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GOTRAX GXL Commuter Review

If you're looking for a quality scooter that won't leave your wallet light, then look no further than the GOTRAX GLX Commuter.
Best Buy Award
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Price:   $300 List | $299 at Amazon
Pros:  Price, Smooth ride, Stopping Power, Cruise control
Cons:  Relatively slow, Shorter travel radius
Manufacturer:   GOTRAX
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 12, 2019
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59
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 9
  • Range - 25% 5
  • Power - 25% 5
  • Ride - 20% 8
  • Portability - 15% 5
  • Braking - 15% 7

Our Verdict

The GOTRAX GLX Commuter is the clear choice for the Best Buy award as it performed like its higher-priced peers in most tests at a significantly lower price. The GLX has a smooth ride, climbs hills like a mule, stops on a dime and has some specialty features such as cruise control and a dual brake system actuated with a single hand lever. Given the savings, the restriction in travel radius and max speed can be overlooked.


Compare to Similar Products

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This Product
GOTRAX GXL Commuter
Awards Best Buy Award Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award  
Price $300 List
$299.00 at Amazon		$500 List
$399.00 at Amazon		$450 List$500 List
$499.99 at Amazon		$400 List
$399.90 at Amazon
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Pros Price, Smooth ride, Stopping Power, Cruise controlSmooth ride, Long battery life, Easy to carryLong range, Portable, FastFolded dolly function, Huge travel range, Hill climbing powerFast, Powerful brake system, Relatively inexpensive
Cons Relatively slow, Shorter travel radiusBrakes may require maintenance, ExpensiveVariable performanceRough ride, Single brakeShorter travel radius, Poorly designed folding latch
Bottom Line If you’re looking for a quality scooter that won’t leave your wallet light, then look no further than the GOTRAX GLX Commuter.The Xiaomi is a do it all scooter that combines ease, utility, and safety in a simple, yet sharp design.The Tomoloo would have been a top contender in the class were it not for its inconsistent, seemingly glitchy, behavior.If you want a scooter for commuting in an urban setting, then the Glion’s compact folded dimensions, efficient dolly design, and long-lasting battery life make this scooter a sure thing to simplify your transportation needs.If you have a need for speed and you don’t care as much about folding and stowing, then this general purpose scooter is a ticket to a fun ride.
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Rating Categories GOTRAX GXL Commuter Xiaomi Mi M365 Tomoloo L1 Glion Dolly Foldable MEGAWHEELS S5
Range (25%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
5
Power (25%)
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
4
10
0
6
10
0
6
Ride (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
3
10
0
7
Portability (15%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
5
Braking (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
4
10
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7
Specs GOTRAX GXL Commuter Xiaomi Mi M365 Tomoloo L1 Glion Dolly Foldable MEGAWHEELS S5
Measured Effective Range 10.1 miles 12.8 miles 10.9 miles 13.2 miles 10.1 miles
Measured charge time 3 hours 40 minutes 5 hours 10 minutes 4 hours 40 minutes 4 hours 25 minutes 3 hours
Tire type Pneumatic Pneumatic Pneumatic Honeycomb interior (solid) Pneumatic
Bell Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Screen Yes Battery indicator only Yes Battery indicator only Battery indicator only
App No No Yes No No
Tire size 8.5" 8.5" 8.5" 8" 8.5"
Manufacturer charge time 4 hours N/A 4-6 hours 3 hours 30 minutes 3 hours
Lights Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max load 220 lbs 220 lbs 220 lbs 255 lbs 265 lbs
Measured weight 27.3 lbs 27.2 lbs 29.3 lbs 28.7 lbs 26.7 lbs
Brake Electronic front brake and rear disc brake on one handle Electronic front brake and rear disc brake on one handle Electronic front brake and rear disc brake on one handle Anti-lock electronic located inside rear wheel Electronic front brake and rear disc brake on one handle
Battery lithium lithium lithium lithium-ion lithium-ion
Motor 250 Watt Rated 250 Watt
Max 500 Watt		 Rated 250 Watt
Max 500 Watt		 250 Watt 250 Watt

Our Analysis and Test Results

The GOTRAX GLX is a performance scooter with a price tag that will have you smiling. The best part of the deal is that very little is sacrificed for the savings. Yes, it's a bit slower than the other scooters, and it has a bit tighter travel radius. However, it climbs like a beast, it's fairly light and relatively easy to carry. It has a really smooth ride, and it has some useful add-ons such as cruise control, and a dual brake system operated with a single hand lever.

