How to choose the right electric scooter

You can expect to pay a little more for an electric scooter than a conventional push one, although you can still pick up a decent electric scooter without breaking the bank. The price ultimately depends on what level of features you’re looking for. A scooter with a bigger battery, more powerful motor and extra features will set you back more than a lower-spec model with less power and basic features.

The capacity of your scooter’s battery is the main influence on the range you’re able to achieve. However, other factors like the type of journey, the conditions, and the weight of the rider will all play a part too.

If you’re only going to be making short journeys on surfaces with few inclines, then a smaller and more cost-effective battery may meet your requirements. On the other hand, if your route includes a lot of hills, or you plan on travelling long distances without the need to recharge, then it may be worth investing in a larger battery.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that only using the throttle in short bursts and using a slower speed mode (most scooters offer different modes) will generally allow you to travel further on a single battery charge.

If you want to zip along and tackle hills with ease, then go for an electric scooter with a powerful motor. The higher a motor's wattage, the more power it can produce to accelerate the scooter along. If you know you’re going to be regularly tackling hills, then we’d recommend choosing a scooter with a 350w motor as a minimum.

If you’re going to be carrying your scooter for any length of time, then it’s worth taking the weight into consideration. Some models are more lightweight and easier to fold than others, making them more suited for transporting and storing.

Just like choosing a standard or electric bike, choosing an electric scooter should involve checking over the specs. Make sure that the suspension, brakes, and tyres will suit your needs and your average ride.

A good suspension system is a great extra feature that will help to smooth out your ride, especially on bumpier journeys. If you’re likely to be riding on rougher terrain, a scooter with suspension is well worth considering.

Tyre type is also important to think about: the main two are air-filled (or pneumatic) and solid tyres. Pneumatic tyres provide a smoother ride as they help to absorb bumps in the road, however, they bring the risk of punctures. Solid tyres, on the other hand, are low maintenance since they won’t puncture, but you won’t get the same level of shock absorption or ride comfort.

Brakes are essential for using an electric scooter safely. Mechanical brakes like disc and drum brakes are excellent at providing safe and reliable stopping, but they will wear down over time, so it’s important to keep an eye on them to keep them in working order. Electronic brakes are another popular type of brake on electric scooters, usually engaged by a push button or lever.