Razor Sonic Glow Electric Scooter Review

The Razor Sonic Glow may be tailored for young riders, but it certainly doesn’t skimp on features.

It’s equipped with all the essentials one might expect from a kid’s scooter and still manages to sprinkle in some delightful extras, making it a joyous ride for riders ages 8 and up. And, for those adventurous six-year-olds with a bit of scooter experience under their belt, they too can join in on the fun.

The scooter has a decent 80-watt rear hub driven motor that does okay on flat ground, with speeds of up to 10 mph. Going uphill, your kid will have to kick the scooter or push it alongside, as the motor is not powerful enough to handle inclines. Downhill rides are also not very feasible and might scare newer riders, as the scooter has a stomp brake as the only stopping force, which does not inspire much confidence. 

The star of the show, however, is the built-in BlueTooth wireless speaker that will automatically connect to your kids phone and transforms the scooter into a rolling music machine. And to elevate the experience, the animated multi-coloured LED lights on the deck and steering tube synchronize to the musical beats, pulsing in harmony, and ensuring that your kid feels like the life of the party while cruising around. We honestly think this, besides the joy of the scooting experience, is the whole rage with these scooters. 

Past the synchronized lights and music show, the rest is just housekeeping for parents. The hour or so riding time, the retractable kickstand for parking, which they’ll probably never use, the 120 lbs (54.43 kg) max rider weight capacity, the 25.35 lbs (11.5 kg) weight, and the kick-to-start operation paired with the easy-to-use thumb throttle that makes riding the Sonic Glow an intuitive scooter to ride.

We’ll break down each of the components in our short review below.

Razor Sonic Glow: The lowdown 

Razor is credited with pioneering the modern scooter landscape. While the late 90s witnessed scooters gaining traction in regions like Asia, it was Carlton Calvin, a California-based entrepreneur’s vision fueled by this inspiration, that truly revolutionized the concept. By January 2000, under the Razor brand, he unveiled the company’s first scooter for kids, blending traditional design with contemporary tech flair. 

Staying ahead in the evolving scooter market is no small feat, primarily when catering to younger enthusiasts. Yet, Razor’s initial universal charm, combined with budget-friendly offerings, has enabled them to carve out a space amidst formidable competitors like Segway, Hiboy, Gotrax, and Swagtron. Even as these rivals introduce advanced kids’ scooters, Razor continues to command attention, particularly with their luminescent scooter range. 

From their extensive lineup of illuminated scooters—such as the Razor A+ kickscooter, the RipRider series designed for youngsters aged 5 and up, and the ultra-popular PowerCore E90 Light Show—today, we shine the spotlight on the superb Sonic Glow, the mobile concert experience.

Razor Sonic Glow Features

Razor Sonic Glow Pros and Cons

Razor Sonic Glow cons

No hand brake

The handle grips slip out of place

Plasticky wheels/span>

Razor Sonic Glow summary

The Razor Sonic Glow may be tailored for young riders, but it certainly doesn’t skimp on features. It’s equipped with all the essentials one might expect from a kid’s scooter and still manages to sprinkle in some delightful extras, making it a joyous ride for riders ages 8 and up. And, for those adventurous six-year-olds with a bit of scooter experience under their belt, they too can join in on the fun.

The scooter has a decent 80-watt rear hub driven motor that does okay on flat ground, with speeds of up to 10 mph. Going uphill, your kid will have to kick the scooter or push it alongside, as the motor is not powerful enough to handle inclines. Downhill rides are also not very feasible and might scare newer riders, as the scooter has a stomp brake as the only stopping force, which does not inspire much confidence. 

The star of the show, however, is the built-in BlueTooth wireless speaker that will automatically connect to your kids phone and transforms the scooter into a rolling music machine. And to elevate the experience, the animated multi-coloured LED lights on the deck and steering tube synchronize to the musical beats, pulsing in harmony, and ensuring that your kid feels like the life of the party while cruising around. We honestly think this, besides the joy of the scooting experience, is the whole rage with these scooters. 

