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Top 5 NZ Electric Scooters Tests and Reviews
The best Electric Scooter review New Zealand scooter models
We are over a year into the scooter craze that has swept the globe, and Lime rental scooters along with other rental scooter operators like Bird Scooters (Uber) and Flamingo scooters are on every street corner.
Many rental scooter users have worked out that the scooter rental cost can be high (around $18/hr including unlocking charge) and inconvenient. They have looked at buying a scooter. They have researched the best electric scooter for NZ. They have (sometimes) bought the right electric scooter. But sometimes not. Because the electric scooter industry is brand new, there is a lot of misinformation. There are many electric scooter reviews written by marketing and SEO companies to attract web traffic, by people who know nothing about electric scooters (you will have found some in the google search that led you to this article). This is not that sort of review. This is based on 3 years of escooter sales and service. And it’s a warts-and-all review of scooters NZ users can and do buy Contents
Best Electric Scooter NZ Review
- Inokim OXO / Inokim OX
- Dualtron MX 1.5
- Inokim Quick 3
- Mercane Widewheel
- Speedway Mini 4 Pro 500W
The Best Electric Scooter NZ Review
- Inokim OXO / Inokim OX
OK, technically there are 2 scooters in this position, and there is one number one spot. Stay with me here though because there is logic behind this selection!
At Electric Scooter Shop, the Inokim OX is the best-selling electric scooter, by some way. It is a well-established model, and performance is excellent. But the OXO is a better electric scooter. But is it better value? Read on to find out!
Firstly, the technical data.
The Inokim OXO has twin 1000W motors, one in each wheel, operating on a 60Volt system. The OX Super sports a single rear-wheel 1000W motor. The OXO has the hydraulic braking system matched to twin discs for powerful, modulated stopping, and the OX Super goes with a drum front and cable disc rear. It’s good, but not as good as those hydraulics. The OXO up-sizes to a 25.8V battery, the OX Super comes with a 20.8V unit.
Both scooters have the sublime single-sided swing-arm suspension. It is truly the best electric scooter suspension we have experienced. It is height-adjustable, and offers impressive float.
Let’s talk performance
Those twin 1000w motors in the OXO means there is serious torque, however the pickup is smooth and linear, not too vicious, and it swiftly overpowers gravity in a hill-climbing situation. On a flat run, where conditions allow, it will pull to 65km/h. This is still not the fastest electric scooter NZ has available, but it is more than enough for us!
For the OX Super with it’s single motor, the performance is more modest in comparison yet still sufficient for most users. 45km/h is your top speed, hill climbing is capable, and range is a brochured 100km under test conditions (flat road, 70kg rider, half throttle), however real-world riding and a real-world weight rider with real-world hills will chop into that range considerably. The OXO claims 110km range, but take that range-advice to heart and don’t expect 100km days out of either model, in practice.
Build Quality
Inokim are at the top of the scooter game in terms of build quality. The folding mechanism deserves special praise, as it is 100% rigid and free of flex, with a micro-adjustment to take up and slack that appears over time. If you frequently fold your scooter, you will be thankful for this detail. The grips, paint finish, frame-forming and overall presentation right up to the excellent manual are all best-in-class.
The negatives:
These are heavy scooters, at 28kg for the OX Super and 32kg for the OXO, so don’t plan on carrying either up too many stairs!
The rear mudguard can be a bit flimsy
Charge time is 10-12 hours, so expect an overnight charge and consider a second charger to top up at work if you have a long commute.
Which is the best electric scooter? If money is no object, and particularly if you are a heavier rider, spend the extra $700 and buy the OXO. But for $700 less and with the same handling and build, the OX Super is still a worthy title contender!
