Best Electric Scooters Under $300 – 10 Budget Scooters For Every Scenario

Electric scooters under $300 can provide a surprising amount of value, features, and fun, despite being some of the cheapest electric scooters around. Basically, $300 is the lowest price point at which you still have a shot of finding a decent electric scooter.

Luckily, in the case of many of the cheapest scooters, cheap does not equal bad. Today we will be looking at exactly those scooters.

Let’s see some of the best electric scooters under $300 in 2021.

Each one of them has one or several use cases where they absolutely shine. If a scooter’s strong suit aligns with what you’re looking for, it will be a great choice for you.

Also, many of them will have one or more weak points, and if that exact point happens to be something you need, you will see what is a better alternative for you.

Best $300 electric scooters

These are the best electric scooters under $300 for each use case.

Best electric scooter under $300 (US) – GoTrax XR Ultra

Several important facts and features make the GoTrax XR Ultra the best electric scooter under $300.

For starters, it comes from GoTrax, which is arguably the best brand when it comes to budget scooters. They have several inexpensive options, most of which are well-received, which proves that GoTrax clearly has a focus on the budget demographic.

But the GoTrax XR Ultra does not simply hitch a ride on brand recognition. In fact, it is probably the brand’s best scooter, and the scooter that helps make the brand popular the most.

A little caveat here – the price of this scooter may not always be under $300. Its price varies, and while it’s sometimes around the $300 mark, sometimes it can go up to $360, and maybe even more. The good news is, you can often find refurbished or used but good as new units, that will be priced around $300, and thus satisfy the criteria of a $300 budget.

The GoTrax XR Ultra is one of the better performers in the budget category. Its 300 Watt motor, with a peak power of 430 Watts, is what gives it its power, and it is the determining factor that gives this scooter an edge over the rest of the scooters here. With a top speed of 15 mph, range of 17 miles on a single charge, and a climbing angle of 15 degrees, this scooter is everything the regular owners/commuter/enthusiast needs.

Even more importantly, this scooter really has built a reputation for itself. It sells very well, maybe in the tens of thousands, and the number of complaints about serious defects is very low, especially for this price category. The aluminum-alloy frame, the simple and foolproof folding mechanism, and the long lifespan it provides its users with, all place this scooter on a level of quality above most of the other similarly priced models.

Who should buy the GoTrax XR Ultra?

While there are other very good $300 scooters, the GoTrax XR Ultra is the best overall. If you just want the best $300 scooter and don’t have any specific need in mind, the GoTrax XR Ultra can be your choice.

If you want to find out more about this excellent budget scooter, check out the full review of the GoTrax XR Ultra.

Who should not buy the GoTrax XR Ultra?

If your budget is $300 and not a penny more, and you also wouldn’t like to get a refurbished scooter for some reason, then check out the other scooters on this list, especially the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter, it might be a great option for you.

Also, currently, it seems like the GoTrax XR Ultra is only available in the US, through the official GoTrax store, and through Amazon. If you are outside the US, the Kugoo S1 is the best UK/EU/Asia alternative.

Best electric scooter under $300 (UK, EU, Asia) – Kugoo S1

The Kugoo S1 is very similar to the GoTrax XR Ultra in some ways, although different in a few as well. Since GoTrax scooters are usually only available in the US, while Kugoo scooters are usually only available in Europe and sometimes Asia, they can split the crown between them, since both are excellent models for their price category.

The Kugoo brand is possibly the best budget scooter brand in Europe, and that’s not solely because they kinda lack competition in that price category (although they really do). They can, and do, go toe-to-toe with Xiaomi and Ninebot when it comes to the next price category of around $500, since they have many good models around that price tag.

But when it comes to cheaper scooters, like the ones we’re looking at today, I haven’t seen many other serious contenders for the European market. Kinda strange, since it’s a bigger market than the US several times, and scooters are huge in Europe too.

Anyway, with a few possible exceptions, Kugoo S1 will be your most popular, most viable choice for an electric scooter under $300 in Europe.

The Kugoo S1 is a true $300, usually priced at $299. This super-value scooter has a 350 Watt motor, a top speed of 18 mph / 30 kmh, a climb angle of 15 degrees, a range of 18 mi / 30 km on a single battery charge, and a weight limit of 265 lbs / 120 kg. A truly lethal combination for the price.

It comes with an IP54 water protection standard for those wet European winters, 8-inch solid tires that never go flat, and a very portable weight of 24 lbs / 11 kg, with small dimensions when folded.

