Folding electric scooters have become a staple of city life, they’re constantly being bought, sold and rented at a dizzying pace. This is partly due to many people coming to the conclusion that commuting in a car or on a bus just isn’t worth it anymore. Congestion is a huge issue in cities and can sometimes take multiple tedious hours out of your day, which is why so many people are choosing electric scooters over their car. These scooters are able to beat the traffic and weave in and out of cars that are at a standstill, they’ll save you money that you would otherwise be spending on gas or general car upkeep, and they’re great for the environment.
Electric commuter scooters wouldn’t be complete without being foldable. This allows for you to tackle the last-mile with ease and take your scooter with you on the bus or train. Being foldable also means you can bring your scooter into work without it being cumbersome, and you can easily charge it throughout the day. If you’re not looking for a commuter and rather something a little heftier, we’ve got that as on our list as well.
The way things are going, electric scooters are getting more portable and more powerful. They’re becoming something people can fit in backpacks and carry with them throughout the day, to unfold and use whenever is convenient. Startups and established companies are constantly competing to come out with the most cutting-edge product, so here’s out lowdown of the best folding electric scooters available right now.
Contents
What to Look for in Folding Electric Scooters
Ultimately the choice of electric scooter is down to you. Folding electric scooters are great for commuting and general travel but they also have a range of different qualities to look out for. Do you need to take it off road? How portable does it need to be? Will you be taking it on any public transport or storing it at work? How comfortable do you need it to be? Will standing up like a traditional kick scooter be too uncomfortable or will a seat be a needless cost? What performance do you require? How far do you need to go on a single charge and how long do you have before you need to charge it again? And finally how much are you willing to spend? Can you find a scooter that meets all your requirements and comes within your budget? Hopefully this guide will cover everything you need to know to help you answer all these questions. If not, head over to our Complete Guide to Electric Scooters post for a more thorough understanding.
Folding E-Scooter Portability
If you’re looking to use your scooter for the commute then portability will be very important. All of these electric scooters are able to be folded away, but some are more compact and space saving, so they can be stored easily. Some also even come with storage bags and unique ways to take your scooter with you when you’re not riding it, such as carry handles.
The weight and size of the scooter will also play an important factor when thinking of portability. You want it to be as light as possible if you’re thinking of taking it on public transport or will have to carry it flights of stairs. If you’re looking for a commuting aimed scooter, you can check out our best electric scooters for commuting list.
Riding Style and Comfort
The comfort is very dependant on the riding style of the scooter. The least comfortable but most convenient are the electric kick scooters. These are your standard scooters with a step through frame where both feet are placed on the deck. These make great commuter scooters. If you’re looking for a little more comfort and features, then a scooter with a seat could be perfect for you. These come in many varieties from scooters with very simple seats to scooters that take more liberties with their design.
It’s also important to take not of the maximum weight that e-scooters can take. Most scooters can comfortably take weights below 200 lbs with some of the electric moped scooters being able to take 300 lbs and more. Be aware that more weight generally means more money.
Performance
There are a few things to take into account when thinking of the performance of a motorized scooter. We think the most important stats to be looking for are speed, range and charge time.
The top speed of your scooter will depend on what you want to use it for. If you’re looking for just fun then the scooter with the highest top speed will probably be perfect for you, and we have a whole review of the fastest electric scooters out now. Likewise, if you’re looking for a scooter for commuting a top speed will be important but shouldn’t be a priority over portability or range. Electric scooters can generally reach speeds of 15-20 miles per hour, with some reaching much more.
The range of the scooter is important for whatever you’re looking to use the scooter for. This can also vary greatly, not only between brands and models, but your environment and temperatures play a huge role. For example, if you live in a cold hilly area, you’re not likely to get the advertised range from the scooter, so it might be worth investing in one with a better advertised range.
On a similar note to the range of the scooter, the charge time is also incredibly important. Some scooters can take 10 hours to fully charge which may be incredibly inconvenient. Others can charge in just a 1.5 hours, which is much better.
Budget
Realistically a good electric scooter will cost you around $500. Better ones can set you back more like $1000 and some of the very best, most uniquely designed ones can be $2000 or more. If you’re on a budget there are some decent ones at around the $250 mark but you’ll have to compromise on some features or quality.
