The 10 Best Electric Scooters On The Market In 2021
2021 has seen the e-scooter market continue to thrive, with numerous upgrades being made to existing models and new models being released. There are lots of options out there, so if you’re looking to buy an e-scooter, you might be confused by the huge choice.
But hopefully reading our article will make your decision a bit easier. Our Chief Executive Paul Williams picks the ten best electric scooters on the market in 2021.
Table of contents
1. Xiaomi MI 1S
2. Unagi Model One
3. Halfords Carrera Impel is-1
4. Inokim Oxo
5. Dualtron X II
6. Pure Air Pro
7. Beyond PEV EMove Cruiser
8. Apollo Phantom
9. Ninebot Kickscooter MAX G30E II
10. Zero 9 Electric Scooter
Typical price: £399
“The perfect first scooter”
Xiaomi is one of the world’s biggest e-scooter manufacturers – and with good reason. Its products are manufactured in China, and they have great build quality (including aircraft-grade aluminium) and a lightweight frame.
Xiaomi’s 365 and 365 Pro models were bought by millions across the globe for their versatility, flexibility, and great capability. If you can still pick up a 365 or 365 Pro – and prices have been dropping – you can pick up a great scooter for a bargain right now. But with regards to Xiaomi’s newer models, our pick is the 1S.
Here are some quickfire facts about this scooter:
It has a range of 18.6 miles.
It has a 250w motor.
It can fully charge in just five hours.
It has air-filled 8.5-inch tyres, so it’s comfortable to ride.
In a nutshell, the 1S is a great scooter for beginners and those looking to keep it light and easy. It’s quick release and lightweight, weighing just 12.5kg, making it easily transportable.
It’s only rated as IP54 for water resistance, so it’s not suited to wet weathers. But for fair weather riders, it’s a great option.
The main differences between the 365 and the 1S are that the 1S has a speedometer on the display, and the battery is more efficient. What’s not to like?
Typical price: £899
“The minimalist’s dream”
Unagi continues to lead the pack in terms of looking the coolest, and electric scooters don’t come much sleeker or more futuristic than this!
The Unagi Model One is a beautifully designed, low maintenance, premium e-scooter made from quality materials, including aluminium and the same carbon fibre used in Elon Musk’s Space X rockets!
Its design elements include a fantastic one-click folding mechanism, and in 2021 Unagi has dropped the lower power of the single 250w motor leaving just a dual-motor version pumping out a combined 500w in the E500.
While last year this electric scooter cost over £1,000, its price has since dropped to below £900, making it a little more affordable for everyday commuters. Yes, you can buy plenty of cheaper electric scooters, and range can be better at around 14km, but the Unagi Model One is surprisingly quick and easy to ride and is sure to turn heads.
It’s also one of the lightest electric scooters on the market at just 12kg.
The simplistic design, amazing looks, and easy controls that this electric scooter possesses make it a great option for day-to-day use.
Typical price: £399
“Built to last”
Halfords has hit the e-scooter market with its first electric scooter for the masses, the Carrera Impel is-1.
It’s positioned perfectly for the everyday consumer with a highly competitive price point. While it might not be the Brad Pitt of e-scooters, it guarantees substance and form over style and sex appeal and is a sturdy, solid e-scooter.
It contains a 350w motor and 8.5-inch pneumatic tyres and can handle the odd downpour thanks to its IPX5 weather rating.
Whilst not class-leading, it has a range of 18.6 miles, although, in real-world terms, this is more likely to be 13 miles.
From the moment you use this electric scooter, you’ll feel the build quality in abundance as it eats up bumps and terrain.
It’s not a small scooter – it looks and feels bigger than a number of its rivals – which will make your ride feel all the more secure. However, the trade-off here is that it’s heavy to carry around (17kg), and its appearance may deter some potential buyers.
But don’t be fooled – this scooter beats several of its competitors in many key areas, such as security. It comes with a cable lock built into the stem, as well as an immobiliser which requires a three-digit pin in order to start the scooter. The cable is a handy feature that’ll deter any would-be thieves who happen to wander by.
In addition to better security, it also boasts a super-powerful front, rear disc brakes, and a folding mechanism that’s easy to use.
Perhaps its biggest selling point is that it comes with a lifetime guarantee on the main frame and is backed up by Halfords – a trusted brand across the mobility sector.
Typical price: £2,200
“Two words – Quality. Fast.”
Inokim started building e-scooters back in 2009 from a garage (through project “MyWay” which was founded by the fantastically named Nimrod Sapir Recardo!), so they have a vast amount of experience in the field. This vast experience is exemplified by the Oxo, a scooter that stands out from the crowd thanks to its world-class build quality.
