Best Electric Scooters for Commuting: 9 Popular Models Tested

How I Tested the Best Electric Commuter Scooters

Every scooter in this comparison was tested by the same 165-pound rider using the same test methods.

For speed testing, I made runs in two directions and averaged the results to reduce the effect of headwind and road grade.

I conducted range testing on the Electric Scooter Guide range-test course, riding each scooter in its fastest mode at normal urban speeds.

The hill-climbing test used a 10% grade. That represents about the steepest hill most riders are likely to encounter during a normal commute.

For braking, I measured the stopping distance from 15 mph to zero.

For testing, I used a $500 VBOX Sport data logger, similar to what car magazines use, to capture acceleration and speed more accurately than scooter displays or the low-budget Dragy app you so often see in YouTube scooter reviews.

Full disclosure: Although the testing format is 100% Electric Scooter Guide-spec, I work for VMAX now. But the data is still the data. I will show you where the VMAX wins, where the Segway wins, and where the difference is too small to matter.

Top Speed: The VX2 Lite Is Noticeably Faster

The VMAX VX2 Lite reached a tested top speed of 24.6 mph.

The Ninebot MAX G2 reached 21.4 mph.

That gives the VX2 Lite a 3.2 mph top speed advantage.

Three miles per hour may not sound like a huge difference on paper, but it is enough to make the VX2 Lite feel sportier during everyday riding. It also comes within one mile per hour of the ESG-tested top speed of the more expensive dual-motor Apollo Go.

The acceleration graphs turned out to be very revealing as you move into the budget scooters. In fact, it’s sort of shocking to see the difference in 0-to-15 mph times. At every stop sign and every red light, the $200 and $400 budget scooters leave you patiently waiting for the speed to return, while the premium scooters give you an instant “zoom factor” (and fun factor) when the light turns green.

Between the two $799 scooters, the VX2 Lite wins for speed and acceleration.

Top-speed winner: VMAX VX2 Lite

Real-World Range: The Ninebot MAX G2 Makes a Comeback

Range is where the Ninebot MAX G2 shines.

In my test, the G2 covered an impressive 26.6 miles. But I need to share an important caveat here. Segway stretches out the range by intentionally (and severely) limiting top speed during the final quarter of the range. After about 21 miles, speed dropped off steeply. The scooter completed the final five or six miles at less than 10 mph and could no longer climb hills, but it kept going as long as I stayed on flat ground.

The Standard Range VX2 Lite covered 16.8 miles, and the Long Range version covered 29.4 miles. Both scooters kept the bulk of their speed and hill-climbing capability until the very end.

The battery sizes are 499 Wh for the $799 Standard Range VX2 Lite, 551 Wh for the $799 Ninebot MAX G2, and 874 Wh for the $1,099 Long Range VX2 Lite. So, with the battery sizes being so similar for the two $799 scooters, why did the Ninebot MAX G2 go so much farther? The answer is that the VX2 Lite was going 24% faster. Part of this is due to the MAX G2’s forced slowdown at the end of the battery, and part is due to slower acceleration and hill climbing. Bottom line: the VX2 Lite let me go faster in all conditions if I wanted to.

If we are comparing the $799 versions of both scooters, Segway takes the win in our range-test challenge by the numbers. But if you need long range and don’t want to be forced into a slow mode at the end of the battery, the VX2 Lite Long Range could be the best choice.

However, if your commute is long and maximum range per dollar is your number-one priority, the Ninebot MAX G2 is hard to beat.

Range winner: Segway Ninebot MAX G2

Ride Quality: Two Different Approaches to Comfort

The Ninebot MAX G2 has a very comfortable, planted ride.

It uses hydraulic suspension in front and adjustable springs at the rear. The setup is especially comfortable for lighter riders who prefer softer suspension.

The VX2 Lite uses a motorcycle-style oil-damped suspension fork in front. At the rear, it has VMAX’s patented elastomeric suspension, which acts as a spring and shock absorber in one compact system.

That damping is important.

Suspension is not automatically good just because a scooter has springs. Undamped springs can make a scooter bounce up and down like a pogo stick with wheels. After all, undamped springs are exactly what makes a pogo stick bounce!

