(Last updated on March 8th, 2023)
Electric scooters are a fun, practical alternative to walking. You can use them to commute to work, ride around the block with your kids, or run errands. But scooters can get very expensive, especially when considering all the components that go into a quality scooter. Don’t worry, though – you can have a fun, safe scooter for transportation without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll talk about our top picks for the best cheap electric scooters for adults. You’ll be surprised how many there are! We’ll give you the details and a buying guide for how we picked the best scooters. We’ll also give you our favorite choice. So let’s get started with a summary of our favorite cheap electric scooters.
- Buyers Guide: What to Look for When You Buy a Budget Scooter
- Five Best Cheap Electric Scooters for Adults
- Best Budget Scooter
- Best Entry-Level Scooter
- Best Scooter for Larger Riders
- Best All Around Scooter
- Best Scooter Design
- Final Thoughts on the Best Cheap Electric Scooter for Adults
- Frequently Asked Questions
| GoTrax GXL V2 Best Budget Scooter | Segway Ninebot ES1L Best-Entry Level Scooter | TurboAntX7Pro – Best Scooter for Larger Riders | HiBoy S2 Best All Around Scooter | Xiaomi Mi M365 Best Scooter Design | |
| Speed | 15.5mph | 12.4 | 20 mph | 19 mph | 16.7 |
| Range | 12 miles | 12.4 | 15.3 | 17 miles | 14.6 |
| Weight | 26.5 pounds | 24.9 pounds | 31.9 pounds | 31.9 pounds | 26 pounds |
| Load | 220 pounds | 220 pounds | 280 pounds | 270 pounds | 220 pounds |
| Tires | Pneumatic | 8-inch tires | 10-inch pneumatic | 8.5-inch solid tires | 8.5-inch pneumatic tires |
| Brakes | Dual | Dual | Disc, electronic, and foot braking | Ebraking and disc braking | Rear Disc and front regenerative brake |
| Display | Speed, distance, battery | Speed, Mode | Speed, Mode | Speed, Cruise Control, Battery | LED battery life, use a phone app for other info |
| Lights | Front LED | Front LED | 3-Watt Front LED | Headlight, taillight, sidelights | Head and tail lights |
| Folding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $349 | $399.99 | $549 | $549.99 | $399.99 |
| Rating | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Buyers Guide: What to Look for When You Buy a Budget Scooter
Before you run to a big box store and grab a cheap scooter, you’ll want to find one with all the components you need because not all cheap scooters are good!
Here’s what to look for in a budget-priced high-quality scooter. You won’t find all of the fancy components you might have in a high-end scooter, but you will find a quality scooter that is safe and fun to ride. Let’s take a look.
Speed
We love to go fast! Unfortunately, one of the downsides to a budget scooter is it typically can’t get the speed of those high-end scooters. But don’t worry – you won’t be going slow. While high-end scooters can hit speeds over 60mph, with a budget scooter, you’ll be realistically looking at speeds of around 15 – 20 mph. This is pretty standard for most scooters, even more, expensive styles.
So while you won’t be breaking the sound barrier, you’ll still go fast enough to have fun!
There are a few factors that can affect speed, such as the weather, the air pressure in your tires, and the rider and cargo weight. If you find you can’t get up to speed, try reducing the amount of weight on your scooter for a better ride.
And even a slow scooter is faster than walking.
Range
Going long miles requires lots of battery power. So less expensive scooters will have smaller batteries. This isn’t all bad – because smaller batteries are a lot lighter, which is good if you need to carry or store your scooter. But these smaller batteries will cut down on the number of miles your scooter can go.
The range of these scooters is about 12 to 17 miles per charge, which isn’t bad at all. If you need a longer range than that, you can consider a scooter such as the Turbo Ant, which has an easy-to-swap battery. If you carry a spare, you’ll get twice the miles.
To be honest, this is plenty of distance for the average scooter rider. You’ll likely be able to get to work, ride around town, or to the ice cream shop and back.
