Where to buy an electric scooter: what to check before you pay

The four places to buy an electric scooter

Most electric scooters are sold through four kinds of seller. Each has real strengths and trade offs, and none is right for everyone.

• Maker websites. The brand sells its own models directly. You see the full lineup, the newest models and the maker’s own specs and manuals. The trade off: you only see one brand, so comparing means visiting several sites, and shipping, return and support terms differ from maker to maker.
• Multi-brand online stores. One site carries many brands, so you can compare models side by side and buy with one checkout and one support contact. The trade off: you cannot see the electric scooter before it arrives, and each store sets its own shipping, return and support terms, so read them.
• Marketplaces. Large shopping sites list models from many sellers, often with lots of reviews. The trade off: the seller may be a third party rather than the maker or a store that carries the brand, the listing is written by that seller, and warranty and returns can depend on who sold it. Check the seller’s name, whether the item is new, and who handles a warranty claim.
• Local shops. A bike or scooter shop lets you see a model, check the fold and lift it before you buy, and some let you try the models they stock. Many also set up and service what they sell. The trade off: a smaller selection, limited to the brands that shop carries.

We are a multi-brand online store, with 30+ brands and 200+ models across electric scooters, electric bikes, electric dirt bikes and kids’ rides. We sell online only, with no showroom, so if you want to see a model in person first, look for a local shop that stocks it.

Six things to check before you pay

Wherever you buy, these six checks matter more than the name on the website.

• The warranty, and who handles it. The maker sets the warranty terms, and they vary by brand, model and part. Ask who you contact when something fails: the seller, the maker or both. Our electric scooter warranty guide explains what is usually covered.
• The return window. Check how many days you have, what condition the electric scooter must be in and who pays to send it back. Many sellers only take back a scooter that has not been ridden, so read the terms before your first ride.
• Parts. Tires, tubes, brake pads and chargers wear out or go missing. Check that the maker or the seller can supply them for your model.
• Certification. Look for UL 2272 certification on an electric scooter, or UL 2849 on an electric bike, and check that an independent lab tested and listed the model. The Segway F3, Hiboy S2 MAX and NAVEE V25 Pro, for example, list UL 2272 certification in their specs. Our UL 2272 and UL 2849 guide shows how to check a claim.
• Shipping and setup. Check what shipping costs, how the electric scooter is packed and how much assembly it needs. Many arrive folded in one box, with a handlebar to fit and bolts to tighten.
• Payment options. Check whether you can pay over time, and compare the total cost of any plan with the price, not just the monthly payment.

Buying an electric scooter online

When you buy online, the electric scooter comes to you, so the first hour after delivery matters most.

• Photograph the box before you open it, especially any dents or tears, and keep the packing until you are sure the electric scooter is right for you.
• Check the parts against the manual: the scooter, the charger, any handlebar parts, the tools and the paperwork.
• Charge it fully with the supplied charger before the first ride.
• Set the tire pressure to the figure in the manual or on the tire, and test both brakes and the lights.

Our electric scooter setup guide walks through unboxing, assembly, the first charge and tire pressure step by step.

Your first test ride. Pick a quiet, open space, wear a helmet and start in the lowest speed mode. Test both brakes at walking pace, then practice starting, stopping and turning before you ride in traffic. Our guide on how to ride an electric scooter covers the basics.

Can’t try the model before you buy? Compare the weight, folded size and max load on the product page with your stairs, your storage space and your own weight, and read the return terms before you order.

How the checklist looks with us

If you are considering our store, here is where to find each answer. We are online only, with no showroom.

• Shipping: free shipping to the lower 48 states.
• Returns: rides have a 14-day return window. The conditions are on our returns and exchanges page.
• Warranty: our warranty page explains how claims work when you buy from us.
• Payment: Pay in 4 at 0% APR on orders up to $2,000, or a monthly plan, subject to approval.
• Brands: every brand we carry has its own page with its lineup, all listed on our brands page. Our guide to the best electric scooter brands explains what each one does well.

Browse every model in the electric scooter shop. Questions about a model before you order? Contact us.

Questions riders ask