Past the synchronized lights and music show, the rest is just housekeeping for parents. The hour or so riding time, the retractable kickstand for parking, which they’ll probably never use, the 120 lbs (54.43 kg) max rider weight capacity, the 25.35 lbs (11.5 kg) weight, and the kick-to-start operation paired with the easy-to-use thumb throttle that makes riding the Sonic Glow an intuitive scooter to ride.

We’ll break down each of the components in our short review below.

Performance Overview

The Razor Sonic Glow is an electric scooter for kids above the age of 8 or younger if the child has some experience. This disqualifies mind-blowing performance as an expectation of the scooter. It delivers adequate performance for the targeted age group without being overpowered. Below, we break down the performance numbers: 

Speed

The Razor Sonic Glow kids scooter rides to a top speed of 10 mph (16 km/h). It’s a kick-to-start scooter, so you’ll have to get the scooter going about 3 mph (4.83 km/h) with the thumb throttle pressed down to get the motor going–that’s the equivalent of two to three kicks, then the youngster is on their way. The thumb throttle engages easily and is ergonomically shaped to ensure the child’s tiny hands don’t suffer fatigue. 

Battery and range

The Razor Sonic Glow carries a 24 V sealed lead-acid battery that powers the scooter over about 55 minutes of ride time. Interestingly, though, most parents report that the scooter went way past an hour of riding. We reckon that despite being an electric scooter, most kids might end up using it as a kick scooter, especially if their playmates are not on scooters. 

In addition, range usually depends on rider weight, terrain, riding style, and weather conditions. Therefore, given that kids weigh very little, will probably only ride on the playground or on paved streets around the house, that their speed is monitored by grown-ups, and that they’ll never ride in extreme conditions–it makes sense that they get more range than advertised for non-stop fun.

Motor configuration

The Razor Sonic Glow electric scooter for kids has an 80-watt brushless rear wheel hub motor. This motor has just enough power for kids’ playtime. The motor is rated to carry a max rider weight of 120 lbs (54.43 kg), meaning that the regular-sized adult would not get this as a serious mode of transport. The low motor configuration also tells that the scooter is not built for inclines or fast acceleration. That said, it’s exciting that Razor are continually adopting hub motors over the chain-driven variety, as the former is quieter, requires less maintenance, and is overall more efficient.

Safety

For parents, safety is paramount for any toy, gadget or appliance intended for use by their kids. It goes without saying that safety on an electric scooter is the biggest priority when choosing one. So, is the Razor Sonic Glow a safe scooter? 

Electrical compliance

When scooters first came into the limelight, there were a lot of safety concerns around their batteries. Reports of hoverboard batteries catching fires made guardians quite cautious around electric rideables–including e-scooters. Laws were passed to regulate the safety standards of electric scooters, ensuring that they met electrical compliance requirements. Razor confirms that Razor Sonic Glow and all scooters under the brand are UL-certified, meaning they have been tested and meet the necessary safety standards for electrical compliance.

Braking

The scooter is not overpowered, so it’s not strange that it has a rear-fender friction brake as the primary stopping force. Braking is a non-negotiable for any device that moves in public spaces, and we do wish they added a hand-operated brake. But with this in mind, parents should ensure their kids have optimal awareness of their surroundings and understand how to properly use the rear-fender brake. Additionally, wearing protective gear such as helmets and knee pads while riding the scooter is always recommended for added safety. 

Rolling concert experience: Music and lights

The Sonic Glow e-scooter is equipped with a wireless BlueTooth connection, meaning you can automatically connect the scooter to your phone and blast your favorite tunes on the go. The sound quality is no Dolby Atmos; however, for kids, simply being able to pull up listening to their favourite tune is pretty up there on the list of things that get them excited. Without a bell, this makes for the next best audible warning. 

When turned on, the sound is impossible to miss–but there’s more. The Sonic ‘Glow’ also has animated multi color LED lights along the stem and on the deck. The synchronized light setup comes on automatically when motion is detected. And if your tunes are playing, the lights will synchronize with the music and pulse in harmony. The lights go off when the scooter stops, making it a nice secondary safety feature since missing this lights festival on wheels is virtually impossible.

