Alexandra Ramirez
1. Razor
Best Overall Electric Scooter
5/5 Product Rating
The Pocket Mod can run at a speed up to 15 miles per hour. The 12” pneumatic tires have a rear suspension that offers riders a comfortable ride.
Some of the other great features of the Pocket Mod include variable speed acceleration, retractable kickstand, padded seat, and a built-in battery that will be able to last up to 10 miles on one charge.
When riding this scooter the rider is expected to adhere to the local, federal and state laws that pertain to riding this scooter.
It is designed for ages 12 and up, with a weight capacity of 150 pounds. There is a convenient storage compartment under the seat to carry a wallet or other valuables. The Pocket Mod by Razor comes with a 90 day money back guarantee.
– Jonathan Maxwell
2. Razor RX200
Best Overall Electric Scooter – Runner Up
4.9/5 Product Rating
It is capable of reaching speeds up to 12 mph and features a chain driven motor, a rear sprocket drive train with freewheel for coasting.
It can run for up to 40 minutes of continuous use on a single charge. The twist grip throttle and hand operated, rear disc brake makes riding fun and easy.
The lightweight steel frame and fork, riser style handlebars with the soft rubber grip are stylish as well as functional.
The RX200 is not out of features yet…there is a triple bolt clamp, full deck grip tape, heavy duty alloy wheels with on/off road tires with a psi of 60. This electric scooter is powered by a 24v (2-12v) sealed acid, rechargeable battery system. There is a battery charger included.
This scooter is recommended for ages 13 and up and can support riders up to 154 pounds. The design and durability of this scooter is designed to withstand tough trails, rough terrain and other obstacles so your outdoor excursions are filled with fun. All riders of this scooter are expected to adhere to and know the local, state and federal regulations pertaining to the Razor RX200 scooter.
– Jonathan Maxwell
3. Razor E100
Best Budget Electric Scooter
4.8/5 Product Rating
Features of the E100 Glow include a kick start, chain driven motor that has high-torque and plenty of power. Front, twist-grip acceleration control, hand operated brake, soft rubber grips on the handlebars;
A retractable kickstand, 8” pneumatic front wheel, polyurethane rear wheel, and 2 rechargeable 12v batteries for a total of 24v of power. The battery is a sealed lead acid battery system.
Riders can expect a battery charge time of 12 hours and a battery charger is included. The scooter weighs about 32 pounds and some assembly is required. This fun electric scooter is recommended for ages 8 and up.
– Jonathan Maxwell
Electric Scooter Buying Guide
What is Electric Scooter?
Our goal with this buyer’s guide is to help you find the right electric scooter for you. We will outline the key factors that are important to consider when you are purchasing an electric scooter.
Quality – Quality is definitely important when it comes to buying an electric scooter. If you’re not careful, it is far too easy to get a poorly made scooter. There are some things you can do to ensure that you don’t accidentally purchase a poor quality electric scooter.
- Stick with brand name electric scooters
- Buy electric scooters that offer a warranty
- Purchase from a protected, reputable vendor
Price – There is a wide range of prices when it comes to electric scooters. They can range from $100-$400 for scooters built for kids and $300-$2000 for scooters for adults. The more bells and whistles the scooter has, whether for kids or adults, the higher the cost will be.
Speed – An electric scooter can range in speed from 8 mph up to 25 mph. There are several things that determine the speed of an electric scooter.
- Weight of the rider
- The level of battery charge
- Tire pressure
- Inclines
- Hills
- Rough terrain
All of these will affect the speed the scooter is capable of. The top speed quoted by the manufacturer is done so under ideal conditions.
Carrying Capacity – This has to do with the amount of weight the electric scooter can carry. The heavier the rider is the slower the scooter’s acceleration will be and the lower the top speed will be.
Motor – The engine of electric scooters is rated by its wattage. It is not recommended to purchase electric scooters with wattage under 300 watts if you’re riding on steep roads, rough terrain, and hills. Wattage under 300 will also not work well for riders over 180 pounds. The higher the wattage, the heavier load and rougher terrain the scooter can handle.
Terrain – Flat streets or roads are the best terrain for riding scooters unless it is an off-road model that is designed to handle rough terrain and hills.
Climate – Batteries are affected by temperature. Extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, will decrease the range that the scooter is able to last. Some electric scooters offer resistance in wet weather. Light rains will probably not affect it too much but if water gets into the motor, it will short out and have to be replaced. There are some models that have weather resistant motors and will do fine in wet weather. These names are Schwinn, Mongoose, Currie and GT.
Battery – The battery is what powers your electric scooter. Most scooters have the standard sealed, 12v rechargeable, lead acid battery. Each scooter, depending on the manufacturer, will come with 1 to 3 batteries. The lifespan of the battery and the range it has are dependent on the battery or batteries it has. Most batteries run 300-500 charges before they have to be replaced. Fully drained batteries take 2-8 hours to full recharge and the range it has per charge will vary as well due to external factors. (Weight of the rider, terrain, etc)
Wheels – This includes the axle, hub, spokes and rim. Wheels will either come with wire spokes, solid spokes or a spoke-less solid design. They are constructed from steel, aluminum and reinforced plastic.
Tires – The tires of a good electric scooter can be made of rubber, foam rubber or polyurethane. Pneumatic tires are common, which have an inner tube but there are pneumatic tubeless models as well. Tire size will definitely impact the performance of the scooter. If it has taller tires, it will usually have a higher top speed but the taller tires make climbing hills a little more difficult.
Another thing that taller tires do is have a higher ground clearance. That helps the electric scooter handle pot holes, bumps, curbs and other forms of off-terrain places better. You will have better hill climbing ability with shorter tires but it decreases ground clearance. Tires also affect your traction…wide tires increase the traction of the scooter.
Brakes – Brakes are important for stopping the electric scooter safely. They will vary by model and brand name. The most common type of brakes for electric scooters is drum, hub, disc and caliper. Most of the electric scooters you will be looking at have a combination of any one of those brakes.
Some have rear brakes only, others have front brakes only and others still, have a combination of both. Each scooter will list the type of brakes it has. You may notice that some come with an automatic throttle shut off system. This safety feature is installed to keep the engine from engaging while the rider is applying the brakes.
Frame, Body and Deck – Construction of the frame of the electric scooter is usually made of steel. The body of the electric scooter covers the f ram and deck that the rider stands on. The body and deck of the electric scooter is usually made from steel, aluminum, plastic or a combination of materials. The plastic varieties are more likely to crack and break.
Electric Scooter Accessories
Depending on the scooter, there is a host of accessories that can be offered. We have listed the most common accessories that you may find on an electric scooter.
- Removable seat
- Adjustable height handlebars
- Foldable handlebars
- Key ignition
- Headlights
- Taillights or brake lights
- Reflectors
- Turn signals
- Horn
- Rearview mirrors
- Battery indicator gauge
- Speed indicator gauge
- Kick stand
- Basket
- Cargo box or rack
- Tool kit
Conclusion
Electric scooters are a great means of outdoor fun. They can be used by kids and adults alike and can even be used as a means of transportation. There are many different brands and styles of electric scooter on the market.
Searching through all of them would take a long time, so if you can narrow the field by knowing how and where to search, you will have an easier time choosing the right electric scooter for your kid or yourself.
The information in this buyer’s guide is designed to help the buyer understand what features to look for and how to choose the best quality electric scooter for your needs.
With the right information, you’ll be able to take the right factors into consideration and rule out the models that won’t fulfill what you’re looking for. Making an informed decision will ensure that you get the most electric scooter for your money.
Resources
- Razor – http://www.razor.com/