If you’re going to require a lot more miles, you’ll probably have to squeeze out some extra pennies from your wallet for a higher-end product.
Scooter Weight
One of the great aspects of budget scooters is their light weight. They’re plenty durable, but they have lighter-weight frames and components, which means they are much easier to carry and store.
The scooters on this list range from around 25 to 32 pounds, which is much lighter than the typical electric scooter, which can easily weigh over 100 pounds.
So if you ride your scooter to the train or somewhere you need to carry it up the steps, consider one of these lightweights. They are easy to carry and fold down for storage.
Scooter Load
Something that doesn’t change much with the scooter’s price is the load it can handle. If you add up the weight of the rider with the weight of the cargo, that’s how much load your scooter will need to be able to carry.
The scooters on this list can carry anywhere from 220 to 280 pounds, which is a standard amount of weight. Few scooters – even high-end scooters – can carry much more weight than that.
Just keep in mind that the heavier the load, the more battery drain you’ll experience. So if you carry too much weight, you might not be able to ride as far.
Braking
Braking systems are critical and something that these scooters do not skimp on. No matter what speed you are riding, you need to be able to safely come to a stop.
We love that the Turbo Ant has three ways to brake, giving you plenty of stopping power. The rear step brake is a nice addition to hand brakes because it gives you extra stopping power when you need it the most.
Make sure you know how to brake safely before you pick up too much speed. Although much of your stopping power comes from the front brake, you can end up flying over your handlebars if you hit it too hard without using the back brake.
So no matter what braking system you have, practice stopping safely before you get too quick.
Display
The displays on budget scooters are more limited than on high-end scooters. This is one area that the manufacturers can safely save you money. However, most of the time, the display will show you your speed, distance, and battery life. In some cases, the scooters come with an app that will show you additional data or give you extra control over your scooter. So don’t let the lack of technology scare you away from a budget scooter – it’s just one way to save you money without compromising on quality or safety.
Lights
Lights are really important to see and to be seen. Most of the scooters on this list, at the very least, have a front LED headlight which helps you to be noticed and will help you see when it starts to get dim.
However, some have taillights as well, and one even has sidelights for maximum visibility. If the included lights aren’t bright enough for your taste, you can easily add on a battery-powered handlebar light or helmet light to give you extra visibility.
Folding
Storage can be really important if you don’t live or work in a place where you can store your scooter easily. All of the scooters on this list fold down easily. This way, if you ride your scooter to the train or the office, you can easily fold it down to keep it next to you on your commute.
Price
We always worry about the price that things will cost us. We don’t want to waste money, but we also need to spend enough to get the necessary components.
One of the main reasons we chose these specific scooters was that they don’t sacrifice safety or quality to save you money. You may lose a small amount of speed or technology, but you’ll have a safe, sturdy ride to get you wherever you need to go at a reasonable price.
Five Best Cheap Electric Scooters for Adults
Best Budget Scooter
1. Go Trax GXL V2
Our Rating
8.5/10
$349
KEY SPECS
| Max speed | 15.5 mph |
| Max range | 12 miles |
| Scooter weight | 26.5 pounds |
| Load | 220 pounds |
| Braking | Dual Braking system |
| Display | Speed, distance, and battery |
| Lights | Includes built-in front LED |
| Folding | Yes |
Pros
- Very affordable scooter is made of durable materials
- Built-in LED and easy-to-read display helps you stay safe and keep track of your essential data
Cons
- This is a very basic scooter that doesn’t have any bells and whistles
- Does not have a long-range
Not everything has to be expensive to be good. If you want a quality scooter at an affordable price, then consider the Go Trax GXL V2. It’s made of durable materials, has excellent speed, and has enough range to run errands or get to work on a single charge.
OUR VERDICT
If your budget is super tight, then the Go Trax Electric Scooter is a safe choice. However, if you’ve got a short flat commute, want to play around, or just have a little fun, this scooter will definitely get the job done and at a very affordable price. Really, the only significant drawback here is that the Got Trax has such a short range per battery charge. But, if your commute isn’t that long, it will definitely get you there and a whole last faster than walking. It’s a basic scooter at a great price, so we give it 8.5 out of 10. You can see the unboxing and test drive here.
