2021 was when we all returned to work, hoping everything would return to normal. Everything did return to normal as expected – including outrageous prices at the pump. Driving doesn’t have the same appeal as it used to, especially for those returning to city life. I haven’t owned a car since 2019 and have been patiently waiting for Elon to debut flying cars to make my city commute more bearable.

Well, disappointingly, 2021 did not bring us flying cars. But it did get us an onslaught of electric scooters. Traffic jams, rotating the block for parking, and expensive maintenance are things of the past. Electric scooters are replacing cars in cities, and there’s no better time to get one than now. What are you waiting for, gas prices to go down?

Unfortunately, the world of electric scooters is still a relative niche market, and you might not be able to tell a cheap Chinese knock-off brand from a reputable manufacturer. That’s why we decided to put together a list of the best electric and reputable scooters on the market today. We’ve tested about 20 electric scooters ourselves and have narrowed the list down to a few that we can confidently recommend. Enjoy!

Kaabo Mantis Pro SE from Voro Motors ($2299)

Let’s start with the biggest bang for your bucks electric scooter, the Kaabo Mantis Pro SE. SE stands for a special edition made in collaboration with Voro Motors. You can tell it’s an SE edition by the unique gold trims.

This scooter was designed for enthusiasts; however, it’s an easy one to recommend to anyone at this price range. Whatever you’re looking for in a scooter, whether it’s impressive build quality, craftsmanship, performance, portability (for its class), or value, the Kaabo Mantis Pro SE edition from Voro Motors has it all.

Packed with dual 1000W motors (combined 2000W), it’s the fastest and most powerful scooter on this list. The sheer power combined with world-class engineering lets you go from 0 – 15 miles in less than 2 seconds and max out at 45 miles per hour. That was not a typo. Yes…45 miles per hour. That’s twice the speed limit of most city roads.

Quick specs:

Price: $2299 (for 2022 24AH version)

Top speed: 45mph

Battery range: 40 miles

Scooter weight: 65lbs

Tires: 10″ tubed tires. 3″ wide

Max load: 330lbs

Motor: Dual 1000W Motors (2000W total)

Brakes: Zoom Hydraulic brakes

The Kaabo Mantis’ battery can last up to 45 miles, making it the longest-lasting scooter on this list. You can probably see why we put this one first.

The one downside would be the weight. At 65 lbs, it’s the heaviest scooter on this list. However, compared to most scooters in its class, this is one of the lightest high-performance scooters on the market.

You are getting something for all of that extra weight. The Kaabo Mantis is exceptionally well built and can handle up to 330lbs.

(Full review coming soon)

Shell Ride SR-5S ($649)

For those who don’t have $2299 to drop on a scooter, the Shell Ride SR-5S is the perfect alternative.

The Shell Ride SR-5S is a compact, fast, and reliable scooter with one of the best build qualities on a scooter at this price range. It’s hard to tell from pictures, but this scooter is exceptionally well built with a wobble-proof solid steel folding stem.

Everything about the SR-5S screams quality. Riding it around the city, we’ve never heard a single rattle or felt anything come loose. The handlebar is wide with a firm spatula grip. The bell is an actual bell instead of a spring-action mechanism used by cheaper scooters.

Quick specs:

Price: $629

Top speed: 15.5 – 20mph

Battery range: 18-20 miles

Scooter weight: 30.4lbs

Tires: 8.5″ semi-pneumatic

Max load: 220lbs

Motor: Front 350W Motor

Brakes: Rear disc brake & electric front brake

It has a range of 20 miles and a top speed of about 20 miles. These numbers will vary depending on your weight, road condition, and other environmental factors.

Three features separate the SR-5S from most other scooters. First is how secure and easy it is to fold and unfold the scooter. The stem uses a unique sheath sliding mechanism that lets you fold/unfold the scooter in less than 5 seconds. The locking mechanism is also secure, making it easier to carry around than most.

The second feature is how quickly the scooter starts up. Pressing the power button brings the scooter to life within 1 second, and you’re ready to go. The built-in display is simple, functional, and visible even on bright sunny days.

The third feature is the Shell Ride App. The SR-5S is one of few scooters with robust App integration. I was skeptical at first and thought the App may have been an after-thought. To my surprise, it’s an exceptionally well-designed interface that connects seamlessly with the scooter. You don’t need an App for any scooter, but it’s nice to see your average speed, total mileage, etc.

The one downside is the small 8.5 semi-pneumatic wheels. They’re a bit small for the speed this scooter can handle. At 12-15mph, you’ll be fine. However, at 18-20 mph, it can get risky on uneven roads.

If you’re looking for a lightweight and high-quality scooter to make short commutes in the city, you can’t go wrong with the Shell Ride SR-5S

Levy Plus Electric Scooter ($699)

The Levy Plus is one of the lightest and most portable scooters on this list. Despite weighing only 30 lbs, it’s capable of 18 mph with a range of 20 miles on cushy 10″ pneumatic tires.

Quick specs:

Price: $629

Top speed: 18 mph

Battery range: 20 miles

Scooter weight: 30lbs

Tires: 10″ pneumatic tires

Max load: 220lbs

Motor: Front 350W Motor

Brakes: Rear disc brake & electric front brake

The battery is removable, however we didn’t feel like this was a very useful feature. Given the scooter doesn’t come with an extra battery. That will be an added cost. So most of the time, you’re just plugging directly into the scooter to charge.

The 1-step latching mechanism to fold and unfold is quick, easy, and offers wobble-free operation. The Levy Plus is one of the most accessible and most convenient electric scooters. Using the Levy Plus, I could get to work, board public transit, and bring the scooter into Starbucks with ease.

My one complaint would be the lack of app integration. Given that Levy does have an App for their Fleet products, I felt one should’ve been published for their scooters.

Glion Balto ($799)

The Balto is already such a unique scooter that’s differentiating itself from anything on the market. We like that the team at Glion didn’t just use a copy/paste design and instead re-imagined what functionality would look like—introducing the Glion Balto, the only scooter that comes standard with a removable seat and grocery rack AND a high-torque 750W motor.

Quick specs:

Price: $799

Top speed: 17 mph

Battery range: 20 miles

Scooter weight: 38lbs

Tires: 12″ pneumatic tires

Max load: 255lbs

Motor: Front 750W Motor

Brakes: Rear disc brake & electric front brake

It has a top speed of about 17mph, a range of 20 miles, and a maximum load capacity of 255lbs. The removable 500W battery pack also doubles as a portable power station to charge your devices. However, you’ll need to buy a $139 inverted from Glion, sold separately, to use that feature. That may or may not be your favorite thing about the Balto.

What WILL be your favorite thing about the Balto are the massive 12″ pneumatic tires. These are the most oversized tires to have ever been fitted on a scooter. These tires are ready to take on poorly serviced city roads and potholes.

The one major downside with the Balto is portability. At 38lbs, the weight is manageable. However, it’s far too big even when folded to bring into public spaces. You’ll likely want to lock this outside on a bike rack.

I have to admit, the grocery rack in the back was not a selling point for me. However, I’ve grown to love it, especially when I need to make a quick trip to Aldi’s every week. If you’re looking to pick up girls on your scooter, look elsewhere (actually, don’t look at scooters altogether). But if you’re looking for an all-in-one scooter that’s great for commuting and grocery trips, there’s nothing better. The Glion Balto is screaming your name.