(Last updated on February 15th, 2023)
One thing that has got many people talking in recent months is the number of new transport options hitting the streets. In towns and cities everywhere, we are seeing many more electric bikes and skateboards, but getting the most attention is the electric scooter.
The electric scooter industry has grown rapidly, and companies have struggled to keep up with demand as for city and town transport, they are an ideal solution. In this article, we want to tell you all about some of the best folding scooters available on the market and exactly what to look for if you’re considering buying one.
Why Are Folding Scooters Great for Transport?
Many people don’t know the benefits of a folding electric scooter, and before we talk about our top picks, we are going to discuss just what makes folding electric scooters so excellent.
Simple to Use
The first to mention is how easy they are to use. Riding a scooter takes minutes to learn. They use a simple throttle system, and balancing on them is easy. Unlike other forms of transport, such as a skateboard, you have full control at all times, and if you need to stop quickly, you can.
Good for the Environment
Pollution is becoming a big issue in modern days and reducing journeys in cars is a good way to do your part. A scooter costs literally cents to charge and can be ridden for miles without producing the harmful gasses that a car would. The more people that use scooters, the fewer cars on the road and the less traffic in general.
Traffic Is Easy
Generally, you will use a scooter in a bike lane or on a path. With cities and towns heavily improving structures to accommodate for cycling and people making a walking commute more often, a scooter is an ideal way to whiz into town. The fact there’s very little that can slow you down is a big plus for scooters.
They Are Cheap
When you take into account the cost of running a car or even modern-day transport, it never is cheap. Even using a bus or train now isn’t always cost-effective and running a car is even more. Folding electric scooters cost literally cents to charge, and you can get some amazing scooters for less than $800 that will give you years of service.
They Can Fold Away
One thing we really like about folding electric scooters is that they fold. This means it can be compacted down while not being used. Not only does this save you a lot of space at home, it makes them easier to carry. Folding scooters are also generally more accepted to carry into a cafe or a shop compared to non folding scooters. Having the ability to fold is a big advantage over other scooters.
To find out more about why electric scooters are great, check out this video:
What Do We Look for When It Comes to Picking the Best Folding Electric Scooters?
Folding electric scooters are new technology compared to bikes or cars, so it can be tough to know what you need to look for when buying one. Here’s what we look for;
Quality
All the folding electric scooters we picked for this list are of a high quality. They come from good brands that have put time into development and make a product that is of a high standard.
Design
The design of a folding electric scooter goes a long way for us. We want them not just to look great but to be super functional. A big struggle for many companies is getting a design that not only looks good but has that folding ability.
Performance
The performance of a folding electric scooter is very important for us. We want them to have powerful motors which can go quickly and large batteries to give miles of range.
Value for Money
When it comes to folding electric scooters, no matter what the cost, we want great value for money. We don’t want to be spending top dollar on a mid-range scooter.
| Scooter | Power | Cost | Max Speed | Range | Weight Limit | Scooter Weight | Brake Type | Rating |
| Wolf Warrior 10X Plus | 2200w Com | $1800 | 50mph | 40 Miles | 330lbs | 101lbs | Hydraulic Disc | 9/10 |
| HITWAY Scooter | 500w | $560 | 15mph | 20 Miles | 330lbs | 30lbs | Cable Disc | 8/10 |
| Wide Wheels Scooter | 1000w Com | $1200 | 26mph | 22 Miles | 220lbs | 54lbs | Cable Disc | 8/10 |
| Qiewa Q-Power2 | 6000w Com | $2300 | 60mph | 90 Miles | 620lbs | 102 lbs | Hydraulic Disc | 9/10 |
| Dualthon Thunder | 5400w Com | $2400 | 50mph | 75 Miles | 265lbs | 95lbs | Hydraulic Disc | 9/10 |
| Xiaomi M365 | 250w | $350 | 15mph | 18 Miles | 220lbs | 27lbs | Cable Disc | 8/10 |
Best All Rounder
1. Wolf Warrior PRO
Our Rating
9/10
$1800
KEY SPECS
| Power: 2200w (1100w x 2) | |
| Max Speed: 50mph | |
| Range: 40 Miles | |
| Weight Limit: 330lbs | |
| Scooter Weight: 101lbs | |
| Brake: Hydraulic Disc |
PROS
- Power twin motors
- Good range and can be upgraded
- Looks great
- We love the lighting
- Suspension
- Tire Choices
CONS
- Not the cheapest
- Quite heavy at 101lbs
Coming out of the UK, we have the Kaabo Wolf Warrior 10X Plus. This scooter not only looks the part but it can perform too. It has two 1100w motors, which can take you all the way up to an amazing 50mph (Recommended only on private land). It comes with a large battery which will give you 40 miles in range, but this can be upgraded to 70 miles.
