Updated August 21st, 2023
Electric scooters are an easy and fun way to get around the city or a park. There are many options available. They are convenient, easy to store, and a lot of fun to ride around on. They save on carbon emissions verse driving a car. Parking becomes a nonissue since you can carry it around. You can get a great performing scooter these days for $500 that can handle hills and long distance commute. See below for our top picks for best under $500 electric scooters. Keep reading for reviews and electric scooter guide.
The Top 9 Best Under $500 Electric Scooters
- BEST OVERALL: Gotrax G5
- TOP PICK: Turboant X7 Max
- BEST VALUE: Hiboy S2R
- LONGEST RANGE: Turboant V8
- Varla Wasp
- Gotrax G4
- Hiboy Max3
- Segway Ninebot E22
- Gotrax XR Elite
1. Best Overall – GoTrax G5 Electric Scooter
Specifications
- Top Speed – 20 mph
- Range – 25 miles
- Motor – 500 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 44 lbs
- Wheels – 10 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – front and rear drum brakes and electric
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Lots of go power. Great acceleration and hill climbing performance.
- Dual brakes give you more control when braking
- 3 speed levers for sporty performance, eco or walking
- Big comfortable deck for large adult sized feet
- Front suspension and 10 inch air tires for smooth ride
- Cool looking ground effect lights around the side
- Cruise control for easy riding
- Electronic combination lock
What we didn’t like:
- The display is difficult to read in bright day light
- The combination numbers to unlock the bike are too small on the display
- A bit heavy for carrying around
The Gotrax G5 electric scooter has a 48 volt battery, 500 watt motor, front suspension and dual drum brakes. The G5 has fast acceleration. It powers up hills like it’s on a mission. It has a ton of stopping power thanks to front and rear drum brakes. Its front suspension and 10 inch air tires give you a smooth comfortable ride. You have to spend $900 to get anything that equals it in performance from a different brand.
The G5 has a top speed of 20mph and range of 25-30 miles. It is great for commuting when you want to get somewhere fast or live somewhere with hills. It’s just fun to ride around if you don’t need to get anywhere.
Gotrax also sells the G6 which is the same scooter design as the G6 but with a 50% bigger battery for those who want to go farther.
See Best Deals!
Get an extra 5% Off at GoTrax.com with Coupon Code ERO5
2. Top Pick – TurboAnt X7 Max
Specifications
- Top Speed – 20 mph
- Range – 32 miles
- Motor – 350 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 275 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 34.2 lbs
- Wheels – 10 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – rear disc, front electric
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Removable battery that lets you charge anywhere and swap for more range
- Long range on a charge that can be extended by swapping batteries
- Longer wider curved deck allows a more comfortable stance for adult riders
- Powerful 350 watt motor
- Smooth ride on 10 inch pneumatic wheels
- Simple and easy to use controls
What we didn’t like:
- At 34 lbs it is heavy for smaller riders to carry around
- No suspension in the front wheel
- A 15mph speed setting would be nice between the 10mph and 20mph settings.
The TurboAnt X7 Max is a 350 watt scooter with removable batteries and 10 inch pneumatic wheels. The TurboAnt X7 Pro was already an excellent performer and value and the X7 Max makes it even better. It has a top speed of 20 mph and range up to 32mph. The drive unit is new with better performance. The detachable battery has dual latches and a key lock. You can easily remove the battery and lock it for security.
The deck has been raised higher off the ground compared to the X7 Pro. This gives it more ground clearance and better ride and handling. If you look at the rear of the deck you will notice it curve down towards the rear wheel.
It has 10 inch pneumatic tires give it excellent ride. They are very smooth and give it good traction. I’ll take 10 inch air tires over 8.5 inch tires on a scooter any day if I have the option.
The X7 Max has an easy to use control interface. It has a disc brake and electric brake. There are 2 buttons on the throttle control for cycling through the controller options. Any first time scooter rider will have no trouble with it.
Overall the X7 Max is a really fun to ride scooter and a great value given all the options it has.
See Best Deals!
3. Best Value – Hiboy S2R
Specifications
- Top Speed – 19 mph
- Range – 17 miles
- Motor – 350 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 31 lbs
- Wheels – 8.5 inch solid
- Brakes – rear disc and electric
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Removable battery for extra range
- Good top speed
- Fun to ride
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- App that lets you customize performance and lock the scooter
- Good hill climbing performance in sport mode
What we didn’t like:
- Ride is not as smooth as 10″ air tire scooters
- Cruise control can activate before you reach full speed on Sport mode
The Hiboy S2R is a great commuting scooter for those who need longer range. It has a removable battery so you can bring an extra battery and swap it in for more range. The scooter can go 17 miles on each charged battery. Most riders get 12-15 miles out of it. The batteries weigh 5 lbs so it’s not a huge weight to toss in a backpack.
