In this post, I’m going to be looking at 7 of the best cheap electric scooters available for under £300 in 2023. All of the e-scooters featured in this article have been selected based on specification, customer reviews and overall value for money.
Are cheap electric scooters any good?
Over the last couple of years, the choice available to the consumer has exploded with 100’s of different models to choose from. It’s not always easy to separate the good from the bad and even some of the more established brands can suffer gremlins.
Generally speaking, the cheap electric scooters currently available are fairly reliable. Unbranded lithium cells will mean the batteries may not have the same longevity as their more expensive counterparts. The technology used in the electric motors on these e-scooters is not particularly complex and therefore quite reliable.
The display units and motor controllers used are also fairly simple, but one area these cheap electric scooters tend to lag behind is in waterproofing. A lot of e-scooters available for under £300 only have basic waterproofing, meaning they’re okay to use in light rain, but riding in persistent and heavy rain with waterlogged road surfaces may cause problems.
Where can you legally use an electric scooter?
Unfortunately, if you live in the UK you’re not meant to use an e-scooter in public spaces or on roads. Electric scooters still aren’t covered by law and instead come under the umbrella of the road traffic act and are classified as a ‘powered transporters’. This means if you are caught riding one of these, you face having your e-scooter seized and it’s likely you’ll get 6 penalty points on your driving licence (if you have one).
I personally completely disagree with the law as it stands and share the frustrations of thousands of responsible e-scooter riders who just want a cheap and efficient means of transport to go about their daily business. The law is archaic and needs overhauling right now.
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Despite current laws (in the UK), some areas seem more e-scooter friendly than others. It seems that in some cities, the police do not actively pursue responsible riders of privately owned electric scooters.
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In Europe, the laws are much fairer and in most European countries e-scooters are a common sights.
Can you use a cheap e-scooter for commuting?
All of the cheap electric scooters featured below could be used for a fairly short commute to work. But this will depend on a few variables. If there’s any hills or even slight inclines, you may need to get off and walk as a 250w or 350w motor isn’t going to be powerful enough on it’s own to propel an adult uphill. If your commute is flat, then I don’t see a problem.
Battery range will depend on rider weight and power level used. The e-scooters below all have fairly low energy batteries, so maximum range is going to be in the 7-10 mile region.
The 7 Best Cheap Electric Scooters are…
And so, on to my shortlist of the 7 best cheap electric scooters available in 2023.
Gotrax XR Ultra
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”High quality and affordable e-scooter” description=”If you’re looking for a high-quality electric scooter that offers excellent value for money, the Gotrax XR Ultra is hard to beat. Powered by a reliable LG lithium battery, this scooter can reach speeds of up to 25km/h and travel up to 25km on a single charge. The strong 300w motor and dual braking system make it easy to navigate even the busiest streets, and the IP54 water resistance ensures you’ll be able to use it in all weather conditions. So if you’re looking for a practical way to get around town, the Gotrax XR Ultra is definitely worth checking out!” score=”8.5″ ]
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- Best seller with lots of positive feedback
- Decent performance
- High quality LG lithium cells
- Well-built
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- None
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Kugoo S1 Pro
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”Good performance for the price” description=”If you’re looking for a great-performing electric scooter that doesn’t break the bank, the Kugoo S1 Pro is the perfect option. With a powerful 350w motor and peak power output of 480w, this scooter can reach speeds of up to 30km/h. The anti-lock e-braking system ensures a smooth and safe ride, while the lightweight and compact design makes it easy to transport and store. I’ve personally owned a Kugoo S1 Pro and considering I weigh 100kg this e-scooter coped surprisingly well!” score=”8″ ]
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- Very good performance for the price
- Compact design
- Lightweight
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- Honeycomb tyres lack feedback
- Generic lithium cells
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Xiaomi Mi 1S
