Unagi vs. Segway vs. Apollo: Best Electric Scooters (2023)

It would be easy to dismiss electric scooters as child's toy, but the rise of rideshare scooters (e.g. Lime or Bird) has shown how functionally adult electric scooters can be. Not only are they utterly practical, but they are fun too. They are great for commuting, nights out on the town, or just for enjoying sunshine on the local greenway.

Of course, rideshare scooters also leave something to be desired. First of all, they aren’t always readily available when you need them. Have you ever left a restaurant or bar only to find your mode of transportation disappeared? Not cool.

Rideshare scooters also have a tendency to be low on battery and power, and in a post-pandemic world, who really wants to use a scooter touched hundreds of times by random strangers? Not me.

It is time to consider buying your own electric scooter. It will always be there when you need it, and you will have peace-of-mind regarding where it has been. With these practical benefits, we haven’t even mentioned electric scooters are an eco-friendly way to get around, so you can have some fun and protect the planet too.

So which brand should you choose? Read the detailed review or see the side-by-side comparison below.

Unagi vs. Segway vs. Apollo Scooters
Comparison Table

The Best Electric Scooters For Adults
Priceadd	Unagi💰💰	Segway💰💰	Apollo💰💰💰
Biggest Selling Pointadd	UnagiTesla-like Design	SegwayEssential Commuter	ApolloPremium Performance
Recommended Modeladd	UnagiModel One E500	SegwayNinebot Kickscooter Max	ApolloApollo Pro
Puncture Resistant Wheelsadd	Unagi✅	Segway❌	Apollo❌
Associated Appadd	Unagi❌	Segway✅	Apollo❌
Maximum Speedadd	Unagi17 MPH	Segway18.5 MPH	Apollo38 MPH
Charge Timeadd	Unagi5 Hours	Segway6 Hours	Apollo5-10 Hours
Maximum Rangeadd	Unagi15.5 Miles	Segway40 Miles	Apollo56 Miles
Websiteadd	UnagiTry Unagi	SegwayTry Segway	ApolloTry Apollo

What is the best electric scooter for adults?

Unagi, Segway, and Apollo sell electric scooters for adults that are sleek, functional, and fun. Whether you need a scooter for getting to the office or hanging out on Friday night, buying your own scooter is a no-brainer in many ways. If you are looking to invest in your own electric scooter, we recommend starting with one of these models:

• Unagi The Model One E500 Dual Motor - Best Design (Top 3)
• Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max - Best Everyday Commuter (Top 3)
• Apollo Pro 52V & Hydraulic Brakes - Best Performance (Top 3)
• Raine One - Top Newcomer (Honorable Mention)
• GoTrax G-Series - Top Affordable Option (Honorable Mention)

There will be no mistaking one of these scooters for the cheap variety you rode as a kid, and depending on what you plan to use your new electric scooter for, one of these models should be everything you need and more.

Adult Electric Scooters For Commuting

One report showed that only 5% of Americans use public transportation, and while the report is a few years old, that sounds about right. If for nothing else, public transportation isn’t easily accessible or efficient outside of the biggest cities. Some people might carpool to work, but that isn’t entirely convenient either. For anyone looking for cleaner commuting options, this leaves a void in the marketplace.

Enter the electric scooter. Electric scooters are not only fun, but don’t omit the CO2 cars are notorious for. Fortunately, more cities are investing in protected bike lanes to make alternative commuting options safer and more enticing. The bicycle is the most common option for alternative commuting, but the scooter has some distinct advantages to the bicycle.

Namely, a scooter can be easily folded, meaning when you need to combine your scooter travels with public transportation it is easy to do. The scooter is a great first and last mile option, and some of our highlighted scooters, such as the Unagi The Model One, are compact and light enough to pick up and carry into the office, carry on the bus or subway, or throw in your trunk.

Scooters are a fun and convenient way to commute, but also incredibly energy efficient compared to cars. Wired estimates scooters require just over 1% the energy that is necessary to fuel a car. Scooters can be exceedingly cost efficient too. The cost of even a high end scooter is the fraction the cost of a car or truck, and will provide ongoing savings if you traditionally use rideshare like Uber or Lyft too.

Adult Electric Scooter Reviews

Following countless hours of research, Unagi, Segway, and Apollo made our list for the Top 3 adult electric scooters. Each brand offers a unique personality, and differing reasons you might consider buying them over the competing brands. Unagi scooters are beautiful and fun, Segway scooters functionally provide everything you need, and Apollo scooters provide top of the line performance.