When you order this scooter, you get the choice between road or off-road wheels. The Wolf Warrior has been made for control and has large wheels and a wide footplate making this great for handling. It even has a suspension system for a comfortable ride and can help you hit a trail or two.
It has hydraulic disc brakes, which makes this scooter stop quickly, and with the ABS system, so it doesn’t skid either. It has some excellent features, such as lighting, fenders, and the large LCD display is bright and looks great.
OUR VERDICT
The Wolf Warrior PRO is our best all rounder. It ticks every box for us and is going to be a huge amount of fun. They are not the lightest scooter, but they are very capable, especially with the extra battery.
Best for Commuting
2. HITWAY
Our Rating
8/10
$560
KEY SPECS
| Power: 500w | |
| Max Speed: 15mph | |
| Range: 18mph | |
| Weight Limit: 330lbs | |
| Scooter Weight: 30lbs | |
| Brake: Cable Disc |
PROS
- Very lightweight
- Amazing value for money
- Price is great
- Suspension and disc brakes
- All the lighting
CONS
- Limited range
- Not the fastest
HITWAY makes some of the best value for money scooters on the market. Coming in at around $560 is an absolute bargain. It has a 500w motor which is going to give you a 15 mph top speed and a range of 18 miles. The design looks great, and we love the use of the oversized tubing to house the handlebars.
It comes with tires for all terrain riding but is suited mostly to urban riding in our expert opinion. The cable disc brakes are good, and they will have the ability to stop you quickly. It comes with light suspension, which will help take the bumps out of the road and make the ride super comfortable.
It also has some great accessories, such as front and back lighting and even LED strip lights down the side. The folding mechanism is great too, and this scooter weighs only 30 lbs which is super light. Another thing to note is they also make an 800w version with a bigger battery if this isn’t enough.
OUR VERDICT
As far as scooters go, the HITWAY is pretty tame, but it is incredibly lightweight, has everything it needs for a comfortable ride, and weighs next to nothing. The best thing is the price though it is amazing value for money.
Best for Control
3. Wide Wheels W6
Our Rating
8/10
$1200
KEY SPECS
| Power: 2000w (1000w x 2) | |
| Max Speed: 26mph | |
| Range: 22mph | |
| Weight Limit: 220lbs | |
| Scooter Weight: 54lbs | |
| Brake: Cable Disc |
PROS
- Great design
- Amazing for handling off-road
- Lots of lighting
- Cable disc brakes
- Not too heavy at 54lbs
- Good value for money
CONS
- Lightweight limit
- The rugged looks are not for everyone
If you are looking for an electric folding scooter with amazing ability when it comes to handling, look no further than the Wide Wheels W6. This is the tamest of the Wide Wheels scooters but still boasts excellent power and is made for tight corners. The 2x1000w hub motors can drive this scooter up to 26 mph, and it has a range of 22 miles.
We love the design. The low center of gravity and large footplate makes it very easy to ride. It has big wide off-road wheels that, unlike many other scooters, need air putting in them. It also has some pretty good suspension to help it when on a round trail or gravel road. Of course, it is equipped with cable disc brakes and will be excellent at stopping quickly.
