Electric scooters have been rising in popularity for a while now, despite not actually being legal for use on UK roads or pavements yet. Part of the push for use has been due to the increased interest in the reduction of our carbon footprint, which has propelled e-scooters to the top of a lot of Christmas present wish-lists.

With more manufacturers and brands coming onto the market, it can be challenging to know what the best electric scooters for Christmas 2020 are. This article will help you find the right product. It will also let you know what you can expect from each of the scooters that we have shortlisted. As always we have focused on what is available at big retailers and used positive reviews to cement our recommendations.

Electric scooter for kids

Xootz Kids Electric Scooter 

This is a scooter that lives up to its name. The ease at which it folds up is impressive. Not only does the body of the scooter fold up, but the handlebars also do. That makes it incredibly easy to move from one place to another or for storage. The weight of the scooter, when folded is ideal for kids to carry for themselves. 

With a speed of up to 8 km/hr, it will have your child zooming up and down. It has enough speed for a thrill without putting them at greater risk of injury. It has a 12-volt battery that Powers the 70 Watts motor to drive the scooter’s belt. There are LED lights on the front wheel that add to the excitement. 

The one worry that most users have is what would happen when the battery runs out? Well, you will be pleased to know that the Xootz Kids Electric Scooter can be a push scooter. There is no motor resistance to it. This also makes it more lightweight which is essential for childrens scooters.

Speed control is significant. The accelerator is within a thumb’s reach. The child can throttle the speed with their thumb if they would like it to slow down. It is a scooter that was awarded best scooter award at the Made for Mums Award. That should be all the endorsement that it needs. As far as weight capacity goes, it can take on a ride of up to 50kg. The manufacturer recommends this scooter to kids that are at least six years old.

Pros

• It provides good value for money.
• It folds away easily for storage or transport.
• Kids love the LED lights on the front.
• It is lightweight.
• It is a reasonably fast scooter.
• The speed throttle button is practical.

Buy Now
Cons

• The battery could be more durable. 
• The foot brake can be difficult for kids to get used to.
• It does not have a stand.

Xootz Kids Electric Scooter available on Amazon Prime for £79.99 at time of writing.

Razor Electric Scooter

Razor E90 Electric Scooter Power Core

The E90 gives you a runtime of up to 80 minutes. There is a rechargeable battery just underneath the footrest. It comes with a switch on the side. This is a great way to save battery power when the scooter is not in use. So, what do we have under the hood of this one? It has an 85-watt motor that delivers high torque. You can get it going with a simple kick start. 

While it is not formula one speed, you will be pleased to know that the E90 is capable of a speed of up to 10mph. The higher the speed that you use, the shorter the battery life will be. If the user was to want to slow down, there is a practical throttle button in place. You only need to push a button to trigger this function. 

The back tire is one of the most exciting features of this scooter. It is an airless one. This means that there are no chances of getting a flat tire. That is one less thing to worry about when you are on the go. I often find that this is the tire that you do not steer away from debris on time when you are on the go. That’s not all; it is also an abrasion-resistant tire.

One thing to be aware of when using this scooter is that the wheels do not start spinning as soon as you start it. You will need to give it a little push before the motor kicks in. It may be worth pushing it before getting the motor started so that it kicks in promptly.
Pros

• The battery life is impressive. Can go for over an hour.
• It has a sound throttling system.
• The speed is fast without being dangerous.
• The motor has adequate torque to it.

Buy Now
Cons

• The battery is not always durable.
• The push start mechanism can be difficult for kids.

Razor E90 Electric Scooter Power Core available on Amazon Prime for £169.97 at time of writing.

Xiaomi Electric Scooter

Xiaomi Mi M365 Electric Scooter

Fancy something a little quicker? How does 20 km/h sound? That is what you get from the Mi M365 Electric Scooter. It is an excellent scooter for day to day commuting. You can fold it into an easy to carry shape that takes minimum space. The folded height is just 49cm. According to the manufacturer, you can fold it in as little as 3 seconds. I’m not sure that I have matched that time yet but can confirm that it could not be easier to fold. You simply press the release button and pull the handle down. 

Another exciting feature of this scooter is that it comes with an app that tracks its usage. You no longer have to guess the level of your battery. The app will provide you with this information as a percentage. That is also true of the mileage. It keeps track of how much you have used the scooter. Xiaomi often upgrades the firmware with additional features and improved performance. 

With everything that this scooter can do, you would expect it to have all sort of knobs on it. That would potentially be confusing for novices. Fortunately, Xiaomi has taken a minimalist approach to the dashboard. You have a throttle for speed control and a second button for the rest of the functions. Speaking of speed. There are three-speed modes on this one. It is no longer a matter of going at full speed or being stationary. You can 
Pros

• It comes with a 2-year warranty cover.
• It is effortless to assemble.
• Folds up reasonably quickly. 
• The battery lasts a while.
• Has three speeds to choose from.
• The throttle function works well.