With dual suspension, dual 1,300W brushless gearless motors (which can give 2,600w at the peak), and a range of up to 68 miles, this machine will have you riding for hours – and not just because of its sheer power. Unlimited, it can reach 40 mph, but it comes with enormous stopping power via the front and rear disk brakes. Just remember to wear a full crash helmet and protection if you’re travelling at such speeds.
The balance and stability of this e-scooter make it perfect for on-road and off-road riding. It’s not too portable, weighing in at a whopping 33.5kg, and it’s up against some tough competition, but this European built e-scooter has quality stamped all over it.
Typical price: £5,599
“Only speed demons need apply”
When you’re looking at e-scooters that can drive super-fast on private land, there are a few contenders.
Brands such as Kaabo have the Wolf Warrior 11 (at 45mph) and the insanely fast Wolf King (60mph), while the legendary brand Apollo has the Phantom Ludicrous at 48mph. But, for me, Minimotors wins the race with its fabulous Dualtron range, and especially the Duatron X 2, which can travel at a staggering 68 mph!
This electric scooter is the 2020 improved version of the world-famous Dualtron X, which in itself was extremely powerful and durable.
When you buy a Dualtron scooter, you’re not just getting the speed but the complete package. Yes, it weighs 66 kg and costs more than your granny’s car, but it’s built stronger than a Sherman tank, and you can tell from the reviews that Minimotors know what they’re doing.
They take everything seriously, from the deck plate and LED light system to the suspension and, most importantly, the brakes.
The stats are similarly impressive, with an 80-mile range and maximum load of 150Kg. Not to be driven by the fainthearted, they can catapult you with jaw-dropping acceleration. A full helmet and protection is essential, but even then, you may require a strong nerve to push this bad boy to its limits.
Typical price: £349 (Go); £449 (Standard); £599 (Pro)
“The all-rounder”
British electric scooter retailer Pure Electric, based in the South West and founded by entrepreneur Adam Norris, has a growing number of UK stores and a strong online presence.
In 2020 Pure launched its own e-scooter, the Pure Air, together with an upgraded Pure Air Pro. In 2021, it’s given both of these e-scooters a refresh as well as adding the Pure Air ‘Go’ model, which is the cheapest of the range.
These feature-rich e-scooters come with an IP65 water resistance rating and so can withstand everything the unpredictable British weather throws at you.
Furthermore, the large 10-inch air-filled tyres make riding comfortable and less bumpy than other scooters in this category. Whilst you may still get a puncture, these tyres come with pre-installed puncture prevention fluid, which will help you get home if the worst happens.
The step-up in the 2021 model has seen a welcome power boost, as the motor has increased from 250W to 500W for all models, other than the Go, which is rated at 350W.
Both the Standard and Pro models also come with an anti-skid electronic brake in the front in addition to a rear mechanical brake, making this a safe scooter to ride.
The standard model weighs 17kg, so it’s not as portable as some others. But overall, it’s a simple, extremely well-designed e-scooter made up of quality components that can carry most riders (up to 120kg).
The range isn’t spectacular against some peers, at a quoted distance of 12.4 miles for the Go and 18 miles for the Standard model, but don’t expect to get even this in ‘real world’ riding. If you need more, though, and can stretch to the Pro model, your ‘on paper’ range will extend to 30 miles – and this range should be fine for most people.
And with a recharge time of 3.5 hours for Go, 5.5 hours for Standard and 8.5 hours for Pro, you can easily top up overnight when needed.
This e-scooter’s maximum speed is capped at 15.5mph, so it’s likely to comply with future e-scooter legislation.
All in all, the 2021 models are a slight upgrade on their 2020 predecessors, with the main difference being the boost in power. Pure’s own model range continues to be a great solution for most people backed up by an established UK company that can even service your scooter and keep you on the road.
Typical price: £1,249
“The long-range wonder”
California-based firm Voro Motors is one of several leading distributors of e-scooters in the US. These scooters are now available here in the UK via Voro’s distributor Beyond PEV (formerly Beyond Electrek), based in Northampton.
Whilst Voro is trailing a new model for 2021 – the Roadster, which has yet to arrive – until then, our pick is the EMove Cruiser.
It boasts a silky-smooth ride thanks to full suspension in both the front and rear, along with large 10-inch pneumatic car grade tyres that have no inner tubes (kiss goodbye to hard-to-change inner tube punctures). It’s also capable of a staggering 62 miles range on a single charge!
Quality is stamped all over this scooter, which contains a large 52V 30AH LG battery hooked to a 1,600W battery. This feature means the EMove Cruiser can climb 20-degree hills and accommodate riders weighing up to 140kg.
It’s fast, too, with a 0 to 15mph acceleration of just 3.4 seconds. It’s heavier than most electric scooters, weighing 24kg, but with its ability to eat miles, together with its large deck, good lighting and dual disc brakes front and rear, this is a hugely capable scooter that provides a relaxing ride.
