11 Best Electric Scooters For Beginners – How To Choose Your Perfect First Scooter

We’ve all started there. Watching all the fun a friend or a family member has with their electric scooter. Or just observing random people downtown, as they elegantly breeze through the busy streets.

Well, after admiring electric scooters from a distance for some time, you will probably want to get one for yourself. And naturally, the question will pop up in your mind.

What is the best electric scooter for a beginner?

Electric scooter	Use case for beginners	Buy
Xiaomi M365 Pro	best overall	Buy
Turbowheel Dart	best high-end	Buy
Hiboy Max	best value for money	Buy
Kugoo S1 Pro	best budget	Buy
Ninebot Max	best for commuters	Buy
Kaabo Skywalker 10S	best performing	Buy
Tarsa T9	best for heavy adults	Buy
Unagi Model One	best lightweight	Buy
Kugoo G-Booster	best climbing	Buy
Levy Plus	best design	Buy
Qiewa Q Mini	best waterproof	Buy

Choosing your first scooter is not an easy task. You probably still don’t know that much about them, and you probably have tons of questions.

We’re here to help with that.

Read on to learn what to look for in your first scooter to perfectly fit your current situation and needs, and then exactly what model you should get.

How to choose my first electric scooter?

There are many great scooters for beginners. We have the luxury to pick a model that will fit like a glove our every need.

Start there.

You have a brutal commute? Check the best beginner commuter below.

Are you on the heavier side? The best beginner scooter for heavy adults is a great choice.

You live in a rainy area? Consider the beginner-friendly waterproof models.

But what about if you have more than one need?

Well, start with your most important need, and then look at the list of other features and capabilities the scooter has. If it doesn’t fit your needs, look for other models with those features. The most common features and use-cases are neatly compiled into simple lists for your convenience.

Finally, if you’re not sure, or you don’t really have any demands in particular, simply go with the best overall or high-end models.

Now, let’s check the best electric scooters for beginners, and help you find which one is the right model for you.

Best electric scooters for beginners

The market for beginner scooters is the biggest, most competitive one by far. This is great news for new scooter owners, as they will have plenty of options, and will be able to choose based on many of their preferences and needs.

These are the best electric scooters for beginners, based on your needs.

Xiaomi M365 Pro – best beginner electric scooter overall

It has been said before, and it will be said again. The Xiaomi M3655 Pro is a legendary electric scooter. All things considered, there is no better choice for a beginner.

That’s exactly why I, many of my friends, and millions across the world, have decided to make the Xiaomi M365 Pro their first electric scooter.

That’s why the biggest ride-sharing companies, like Lime and Bird, predominantly rely on this scooter in their fleet.

That’s why it has the lowest defect rates, the longest lifespan, and the best reviews out of all the massively popular electric scooters today.

The Xiaomi M365 Pro is the bestselling electric scooter of all time. Most of its buyers are first-time scooter owners. Most of the reviews on it are very positive.

For a very reasonable price of around $550, you will be getting a high-quality, durable, reliable scooter.

Personally, I’ve had this scooter for almost a year now. I have nothing but great things to say about it. If you want to read my full review on it, check it out here.

In summary, the Xiaomi M365 Pro is a great versatile scooter, solid across the board. It shines in the following areas in particular:

• good range
• very portable
• strong water-resistance
• amazing value
• great design

I would recommend this scooter to anyone who isn’t sure what they need, or which is a great first scooter.

Turbowheel Dart – best high-end

I was hesitant whether to include the Turbowheel Dart in this list. Not because it might not be good enough. Quite the opposite in fact – it might be too good.

Somewhere between the inexpensive, novice scooters, and the higher-end, more powerful scooters, lives the Turbowheel Dart. It is still a great choice for beginners, although it does border with the intermediate models.

But that’s one definition of a high-end scooter. The Turbowheel Dart comes from an established line of high-quality, blue-ribbon scooters, with all the perks and benefits.