Buy Now
Cons

• May need to use the app to get rid of the beeping sound when riding at speeds higher than 10km/h

Xiaomi Mi M365 Electric Scooter available on Amazon Prime for £338 at time of writing.

Electric scooter with seat 

GUNAI Electric Scooter

If it was down to choose the most “badass” looking one, it would have to be the GUNAI Electric Scooter. At the end of a long day the last thing that anyone needs is to have a commute where they have to be on their feet. Most scooters do not offer the luxury of a comfortable seat. That is one of the key features of this one, as well as off-road wheels, lights and a folding sysem. Yes it’s pricey, but what you get is well worth the cash.

It has impressive power, courtesy of the two motors that run independently. They are each 1600W, making an incredible 3200W powered scooter. That explains how it is capable of delivering staggering speeds of up to 75km/h. With such a motor, the battery-life tends to become the next concern. You will be pleased to know that this one can run for a distance of 90km on a single charge. It requires between 6-8 hours to get the full charge.

The wheels on this scooter are built to take on the rough terrain that you may encounter off-road. They are 11-inch tires. The tread pattern that they have with large lugs underneath the wheel provides great traction. To further endear us to this scooter and its off-road ability, they have added shock absorbers. The front wheel is fitted with four hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear wheel has a bold metal shock absorber. 

If you ever find yourself out after dark, the lights will keep you visible to other road users. They will also enable you to see what’s in front of you. Finally, the GUNAI Electric scooter also has a HD display screen that enables you to adjust your speed and monitor battery power as well as mileage.

Frankly, we had the best time riding this electric scooter and it was our favourite. the 5 star reviews on Amazon seems to suggest we are not alone. GUNAI Electric Scooter available on Amazon Prime

Pros

• It has a sturdy stand.
• It has various lights for visibility.
• Has a travel range of up to 90km when fully charged.
• The tires are capable of going off road.
• It has perfectly placed shock absorbers on both wheels.
• It comes with 1-year warranty cover. 
• Has an excellent maximum speed of 75km/h.

Buy Now
Cons

• It is quite heavy.
• The saddle height cannot be adjusted to kids’ height.

GUNAI Electric Scooter available on Amazon Prime for £1499.00 at time of writing.

Fastest folding electric scooter 

Urbetter Kugoo S1 Folding Electric Scooter

When it comes to electric scooters that you can fold up and pack in very little time, the urbetter Kugoo S1 Folding Electric Scooter is one to consider. Here is why. For starters, it gives you an impressively fast speed of up to 30km/h. As with the one above, this one also has three speeds to choose from. You can have it running at 15km/h, 25km/h or 30km/h. These are selected by pressing a button. There is a 350W motor powering the scooter. It is said to be capable of doing a distance of 18 miles on a single charge.

It can take a rider who weighs up to 120kg. That is a reasonable weight capacity for teenagers and adults alike. The overall build of the scooter feels strong. It has a frame made out of aerospace-grade aluminium. In short, an easy contender for the best electric scooter for commuting.

The weight of the scooter is 24.3lbs, which is not difficult to carry. That is made more accessible by folding it. One of our favourite features on this scooter is the display dashboard on the handlebar. It keeps you aware of the state of the scooter while you are on the road. Metrics that are displayed include speed and battery-level. 

The tires are resistant to punctures. They also provide good traction on all sorts of surfaces. It also helps that they are not inflated. By our reckoning, you will have to put them through a lot for them to wear out. 
Pros

• It comes with a year’s warranty cover.
• There are three speeds to choose from.
• It has a flashing light on the rear for visibility.
• There is an inbuilt bright LED light on the front.
• The tire is 8 inches thick.
• It has a cruise mode.
• Braking and acceleration are within a thumb’s reach.

Buy Now
Cons

• The front brake takes some getting used to.

Urbetter Kugoo S1 Folding Electric Scooter available on Amazon Prime for £239.99 at time of writing.

3 wheel electric scooters 

Weskate Electric Scooter 3 Wheels Folding Electrical Scooter

Perhaps you are after something steadier. Three-wheel scooters are perfect for novices or those that are still to find their balance. The extra wheel goes a long way. We handed picked the Weskate Electric Scooter as it appeals to our skater boy youth and suits our current fashionista lifestyle. The 450W motor-powered scooter is capable of achieving speeds of up to 18mph. The torque is sufficient to take on an incline of up to 15 degrees. 

A fully charged battery will last you a distance of about 12 miles. Fortunately, it only takes 4-6 hours to get it fully charged. Once set, you can use the LCD screen on the handlebar to keep track of the battery level. That is a great way to plan a journey. You can use the battery level to figure out whether it has enough juice for the distance that you want to travel. For commuting, the scooter can fold into the aptly named, trolley mode. It is relatively lightweight and does not take much storage space. 

