Kugoo S1 Pro Review [The Scooter That Robs Xiaomi And Ninebot Of Their Sleep]

The Kugoo S1 Pro is the most underrated budget electric scooter of our time.

What if I told you there’s a budget electric scooter that’s of the same quality but better performing than the Xiaomi M365 and the Ninebot ES 2, at almost half their price?

Sounds pretty good, right?

Let’s see why when this scooter can be a good pick.

Kugoo S1 Pro Review

The Kugoo S1 Pro is a true dream for value shoppers. This almost impossibly well-balanced scooter will give you the perfect combination of safety and performance, comfort and features, quality and price.

Kugoo S1 specifications

Basics

Riding the Kugoo S1 Pro is even simpler than the typical electric scooter.

It has an automatic electric start, and the control board has 5 buttons, in addition to the two levers close to each handlebar. Super simple.

Ordering

The Kugoo S1 Pro is currently available in Europe through the GeekBuying site. It is the best place to order this scooter from, as it will get shipped to your doorstep in less than a week (often 2 or 3 days).

There are also two speed modes available, one with a top speed of 30 kmh / 18 mph, and one with a top speed of 25 kmh / 15 mph for countries and regions where that is the maximum allowed top speed for electric scooters.

You can still catch this great deal at GeekBuying.

Warranty and Returns

The Kugoo S1 Pro comes with a full warranty on most parts for 12 months. For the battery and charger, it’s 6 months.

Wearing parts like the handlebar grip and the saddle have a 14-day return policy.

Unboxing

The Kugoo S1 Pro arrives in a big, slick, nice-looking package. It weighs around 15 kg / 33 lbs.

The scooter comes assembled, so you will not have to mess around with anything. After you charge it (which you should do until 100% full), you are ready to ride.

The box will also include the charger with the cable, the manual, and a carrying bag for the scooter they give you for free, made to fit the exact scooter dimensions when folded.

Folding the handlebars

To fold the Kugoo S1 Pro, first, fold the handlebars:

• Open the lock lever
• Press the button (usually red) on the stem and press the wheel down to its basic height
• Then fold the handlebars themselves by pushing the button on them close to the stem, pull the grips out, and fold them down

Folding the scooter

Fold the scooter by following these steps:

• Push the handlebar forward a bit
• Press the folding lever on the stem near the deck with your foot
• Pull back the handlebar and stem until the stem touches the rear fender
• Lock the folding hook on the stem in the bolt on the rear brake

Unfolding the scooter

To unfold the Kugoo S1 Pro:

• Press the rear breakdown until the folding hook releases the bolt on the rear fender
• Lift the handlebar into the functional position, and make sure the locking bolt comes into place
• Raise the handlebars back into their functional position
• Lock the handlebar by locking the lever on the stem
• Press the button to adjust the handlebar height to your preferred height and fix it there

The right thumb lever is for accelerating, and the left one is for braking using the electromagnetic brake.

The buttons, from the left to the right, are for:

• horn
• setting
• power
• lights
• speed mode

The scooter is turned on by holding the power button for 1 second and turned off by holding the same button for 3 seconds

As usual, the scooter comes with three-speed modes:

• 12 kmh / 7 mph
• 15 kmh / 9 mph
• 30 kmh / 18 mph (or 25 kmh / 15 mph if you bought that version)

You can adjust the handlebar to one of three heights, including the base height when the stem is completely inside the tube. The heights are ideal for almost all kinds of adults, even for quite tall ones.

Performance

Bellow in the text we will be focusing on the performances of the Kugoo S1 Pro, we will explore its speed, range, and overall capabilities as an electric scooter.

Speed, speed test, and acceleration

The Kugoo S1 Pro comes with automatic cruise control, enabling you to fully enjoy your rides.

The motor is strong enough so that acceleration is pretty fast.

If you need a faster electric scooter check my article about the fastest electric scooters.

Kugoo S1 Pro speed hack

There’s a myth circulating in the scooter community that the speed of the Kugoo S1 Pro can be increased through a hack.

That’s simply not true.

Some users change the parameter for the wheel diameter through the settings on the dashboard, and the scooter displays higher top speeds as a result, but it moves as fast as before.

So, sadly, there’s no speed hack for the Kugoo S1 Pro. Here’s a video showing exactly what’s happening.

Motor and power

The Kugoo S1 Pro comes with a modern brushless DC motor in the front wheel. It has a rated power of 350 Watts, operating at 700 rotations per minute, with a maximum torque of 13.3 Newton-metres.

Climb and weight limit

The motor is powerful enough to provide climbing angles of 15 degrees, which is almost unheard of in a budget scooter.

Besides that, the weight capacity of the Kugoo S1 Pro is 120 kg / 265 lbs, which is also not that common in a budget scooter.

Both the climbing angle and the weight limit largely depend on the motor, and that’s exactly the Kugoo S1 Pro’s strong side.

If these capacities are not enough for you check my articles on the best electric scooter for climbing and the best electric scooter for heavy people.

