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Most reliable commuter scooter -
Best value, most reliable waterproof electric scooteruse discount code:escooternerds -
Most reliable premium electric scooter
The absolutely worst thing that your scooter can do is break down after little usage (and by little, I mean less than 2 years!).
As with any technology, electric scooters get more reliable over time, but when you buy an item this expensive, you expect it to work perfectly. You don’t want to be the unlucky buyer that has their scooter break down after one hour of unpacking it, or even worse, the scooter is just dead on arrival.
To prevent that, you will want to know which electric scooters are the most reliable, with the lowest defect rates and the longest lifespans. Without a doubt, electric scooters have become a lot more reliable. Let’s see what makes them so.
Most reliable commuter scooter – Ninebot Max
Ninebot has learned a lot from other models, and put all of that knowledge and user feedback into the Ninebot Max. If you want a scooter with “experience”, meaning it draws upon the triumphs and errors on many other successful scooters, but also it has already proven its mettle, then the Ninebot will be an ideal pick.
The final release of the Ninebot Max will cost you around $799, and you will be able to go around 60 kilometers on a single charge. The motor has 350 Watts of power, and the battery has a capacity of 551 Watt-hours. The scooter comes very well protected against water damage, with an IPX5 rating.
Probably the biggest lesson learned from the hugely popular Xiaomi models was all the trouble with the flat tires owners were having. Well, with the new self-healing 10-inch wheels, flats will be a lot less common. If you are concerned about flats, you may consider getting a solid-tire scooter, but the pneumatic tires of the Ninebot Max are very tough because of their size, and don’t sacrifice ride comfort as most solid-tire scooters do.
This is probably the best electric scooter that you can find for around $800. Even though it’s not in the high-end price range, you will still get the high quality associated with those prices. It’s no wonder that this scooter sells like crazy, owners are madly in love with it, and is becoming one of the best commuter scooters ever.
Check the full review of the Ninebot Max to find out more about it.
Ninebot Max Specifications
- Top speed: 30 kmh 18.6 mph
- Range: 64 km 40 mi
- Motors: single BLDC hub in rear wheel
- Power: 350 W real, 700 W peak
- Climb angle: 11 °
- Battery: 551 Wh, 36 V
- Charging time: 6 h
- Ingress protection (IP): IPX5
- Weight: 19.6 kg 43 lbs
- Weight limit: 100 kg 220 lbs
- Tire size: 10 in
- Tire type: pneumatic self-healing
- Tire pressure: 32-37 psi
- Foldable: yes
- Foldable handlebars: no
- Seat: no (customization possible)
- Trunk or basket: optional
- Build material: aluminum
- Terrains: asphalt/flat pavement: obstacles under 0.4 in (1 cm); gaps under 1.2 in (3 cm)
- Brakes: Front mechanical drum + rear sheel regenerative electric brakes
- ABS: yes
- Shock absorbers: no
- Lights: 2.5w high-brightness LED light + brake light
- Control: LED screen
- Speed modes: eco, standard, sport
- Cruise control: yes
- Keys: no
- Alarm: yes
- App: Android & iOS
- Warranty: 12 months (6 months on battery)
- Certificates: CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B), UN/DOT 38.3, ANSI/UL 2271
- Rider age: 14+
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 117 * 42 * 53 cm 46.06 * 16.54 * 20.87 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 117 * 42 * 120 cm 46.06 * 16.54 * 47.24 in
- Deck dimensions (L * W): 51 * 17.8 cm 20.08 * 7.01 in
- Ground clearance: 8 cm 3.15 in
- Deck to handlebar height: 102 cm 40.16 in
- Rider height: 120 – 200 cm 47.24-78.74 in
- Adjustable handlebar: no
- Notes: smart BMS; regen brakes; one cord charger; anti-slip deck;
Tests and measurements
- Speed tests (EScooterNerds): 31/30 kmh 19/18.6 mph
- Speed tests (third party): 30/29/24 kmh 18.6/18/15 mph
- Acceleration tests (EScooterNerds): 0 to 15 mph / 25 kmh in 5.2 seconds
- Acceleration tests (third party):
- Range tests (EScooterNerds): 56/60/62/70 km 35/37/39/44 mi
- Range tests (third party): 58/62/61 km 36/39/38 mi
- Braking distance tests (EScooterNerds): 4.5 m
- Braking distance tests (third party): 5 m
- Climb tests (EScooterNerds): 25
- Climb tests (third party): 13,14,21
- Charge time tests (EScooterNerds): 6.5
- Charge time tests (third party): 5,5.5,7,7.5
- Weight limit tests (EScooterNerds): 90 kg 198 lbs
- Weight limit tests (third party): 96 kg 212 lbs
- Waterproofing tests (EScooterNerds): no issues in rain or snow
- Waterproofing tests (third party): just one small issue from hundreds of wet weather reports
Ratings and scores
Pros
- great quality
- amazing value for money
- excellent range
- comfortable rides
- very good portability
- feature-complete
- great water protection
- trusted brand and experienced design team
- very good brakes
- good ride comfort
- popular and accessible
- perfect for beginners
- perfect for commuters
Cons
- average speed
- average acceleration
- app connectivity may be problematic at times
- flats are possible (but not too common)
Most reliable waterproof electric scooter – EMove Cruiser
The EMove Cruiser has become my most favorite electric scooter in the last year, and there was one main reason – it has the best protection against water damage, with an official ingress protection rating of IPX6. Every other scooter in the world has something like IP65 at most, or just IP54 or IPX4.