The GOTRAX GLX Commuter
The GOTRAX GLX Commuter

Performance Comparison


In our continued effort to find the best electric scooters - both in individual performance categories and overall - we run extensive side-by-side tests to push these machines to their limits so you know exactly what you're getting when you make a purchase. Our scooter analysis relies on five metrics that run the gamut of performance testing. These metrics are delineated below.

The GOTRAX has a relatively tight travel radius but recharges swiftly.
The GOTRAX has a relatively tight travel radius, but recharges swiftly.

Range


Our range tests are an assessment of two different but related capacities: travel radius and battery charging time. Travel radius is divided into two parts that we termed effective range and maximum range. Effective range is the maximum miles a scooter can traverse on level terrain at or near full speed. Conversely, the maximum range is an assessment of how far the scooter will go at any speed.

The GOTRAX GLX was an average performer in this category with an effective range of 10.1 and a maximum range of 10.9. However, a fully drained battery was fully charged in three hours and forty minutes, which was significantly faster than average.


The GOTRAX is below average in max speed but climbs quite well.
The GOTRAX is below average in max speed but climbs quite well.

Power


Hill climbing competence and flat ground max speed are how we define power in an electric scooter. The hill tests were conducted on two slopes. The first averages a 3.5% grade and the second 10.5%. While the GOTRAX GLX was below average in the speed test, maxing out at ~13mph, it made quick work of the shallower hill climb and achieved elite status for cresting the ¼ mile 10.5% grade.


The GOTRAX's pneumatic tires render a top tier ride.
The GOTRAX's pneumatic tires render a top tier ride.

Ride


The ride metric is simply an assessment of the feeling a scooter has as it crosses rough patches in the road such as cracks, and potholes. This is a somewhat subjective metric, however, there is no doubt that the GOTRAX's cushy pneumatic tires smooth out the rattles and jarring impacts of the road. Accordingly, it earned high scores in this category.


The GOTRAX's rear disk and front electronic brake are activated with a single handle lever.
The GOTRAX's rear disk and front electronic brake are activated with a single handle lever.

Braking


The braking metric is an evaluation of a scooter's capacity to maintain a certain speed when descending a steep hill and the distance required to come to a complete stop when cruising at the maximum speed of flat ground. The GOTRAX sports a single hand-lever dual brake system (front electronic brake and rear disk brake), so it isn't surprising that it performed well in both tests. What is surprising is that in flat ground stopping tests it did as well as scooters with a fender brake; the most powerful brake we've tested.


Folding the GOTRAX is not as easy (or quick) as it looks.
Folding the GOTRAX is not as easy (or quick) as it looks.

Portability


Portability is king for the commuter because a scooter has to be folded, picked up, and stored when it isn't in use. Our portability analysis evaluates the specific features that make a scooter easy to portage. This assessment focuses on weight, folding efficiency, carrying latch design, carrying ease, and folded measurements.

The GOTRAX GLX Commuter doesn't fare so well in this category because it's slow to fold-up, has above average folded dimensions and the carrying handle diameter was a bit too large to be comfortable for prolonged gripping.


Value


Value is essentially an assessment of the bang for the buck of a product, by this definition, the GLX is quite a value item. This product delivers high-end performance in many metrics while maintaining a middling price. As a result, this scooter claimed the Best Buy award.

Conclusion


While the GOTRAX GLX Commuter garners an average overall score, it has many of the characteristics of higher scoring contenders. It has a smooth ride, a powerful brake system, and some unique features like cruise control and a single lever dual brake system. With all these high-end qualities at an affordable price, we think that many consumers will overlook the shorter travel radius and slower max speed.


— Nick Miley and Austin Palmer