- Dualtron MX 1.5
Hailing from the Mini Motors company of Korea, Dualtron scooters have one overall objective – to offer the highest levels of performance available for a given price point. They offer up some frankly ludicrous scooters with mind-blowing performance statistics. The Dualtron Thunder for example will pull close to 100km. Yes, one hundred kilometres an hour! But is it a ‘best electric scooter’ contender? No. It’s too specialised, too expensive, and too downright scary to make this list! The Dualtron MX 1.5 however nails a beautiful sweet-spot of powerful performance and an attractive price, that makes it bang-for-buck the best performance electric scooter for the money.
First, the technical data
The Dualtron MX 1.5 runs twin 800w motors and a 60V system. There is a trigger-throttle, which this reviewer finds the most natural-feeling, and a vast range of mode adjustments, governing everything from the immediacy of acceleration to the intensity of the electric-assisted braking. Suspension is another bush system with excellent responsiveness.
Let’s talk performance
All motors are not created equal, and this kicks off the line like an angry mule. It just hooks up and goes, and the result is exciting and exhilarating. Dualtron upped the output from 52V to 60V for this 2nd-generation model, and the resulting benefit was immediately apparent. Hill-climbing is sensational. Braking can be adjusted through the console, and offers regeneration, and several levels of intensity from ‘steady slowing’ to ‘wow-what-just-happened?’! Top speed hovers around 55km/h. It’s fast.
Build Quality
It’s good, and reliable, but not as premium-feeling as the Inokim offering. The look is a little more ‘industrial’ (some prefer that, of course), and the folding mechanism isn’t as refined, which leads to a bit more potential flex in the steering tube. That said, these are small niggles and overall it’s still a solid and well-made package.
The Negatives:
The folding mechanism uses a locking collar, and requires a strong hand to exert enough pressure to remove all movement. It also doesn’t stop movement when folded, so it’s not as manageable when packed down.
It’s another heavy scooter, and not ideal for lifting in and out of a car or carrying any distance.
- Inokim Quick 3 Super
‘Another Inokim’ I hear you cry! ‘What is this, some sort of Inokim love-in self-promotion?’ Yet there is logic in this choice also. The reason for this selection is this is the scooter that many companies, and individuals, will buy when they want to do many things well and in comfort. This is the third generation of the ‘Quick’ model, and that doesn’t happen if a company isn’t delivering on their promises. This is a very capable all-rounder, and our most popular women’s electric scooter too.
First, the technical data
The Quick 3+, which is the model coming into NZ, has a 450W rear-hub motor, which is geared low and with more low-end torque than top-end speed. The tyres are 10” and very grippy, the exact same tyres as are found on the OX. Dual brakes are a front rim and rear cable disc brake. Battery is 13ah and it runs a 48V system. It weighs a hair under 17kg, and folds easily to lift into a car boot.
Let’s talk performance
Top speed of this one is 30km/h. Not fast relative to some on this list, but get this. It’s fast enough for most. Not everyone wants to tear around with their hair on fire, and with its lower gearing, this scooter will hum along happily on the flat and still hum along happily up a decent incline. The deck is low to the ground making this a very stable scooter and an excellent beginners or older person’s scooter, and the deck is also one of the widest around, so if you like to ride feet-together, (rather than skateboard stance) as many ladies do, it lends itself much more to that riding style.
Build Quality
This is a well thought-out scooter, and as you would expect from Inokim the build quality is excellent. Reliable batteries, durable components, excellent paint finish, and a range of vibrant colours available.
The Negatives
The folding system allows for a little play and movement. Nothing of concern, but if you want a totally rigid feel to your scooter, this wouldn’t be your first choice.
The front rim brake feels a bit old-school now, when discs are becoming more commonplace, but it still works just fine regardless. It wouldn’t be as good in wet conditions as a disc brake, but then we don’t recommend riding in the rain anyway.
- Mercane WideWheel 1000w
A futuristic-looking and unique scooter, deserving of a place in the top 5 of any ‘Best Electric Scooter’ list! There is a 500w and 1000w version of this scooter, depending whether you go for the single or twin motor, but to make this list the 1000w version is our pick! Uniquely among ‘proper’ scooters it shuns the air-filled tyre for a super-low-profile, solid rubber offering. And those wheels! No kidding its a ‘wide wheel’ – it looks like it can stand unaided on those things (it can’t, but it sure looks like it should).
