Buying an electric scooter can be daunting, especially when looking at their price tags. Luckily, there are plenty of high quality E-scooters on the market that won’t break the bank. In this article, we’ll break down the best scooters under $500 so you can get rolling.
Let’s get started–
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Best Electric Scooter Under $500
1. Gotrax XR Elite Electric Scooter
No products found.First up is the Gotrax XR Elite E-Scooter. This foldable, electric scooter is equipped with a 300W motor and can travel up to 18.6 miles on a single charge. Some other features of Gotrax XR are its dual braking system, spacious riding platform, and 8.5″ Pneumatic Tires.
This electric scooter has a maximum speed of 15.5 MPH and can tackle inclines of up to 15 degrees with ease. If safety is a priority, the Gotrax has built-in headlights, tail lights and reflectors, to provide more visibility and protection while riding at night.
One of the more unique features of this E-scooter is its LED panel that can be used to easily track your remaining battery charge. The battery itself charges quickly in about 4 to 6 hours.
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2. Razor E200S Electric Scooter
No products found.Next up we have the E200S E-scooter from the popular scooter brand, Razor. With its 200 Watt motor, this electric scooter can reach up to 12 mph and 40 minutes of ride time. The E200S also features rear wheel drive for increased traction and control.
While it comes with a hand operated rear brake, spring loaded kickstand, and large 8-inch pneumatic tires, the more unique feature of this e-scooter is its removable riding seat.
This E-scooter is a perfect starter scooter for younger teens. Its high-torque, ultra-quiet chain-driven motor is driven by an easy to use twist-grip throttle. One of the only cons to the Razor E200S is its longer charging time of 12 hours.
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3. Gyroor Electric Scooter for Adults
No products found.Finally we have the Gyroor Electric Scooter for Adults. This E-scooter has the most power out of three, its 380W motor allowing riders to reach speeds of up to 19mph. The Gyoor Electric Scooter is also equipped with a long range battery used to travel up to 23 miles per charge.
Some other features of the scooter include a dual braking system, 8.5″ Pneumatic Tires, as well as a silicone damping pedal that reduces vibration and prevents slipping on the deck. Its powerful motor supports a climbing ability of 20 degrees, and a maximum load of 265lbs.
The Gyoor E-scooter for adults is also designed to ride safely in the dark and features brake lights & ultra-bright headlights with a range of up to 10m(30ft) of visibility. The foldable scooter also saves more space for storage, whether you want to put it in the trunk or in your office.
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What to Keep in Mind When Shopping for an Electric Scooter Under $500
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There are many electric scooters under $500, but not all of them will have the quality you’re looking for. When shopping for electric scooters, be sure to keep motor wattage in mind, not just aesthetics.
Higher motor wattage tends to correlate with higher maximum speeds, a longer range, and increased climbing ability. Be sure to also look at battery types, as batteries with higher voltages will travel faster.
What to Expect From a $500 Electric Scooter?
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Electric scooters that cost under $500 are a great choice for first time riders, young adults, and city commuters. For under $500 you can expect reliability, safety and decent performance. Most of these E-scooters tend to have a single motor between 200W and 500W.
This gives riders modest acceleration and range, but more expensive E-scooters travel faster and farther. Electric scooters under $500 probably shouldn’t be taken off road or on rough terrain, but can definitely handle anything the sidewalk may throw at you.
Again, E-scooters that cost less than $500 can still be sturdy and well built. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that these E-scooters may not come with the same bells and whistles that more expensive electric scooters come with.
For example, high end E-scooters usually come with larger, rubber tires accompanied by shock absorption systems. Most $500 electric scooters come with smaller air-filled tires that might require some maintenance over time.
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What Range Do $500 Electric Scooters Have?
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Because of their 200W – 500W motor wattage, electric scooters under $500 can travel anywhere from 10 – 20 miles on a single charge. There are many external factors that affect range such as terrain, riding load, or the speed the rider is traveling at.
For that reason, many E-scooters under $500 will also list their battery life, which can range anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour per charge. Almost all E-scooters that cost $500 and under have a maximum load of 220 pounds.
This means that carrying a heavy backpack or groceries might lower your overall range. Luckily many $500 E-scooters, including the ones listed in this article, have a relatively low charging time ranging anywhere from 4 – 12 hours.
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How Fast Do $500 Electric Scooters Go?
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In general, Electric scooters priced around $500 can reach maximum speeds of 12 mph on the low end, to up to 20 mph on the higher end. E-scooters at this price, however, tend to settle around 15 mph. Many electric scooters under $500 have different performance modes that control its speed.
For example, the Gotrax XR Elite E-scooter from this list runs in two “gears”. Gear 1 is Eco Mode, which caps out at 10 MPH and saves power for longer rides. Gear 2 caps out at 15.5 MPH and is ideal for short commutes.
If you’ve got a need for speed (25 mph or faster) you may need to opt for a more expensive model with a more powerful motor or or dual motor set up.
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Which Is the Fastest Electric Scooter Under $500 With a Seat?
No products found.The fastest E-scooter under $500 with a seat is the Razor E200S. With a top speed of 12 mph, this electric scooter travels the perfect speed for adventurous kids or careful adults. The Razor E200S is powered by a 24V rechargeable battery that gives about 40 minutes of ride time.