As a beginner, you will enjoy the best of both worlds – great safety features and comfortable rides, simple maintenance, solid performance. And still, not priced as an expensive scooter.

The scooter comes with water protection for the battery pack, PS17 cruise control, and the option to install a seat. As the standard dictates, you have three speed modes to pick from. Besides the headlight, you also get a very cool blue light under the deck.

As a guarantee for the quality, EWheels provide a full year of warranty on all of the parts (most dealers provide 6 months tops).

If you want the highest-quality beginner electric scooter today, your choice will be the Turbowheel Dart. Its other strengths include:

• very strong range
• great performance
• good portability
• decent climbing capabilities
• awesome look

You can get it for about $998.

Hiboy Max – best bang-for-buck

Why is the Hiboy Max the best bang-for-buck beginner scooter?

It’s simple. It is a popular, inexpensive, novice-friendly scooter, that has everything a first-time owner would need.

Even though the Hiboy Max is a relative newcomer to the scooter world, it has been the choice of thousands upon thousands of users. The fact that it has hundreds of 5-star reviews speaks volumes for its quality. And the fact that it has a very, very affordable price says a lot about its value.

Built to last, the Hiboy Max is a superb commuter, equipped with dual brakes, front fork suspension, and solid honeycomb tires that will never go flat.

You will charge it fully in 6 hours, and fold it in under 3 seconds. Weighing just 34 lbs / 15.4 kg, and folding to a very small volume, it is one of the most portable electric scooters ever.

The value that the Hiboy Max provides is enormous. Besides that, it’s also great because of:

• great water protection
• great portability
• strong performance
• decent climbing

In summary, the Hiboy Max is a great choice for pretty much every beginner. See my full Hiboy Max review to find out more.

Kugoo S1 Pro – best budget

The true art of budget shopping lies in finding the most inexpensive product that is still great.

For beginner scooters, that is the Kugoo S1 Pro.

Here’s the deal – while it’s the cheapest scooter on this list for $349, it is still among the top models in terms of quality and performance. A 270 Watt-hour battery, a range of 18.5 mi / 30 km, and a top speed of 30 kmh / 18.5 mph, will usually cost you twice as much.

Not to mention that the verified climb angle of 15 degrees, and the water resistance rating of IP54, is something that scooters even three times the price often lack.

There is no better budget option for beginners than the Kugoo S1 Pro. And besides that, you also get:

• great waterproofing
• decent for heavier adults
• solid for commuting
• decent performance

If this sounds like something you are interested in, check out the full review of the Kugoo S1 Pro.

Ninebot Max – best for commuters

The final iteration of the celebrated Ninebot line, the Ninebot Max, is the perfect beginner scooter for commuters.

The perfect balance between great range, proven quality, affordable price, and good portability, makes this scooter the commuter’s dream.

Its range of 40 mi / 64 km on a single charge is literally double the range of the typical scooter in this price range! Double!

That kind of range is provided by the proprietary Smart Battery Management System, which not only extends the battery life on a single charge, but the total battery lifespan in general. This means that you will go longer than usual before having to buy a new battery.

This is one of the best electric scooters of our time. Mechanical and electrical anti-lock braking systems, front and rear shock absorbers, 10-inch tubeless pneumatic tires almost impossible to go flat, cruise control… the Ninebot Max has it all.

No wonder it has been the choice of not only millions of owners worldwide, but also a staple in the fleets of ride-sharing companies.

You will be joining a club of very satisfied commuters, that grows stronger every day. Its other upsides will include:

• awesome value
• amazing range
• solid performance
• great waterproofing
• good portability
• very cool look

The Ninebot Max is one of the most beloved electric scooters ever. It’s really hard to make a mistake by choosing it. Check out the complete review of the Ninebot Max to see if it would be a good fit for you.

Kugoo G-Booster – best for climbing

San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Brussels, Athens, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Prague, Istanbul, Mumbai, Brisbane…

Besides all being beautiful cities, they have one more thing in common. They are full of hills and valleys.

