How to Choose the Best Electric Scooter for Commuting
E-Scooters are rapidly becoming more popular and the number one way to commute. With their various benefits: environmentally friendly, cost efficient and low maintenance, it is no surprise e-scooters are becoming a trend. They add fun into your daily routine and bring back feelings from childhood. The dread of commuting to work is a universal feeling, but e-scooters can change the worst part of your day to the best. In a world that is so busy and everyone is on the go, it’s important to find joy where you can. If you are on the go, why not make commuting the best it can be.
Choosing to get an e-scooter is a no-brainer, but the real difficult decision is deciding which e-scooter to get. There are hundreds to choose from and various models within each brand. The good news is that because of the numerous options, the perfect e-scooter is out there waiting for you. Read on to find out what you need to consider and what are the best choices for you.
** SPOILER ALERT ** If you want our pick on the best commuting scooter, we recommend the Synergy Elite 500W or the Synergy Aviator 2.0 600W. You can browse all our Synergy commuting scooters here.
Synergy Elite 500WWhat kind of Commuter are you?
To start, think about what kind of commuter you are. What scooter would best fit your lifestyle?
Do you live in the city? Will you be riding on pavement, trails, are there rocky roads?
What is your budget? Prices for E-scooters vary tremendously but typically the higher the price, the higher the wattage, speed and battery range.
How big a person are you? Larger bodies require more power, larger decks, bigger wheels, etc.
Are you interested in a sport scooter or will you use it for commuting only?
What’s the Same?
Although there are many different models and types of scooters, they all generally have the same structure. Each e-scooter comes with two tires, a deck to stand on and handlebars. The back wheel has a motor and under the deck are the batteries, which is what makes the scooter environmentally friendly and gives it the speed you need to commute.
Every scooter also has brakes and a throttle. Lights and suspension are common, but can be minimal on lower-end scooters.
Perhaps the most unique feature of electric scooters is the ability to fold the scooter in half, making it portable and extremely convenient. Imagine a car that you can carry! This is the main advantage of e-scooters compared to any other method of transportation, as you can easily store it or carry it with no issue.
What’s Different?
Although the structure of e-scooters is similar, they also range greatly in size, speed, cost etc. No need to worry - we will break down everything that you need to look out for so that you can choose the perfect e-scooter for you.
Scooter Price
Cost is obviously one of the most important things to consider when buying your e-scooter. Luckily there is a huge price range from as little as $300 to over $3,000 so it is guaranteed that there is a scooter for your budget.
Generally, the higher the price, the higher the wattage, speed and battery range.
Expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 for an average adult-sized electric scooter. Anything under $1,000 may be good for a child or small adult. Higher priced scooters have more speed & range, but may be overkill for commuting.
Scooter Speed
The speed and price of an e-scooter go hand in hand, but this all depends on what you need your e-scooter for. For example, if you only plan on using your e-scooter for recreational purposes, you can go for lower speeds which results in a lower price.
Sport scooters on the other hand cost more as the wattage and battery capacity would have to be higher. Most E-scooters range between 25-60k/hr.
Unless you plan to use your e-scooter for racing, average speed should be more than enough for commuting. The faster the scooter, the more dangerous it becomes, especially around traffic.
The average e-scooter goes about 30-40km an hour, which is perfect for the commuter who doesn’t need to go much faster than the road.
Scooter Size
The size of your e-scooter is another important factor to consider, as it will determine the weight capacity of the rider. The average weight capacity of e-scooters is between 220-265 pounds. However, there are some e-scooters that can carry up to 550 pounds.
Smaller scooters may support an adult, but over time, the excess weight can damage the wheels, axels and bearings. Be sure to get one with a capacity for your size.
When buying your e-scooter, this is completely dependent upon you and what you feel comfortable with riding. The deck size is typically about 14 by 5 inches and a few inches off the ground. If a larger e-scooter is needed, this will also vary the price and speed.
Scooter Use
The usage is perhaps the most important factor to consider when buying your e-scooter, because it will determine all the other factors. If you plan on using your e-scooter for entertainment and just general commute, it would make sense to get a lower end scooter that can cost around $1,000.
A general commuter who lives in a rocker/hillier environment should opt for a mid-range e-scooter costing between $1,500-$2,000. This is because they will need a more powerful motor to get through the traffic and terrain, as well as good durability and a moderate weight.
For those looking to use their e-scooter for racing or long commutes, this is where we recommend a higher end e-scooter, as you will need a super powerful motor, amazing durability and heavy weight. This can cost over $2,500; however the quality is worth every dollar.
There are many factors that come into play when buying your e-scooter and they all depend on you and what you need. Luckily because of the many varieties and models and companies, there are so many options available. Reflect on what your perfect e-scooter can do for you and what you hope to get out of it.
The perfect e-scooter is waiting for you !
PS. Just to give you a little more guidance, our two best selling scooters are the Synergy 500W & Synergy Aviator 2.0 600W. They're both large and powerful enough for the average adult, with the 600W providing a little more power.