My initial impressions of the KQi3 Pro weren't stellar. The first unit's clasp broke during shipping. After I unboxed my second one, I had to ride it for 500 meters at a purposefully slow pace in a “training mode" of sorts. Don't baby me! Niu must have sensed my shaking fists, because it has since updated the firmware to reduce this distance to 200 meters, which is when you can unlock the full capabilities. You don't need to use the app, but it's worth it, as there are settings you can tweak, such as the amount of regenerative braking you want, a toggle for cruise control, and if you want a custom speed mode. 

Over many rides, I've become quite fond of the KQi3 Pro. It offers some of the best range for the money. Despite riding over steep bridges around New York City, I frequently eked around 15 miles out of it, but you can probably expect 18 to 20 miles (unless you're also a tall giant like me). It goes 20 miles per hour; the 9.5-inch tubeless tires offer a comfy ride; and the disc brakes reliably bring it to a quick stop. You get perks like a bell, lights, and space on the handlebar for attaching a phone mount too. I only wish the handlebars could fold down, since they can snag on stair railings. It's super easy to fold, but you might have trouble carrying this 45-pound scooter for anything more than a few flights of stairs. Time to hit the gym.

If I had to buy one scooter in this guide and money was no object, I'd pick the Speedway Mini 4 Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has the best blend of range, speed, and weight. It can go up to 28 miles per hour, but you're better off sticking to the second mode that hovers around 18 to 20 mph. At that pace, I managed to get roughly 15 miles out of this thing going from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the bridge (again, I'm a giant, so you'll probably get more). Best of all, it weighs just 36 pounds, is easy to fold, and the handlebars fold down too, making it compact and easy to carry at a moment's whim. 

You get front and rear LEDs, but you'll need to supply your own bell. There's a little display by the right handlebar that shows speedometer data, but thankfully, there's no app to worry about. The only reason this isn't the top pick in this guide? It's pricier than the Niu.  

At this price, you're not getting as much power as you would with some of our other picks. The G3 cruises at 15 mph—powered by a 350-watt motor—and while the company claims 18 miles per charge, I hit closer to 10. Throw in a climb like the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City, and you'll see the battery deplete much faster. An excursion over the bridge and back home saw the escooter running out of juice around the 8-mile mark, and I had to walk several streets home. It doesn't help that the battery meter isn't very reliable. It's best for short trips in flat areas.

Still, the 8.5-inch tube tires do a pretty good job of absorbing bumps in the road, and the rear disc brake stops it fairly quickly. It has an LED display that shows speed and battery life, a bell, a front light, a brake light, and cruise control. Like the Speedway, it weighs 36 pounds and folds fast. The G3 also has a few anti-theft mechanisms: When you turn it on, you'll need to enter a code to unlock the display and use the scooter. There's also a steel cable attached at the bottom of the stem that you can pull out to lock the G3 to a fixed object. (You can set your own numerical code.) This might give you peace of mind if you have to leave the G3 outside, but it's not going to do much against a determined thief. 

I'm waiting for the day I can just pop a compact hoverboard out of a backpack and glide home, like Marty McFly, but until that day comes, the Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the next best thing. It's the lightest electric scooter in this guide at a mere 29 pounds, and there's a comfy grab handle built in for easy toting. It's fast to fold and powerful, with a top speed of 24 mph. 

But shaving down the weight on this nimble scooter does have drawbacks. Suspension is just OK—you'll feel most of those bumps—and the wheels are a bit too narrow. The braking system works fine, but you might encounter some skidding if you make a sudden stop, and range is lackluster (around 9 miles in my testing going over the Brooklyn Bridge). There's also no easy way to change speed modes on the fly; you need to set it before you ride. Still, these are flaws I can live with. Since it's so light, I don't mind carrying it into the subway system if it's out of juice.

If you want to avoid range anxiety and have the power to go up most hills, stick with the Apollo City (7/10, WIRED Recommends). This spendy escooter can go up to 27 mph, thanks to its 500-watt motor. Even if you limit its speed in the companion app to follow local laws, it'll still climb up slopes with ease. You even get turn signals! The front and rear brakes are reliable, and there's a regenerative brake system to boost your mileage. Speaking of which, I was able to eke out 16 miles riding at 16 mph. At max speed, I had 26 percent left after a 12-mile trip from Brooklyn to Manhattan and back. (It's worth also considering the Apollo City Pro for $300 more, as it can go faster and has a longer range.)

Unfortunately, upgraded scooters tend to get heavy. It's 57 pounds, so I don't recommend carrying this up and down multiple flights of stairs. It doesn't help that the handlebars are long and can't fold down. I walked into a coffee shop with the Apollo City, and its handlebar knocked over a steel jug at the milk and sugar station (cue me awkwardly cleaning milk off the floor). The front light also doesn't get very bright, and the hook on the stem doesn't stay connected to the deck, which is annoying when you need a break from lifting this thing. 