If you live in a hilly city, you will not want to get a scooter built for flat terrain.

With a climbing angle of 35 degrees, the Kugoo G-Booster is the best electric scooter that is great at climbing hills, and still doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Of course, the price tag of $1070 puts it a bit above the beginner level.

But for a climbing angle of 35 degrees, you usually have to pay at least twice that.

Plus, you will be getting a top speed of 34 mph / 55 kmh, an incredible range of 53 mi / 85 km on a single charge, and a 2400 Watts peak-power motor.

True, more performant than almost any beginner scooter.

But trust me, you will need that power for those steep hills. Anything less powerful, and your scooter will struggle, or simply stop, when going over a tough hill.

If you need an absolutely amazing climber, that still isn’t that expensive and can’t really be considered an advanced scooter, consider the Kugoo G-Booster. I believe it will be a choice you will not regret. Other benefits this scooter has are:

• great water protection
• very portable and lightweight
• awesome range
• great performance

If you need a great climbing scooter for beginners, and a scooter that can do a lot for you in general, check out the full review of the Kugoo G-Booster.

Kaabo Skywalker 10S – best performing

Typically, beginners don’t need powerful scooters. In fact, some would recommend against getting a powerful scooter as your first one.

But that’s a blanket statement that serves little purpose.

Many people are simply performance-first shoppers, and their decision will be performance-oriented.

Some potential owners are confident they will need a strong performer soon, and don’t want to get a second scooter when that time comes.

Others have been riding weaker scooters through ride-sharing apps, and want something with more of a kick.

And some are simply adrenaline junkies, born to be wild and ride fast. Maybe they already have a motorcycle or some other fast vehicle, and are curious about electric scooters as well.

If you want to buy your first scooter and you fall into any of the categories above, then you will make the right choice with the Kaabo Skywalker 10S.

Kaabo is known for building powerful scooters, you basically cannot go wrong with any of their models. The Kaabo Skywalker 10S is one of their beginner-friendly models, but it still packs a lot of punch.

For the price of $999, you will get a phenomenally capable scooter.

Peak power of 1500 Watts, a top speed of 31 mph / 50 kmh, a range of 43 mi / 69 km, and a climb angle of 30 degrees, all make the Kaabo Skywalker the best power scooter for beginners.

You should also consider this scooter if you need:

• great range
• great climbing capabilities
• good for heavier adults

Tarsa T9 – best for heavy adults

The most common buying mistake I see first-time scooter owners make, over and over again, is not buying for their own needs. They make impulse decisions, based on a bombastic advertisement, with little research to back up their choice.

One of the most common mistakes is not taking the scooter’s weight capacity into account, and whether it would support the rider’s body weight.

And I would advise that you take this even a step further. What I do is consider my possible weight fluctuations as well.

For example, typically, I weigh about 194 lbs / 88 kg. But often, I gain weight and go close to 220 lbs / 100 kg. And when that happens, I notice a degraded performance of my scooter. Not by a lot, but it’s still noticeable.

So, if you are on the heavier side, or if you tend to gain weight at times, get yourself a scooter built for that.

The best beginner choice for heavy adults, without a shadow of a doubt, is the Tarsa T9. Its 397 lbs / 180 kg of weight capacity, is almost twice as much as most beginner-level scooters. And it costs only about $580.

If you need the best beginner scooter for heavy adults, get the Tarsa T9. Its other strong points include:

• great at climbing
• good performance
• very cool look and color choices
• fast charging
• great value

Unagi Model One – best lightweight

Lightweight electric scooters are one of the most in-demand category ever.

This is especially true for:

• commuters
• people with a last-mile transport situation
• people who (like me at one time) live on a higher floor, in a building with no elevator
• people who can’t, or don’t want to carry heavy loads

And it goes beyond beginners as well. Many owners choose a lightweight, portable scooter as their second, or even their additional scooter.