It comes with lights on the front and back and two giant marker strip lights running down the front. The scooter only weighs 54 lbs, which makes it amazing for power to weight ratio, and it’s very easy to fold and open up quickly.
OUR VERDICT
The Wide Wheels W6, although their tamest bike from Wide Wheels, has everything. It’s powerful, has excellent handling, and really looks the part. The only thing we’re not so keen on is the weight limit being 220 lbs.
Best for Power
4. Qiewa Q-Power2
Our Rating
9/10
$2300
KEY SPECS
| Power: 6000w (3000w x 2) | |
| Max Speed: 60mph | |
| Range: 90 Miles | |
| Weight Limit: 620lbs | |
| Scooter Weight: 102lbs | |
| Brake: Hydraulic Disc |
PROS
- Very Powerful
- Great suspension
- Looks mean
- Hydraulic Disc brakes
- Incredible weight limit
- Easy to fold
CONS
- Heavy at 102lbs
- Not the cheapest
If you crave power and want to go super fast, then the Qiewa Q-Power2 is the animal you might want to consider buying. It comes in two versions, a street and an off-road. They both come with 2×3000 watt hub motors which give this bike incredible speed and acceleration. It can go all the way to 60mph and has a huge range of 90 miles.
It has got a unique suspension, and the struts sit on the side of the scooter. This does help with handling, and this scooter is great for bumpy roads. It comes with a nice wide plate, and the scooter has great ground clearance. It also comes with those super power hydraulic brakes for great stopping power.
You also get a powerful light to keep you seen and safe, and you get a few other features, such as a kickstand and fenders too. It’s easy to fold down but does come in quite heavy at 102 lbs which isn’t an issue when riding because of the power, but when it comes to carrying can be challenging.
OUR VERDICT
The Qiewa Q-Power2 is a super fun scooter with incredible power and range. With that power and range does come with lots of extra weight, but it hugely performs, and you get a lot for your money.
Best Design
5. Dualtron Thunder
Our Rating
9/10
$2300
KEY SPECS
| Power: 5400w (2x2700w) | |
| Max Speed: 50mph | |
| Range: 75 Miles | |
| Weight Limit: 265lbs | |
| Scooter Weight: 95lbs | |
| Brake: Hydraulic Disc |
PROS
- Great power
- Sleek looks
- High top speed and range
- Simplistic
- Good brakes
CONS
- Quite heavy
- Not many accessories
If you are looking for a sleek scooter that screams class, then we can highly recommend the Dualtron Thunder. Many of these scooters on this list look very rugged, while the Dualtron looks incredibly slick and is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is equipped with two 2700w hub motors that can take you up to 50mph and has a great range of 75 miles.
It has an interesting braking system of hydraulic on the front and a cable disc on the rear. This powerful scooter is great for stopping quickly and will work well off-road and in poor conditions. The latest model has the new flex suspension, which not only gives the scooter more height but lengthens as it drops.
As far as accessories go, it is quite plain. It doesn’t come with lighting, and everything has been made to be very minimal, but that is why we like it. It comes in at 95 lbs, but this has an amazing power to weight ratio. The folding mechanism is hidden in the tube and is really simple to use.
OUR VERDICT
If you’re looking for a very sleek scooter for day riding and want something fun and powerful, then the Dualtron is perfect for you. It isn’t full of accessories, but that’s not what this scooter is about. We rate it very high because it is just an excellent performance scooter.
Best Budget
6. Xiaomi M365
Our Rating
8/10
$350
KEY SPECS
| Power: 250w | |
| Max Speed: 15mph | |
| Range: 18 Miles | |
| Weight Limit: 220lbs | |
| Scooter Weight: 27lbs | |
| Brake: Cable Disc |
PROS
- It looks great and is very minimal
- Cost is incredibly cheap
- Easy to fold
- Very lightweight for carrying
CONS
- Limited power and range
- No accessories
The Xiaomi M365 is the lightest scooter on this list. Coming in at only 27 lbs, it is easy to carry and perfect for short commutes while using other transport. It’s powered by a 250w motor and equipped with a battery giving you 18 miles.
