Which electric scooter is best to buy?

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:

Gotrax GX2 for $1,499: The GX2 is akin to the Apollo Phantom V3 and Segway P100S in that it's 76 pounds and packs a lot of power and range. This gunmetal scooter looks a bit like a Transformer and can hit a max speed of 35 mph via the dual 800-watt motors, but I usually rode it at 20 mph. It took me to midtown and back to Brooklyn (a total of 18.4 miles) with some juice left over. I hate carrying it up and down the stairs, because the stem is super thick, making it difficult to grasp. When you're waiting at a light, the GX2 also switches to Parking mode after a few seconds, so you constantly have to remember to press the mode button to switch it to the driving gear. It's super annoying, and Gotrax says there's no way to disable it. I am a little concerned about build quality—the motor makes a noise as if something is brushing against it, and this sound disappears if I lightly press the left brake lever while riding. The latch to keep the stem upright comes down too easily, despite a sliding lock mechanism to keep it in place; Gotrax says it might just be that it's installed too tightly. If you see any of these issues, I recommend reaching out to Gotrax and going to a local scooter shop to have them take a look.

Navee S65 for $1,099: Navee is a relatively new brand growing its presence in the US, and I had a great time using the S65 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). I was able to regularly complete 16-mile round trips at 20 mph, but that pretty much depleted the battery. It has great acceleration, thanks to its geared hub motor, and it climbs slopes with ease, but this also makes it very loud. The motor's sound disappears if you're in a noisy city like New York City, but it can make you self-conscious on quiet streets. It's 53 pounds, so it's heavier than the Niu despite having a similar range, and its customer service is a little questionable since it's so new. Still, I had fun riding it.

Apollo Ghost for $1,599: 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 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. 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 wire-controlled discs or upgrade to hydraulic ones. The former delivered enough stopping power for me, but the latter is more responsive and reliable.

Evolv Terra for $1,234: I enjoyed my time with the Evolv Terra (7/10, WIRED Recommends). If you're considering the Apollo Ghost above, consider this first because it's slightly cheaper, a little lighter at 53 pounds, and easier to carry. It's just as powerful, with the potential to go as fast as 31 miles per hour when you engage both 600-watt motors (check your local speed laws first!). Otherwise, you can cruise along at 20 mph as I did on the second gear speed setting (there are three in total) with the single motor. Range isn't dissimilar either; I usually had two bars left after 15 miles on the Terra so it can potentially last more than 20 miles, especially if you're conservative with its speeds. The suspension is OK but the solid tires on rougher roads can feel quite bumpy. The fenders also seemed pretty useless to me as, after a wet ride post-rain, my back was covered in specks of dirt kicked up from the rear tire. The stem's angle was also a little too close to my body, and the lack of a thumb throttle meant my wrist hurt after long rides. You can tweak the angle of the throttle and brakes to improve this though. These are relatively minor quibbles considering the price.

Radio Flyer S533 for $599: Honestly, I'm surprised at how well this scooter did in my tests. The folding mechanism is just a latch and a sleeve you pull down to keep the latch from coming undone while you ride. It's super easy to fold and unfold, and lightweight at 30 pounds. It's not a commuter scooter by any means—my range hovered under 8 miles on a single charge—and despite exceeding its 220-pound load capacity, I averaged around 14 mph of its 16 mph top speed. It's a nice little scooter for going to the post office, to the grocery store, or to Cinnabon when my wife asks for a cinnamon roll. However, its price doesn't match its power and performance; it really should be cheaper. It's also worth noting that the first model the company sent me didn't turn on and the second model had a deflated front tire. Inflating it was a quick affair and I haven't had problems since.

Segway Ninebot F30 for $350: 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. If your budget can stretch, I'd go for the Ninebot F40 ($797), which can go a bit faster and has better range, but I still prefer the Niu KQi3 Pro at that price.

Apollo Air Pro (2022) for $899: I have not tested the new 2023 model, but the Apollo Air Pro (2022) was a perfectly fine scooter (6/10, WIRED Review), I just don't think it's worth the high price. It goes up to 21 mph, and I was able to ride it for about 13 to 15 miles before it died. You get all the accouterments, like a front light and bell, and there's app connectivity to tweak settings to your liking. However, the app is required to unlock the Air Pro's true speed—otherwise, you're restricted to 12 mph. I'm more miffed at the folding mechanism, which is more work than it should be. It also doesn't accelerate too fast and, despite its 39-pound weight, is uncomfortable to carry due to its thick stem.

The Apollo Ghost is a great scooter for both beginners and long-time riders. With dual 800-watt motors, beginners can start off slowly using just one for smoother, softer acceleration. Once you get a feel for it, you can turn on the second motor for 1,600 watts of power and more aggressive performance. 

The Ghost feels quick and nimble due to its slightly smaller size and its 10-inch pneumatic tires. It also has front and rear spring suspension, which allows the scooter to ride smoothly even on bumpy surfaces. It was one of the only scooters I've tested that was fast enough for me but could be dialed back for my 12-year-old son to ride and chic enough for my girlfriend. The deck was also long enough to take my 7-year-old daughter around with me on errands. 

The scooter is solid, mostly constructed of forged aluminum, and alone weighs 64 pounds. While that's only 13 pounds lighter than the 77-pound higher-end Apollo Pro, believe me, it makes a difference when carrying it for any period. The handlebars and steering tube are collapsible making it easy to transport. I especially like the high handlebars that make it more comfortable for taller riders like myself and the locking ergonomic grips are a nice addition as well. 

Riders up to 300 pounds are supported and the scooter can hit a top speed of 34 mph. There are three gear modes along with an Eco mode. Depending on the rider size, terrain and setting preference, the Ghost can run for up to 39 miles on a full charge. I was able to get around 20-plus miles going from single to dual-motor mode. The scooter's 52-volt, 18.2aH battery can be charged in about eight to 10 hours. There is an option to cut charge time down with a single fast charger or using two standard ones. The Scooter itself has dual charging ports. 

The model I tested had mechanical disc brakes, but there is a hydraulic-brake version available for $1,799. The Ghost has lights in the front and rear of the deck and the rear lights flash when braking. They help at night, but at this level I would like to see an actual headlight up near the handlebars. (For models that don't have a headlight, I use a Blackburn Countdown 1600 light so I can see more of the road ahead and I'm more visible to drivers.) The Ghost does have a blue light underneath which helps some with visibility and looks cool, too. It also ships with a bell to warn pedestrians, but it doesn't quite cut it in the city where a horn is almost a necessity.

A display next to the finger throttle shows battery level, current speed, the gear you're in and distance traveled. It's visible in direct sunlight and even has a USB port to charge a mobile device or GoPro. There is also a voltage display to help monitor the health of the battery. The Ghost has a key ignition and spots to attach a lock on the frame for added security when running errands. Also, while I wouldn't leave it out in the rain, the Ghost has an IP54 rating so some splashing isn't a problem. Plus, it has small front and rear fenders to keep you clean.

Apollo provides free shipping in the continental US and Canada. A Canadian company with multiple service centers across the US, it backs its products with a one-year warranty. And if for whatever reason you need to call it, you can speak with a real live person.

There's a lot to like here. I even like the kickstand placement in the center of the deck, which is more convenient when you step off rather than at the back.