Quick answer: A budget electric scooter is a sensible choice for short, fairly flat trips if you accept a smaller battery, simpler brakes and basic suspension. Before you buy, check the maximum rider weight, the tyre type, where you are legally allowed to ride, and that you are buying from a known seller.
What counts as a budget electric scooter?
We class a scooter as budget when it sits at the bottom of the price ladder in its market. These are the bands we use:
| Market | Currency | Budget band (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| UK | GBP | up to about £350 |
| Ireland | EUR | up to about €400 |
| United States | USD | up to about US$450 |
| Canada | CAD | up to about C$600 |
| Australia | AUD | up to about A$700 |
These are approximate price bands we use across this site to group scooters in each market. They are not exchange-rate conversions, and the same scooter can sit in a different band from one country to the next.
Prices move constantly because of sales and new model launches. During our research, for example, NIU’s US shop was selling the KQi 100P at US$299 against a regular price of US$429, and Segway’s US store listed several models below their normal price. Treat the bands as a guide to what level of scooter you are looking at, not as a promise of what you will pay.
What you typically get at this level
The figures below come from the official pages of the example models in this guide. They are a good picture of what the budget end of the market looks like right now.
Motor and speed
Budget scooters usually have a single motor with a rated output of around 300 to 350 W and a peak of 500 to 700 W. Segway lists 300 W output and 500 W maximum for the E2 Plus B II, NIU lists 300 W rated and 600 W maximum for the KQi 100, and Xiaomi lists 350 W rated and 700 W maximum for the Electric Scooter 5. European versions are typically capped at 25 km/h, while US versions of similar scooters are quoted at around 15 to 17 mph. Hill climbing is modest: Segway quotes up to 12% for the E2 Plus B II and Xiaomi around 18% for the Electric Scooter 5.
Battery and range
Batteries at this level range from roughly 220 Wh (Segway E2 Plus B II) to 477 Wh (Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5). Claimed ranges run from about 25 km to about 60 km. Remember that manufacturers measure range in controlled conditions. Segway, for instance, tests with a 75 kg rider at around 25°C on flat paved ground, so heavier riders, hills, cold weather and stop-start riding will all cut the real figure.
Weight and portability
This is where budget models often shine. The Segway E2 Plus B II weighs 16 kg and the NIU KQi 100 around 17.3 to 17.6 kg depending on version, which makes carrying up stairs or onto a train more realistic. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 is heavier at 20.1 kg, the trade-off for its larger battery.
Brakes
Expect a mix of a drum brake and an electronic or regenerative brake rather than disc brakes. Segway pairs an electronic front brake with a rear drum, NIU uses a front drum with rear regenerative braking, and Xiaomi uses drum brakes with E-ABS. Drum brakes are enclosed, which helps in wet and dirty conditions, but they are not as strong as the disc brakes you find higher up the range.
Suspension and tyres
Suspension, where fitted, is usually a simple front spring. Segway quotes a 27 mm front spring on the E2 Plus B II and NIU a front dual-spring set-up on the KQi 100P. Tyres vary a lot. Segway’s 8.1-inch inner hollow tyres are described as maintenance free and puncture-proof, but they are small. NIU uses 9.5-inch pneumatic tyres with inner tubes, and Xiaomi uses 10-inch tubeless tyres. Larger air-filled tyres generally feel smoother on rough surfaces.
Build quality, water resistance and warranty
Check the rider weight limit and the IP rating on the spec sheet. The E2 Plus B II has a 90 kg maximum rider weight and an IPX4 rating, while the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 allows up to 120 kg and is rated IPX5. Warranty terms differ by brand and by country, so read them before you buy. NIU, for example, advertises a two-year warranty on its US shop and states two years on the vehicle and two years on the battery across the EU.