This E-scooter has been tested on several kinds of terrain, like dirt paths, rough asphalt, or grass and performed decently on all. With this in mind, the E200S is ultimately better suited for recreational purposes than for a commute.
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Editor’s 1st Choice
Kugoo S1
Overall Rating:
- Motor: 350 watt
- Range of 18.6 miles
- Top speed of 18 mph
Editor’s 2nd Choice
No products found.GoTrax GXL V2
Overall Rating:
- Motor: 250 watt
- Range of 12.5 miles
- Top speed of 15.5 mph
Editor’s 3rd Choice
No products found.Ninebot ES1L
Overall Rating:
- Motor: 250 watt
- Range of 12.4 miles
- Top speed of 12.4 mph
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Best Electric Scooter Under 300 Dollar
#1. The Kugoo S1
The Kugoo S1 is a strong opening contender, offering a maximum of 30km/h (18.64mph). The biggest downside the scooter has is that it’s relatively dangerous from said high speeds, but the motor is long-lived provided you take care of it and are confident while riding it.
The battery on this model is known for lifetime wear. But, if you’re not against buying a replacement battery, that shouldn’t be a huge tradeoff for the speed. If you’re someone who wants a little more kick to their ride at the cost of having to wear a helmet, this is most likely the best choice.
Kugoo S1 Electric Scooter
Main Features:
- The Motor: 350 watt
- Top Speed: 18 mph
- Range: 18.6 miles
#2. The GoTrax GXL V2
No products found.Compared to the beast above, The GoTrax GXL V2 is a fine alternative if you’re looking for something a bit easier to access. Although there are reports that the battery life isn’t fantastic, the maximum speed of 24.9km/h (15.5mph) helps it keep up with it’s speedy competition.
It’s a wonderful, all-around starter-scooter, with good suspension that helps keep the ride nice and smooth the whole way through. If you’re new to e-scooters, the GoTrax GXL V2 might not be a bad option for you.
No products found.GoTrax GXL V2 Electric Scooter
Main Features:
- The Motor: 250 watt
- Top Speed: 15.5 mph
- Range: 12.5 miles
#3. The Segway Ninebot ES1L
No products found.If the other scooters on this list seem a little intimidating for you, The Segway Ninebot ES1L will most likely be a lovely alternative, boasting an easy-breezy 19.9km/h (12.4mph). The major downfalls of this scooter are its inability to handle most inclines, and the fact that replacement parts tend to be rather pricey.
With that, if your main purpose for purchasing an e-scooter is simply occasional commuting or going on walks, the sleek design and decent battery life might make this the choice for you.
No products found.Segway Ninebot ES1L Electric Scooter
Main Features:
- The Motor: 250 watt
- Top Speed: 12.4 mph
- Range: 12.4 miles
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Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Scooter Under $300
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Purchasing and installing replacement parts is going to be a big requirement if you plan to use yours often and make it last. Replacement batteries tend to be around $300, which becomes a question of would you wanna replace the battery or just buy a new scooter?
Most of the time they can fold up into a small, easy to store form factor, sometimes even fitting in a closet or under a table. Charging them? Well, you won’t break the bank on utilities, but it is something to keep in mind and consider.
If you’re charging it from a dead battery every day, it’s only a few cents, but those cents add up. If you use it often and for all it’s worth, it’s definitely worth it- but if you get it only to ride around on it once a week for fun, it might be better to stick to renting them if possible.
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Are Cheap Electric Scooters Even Worth Buying?
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The short answer? Yes. The long answer? … It depends, really. There are always things to consider when looking to purchase any sort of transportation on a budget- and said considerations apply to e-scooters, as well.
Most considerations were listed above, so with all of that in mind- I would say yes. More often than not it is worth it to buy a lower-end e-scooter, especially if you already find yourself renting them often.
Their lifespan matches their cost most of the time, and even if a $600 scooter would last longer, that’s twice the cost of what you’re getting into with a cheap one. If you’re handy, too, you can maybe make a $300 scooter last twice as long as a $600 alternative. So, if you think you’ll use it often, a $300 e-scooter would be more than good enough.
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What is a Good, General Price for an Electric Scooter?
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$300, while the usual median price for an e-scooter, isn’t exactly the price point where you’d be getting the most bang for your buck. Being willing to drop the extra $200-$300 might get you something that’ll last you longer and bring you farther than the cheap, $300 alternatives.
They’re not a bad place to start, by any means, but they are definitely not the ideal. TurboAnt has some incredible scooters for just under $500, which is a better place to start looking. $600 is about the ideal cost to look for, with the tradeoff of cost to lifespan. But again, to start off? $300 should be just fine to get your feet wet.
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Other Good Brands of Electric Scooters
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If you’re still on the fence about buying an e-scooter, and considering doing your own sleuthing on different price-points and brands, it’s good to start out knowing which brands to look for.
When on the lookout for something high end and powerful, Apollo is a great place to start. Their price-points are very high, but for a decent-enough reason. Although their replacement parts are relatively cheap, they’re also generally sold out on their official website.
For something a bit lower end but still good, TurboAnt is also a good choice, with cheap replacement parts and easy assembly. Although, they do have an extremely limited selection of e-scooters with only two available.