Battery and charging

The Kugoo S1 Pro comes with an 18650 Li-ion battery pack.

It has an energy storage capacity of 270 Watt-hours, operating at 7.5 Ampere-hours and 36 Volts.

With that battery capacity, charging this scooter fully during off-peak hours will cost you $0.02 on average, and about $0.03 during peak hours.

The battery takes between 4 to 5 hours to charge from 0 to full. It will have a minimum of 500 charge cycles, likely well above 1000.

To charge the battery, follow these steps in the exact order for maximum efficiency and battery lifespan:

• open the charging port protective cover
• put the charger into the port
• connect the charger to a power outlet
• the red light on the charger means it’s currently charging, and the green light means the battery is full

You should charge the battery after every ride. Even if you don’t use the scooter, it is recommended you charge it at least once every three months to help prolong the battery lifespan.

It is strongly recommended you use the charger that came with your scooter and not a different one. Don’t ride in temperatures below -5 °C or above 50 °C as that may damage the battery.

Ride experience

The Kugoo S1 Pro is actually quite a hoot. It is a very fun, enjoyable experience to ride it.

Despite being very light, the Kugoo S1 Pro is a tough scooter.

It has one of the lowest defect rates out of all the budget scooters ever. Very few people have reported the scooter completely breaking down, and even fewer have reported a breakdown in the first year, or a DOA (dead on arrival).

The Kugoo S1 Pro is a great balance between value and quality.

Even though it comes with solid tires, the rides are not bumpy since the scooter has both a front and rear spring dampener suspension system. Plus, the tires are not regular, full rubber, or silicone tires.

By using the modern honeycomb technology, with air pockets inside of the tires, the scooter gets the best of both worlds, by eliminating the risk of flats but also providing you with more comfortable rides.

This applies to most types of terrains. While not as prepared for rough terrain as an off-road scooter, the Kugoo S1 Pro handles rough terrain with grace, not shaking or vibrating too much. Some shaking is present, but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a scooter below $300.

Kugoo S1 Pro vs. other scooters

The Kugoo S1 competes rather favorably with other scooters in its class.

Kugoo S1 vs Kugoo S1 Pro

The Kugoo S1 Pro is, in many ways, an improvement on the standard Kugoo S1 model.

While that scooter also did well, it did have some shortcomings that users complained about.

Kugoo addressed many of them. Half a year after the standard model’s release, they released the upgraded Pro version.

There are a few key differences between the two.

The most important one is probably the improved battery and battery life that the Kugoo S1 Pro brought. It is the most sought-after feature, and it was a good decision to listen to the customer’s feedback on this one.

The solid tires were replaced with honeycomb solid tires, which are a newer, more comfortable technology, and provide better rides without sacrificing the reliability and the lack of flats.

The larger deck was also an important improvement since users with larger feet could not ride the standard model comfortably.

A lesser, but still noticeable improvement was the addition of the sidelights to the new model.

And all of that was done for a price increase of just $20.

Choosing between the two is an absolute no-brainer, the Kugoo S1 Pro is not only newer but much better.

Kugoo S1 Pro vs Kugoo ES2

The Kugoo S1 Pro and the Kugoo ES2 are two of the most popular Kugoo scooters and are frequently compared against one another.

Interestingly, the Kugoo S1 Pro is usually a bit cheaper, while also performing better both in terms of range and top speed, with a 5 km / 3 mi extra range, and 5 kmh / 3 mph faster top speed.

It also has a bigger weight capacity, weighs much less, and has a better ingress protection standard.

That’s why I see no real reason to choose the Kugoo ES2, except for the slightly bigger wheels maybe, with 8.5 inches in diameter, against the S1 Pro’s 8 inches, but the difference is not that significant really.

Kugoo S1 Pro vs Xiaomi M365

The Kugoo S1 Pro has often been compared to the Xiaomi M365.

The better speed, power, climbing angle, and price, are all in favor of the Kugoo S1 Pro.

And the Kugoo S1 Pro hits Xiaomi M365 where it hurts it the most – the S1 Pro doesn’t suffer from flats, which has been the bane of Xiaomi M365’s existence.

Kugoo S1 Pro vs Xiaomi M365 Pro

Honestly, this feels like comparing apples and oranges a little, since these scooters are almost in different price categories. Xiaomi M365 Pro is almost double the price.

Nonetheless, people think this is a fair fight.

And, surprisingly, it is.

The Xiaomi M365 Pro has a better range, better market adoption, and is more proven through time.

But the Kugoo S1 Pro fights back with faster top speed out of the box, better climbing angle, bigger weight capacity, better portability, and not to forget, a much better price.

So, while the Kugoo S1 Pro is traditionally the underdog here, it does a very good job of challenging the king of the inexpensive scooters.

Build quality

During my rides on the Kugoo S1 Pro, I’ve noticed its sturdy build and reliable performance.

The scooter’s solid frame, typically made from robust materials like aluminum alloy, provides a stable ride.

The simple controls make it easy to maneuver, offering a hassle-free experience whether I’m commuting or just enjoying a chill ride.