Best Entry-Level Scooter
2. Segway Ninebot ES1L
Our Rating
8/10
$399.99
KEY SPECS
| Max speed | 12.4 mph |
| Max range | 12.4 miles |
| Scooter weight | 24.9 pounds |
| Load | 220 pounds |
| Tires | 8 inch |
| Braking | Dual Braking system |
| System Display | Shows speed and mode |
| Lights | Front LED |
| Folding | Yes |
Pros
- This is a moderately priced scooter that is more than good enough to get you started
- The scooter is lightweight with plenty of braking power.
Cons
- This scooter doesn’t go very fast
- This scooter doesn’t go very far, either.
If you’re brand new to electric scooters, you’re not going to want to hit the road at high speeds. So the Segway Ninebot makes a great choice. It’s a slower-speed scooter with a smaller range. But it’s good enough to let you get your feet wet and see if you love this lighthearted mode of transportation.
OUR VERDICT
We give it an 8/10. If you’re just getting started and want to give it a try, this is an excellent scooter for you. It won’t go too fast, so you don’t have to be scared of getting in over your head before you are ready for faster speeds.
Best Scooter for Larger Riders
3. TurboAntX7Pro
Our Rating
9.5/10
$549
KEY SPECS
| Max speed | 20 mph |
| Max range | 15.3 miles per battery |
| Scooter weight | 31.9 pounds |
| Max Load | 280 pounds |
| Tires | 10-inch pneumatic |
| Braking | disc, electronic, and foot braking included |
| System Display | Shows speed and mode |
| Lights | 3-watt front LED |
| Folding | Yes |
Pros
- This scooter includes a triple braking system giving you plenty of stopping power even if you are a larger rider
- This scooter has an easy-swap battery system to extend your range easily
Cons
- The display could have more information
- The headlight could be brighter
Larger riders don’t have to be afraid of bogging down a budget-priced scooter. Instead, take a look at the Turbo Ant X7 Pro. It’s a sturdy electric scooter with plenty of bells and whistles for the price.
A few exceptional qualities about this scooter may help you decide if this is the one for you. For example, it has an easy swap battery system. So although the battery is only good for about 15 miles, you can quickly swap it out for a fresh battery, giving you another 15 miles. The batteries only weigh about 6 pounds, too, so they’re easy to bring along.
Another excellent quality of this scooter is the high load – it can carry up to 280 pounds of cargo and rider, so if you’re a bigger person or just have a lot of stuff, it can handle it!
Lastly, the Turbo Ant has a triple braking system – it uses disc, electronic, and foot braking so you can confidently stop even under adverse conditions.
Our Verdict
The pros by far outweigh the cons of this electric scooter. Although the range is small, the battery system makes it easy to carry extra batteries for quick changes. We love the additional braking and the 10-inch tires to give you extra comfort and stability – everything you need for a larger rider! We give this scooter a 9.5/10.
But you can check it out for yourself, here.
Best All Around Scooter
4. HiBoy S2
Our Rating
10/10
$549.99
KEY SPECS
| Max speed | 19 mph |
| Max range | 17 miles |
| Scooter weight | 31.9 pounds |
| Max Load | 270 pounds |
| Tires | 8.5-inch solid tires |
| Braking | ebrakes and disc brakes |
| System Display | Shows speed, cruise control, and battery |
| Lights | Includes headlight, sidelights, and taillight |
| Folding | Yes |
Pros
- This scooter includes a triple braking system giving you plenty of stopping power even if you are a larger rider
- This scooter has an easy-swap battery system to extend your range easily
Cons
- The display could have more information
- The headlight could be brighter
The Hiboy S2 has a few more amenities for its great price. First of all, it has solid tires. Solid tires require less maintenance and won’t go flat. And since solid tires aren’t quite as comfortable as pneumatic tires, HiBoy has included a suspension system to even out the ride.