Water resistance is that one critical feature in a scooter that many people don’t think about until it’s too late. And the reason you want to always have water protection in mind is that literally no electric scooter brand or manufacturer will ever provide a warranty against water damage! Ever!
We can’t really blame scooter brands for this. Even an iPhone doesn’t come with a warranty against water damage – it’s simply too easy for an electronic device to break down because of water. But still, we don’t want a scooter that will explode by just coming in contact with a few drops of rain.
And that’s the tricky part. Even though many scooters provide some water protection, in many cases it’s still not enough – their scooters break down because of riding in the rain, and they’re left with this hunk of aluminum worth $1500.
This is where the EMove Cruiser comes in.
It’s not just that this scooter has the best protection against water damage, being the only scooter in the world with an IPX6 rating, which means it can sustain strong jets of water and not suffer damage.
One of the best medium-priced scooters ever made, the EMove Cruiser can go as fast as 28 mph / 45 kmh, and has a proven range of incredible 62 mi / 100 km on a single charge!
All of that while being very portable and weighing just 52 lbs / 23 kg (most scooters with similar performances will weight north of 66 lbs / 30 kg).
The EMove Cruiser became my favorite scooter because of the IP rating, but it stayed my favorite because of everything else. If you need the most reliable scooter for rainy days, or the best electric scooter for winter rides, or simply just the scooter with the best protection against moisture ever made, then your only choice will be the EMove Cruiser. You can see my comprehensive review of the EMove Cruiser if you’re interested.
Emove Cruiser S Specifications
- Top speed: 52.9 kmh 33 mph
- Range: 100 km 62 mi
- Motors: single hub BLDC
- Power: 600 W real, 1600 W peak
- Climb angle: 9 °
- Battery: 1560 Wh, 52 V
- Battery type: LG
- Charging time: 12 h
- Ingress protection (IP): IPX6
- Weight: 23.5 kg 52 lbs
- Weight limit: 160 kg 350 lbs
- Tire size: 10 in
- Tire type: pneumatic tubeless car-grade
- Tire pressure: 45 psi
- Foldable: yes
- Foldable handlebars: yes
- Seat: optional
- Trunk or basket: no (customization possible)
- Build material: aluminum alloy
- Terrains: urban
- Brakes: front + rear semi-hydraulic disc brakes, 140 mm
- Shock absorbers: front dual-form spring-loaded suspension, and dual rear air suspension, adjustable
- Lights: front + rear + turn + deck
- Control: LCD, voltmeter
- Cruise control: yes
- Keys: yes
- Alarm: yes
- App: no
- Warranty: 12 months
- Return period: 30 days
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 124 * 25.4 * 35.6 cm 48.82 * 10 * 14.02 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 122 * 58.4 * 118 cm 48.03 * 22.99 * 46.46 in
- Ground clearance: 20 cm 7.87 in
- Deck to handlebar height: 98 cm (est) 38.58 in (est)
- Adjustable handlebar: yes
- Notes: LG battery ISO certified; foldable handlebars; 3 colors: black, white, orange; tested range; 2-4 bus days shipping; horn; $250 – $350 for shipping
- Use cases: commuting,range,portable,waterproof,comfort,premium,design,heavy,lowmaintenance,safety
Tests and measurements
- Speed tests (EScooterNerds): 45 kmh 28 mph
- Speed tests (third party): 44/46/48/43/45 kmh 27/29/30/27/28 mph
- Acceleration tests (EScooterNerds): 0 to 15 mph / 25 kmh in 3.4 seconds
- Acceleration tests (third party): 0 to 15 mph / 25 kmh in 3.7/3.9/3.8 seconds
- Range tests (EScooterNerds): 88.6 km 55 mi
- Range tests (third party): 90/89/94 km 56/55/58 mi