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”Global best-seller from Xiaomi” description=”The Xiaomi Mi 1S electric scooter is the perfect choice for commuters looking for a fast, lightweight, and reliable mode of transportation. The 250w motor and 36v 7.6Ah battery provide a range of 30km, while the top speed of 25km/h ensures you’ll get to your destination quickly. At only 12.5kg, this electric scooter is easy to carry around with you wherever you go.” score=”7.7″ ]
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- Lightweight at only 12.5kg
- High quality construction
- Regen braking
- Decent lights
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- May be underpowered for larger riders
- Generic lithium cells
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Eleglide S1 Plus 🏆
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”Very high spec for the price” description=”The Eleglide S1 Plus punches well above it’s weight when it comes to specification. Featuring a punchy 400w brushless motor with 36v 12.5Ah (450Wh) battery, the Eleglide leaves the others for dust in both range and performance. It’s also physically larger and would be more suitable for larger riders. The S1 Plus also benefits from larger 10 inch tyres, making this e-scooter ideal for riding on unpaved surfaces.” score=”9″ ]
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- Excellent performance for the price
- Suitable for larger adult riders
- Longer range battery
- 10 inch Pneumatic tyres
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- Heavy at 16kg
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AOVO PRO ES80
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”Best all-rounder in terms of performance and range” description=”The Aovo Pro ES80 is another electric scooter that offers more than you’d expect at this price. Featuring a 350w motor with 36v 10.5Ah battery, the Aovo Pro sits halfway between the Eleglide (above) and Xiaomi Mi 1S in terms of specification. Braking is provided by an e-brake (front) and mechanically disc (rear). There’s also front and rear lighting and kickstand. The Aovo Pro is also surprisingly light considering the larger battery. Definitely one of the best e-scooters on this list and well worth a look.” score=”8.8″ ]
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- Best allrounder for range and performance
- E-Brake and rear mechanical disc
- Surprisingly lightweight
- IP54 water resistant
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- Generic lithium cells
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Gotrax GXL V2
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”Updated version of popular e-scooter” description=”The Gotrax GXL V2 is the latest version of one of the most popular electric scooters on the market. Its 36v 5.2Ah battery provides a range of 10-12 miles, making it a favourite amongst commuters and urban riders. It’s well-built and solid construction means it can handle even the roughest streets, while its IP54 water resistant design ensures reliability no matter what the weather. And with its reasonable price tag, the GXL V2 is perfect for anyone looking for a fun, efficient way to get around town.” score=”8″ ]
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- Good customer feedback
- Solid build quality
- Smooth motor
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- Short range
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Niubility N2
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[wpsm_reviewbox title=”Not bad, but a little underpowered” description=”I’ve test ridden the Niubility N2 electric scooter and I was impressed with the size and general feel. Unfortunately it was let down by feeling underpowered for the size. In fairness, I’m a big chap, but it wouldn’t take me up the slightest of inclines without giving up. My 14 year old daughter got on just fine with it though. It seems well-built, it’s good value and definitely worth a look if you weigh under 75kg.” score=”7.7″ ]
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- Good value for money
- Sturdy with large deck
- Smooth power delivery
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- Feels underpowered for large riders
- Quite heavy
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Conclusion
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All of the e-scooters featured here offer excellent value for money. If you’re just after a simple and effective mode of transport to get you from A to B, then you won’t go far wrong.
If I had to pick a winner based on specification, the the Eleglide S1 Pro wins hands down! For just under £300, it offers a thoroughly decent spec with a 450Wh battery and 400w motor. Next in line would be the Aovo Pro ES80, with a 36v 10.4Ah battery and 350w motor it’s a lot of e-scooter for the price.
The Kugoo S1 Pro is another decent cheap electric scooter – I’ve personally owned one of these and it goes surprisingly well, and seems to be reliable over the longer term.
All the other cheap electric scooters featured here will do the job, but some will be only suitable for the smaller rider due to their lower power output.
Whatever you decide, riding an e-scooter is a fun way to get around and hopefully the UK government will change the outdated laws in the very near future. In the meantime, ride safe, be respectful and don’t draw attention to yourself.[/wpsm_box]