Good suspension needs a spring to absorb the bump and damping to control the movement afterward so you don’t keep bouncing forever. Fully controlled suspension on both the front and back of the scooter is what gives the VX2 Lite its more controlled, sporty feel.

I am not declaring an absolute winner here because rider weight and personal preference matter.

A lighter rider looking for the softest possible setup may prefer the MAX G2. A heavier rider or someone who likes a more controlled and responsive ride will probably prefer the VX2 Lite suspension and the fact that the VMAX has a higher rider-weight limit. As a seasoned e-scooter rider and former motorcycle racer, the VX2 Lite suspension is a noticeably better fit for my sporty riding style.

The good news is that both scooters deliver an extraordinary level of comfort for $799. Just a few years ago, it was difficult to find ride quality like this anywhere near this price.

Hill Climbing: Both Are Strong, but the VX2 Lite Wins

The Electric Scooter Guide test hill has a 10% grade. It represents the steepest hill most riders will encounter during an ordinary commute.

The Ninebot MAX G2 climbed the hill in 13.1 seconds.

The VMAX VX2 Lite completed it in 12.4 seconds.

That gives the VX2 Lite about a 5% advantage.

This is a win for VMAX, but it is not a knockout. Both scooters are strong enough to climb almost any hill you are likely to encounter during normal city riding.

The larger lesson appears when you compare them with the cheaper generic scooters.

The difference between two premium $799 commuters is relatively small. The drop in hill-climbing performance when you move down to the $200 and $400 scooters is much larger.

This is one of the places where spending more gets you something you can actually feel.

Hill-climbing winner: VMAX VX2 Lite

Braking: Nearly Identical Hardware, Slightly Different Results

The VX2 Lite and Ninebot MAX G2 use very similar braking systems.

Both have a front drum brake and regenerative braking at the rear. On both scooters, the brakes are controlled by a lever on the left handlebar that is linked to both the front and rear brakes. The VX2 Lite has an additional regen-only lever on the right handlebar, which gives you the option of using 100% regenerative braking for normal riding. This gives you the smoothest braking response and, of course, charges your battery every time you slow down or stop.

The reason drum brakes are so popular on commuter scooters like the Ninebot MAX G2, as well as throughout most of Apollo Scooters’ lineup, is that they are enclosed, low-maintenance, and less grabby than disc brakes, making them well suited to everyday commuting. Regenerative braking reduces wear further by using the motor to slow the scooter while returning energy to the battery.

From 15 mph, the Ninebot MAX G2 stopped in 12.0 feet.

The VX2 Lite stopped in 11.4 feet, about seven inches shorter.

Again, the difference is not huge. Both scooters stop well and both systems are very easy to use.

The VX2 Lite takes the data win, and it also wins for offering riders the option of using a separate regen lever.

Braking winner: VMAX VX2 Lite

The App: Segway Wins Easily

Let’s announce the obvious winner first.

Segway wins the app category.

The Segway app is miles deep. It lets you adjust an enormous number of settings, customize the scooter, and spend hours exploring features.

A big app can be a mixed bag, however.

On the first day, when you take your scooter out of the box, if you’re like me, you want to assemble it and immediately go ride, right?

What I don’t want to do is spend an hour creating an account, working through app menus, watching safety videos, figuring out how to disable the nanny features, and, most importantly, figuring out how to unlock top speed.

VMAX takes the opposite approach. The app is optional because the scooter’s full performance and important settings can be accessed directly through the display. You do not need to create an account or connect your scooter to unlock its full speed. We do have a “secret” Beast Mode setting to unlock top speed, but you can literally unlock it in less than 15 seconds.

The VMAX approach also offers a privacy advantage to riders who don’t like the idea of scooter companies tracking ride data.

Some riders will call the VMAX approach less advanced. Others will call it less intrusive.

Either way, Segway offers more technology, so the MAX G2 takes the win for Best App.

Best App Winner: Segway Ninebot MAX G2

VX2 Lite vs. Ninebot MAX G2: Final Score

The final score is:

VMAX VX2 Lite: 3
Segway Ninebot MAX G2: 2

The VX2 Lite wins top speed, hill climbing, and braking.

