Best cheap electric scooter under $500
There are some quality e-scooters for under 500 out there, here are the best
Share this article...
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Electric scooters have been soaring in popularity over the last few years, with brands improving each iteration.
As this type of transport grows in popularity, there are many top-quality electric scooters becoming available for under $500.
Prices vary from around $100 all the way past a few thousand dollars, however, a commute-scoot sweet spot could be the best electric scooter under $500.
Under $500 is still quite an investment, even for an e-scooter, so choosing the best is an absolute must.
While many of the models we recommend will bring a smile to your face, you need to make sure you know how far you need to travel daily, what sort of battery life you may require, and also think about the terrain around your daily routes.
In this roundup, we are going to be talking in-depth about what the best scooter under 500 looks and performs like.
READ NOW: Is an electric scooter waterproof?
Best electric scooters under 500: first look
-
01Editor’s PickThe best electric scooter around $500
Gotrax G4
-
02all-round pickAn all-round solid electric scooter for under $500
-
03Value pickBest value electric scooter under 500
Gotrax XR Elite
Best electric scooter under $500: things to consider
Smart scooters are expensive like most new technology/ smart devices, so there are always a few questions you want to ask yourself before jumping into any purchase.
Is an electric scooter under $500 worth it?
Yes, there are some high-quality options at the $500 mark for both adults and kids.
Aside from build quality, $500 electric scooters offer dual braking systems, front-end features such as anti-locking braking, and often disc brakes.
Some e-scooters may feature headlights for evening riding.
More reputable electric scooters under $500 should be able to work flawlessly on flat roads, dirt roads, and even go over speed bumps.
What to look for when buying an electric scooter for under $500
The three main areas to consider before buying are: max range, max speed, weight, and battery life.
The max range of an electric scooter under $500 can vary, however, you should expect to see something between 10-30 miles.
Max operating range may suffer on more affordable e-scooters, however, this isn’t always the case, with some premium options featuring lower ranges too.
Max speeds at this price point usually top out under 20 mph, with lows around 10mph.
While speed may not be a major factor for some, it is pretty useful when using one of these electric scooters for commuting.
Is under $500 for an e-scooter cheap?
$500 marks the start of the more premium electric scooter options.
Sub-500 and we start to see diminishing returns in quality, however, this largely depends on what you are looking to get out of your e-scooter.
For those that are wanting to commute reasonable distances day to day, a quality scooter between $300-$500 could be perfect.
Is your scooter under 500 water resistant?
Most, if not all, high-end electric scooters will have some level of water resistance. This means they can be used to commute during the rain and even survive going through the puddles.
Before buying you’re ideal scooter, make sure you check its IP rating.
Best electric scooter under $500: In-depth review
The majority of our electric scooter selections are for adults below, however, there is a model for kids under $500 too.
The Gotrax G4 is the best e-scooter within this price range
Gotrax G4
Max operating range
25 miles
Max speed
20 Mph
Color
Black
Yes, the Gotrax G4 is over budget but hear us out.
The build quality, as you would expect from Gotrtax, is exceptional and overall, the G4 electric scooter is easily the best around this price range.
With a high range, reasonably quick max mph, and an impressive array of features, you’ve got everything you need here to wiz about the city.
The build quality is exceptional, as you would expect for the price, and still, this isn’t considered too heavy. For the most part, there is no exposed cabling, the buttons are covered in rubber, and it is very easy to fold away in a hurry.
The Gotrax G4 electric scooter comes with an IP rating of IP54, meaning this is somewhat water and dust-resistant, labeled as: ‘protected from water spray from any direction’.
The Segway F25 is a great all-round option
Segway F25
Max operating range
12.4 miles
Max speed
15.5 mph
Color
Grey
Amazon
Segway’s F25 e-KickScooter is designed to be an all-around safety machine.
This electric scooter may not be the quickest with the highest top speed, however, it is feature packed and from a reliable manufacturer.
With front anti-lock braking and a rear ventilated disc brake, you have all the stopping power you need.
This electric scooter is also suitable to ride in the evenings straight out of the box, with an included headlamp that can illuminate up to 44 feet.
This scooter features 10-inch wheels that work seamlessly no matter if you are on a flat road or dirt road.
The Segway F25 will handle speed bumps with no problem and features a directional tread pattern, enhancing braking and giving you an overall better grip.
All-in-all, this is a high-quality electric scooter for under $500 and is perfect for those that live in the inner city.
The Gotrax XR Elite offers excellent value
Gotrax XR Elite
Max operating range
18.6 Miles
Max speed
15.5 mph
Color
Black
For the price, few electric scooters offer you this much range per dollar.
The Gotrax XR Elite comes in close to the $500 mark and brings with it around 16-19 miles of range and a max speed of 15.5 mph.
The XR feels a bit more spacious for the feet while weighing roughly the same as the G4.
Similarly to the G4 above, this comes with an IP Rating of IP54, meaning it can get the odd splash of water from any direction.
For those that do not want to overspend, you cannot go wrong with the Gotrax XR Elite, it really is the best for its price.
NIUs KQi2 Pro is a high quality solution
NIU KQi2 Pro
Max Operating Range
25 miles
Max Speed
17.4 mph
Color
White
Amazon
NIU is a brand synonymous with the electric scooter and the KQi2 Pro delivers the performance you are going to need when commuting through the city.
The NIU comes with a top speed of 17.4 mph and features a range of 25 miles, making it ideal for those that live on the outskirts of large cities.
This electric scooter is powered by a 300W rear-wheel drive, meaning it can tackle slopes with a 15% incline.
The KQi2 has a minimalist, sleek design and features four riding modes: E-Save (up to 9mph), Sport (top speed), Pedestrian (walking pace so you can walk alongside it), Custom (choose your own speed).
The wide handlebars (20.5″) and large tires (10″ x 2.3″) make riding a very smooth experience.
To reach a full charge it will take around 7 hours and you can check your battery status/ ride history via NIUs intuitive app.
The Gotrax GXL V2 is a great budget electric scooter for adults
Gotrax GXL V2
Max operating range
12 miles
Max speed
15.5 mph
Color
Black
Coming in way under the $500 budget is the Gotrax GXL V2.
The ride quality and features are superb for the price, giving you enough range and speed to commute to work from the suburbs without worry.
Gotrax is a well-known brand synonymous with electric scooters and offers up outstanding braking in this model. The top speed may not be as quick as the above but overall you get a solid option for less here.
Like the other Gotrax scooters in this roundup, the GXL V2 comes with an IP rating of IP54, meaning you can get the odd splash of water or dust without damaging the innards.
The Segway Ninebot C8 is the best electric scooter for kids
Segway Ninebot C8
Max Operating Range
6.2 miles
Max Speed
10 mph
Color
Gray
Amazon
The Segway Ninebot C8 is the perfect electric scooter for kids under $500.
In fact, this model is under $200, offering a range of 6 miles and a max speed of 10mph.
Safety is key when shopping for a kids electric scooter, and Segway has delivered.
The C8 features a steel frame with a triangular structure, bringing the scooter high durability and resistance.
The C8 electric scooter is incredibly easy to assemble and can operate in three different modes: Turbo, Cruise, and Safe Mode.
Other safety features include a 3M sticker for visibility.
Final word
An electric scooter under $500 is a fine way to commute.
The range and top speed at this price point are ideal for those looking to travel across medium to large cities, with more than enough in the tank to make several trips.
