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Best Scooters For £1500 Or Under (2022)
E-scooter enthusiasts use their favourite model to commute and enjoy city rides in the USA and many countries across Europe. While the privately-owned e-scooters aren’t yet legal on public roads in the UK, the law is set to change very soon.
With so many models to choose between, it’s difficult to know where to start – especially if you’re on a budget. However, you don’t have to break the bank to get the best electric scooter for your needs, and there are plenty of fantastic models for under £1500.
So, in this post, we’re about to reveal everything you need to know about buying a scooter and the best electric scooter for your budget.
Let’s dive in.
Everything You Need to Consider Before Buying an Electric Scooter
Our team live and breathe electric scooters, testing each one for its abilities, style, extra features, and we know how to help you decide which model is best for you.
A budget of £1500 might not seem like much, but some excellent scooters are available at this price point – or even lower!
The Range
It’s important to note that many manufacturers advertise their scooter with the longest possible range, but this doesn’t take rough terrain and hill-climbing into account.
For example, a scooter might have a 40-mile range, but if you live in a city with hills and bumps in the road, you might only get 30 miles of usage before your next charge.
The more range your e-scooter offers, the more battery power it will require – so it’s common for scooters with longer rangers to be heavier.
How far will you travel?
If your daily commute equates to three miles, then a scooter with a 15-mile range will be fine because you can use the weekend to charge it, and these scooters will always have a faster charging time.
However, using a scooter for urban riding and leisure time means you’ll probably benefit from a longer range. The best thing about electric scooters is even if they run out of charge, you can still use them as a traditional kick scooter.
How much time do you have?
We recommend considering your needs and deciding which e-scooter suits both travel and time restrictions.
The Tyres
When it comes to tyres, there are two types you’ll find on an electric scooter, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pneumatic Tyres: This type of tyre is filled with air. It provides more shock absorption when you travel over bumps and offers superior traction, which is highly beneficial if you’re riding in poor weather conditions.
Solid Tyres: People choose solid tyres because they’re virtually maintenance-free and can are far less likely to puncture.
While pneumatic/air-filled tyres have their advantages, they’re more susceptible to punctures, which means you’ll have to perform more maintenance work. Solid tyres will result in you feeling more shocks and bumps in the road, so they’re better suited to experienced riders.
If you decide on solid tyres, it’s best to look for a scooter with dual suspension because it will minimise the impact and provide you with more comfort.
Does size matter?
However, smaller wheels will be sufficient if your scooter is mainly for city commutes.
The Suspension
Just as your car suspension provides a smooth ride, the suspension in your e-scooter does the same. When you use an electric scooter and go over bumps in the road, a lack of suspension means you’ll feel the impact through vibrations travelling through the scooter.
The handlebars are particularly susceptible to vibrations, making it more challenging to control your scooter. While pneumatic tyres have built-in suspension, solid rubber tyres do not – so finding a scooter with suspension is essential.
Rear Spring Suspension: Simple mechanism which absorbs slight bumps and shocks.
Rear Hydraulic Suspension: Liquid form of suspension, often seen in cars.
E-scooters with dual suspension frequently perform best, but if your model has pneumatic tyres, you’ll be OK with front or rear suspension.
Top Speed
This usually ranges between 15-25 miles per hour, though the UK government could introduce a lower speed limit. If you’re planning on using your e-scooter for commuting only, then the top speed doesn’t matter – as long as it can get you from A to B.
However, for enthusiasts that love the idea of taking their scooter off-road, a max speed that exceeds 40 miles an hour will be better because it will power up hills quickly.
If you’re relatively new to e-scooter riding, it might be best to choose a lower speed model that won’t give you any control issues.
Motor Power
A 500 Watt motor will be fine for city commutes, but it might not be powerful enough to handle steep hills. In contrast, the most powerful motors will probably be too much for general usage.
You’ll also need to consider whether you want a single motor or dual-motor. Dual motors offer more control, and they can make short work of hills, but e-scooters with these motors will inevitably cost more.
If you’re only planning on using the scooter for commutes, then a single motor will serve you well.
The Weight
Commuters should try to find the right balance – especially if you plan on storing your electric scooter inside. Still, if you’re looking for an epic off-road scooter, then you can pretty much guarantee that it will be much heavier than other scooters.
It’s also important to mention that the countries that have legalised private e-scooters often set the weight limit at 100lbs, so the UK will likely do the same.
The Brakes
Electric scooters use four types of brakes: regenerative, foot, drum, and disc.