At 64 pounds, the Apollo Ghost (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is not the scooter for walkups, but it's tremendous fun. I tested the 2021 model, but the 2022 version has some upgrades. The new dual 1,000-watt motors can vault you to 34 miles per hour (if that's legal where you live), but I mostly relied on the single motor and cruised at around 20 to 25 mph—there's a button to switch between the two, and modes to further limit your speed. Why would you want that much speed? Well, two motors can generate more torque, which proved handy going up steep hills.

The dual displays are hard to read on sunny days, but one of them shows ride data, like battery life, speed, and the mode you're using. The other shows the battery's voltage level—a full battery is around 58 volts and a nearly dead one is around 44 volts (at least, on the 2021 Ghost). It's a more accurate battery reading if you can remember those two numbers. Anyone in a hilly city will benefit from the power and extended range of the Ghost. I hit around 20 miles on a single charge (Apollo claims a generous 37). There are front and visibility LEDs built under and around the deck, along with a taillight. As for the brakes, you can get discs or upgrade to hydraulic ones. The former delivered enough stopping power for me, but the latter is more responsive and reliable. 

The same company behind the Speedway Mini 4 Pro—MiniMotors USA—is also the maker of the Bluetran Lightning (9/10, WIRED Recommends). This company also owns the Dualtron scooter line, and you might notice some immediate parallels between the Lightning and the Dualtron Victor I reviewed in 2021. They both can hit nearly 50 miles per hour (yes, fifty) and are also terribly heavy (88 and 73 pounds, respectively). They're definitely not for most people. 

But they have the best range. In the month I tested the Lightning, I only had to charge it once. That was after about 40 miles worth of trips at sub-30 mph speeds. With the Dualtron Victor, I rode all the way from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to Fort Lee, New Jersey, and back—the longest trip I've ever taken on an escooter (24 miles), and it had 30 percent left in the tank. Not having to worry about whether the scooter will die on your trip is seriously awesome.

I've tested a ton of scooters. Not all of them deserve a spot above, but some are still worth a mention. These are a few other good scooters I like: 

Segway Ninebot F30 for $580: This used to be my top recommendation for most people, but after a longer testing period, I've found that the range has dramatically reduced at a much faster pace compared to other electric scooters I've tried. It used to last around 10 miles or so, but lately, I've only managed around 6. I still think it's a great scooter. It goes 15 mph, is comfy to ride, and you get a good set of essentials, such as reliable lights, brakes, and an intuitively designed bell. It's fairly lightweight, too, at 33 pounds. It's frequently on sale for $580, but if your budget can stretch, I'd go for the Ninebot F40 ($800), which can go a bit faster and has better range. 

Gotrax Apex for $399: You get a lot for the money here. At 32 pounds, it's lighter than most of the scooters in this guide and just as easy to fold up. It has an integrated bell and a digital display that shows your speed and battery life, and it can go up to 15 mph. It's reliable—I've gone to coffee shops, remote video shoots with a backpack full of camera gear, and the grocery store—though it's not the smoothest ride. The 250-watt motor does struggle with any kind of slight incline, and slopes drain the battery fast. The battery usually doled out around 9 miles for me. I'm very tall, and the handlebars don't get high enough for me, so my arms were outstretched. You'll also want to tighten the single rear disc brake; it works just fine, but I wouldn't have minded more stopping power. If your budget is tight, this is a good scooter, but you may as well save up for the Gotrax G3.

A few scooters mentioned in this guide have multiple tire options. You'll most commonly come across these two terms: pneumatic tires and solid tires. The former, which are filled with air, come in two variants—tubed and tubeless.

Solid tires are made of solid material, like rubber or silicone, and require very little maintenance. However, they don't absorb bumps in the road that well, so you won't get the smoothest or grippiest ride. If you're in a city with mostly nice roads, you're taking short trips, and you go less than 20 mph, this is a completely fine option. 

Tubed tires have an inner tube that holds the air and an exterior rubber tire to protect it. That means you'll need to regularly check the pressure in your tires, like on a bike. These are usually easy to replace if you get a flat, and you most likely will, as tubed tires aren't very puncture-resistant. 

Tubeless tires don't have an inner tube—an airtight seal keeps the air in—and that allows for higher-quality, thicker, and tougher tires (though not as tough as solid tires). You'll still need to keep an eye on air pressure. These are usually found on pricier escooters, but like the tubed counterpart, it's what you want if you prioritize ride quality. I prefer tubeless tires, as they offer a comfier ride and are less likely to get a flat.