- Braking distance tests (EScooterNerds): 10 m
- Braking distance tests (third party): 9.5/11/10/10 m
- Climb tests (EScooterNerds): 20
- Climb tests (third party): 18
- Charge time tests (EScooterNerds): 8.5
- Charge time tests (third party): 9
- Weight limit tests (EScooterNerds): 91 kg 201 lbs
- Weight limit tests (third party): 144/100/120 kg 318/220/265 lbs
- Waterproofing tests (EScooterNerds): no issues in light and moderate rain
- Waterproofing tests (third party): no issues in severe water exposure and water streams
Ratings and scores
Pros
- superb quality
- proven track record
- great range
- great waterproofing
- very good portability
- great for heavy adults
- low defect rate
- great value overall
Cons
- flats are possible
- average acceleration
Most reliable high-end electric scooter – Inokim OX
In my opinion, Inokim may be the best manufacturer of high-end scooters at the moment.
It’s mostly because of one contrarian but ultimately clever decision the brand has made – while every brand is primarily preoccupied with specs and performance, Inokim chooses to focus on design, execution, attention to detail, and reliability.
The result is scooters that may seem underpowered for their price, but will end up going for years and years without a single issue. And no Inokim scooter is a better reflection of that than the Inokim OX.
The Inokim OX is a customizable, feature-complete, high-end, resilient scooter that will include all the bells and whistles – 10-inch pneumatic tires, front drum and rear disc brakes, adjustable arm suspension, thumb throttle display, and a look of a true dragon scooter, that will serve you for years without a hiccup.
Check out my complete Inokim OX review to find out more about this great scooter.
Inokim OX 21Ah Specifications
- Top speed: 45 kmh 28 mph
- Range: 100 km 62 mi
- Motors: dual BLDC
- Power: 1000 W real, 1300 W peak
- Climb angle: 15 °
- Battery: 1187 Wh, 60 V
- Charging time: 12.5 h
- Ingress protection (IP): IPX4
- Weight: 24.9 kg 55 lbs
- Weight limit: 120 kg 265 lbs
- Tire size: 10 in
- Tire pressure: 43-50 psi
- Build material: aluminum
- Brakes: dual disc and drum brakes
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 122 * 59 * 54 cm 48.03 * 23.23 * 21.26 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 122 * 59 * 130 cm 48.03 * 23.23 * 51.18 in
- Deck to handlebar height: 105 cm 41.34 in
- Adjustable handlebar: yes
Tests and measurements
- Speed tests (EScooterNerds): 44.2 kmh 27 mph
- Speed tests (third party): 45 kmh 28 mph
- Range tests (EScooterNerds): 73.7 km 46 mi
- Range tests (third party): 75 km 47 mi
- Braking distance tests (EScooterNerds): 6 m
- Braking distance tests (third party): 7 m
- Climb tests (EScooterNerds): 20
- Climb tests (third party): 25
- Charge time tests (EScooterNerds): 12
- Charge time tests (third party): 13
- Weight limit tests (EScooterNerds): 91 kg 201 lbs
- Waterproofing tests (EScooterNerds): no issues in rain
Ratings and scores
Pros
- top-notch quality
- very smooth rides
- pretty good performance
- great design
- great brakes and safety
- good suspension
Cons
- mediocre portability
- average climb angle
- long charging time
Summary
We examined all the most reliable electric scooters available today. For reference, the following table quickly summarizes the most reliable electric scooters one more time.
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Most reliable commuter scooter
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Best value, most reliable waterproof electric scooteruse discount code:escooternerds
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Most reliable premium electric scooter