Typical price: £1,749
“Going to the moon”
Named after NASA’s famous moon landing space programme in the 1970s, Apollo has been churning out quality e-scooters for some time now. But with the new Phantom model, they’ve knocked the ball out of the park!
This e-scooter has several features that make it possibly THE class leader. Unique to Phantom is the HEX-shaped display, which is stacked with useful information such as remaining mileage based on how much throttle you’re using.
It’s incredibly well-constructed – the deck plate is large enough to accommodate all sizes of riders, and the superior thumb throttle is super smooth to use to the quadruple (yes, quadruple) spring suspension!
From the moment you get on and feel the great grips on the handlebars, you feel safe and in control. It’s one of the first premium e-scooters to have a high mounted front light – although this might seem like an obvious feature, almost no other electric scooter has this. So, if you purchase the Apollo Phantom, you have one less item to have to remember to take with you and keep charged.
Safety lighting doesn’t stop there either, with one of the brightest set of turn indicators seen on an e-scooter. You can see these indicators clearly in the daytime, which will give you that added peace of mind.
This scooter can take everything you throw at it. From its robust stem locking mechanism to its dual motors pushing you to a top speed of 38mph, the Phantom is built to last. It can cope with riders up to 150 Kg, has a perfect deck length, and has a respectable 40 miles of range.
The toughest decision you’ll make is whether you opt for mechanical or hydraulic brakes. But, either way, this scooter has it all. This is arguably the standout scooter of 2021!
Typical price: £719
“It ticks all the boxes”
You can’t talk about e-scooters without mentioning Segway-Ninebot. A ubiquitous brand in personal mobility, it’s created some of the best e-scooters for years.
Its go-to model has been around a while, but it’s recently been updated with the newer model, the Ninebot Max G30E II, which remains a best buy for a reason.
With one of the longest ranges at 40 miles, a maximum speed of 15.5 mph, and larger (and therefore more comfortable) 10-inch pneumatic tyres, this electric scooter ticks all the boxes.
It comes with both an electronic front brake and drum brake at the rear and a 350W powertrain which has enough power to climb 20-degree slopes and can be recharged in about 6 hours.
There are some slight drawbacks with this e-scooter – it holds the more limited IPX5 water resistance rating, can only carry riders up to 100kg, and weighs more than its peers at 19.1kg. But the quality stamp of the brand is clear to see, and it’s a big seller in many countries as a result.
Typical price: £695
“From zero to hero”
If you’re based in the UK, you may not be familiar with Zero, but it’s a reputable manufacturer of high-quality electric scooters in the US.
The pick of the bunch is the Zero 9 (or cheaper ‘economy’ Zero 9E), an e-scooter that packs a lot in and punches well above most of the competition.
It looks the part, with deck lighting and a cool deck board. It also comes with an impressive spec sheet including a 600w motor, top speed of 25mpg, range of 27 miles and charging time of just three hours.
It’s not in the ultra-lightweight category, weighing 18kg, but it’s the complete package in terms of performance.
It comes with excellent suspension using rear air shocks and front springs to create a silky ride, while its front disc brakes and rear drum brakes give excellent stopping performance even in wet conditions. With a very solid range and comfortable ride, it’s the perfect electric scooter for those longer commutes when the law permits.
One to watch out for
One e-scooter to be excited about for 2021 has yet to hit these shores, but its release is being hotly anticipated, and it’s another model from the aforementioned Voro.
The company’s newest model, the EMove Roadster, is due to be released soon. Whispers from the US suggest it will come with a unique stability system – this feature would be a first for e-scooters.
There is still no date as to when the launch will take place, but we hope it will be soon and can’t wait to get our hands on one. If you want to know more about the EMove Roadster, you can check out some of Voro’s ‘sneak peak’ images here.
Don’t forget the current legislation
Please remember that, as the law currently stands, electric scooters can only be used legally on private land and should not be used on the public highway or pavements.
Whichever e-scooter you buy, always remember to lock it securely, ideally with a Sold Secure rated lock to an immovable object or railing.
The e-scooter market continues to expand at a rapid rate, and we’re eager for the government to lay down the legislation to allow e-scooters to become legal on UK roads. This legislation, when it comes into effect, will unlock another great personal mobility option for urban roads.
E-scooters are not only a great way to get around using a green, low carbon and sustainable method of transport; they’re also great for health and well-being as well as simply being super fun!
Whichever of these electric scooters you choose to buy, you need to protect it with specialist electric scooter insurance. This insurance will protect your e-scooter against theft, loss, and damage, and will protect you in case of injury to yourself or another person and damage to third-party property. Find out more about our bespoke e-scooter insurance by clicking the link above, or get a bespoke, buildable quote in minutes here.
