I tested the new carbon fiber VMAX VX8 against the best ultra-lightweight scooters
Having tested over 200 electric scooters when I was head of content at Electric Scooter Guide, I can tell you that the “ultra-lightweight” category is always a game of compromises. You’ve got options like E-TWOW, Unagi, NIU KQi Air, or even the somewhat lightweight Apollo Go. They have fiercely loyal followings because each of these scooters is really good at certain things. But what do they give up to hit that low weight?
I took the new Swiss-designed, carbon fiber VMAX VX8 and tested it using the exact same tests I used at ESG to compare it head-to-head against the world’s most popular lightweight scooters to see how the 34 lb VMAX VX8 stacks up against the competition.
The hill climb test
The most common shortcoming of lightweight scooters is hill climbing. To really push these machines, I tested them on a standard 10% grade hill and an extreme 31.5% grade hill (the steepest in San Francisco).
10% grade (ESG test hill)
On the ESG 10% grade test hill, the VX8 climbed to the top in 11.2 seconds - finishing 3.5 seconds sooner than the KQi Air and beating the dual-motor Apollo Go by nearly a second.
Quick takeaway
Lightweight scooters often struggle uphill - but the VX8 didn’t just pass the test, it led it.
31.5% grade (extreme hill)
When we moved to the 31.5% grade, the difference was undeniable. Even the mighty Ninebot MAX G3, armed with 2,000W of peak power, failed to climb this hill in boost mode with a running start.
VMAX VX8
Successfully launched up the hill from a standing start five times in a row, with no rest in between.
Apollo Go
Failed to climb the steepest hill.
Unagi Model One Voyager
Failed to climb the steepest hill.
Ninebot MAX G3
Failed to climb the steepest hill (boost mode, running start).
While I didn’t have a chance to test the KQi Air or E-TWOW on the steepest hill, the numbers back up the same conclusion. For example, the VX8 boasts a 38% grade climbing spec, whereas the KQi Air’s spec is 20%.
The secret sauce: gear drive and carbon fiber
How do a bunch of Swiss engineers get a lightweight single-motor scooter to climb like this? The answer is the gear drive motor.
Unlike direct drive motors, the VX8 motor contains three planetary gears which give it incredible torque even at hill-climbing speeds. It’s packed with grease rated to last 30,000 km (over 18,000 miles), and the plastic gears help keep the motor lightweight and quiet.
Why gear drive matters
- More torque where you need it (low-speed climbing)
- Efficient power delivery under load
- Quiet for a gear-driven system
To keep overall weight down to that magic 34 lbs, the VX8 uses a hand-made carbon fiber frame, plus carbon forks, stem, and fenders. That portability is crucial: it can be the difference between a scooter you’ll reach for every day and a heavy scooter you intend to ride but end up not riding at all.
Ride quality: tubeless vs. solid tires
Everyone wants a smooth ride - but because suspension adds weight, the VX8 uses 10-inch tubeless pneumatic tires instead. Tubeless air-filled tires offer the best combination of comfort, traction, and road feel while keeping portability as top priority.
VX8 tires
10” tubeless pneumatic tires act as your primary suspension and improve traction through a larger footprint.
Solid tires
Unagi and E-TWOW use solid tires: puncture-proof, but they transmit vibrations directly to the rider and can feel sketchy when cornering hard.
As someone who likes to push scooters into corners as fast as possible, I can’t count the number of times I’ve nearly eaten it trying to corner too hard on solid tires. The VX8’s air-filled tires allow lower pressures for comfort without pinch flats - and they conform to the road better for more grip and stability.
Performance & privacy
Speed
Top speed in my testing: 20.7 mph (≈ 21 mph rounded).
For city riders, ~20 mph is a sweet spot: fast enough to pass bikes, slow enough to ride without “motorcycle gear” vibes.
Braking
Stops from 15 mph in 13.9 feet (2nd best in this group).
Setup: low-maintenance drum brake up front + regen in the rear.
Privacy (app-free)
Most major brands require an account + app for full features. VMAX doesn’t force app login to ride.
Controls & display
You can control settings directly on a 3.5-inch real-glass TFT color display.
Range test & recharge time
I rode the VMAX VX8 and all comparison scooters on the same range test course, all in sport mode, to see how far they go in the real world.
Important context
The ESG range test course has a lot of hills - and because of that, my average speed on the VX8 was roughly 20% faster than all the other scooters, including the dual-motor Apollo Go.
When it’s time to recharge: Here’s how fast they come back to life (0 - 100%) according to their spec sheets.
The lightweight competition: head-to-head
Honestly, the scooters I’ve tested for this comparison are all from great brands - or I wouldn’t bother talking about them. I’ve fully tested each of them as part of my work at Electric Scooter Guide. Here’s the good and the bad on what each scooter does best and worst.
Apollo Go
- Best at: Smoothest ride of the group
- Standout: Exquisite throttle + brake response
- Tradeoff: ESG tested weight of 49.2 lbs - heavy for a “25 - 35 lb” lightweight list
E-TWOW GT Sport
- Best at: Highest speed + lightest weight combo
- Standout: Folding handlebars = top portability
- Tradeoffs: Ancient design; handlebars can get wiggly; solid tires feel sketchy near top speed
Useful top speed feels closer to ~20 mph than the specified 28 - 30 mph.
Unagi Model One Voyager
- Best at: Cleanest design of any scooter ever (a true classic)
- Standout: Easiest dual-motor scooter to fold + carry
- Tradeoffs: Solid tires + no suspension puts many people off; short real-world range
Also unusual: currently rental-only (minus for some, plus for others).
NIU KQi Air
- Best at: Shockingly light and genuinely fun
- Ride quality: “Pretty good” ( Paul owned one)
- Tradeoffs: Battery drain from NFC “listening”; alarm triggers when moving it; frustrating day-to-day usability
Workaround: keep it plugged in or remember to charge the day before.
VMAX VX8
- Best at: Hill climbing power per pound
- Build: Hand-laid carbon fiber + Swiss engineering
- Security: So light you can bring it inside - best theft prevention there is
- Tradeoff: Price: $2,000 (not for everyone)
Handmade carbon fiber means limited production - few people will get to own one.
The verdict
If you don’t have an electric scooter yet - go get one. It’s life-changing. I hope this testing helped you find the best lightweight scooter to fit your exact commute, whether it’s a VMAX scooter or not.
And no matter what scooter you ride, please remember to ride safe and always wear a helmet.
Check out my full review video below (or linked here) and you can find the VX8 product page here for the latest price and availability.
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Compare the full lineup, or reach out to our team if you have questions about choosing the right scooter.
Tip: Replace the “review video” and “VX8 product page” links above with your final URLs if needed.