Of course all of this is very dependant on your needs and wants. We’ll give you the best options we know of and then you decide if those scooters are right for you.
FluidFreeRide Mosquito
One of our favorite scooters at the moment is the Mosquito from FluidFreeRide. This is a super portable, lightweight and well performing foldable electric riding scooter that is ideal for city commutes and can easily fold up to be transported or stored. The performance is good, with a top speed of 20 mph and a range of around 15 miles. The performance is maintained even when taken on rougher roads with a heavier individual riding and can consistently reach its top speed. The Mosquito is also very comfortable despite its small tires. This is likely due to the front and rear suspension system that helps the Mosquito e-scooter comfortably handle small bumps and cracks in the road. It even has a full range of features including front and rear lights, three gears to choose and very nice edgeless display that shows your current speed and more. It even has a USB port for charging your phone.
Overall, the Mosquito is one of the best foldable scooters out there right now and is ideal for commuting or short range rides around the city. It’s also quite well priced and can be regularly found at a discount over on FluidFreeRide.
Check the latest price on FluidFreeRide.
Ninebot ES2
The Ninebot ES2 is a compact, lightweight electric scooter that would do well in a city environment. It can travel up to 15.5 mph (25km/h) on its 300 Watt hub motor, and has a range of 15 miles. It is about as portable as an electric scooter can get, with a simple and effective one-click folding system and a battery pack that is integrated into the neck of the ES2 rather than being attached to the scooter externally. However, if you would like to take your ES2 to the next level, you can double your range from 15 miles to 28 miles (45 km), and increase your top speed to 18.6 mph (30km/h) with an additional battery pack that is sold separately.
The ES2 has great night visibility, with bright lights on the front, rear and sides of the scooter, and has front and rear shock absorbers that help to reduce bumps on your journey. It’s overall a top quality e-scooter at a reasonable price.
Check out our full in depth review of the Ninebot for more information.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Xiaomi M365 (Xiaomi Mi) 
The Xiaomi M365 looks like it was designed for city life and makes for a perfect commuter scooter. With a minimalist design and narrow handlebars, you can hop on and expertly weave your way through city streets while standing comfortably on the wide deck. It’s not too pricey, you’ll usually find it at around $500, and you can get a little over an hour of riding with the 18.6 mile (30 km) range and 15.5 mph (25 km/h) top speed. The frame is aluminium alloy, and overall the scooter has a high-quality, if not slightly bulky, feel to it.
You’ll be able to make your ride last even longer with power-saving mode, and all the while you’ll get a super smooth ride out of the 250 Watt brushless motor while gliding on the 8.5” tires. With a simple push-button acceleration, a kickstand and a manual bell, you won’t be purchasing a scooter that is full of features. However the accompanying app that Xiaomi have developed is a lot of fun!
Check out our full in depth review of the Xiaomi M365.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Gotrax GXL
The GoTrax GXL is an exceptional option if you’re looking for a mid-range scooter for commuting or just a bit of fun. This scooter has an impressive, solid build however the trade-off for that is that it comes in on the heavier side at 26.5 lbs (12 kgs). The larger frame does help create a ride is very comfortable and the wide 8.5” pneumatic tires do a good job at smoothing out any bumps or cracks in the road. The GoTrax GXL is powered by a 250 W motor and a 36V battery that gives a very solid performance, despite these being smaller in size that many other scooters at a similar price range.
The GXL also comes with some nifty features that help it stand out from the competition. I really like the display screen and the rear disc brake works using a built in foot pedal which is an ingenious design that I can see more scooters implementing in the future. And best of all – all of this is available at a price (usually) less than what you’d pay for any of the competition.
Check out our full in depth review of the GoTrax GXL.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
URB-E
The URB-E is one of the most interesting and inventive electric scooters we’ve ever seen. It comes to you from a company who’s CTO was previously a lead engineer at Porsche. This scooter is made in California, has a top speed of 18 mph (29 km/h) and a 20 mile (32 km) range. The design helps this scooter feel much faster than it actually is, with a seat that positions you low to the ground. The frame is built with aircraft aluminum and carbon fibre, making it extremely durable and robust. The URB-E has large 10” pneumatic tires and a 350 Watt motor, and comes with a great coilover shock suspension system. It’s our second heaviest scooter on this list, at 35 lbs (15.8 kgs), but this weight can be justified by looking at its performance.
