The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of tech gear

Ninebot KickScooter by Segway ES2 Review

Testers were less than impressed with this scooter's performance in light of the price tag.
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Price:   $570 List | $569 at Amazon
Pros:  Fast, Front Suspension, Cruise control
Cons:  Limited travel radius, Bulky/ long frame, Expensive
Manufacturer:   Segway
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 12, 2019
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60
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 9
  • Range - 25% 4
  • Power - 25% 6
  • Ride - 20% 6
  • Portability - 15% 7
  • Braking - 15% 8

Our Verdict

Despite a polished look and impressive cruising speed, the Ninebot Segway ES 2 lacks in general performance that would have put it in contention with less expensive models. The ES 2 has a limited range and lacks hill climbing power. Moreover, it's frame is long and has an awkward caring handle; making it harder to transport.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award  
Price $570 List
$569.00 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 Fast, Front Suspension, 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 Limited travel radius, Bulky/ long frame, ExpensiveBrakes may require maintenance, ExpensiveVariable performanceRough ride, Single brakeShorter travel radius, Poorly designed folding latch
Bottom Line Testers were less than impressed with this scooter’s performance in light of the price tag.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 Ninebot... Xiaomi Mi M365 Tomoloo L1 Glion Dolly Foldable MEGAWHEELS S5
Range (25%)
10
0
4
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
5
Power (25%)
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
4
10
0
6
10
0
6
Ride (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
3
10
0
7
Portability (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
5
Braking (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
4
10
0
7
Specs Ninebot... Xiaomi Mi M365 Tomoloo L1 Glion Dolly Foldable MEGAWHEELS S5
Measured Effective Range 8.5 miles 12.8 miles 10.9 miles 13.2 miles 10.1 miles
Measured charge time 3 hours 30 minutes 5 hours 10 minutes 4 hours 40 minutes 4 hours 25 minutes 3 hours
Tire type Solid Pneumatic Pneumatic Honeycomb interior (solid) Pneumatic
Bell No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Screen Yes Battery indicator only Yes Battery indicator only Battery indicator only
App Yes No Yes No No
Tire size 8" 8.5" 8.5" 8" 8.5"
Manufacturer charge time 3 hours 30 minutes 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 27.2 lbs 27.2 lbs 29.3 lbs 28.7 lbs 26.7 lbs
Brake Electronic front brake and rear fender foot brake 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-ion lithium lithium lithium-ion lithium-ion
Motor Nominal Power 300W
Max Power 700W		 Rated 250 Watt
Max 500 Watt		 Rated 250 Watt
Max 500 Watt		 250 Watt 250 Watt

Our Analysis and Test Results

This scooter delivered an inconsistent performance throughout our testing routine. The ES 2 is fast, has a sharp look and it has some nifty features such as an atmosphere (ground) light and cruise control. However, it lacks in portability, in hill climbing power and, most notably, in travel radius.

The Ninebot KickScooter
The Ninebot KickScooter

Performance Comparison


Our passion is producing consumer reviews that cut to the chase with practical, head-to-head product evaluations so you can buy the right product the first time. To achieve this we bought the top electric scooters on the market and ran them through a grinding set of tests that simulate all the ways in which they would be used out in the wild.

Topping out at over 16 mph the Ninebot KickScooter is one of the fastest scooters in the review.
Topping out at over 16 mph, the Ninebot KickScooter is one of the fastest scooters in the review.

Power


For the purposes of this review we delineate power in a scooter as the ability to climb hills and maximum flat ground speed. The hill tests are conducted on a 3.5% and a 10.5% grade. While the ES 2 impressed all with its 16+ mph max speed, it left us scratching our heads when it failed to climb the steeper of the two hills and slowed ~12 mph on the shallower grade.

The Ninebot suffered in the rakings as a result of its relatively short travel radius.
The Ninebot suffered in the rakings as a result of its relatively short travel radius.

Range


The range assessment has two components, travel radius and charging time. Travel radius is subdivided into maximum and effective miles. The prior is the number of miles that a scooter can travel on flat ground at any speed, the later is the number of miles that the machine can travel at or near max speed. The ES 2 left a lot to be desired in the range category traversing a mere 8.5 effective miles (9 miles max) on a full charge. However, it did recharge swiftly (3.5 hours), which is nice since it will need to be charged more frequently.

Braking


The Ninebot has one of the best braking systems we've seen, which is good because it's one of the fastest machines in the fleet. The scooter employs a front electronic and rear fender brake that made rapid flat ground stops fast and efficient. Additionally, it held testers to a comfortable speed when descending the steepest of hills

The Ninebot's solid rubber tires and the mono-shock atop the front fork.
The Ninebot's solid rubber tires and the mono-shock atop the front fork.

Ride


The Ninebot ES 2 is the only scooter in this review that scores high marks in the ride category and has solid rubber wheels. This is because the ride metric is an assessment of how smooth the product feels when it hits cracks and bumps in the road and solid tires issue a lot of feedback. To remedy this issue without scraping the maintenance-free solid tires, Segway utilizes a front and rear shock. We have to say, it helps. And, as a result, this scooter received marks comparable to the models with pneumatic tires.

The Ninebot is the longest and widest folded scooter in the review but it carries well nonetheless.
The Ninebot is the longest and widest folded scooter in the review, but it carries well nonetheless.

Portability


Portability is a chief concern for the commuter crowd because the scooter has to be folded, picked up, and stored when it's not being ridden. Our portability tests assess those features that render a scooter easy to portage. These are folding ease, carrying latch functionality, weight, carrying ease and folded proportions.

The ES 2 does pretty well in this category with a couple of notable exceptions. This scooter is long, the longest in our review at 45". Also, the carrying handle is a large diameter tube that may pose problems for those with smaller hands.

Value


Considering that the Ninebot Segway ES 2 is the most expensive scooter in our reviewed and yet it won no awards, we have to say that it isn't that great of a value. That's not to say that it isn't a quality product, just that your dollars would go further elsewhere.

Conclusion


Segway produces a scooter with aesthetic lines that boogies when you pin the accelerator, and its brake system is competitive with the best in the class. However, this product misses the mark on some key features such as travel radius and hill climbing power. Add to these shortfalls some sticker shock and we think you'll agree that there are other products more worthy of your attention.


— Nick Miley and Austin Palmer