The best electric scooters for a quick commute

NBC News

28-04-2025

If you worked or lived in a major U.S. city in 2018, you may remember the electric scooter boom. The sudden influx of e-scooters was met with some resistance locally and abroad, but nowadays, I see electric scooters everywhere in New York City. The industry is forecast to continue growing in size, and there are plenty of high-quality models to choose from. That's why we selected a few great options, all with proper safety certifications.
How I picked the best electric scooters
To find the best electric scooters on the market, I only considered models that excel in the following areas:
Control: All of our picks kick-to-start, meaning you cannot engage the throttle while stationary. They all also have multiple riding modes and cruise control.
Portability: Each of our recommendations fold down so you can easily carry them if needed.
Visibility: Our picks have built-in front and rear lights.
UL certification: We only considered electric scooters that are certified in compliance with the UL 2272 safety standard. This means the scooter went through a variety of independent lab tests to prove the safety of its electrical and battery system.
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How I try electric scooters
I've used electric scooters to commute to and from work, as well as visit friends in different neighborhoods in New York City. Most of my trips were under five miles, and took about 30 minutes.
When commuting, I typically wore a backpack with my laptop, lunch, headphones and other daily essentials, weighing about six pounds in total. I wore a Lumos Ultra helmet — the bright color and built-in turn signals made me more visible to traffic and pedestrians. Depending on the season, I wore a windbreaker and gloves — both help mitigate windchill, especially at higher speeds.
The best electric scooters in 2025
While there are more affordable options available online, we selected models from well-established brands with thousands of reviews like Segway, NIU and Gotrax.
The Gotrax Gmax Ultra is a high-end e-scooter with extra security features commuters will appreciate.
It has a retractable steel cable lock built into the stem of the scooter — you can use it to lock the scooter by wrapping it around a secure structure like a bike stand or railing. Locking and unlocking is done through the physical four-digit combination lock also built into the stem. I would still recommend using a bike lock in addition to the built-in lock for outdoor storage.
Like most electric scooters, it also has a digital lock — to turn the scooter on, you must enter a digital activation code on the screen, another deterrent for would-be thieves.
The Gmax Ultra also has a very long 45 mile range and a fast 20 miles per hour top speed. While it is on the heavier side at 46 pounds, it is still lighter than many competing models that get similar range and speed.
I consider any electric scooter that weighs less than 35 pounds light. And while this isn't the lightest option on the market (the carbon-fiber NIU KQi Air is a lot lighter at 26.2 pounds), it is a great value for the features.
It has standard features like a headlight, taillight and large 2.8-inch tilting screen that shows your speed, battery level, mode and more. But it also has fun extras like lights underneath the deck of the scooter that can change color and cycle through special effects as you ride.
It has a shorter range of up to 15.5 miles, so it's best for traveling shorter distances or last-mile commuting — getting from your car or the train station to the office and the like.
The NIU KQi3 300P is a comfortable e-scooter with a 265 pound weight capacity and larger than average tires, handlebars and deck. It also has a front suspension, which helps absorb vibrations from bumps and uneven terrain.
Another big differentiator is its brakes. It has left and right brake levers on the handlebars, controlling multiple brakes in the front and rear wheels. Having two brake levers gives you more stability when stopping compared to using one, in my experience.
Like all of our top picks, it has built-in font and rear light, plus a companion app that lets you check mileage and lock your scooter's motor.
How to shop for an electric scooter
You can buy an electric scooter for as little as $100, but that doesn't mean you should. Any vehicle you are using should be safe and durable. I recommend keeping the following in mind when shopping.
Understand electric vehicle laws
Electric scooter laws vary on the state and city level. For example, the New York City Department of Transportation states that all e-scooters must operate at or below 15 miles per hour, and should not be ridden on sidewalks or streets with a speed limit higher than 30 miles per hour. Check your local laws before making an e-scooter purchase.
Check for e-scooter certifications
We only recommended e-scooters that are certified in compliance with the UL 2272 standard. This is one of many electrical safety standards developed by UL Solutions, a leading global safety science company. You can usually find this certification (which will likely come from UL Solutions or TÜV Rheinland Group) on a label posted on the scooter box as well as a certification printed on the scooter itself.
Try a test ride
I recommend taking an electric scooter for a ride before purchase, if possible. If you can't, try buying from a retailer with a generous return policy, just in case the ride isn't right for you.
How to ride an electric scooter
If you've never ridden an electric scooter before, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you start riding.
Practice
Riding an electric scooter is very different from riding a bicycle or moped. New riders should have their first ride in a low-risk environment, says Alison Dewey, the director of education at the League of American Bicyclists. 'Find a place without traffic, away from pedestrians, where you can practice handling the scooter,' says Dewey. I also recommend using the e-scooter's slowest speed modes for your first few rides.
Ride safely
Before you even step on your scooter, be sure to put on a bike helmet. Helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by more than 50%, according to research from the National Transportation Safety Board.
When riding, try to be as predictable as possible. Try to avoid making sudden direction changes, and, if possible, indicate where you intend to turn. Cyclists typically use hand signals, but taking your hands off of the handlebars of an e-scooter (as compared to a bicycle) can lead to an unstable ride, in my experience. Consider a bike helmet with built-in turn signal lights so you don't have to take your hands off the handlebars as often. Regardless, be sure to stay aware of traffic and pedestrians while riding, and follow any and all local laws.
Charge smartly
All of our top picks (and most electric scooters generally) come with a charger, and need to be plugged into a wall outlet to charge. Nearly every manufacturer recommends a few common-sense charging rules to maintain a safe and working battery:
Do not charge your electric scooter unattended
Do not charge your electric scooter overnight
Only charge using the provided charging equipment
Never charge through an extension cord or power strip
Do not charge if the charging port, power cord, or battery appears wet or damaged
More about the Segway electric scooter recall
On March 20th, 2025, Segway issued a recall for two of its electric scooters: the Segway Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP. According to the notice posted on the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission website, the scooter's folding mechanism can fail, causing the handlebars or stem to fold while the scooter is in use, posing a fall hazard to the rider. Anyone who purchased either G30 model between 2020 and 2025 should stop using them and fill out Segway's recall request form.
Meet our expert
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on fitness trackers, running shoes and cameras. For this piece, I commuted to work on an electric scooter for a month. I also performed extensive research into electric scooters and looked for top-rated models that were safe, portable and reliable.