Always On Time: The Best Electric Scooter For Commuting

• by Kris Cook
• August 23, 2021
• 16 min read

Motorised two-wheelers have become quite the option for snappy urban transport — so much so we’ve decided to highlight the best electric scooter for commuting to help you find the perfect battery-powered companion.

We’ll actually be highlighting a couple of options for you to pick and choose from. As, you know, ‘the best’ tends to be subjective.

Electric scooters have taken the UK and other parts of the world by storm. These motorised two-wheelers are a cheap, eco-friendly alternative to buying a car or getting the bus.

Not to mention, they’re incredibly fun/satisfying to ride, allowing you to weave in and around urban areas with the greatest of ease.

Also, you don’t have to maintain them nearly as often as, say, an electric bike.

Scooting to work, college/uni, or just into town for errands. It matters not. An electric scooting will be there for you regardless of the commute.

Now let’s get into it.

The Best Electric Scooter For Commuting UK

If you live in the UK and are looking for a cheaper way to get to work, then look no further than an electric scooter.

Why is that?

Simple.

E scooters have become the go-to way of getting places due to functionality and cost. Scooters are also very easy to store as most fold in the middle — similar to its non-electric counterpart.

Furthermore, buyers have hundreds, if not thousands, of scooter options at the moment.

It’s at the point now where a lot of excellent scooters are flying under the radar, getting lost in the shuffle.

For example, an electric scooter with a seat is an underrated type that should really be talked about a lot more.

Now has never been a better time to look at the best electric scooter for commuting, or just two-wheelers in general.

After all, electric scooters aren’t limited to commuting either. You can enjoy long rides by the beach or explore new cities at a decent speed at your own pace, whenever and wherever you like!

The world is quite literally your oyster when on the back of an e scooter.

Or, at least, that’s what we think/believe.

Should we look at some commuters now?

Xiaomi Pro 2 Electric Scooter

Brand: Xiaomi
Max Range: 28 Miles
Price: £620

It’s a popular choice, and it’s a brand we’ve covered extensively in previous scooter guides at E4TP, but not without merit.

The Xiaomi Pro 2 Electric Scooter is the brand at its very best from a range perspective. With the Pro 2, riders will get up to 28 miles (45 km) out of each charge (with a full battery).

It’s the best Xiaomi electric scooter if you care about max range. What with the Essential Electric Scooter coming in with a measly 12.4 miles (20 km) of range despite its low price point.

And the 1S averages out at 18.5 miles (30 km).

Power here comes from a 300W motor, a motor that is 50W higher than every other scooter coming out of the Xiaomi camp.

That’s not to say there aren’t similarities between the Pro 2 and its brothers/sisters either.

For example, all sport 8.5” wheels and have a very sleek, black matte design.

You will have to pay a lot more for this particular Xiaomi electric scooter, given it sits at the £620 mark most of the time.

That being said, Pure Electric — as of this writing — has the Xiaomi Pro 2 Electric Scooter on sale (£469), so you might want to hurry before it’s too late.

Still, we think it’s totally worth it given how far you can go between charges.

Besides, some of you might work far away — like 12 miles away, far away — and having that range allows for peace of mind, knowing you can get to and from the office without the need for a top-up.

E4TP Says: This Xiaomi electric scooter is a powerhouse that doesn’t look too different from other two-wheelers in its collection. Easily one of the best commuters, period.

Razor EcoSmart Metro

Brand: Razor
Max Range: 12 Miles
Price: £455

Finding the best electric scooter for commuting isn’t always about range. Sometimes, performance/comfort trumps how far you can travel.

Case in point, the Razor EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter with seat.

You won’t find battery-powered scooters like this often due to the simplicity of standard scooter design.

Like we said at the top of the guide, electric scooters with seats aren’t talked about enough and are often swept to the side in place of two-wheelers like the Pro 2.

We get it.

