These e-scooters are fast becoming the preferred mode of transport for anyone looking to avoid packed trains, cut out unnecessary car journeys and arrive at their destination without looking like they’ve just been dragged backwards through a bush. For a long time the most widely mass produced e-scooter on the planet, the Xiaomi M365 (or some variant) was the workhorse of many e-scooter rental apps. Bear in mind that the ranges stated below are given by the manufacturer and measured under ideal conditions.

The Decent One Max is a no-frills electric scooter that manages to pack in many sought-after specs and features. The mudguard brake can stop you even quicker in the case of an emergency but, thankfully, I didn’t need to use it at any point. If your main priority is portability and simplicity, the stylish and lightweight Xiaomi Mi 1S is the electric scooter for you. Gone are the hard-wearing rubber wheels, replaced with air-filled tyres for a more comfortable ride.

There are imminent plans in the UK to regulate and authorize the use of private scooters on public streets, but until these new rules are implemented – and depending on where in the world you are – the e-scooters in our list are only permitted for use on private land. There’s Beginner mode, which is limited to a maximum speed of 6mph, Normal mode, which is limited to 9mph, and Sports mode, which lets you scoot about at up to 15. The lightest electric scooter we’ve tested, the Unagi Model One is a nippy little ride with a stylish magnesium alloy handlebar, integrated display and carbon fibre tubing.

This is a robust and high-performance ride built for reliability and comfort, with a hard-working motor that tackles steep inclines with aplomb. With other models you can sometimes manage to push a few extra miles per hour on a descent but, in the case of the One Max, that wasn’t the case and I was unable to get above 15.s January 2022 review, they found the Decent scooter to be one of the lightest they had tested, mentioning it was relatively easy to fold down and was no slouch over their 60m speed test. Those solid rubber tyres are puncture-proof, durable and well-suited to smooth roads, but will rattle your teeth on rough terrain. As with many models, the brake lever with attached bell is on the left of the handlebar and the thumb throttle accelerator to the right. However, this allows the battery to be removed and replaced in seconds, and also means it’s better protected than on some other scooters, where the battery is located in the base plate. You can receive six penalty points and a fine for using a mobile phone while riding an electric scooter.