Example budget models
We only list models whose specifications we checked on the manufacturer’s official page. Specs differ between countries, so always check the version sold where you live.
| Model (official page) | Key specs from the manufacturer | RRP at time of writing |
|---|---|---|
| Segway E2 Plus II (US) | Max speed 15.5 mph, range up to 16 miles, 36 lbs, 500 W max power, 8.1-inch inner hollow tyres, front electronic brake plus rear drum brake, front double spring suspension. Segway says it is tested and certified by TÜV Rheinland for UL 2272. | US$399.99 (Segway US store) |
| Segway Ninebot E2 Plus B II (UK) | Up to 25 km/h, up to 25 km theoretical range, 220 Wh battery, 300 W output (500 W max), 16 kg, 90 kg max rider weight, IPX4, 8.1-inch inner hollow tyres, electronic front and drum rear brakes. | Not shown on the page we checked |
| NIU KQi 100P (US) | Top speed 17.4 mph, range up to 18 miles, 243 Wh battery, 38.1 lbs, front dual-spring suspension, 9.5-inch pneumatic tyres, front drum plus rear regenerative braking. | US$429 (NIU US shop showed a sale price of US$299) |
| Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 (UK) | 25 km/h, approx. 60 km range, 477 Wh battery, 350 W rated (700 W max), 20.1 kg, 120 kg max load, drum brakes and E-ABS, 10-inch tubeless tyres, IPX5, approx. 9 hours to charge. | £269.99 (Xiaomi UK store) |
What to watch out for
- Rider weight limits. A 90 kg limit rules some adults out. Going over the limit can shorten range and put extra strain on the frame and brakes.
- Small or solid tyres. Puncture-proof tyres save hassle but tend to transmit more vibration on broken surfaces.
- Optimistic range claims. Read the test conditions in the small print and plan on getting less.
- Unknown sellers and chargers. The Office for Product Safety and Standards advises buying e-scooters, chargers and batteries only from known sellers, checking reviews and using only the manufacturer’s recommended battery or charger (OPSS).
- Regional versions. The same model name can have different speed limits, battery sizes and certifications in different countries. Check the spec sheet for your market.
Check the law before you buy
- UK: it is against the law to use a privately owned e-scooter on public land. Private e-scooters can be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. Only rental e-scooters in official trial areas can be ridden on roads (GOV.UK trial guidance, GOV.UK powered transporters guidance).
- Ireland: e-scooters must weigh no more than 25 kg, travel at 20 km/h or less, have a motor of 400 watts or less and wheels of at least 200 mm, among other requirements (Citizens Information).
- Canada: rules are provincial and often municipal. Ontario’s pilot sets a 24 km/h maximum speed, 500 watt maximum power and 45 kg maximum weight, and only applies where a municipality has opted in (Government of Ontario).
- Australia: it is currently illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters in public places in NSW (NSW Government). Queensland limits personal mobility devices to 25 km/h and 60 kg (Queensland Government).
- United States: rules vary by state and city. California, for example, sets a 15 mph maximum speed for motorised scooters and requires a helmet for riders under 18 (California Vehicle Code 21235).
Is a budget scooter right for you?
If your trips are short, your route is mostly flat and you want something light to carry, a budget model can do the job well. If you are a heavier rider, face steep hills, or want longer range and stronger brakes, the mid-range band is usually where those upgrades start. Whatever you choose, follow the manufacturer’s charging instructions and read our battery fire safety guide.
Sources
- Segway E2 Plus II Electric Scooter (Segway US official store) (store.segway.com)
- Segway Ninebot E2 Plus B II specifications (Segway UK) (uk-en.segway.com)
- NIU KQi 100P Electric Kick Scooter (NIU official US shop) (shop.niu.com)
- NIU KQi 100 specifications (NIU global) (global.niu.com)
- Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 specs (Xiaomi UK) (mi.com)
- NIU global site (warranty statement) (global.niu.com)
- Segway electric scooters range and prices (Segway US official store) (store.segway.com)
- Government safety message on e-bikes and e-scooters (OPSS, GOV.UK)
- E-scooter trials: guidance for users (GOV.UK)
- Guidance on powered transporters (GOV.UK)
- E-scooters (Citizens Information, Ireland) (citizensinformation.ie)
- Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters) (Government of Ontario) (ontario.ca)
- Riding electric scooters in NSW (NSW Government) (nsw.gov.au)
- Rules for personal mobility devices (Queensland Government) (qld.gov.au)
- California Vehicle Code section 21235 (california.public.law)