What to Look for in an Electric Scooter

If you are serious about buying an electric scooter for yourself or someone else then allow us to provide a quick guide on the best attributes to watch out for. There aren’t too many of them but it’s always wise to pick a scooter that has features that are most compatible with your needs. It’s also important to keep in mind what the scooter will be used for, whether its transportation to school or simply outdoor activities for leisure. Also keep in mind how often you plan on using the scooter (for example, 5 days a week, 2 hours per day).

Basic specs like total weight, battery life and max speeds, and distances are always worth taking into consideration. You need to make sure your vehicle will last as long as you need it to, and that it won’t be too heavy for you to transport.

Comfort, safety and build quality are all big factors. The riding experience needs to feel smooth and stable. You want to feel as if your scooter can handle typical city terrain while keeping you firm and steady. Keeping the vehicle in good shape is a two-way street: it depends on both yourself and the manufacturer. Pick a scooter that is made from solid materials and will be usable for many years.

We also take things like extra features and cosmetics into account but don’t weigh them nearly as much as the previous factors. Pretty lights and metal finishes are a nice touch but they don’t influence the final impression too much.

With all this said, let’s get into the meat of our Segway ES4 review.

Basic Specifications

If you were to compare the Ninebot ES4 to its previous models the initial similarities would be undeniable. There are however several changes to this latest version. Some of them are subtle but some of them are more in your face.

The Ninebot ES4 is the heaviest out of all four versions to date but not by much. The other three models weighed 25, 26 and 28 pounds each while the Ninebot ES4 weighs around 30. It’s a marginal difference and you really can’t feel that extra couple of pounds, especially when riding the scooter.

The age group Segway recommends for using the Ninebot ES4 is from 14 to 60 years old. It’s a powerful and relatively fast device so it is suggested that small children and the elderly do not operate this scooter for their own safety.

The weight limit is roughly 220 pounds just like all models in the Segway ES series. The maximum incline angle of the ES4 has also been increased from 10 degrees to 15. It can now ride up steeper slopes with little issue no matter what speed you’re hitting.

The two biggest things that separate the ES4 from its predecessors are the power and the battery life. Like the ES2, there are actually two batteries. One is internal and the other is external. The external battery can be equipped or disconnected at your leisure and discretion. The second battery extends the distance you can get per journey.

As for power, the ES4 has some impressive stats. It is capable of going up to 19 miles per hour whereas the ES2 and ES3 could only reach 15.5mph. This should satisfy anyone who likes to get to where they’re going in a rush or those who just like the thrill of speed. The max range stats are even more astonishing thanks to the extra battery. With both batteries connected, you can go 28 miles per charge (halved when only using the internal source).

Build Quality and Comfortable

The overall physical design of the Ninebot ES4 is quite good. The stand where your feet are placed seems to be unchanged from prior models but features a mesh pattern for grip. It’s very easy to keep balance while moving even when wearing only your socks (though wearing footwear is always recommended).

The scooter folds up quite easily and nicely. While a little heavy, you can take it with you into virtually any vehicle whenever necessary. The components used in the inner gears feel and sound tough and reliable.

The Ninebot ES4 comes in two colors: dark gray and silver gray. We prefer the look of silver but if you do scratch it the blemishes will be more noticeable. They’re both basic colors and aren’t too flashy but they look fine all at once too. They’re simple yet clean looking.

While models like this will be subject to wear and tear over time, you don’t need to worry about it losing its functionality. The ES4 is a strong scooter and should still function for many years.

Safety

Segway is a company known for taking safety precautions very seriously. This is apparent once we take into account some of the new features that were added into the ES4.

One of those additions is the rear light. This was also present in the ES2 but not the first two models. If you ever plan on using your scooter after dark, then something like this extra backlight is arguably a must-have. Being visible is very important so that drivers or cyclists can see you from several feet away. The rear light is a smart addition and it really gives you good peace of mind as you’re riding in the evening.

Both ends of the scooter are fitted with shock absorbent materials. This means that in the event you heavily bump into something, the ES4 will not rattle you as hard. The machine stays relatively firm thanks to both this feature and the fact that it weights a nice 30 pounds.

The one negative we have to say is that the ES4’s riding experience suffers on a variety of terrain. Smooth roads and sidewalks work perfectly but it doesn’t handle bumps or cracks as well as we’d like. One should be on the lookout for such obstacles in the first place but it would still be nice if Segway could have made the ride a little smoother in such cases.

Wheels

Surprisingly, the tires are one of the least impressive things about the ES4. Segway has a history of modifying wheels during revisions to their Segway line of scooters, so the fact that ES4 wheels are identical to the rest of the ES line was a little bit disappointing.

They’re still solid wheels, the front being 8 inches and the back is 7.5 inches. They work great on the surfaces they’re meant to ride on. Just make sure to stay away from most other kinds of ground. The ES4 loses a lot of its acceleration and traction on dirt, sand, grass and in puddles. Owners of this scooter would usually just stick to roads and sidewalks anyway but wheels are arguably the most important component of any electric vehicle. It’s still a shame they received no change in this new model.

Steering is something that Segway has always had nailed down and the ES4 is no exception here. Turning corners at either 5mph or 18mph is seamless and effortless. You may want to do some practice if this is your first electric scooter but the learning curve is quite minor.

Extra Features

The second external battery is arguably the best feature the ES4 has. While we already covered it in previous sections, it deserves to be brought up again. One of the biggest conveniences the ES4 offers you is the ability to swap batteries, so to speak. You can use the internal battery while the external is charging at home, or you can use a fully charged external if the internal is dead. It really opens up some options to you if you’re in a hurry or if you forgot to plug one of them in.

In typical Segway fashion, the ES4 has Bluetooth functionality and can wirelessly connect to your smartphone. That’s right, the Segway ES4 has its own app. With this tool, you can customize LED lights, use the anti-theft function and its alarm, and perform vehicle diagnostics. It’s outside the box stuff like this that really makes Segway’s work so special. They might seem like gimmicks but they add a lot more value than one might expect.

The cruise control feature is something we weren’t expecting to be using as much as we did but it’s really handy. Feeling the breeze on your face while cruising at around 12mph is such a sweet spot for the comfort factor. It’s a nice addition that can make your ride even cozier.

In Conclusion

The Segway ES4 electric scooter is a great device but it just falls a little short in too many areas to be considered a marvel. The second battery is a great addition and the max distances and speeds you can get are impressive. Unfortunately, there are just a few glaring omissions in the updates that might make this scooter seem a little overpriced. It’s certainly a step in the right direction but it still isn’t even the safest or the fastest electric scooter on the market.

People looking for a no-hassle way to get from point A to point B will probably love the ES4. It’s easy and fun to use. People looking for the most state of the art electric scooter will probably want to look for something with more speed and more extra features.

Thanks for checking out our review. We hope that it has been informative in helping you find the best electric or motorized device for your needs.