The EcoSmart Metro is lacking in the range department. Still, its design, and the fact that it has a seat for added comfort, should make up for that.

Each charge will give riders around 40 minutes of use before needing some juice.

This could prove troublesome for workers trying to beat the morning rush, but it’s a godsend for those going to and from the shops.

The Razor EcoSmart Metro could be identified as a moped, and people wouldn’t question a thing.

It features air-filled 16” tires and a twistable hand-grip/throttle. Both are hallmarks of low-end mopeds.

Speed-wise, the Razor EcoSmart Metro is faster than most, allowing riders to ride up to 18 mph (which is technically illegal in the UK).

E4TP Says: Convenience is key, which explains why the Razor EcoSmart Metro is such a viable option for commuters. If you’re looking for an electric scooter with a seat, then this will be the one for you.

Segway-Ninebot Max G30

Brand: Segway-Ninebot
Max Range: 40 Miles
Price: £620

If you want to talk about pure unadulterated range, then you need to look at the Ninebot Segway Max G30.

According to the brand and a few user reviews, this e scooter fulfils its promise, gifting riders up to 40 miles with every charge.

We’ll say that again for those of you not paying attention: this electric scooter from Segway-Ninebot gives you up to 40 miles of range!

It also comes with four unique riding modes, giving riders total control.

Motor-power is set at 350W, which makes it one of the strongest e scooters out there. And it only takes 6 hours to charge!

The price of the Segway-Ninebot Max G30 might put a few buyers off; this is the only downside. Unless you can afford it, that is.

We only say that because most only look for e scooters under £500 on average to save a bit of money.

Try to keep an open mind if you happen to be one of these people.

It costs the same as the above mentioned Xiaomi electric scooter in the Pro 2, and it boasts even better range.

E4TP Says: This is easily the strongest personal electric vehicle we found when looking for the best electric scooter for commuting. Segway-Ninebot should really take a bow with this one.

Pure Air Pro LR Electric Scooter

Brand: Pure Air
Max Range: 37.2 Miles
Price: £750

Make no mistake about it, this Pure Air Pro LR Electric Scooter is a glorified mountain-climber.

The LR in its name stands for ‘Long Range’, and it really shows, given the fact that riders can enjoy up to 37.2 miles (60 km) on every charge.

If you thought the motor power of the Max G30 was impressive, wait till you see what Pure Air has in store with its Pro LR e scooter.

Peak motor power comes in at 700W with an average of 500W.

It’s a beast, and it’s waterproof, benefitting those who might live in areas known for bouts of wet weather.

Speed is capped at 15.5 mph like most that fit the ‘Popular Electric Scooter UK’ mould.

Still, clear-cut differences help set the Pure Air Pro LR from the rest of the pack.

Such as 10” puncture-proof tires and regenerative braking that will constantly keep you topped up without the need to plug in.

It comes with three-speed modes and three colour options to boot. We should mention that the treated maple and birch wood deck doesn’t change colour.

Who would want to change the colour of the deck anyway?

It’s perfect in its current form.

Oh, and if the price is putting you off, know that you can take advantage of Klarna should you buy it from sites like Pure Electric.

E4TP Says: Range aside, you’re getting a very reliable two-wheeler. One that, literally, goes the extra mile in every department. They don’t make rides like the Pure Air Pro LR Electric Scooter often.

Inokim Light 2 Electric Scooter

Brand: Inokim
Max Range: 23.6 Miles
Price: £840

Control the streets with your best foot forward, courtesy of the Inokim Light 2 Electric Scooter, and you’ll never look back.

This version is based on the Inokim Light, a bestseller that caused the brand’s name to skyrocket, and with good reason.

You might be wondering why we’ve chosen this one, considering how much it costs (£840) for how far you can go (23.6).

Well, we’ve chosen the Inokim Light 2 Electric Scooter because it has the need for speed. And let’s face it, no one likes being late for work.

So how fast can the Light 2 go?