Beyond the stats, which are pretty impressive, the user reviews and satisfaction is probably even better. We can see a lot of positive feedback and stellar reviews, rising popularity, and lots of units being sold to new satisfied users.

Overall, the Kugoo S1 is the best electric scooter under $300 in the UK, Europe, and most other countries outside the US. And not just because there is not that much competition, but because the scooter is simply great.

Who should buy the Kugoo S1?

Simply put, if you live in Europe or Asia or anywhere else outside the US, and you are looking for the best scooter that $300 can buy, then the Kugoo S1 is your scooter.

Who should not buy the Kugoo S1?

As we mentioned already, if you live in the US or Canada, it is likely that Kugoo scooters will not be available there, or not easily available at least. In that case, go with either the GoTrax XR Ultra or the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter.

Most reliable, great quality – Razor E300

The Razor E300 has good performance, with a top speed of 15 mph / 24 kmh, a range of 10 mi / 16 km. It’s powered by a 250 Watt motor (one of the few scooters with a chain-drive motor), and a 168 Watt, 24 V battery.

It can also support cool features and interesting customization options, most notably the seat in the Razor E300S version.

But that’s not what makes this scooter spectacular.

The fact that this scooter has sold hundreds of thousands of units, has an impossible 4.3 star rating out of 5, with only 8% of 1-star reviews, and a very low defect rate with less than 100 users reporting a major defect in the first year, is what makes this scooter the most reliable scooter under $300 in the world.

Even more, Razor is a very reputable scooter brand, especially when it comes to budget scooters, and the Razor E300 is definitely one of their most popular options.

You can see the complete review of the Razor E300 to find out more.

Who should buy the Razor E300?

All in all, if quality, reliability, and super-long lifespan are your priorities, then the Razor E300 is clearly the best $300 scooter for you. If you want a scooter that will rarely suffer defects and serve you for a long time, but also if you’re worried about safety and you want the safest scooter around, then you will love the Razor E300.

Also, this scooter is often bought as a gift, so if you’re looking for a nice gift for a teenager, the Razor E300 might be it.

Who should not buy the Razor E300?

The range of 10 mi / 16 km is not the most flattering range, especially if you’re looking for a good commuter scooter. Check the GoTrax models if you’re after a good commuting scooter for under $300.

Also, with a weight of 43 lbs / 20 kg, the Razor E300 is not exactly the lightest or most portable of choices. If portability is your primary need, check the GoTrax XR Ultra or the Kugoo S1, both are solid portable commuter scooters.

Best value – GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter

There may be several ways to calculate “value” for an electric scooter, but the simplest one is to take a look at the reliability and overall quality along with a strong consideration for the performance, and then simply divide it by the price of the scooter.

And the champion that such a formula will produce will be the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter.

The very respectable rating of around 4.0 stars out of 5 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, the GXL V1, which had just 3.5 stars. GoTrax has clearly learned a lot, and applied it.

With almost 2500 reviews (potentially implying hundreds of thousands of sales), this is one of the most popular electric scooters in the world, and it doesn’t have anything left to prove.

A top speed of 15 mph / 25 kmh, range of 12 mi / 19 km, backed by a 250 Watt motor, takes care of the performance side of things.

And the final touch that makes this scooter amazing value is the price. Usually priced around $248, the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter is without a doubt the best-value $300 scooter currently.

Who should buy the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter?

The GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter is a fairly versatile scooter that ticks many boxes. It will be a great value pick for anyone looking for a proven lightweight commuter of solid quality. No other $300 scooter will provide a better bang-for-buck than this one.

If you are interested in learning more about this scooter, see the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter review.

Who should not buy the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter?

The price of versatility is lack of specialization, so anyone looking for a scooter with an accent on a particular feature may want to look at the other options here.

Also, if you live somewhere with extremely poor roads, you may be more interested in a scooter with solid tires, like the Kugoo S1 or the GoTrax G2.

Best for heavy adults, great performance and motor power – Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite

The Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite, besides being a fairly popular scooter, stands out from the crowd by being the only $300 scooter that can support adults of up to 320 lbs / 145 kg. Other scooters in this price category usually have only 220 lbs / 100 kg.

With that feat, it is the natural best choice for heavier adults (check out the post on the best electric scooters for heavy adults if you need even more weight limit).

The large weight limit is thanks to the overall strong performance capabilities of the scooter. 18 mph / 30 kmh top speed, 12 mi / 19 km of range, a great climb angle of 20 degrees, all powered by a 250 Watt motor and a 216 Watt-hour 36 Volt battery, make the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite one of the top performers in the under $300 category.

