Electric Scooters for Kids and Adults

Electric scooters can be of great fun, but also of great help when commuting from one place to another. When compared with cars, or even electric bikes, electric scooters are light, compact, easy to store and maintain, rather affordable, etc.

Electric scooters with large wheels are very similar to electric bikes with small wheels and with only Full Electric Bike riding mode - often, it is only the label that tells us if it is an electric scooter or an electric bike.

Note: Laws and regulations regarding electric scooters may differ from state to state (or from country to country), but they are not the topic of this article.

When looking for a new electric scooter, there are few important things to look for, including:

- Battery: electric scooters are powered using energy stored at the onboard battery.

Smaller electric scooters intended for kids, especially entry-level models are usually powered via sealed lead-acid or even Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, while larger units are being powered almost exclusively using lithium batteries.

Lithium batteries are mostly Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) or Lithium Polymer batteries, ensuring low weight and high energy capacity.

However, in order to keep the lithium batteries as safe as possible, lithium batteries come with built-in Battery Management Systems (BMS) that protect the battery from unwanted events like high/low voltage, high/low temperature, high current, and similar.

Stored energy in the battery varies from 40-50 Wh for entry-level models to 500-600 or even more Wh for adult commuting/professional electric scooters.

- Range of the electric scooters depends on the battery capacity, terrain type, user weight, riding style, availability of regenerative braking system, and similar.

Range varies from 8-10 miles (14-16 km) to 40+ miles (64+ km) for most models.

However, when declaring electric scooter range, some brands also provide information about the weight of the user and average, usually constant, speed.

Maximum range is practically always measured on flat terrain with no slopes.

- Weight of the electric scooter depends on its size, intended use, battery type, frame material, and similar.

On average, electric scooters weigh from 15-20 pounds (7-9 kg) to 45-50+ pounds (20-23+ kg) - such a wide weight range just shows how different electric scooters may be.

- Load Capacity again depends on the intended use and frame material and ranges usually from 150 pounds to 300+ pounds (~68 - 136+ kg).

The performances of the electric scooters depend on the user weight, so don't expect, for example, the same hill-climbing speed for the 100 and 250 pounds users.

Note that the load capacity includes the user and any other load that may be carried by the user, for example, a backpack full of books.

- Motor Power ranges from 100-150 watts to 500+ watts. In many cases, this is a continuous motor power, with the surge motor power usually being twice the continuous power.

Surge power, if not prevented electronically, increases the maneuverability, hill-climbing, and similar, but for a very short time, sometimes for just a few seconds.

Electric motors can be mounted in front of the rear wheel with the power transferred via a chain, or the electric motor is integrated with the rear wheel (rear hub electric motor).

Although most electric scooters feature single gear, some models feature a simple 2-gear system, with the first gear being used for hills and the second gear being used for everyday rides.

Since the safety of the electric scooter rider depends on her/his experience, some models offer different drive modes, for example, Eco mode, Standard mode, and Sport mode.

But, this is model-specific and not all models support it.

- Maximum Speed ranges from 8-10 mph (14-16 km/h) to 20+ mph (32 km/h).

Maximum speed is measured on the flat terrain and is usually given for the specific user weight.

Heavier users usually can develop "almost" maximum speed, but they just have a somewhat longer acceleration time.

- Controls and Display allow the user to control the electric scooter and they also provide information about the unit's status, including the speed, battery remaining charge, and similar.

Controls and Display are usually on or between the handles.

Some electric scooters are WiFi/Bluetooth enable units and can be monitored using a smartphone App, which generally can provide more information than the display on the scooter itself.

- Frame Material is usually steel or aluminum. Aluminum is stronger by weight, but also somewhat more expensive than high-quality steel - a good steel frame doesn't have to be heavy and the high-quality steel is certainly not cheap.

Personally, both materials are good - the user should focus on the scooter's total weight and size, including folded size, especially if there is a lack of storage space.

- Folding Frame allows the user to store and carry the electric scooter more easily.

Almost all electric scooters can be folded, one way or another, decreasing the size and footprint.

- Wheels Size: electric scooters come with relatively small wheels, which usually range between 5 and 10 inches (~12.7 - 25.4 cm).

Electric scooters with larger wheels, for example, 10" wheels are very similar to electric bikes with only Full Electric Bike ride modes - some electric scooters even feature a detachable seat, making them almost indistinguishable from smaller electric bikes.

Users of electric scooters with smaller wheels should be extra careful when riding over uneven and bumpy terrain.

 - Brakes on electric scooters come in various forms and they usually include regenerative braking via some sort of Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), disc brakes, or even caliper brakes.

When the user wants to stop slowly, KERS converts kinetic energy into electric energy which is then stored in the battery for future use.

And when the user wants to stop quickly, mechanical brakes are used to stop the electric scooter in a controlled manner - or as controlled as possible.

In order to increase the safety and prevent the wheels from blocking during braking, some models even feature a brake Anti-Block System (ABS).

- Tires ensure firm and safe contact with the surface. Tires may be made from urethane, solid rubber, or tires may be air-filled rubber tires.

Urethane, solid rubber, and similar solid tires are puncture-free tires, but they also don't absorb the bumps and vibrations during rides as well as air-filled tires.

- Suspension System is not very common on electric scooters.

The suspension system can be in the form of a front spring damper, front fork shock absorbers, and rear single or dual shock absorbers.

The suspension system in combination with air-filled tires can make the ride much smoother and is more common in adult electric scooters intended for everyday commuting.

- Safety Systems increase the safety of the user and the safety of the electric scooter and may include front and rear lights, rear brake light, anti-theft lock, display lock, and similar.

Also, most electric scooters are "kick start" scooters - the user has to manually achieve a certain speed (usually around 3 mph/5 km/h) before the motor can start.

Note: most electric scooters are very simple and intuitive to use, but when they arrive, be sure to thoroughly read their manual in order to get accustomed to your new electric scooter! And whatever You do - safety first!

For more information about this topic, feel free to check:

• How to Charge Electric Scooter Battery Without the Charger
• Why Does My Electric Scooter Turn On But Does Not Move?
• Electric Scooter vs. Electric Bike
• Can You Bring an Electric Scooter on a Plane
• Electric Scooter Won't Turn On Or Charge

Long Story Short: When looking for your "ideal" electric scooter, be sure to choose according to your own needs and preferences.

And if You a new to electric scooters, start slowly with the full safety equipment including helmet, knee/elbow pads, wrist guards, gloves ... People often underestimate protective gear, until it is too late. Again, if You are new to electric scooters, be careful and start slowly - safety first!

Here is the list of our latest Electric Scooters reviews and recommendations, ordered according to the added date: