What are the features that make for the lightest electric scooters you can buy? It first starts with a quality, lightweight frame that’s both compact and durable enough for adult riders. A heavy-duty aluminum frame can usually offer a 200+ pound weight capacity and handle aggressive riding, even in a scooter that weighs less than 30 pounds total. Next, the lightest scooters should have a high-quality battery that maximizes energy density by weight. A battery case with a strong, fire-resistant yet lightweight design is also a must. Third, the best examples of ultra-light scooters for adults have compact yet powerful motors that allow for confident acceleration up to at least 18 mph when carrying an adult rider. Not nearly as fast as some of the top standard electric scooters, but there are still numerous benefits to these models.
Less important in the lightest category of scooters are features like knobby pneumatic tires and dual-motor all-wheel drive. These features can add maximum speed performance and be well suited to off-road riding, but they make for a heavier scooter.
Top Lightest Electric Scooters
#1 Segway Ninebot ES4 Electric Scooter
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric scooter has a decent 19 mph top speed and an excellent 28-mile range, making it a good option for commuting. It folds easily for hassle-free transportation on the metro or in a car trunk.
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- Excellent range
- One-step folding design
- Electric anti-lock braking system
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- Small tires
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The Segway Ninebot ES4 electric scooter features a charming design with a subtle dark gray color scheme. This scooter comes with dual lithium-ion batteries placed externally for hassle-free removal. It has an 800W motor that provides adequate power for commuting. This electric scooter has a top speed of 19 mph, taking on commuting routes at a decent pace. It has a loading capacity of 220 lbs, so it’s ideal for both teenagers and adults. However, this unit has very small tires.
With a range of up to 28 miles, this 31-pound electric scooter is ideal for the daily commute to work or school. It has a one-step folding system, so riders can easily carry it on public transit and stash it away in a car boot. Front and rear shock absorbers cushion the ride for comfort. This electric scooter has mechanical brakes that work in tandem with the electric anti-locking braking system to bring the bike to a halt fast and safely.
#2 Sisigad YD531S Electric Scooter
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This bike has an adorable color scheme and low 4.5mph top speed ideal for children. Weighing just 11 pounds, this device is easy to carry around.
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- Gorgeous pink color scheme
- Front LED lights
- Extremely lightweight
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- Mediocre range
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The Sisigad YD531S electric scooter has a kid-friendly design suitable for riding around the neighborhood. Weighing an astounding 11 pounds, this device is extremely lightweight and can easily be carried around by children. Colorful rainbow LED lighting along the front of the stem adds glamor to the ride. This model has a charming pink color scheme that provides visual appeal. However, with a range of just 5 miles, this device may not be suitable for some school commutes.
This scooter boasts gravity sensor technology for safely slowing down the bike. It supports riders weighing up to 132 pounds and is recommended for children aged 6 to 12 years. Achieving a top speed of 4.5mph, this scooter gives children a thrilling experience without compromising safety. An adjustable handlebar has three different height positions ranging from 28 inches to 36 inches. This scooter has a grippy, spacious deck for riding comfort and safety.
#3 Razor E Prime Electric Scooter
Award: BEST APPEARANCE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric scooter has pleasant aesthetics with a subtle gray color scheme that offers near-universal appeal. It reaches a decent top speed and runs for up to 10 miles on a single charge.
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- Exceptional aesthetics
- Decent 15mph top speed
- Anti-wobbling construction
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- Hard airless tires
- Low loading capacity
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The Razor E Prime electric scooter weighs just 21.6 pounds, simplifying transportation from place to place. It features an aluminum alloy frame that offers structural support and has a stylish design with a gray color scheme. A 250W hub motor provides adequate power for commuting, while the rattle-free construction offers riding comfort. This device has a thumb-operated throttle that is comfortable to engage for hours and its 8-inch tires provide traction. However, these airless tires are a bit hard.
A built-in rechargeable battery provides power for journeys of up to 10 miles. This electric scooter has a five-level LED battery status indicator to help users keep tabs on the battery life. The scooter achieves a top speed of 15 mph, helping to get riders to places fast, and supports a maximum rider weight of 176 lbs, making it a good choice for teenagers and some adults. It folds neatly for hassle-free parking and transportation.
#4 Gyroor H30 Electric Scooter
Award: BEST FOR PRE-TEENS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This exciting child-friendly scooter is available in three adorable colors. It has a convenient gravity sensing system for safe acceleration and features vibrant neon lights.
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- Adorable neon lighting
- Extremely lightweight design
- 6 mph kid-friendly top speed
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- Too slow for teenagers
- Small tires
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Specially designed for children, the Gyroor H30 electric scooter boasts a number of kid-friendly features. It runs on an 80W electric motor which provides enough power for a thrilling ride around the yard and reaches a top speed of 6 mph, which is safe for children. Featuring a rechargeable 21.6V 2.5 Ah lithium-ion battery, this electric scooter travels for up to 6 miles on a single charge. However, the 3.5-inch PU tires are a bit small for rough terrain.
A height-adjustable handlebar with three different levels adjusts between 27.5 and 32.6 inches, so the bike grows with the child. The scooter features stunning neon LED lights on the front wheel and deck to add fun to the ride. This electric scooter has a gravity sensing system for changing speed and it accommodates kids weighing up to 110 lbs. It’s available in black, pink, and blue and has a rear mechanical brake for bringing the scooter to a halt.
#5 SmooSat E9 Pro Electric Scooter
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Award: BEST FOR TEENAGERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric scooter achieves a top speed of 10 mph, so it’s ideal for teenagers. It has a digital screen, telescoping stem, and stunning RGB lighting on the deck.
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- Stunning decorative deck lighting
- LED display
- Folding design
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- So-so battery life
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The SmooSat E9 Pro electric scooter has a compact design that’s easy to transport. Available in black and pink colors, this scooter will appeal to children and adults. It’s powered by a 130W brushless motor that provides great acceleration. Featuring a three-speed system with a top speed of 10 mph, this scooter is suitable for young kids and teenagers. It has an LED display that shows the battery level, power mode, and current riding speed. However, this model has mediocre battery life.
With a two-step folding system, this electric scooter can easily be transported and stored under desks. It supports a maximum rider weight of 132 lbs and has a three-position height-adjustable stem suitable for kids up to 5 ft 3. This model weighs just 14 lbs, so it can easily be carried around if it runs out of battery. It has brilliant rainbow lights on the deck with five different modes that will delight children and enhance visibility.
#6 Glion Dolly Electric Scooter
Award: BEST FOR COMMUTING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric scooter has a great 15 mph top speed and 15-mile range suitable for commuting. It has an excellent folding system with suitcase-style wheels for simple transportation.
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- Excellent folding design with suitcase-style wheels
- Exceptional electric and mechanical braking system
- Great 15-mile range
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- Hard airless tires
- Heavier than other scooters
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The Glion Dolly electric scooter uses a 250W motor to provide thrilling rides to teenagers and adults. Featuring a 7.8 Ah 36V lithium-ion battery, this scooter runs for up to 15 miles before requiring recharging and it takes just 3.25 hours to charge up. This electric scooter has an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that provides stability. A front-tire fork suspension system damps shocks and impacts for a smooth ride. However, this model has airless 8-inch honeycomb rubber tires, which are a bit hard.
An electric twist-grip hand brake and rear footbrake bring this scooter to a halt fast. This electric scooter reaches a top speed of 15 mph, helping users to get to and from work fast. It’s remarkably maneuverable and has a folding frame with small wheels, gliding like a suitcase after folding for hassle-free portability. This scooter weighs 28 pounds and has an excellent braking system consisting of a rear fender press brake and an electronic anti-lock system.
Beginners’ Guide to the Lightest Electric Scooters
What Are the Lightest Electric Scooters?
The lightest types of electric scooters for adults are usually commuter scooters designed for extreme portability. This means they may have a limited max range compared to heavier models, but they benefit from the ease with which you can carry them almost anywhere. Common convenience features on this category of scooters include safety lighting, foldable handlebars, and accessible USB ports for phone charging on the bus or train. These scooters can be used for short trips around town or to help get to and from public transit stations. They are also easy to carry with you in a car and can make a journey more eco-friendly overall by helping reduce the number of short trips and the time spent idling in a car or truck.
The Lightest Electric Scooters vs Other Electric Scooters
Compared to the average electric scooter, the very lightest models employ more lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber.
Like nearly all electric scooters, the lightest electric scooters are battery-powered and use brushless DC motors. They have two wheels and a board, along with a set of narrow handlebars. They may have foldable handlebars popular in the best foldable scooters.
Lightweight scooters nearly all use lithium-ion battery packs, whereas some scooters make do with older Nickel Metal-Hydride battery technology. The lightest e-scooters on the market also tend to skip on features like dual suspension. Some electric scooters employ a belt drive and a geared electric motor, but the lightest models almost all use brushless hub motors. They are more likely to come with a single hub motor in the rear wheel, as opposed to dual motors.
An ultra-light electric scooter is much less likely to feature a seat attachment and a rear suspension system. The slimmest electric scooter models also have a slightly lower rider weight limit. They can still support up to around 200 pounds, however.
The lightest scooters may also sacrifice some motor power and battery capacity but offer much-improved portability. This can be especially important for commuters who may need to carry their electric scooter through train stations. A lightweight and compact electric kick scooter are also easier to take with you on the bus or in your car.
How the Lightest Electric Scooters Work
The lightest scooters employ small brushless electric motors and lithium-ion batteries. They may use extra lightweight materials such as aluminum and composites. In the interest of saving weight, some components commonly found on heavier scooters may be scaled down or dispensed with. For example, most lightweight scooters use a single hub motor instead of dual-motors.
With smaller batteries, light scooters might have a limited range compared to heavier, more expensive scooters. However, some ultra-light commuter models may have low-rolling-resistance solid tires and reduced max speed. This helps get the maximum range possible on a single charge. Some compact scooter models do use air-filled tires and hydraulic suspension in order to provide a smoother ride, however.
The lightest electric scooters have a wide variety of uses, but the primary appeal is how portable and easy to transport they are. This makes ultra-light scooters great for urban commuting and for personal mobility while traveling.
Why Should You Buy a New Lightweight Electric Scooter?
Electric scooters are an eco-friendly and convenient mode of personal transportation. Especially suited to short-distance trips from a few blocks to a few miles, personal electric scooter vehicles are great for traveling, college campuses, and urban commutes. The lightest scooters are especially useful for travel since you can carry them easily. They fit in the trunks of most cars and can go on public transportation. If you normally commute on a train, a light e-scooter can be a more environmentally friendly way to get to and from the train station.
Newer versions of the lightest electric scooters have made significant improvements in maximum range, thanks to improved battery technology and battery management. Now it’s not uncommon to see a range of up to 20 miles on a single charge, even in the specialized light and compact foldable scooter models. Thanks to carbon fiber scooter frames and more powerful, yet compact motors, new models are able to offer quicker acceleration and a higher top speed. Newly available features on some affordable scooter models include multiple speed modes and built-in cruise control. For longer distances on a single charge, the top long range electric scooters might better suit your needs.
Are the Lightest Electric Scooters Worth Buying?
You want a scooter you can carry anywhere: If portability is a primary consideration, and you want to be able to carry your e-scooter comfortably, then an ultra-light electric scooter may be a good choice. What you may give up in maximum range will be more than made up for by the ease of carrying and packing the scooter with you on the train or in your car.
You want the latest, energy-efficient tech: When it comes to energy storage, some of the lightest scooters are at the forefront of new developments in battery capacity and motor efficiency. New compact scooters can offer 15-20 miles per charge on a small, 350-Watt-hour battery pack that can fully charge in 4-5 hours.
You use an electric scooter for commuting: The lightest electric scooters are a good choice for commuters since they are generally easy to carry and can fit on trains and busses. If you commute in an urban area and are interested in using your electric scooter as an alternative to driving or walking, a lightweight scooter is both convenient and eco-friendly. A commuter scooter doesn’t need to be able to reach 40 miles per hour, especially in urban areas where this category of scooters is legally limited to 20 mph anyway.