First the technical data
Our ‘Top 5 electric scooters’ pick of the 1000W Mercane rocks a grunty pair of 500W motors, juiced by a 13.2Ah battery. Not the biggest battery ever, but compact and lightweight. The real head-turner here are the wheels. Urethane foam, not traditional tyre rubber, and airless, they nevertheless have a springiness to them. This tips the scales at 20.4kg. Not featherweight, but still easily manageable, and its a slim chassis, too. Not too bad to heft around.
Let’s talk performance
So, how does it ride with those fat-boy wide wheels? Is this the best electric scooter for any particular user group? Yes, I think it could be. It rides….a bit weird. But you quickly dial in to that. It doesn’t have the roll side-to-side you get with regular tyres, and you don’t lean it right over to turn. You sort of hang off the side a bit, like a sidecar rider, and pull it around the corners. It’s fun when you get into it! It’s great over grass as it doesn’t sink in, and there is sufficient torque to keep it going on softer ground. As escooters go the ride is plusher that many at the price point, and the excellent suspension makes it softer than you would think for airless tyres. Perhaps its the wider contact patch with the road that spreads the load a bit.
How’s the power? It’s ample for the design. 40km/h is achievable, and is as fast as you would want to be going. Pickup is quick, the smaller wheels will help here with the natural lower gearing effect, and it pulls hard. It’s a hoot, really!
Build Quality
This looks, overall, like a well-specced piece of kit. Die-cast seamless construction gives is a flowing, design-led appearance which is reassuringly sturdy.
The Negatives
The folding mechanism is a bit plasticky and doesn’t feel as strong as the rest of the scooter. A bit underbraked with just the rear disc, and the control screen (or lack of) takes a bit of getting used to. These comments are based on the 2019 model however, and we believe have been addressed in the 2020 model, due in NZ around March 2020.
- Speedway Mini 4 Pro 500W
A worthy contender on a Top 5 Best Electric Scooters list, and a pocket-rocket e-scooter par excellence, The Speedway Mini 4 Pro 500W has bog-scooter heart and performance in a gutsy little package. If you are particularly interested in portable performance, then read on….
First the technical data
As the title suggests, this is a 500W motor, sharing the throttle console with the mighty Dualtron, which offers a heap of tuneability, for elements such as urgency of take-off and even abs braking. It’s produced by the same company, MiniMotors, and has the same industrial feel. Sturdy and dependable. It’s a 48 Volt system matched to a 13ah battery.
Let’s talk performance
‘Gutsy’ is how I have and will describe this little beastie. With a noticeable hum it powers up and its off. It climbs with gusto, and will hit 40km/h on the flat. Twin lights at each end make for good visibility, however as with all scooters we recommend visible riding gear and helmet-mounted lights for night riding. The small wheels and solid rear tyre (no punctures, but a bit harder to ride on) don’t give the smoothest ride, but with a headshock and sprung rear it’s acceptable. It is worth noting just how rigid this scooter is. The engineering is very precise, even the folding handlebars (very handy) snap into place with barely a jot of movement. It folds in a flash as well, and is a compact and easy unit to stash in a boot or a cupboard.
The negatives
A bit underbraked with just a rear drum brake. A little noisier than some, but then again it is an impressively powerful unit for a claimed 500w. It is clearly putting in the effort!
So there you have it. 5 picks from the bewildering array of e-scooters on offer nationwide. How do you choose? Put simply, we strongly suggest you test-ride a selection of scooters, and our test centre has a full demo range available. We focus purely on Electric Scooters, and can advise you on suitability, as well as be on hand for warranty advice and support, and general questions and queries.
You can find us at 25 Lake Road in Devonport, Auckland, 7 days a week.
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