The Ninebot MAX G2 wins range and technology.

Ride quality is a tie because the better choice depends on rider weight and personal preference.

Does that mean everybody should buy the VMAX and nobody should buy the Segway?

Absolutely not.

This comparison is honestly too close for one scooter to be the universal winner. The right choice depends on what you want from your commute.

Buy the Ninebot MAX G2 if you want maximum range per dollar, the deepest app, and an established scooter that feels more chill than thrill.

Buy the VMAX VX2 Lite if you want more speed, a sportier ride, better-damped suspension, and the best combination of performance, ride quality, and portability I have tested at $799.

Which Electric Commuter Scooter Should You Buy?

The two $799 scooters may be the sweet spot, but in case your budget and taste for performance run higher (or lower!), here is how the other seven popular commuter scooters performed in my tests.

VMAX VX2 Hub: The Expert-Level Performance Commuter

The VX2 Hub delivers the performance of many dual-motor scooters through a single rear motor.

It reached a tested top speed of 34.1 mph and nearly 30 miles of real-world range. It can climb extremely steep hills, but the single-motor layout keeps the front wheel light and the handling more natural (less heavy steering) than many dual-motor scooters.

It is also easier to lift into a trunk or carry upstairs than the largest performance scooters.

The VX2 Hub is the choice for experienced riders who want expert-level performance without giving up commuter practicality.

Segway Ninebot MAX G3: The High-Tech Choice

The MAX G3 reached 27.9 mph in my test and is one of the most technologically advanced commuter scooters available, with an even deeper app than the Ninebot MAX G2.

Its real-world range was 21.8 miles. Similar to its sibling, the MAX G2, the G3’s speed was severely limited for a significant chunk of the range test. Toward the end, top speed was limited to as little as 7 mph for miles, which is slow enough to be embarrassing in the bike lane but is still better than pushing it home, I suppose.

The available external battery could address that weakness, but it has been extremely difficult to find in stock. Literally every time I’ve checked the Segway site, the external battery has been sold out. Something else that’s very important to know about the external battery is that it’s not something you can use while riding. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a power bank that only works when the scooter is not moving. So, I suppose you can use it to charge while having coffee somewhere, but you could do the same thing with a power cord.

The MAX G3 is a capable scooter and definitely a worthy successor to the Ninebot MAX G2. People buy it because they love the tech and modern styling, and because it’s considered a “safe” choice, especially for those already in the Segway ecosystem; not because it delivers the most range or performance per dollar.

VMAX VX2 Pro GT: Power Without the Weight of Suspension

The VX2 Pro GT has been one of VMAX’s best-selling scooters for years because it punches above its price in ride quality, performance, and range.

It reaches 24 mph, climbs hills well, and remains easier to carry and fit into a trunk than a full-suspension scooter.

Its 10-inch tubeless pneumatic tires provide a surprisingly smooth ride despite the lack of suspension.

Choose the VX2 Pro GT if portability matters more to you than full suspension, and if you want a strong Swiss-designed scooter with performance that stomps the original Ninebot MAX G30.

Apollo Go: Compact, Sporty, and Premium

I tested the Apollo Go when I was at Electric Scooter Guide, and what I enjoyed about it was that Apollo squeezed all of its best features into the most compact possible form factor and gave it dual motors.

The Apollo Go I tested at ESG reached 25.3 mph rather than its advertised 28 mph, but its build quality and ride quality were excellent. I’ve been told that the Apollo app has been updated since my review and that it now allows the true top speed to be unlocked, but I haven’t been able to verify that yet with test equipment.

With the Go, you don’t get the raw performance per dollar of some generic high-powered scooters like Kukirin or Yume, but if you’re buying an Apollo, “raw” performance is not what you’re looking for. What you get instead is much like what you get with Segway and VMAX: a refined, premium scooter where every detail has been fussed over by the engineers prior to release.

Should you buy the Apollo Go? That depends on how sporty you want your scooter to feel. The Go is extremely plush. Ranked from sportiest to most laid-back, I would put them in this order: 1) VX2 Lite, 2) Apollo Go, and 3) Ninebot MAX G2. All three scooters are easy to ride and ideal for both new and intermediate riders.