The battery meter on the display of your electric scooter might not be very reliable. The bars dip really low when you ride uphill, and they suddenly flood back full when you go downhill. These meters show voltage. When the motor is working hard, the voltage drops as the motor pulls power from the battery. This can be anxiety-inducing if you go up a hill and suddenly see you only have two bars left. You might think you won't have enough juice to make it home. Over time, you'll get a better idea of your scooter's range, but until then, I recommend carrying the charger with you when possible. Escooters usually take six or so hours to fully recharge, but even an hour of recharging at the coffee shop might give you just enough for your return trip. 

Scooters are electric vehicles, so there are a few things you should and shouldn't do if you get one. First, if you've never ridden an electric scooter and are nervous about shelling out for one, try a rideshare service. Companies like Lime, Lyft, and Bird let you grab an escooter for not a lot of money, which is a good way to test the waters. 

Wear a helmet. Need I say more? Protect your noggin. Our Biking Accessories guide has some helmet options—my personal favorite is the Thousand Heritage helmet—and follow this guide to fit your helmet the right way.

Check your local laws. Are electric scooters legal where you live? If so, what's the max speed limit? Do you have to be in the bike lane? Over the past two years, escooters have become a common sight in many cities. Chances are your state or city has spelled out rules about riding them.

Don't charge your escooter overnight or when no one is home. The manuals of several scooters I've tested say the same. Not every battery or charger has a UL certification for safety, and I've seen one too many stories of battery fires. Always be around when you're charging your scooter, and unplug it when it's finished charging.

Try to avoid the rain. You'll want to check your scooter to see whether it has official IP water- and dust-resistance ratings. If not, avoid riding in the rain. If there is a rating, it's still a good idea to get out of the rain quickly. More importantly, do not plug the charger in without wiping down the charging port and ensuring that it's dry.

Don't store your escooter in excessive temperatures. Extreme heat and extreme cold are not good for batteries. Store your escooter indoors in a cool, dry place, like you would your breakfast cereal! 

One rider only, please. Unless a manufacturer explicitly states that an escooter can carry two people, only one rider should be on the deck. These vehicles can go pretty fast, and you don't need to go more than 20 mph to be in a serious accident. It's also a good idea to check the weight limit on your scooter.

Check the manufacturer's servicing and repair options. Before you invest in a new scooter, check if the manufacturer offers spare parts or is able to service your scooter if any issues arise. You may want to connect with local ebike and escooter shops to see if they have experience with the brand you're going with.

Don't leave your escooter unattended outdoors. Scooters aren't very easy to secure, so it probably goes without saying that they're very easy to steal. Roll them indoors if you need to, but keep them within sight if you don't want to walk home, helmet in hand.

We try to test electric scooters for two to three months, oftentimes even longer. Not all of them are winners. That's what you'll find below—escooters that are OK but not as good as our picks above. 

Levy Plus for $689: My fellow WIRED reviewer Adrienne So tested a prototype of the Levy Plus in 2020. She liked its replaceable battery and reliable disc brakes but found the whole thing “agonizingly slow on hilly terrain.” It goes up to 18 mph and is rated for 5 to 10 percent inclines, so it's best for flat roads. It's one of the lighter escooters out there, at just 30 pounds. 

Unagi Model One for $990: Unagi gives you two ways to access its escooter: You can buy it outright for $990 or subscribe to rent it for $49 per month. Its specs have been slightly updated since we last reviewed it, but good news—the company recently launched the Model Eleven on Indiegogo, and it's expected to ship this June. We'll be testing it around that time, so you might want to hold off on the Model One. 

EcoReco L5+ for $849: This is the first electric scooter I ever tried, and it's getting a bit old. The suspension makes rides pretty smooth, the tall stem means easy-to-reach handlebars, and the wide foot deck lets me put my two size-13 feet side by side. You can fold it down, and at 38 pounds it's not as awful to carry as some of our heavier picks. It can go a little more than 22 mph and lasted me around 16 miles on a single charge. My biggest concern is that EcoReco doesn't seem to be active on its social channels anymore (and has not responded to my emails). 

Yadea KS5 Pro for $800: I initially liked the Yadea KS5 Pro. It has a top speed of 22 mph, thanks to the 500-watt motor. At 46 pounds, it's not light, but it is not nearly as heavy as models like the Apollo Ghost. Unfortunately, the company's range claims are wildly inaccurate. This thing lasted me roughly 10 or 12 miles on a charge, not 37. The app experience is also very clunky—the firmware refused to update—and over time, I ran into an issue where the motor sometimes kicked in while I was stopped at a traffic light. Yikes.