So, you’ve seen people zipping around on electric scooters and you think it looks like fun. In fact, you’re ready to buy your own. But, now that you’re looking seriously, you realise that, unlike teen comedies and reggae songs, they’re not all the same. 

If only there was one, single page you could visit that would give you all the info you need on making an informed decision. Wait, there is! And, you’ve found it! In this electric scooters buying guide, we’ll break down all of those techy terms and help you find the perfect e-scooter for your needs. 

How to find the right electric scooter for you 

Electric scooters offer more choices than a seaside ice cream stand. So, it’s important that you go in knowing what you’re after. 

Are you after speed, or is distance more important? Are you after ultimate comfort, or are you more concerned with anti-puncture tyres?  

You might not know exactly what you want. But we’re here to help with that. We’ll help narrow down your choice with just a few questions: 

Do you want a fast electric scooter? 

Featured electric scooter: Monkeylectric S17

Do you want your scooter to go faster than a weekend away? No problem. The fastest electric scooters that operate within the realms of safety have top speeds of 15 – 20 miles per hour, give or take. 

If you can shop based on top speed, great. That’s all you need to know. But, if you’re having trouble finding out a scooter’s speed, take a look at its engine power. Rated power, to be specific. This is measured in Watts. 

Electric scooters with rated power from around 250W – 350W should give you a top speed of 15 – 20 mph.  So, if engine size is all you have to go on, keep that in mind. 

Do you want a long range electric scooter? 

Featured electric scooter: Monkeylectric M13

You may think that speed and range are a balancing act, and that you have to sacrifice speed if you want range. After all, don’t more powerful engines chew up more battery charge? Nope. 

While it is true that battery capacity is important in an electric scooter’s range, it isn’t the only factor. You’ll often find that scooters with the most battery power also have higher rated power (the strength of the motor), and that they can travel the most distance. 

So, definitely look out for electric scooters with higher battery capacities, but don’t be put off by scooters with higher top speeds. 

OK, now that we’ve covered that, how far can electric scooters travel? Well, it depends on the scooter, but expect a range of about 10 – 13 miles from the long-range scooters. 

Do you want an electric scooter that you can carry around? 

Featured electric scooter: Monkeylectric S14

Are you thinking of going places with your electric scooter, or will you be riding it around your property? This is quite important in your decision of which scooter to buy. 

If you’re thinking of travelling with it, you’ll likely want two things from the design: lightweight and folding. 

If there’s any chance at all that you’ll have to carry your scooter (like on and off trains, up flights of stairs, etc.), you want it to be lightweight. How light can electric scooters be? Well, anywhere between 5 and 10 kg is the lighter end of the spectrum. 

Also, not all scooters fold up, so we’d recommend looking for a folding scooter. This will make it easy to take on public transport and to keep out of the way in public areas, like under your chair in a waiting area, for example. 

If you’re only planning to ride it around your property, you don’t have to worry so much about weight, and you only have to think about its folding capabilities if you’re short on storage space. Otherwise, you have free rein to choose whatever scooter suits you. 

Do you want air-filled or solid tyres? 

Featured electric scooter: Zinc Eco Max

Electric scooters have two tyre options: air filled or solid rubber (or urethane). And, some have a combination of both, usually having an air-filled front and a solid rear. 

The purpose of air-filled tyres is to offer a smoother ride. The air-filled tyre, or pneumatic tyre, helps absorb bumps in the tarmac, acting like a shock absorber. But, being air-filled, these tyres can be punctured. 

Solid tyres, on the other hand, offer less give over bumps. But, they’re puncture-proof. 

How bumpy is an electric scooter with solid tyres? Well, it does depend on the surface you’re riding on. But, even uneven surfaces aren’t going to rattle the fillings from your teeth. And, if you’re riding on concrete tiles or asphalt, your ride will still feel smoother than well-made mashed potato. 

Do you want to ride in the rain? 

Featured electric scooter: Monkeylectric S14

If you can see yourself being dedicated to your scooting, you may want to look at electric scooters with water-resistance ratings. That way, bad weather won’t bother your scooter. 

Some scooters have ratings like Ip55, IPX4, and IPX5. These differ slightly in their levels of water resistance - they’re the difference between being splash resistant and able to withstand water jet spray. But, all of them make those electric scooters able to resist rain and splashes from puddles. 

Who will be riding the electric scooter? 

Featured electric scooter: Razor Power A2

Electric scooters are made for a variety of riders – namely kids, teens, and adults. So, be sure that the scooter you’re looking at is made for the right age group. 

Kids’ electric scooters will, understandably, be a lot lighter. So, you’ll come across a lot of those if you base your search on weight alone. Similarly, adult electric scooters tend to have a higher top speed. 

A good way around this is to start your search with the scooters aimed at your desired age range, and then it refine it from there. 

Choose from electric scooters for kids, electric scooters for teens, and electric scooters for adults. 

Find your best electric scooter at Menkind

Now that you know all about electric scooter specs, choosing the perfect scooter for your needs is going to be a piece of cake. And, with our easy-to-use filters, you’ll have no problem whittling down your choice. 

Now all that’s left to do it get out there and scoot from the hip!