Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports
Sure, you can buy any electric scooter at many places online and at a lot of local stores.. but do you really know what you’re buying? Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports. Electric scooters are a huge market and new companies are appearing everyday trying to take their cut of the profits without a care of the quality or safety.
To this end, I hand picked you the top e-scooter brands. I’d like to share with others the truly best electric scooters for 2022. Below, you’ll find my favorite scooters to buy and you can be sure they’re of top quality and best prices you’ll find anyplace. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
If you’re looking to learn how to begin, keep cruising on this page.
Quick List: Top Electric Scooters in 2022
- Apollo Ghost – Best Value
- Varla Eagle One – Best For Off Road
- Apollo City 2022 – Best For Commuting
- Apollo Phantom V2 – Best For Overall Riding
- Vsett 9+ – Best For Range
- Varla Pegasus – Best For Low Budget
Top 4 Electric Scooters In 2022
Apollo Ghost
One of the top models Apollo have to offer and certainly one of the most efficient in the world; the Ghost is full of features and ready at any moment. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
Dual disc brakes give remarkably responsive braking, with an 8ft stopping distance from 15 mph. Alongside this, it also boasts some awesome acceleration power like getting from 0 to 25 mph in 5.3 seconds. That’s better than some cars!
Lighting is a further important feature which we were pleased to see, effectively making this eScooter ideal for use throughout the day. The Dynavolt Li-ion batteries used have undergone testing and proven to perform better than competing Samsung or LG batteries.
In reality, the design and build quality for this eScooter is impressive, and has a a dashing design to match.
Pros:
-Breath-taking acceleration
-2000W peak power
-Dual disc brakes
-Three ride modes, turbo and eco options
-Materials sourced from top suppliers
Cons:
-No mobile app
-Deck covering doesn’t offer sufficient grip when wet.
-Long charge time with no fast charger
Summary
An enviable choice among top-quality scooters The Apollo Ghost comes with raging power and a stunning top speed that is around 34 miles per hour (54 km/h) and a stunning range of 39 miles (62 km).
Varla Eagle One
The e-scooter is smooth, stylish, and packing the punch in terms of speed and riding quality. The Varla Eagle One can be up alongside the Apollo Ghost as the best entry-level performance scooter.
Flaunting an inky black body with red accents in metallic It’s not just looking good but is also equipped to tackle the most demanding on and off-road environments easily.
From a smooth, buttery-smooth suspension to an generously sized deck as well as powerful hydraulic disc brakes that stop at just a dime The Eagle One rivals more expensive models. It is, pound-for-pound, one of the most affordable electric scooters ever made.
Pros:
-Powerful dual motors
-Advanced independent coil suspension
-Dual hydraulic brakes
-Can tackle 30 degree inclines with no issue
-The wide deck is comfortable and inspires sturdy foundations
Cons:
-No mobile app
-Deck coverings don’t provide enough grip when wet.
-Long charge time without fast charger
Conlusion
An all-terrain beast that can scale 30-degrees of inclines with ease, has an amazing distance of 40 miles and has the ability to reach speeds of up to 40 MPH in order to outdo the rest of the field.
Apollo City 2022
The Apollo City 2022 have many great features, including the mobile application that lets you unlock more personalization options and self-healing tires. They also have an IP56 resistance to water, powerful regen brakes, an amazing one-click folding mechanism and the finest turn signals we ever tested – all of them combine to expand the boundaries of the overcrowded commuter electric scooter category into exciting new dimensions and offer the City’s pièce of the puzzle, with its construction quality. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
As with Apollo’s other models like the other models, the latest City hasn’t been built to be the top of the chart of speed and range. Instead, it’s been designed with meticulous attention to detail to deliver a well-rounded range of performance across all the important areas.
The City 2022 will fit tall riders perfectly. With a deck-to-handlebar height of 41 inches, they’re second-highest bars ever following the NAMI BURN-E. Thus, anyone who is 6.5 feet tall to more than 6.5 ft will feel at ease.
With the maximum weight that can be specified for the rider of 262 pounds, it’s extremely robust and well-sprung.
Pros:
-Variable Regen Braking
-Flatproof Pneumatic Tires
IP56 water- and dust-resistance and
-Great ergonomic and gives no thumb strain on longer rides
-Ultra-Short Charge Time
Cons:
-The handlebars won’t fold.
-A bit heavy (57 pounds)
Conlusion
Features such as turn signals, puncture-resistant tires better water resistance, and speed-limiting capabilities make it a perfect choice for newbies and experienced riders alike. It’s the comfy, family-friendly scooter that will please the majority of users.
Apollo Phantom v2
The Phantom v2 is Apollo’s very first electronic scooter to be designed in-house using thousands of riders’ feedback that was large. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
They took it on as a challenge, aiming to create the most complete electric scooter package possible. There’s The Phantom V2: with even better build quality, fluid performance, and even more advanced features for commuters. The V2 is a fantastic all-rounder and could be the ultimate all-rounder.
It’s fast enough to keep up with traffic , even when it’s climbing. Unique quad suspension system that can handle mid-corner bumps well. The best tires to see in any scooter produced.
With rockin ergonomics and a bright high-mounted headlight, meaning you’ll not have to take a single thing with your bike in the dark (no external lights required).
