for younger riders, so there are very few luxury features to be seen. However, even though they market it as a kid’s scooter, an adult beginner will also find it comfortable enough to use, thanks to the adjustable handlebars and adequate carrying capacity. It is not the fastest electric scooter

The Swagger 8 has a kick-to-start function, so you have to maintain a consistent speed for six seconds before the 200W motor kicks in. It gives most people enough time to get comfortable on the scooter before it starts speeding up.

wheels

While the 5.5″ solid rubber wheels may put some comfort freaks off the Swagger 8, it also features front and rear suspension to mitigate the sensitivity of the solid wheels. While 5-inch pneumatic tires would be significantly better, Swagtron has still designed an electric scooter with a moderately comfortable ride.

Battery

The 24V 108.8Wh lithium-ion battery provides enough juice for up to 7 miles of riding and has a surprisingly short charge time. So now your impatient kids won’t have to wait long before getting back on their scooter again.

While the Swagger 8 seems incredibly light on features and conveniences, it’s an excellent first scooter for kids. The manufacturers didn’t design this scooter with daily commutes in mind. They created it as a first scooter that won’t overwhelm the novice rider.

If you like the idea of owning an electric scooter but aren’t 100% convinced it’s the right option for you, it’s a good idea to buy an introductory scooter first. And the Swagger 8 is a great first buy with decent features that will get you excited about riding even more powerful electric scooters in the future.

Pros

Very lightweight at 12.7 lb

5.5″ solid tires with front and rear suspension for a comfortable ride

Kick-to-start functionality means you’re always in control of the scooter

Decent top speed

Razor Power Core E90

BEST UNDER $100

Razor Power Core E90

Top Speed: 9 MPH

Range: 6 miles

Weight: 22 lbs

Motor: 90W

Wheel Size: 5.5 inches

Warranty: 3 months

What’s the cheapest electric scooter you can get you ask?, the Razor core E90 is here for your kid. Just like adult electric scooters, kids scooters require some research before committing. The Razor Core E90 arguably is the best electric scooter for kids under $100.

Unfortunately, unlike scooters in our other price brackets, this one is exclusively for kids. It has a carrying capacity of 120 lb, and the small motor will struggle once you start hitting that upper limit.

The kick-start option ensures that you won’t get any accidental takeoffs while your kids learn how to ride. Most children will quickly pick up how the scooter works and will be riding around in minutes.

Razor has a reputation for creating kids-friendly electric scooters, and the E90 is no different. It has a decent build quality that feels robust and solid, and while it doesn’t have pneumatic tires, the urethane tires are comfortable enough for short bursts around the block.

The main drawback of the E90 is the battery. The maximum range is around 6 miles or 80 minutes of riding time, but the recharge time is 12 hours. While the scooter comes with two batteries, you’ll still experience a lot of downtime while you wait for the batteries to recharge.

Pros

Excellent price for a kid’s first scooter

Safety features such as a push-button throttle, friction rear brake, and kick-to-start functionality

Made with durable materials that can withstand lots of punishment

Extremely lightweight and portable

Click here to buy from Amazon

Final thoughts on the cheap electric scooters for adults

Electric scooters are a good alternative to cars, bikes and walking. If you are on a tight budget, here are scooters you can choose from. Electric scooters have many benefits. They are quiet and are operationally efficient.

Cheap electric scooters for adults