The S2R has 8.5 solid tires that provide good traction and a decent ride. The 350 watt motor provides okay acceleration and hill climbing ability. Overall it’s a fun comfortable scooter to ride.
It has an integrated phone app that can lock the scooter and customize the scooter’s top speed and bracking/acceleration. If you want to let a kid ride it, you can tone down the power and top speed from the app.
See Best Deals!
4. Longest Range – TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery Electric Scooter
Specifications
- Top Speed – 20 mph
- Range – 50 miles
- Motor – 450 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 275 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 47.6 lbs
- Wheels – 9.3 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – rear disc, front electric
The TurboAnt V8 Dual Battery Electric Scooter is a new commuting scooter from our favorite brand Turboant. The V8 brings a lot of new innovative features that make this the perfect commuting scooter. It has dual batteries giving it a super long range up to 50 miles. One battery can be detached for easy swapping. This gives it the potential for even more range.
The V8 upgrades the motor to 450 watts giving you better acceleration and hill climbing performance. The X7 Max was already a lot of fun to ride. The V8 pumps things up another notch.
The 9.3 inch air tires give a smooth ride. The V8 doesn’t stop there and also adds front and rear suspension to make it even smoother.
The V8 has a cool integrated display in the top of the handlebar stem that gives you all the information you need.
What we liked:
- Dual batteries for extra range and more power
- Removable battery that lets you charge anywhere and swap for even more range
- Long 50 mile range on a charge
- Longer wider deck is comfortable for larger foot sizes
- Powerful 450 watt motor
- Smooth ride on 9.3 inch pneumatic wheels and front and rear suspension
What we didn’t like:
- Higher cost
- At 47.6 lbs it is heavy to carry around
- Not available in Europe
- Only available in 1 color
See Best Deals!
5. Varla Wasp
Specifications
- Top Speed – 19 mph
- Range – 19 miles
- Motor – 350 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 265 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 33 lbs
- Wheels – 8.5 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – rear disc, front electric
The Varla Wasp is their entry level commuting scooter. It is lightweight at easy to carry at only 33 lbs. It has plenty of power with a 350 watt motor and 36 volt battery.
The Wasp has an easy to read LCD display combined with a set of control buttons on the left handlebars. This lets you easily change modes or turn the lights on and off while riding. This level of controls are not usually found on entry level scooters at this price.
The scooter has a smoother ride with a coil spring rear suspension and air tires. It won’t leave your feet feeling tired after your commute.
The Wasp is on the smaller side for adult scooters. The handlebars are not high enough for taller riders much above 6′. It is perfect sized for under 6′ sized adults.
What we liked:
- Lightweight and easy to carry at 33 lb
- Well thought out folding mechanism
- Easy to use controls with handlebar mounted buttons
- Coil spring rear suspension combined with air tires for smoother ride
What we didn’t like:
- Scooter is too small for taller riders much over 6 foot
See Best Deals!
Use discount code AGI for $60 off at VarlaScooter.com
6. GoTrax G4 Electric Scooter
Specifications
- Top Speed – 20 mph
- Range – 25 miles
- Motor – 350 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 37 lbs
- Wheels – 10 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – rear disc, front electric
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Smooth comfortable ride
- Good range and speed
- Double locking with cable and electronic locks
- Simple and easy to use display and controls
- IPX4 water resistant
- Max and Ultra versions available with more range
What we didn’t like:
- Heavy for smaller riders to carry at 37 lbs
- Kickstart takes a little getting used to
The GoTrax G4 is a great electric scooter for commuting. It has 10 inch pneumatic tires that give it a smooth and comfortable ride. It has up to 25 miles of range. It has a unique 2 level locking system. It has a cable combination lock built into the steering tube. It has an electric lock built into the control display requiring a code every time you power up the scooter. The scooter has a disc and electronic brake that give it solid braking. The controls are easy to use and intuitive making the scooter fun and easy to ride.
The G4 comes in 2 other versions, the GMax, and GMax Ultra that have larger batteries and more range. The GMax range is 42 miles and the GMax Ultra has a range of 45 miles.
See Best Deals!