Unagi Scooters Review: Thoughtfully Designed

People love Tesla vehicles because they are innovative, good for the planet, perform better than older brands and technologies, and all of these benefits are packaged in a sleek design. If you are drawn to Tesla for these reasons, then Unagi scooters were made for you.

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, we need to pause and admire Unagi scooters for their beauty. There aren’t any others like them on the market. Most scooters look utilitarian in nature, but not Unagi scooters. The lines are clean, and everything from the handlebar to the kickstand looks like it was designed in Cupertino at Apple HQ. Strictly from an aesthetic standpoint, Unagi is the clear front-runner. The scooters are also customizable in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can stand out from the crowd.

It wouldn’t matter much if Unagi scooters were beautiful without performance to match, but Unagi doesn’t disappoint. The scooters go up to 17 mph, and weigh less than 27 lbs. The smaller motor is intended for flat, urban areas, but if you live in a hilly area or plan to use your scooter for commuting on rolling streets, you may need the more powerful motor.

After fully charging, which takes 4 to 5 hours, the Unagi scooters can go up to 15.5 miles. This is a shorter range than some competitors, but the Unagi is built to avoid bulk. It is lightweight and has a streamlined design. The Unagi scooters are the first in the market to fold with one button and one click, making it incredibly easy to pick it up and go.

One of my favorite features is that Unagi scooters have maintenance-free rubber tires. There is no air tube, so they can’t puncture, and never need to be filled with air. The innovative design with air pockets in the tires also provides shock absorption. Unagi scooters drip with innovation and quality. The battery is even made by a stalwart, Sony, so you know it is built to last.

What’s not to love? It’s no wonder Unagi calls the scooter “the world’s first luxury scooter for adults.” As subjective as that is, it just might be true.

Segway Kickscooter Review: For Everyday Commuting

Segway has been in the industry for years, and now has a portfolio that includes everything from smart balancing electric transporters (that is what they call the device you probably associate with the Segway name) to dirt e-bikes, and of course, electric scooters. In fact, they have a portfolio of multiple electric scooters to choose from. We recommend the Ninebot Kickscooter Max because it is designed for serious commuting.

Certainly it is useful for everyday uses outside of commuting, but the features that make the Ninebot Kickscooter a great commuter also make it a great scooter in general. As an example, consider the 40 mile range, which is more than double Unagi’s range. The Kickscooter Max also can conquer hills with up to a 20° incline, making it more than capable for most hills.

We also prefer the Max to the other Segway electric scooter models because the battery pack is under the platform rather than on the vertical shaft rising to the handlebars. This gives the Max a much more streamlined look. While the tires aren’t puncture resistant, they are considered “self-healing”. Segway says they can withstand multiple small punctures without deflating.

While the Kickscooter is a bit heavier, coming in at 41.2 lbs, it folds easily so you can hop on the bus or throw it in the back of your car. We also like that the scooter has an associated app, available on iOS and Android, so that you can keep track of all of your riding stats. The app can also be used to lock/unlock the scooter.

If you are looking for the best electric scooter for adults, the Segway Kickscooter Max deserves some serious consideration. Whether you're climbing hills on the way to work or meeting up with friends in the evening, the Kickscooter Max will meet all of your adulting needs.

Apollo Pro Scooter Review: Packed With Performance

While we love the Unagi and Segway scooters, it is obvious they are built for tame urban terrain. They are great for getting the job done, and perfect for commuting, but if you are an adrenaline junky looking for more, the Apollo Pro scooter is for you.

The first thing you notice when looking at the Apollo Pro is that the suspension system looks like it came off of a dirt bike. It is heavy duty and built to provide the ultimate riding experience. While uneven sidewalks and roads might create a bumpy ride for some of Apollo’s competitors, they are no match for the Apollo Pro suspension system. Heck, if you prefer, take the Apollo Pro to the trails when you are done with the asphalt jungle.

The suspension system is just the first visual clue about how the rest of the scooter is built. The top speed for the Apollo Pro is a whopping 38 MPH, which is twice as fast as either the Unagi The Model One scooter or the Segway Ninebot Kickscooter. It also has a maximum range of 56 miles.

And with front and rear motors packing 1000W of power, the Apollo Pro can handle inclines of up to 40 degrees with ease, and supports riders weighing up to 330 lbs. This bad boy can handle a hilly commute in San Francisco or a weekend on the local dirt bike trail.

So, what’s the catch? The Apollo Pro is the most expensive model that made our Top 3, but if you are looking for performance and quality, this adrenaline-seeking scooter is worth every penny.