According to the brand, it can travel up to 34 km/h, or 21 mph (roughly). It’s pretty darn impressive given the model it fits under.

Stats/spec like this tends to be reserved for heavy-duty scooters only, not street-optimised types.

The build of this e scooter is also worth shouting about.

It features a high-quality 6061 T6 aluminium frame alongside 8.5” air-filled wheels. Weight-wise, this speedster is only 13.7kg, making it pretty easy to pick up and carry around for a little while.

You know, features you should expect from a battery-powered scooter worth nearly £900.

E4TP Says: Speed is just as important as range, in our opinion. It’s easily the biggest selling point of the Inokim Light 2, despite how much you pay for it. And it looks cool, let’s not forget that.

Buyers Guide: Best Electric Scooter For Commuting

The electric scooters highlighted above are but a taste of what’s available to buyers at the moment.

We aren’t ruling out the possibility of e scooters that we haven’t mentioned, by the way.

After all, almost every motorised scooter will get you where you need to go, unless your home address is pretty far from your place of work, that is.

It’s just those we’ve selected offer somewhat of a mixed bag, which is kind of what you want as most battery-powered two-wheelers are virtually the same, give or take a few differences.

If you are going to go off on your own to find the best electric scooter for commuting, then there are some things you should consider ahead of time.

Failure to do so could leave you with an expensive e scooter that isn’t equipped for your particular commuting needs.

Understanding Electric Scooter Range

Electric range is important, so important, in fact, that it should be the first thing you check on when comparing scooters.

On average, an electric scooter can travel between 12 to 20 miles per charge. This might not seem like a lot on paper, but people tend to forget how far a mile truly is.

Electric scooters of yesteryear could only dream of range like this, especially if they were to look at thoroughbreds like the Segway-Ninebot Max G30 or the Pure Air Pro LR Electric Scooter.

We’d recommend you map out how far you’d typically travel on your standard commute. Knowing the mileage will ensure you’re buying in line with your own needs.

You might not even need to do this if you know you can get to and from work/uni with the majority of scooters available, but it certainly helps.

The more you pay, the better the range; a rule of thumb that applies to all types of motorised two-wheelers.

And yes, this includes electric bikes.

It’s a universal rule.

Expect To Pay More For The Right E Scooter

You can’t put a price on convenience.

Remember that.

If an electric scooter, like the Inokim Light 2, blows the rest of the competition completely out of the water, then why wouldn’t you splash the cash a little?

Not everyone can afford some of the scooters covered.

We get that.

But if you want power/range/speed, then you’ll need to pay more for it.

Sure, you could buy any run-of-the-mill two-wheeler, but in our experience, cheap electric scooters made by none of the big brands aren’t as trustworthy.

They tend to have a shorter lifespan too.

Sites like Pure Electric and Halfords do offer payment plans to help break costs up a little. So it’s not like you’re left in the dark completely if you’re chasing a decent e scooter in the UK.

Payment plans, courtesy of services offered by the likes of Klarna, are a great way to stagger payments and make it so that you don’t have to miss out on a decent commuter just because you couldn’t afford to pay the full sum in one go.

Our cheapest pick, the Razor EcoSmart Metro (the electric scooter with seat), is great value for money, in our opinion.

Still, we understand that it’s a situational-type ride, and is better suited for shopping than getting to the office.

Again, we’d recommend you take a long hard look at how far you’d normally travel. Doing so will allow you to keep costs low through the process of elimination.

If you have no budget, we’d recommend you go for the Pure Air Pro LR Electric Scooter (£750).

It’s like a mountain-climber was reincarnated in scooter form, perfect for steep hill climbing.

Speed Is Important If You’re Commuting

Speed can make or break your commute.

And let’s face it, you’re buying an electric scooter because of how unrestricted it can feel compared to other types of transport.

That being said, we should warn you that most electric scooters in the UK are capped at 15.5 mph. This includes rental e scooters that you now see dotted about everywhere.