Pros:
-Gorgeous unique design
-Best overall ride ergonomics
-High-performance dual motors
-It has a top-tier lighting system
-It is equipped with a high capacity battery
Cons:
-Lacks a mobile application / Bluetooth connectivity
-There are no bells and front turn signal
Conlusion
Phantom v2 is an exceptional scooter that is built to last with exceptional quality and performance with top-quality materials and features designed for commuters that are ideal for riders who want to get onto their scooters regularly. You’ll be able to cruise through traffic-filled corners and bumps with its quad-spring suspension. It also carries less when you’re riding at night (you don’t need all those extra lighting!) Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
What to Look For When Buying an Electric Scooter?
The majority of scooters that fall in the class of e-scooters that are budget friendly are not suitable for anything other than leisurely usage. For this price, expect under-powered motors, low capacity batteries, and a weak brake system.
But, there are several excellent and extremely functional electric scooters within this category. It is worth taking a look at when you are looking for a budget-friendly option.
Similar to motorbikes, cars, pedal bikes, electric scooters have their own qualities and technical specifications which sets them apart. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
So before buying your first electric scooter The most important aspects to consider are:
- The quality of ride
- How powerful the motors of scooters are
- If the scooter is equipped with two motors or one
- The capacity of the scooter’s battery and the charging time
- The maximum amount of load the scooter is able to handle and much more!
Ride Quality
The quality of the ride is crucial, but how important is determined by your own personal preferences and what you intend to use your scooter to do. The quality of ride is influenced by a variety of factors , including the dimensions and the type of wheel and suspension, weight of the scooter and the size of the deck as along with the size of the handlebar as well as the stem.
The most important factors that influence the ride quality include suspension and the tyres.
Motor Power
Power, also known by the term “torque” is what the motor’s power will produce in response to a range of aspects. The torque is vital as it determines the capability of the vehicle to accelerate. If you’re purchasing a product powered by speed and speed and acceleration is essential for you, you’ll require an electric scooter that’s more powerful (with greater control features).
Power and Torque can be a factor for the who are power thirsty. You must accelerate to 30,40,50 or 60 miles per hour as quickly as you can, however, it is important to remember that torque is a crucial element for commuters, too.
If you purchase an electric scooter that has a low WATTAGE output It is very likely that it will be low in torque. This is especially the case when the scooter has just one motor.
Battery Capacity and Charging Time
The typical charging time is five and five and a half hours. Most consumer-grade electric scooters will require between 3 and 8 hours to fully charged. The scooters with the fastest charging times take less than one hour to charge. The scooter with the longest charging time will take more than a whole day to recharge.
Keep in mind that speed is a factor that needs to marry up with battery capacity – the faster you travel, the shorter your range will be.
For more experienced riders, the battery capacity of 10AH minimum is recommended
The Maximum Load The Scooter can handle and More
In general, heavier riders should opt for scooters that have motor power greater than 500W to ensure that the scooter provides sufficient power to tackle steep slopes, but light riders should take into consideration the implications of buying the heavy-weight scooter.
Buying an electric scooter has many aspects to consider – weight and height should also be considered.
Taller riders may find short stem scooters uncomfortable heavier riders might find lower power scooters struggle on inclines, lighter or smaller riders might find large heavy scooters difficult to handle and to transport.
Electric Scooter Advices – Pro Tips
Scooters are electronic vehicles, which means there are certain items you should and should not do when buying the one you want. In the first place, if you’ve not used an electric scooter before , and you’re hesitant about shelling out to purchase one, you could try using a rideshare service. Companies like Lime, Lyft, and Bird allow you to purchase an electric scooter for a price that isn’t too much. It’s a great option to try out the waters. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.
Use a helmet. Do I need to say more? Protect your noggin.
Check your local regulations. Electric scooters are legal in the state where you live in? If so, what is your speed limit? Do you have to travel on a bicycle or in a bike lane? Since the past two years scooters have gained popularity in many cities. You can be sure that your city or state has set out guidelines to use these vehicles.
Do not make a payment for your scooter in the evening or at times when no one is at residence. The manuals of the various scooters I’ve used advise similar. Batteries and chargers aren’t all alike. It comes with UL certification to ensure security. I’ve seen numerous reports of batteries burning. Always stay close when you’re charging your scooter. Also, unplug the charger when you’re completed charging.
Make sure to stay clear the rain. It is important to test your scooter in order to confirm that it is registered with official IP Dust and Water Resistance ratings. If not, you should be cautious when riding in the rain. If you have a rating, it’s recommended to get out of the rain as soon as you can. The most important thing is to not connect the charger without washing the charging port and making sure your port remains clean.
Do not store your escooter in excessive temperatures. Extreme cold and extreme heat are not ideal for batteries. Make sure your battery is kept indoors in a dry, cool area, much like the breakfast foods you consume!
Only one rider Please. If a manufacturer has stated explicitly that an escooter is able be operated by two people at the same time, only one rider must be riding across the surface. These scooters are quite quick, and you don’t have to exceed 20 mph to cause an accident that’s grave. It’s crucial to know the weight limit on your scooter.
Find out about the maintenance plans of the manufacturer as well as repair options. Before buying an brand new scooter, you need to make sure the manufacturer has spare parts or can fix your scooter should problems occur. It is possible to get in touch with local escooter or ebike shop to determine whether they’ve worked with the company you’re thinking of buying with.
Do not leave your scooter outside without supervision. Scooters can be difficult to lock, therefore it’s likely to be obvious that they’re extremely easy to carry. You can bring them in if you must however, keep them out of of your eyes if intend to go to your home without a helmet. Best Electric Scooter For Under $500 Consumer Reports.