Get an extra 5% Off at GoTrax.com with Coupon Code ERO5
7. Hiboy MAX3
Specifications
- Top Speed – 19 mph
- Range – 17 miles
- Motor – 350 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 34 lbs
- Wheels – 10 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – rear disc and electric
What we liked:
- Great top speed
- Good range
- Connected phone app
- Smooth ride with 10″ air tires
What we didn’t like:
- Cruise control does not deactivate with brake levers
- Brakes need adjustment for most users
The Hiboy MAX3 electric scooter has good features, range braking, and load capacity combined with an easy to use folding design. The 10″ air tires are shock-absorbing with good traction. The ride is smooth without any extra suspension. It has both disc and electric braking as well as an LED display and intuitive controls for acceleration and braking. For night riding it has bright LED headlights as well as ground effect lighting around the deck.
Riders enjoyed the Hiboy MAX3. They like the bright headlights controls. Several users needed to adjust the rear disc brake to get good braking. Riders are able to get the claimed 17 mile range on flat ground and reasonable speeds.
See Best Deals!
8. Segway Ninebot E22
Specifications
- Top Speed – 12.4 mph
- Range – 13.7 miles
- Motor – 300 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 28 lbs
- Wheels – 9 inch dual density solid
- Brakes – rear footbrake, front electric
What we liked:
- Modern sleek design
- Phone app
- Available extra battery for more speed and range
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
What we didn’t like:
- Solid tire ride not as smooth as pneumatics
- Brakes could be a little stronger
The Segway Ninebot E22 Electric Scooter has a very sleek modern design with no cables or wires and a very sleek lightweight folding design. It has an integrated mobile device app that can control things such as regular and sport mode. The dual density tires provide a smooth ride. An available add on battery increases both the range and top speed for those wanting to go a bit farther and faster.
This scooter is fun to ride while in Sport mode, especially in flat areas. It is able to achieve the advertised range and top speed for most riders. The braking system works okay but is on the weak side compared to other electric scooters.
See Best Deals!
9. Gotrax XR Elite
Specifications
- Top Speed – 15.5 mph
- Range – 18 miles
- Motor – 300 Watt
- Max Rider Weight – 220 lbs
- Scooter Weight – 31.9 lbs
- Wheels – 8.5 inch pnuematic
- Brakes – rear disc, front electric
What we liked:
- Air tires give a smooth ride over bumps and cracks in the pavement
- The deck is wide and comfortable for most adult riders to stand on
- Decent speed and range. Smaller riders can achieve the published top speed and range
What we didn’t like:
- Could use more power for climbing hills
- Brakes aren’t smooth and may need adjustment when new
The GoTrax XR Elite is one of the most popular electric scooters on Amazon. It offers a competitive range, speed, and power for an affordable under $500 price. The scooter is well made with decent build quality with hidden cables and a nice large deck. The scooter performs well with a smooth comfortable ride. The brakes may feel jerky and need adjusted when the scooter is new.
Most riders have a good experience with this scooter. It has plenty of power for flat ground and slight inclines. If could use a bit more power for riding in places with lots of hills. Overall it is a good scooter for the price for commutes or riding for fun.
See Best Deals!
Get an extra 5% Off at GoTrax.com with Coupon Code ERO5
About our electric scooter ratings
We rate electric scooters on 6 factors. The overall score is the average of the 6 factors.
- Power
- Range
- Ride Quality
- Braking
- Controls
- Construction
Power
How much power does the scooter have? How does it do climbing hills? What is the top speed and how fast can the scooter accelerate?
Range
How far will the scooter go? The range is relative to other scooters within the same price range. A $1000 scooter may go 4 times farther than a $300 scooter.
Ride Quality
How smooth is the ride? How does it corner? How comfortable are the handlebars and deck when standing? A scooter with big air tires and suspension will have a much better ride than a rigid frame scooter with solid wheels.
Braking
Braking rating is based on how fast the scooter can stop from full speed.
Controls
How easy are the controls to operate? Does the LCD screen have enough useful information? How well does the cruise control function work and can you disable it? How easy are the brakes to operate?
Construction
How well built is the scooter. We look at things like the frame welding and folding mechanism. Is the folding mechanism reliable and easy to operate? How well integrated are the display and handlebars into the steering tube.
$500 electric scooters guide – What to look for
Electric scooters are a great way to explore cities and parks. They are great for exploring new places or riding around for fun. They are a perfect way to experience new places without the hassle of driving and parking a car.
There are several things to consider when choosing an electric scooter. Where do you plan on using it? Will you need to carry it on a bus or subway? How far do you need it to go? Can you ride a scooter standing up or do you need a seat? See the guide below for answers to all your electric scooter questions.
Tires
Most electric scooters come with either pneumatic air filled tires similar to what you are used to seeing on a bike or hard plastic or rubber rigid tires.
Solid Tires
Solid tires are low maintenance. They will never go flat due to a puncture. They have a rougher ride than air tires. Some new solid tires such as dual density tires or honeycomb tires can have a smoother ride.