The UK speed limit for electric scooters is set at 15.5 mph, you see. It’s why most brands only make two-wheelers that go up to this speed and not any further.

There are exceptions to this rule, like the Inokim Light 2 — a scooter that goes above and beyond the norm to give drivers 21 mph to play with.

Heavy-duty electric scooters are a completely different type of motorised scooter.

• You can read all about these e scooters in our guide on the most powerful and fastest electric scooters. They aren’t that practical in a commuter setting, but boy are they impressive.

The majority of heavy-duty scooters like a lot like Razer from Robot Wars (now there’s a throwback).

They’re bulky as hell, but they push beyond what these urban-transport types are capable of.

If you thought some of the e scooters here were expensive, wait until you see how much it costs for the Kaabo Wolf King Pro+ — a scooter that looks like a JCB.

Are Electric Scooters Illegal In The UK?

Short answer: yes, electric scooters are technically illegal to ride in the UK.

Unless you have permission to ride one on private property.

Riding around in public is a no go in the eyes of the law. It’s illegal to ride them on pavements, footpaths, cycle lanes and pedestrian zones.

It’s a rule that applies to all kinds of motorised scooters — including electric scooters made for kids.

E scooters tied to trial schemes are 100% legal, but you will need an active driving license to rent one.

This might be news to some of you reading this, but it’s true. E scooters have been illegal in the UK for a few years now, and the gov is showing no signs of having second thoughts.

If anything, they’ll double down on this ruling in time when you consider how many people choose to ignore this law on a daily basis. The same applies to electric skateboards.

Disclaimer: This isn’t legal advice in the slightest. We’re simply giving you the facts for informational purposes only. How you choose to proceed is completely up to you.

If caught, you could be asked to pay fines of up to £300 and receive points on your license. Repeat offences could lead to you losing your license altogether if you have one.

Electric bikes, on the other hand, are exempt from this ruling. Meaning you can cycle to your heart’s content and never have to worry about permission from owners etc.

Always On Time: The Best Electric Scooter For Commuting

Commuting is made easier with a trusty electric scooter by your side.

You’ll get to where you need to be in no time and move around knowing you are helping lower emissions in your own area.

E scooters like the Pure Air Pro LR and Segway-Ninebot Max G30 lead the rest as far as range is concerned. Not to take away from the Xiaomi electric scooter (Pro 2) or the Inokim Light 2, as both have a lot to give.

And don’t forget about the best electric scooter with seat we’ve seen in a long time in the Razor EcoSmart Metro.

Who said you had to buy a car to get places? All you need is a battery-powered two-wheeler, and the rest is history!

Leave a comment below and let us know which e scooter you like the look of most from our above selection.

Best Electric Scooter For Commuting FAQs

What is the best scooter for range in the UK?

In our opinion, the Segway-Ninebot Max G30 has more than proven itself as far as range is concerned. On each charge, riders can travel up to 40 miles tops. We should also mention that it only takes 6 hours to charge too.

Are electric scooters completely waterproof?

Not every e scooter you come across will be covered when it rains or if you spill any liquids on it. Websites should tell you whether or not the two-wheeler you’re looking at is waterproof in the product description. Most aren’t, so it’s worth checking before buying.

Is an electric scooter good for commuting?

An e scooter is the perfect personal electric transporter for commuting, given how easy they are to use. Moreover, motorised scooters are very simple to carry and come with some fantastic features that make climbing steep terrain a total breeze.

Kris Cook

Hey, I’m Kris, a Junior Content Strategist at E4TP. At the moment I live in the world of EVs, keeping up on current trends in the space, and delivering quality content. I’m a creative type both inside and outside of work, in that I write poetry in my spare time, design independent zines, and paint. When I’m not knee deep in any of that, I collect vinyl (my collection has around 150 LPs in it), and enjoy spending time with pals outdoors, mostly on a bike — or in another country.

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