It’s a very well designed scooter and has a basic sleek look to it. You can tell Xiaomi has spent a lot of time reducing the weight as much as possible, as nothing is on there if it isn’t needed. It doesn’t have any suspension but does come with a cable disc brake to stop you quickly.
As far as accessories go, it’s pretty basic, but the fact it weighs only 27 lbs is what makes this so special. It’s very easy to carry and folds up super small, making this perfect for commuting with mixed transport.
OUR VERDICT
The Xiaomi is not a power scooter and doesn’t have a huge range. What makes this so special is that it weighs next to nothing and looks great. On top of all that it’s only $350. We highly recommend it.
Folding Electric Scooters Buyers Guide
Now you know about some of the best folding electric scooters, how do you go about picking the right one for you? In this next part, we want to give you the questions you need to ask yourself so you can find the perfect scooter for you.
How Much Do You Want to Spend?
The first thing to speak about is the budget. We think it’s very important to pick a budget. If not, it only goes one of two ways. You either end up going for the cheapest and then upgrading, or you end up spending too much and then want to downgrade. We recommend keeping a budget in mind and getting the best you can within that budget.
Is It Fit for Purpose?
Although it’s tempting to go for the folding electric scooter that might be the most powerful or look the best, it’s important to think about what you want it for. If you are planning to commute at night, you will want an electric scooter with lights. You might want to hit off-road trails, and in that case, you will need suspension. Ensure the scooter you pick will be perfect for your needs.
Is It Ok to Ride?
The rules on folding electric scooters are very vague. Typically in most places, you are allowed to ride scooters. As long as you don’t go above 25mph, don’t ride on certain main roads, you will be ok. That isn’t the case everywhere though, so we recommend checking with your local highway code, as they might only let you ride a scooter at 15mph.
What Accessories Do I Need?
Sometimes folding electric scooters won’t have very powerful motors or large batteries, but they will still cost a fair amount of money. This is because some of these scooters come with great accessories, and they can make a huge difference. Things like suspension and wide footplates can make them very comfortable and easy to ride. Lighting and marker lights can help you commute in the dark and keep you safe at night. We highly recommend not judging a scooter by the power but as a whole.
Conclusion
Folding electric scooters are an amazing way to get around. They are cheap to buy and cost next to nothing to run, they can avoid traffic and can be ridden on cycle paths, and you can even take them on trains and some buses. We can see why they are getting so popular and highly recommend them. We hope you enjoyed our list and found the perfect scooter for you. For more benefits on electric scooters, check out this video:
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically most folding electric scooters fold at the front wheel on the bottom of the handlebar stand. This is the point where they can compress the most, and it doesn’t damage any of the components on them.
We recommend checking your local laws, but in most places, scooters are commonly used, and most cities have good infrastructure to accommodate them.
Police tend not to mind unless you are using them dangerously. Jumping red lights and riding without lights at night will get you noticed for all the wrong reasons. The police typically don’t mind providing you use them safely.
Electric scooters, provided they are looked after well, will last you three or more years. After three years, they generally won’t break either. They might not have as much range or go as fast. The more you generally spend on a scooter, the more use it will give you.
E-bikes are great and more powerful than scooters, but they are much more expensive and much harder to find a place to store when you are commuting. Scooters are smaller and much more convenient. They both are excellent, though.
I’m Robbie Ferri, a writer from Norfolk in the UK. I love cycling, the gym, and have a huge passion for sharing my stories and knowledge to anyone with the time to read them. My main passion is cycling. I started eight years ago. In that time I have broken world records, cycled all over the world in Ultra Bikepacking races, and am lucky enough to have enjoyed some incredible times on two wheels with some incredible people. I have also worked in a bike shop and with some of the industries leading brands, not just promoting products but designing them too.
Under it all I am just someone very passionate about exploration and living a healthy lifestyle. Everything I do I put 100% into it and feel that life is for living. Never should you have a dull day.