Features

Let’s dive into the notable features that make the Kugoo S1 Pro stand out in the world of electric scooters.

LCD screen

The screen is a modern, multicolor, multifunction LCD screen that is well-visible both at night but also on very bright days. The color accents are mostly blue and green, giving it a very techy look.

It can display all the useful information you need, including:

• riding mode
• battery level
• current speed
• trip distance
• time
• voltage and amperage
• brake status
• light status

Pressing the setting button longer than 3 seconds will clear the trip and start measuring the distance and the trip length again.

Lights

One of the coolest features of this scooter is its many lights.

The front LED light is very strong and visible at night. Hint: for riding at night, always wear a reflective vest.

The rear fender and the sides of the deck include small positional lights and the handlebars themselves also include small lights that may serve as turn signals.

Brakes

With a braking distance of 4 meters, the motor brakes are pretty sensitive and safe. They are activated by the left handlebar lever and activate the KERS braking system (kinetic energy recovery system), which helps prolong your scooter’s battery life.

When you use this brake, the rear light lights up, and traffic participants can anticipate your actions better.

Besides the electronic brake, there is also a failsafe rear-fender brake, activated by pressing your foot against the rear fender.

Tires and suspension

One of the things that make the Kugoo S1 Pro very tough and durable is the solid honeycomb 8-inch tires, making it fully immune to flats.

Of course, the tradeoff for that is less comfortable rides.

However, that issue is mitigated by two additional factors.

First, as we mentioned, this is not a regular solid tire, but a honeycomb one, which means the rides will not be as bad. This is one of the major improvements to the standard Kugoo S1 version.

Second, the scooter comes with a good front and rear spring dampener active suspension system, which further softens the blows and provides better stability. The suspension system is adjustable and you can set it to any level you want.

Deck

One of the biggest complaints about the standard S1 model was that the deck was kinda small.

Kugoo has listened and addressed the issue, enlarging the deck to 43 x 15 cm.

The deck still has the extra-tactile gripped tape on top for maximum grip and stability. The ground clearance is about 10 cm / 4 in, and the stand is on the left side.

The distance from the deck to the handlebar is 110 cm / 43 in.

Weight, dimensions, and portability

Weighing just 11 kg / 24 lbs, this is one of the most portable scooters ever, definitely more portable than its main competitors.

When unfolded, the Kugoo S1 Pro’s dimensions are:

• 105 cm length
• 45 cm width
• 116 cm height

When folded, the dimensions become:

• 96 cm length
• 21 cm width
• 33 cm height

Some users have complained that the scooter is not very sturdy. I think the point of this scooter is to be lightweight and portable, and you can’t have it both ways here.

With that weight and volume, it is perfect for commuters, people changing transport systems a lot, last-mile situations, people who live in buildings with no elevators… the list is huge.

Accessories

The general build of the Kugoo S1 Pro is fairly standard, and most of the regular electric scooter accessories will fit it just fine. The scooter is fairly small and I don’t think a seat would be a good idea, but a small trunk in the front and some other smaller accessories would certainly be great ways to customize it.

Also, don’t let the scooter’s small size fool you into thinking that you don’t need to wear your helmet. You may be able to get away with a lighter helmet, like a bicycle helmet for example, but you should still wear one all the time while riding. See my guide on the best electric scooter helmets for some solid yet affordable picks.

What the Kugoo S1 Pro is missing

Probably the biggest thing the Kugoo S1 Pro misses is an app. It is kind of strange that a scooter this popular, that has done the much harder job of being an awesome scooter, hasn’t handled this smaller detail.

Anyway, not having an app is not a real dealbreaker. As most veteran owners will tell you, the app becomes less and less important as time goes by. Plus, the screen shows almost everything you need to know.

The Kugoo S1 Pro has no lock. Now, we can’t take this against it, as most the scooters in the budget range will not include a locking mechanism, and you can also buy a strong lock for a very small sum. The best one I’ve found is Via Velo Heavy Duty, you can find it for cheap on Amazon, or you can see my guide on the best locks for electric scooters for some safer and higher-quality options.

One more tangible issue may be the relative noisiness of the scooter. It can be said that this scooter is a bit on the noisier side.

Another sound-related issue is the horn. Well, the horn is average, neither too loud nor too quiet. For big, busy cities, however, you may need a louder horn (luckily, that’s also a very cheap after-market accessory).

All in all, while the Kugoo S1 Pro has some weaknesses, they fade away next to its advantages.

Verdict

Is the Kugoo S1 Pro the best electric scooter in the world?

No, of course not.

Is it the best electric scooter for under $300?

That is a big yes.

The quality, value, features, and performance mix that this all-rounder offers are hard to beat. You will be hard-pressed to find a scooter this good for that price.

If you want to get the best scooter under $500, or especially under $350, I warmly recommend the Kugoo S1 Pro.

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Matt Trajkovski

I am Matt Trajkovski, the owner and main editor of EScooterNerds. I love electric scooters, and electric vehicles in general, and I’ve been involved in the industry for more than 10 years. I enjoy 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.