Regenerative Braking System
Foot Brake
Drum Brakes
Disc Brakes
The Lights
Some brands focus on providing bright lights, but if you love a particular scooter’s design and functionality, you can purchase extra lights if needed.
The Best Electric Scooters: Tried, Tested & Handpicked By Us
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Apollo Ghost
Max Speed : 34MPH
Range : 39 Miles
Charge Time : 9 Hours
Tyres : 10 Inch Pneumatic
Best For : Safety Features
When it comes to premium e-scooters, the Apollo Ghost always makes the cut. Not only is it budget-friendly, but the high-quality scooter also packs a range of excellent features that surpass expectations – especially when you think of the low price!
With a weight of just 64 pounds, this scooter comes with folding handlebars to enhance its portability and adjustable suspension so that you can customise your ride. Dual motors enhance the experience further, with eco-mode for long city riding and a speed mode for navigating hills.
Perhaps one of the Apollo Ghost’s more useful features is its regenerative braking, which charges the scooter as you brake and promotes safety. It also comes with LED strips to facilitate night riding.
Overall, the Apollo Ghost embodies premium quality at a budget price, and you can get a lot of bang for your buck with this highly functional scooter. Better still, it also happens to look sleek and stylish – perfect for commuters.
Nanrobot Lightning 2.0
Max Speed : 30MPH
Range : 25 Miles
Charge Time : 8-10 Hours
Tyres : 8 Inch Solid
Best For : City Riding
Nanrobot is one of the most renowned e-scooter manufacturers, and the Lightning 2.0 model doesn’t disappoint. It’s a simple yet powerful scooter that prioritises functionality over impressive power features.
While the general charge time is 8-10 hours, you can half the time with two chargers – perfect for limited time people. Solid tyres reduce the risk of punctures, and the Nanrobot makes up for the lack of pneumatics by incorporating front and rear shock absorbers.
With an excellent range of 25 miles, this is the best scooter for city riding, and it won’t let you down in terms of bumpy roads. While it’s not the most powerful scooter on our list, it delivers a range of impressive features for the budget conscious commuter.
Better still, you can fold the Nanrobot 2.0, and its sleek design means you can store it inside without losing too much space.
Inokim Ox
Max Speed : 29MPH
Range : 56 Miles
Charge Time : 7.5 Hours
Tyres : 10 Inch Air-Filled
Best For : Long Rides
Well, yet again, Inokim has delivered a powerful e-scooter that doesn’t disappoint! The manufacturer is known for its sleek and stylish designs, which embody modern style, alongside functional extras that make each scooter stand out.
The Inokim Ox is no different, and the first thing you’ll notice about this scooter is its impressive range. While most scooters offer a 15 – 40 mile range, this beast will give you 56 miles of riding time on one charge.
Whether you’re using it for every day riding or love to cruise around exciting places, you can travel far and wide on this electric scooter. It’s also got excellent hill-climbing abilities, so feel free to go off-road and explore further!
With a speedy charge time of just 7.5 hours and a budget-friendly price, there’s nothing negative to say about the Inokim Ox at all! It opens up a world of opportunities and will serve any electric-scooter enthusiast well.
Kugoo G-booster
Max Speed : 34MPH
Range : 52 Miles
Charge Time : 10 Hours
Tyres : 10 Inch Air-Filled
Best For : Security
Kugoo is well known for solid and unique designs that take electric scooters to new heights. Well, you might not think a £990 e-scooter will be able to deliver, but trust us – it does. If you’re the kind of person that loves power rides, this beast won’t leave you feeling unsatisfied.
For starters, it has an impressive range of 52 miles, exceeding what you’d expect from the low price, and there’s also a maximum speed of 34 miles per hour to make short work of those off-road rides.
However, what really makes this scooter stand out is the impressive features that provide every rider with a sense of security. You’ll notice the large footrest, which goes above and beyond what you’d expect, and the Kugoo G-booster also comes with ultra-bright lights to facilitate night rides.
It can also navigate slopes of up to 35-degree inclines. Overall, this e-scooter is terrific, and the only negative is it’s not as sleek as other scooters. But if you prefer power designs, you won’t be disappointed.
EMove Cruiser
Max Speed : 30MPH
Range : 47-62 Miles
Charge Time : 9-12 Hours
Tyres : 10 Inch Air-Filled
Best For : E-Scooter Enthusiasts
The EMove Cruiser is one of those electric scooters that everyone knows about. But before we dive in, let’s reveal the conflicting ranges. While the scooter is advertised at 47 miles of range, some people claim that a full charge can go up to 62 miles – but that completely depends on where and how you’ll use the scooter.