It has an optional seat, so if you’re tired after a long workday, you can easily sit and ride home. But the best part is the connected HiBoy app, which gives you more control over your scooter, braking, and the ability to lock your scooter right from your phone.
Our Verdict
Just because something is cheap, doesn’t mean it can’t be good. We love the HiBoy for this reason. We give it a 10 out 10 because it’s a great value for the price. You get a quality suspension system for a comfortable ride, a dual braking system for safety, and a max speed of 19 mph. There’s a lot to love about this scooter, including the low price tag.
Best Scooter Design
5. Xiaomi Mi M365
Our Rating
9/10
$399.99
KEY SPECS
| Max speed | 16.7 mph |
| Max range | 14.6 miles |
| Scooter weight | 26 pounds |
| Max Load | 220 pounds |
| Tires | 8.5-inch pneumatic tires |
| Braking | rear disc with a front regenerative brake |
| System Display | Battery Life; use a phone app for other data |
| Lights | Front and rear |
| Folding | Yes |
Pros
- Very affordable electric scooter
- Sleek, modern design
- App connectivity
Cons
- A small battery means a small range
- Availability is limited, although refurbished models are accessible and affordable
The Mi has a beautifully streamlined design with app connectivity, giving it a modern look and feel. This very simple scooter is easy to ride and just a good all-around, quality scooter for the price. It’s an amazing balance of being both stylish and practical, balancing value and price. Quality, ingenuity, and budget price don’t often go hand in hand, but with the Mi, they absolutely do.
Our Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi M365 gets a 9/10. It’s sleek and modern and highly affordable. It folds down easily and weighs just 26 pounds, but this little scooter is hard to come by. We couldn’t give it a full 10 because it’s not as easy to find.
Check out the range test, here.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cheap Electric Scooter for Adults
It can be really challenging to figure out how to get the most for your money, especially when you’re on a limited budget. But that doesn’t mean you have to end up with a lousy scooter. And although these scooters are pretty inexpensive, they’re still durable and good quality. Where they lack the most is the speed and range.
With that being said, they’ll still get you there faster than walking, and they’re still plenty of fun to ride! So with that, our favorite choice for a budget electric scooter is, not surprisingly, the HiBoy S2.
We love the HiBoy because you get a pretty good speed and range for the battery life. While rigid and less comfortable, the tires are pretty worry-free because they won’t go flat, and the suspension helps make the ride more comfortable. And the extra lights and dual braking features give you extra safety, but the connect app makes this scooter an even better value for your dollar. It gets a perfect 10/10!
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends. In the UK, they can be ridden on private lands but not on public roads. In some places in the United States, they are legal if they are below a specific motor wattage. Check your local laws for details.
Helmet laws vary by state, but it is always a good idea to wear one. The risk of concussions and traumatic head injuries can be significantly reduced by wearing a helmet.
Helmet laws vary by state, but it is always a good idea to wear one. The risk of concussions and traumatic head injuries can be significantly reduced by wearing a helmet.
Most electric scooters go anywhere from 15 to 20 miles per hour, although some can go much faster and farther. Other scooters, such as children’s scooters, go much slower for safety.
Some electric scooters have optional seats so you can sit and ride. However, not every scooter is equipped with a seat, so you’ll need to look for a model that has one. Sometimes, seats can be purchased separately and added on at a later date.
No, not all electric scooters have apps. More modern scooters and higher-end scooters are more likely to have apps that can control specific details, such as how braking works or locking your scooter.
Amanda Whittington is an expert writer, impassioned cyclist, and musician. Coming from a diverse educational background, Amanda discovered a deep-rooted passion for encouraging others through her love of all things cycling, writing, and inspiring hope.
You’ll likely find Amanda pouring over bike specs, comparing the hottest cycling tech, and sporting the latest jerseys while juggling the demands of her editorial calendar, training schedule, tiny homestead, and 6 busy kids.
She spends her free time absorbed in her own gardening and fitness, cycling, and reading, all while encouraging adoption and foster care, championing the underdog, and of course, working with her chickens and goats.