Construction and ride quality

The scooter is available in a standard black colour that blends nicely with the multi-coloured LEDs. Razor ships it in two parts: the handlebars and downtube extension and the deck plus wheels ensemble. Some assembly is required, and Razor provides the Allen key required to bring the two parts together. The stem is not foldable and is double-clamped to guarantee stability. And there are no controls to mount, save for the thumb throttle that comes attached. The On/Off button also comes preinstalled along the deck.  

The frame, steering tube, and fork are made of steel, and the scooter also features a lot of plastic parts. The deck, for instance, is made of plastic but is patterned to optimize grip for your kiddo. It’s also spacious enough for an adult on a joyride–and, therefore, more than sufficient for kids. The handlebars are covered in foam grips, which, despite being comfortable on the kid’s hands, have been reported to slide out of place, posing a safety concern. That said, several online users recommend easy and cheap DIY solutions to ensure the grips stay in place.

The Sonic Glow electric scooter has two small tires–the front is made of urethane, while Razor simply calls the rear wheel an ‘abrasion resistant, airless, flat free’ tyre. Both tires are meant to be maintenance-free, but their small and solid nature may be a recipe for poor ride quality on badly maintained roads. Kids’ scooters, almost by default, also lack suspension systems; the same is true of the Sonic Glow. Therefore, help out your child by identifying a smoother route or path to ride the Sonic Glow electric scooter on, and this could be a well-maintained sidewalk, a smooth bike path, or a park with paved trails.

Warranty and reliability

Razor guarantees the Sonic Glow electric scooter against manufacturing defects for 90 days from purchase. This warranty doesn’t cover normal wear, wheel issues, or damages from incorrect assembly, maintenance, or misuse. The warranty is voided if the scooter is used outside recreational or transportation purposes, modified, or rented. 

Therefore, ensure that your kids are well educated on how to use the scooter to avoid damage incidents. And, in case of repair or maintenance requirements, Razor has a wide distribution chain that ensures you receive parts promptly. Razor also has a pretty responsive customer care team that you can reach out to if you need help resolving issues with your scooter.

Maintenance

For the scooter’s longevity:

• Regularly check the lead acid batteries and ensure they’re fully charged.

• New Razor scooters come with an attached warning against storing the scooter below freezing temperatures, as this can cause damage to the battery. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and store the scooter in a dry and temperature-controlled environment during colder months.

• Wipe down the foam grips to maintain grip and comfort.

• Clean the plastic deck to keep it looking fresh. Avoid hosing the scooter as it’s not IP-rated, and water damage can occur. Instead, gently wipe away any dirt or debris using a damp cloth. 

• Remember, routine maintenance extends scooter life and ensures safe rides for your child.

Known issues

The Razor Sonic Glow scooter is not without its quirks, and here are a few issues reported by users on various public platforms:

• Some lights can be faulty. You can have one or two bulbs fail and throw off the whole animated lights appeal.

• The stem twists out of place and has to be re-configured by an adult. This has been reported as a safety concern

• The audio on the BlueTooth speaker can come off as muffled after some use

• Several users have reported charging issues 

Is this electric scooter value for money, and is it worth buying?

The Razor Sonic Glow Electric Scooter is designed specifically for children over the age of 8. It provides a blend of safety, reliability, and entertainment. Highlight features include an integrated wireless Bluetooth speaker and multi color LEDs on the stem and deck that pulse to the beat of music–that are pretty much the entire pitch for kids.

Safety is a priority for this scooter, with the product being UL-certified, meaning it meets electrical compliance requirements. However, the stomp brake as the sole stopping force may not be the most confidence-inspiring choice. In addition, while the scooter’s rear wheel drive delivers an adequate performance for its target age group, there are concerns with uphill rides due to the limited motor power. 

Some users have reported issues like lights being faulty, the stem twisting out of place, and muffled audio from the Bluetooth speaker after some use. However, given its features, especially the music and synchronized light show, combined with its affordable pricing, the Razor Sonic Glow does offer good value for money for parents looking for a fun and reliable scooter for their kids. 

That said, it’s essential to note the known issues and weigh them against the desired usage and needs.

Other similar E-Scooters

As you’re comparison shopping, here are other scooters similar to the Razor Sonic Glow you should look at:

• Razor Powercore E90 Lightshow

• Gotrax GXL

• Segway Ninebot E8

• LINGTEN Kids Electric Scooter