Going up hills and over rougher terrain will drain the battery quicker, but if you enjoy flat, city rides, then you might just exceed the range and reach that elusive 62 miles before you need to charge the scooter again.
One of the best things about the EMove Cruiser is its sleek design and assortment of colours, ranging from vibrant oranges to purples and elegant blacks. For e-scooter enthusiasts, this model offers so much in terms of experience and customisation.
Sure, it’s got a lot of features, but perhaps the best thing about the EMove Cruiser is its constant ability to surprise you. Maybe you will reach that elusive maximum range, or perhaps you’ll enjoy this scooter off-road – either way, there’s so much to offer.
Unagi Model One
Max Speed : 20MPH
Range : 16 Miles
Charge Time : 4-5 Hours
Tyres : 7.5 Inch Solid
Best For : Special Features
Are you looking for an electric scooter that won’t cost the earth yet still offers a premium experience? The Unagi Model One could be the best thing that ever happened to you! It’s so sleek and stylish – we like to think of it as the Porsche of the e-scooter world!
This scooter is perfect for commuters or adults, and it comes in black, blue and red colours. While the design is impressive, the features really shine here. First, you get to take advantage of a Sony battery, picked due to its ability to hold a charge and last a long time.
The sleek handlebars are made from lightweight magnesium alloy and are perfectly engineered to provide comfort while reducing any bulky wires. You can also take advantage of a one-click folding system, which enables you to store the scooter easily.
Let’s not forget the choice of two motors, which can navigate hills of a 15-degree incline and adaptive braking system, including dual electric brakes with anti-lock features and a friction brake for more control.
Overall, the Unagi Model One is a testament to excellent engineering, and it doesn’t create a massive dent in your budget. While it might not have the range of other e-scooters, it’s perfect for commuting or city riding.
Segway Ninebot Max G30
Max Speed : 15.5 MPH
Range : 40 Miles
Charge Time : 6 Hours
Tyres : 10 Inch Pneumatic
Best For : Strict Budgets
You wouldn’t think it would be possible to find a great electric scooter for such a low price – but the Segway brand never fails to impress us. Perfect as an entry-level electric scooter, the top speed of 15.5 miles per hour won’t overpower you but still performs well.
It’s also surprisingly sturdy, and many regard the Ninebot G30 Max as an adult electric scooter because the weight isn’t suitable for children. There are also 10-inch pneumatic tyres, which require some extra maintenance but make short work of hills and bumps.
Overall, Segway has created a fantastic scooter, ideal for people on a budget. It’s not one of the fastest electric scooters, but as the proposed UK speed limit for privately owned e-scooters is 15 miles per hour, it could be ideal!
Xiaomi Mi Pro 2
Max Speed : 15.5 MPH
Range : 27 Miles
Charge Time : 8 Hours
Tyres : 8.5 Inch Pneumatic
Best For : Commuters
All we can say is wow. The Xiaomi Mi electric scooter exudes style and sophistication. Sleek and classy, this is a scooter that any commuter would be happy to ride.
It’s also great if you’re on a budget – especially considering all of the features this beautiful scooter offers. A range of 27 miles is perfect for your weekly commuting needs, and the top speed of 15.5 miles per hour will get you where you need to be without compromising your safety.
With a 600 Watt electric motor, you can navigate small slopes without any problems. OK, this scooter won’t perform well off-road, but it’s designed for city rides, and we can’t fault it.
Ducati Scrambler
Max Speed : 15.5 MPH
Range : 24 Miles
Charge Time : 7 Hours
Tyres : 11.5 Inch Tubeless
Best For : Off-Road Thrills
They say looks aren’t everything, and of course – we agree. But how can you not be amazed at the awesome Ducati Scrambler? It’s the ultimate electric scooter for making an impression, and we love the colourful 80s style design.
With a battery capacity of 24 miles and a maximum speed of 15.5 miles per hour, this scooter isn’t the most powerful around – but it’s perfect for an off-road experience. The 11.5-inch pneumatic tyres will provide a stable ride quality, and while the scooter isn’t ideal for commuters, it’s essentially on this list for the fun factor.
You can also benefit from a double front and a single rear disc brake, alongside the ultra-cool wavy deck – which might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s actually good for balance.
Overall, this isn’t the kind of scooter you’d take into work – but with everything it offers – who cares?
What’s The Best Electric Scooter For You?
Ultimately, your final decision depends on numerous factors, including price point, what you’ll use the scooter for, and whether you’d prefer solid or air-filled tyres.
Whatever you choose, make sure you’ll have a comfortable ride, and don’t forget to wear the proper safety gear.