Why the Lightest Electric Scooters May Not Be for You
You want the smoothest ride: Larger and heavier scooters often come with pneumatic tires and more heavy-duty suspension components. This may give them an advantage when it comes to riding comfort. However, some lighter scooters are not far behind, and on most surfaces can deliver adequately comfortable ride quality.
You’re looking for maximum range: All else being equal, a larger battery will deliver a longer range. However, there’s a limit to the utility of putting ever-larger batteries in electric scooters. A large battery capacity means a longer charge time. It also makes the scooter heavy and less portable. Lightweight and low rolling resistance also enable some compact, high-tech scooters to achieve a respectable range of up to 20 miles on a single charge.
You need a high weight limit: Electric Scooters for heavier adults tend to be heavier. Cargo e-scooters also weigh more, due to the need for a more powerful motor and heavy-duty frames. So the very slimmest scooters around may not be a perfect choice if you want to tow a wheelbarrow or need a 300-pound weight capacity. That said, even the lightest scooter for adults should be able to handle about 250 pounds or more.
How Long Will the Lightest Electric Scooters Last?
As with other electric personal vehicles, the lifespan of a commuter electric scooter varies by use type but can be up to around 5 years. Electric scooters, including the lightest, most compact models, are very low-maintenance. Privately-owned scooters stored inside will last significantly longer than the average lifespan for dock-less shared mobility scooters.
Electric motors tend to be durable and rarely need maintenance for the lifetime of the scooter. Lithium-ion batteries today last anywhere from 500-2000 charge cycles. This depends on how deeply discharged they get, and on the environmental conditions. Exposure to extreme temperatures tends to make batteries wear out faster.
The top lightweight electric scooters have relatively durable frames and should be able to tolerate travel in most kinds of weather. Check the product description for the water-resistance rating of any scooter you plan to ride for a daily commute. Cheaper models of electric kick scooters may not have as much rust-proofing. Still, even the more affordable scooter models should provide at least a few years of relatively trouble-free operation.
How to Choose the Lightest Electric Scooters
In order to choose the best lightweight electric scooter for your needs, we generally recommend looking at features including weight limit, battery capacity, and motor power rating. Other features may be important as well, such as a beautiful design, a folding handlebar post with an integrated carrying handle, and additional lights for safer nighttime rides.
If you’re looking to carry an e-scooter with you, check the listed weight of the scooter including the battery, to be sure you’ll be comfortable lugging it around. You might also want to check the product dimensions to make sure the scooter can fit in your trunk.
Lightest Electric Scooters Key Factors to Consider
There are some key factors to think about when it comes to picking out and purchasing the best light scooter.
1. Do you plan on riding at night?
If you ride in a bike lane on city streets, especially at night, it may be important to look for features like front and rear lights, a brake light, and additional lights for safety. Some areas may legally require front and rear lighting on any scooters used on public roadways and bike paths.
2. How heavy is too heavy?
While you don’t need a heavy scooter in order to have a respectable range, a scooter for adults can easily weigh anywhere from 20 to 75 pounds, depending on the use of lightweight frame construction, battery size, and motor power. If you don’t want to lift more than about 30 pounds, look for features like an aluminum frame with light, aircraft-grade aluminum. This minimizes weight without sacrificing too much durability. You might also want to select the smallest battery that allows enough range for your commute. With aircraft-grade aluminum construction and a lightweight design, some e-scooters can provide features like foldable handlebars and a 500W motor, along with a 220-250 pound weight capacity.
3. How far do you need to ride on a single charge?
When it comes to the lightest category of scooters for adults, the range is often balanced with the need for a lightweight design. Extra battery capacity adds weight, as do larger wheels and a more heavy-duty frame. If you rarely ride more than 2 or 3 miles, and you ride mostly on flat terrain, you can probably go with the most compact option when it comes to batteries. This will still give a lightweight commuter scooter a 10-12 mile range. If you need to go further, you can still find compact models that fit the bill but maybe 5-10 pounds heavier due to the extra battery size. Lightweight frames and wheels can minimize the difference, here.
4. What is your riding style?
Different kick scooter designs are best suited to different riding styles. If you want a commuter scooter that can handle aggressive riding and some off-road use, you’ll want to look for features like a more durable frame, rugged handlebar post, and low center of gravity.