The versatility of this scooter is further enhanced by the IPX4 water resistance standard, the 8.5-inch pneumatic front + honeycomb rear tires, the great portability with a weight of 26 lbs / 12 kg, and the fact that it’s one of the few inexpensive scooters that support an app. Plus, the scooter sports a cool ergonomic design.

All of that for a price of $299.

Who should get the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite?

The Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite is the best under-$300 choice for heavier adults, but also for anyone looking for great power and performance in this price category, as the climb angle of 20 degrees and the 18 mph / 30 kmh will also be among the highest possible.

Who should not buy the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite?

The main reason why I wouldn’t recommend the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite for everyone is the common concerns about their quality expressed in the mediocre ratings and reviews of the scooter. It seems that while the scooter is performant when everything works correctly, it may have a larger defect rate than other scooters in this price category.

So, if quality and lifespan are your primary priorities, see other scooters here, like the Razor E300 or the GoTrax models.

Best with solid tires – GoTrax G2

The GoTrax G2 is the best budget GoTrax scooter with solid tires. The solid-rubber 6.5-inch tires of this scooter will never, ever go flat, and will require much less maintenance in general.

The G2 sports a 200 Watt motor integrated into the front wheel, giving it a solid top speed of 15.5 mph / 25 kmh, and a somewhat minimal range of 7 mi / 11 km.

The scooter has 2 speed modes, cruise control, and can carry up to 220 lbs / 100 kg of weight on its deck.

Besides the solid tires, this scooter shines in terms of portability as well, with very small folded dimensions and a weight of 21 lbs / 9.5 kg.

Who should buy the GoTrax G2?

Since this is the best solid-tire scooter under $300, it will be a good choice for anyone that doesn’t want to be bothered by flats and tire maintenance.

Also, since this is a scooter that is very easy to carry, both because of its small weight and its small volume when folded, it is a good choice for anyone that needs to carry their scooter a lot. See the complete GoTrax G2 review if you want to find out more.

Who should not buy the GoTrax G2?

As always, solid wheels are a double-edged sword, so get a different scooter if you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, or if the roads in your city are not that bad.

Also, this scooter doesn’t have a lot of range, so check out the other GoTrax models if you have long commutes, like the GoTrax XR Ultra or the GoTrax GXL V2 Commuter.

Finally, since this is a GoTrax model, chances are it will not be available in Europe. See the Kugoo S1 if you need a solid-tire scooter under $300 in Europe.

Lightest, most portable – Swagtron Swagger Pro

The Swagtron Swagger Pro is one of the lightest, most portable electric scooters for adults in the world. Weighing just 16 lbs / 7.25 kg, with miniature folded dimensions of 39 x 16 x 9 in / 100 x 41 x 24 cm, this scooter can be taken anywhere, and it can fit anywhere, from the smallest car trunks, to the narrowest hallways, to the tiniest elevator and subway doors.

But at the same time, this is clearly one of those cases where size can fool you. The Swagtron Swagger Pro is a vicious, tough carbon-fiber lightweight, with a top speed of 15 mph / 25 kmh, 17 mi / 29 km range, 220 lbs / 100 kg weight limit, and an IPX4 water protection rating.

The Swagtron brand is one of the most famous budget scooter brands, and they know their market well. If you need a small, ultra-portable scooter under $300 that is not shy on the stats as well, you will want to take a look at the Swagtron Swagger Pro.

Who should buy the Swagtron Swagger Pro?

With an unusual combination of a long range, decent top speed, and very small weight and dimensions, the Swagtron Swagger Pro is quite a versatile option that can be ideal for a lot of owners.

Who should not buy the Swagtron Swagger Pro?

My primary concern about the Swagtron Swagger Pro is the poor rating it has on Amazon. It can’t be described as a high-quality scooter, obviously it suffers from quality issues more often than the other scooters on this list.

Also, another problem is that the scooter may often be unavailable or out of stock.

Cheapest – Voyager Proton

This is a very intriguing ultra-budget model that I don’t see discussed all that much. It deserves more attention because it has some very interesting selling points and value propositions.

First of all, this is the cheapest electric scooter in the world for adults. With a regular price of around $180, there are cheaper electric scooters than this one, but they are almost always labeled as scooters for kids. In contrast, this is a true adult scooter, with a weight capacity of 220 lbs / 100 kg.