Pneumatic Tires
Pneumatic tires are air filled. They offer a smoother ride and generally are more efficient. They can get flat tires and need to be checked for inflation and topped off regularly.
Both types of wheels will eventually wear out. They can have similar lifespans depending on the quality of the tire and wheel.
Brake type
There are 3 types of brakes an electric scooter might have. Disc, electric and foot brakes. Frequently they have a combination of multiple types such as electric and disc brakes or electric and foot brakes.
Disc Brakes
Disc brakes offer excellent braking power and reliability. They are mechanical so they may need adjustment to keep them working well. They are costly so they are not often found on really cheap scooters.
Electric Brakes
These brakes work by reversing the motor on the scooter giving it braking power. They generally have poor braking power and can be prone to failure if they are not implemented well. They work best when combined with another brake type such as disc brakes.
Foot Brakes
These work by pressing your heel against the rear wheel of the scooter. They are the least effective form of brake available. They require some finesse and skill on the part of the rider to use since you have to push with your foot while riding the scooter.
Battery Type
Lithium and lead-acid are the 2 most common battery types available in electric scooters today.
Lithium
Lithium batteries are newer chemistry that offers much larger capacity for the size and weight than lead-acid batteries. They require special electronics for charging to prevent overcharging which can lead to fires. This is built into the charging system in your scooter if it has lithium batteries. They are also much more expensive than lead-acid batteries.
Lead-Acid
Lead-acid batteries are similar to your traditional car battery. They have been around a long time. They are reliable and heavy. Sealed lead-acid batteries are generally maintenance-free. Care has to be taken to avoid over-discharging the battery. Lead-acid batteries lose their charge over time while sitting around. If your lead acid battery scooter isn’t ridden for a while you should charge the battery.
Drive Motors
An electric scooter is driven by an electric motor. The motor can drive either the front or rear wheel of the scooter.
Front Drive Motors
Front-drive motors are mounted inside the front wheel hub. These work well when the battery is stored in the front tube of the scooter. They can be used as an electric brake as well since the front brake on any bike or scooter is generally more effective than the rear brake. Your body weight tends to shift forward when braking.
One disadvantage of front motors is that they can lead to front-wheel sliding and spin outs when accelerating.
Rear Drive Motors
Rear-drive motors drive the scooter rear wheel and can be mounted in the wheel hub or under the scooter deck. These will give a more natural feel since the steering wheel isn’t powered. They have better traction while climbing since your weight is more over the rear wheel.
Portability
Some electric scooters are much easier to carry around and store than others. If carrying your scooter into your home or office is important you should look for a more portable scooter. This will be a scooter that is lightweight and with a folding design. These scooters can be easily stored in a closet or under a desk. A lightweight scooter can easily be carried with you on a subway or bus as well.
Weight
The lighter weight the scooter is, the easier it is to carry around when your not riding it. A sub 20 lb scooter will be really easy to carry. A 45 lb scooter will be not so easy.
Folding
Many scooters are designed for portability and the steering columns fold down. This makes the scooter into a much more compact size for carrying and storage.
User Interface
All electric scooters have some form of user interface to tell you how much battery you have left. Some interfaces may also tell you things such as speed and how many miles you have remaining. There will almost always be a display on the scooter but they may also have a bluetooth interface to use a phone app.
Display
The display on the scooter can be as simple as a few lights and as complex as a graphical LCD display.
Phone Apps
Some scooters have dedicated phone apps that can give you information such as speed and range and can tell you the state of charge as well. Knowing how charged your scooter is and how much longer it will take to be fully charged can be really useful information.
Seats
Scooters do require some agility and balance to ride standing up. Everyone doesn’t have the necessary balance to comfortably do it. Some electric scooters have seats that allow riders to sit while riding them. This makes them much easier and more comfortable to ride for those without great balance skills.
Electric scooter safety
Electric scooters can go fast. Riding them on city streets means the potential for accidents involving cars and pavement. Neither one feels good. I recommend always wearing at least a helmet when riding an electric scooter.
See our article on the best bike helmets under $100 for some great helmet choices.
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Kate Ryan
Co-Founder & Editor
Kate is from Taiwan and came to the US after meeting her husband Doug. She has degrees in Fashion Design, Sales, and Marketing. The first thing we did her first winter here was go straight to the mountains and start ski lessons. These days she is an expert black diamond skier and waits for no one at the bottom. She also loves hiking and biking. She comes from Taiwan where people ride scooters way more than cars. She would rather bike or scooter and only drives when she absolutely has to.
kate@adventuregearinsider.com
