While hoverboards were once all the rage, the interest has shifted to electric scooters over the past few years – and considering how much easier they are to control, it’s not hard to see why.
Offering a convenient, environmentally friendly way for people to get around and a fun riding experience, eScooters are hugely popular – even if they are still illegal to ride on public roads in the UK.
Even if you do have private land to ride them on, the issue is that they can be expensive if you don’t know where to look, with some boasting hefty price tags. But, like most products on the market, there are deals to be had if you know where to look, and you could potentially save a bundle.
We’ve used our expertise to scour the web and find the best electric scooter deals available right now – not just those that look good on the surface.
What are the best electric scooters available right now?
One of the most popular electric scooters around is the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2. It’s much cheaper than many of its overseas rivals and offers a great blend of reliability and value for money with top speeds of 15mph and a range of 18.6 miles. There is a newer third-gen Xiaomi scooter, but the Scooter Pro 2 still offers a tempting setup at an even cheaper price than before.
Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 – best prices right now
While the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 is a great all-rounder (as well as a mouthful to say!) there are electric scooters designed for longer trips.
The Ninebot Max G30 is a great example of this, with the same 350W motor, but with larger air-filled tyres and an impressive 40-mile range. There’s also the added bonus of a built-in charging unit, meaning you need only plug a kettle cable in to charge it up – much more convenient than the large, heavy brick chargers bundled with most alternatives.
Ninebot Max G30 – best prices right now
There are plenty of other great electric scooters on the market, but if you’re in the UK remember that it’s illegal to ride an electric scooter on public footpaths and roads in the UK despite trials of e-scooter rental systems going live – you’re only allowed to use them on private property, and if you get caught, you run the risk of being charged with driving with no insurance, receiving a fine or having your scooter confiscated.
We’ve got more information on UK law in our guide to electric scooter law in the UK, and we’d recommend taking a read before taking the plunge.
Where to buy an electric scooter in the UK
If you’re still on the hunt for an electric scooter bargain in the UK, we’d keep an eye on the following retailers. As well as stocking eScooters all year round, the retailers regularly offer discounts and deals for savvy bargain hunters.
We’d recommend keeping an eye on Amazon for great electric scooter deals, and if you don’t mind importing from overseas, Gearbest is another great option – although beware of potential importing fees, especially post-Brexit. Other retailers that offer deals on electric scooters include:
The restrictions on UK usage mean that many of the big retailers simply don’t stock them, although the tide is slowly changing. In situations like this, the easiest way is to head to a dedicated outdoor specialist like those mentioned above, or import one from China via sites like GearBest – albeit with increased fees.
Just be warned that buying from China will make it very difficult to return if you need any repairs, and you may have to pay import fees too.
Best electric scooter deals right now
If you’ve got your heart set on an electric scooter and want to save a bit of money, these are the best deals we’ve found online.
Xiaomi Mi 3 Electric Scooter
The latest in Xiaomi’s growing collection of electric scooters, the Xiaomi Mi 3 offers up to 18 miles on a single charge, speeds of up to 15mph, a new LED display and a rear dual-pad disc brake on the rear. At less than £400, it’s a tempting deal.
Razor E-Prime Air
If you’re on the market for a lightweight electric scooter, Razor’s E-Prime Air is the ideal candidate weighing in at just 9.8kg. It might not be as powerful as others in our roundup, with a maximum rider weight of 91kg and a max range of just 10 miles, but it’s by far the lightest scooter around right now.
Author: Lewis Painter, Senior Staff Writer
Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You'll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.