There are some excellent safety features in place, as well. For starters, it has full-size handlebars that make it easier to steer. The 8.5 inches tires are perfect for getting that much-needed traction as you ride. You also have a sturdy deck that can support a weight of up to 240lbs. 

On the handlebar is an LCD screen that will help you keep track of your speed, battery level and the scooter’s overall mileage. 
Pros

• The three wheels make it steady when you ride.
• It is relatively easy to steer.
• The LCD screen is minimalist.
• It has an impressive weight capacity.
• The battery does not take too long to charge.
• The handlebar can adjust for height.

Buy Now
Cons

• It does not achieve as high a speed as the others on our list.

Weskate Electric Scooter 3 Wheels Folding Electrical Scooter available on Amazon Prime at the time of writing.

A notable alternative for kids is the Ninco-NH33017 Ninco Wheel Canyon Red Folding Electric Scooter with Speed Control for Ages 3+ which we consider one of the best electric scooters on the market for children but at the time of writing we not able to give it a test run to include it.

Conclusion

We have categorised our list is in a way that makes it easier for you to find a scooter that is suitable for you. We reviewed each one of the scooters in some detail. That will put you in a great position to make an informed decision when purchasing. Any of these will serve you well. 

We’ve linked to Amazon for reference as we are on the Amazon Affiliate program (because they have a good returns policy and customer reviews), they may make us eligible for commission on sales but this has not affected our editorial review. We’d always suggest price-comparing for the best deal available, and waiting until good sales on.

It is widely expected that they will be made legal, hence why they are widely available in big retailers and predicted to see high sales at Christmas.

What are the consequences of riding an Electric Scooter in the UK?

If it’s part of an authorised rental scheme then as long as you are wearing a helmet, hold a license and are driving sensibly in the allowed areas then you would be okay. If you are riding a privately owned scooter on non-private land, then the police have the ability to give an on-the-spot penalty of £300 and six points on your driving licence. So it’s vital to keep up to date on knowing if Electric Scooters legal

It is widely reported that most fines and scooter seizures this year have been due to irresponsible driving rather than simply riding an electric scooter on the roads or pavements. In fact, UK Police would be using Section 59 of the Police Reform Act to warn or confiscate e-scooters. This applies to vehicles being used in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

While we would not condone it, it does seem police are relaxed when driven sensibly and we predict changes to the law for personal scooters once it’s clear where they are safest. We would encourage any would-be buyer to check the latest guidelines and electric scooter guides before purchase.

Are rental e-scooters legal?

Not yet either. Back in June the UK Government announced that rental electric scooters will be legal on the roads in the UK as the pressure on public transport is reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But these are just trials and not actually running yet.

The pandemic has forced the government to speed up implementation of its original plans, first announced in March, which would allow e-scooters to be deployed initially in four future transport zones, including the North East of England, the West Midlands, the East Midlands and the South East. The e-scooter test is expected to start in 2021 and will increase the number of e-scooters on the roads in more areas to encourage people to use the alternative to public transport.

The vehicles which are banned on UK public roads are restricted to just 15km / h and in city centres, and drivers are advised to wear a helmet. Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driving licence, driving licence and licence or number plate.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean believed at the time that this was a step towards improving travel by improving the quality of life of people in the UK and the environment in general and creating a sustainable and greener way of travelling.

Many activists have opposed the idea of the trial because the vehicles could pose a stumbling risk and pose a major danger to vulnerable pedestrians. However, there is no evidence that individuals would be inclined to buy their own e-scooter and use it on public roads. Deborah Farley Persaud, who is registered blind, told the BBC she was particularly concerned about drivers flouting the rules by blocking the pavement.

She raised concerns about the increased safety of drivers at a time when I do not feel it is safe to keep a social distance outside of a coronavirus pandemic. She also insisted clear rules and regulations should be introduced to prevent scooter riders from using the pavement where they could encounter blind people or small children who may accidentally get in the way.

Voi, which is looking for licences in British cities, says its e-scooters offer a clean alternative to short car journeys and allow people to avoid public transport. The Swedish company wants to bring these vehicles to the UK and estimates they could bring 90,000 electric scooters to cities by the end of the year.

The Department for Transport said: “The leasing scheme will involve leading UK and international companies and industries working with local authorities to plan the use of e-scooters in the UK and the development of a range of other services.”

Are Electric Scooters legal in the USA?

Only in some US States are E-scooters legal, including California, Georgia, Michigan, and Washington.

In Michigan, Electric Scooters are deemed to have the same as pedestrians. But the Californian rules are clear that Riders must:

• Be 16 or over
• Have a valid drivers license
• Wear a cycle helmet
• Have no passengers
• follow the same rules as a car driver
• Have brakes
• Have handlebars under the shoulders
• A headlight, taillight and side reflectors if at night
• Not ride on sidewalks
• Not ride on streets where the limit is over 40 km/h unless in a bicycle lane.