Electric Scooter Customer Reviews

Don’t want to take our word for it? We understand. We carefully curated the most insightful five star reviews from around the web, so they are all right here at your fingertips. These reviews provide unique insights to help you make an informed decision.

5 Star Unagi Electric Scooter Reviews

Review from Laurence: My Wife and I gave one another an Unagis for Christmas. Her scooter is white and mine is black. She wears a white helmet when we go out. I wear black. Our favorite outing is to scoot over to our favorite restaurant about a half mile away - usually on Saturday morning - and dig in to a hearty breakfast. The food gets rave reviews from us but the two Unagis never fail to get rave reviews from everyone who sees them. We always take the long way home. Thanks Unagi for giving us zip on the neighborhood roads and even more for putting new zip into our lives.

Review from George: I really love this little scooter. I am a 63 year young gentleman, and did a lot of homework prior to buying. The Unagi is by far the best adult scooter on the market in my opinion. I ride it all over and think it's a great utility for short distance errands. I also love the looks I get from others when they see me on it. All in all, it's a terrific product, and I would buy another one in a minute.

Review from Nick: My Unagi amazed me in regards to its design, sheer power, and overall ride-ability. I have tested it now in a variety of conditions, ranging from pouring rain, to light snow, to dry road. It performs exceptionally in all environments. The acceleration is unmatched, when compared to other scooters on the market. If all other scooters on the market are Suzukis this is an Audi or BMW.

Review from Jonathon: My unagi scooter dual motor is fast, reliable, and very light. It’s great for traveling between buildings on college campuses and taking with you on public transit for longer hauls. It manages well on hills, and the breaks are very powerful. I always feel safe when riding.

5 Star Segway Electric Scooter Reviews

Review from Joseph: I just received the KickScooter MAX like 3 days ago and oh my I was blown away. It performed just as if not better as advertised. I was definitely satisfied and glad that I bought this product. I bought it to be able to use as transportation for work and it is just what I needed. It was definitely worth the price.

Review from Bradley: Great scooter. Easily pulls a 200lb man up 25% inclines. I average 18mph on 10% grades. It's really an improvement power wise over the other models. Quality is the best in the business. Buy with confidence that it's a great product. Lots of fun during the shelter order around the neighborhood.

Review from Todd: Scooter is fun to ride. It is fast and has enough power to keep its speed on hills. I live 1.5 miles from my office, I can get there in 6-8 minutes. I like getting some fresh air on the way to and from work. Overall I'm extremely satisfied.

Review from Lee: I LOVE MY Ninebot KickScooter MAX!! So many good things about this scooter! It is a smooth ride, easy to use, and love that it breaks down so you can travel with it in your car! I am so excited to ride it everyday, and I am so happy I made this purchase! It was delivered within 2 days of ordering, and choosing the financing option makes this scooter fit any budget!! Thank you Segway for making such an AWESOME SCOOTER!

5 Star Apollo Electric Scooter Reviews

Review from Mark: After taking a test drive I went back home and sold my old scooter so that I could buy the Pro. It’s really that good. Crazy power and really comfortable suspension. The battery is also amazing. I’ve gone on 18km rides and still had plenty of battery left. The guys at Apollo are amazing. Really nice people that really care about their customers. They’ve answered my texts many times without making me feel like I am bothering them. For me good customer service is just as important as the product. I would recommend buying from Apollo any day. Thank you guys for bringing the Apollo pro to Montreal. Just makes life so much more enjoyable especially in these difficult times.

Review from Katrina: I originally needed a smaller scooter, but having tried the Apollo Pro, I was convinced. I don't plan on using it at full speed all the time, but even at lower speeds the scooter is very comfortable. Larger wheels, big suspension, overall really good design. I will be able to park it in my garage, but I would not recommend buying it if you have to carry it anywhere.

Review from Caroline: Hello I am 44 but now I feel like I'm 15. This is the best gift I ever gave to myself. I commute 10 km now and I wish I would work further away (jk). I get upset when it's raining and I can't use my Apollo pro. I am not Neil Armstrong but it's a small ride for man one giant ride for mankind, ride electric save the planet.

Recommended Electric Scooter For Adults

By this time, hopefully we have provided enough information that you can choose the scooter that is best for you. Each has unique features that will fit your needs and style better than the others, but if you are looking for some help, we got you. We recommend the Unagi The Model One. It is often referenced as the “Tesla of Scooters” for a reason. Every part of the scooter was creatively designed. The Unagi electric scooter series is the perfect combination of function and form. We love the Unagi scooter so much, it made our list of the Ten Best Gifts For 2020.