The Voyager Proton throws a few more curveballs by being one of the rare cheap scooters that come with adjustable handlebars, and is actually the scooter with the smallest folded width in the sub-$300 price range.

With a weight of just 20 lbs / 9 kg and very small and portable dimensions, this scooter can be great if you need some portability thrown into the mix as well.

So, the Voyager Proton clearly gives us something to think about. Not one, but two, and maybe even three, very strong reasons why we should pay more attention to it.

Who should buy the Voyager Proton?

If you want the cheapest possible scooter for adults, then you should seriously consider the Voyager Proton.

Also, consider this scooter if you need a bigger weight limit, or you live in a place where flats might be common and a solid-tire scooter would make more sense.

Who should not get the Voyager Proton?

The relatively small range of the Voyager Proton is its biggest weakness. That’s why something like the GoTrax models would be a better fit for most people.

Honorable mention – GoTrax Apex

If you’ve gone through this entire list and you still haven’t found your perfect scooter, consider the GoTrax Apex as a good wildcard scooter that covers many bases.

This is a complete and versatile pick that was too much of an all-rounder to be given one specific title. For the price of $299, you will get 8.5-inch pneumatic wheels, a 250 Watt motor, a top speed of 15.5 mph / 25 kmh, a range of 15 mi / 24 km, and an IP54 water protection rating.

Everything the modern scooterist needs.

Who should buy the GoTrax Apex?

If you went through this entire list and still couldn’t find a scooter that would be a good fit for you, give the GoTrax Apex a look, it is a great mix of value, performance, and quality that may be just what you need.

Who should not buy the GoTrax Apex?

Since this is quite a well-rounded scooter, it may not have any particular area it shines in. If you have some specific needs in mind, you should check the other scooters here again.

Best higher-price alternative ($399) – Hiboy Max

The Hiboy Max is one of those scooters that are very versatile and very good overall, but don’t necessarily dominate one particular category or use case.

Also, this scooter’s regular price is usually above $300 (closer to $400), and you’ll have to buy a used-like-new or a refurbished model to not break the bank, if you only have around $300.

Anyway, this is an excellent budget scooter with lots of great things going for it, that you technically still can get with a $300 budget. I would recommend it as a good choice if you went through all the scooters above and didn’t exactly find any one model that spoke to you.

This great-performing budget scooter will have a top speed of 18.6 mph / 30 kmh, 17 mi / 27 km of range, powered by a 350 Watt motor and 270 Watt-hour 36 Volt battery.

It has a unique, brave design, a very simple folding mechanism, shock absorbers that work well with the 8.5-inch solid tires, and an app for iOS and Android.

Possibly the strongest achievement this scooter can boast is its impressive user satisfaction, with a 4.1-star rating on Amazon out of more than 1000 reviews that testify for the scooter’s reliability.

Who should buy the Hiboy Max?

In summary, if your budget is around $300 and you wouldn’t mind getting a refurbished scooter, or you would consider adding about a hundred dollars to your budget, then the Hiboy Max would be an excellent choice, better than most other scooters here.

Also, if you didn’t find any of the above scooters to be a perfect fit for you, take a look at the Hiboy Max, it can be that ace-in-the-hole scooter and delight you with its quality, value, and performance. You can check out the complete Hiboy Max review if you’re interested in this great pick.

Who should not buy the Hiboy Max?

If you don’t want a refurbished scooter and at the same time your budget truly cannot cross $300, then the Hiboy Max will not be a good choice for you, and you will want to check the other scooters on this list.

What to look for in a $300 electric scooter?

The safest bet is to go with a reputable brand.

When it comes to budget scooters, the following brands are all well-established and have some good offers:

• GoTrax
• Swagtron
• Razor
• Cityrider (FFR)
• Megawheels
• Kugoo
• Hiboy
• Macwheel
• Voyager

In addition, brands like Xprit, Viro Rides, Joyor, RND, Evo, and Phaewo, are not as well known, but seem to be hard at work trying to build a name for themselves as well. They may try to compete on price and value, and if that’s how you shop, you may be interested in them as well.

Can you buy a good electric scooter for $300?

While most of the $300 electric scooters will be budget models, there are some that will provide you with more value than what you’ve paid for.

Chances are, your $300 scooter will be decent, especially if it’s one from this list. It will still be a $300 scooter, which means it will not be the biggest, baddest, coolest scooter around. However, it will get its job done, and it may serve you and bring you joy for a long time.

What to expect from a $300 electric scooter?