The Unagi Model One is:

• one of the lightest electric scooter for adults ever, weighing only 26 lbs / 12 kg
• the least space-occupying scooter when folded
• a very affordable, very practical model

All of that makes it the best lightweight electric scooter for beginners. Made out of carbon fiber, it is both light and tough.

And for the price of just $949, it is a pretty low-risk investment for your first scooter.

If you are looking for a portable beginner scooter, you will likely get the Unagi Model One. Other advantages include:

• slick, modern look
• fast charging times
• decent performance

Take a look at my complete Unagi Model One review if you want to find out more about this scooter.

Levy Plus – best design

For most people, it’s never about the value, the specs, the performances, or the utility. It’s simply the fact that electric scooters are cool and fun.

The Levy Plus model is the Marlon Brando of beginner electric scooters. Smooth, cool, tough, handsome, oozing with style and confidence.

It is not all looks. 22 mi / 35 km of range, double braking system with rear disc brake and E-ABS front brake, a six-month warranty, all for just $699, make it a true bargain.

Not to mention this is the only electric scooter with a removable battery. That increases the ways you can use this scooter – you can take the battery with you to discourage theft, or to charge it easily, or replace it with a full one for a long ride. A brilliant move by Levy, no doubt.

For the beginners looking for the coolest, smartest, best-looking electric scooter, I can only recommend the Levy Plus. It will also shine at:

• great value
• strong range, great for commuting
• very portable
• great waterproofing

If you like what you’ve seen so far, check out my complete review of the Levy Plus to find out more.

Qiewa Q Mini – best waterproofing

This is paramount for would-be scooterists in the UK, Ireland, Northern Europe, Canada, the Philippines, or any place with frequent rain or snow. Many first-time owners have failed to take this into account, and made easily avoidable mistakes with their first scooters.

If you live in a rainy area, you will want a water-resistant scooter.

Manufacturers, brands, the electric scooter community, the electric scooter owners I know, and myself, all recommend against riding in the rain.

And still… we all do it sometimes. It just happens that sometimes you have no better choice. And if you live in a rainy area, this will happen more often.

From all the affordable, high-quality, beginner-suited scooters today, the Qiewa Q Mini shines through the clouds for those rainy days.

With a water-resistance rating of IP65, it is the most well-protected electric scooter against water infiltration and ingress. All kinds of water splashes, and even weak streams of water, will do no damage to it.

In terms of price and performance, the Qiewa Q Mini may not exactly fit the “beginner” label. It is priced at $1029, quite a lot more than your typical beginner model.

However, for wet environments, it will be the best money you’ve ever spent. You don’t want to buy a second scooter because your first one got caught in the rain 2 times and completely broke down.

Not to mention, you will get a rock-solid performer, with 38 mi / 60 km of range, 15 degrees of climbing angle, and 330 lbs / 150 kg of weight capacity.

If you need a strong beginner model for a rainy area, do yourself a solid one and get the Qiewa Q Mini. Also, consider it if you need:

• stellar performance
• great range
• decent portability
• great for heavy adults

How to ride an electric scooter?

Naturally, as a beginner, you may not know how to ride yet.

If riding an electric scooter seems weird, mysterious, or scary, fear not – it’s much easier than it may seem.

To learn how to ride an electric scooter like a pro in under three minutes, check out our full guide on the topic here.

Summary

We went through all the best electric scooters for beginners, and the following table summarizes them one more time for reference.

Electric scooter	Use case for beginners	Buy
Xiaomi M365 Pro	best overall	Buy
Turbowheel Dart	best high-end	Buy
Hiboy Max	best value for money	Buy
Kugoo S1 Pro	best budget	Buy
Ninebot Max	best for commuters	Buy
Kaabo Skywalker 10S	best performing	Buy
Tarsa T9	best for heavy adults	Buy
Unagi Model One	best lightweight	Buy
Kugoo G-Booster	best climbing	Buy
Levy Plus	best design	Buy
Qiewa Q Mini	best waterproof	Buy

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