Costco Phantom GoGo A10: Bigger, but Maybe Not Better

I bought the Phantom GoGo A10 at Costco for $399 and tested it the same way as the other scooters.

It reached 15.3 mph and covered 14.2 miles.

The tires look wide, which gave me hope that the ride would be smoother than that of other best-selling solid-tire scooters I’ve tested, but they are extremely firm. Looking closer at the rear of the scooter, I found another source of disappointment. What appears to be a swingarm, hinting at rear suspension, is not actually suspension at all. The resulting ride quality was jittery, rattly, and altogether disappointing.

The one big plus of the Phantom GoGo A10 from Costco vs. the Maxshot scooter from Amazon that I’ll tell you about next is that the Costco scooter feels much roomier and more adult-sized. But the performance of the Costco scooter just doesn’t justify the extra weight and twice the price of the scooter coming up next.

Maxshot V1 Sportscooter (purchased from Amazon): Transportation for Under $200

At the time I bought it, the Maxshot V1 Sportscooter was the best-selling electric scooter on Amazon.

In testing, it reached 18 mph, covered 12.1 miles, and even made it up the Electric Scooter Guide test hill, though just barely.

Ride quality can be summed up in one word: awful. But putting aside for a moment the fact that the ride is so jittery that your vision goes blurry on rough roads, it is still admirable how much transportation this scooter delivers for $199.

But the list of compromises stacks up quickly: solid tires, no suspension, limited traction, low handlebars, grabby regenerative braking, and a stopping distance nearly twice that of the better commuters in this test. Together, these compromises make the Maxshot less pleasant to ride than any other scooter on this list and, because of its longer stopping distance and limited traction, also a little less safe.

You also have to assume that parts and customer support are going to be nonexistent with generic Amazon brands. The best way to check this out ahead of time is with a quick visit to the manufacturer’s website. At the time of this article’s publication, the Maxshot website offers exactly zero spare parts for sale. So, they’re selling an essentially disposable scooter; but please recycle it if it comes to that!

Buy Amazon’s best-selling Maxshot V1 Sportscooter only if your goal is to spend as little as possible and travel short distances. If you do buy one, remember to keep the box and test it thoroughly during the 30-day return window, because that may be the only customer service available for the $199 scooter.

The Bottom Line

So that was the bottom of the list. Let’s wrap it up with the very best commuters under $800. For me, the Segway Ninebot MAX G2 and VMAX VX2 Lite occupy the absolute sweet spot for full-suspension commuter scooter value.

Both deliver ride quality that feels surprisingly high-end, with full suspension, tubeless tires, reliable braking, adult-sized ergonomics, and the kind of build quality that lets you keep riding for years instead of outgrowing the scooter after a few months.

The Ninebot MAX G2 is the better choice for riders who prioritize range, app features, and an established platform.

The VMAX VX2 Lite is the better choice for riders who enjoy Swiss design and who want an edge when it comes to performance, handling, and hill climbing, plus a slightly sportier overall personality. To put it into car terminology, if the MAX G2 were an Acura Integra, the VX2 Lite would be a BMW M340i, and the VX2 Hub would be a BMW M3.

It’s hard to go wrong with either the Ninebot MAX G2 or the VX2 Lite. Either one would make the vast majority of riders very happy in the long run. But for my riding style, I would choose the VX2 Lite. It gives you ride quality that feels a little more premium. In fact, it’s the same ride quality you get with our top-spec VX2 Hub but at roughly half the starting price. With the VX2 Lite, riders who don’t ever want to go 34 mph no longer have to pay for performance they don’t need.

That is what makes the VX2 Lite special.

It is not trying to be the fastest scooter or the longest-range scooter in the world.

The VX2 Lite’s mission is to deliver the best combination of speed, comfort, portability, and Swiss-designed ride quality you can get for $799 and make it accessible to all - not just in price, but also in riding style. The VX2 Lite’s throttle is completely friendly for new riders, but it has just enough “sport” that intermediate riders will find the fun factor in every ride.

Based on the test results and what we’re hearing from new customers, the VX2 Lite has hit the mark.

Premium Ride. Lite Price.

Ride safe, and don’t forget to wear a helmet.