The quality of most $300 scooters will not be the same as the quality of more expensive scooters, but in some cases, they will be well-built and solid, especially the more popular models.

Most of them will have motor power between 250W and 350W. Their overall performance will not be the best, and while they will get the job done for commuting or having some fun riding on weekends or exploring, they will not be capable of more than that. One particular aspect where their lack of performance may be the most pronounced will be climbing hills – only a handful of $300 scooters can be considered decent climbers.

These are all scooters for adults, so their weight limits will be between 220 lbs / 100 kg and 256 lbs / 120 kg. Interestingly, quite a big part of them have a water-resistance IP rating of either IPX4 or IP54, something that can’t be said for many scooters that are more expensive.

How fast do $300 electric scooters go?

Electric scooters under $300 will have average top speeds of 15 mph / 25 kmh, which is the speed limit for electric scooters in most places anyway. Their top speeds can range from 10 mph / 16 kmh to 18 mph / 30 kmh.

How much range do $300 electric scooters have?

$300 electric scooters will have an average range of 12 mi / 19.3 km. Some will have ranges as high as 18.6 mi / 30 km, but some can have as little as 6 mi / 9.7 km.

How long do $300 electric scooters last?

There will be a big factor of chance involved here, but the typical $300 scooter should go at least one year without any issues or serious degradations in performance.

There is a pretty good chance your scooter lasts up to 3 years without any major defects, but at that time (and probably sooner), you can expect the battery of your scooter, which may not be the best to begin with, to wear out quite a lot. That will diminish the performance of your scooter to a point where the speed and range are very low, and you will likely have to get a new battery.

What are the downsides of $300 electric scooters?

While these scooters are great for their price, and pretty decent even if we ignore the price, you will still get what you pay for in many ways.

The biggest downside I’ve noticed is the defect rate.

Roughly speaking, the typical higher-quality scooter has about a 3% chance of having a major defect that renders it useless in the first year of usage, and that number is probably 7%-8% for the regular medium-price or commuter scooters.

With the $300 scooters, that percentage is closer to 10%, or maybe even 12%.

These percentages include dead-on-arrival scooters too, which are usually replaced or the money is refunded to the customer, so the realistic number of users having their scooter break down and having to repair it in the first year is lower. Plus, the warranty period is usually one year, so there should be little to no additional cost in this case anyway.

But still, this is an issue, and it is the inevitable reality of cheaper scooters.

The second issue, although not nearly as serious as the first, is the increased chance of the battery getting weaker sooner.

Batteries are still kinda unpredictable. Sometimes, some super-expensive scooters simply arrive with faulty batteries that just expire after a month, and other times, cheap scooters have their batteries last for years.

But on average, the cheaper the scooter, the faster the battery will degrade. This is probably because better scooters have bigger batteries in general, and it takes longer to notice the degradation.

Should I buy a $300 scooter?

Personally, I would strongly advise trying to save up at least $100 more, and if possible, $200. That would unlock the $500 electric scooters for you, and with that kind of money, you are already choosing from some of the best budget scooters in the world. Your chances of finding a scooter that is simply perfect for you then increase greatly, and you will likely not have to upgrade for a long time.

But that’s just my opinion, and I’m perfectly familiar with situations in which the budget is what it is and there’s no increasing it. In that case, you can go ahead and buy a scooter from this list based on what your needs are, and you can be confident that you are getting the best possible $300 scooter you can find.

What is the best cheap electric scooter?

The best cheap electric scooter right now is Xiaomi M365. It has the best reputation, has sold the most units and has iterated on its features and bugs the most, and provides an excellent mix of value, performance, and fun.

Of course, this depends on what we consider to be “cheap”, but since most scooter models cost well above $500, and the Xiaomi M365 is usually priced around $450, I believe it qualifies as a cheap scooter. You can check out my full Xiaomi M365 if you’re interested in this evergreen scooter model.

Summary

Those were all the best electric scooters under $300, and all the related things you should be aware of if you’re considering getting one. For reference, here’s a table summarizing the best models one more time.

Matt Trajkovski

My name is Matt Trajkovski. I love electric scooters, and electric vehicles in general. I like doing a lot of testing, reviewing, and research on various electric scooter models and brands, following our proprietary rigorous editorial and testing process developed here at EScooterNerds, looking for great value and performance, both through data and experience. All of the content published on this blog goes through a rigorous review and editorial process, and our product reviews not only include the hands-on experience of our own team members, but the experience of our audience members as well. My goal is to provide you with the best information about electric scooters possible. You can see all of my posts in my articles archive.