The URB-E is great for your commute to work or just for fun regardless of the terrain, and also made it onto our lists of the best off road electric scooters and fastest electric scooters.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Glion Dolly 
The Glion Dolly is a premium scooter designed specifically for the commuting market. It’s a slim scooter that has the ability to be folded down and pulled along like a suitcase for easy commuting and storage. The Glion electric scooter has a 250 Watt brushless hub motor, and Never-Flat airless tires, meaning no punctures! This scooter is simple and sturdy, with an aircraft-grade aluminium frame, and able to easily be transported on and off public transport or personal vehicles. It’s 28 lbs (12.7 kgs) and is able to go up to 15 mph (24 km/h), with a 15 mile (24 km) range – enough range to get you to work and back home with charge to spare.
The Glion Dolly is a great option for the ‘last-mile’ issue. It gives you a smooth ride with its 8” never-flat tires, and you can safely ride it in the rain as all of the controls are waterproof. It’s fun and easy to use, store and transport. Whilst there are some problems such as lack of suspension and slight range issues, overall, we think this is a great product that could transform your commute. The Glion Dolly even made it onto the best electric scooters for adults list.
Check out our full in depth review of the Glion Dolly.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
EcoReco M5
The EcoReco M5 is a product of EcoReco, a startup company that advertises itself as producing energy-efficient e-scooters. It comes ready to ride straight out of the box, at 50% charge courtesy of EcoReco. This is a pretty straightforward scooter, unfolding it requires pulling the lever at the base of the stem and expanding the handlebars as they are folded inwards. The range is 10-20 miles (16-32 km) depending on factors such as rider weight and weather conditions, and the top speed is around 20 mph (32 km/h). It has a 250 Watt direct drive hub motor, with a peak output of 700 Watts and weighs 35.5 lbs (16 kgs). Being advertised by EcoReco as their ‘Optimal Durability’ scooter, it has 6” solid rubber tires and a robust, industrial body.
EcoReco have supplied their scooter with a backlit LCD display on the right hand side of the handlebars, which is right next to the trigger throttle and the power button. It’s a solid choice for a city commute or just a bit of fun, being small whilst avoiding being bulky, but powerful enough to get you where you need to go.
Check out our full in depth review of the EcoReco M5.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Razor E300s 
The Razor E300s is a pretty basic electric scooter that’s the seated version of the E300. It’s on the chunkier side when compared to the other scooters on this list. It weighs 52.2 lbs (23.7 kgs) with extra large 10” pneumatic tires and a super sized deck. The E300s reaches a decent top speed of 15 mph (24 km/h), and has up to 40 minutes of run time. This scooter uses a chain driven motor and a twist grip acceleration control with a hand operated rear brake. What’s great about this scooter is its optional seat, Razor have provided the E300s with a removable stand and padded seat, so you can use it as a normal stand up electric scooter as well as a sit down one.
This scooter is a decent choice for people looking at a first time, basic and fairly cheap electric scooter that doesn’t have many extras that can go wrong. This is also a good choice as a children’s electric scooter or a teen electric scooter, and if you’re looking for more electric scooters for your kids, you can check out our 8 best electric scooters for kids post. The E300s is pretty well priced and provides good value for money, having one of the best rides of the basic scooters we’ve tested. Additionally, the E300s is at the low budget end of the e-scooter market, making it perfect for beginners or people looking to try out an electric scooter.
Check out our full in depth review of the Razor E300 or our reviews of the best electric scooters with seats for more information.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
If you need to know more, think we’ve missed something or want to ask us some questions then comment below or connect with us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.
These electric scooters looks fab, thanks for sharing this list.
Hey guys.
Thank you for your reviews.
What would you recommend for simply getting me to my car parked 1/2 mile away up a a pretty decent hill. Basically the most inexpensive model that will get me up a hill.
Thanks!!
Hi Gregg. With your situation in mind, i’d recommend the Xiaomi, as it is inexpensive and gets the job done. Hope that helps!
I’ll go with Ninebot, very fine design, classic
Totally agree, great choice!