It’s cool for adults to ride scooters! There, we’ve said it, and to be honest, it feels good. Why should the kids have all the fun? OK, a fully grown adult channeling Tom Hanks in Big, whizzing down the road on a self-propelled two wheeler is going to turn a few heads but who cares, it’s great to release your inner daft kid once in a while. However, scooting is not all about leaving your tire marks on the park trail or out two-wheeling your mates in a scooter race downhill. There are also some really grown up reasons why an adult scooter could be your next mode of transport.
Kick scooters are a great way to keep fit, build up your street cred with the under 10s in your life or for taking the effort out of walking the pooch in the park. They are also the ultimate mode of zero emissions urban transport, so if you are fed up with the subway crush on your way into work each day, then commuter scooting could be the way to go. Different scooter designs focus on comfort, glide, agility and handling so choosing your new adult scooter will all depend on what you want to do with it – commute, leisure or bike park antics – as well as how far and how often you want to travel on it.
To help you make your final choice, we’ve looked at the best adult scooters out there, to show there is a scooter for any occasion. And trust us, once you take up the scooter life there is no (two-wheel) turning back.
The Best Adult Scooter
1Schwinn Adult Shuffle Scooter
Is it a town bike or is it an adult scooter? Actually, it’s a bit of both! The Shuffle is a kick scooter with the nostalgic look of an old-school bicycle but with some nice scoot tech for a comfy, laid-back ride. Perhaps not the traditional choice for your typical skatepark dude but for a long leisure ride along a seaside boardwalk, park trail or around town, the Shuffle really comes into its own.
Whether you’re using the Schwinn Shuffle for exercise, hanging out with the family or scoot-walking the dog, the large handlebars put you in a super comfortable scooting position and the front brake gives you the control. Super sturdy and suitable for a range of adult heights, the large front wheel with alloy rims take bumps in its stride and the front and rear fenders keep your best scooting shoes splash-free. The high foot deck does mean you need to make a bit more of an effort to propel forward but once you get going, it’s a totally enjoyable ride. The Shuffle is an unconventional scooter that will turn more heads than usual (but let’s be honest, you will never blend into the background if you are an adult riding a scooter) but for the price, it is an absolute pleasure to ride.
Large 26” front wheel with alloy wheel rims
Alloy front & rear linear pull brakes for all condition braking
Front and rear fenders to protect rider against water and debris
Wide comfy handle bars for easy steering
Comes with a lifetime warranty
- BrandSchwinn
- ModelS5808AZ
- Weight27 pounds
Large front wheel gives you less of a bumpy ride
A super coaster on long, even stretches of sidewalk or road
Rear handbrake on front handlebar
Doesn’t fold so not the best bet for the daily commute
High deck means you need make more of an effort to get going
2SWAGTRON Swagger Adult Electric Scooter
We couldn’t review the best adult scooters currently out there without throwing an electric scooter into the mix and here it is, the wonderfully-named Swagatron Swagger High Speed.
When it comes to performance, there’s a not-so-subtle clue in the name: this deceptively innocent looking scooter is onefast mover, with a 250watt motor that can boost this e-scooter to a max speed of 15mph for a range of 4 – 15 miles.
100% electric with zero emissions, the swaggering Swagatron will take the strain out of that early morning commute and leave pedestrian workers in your wake. With its intuitive handlebar throttle and brake, it is super easy to ride, and its carbon fiber frame is surprisingly strong, handling a rider up to 250 pounds with ease and no loss in performance. You can even activate the built-in cruise control on longer rides and relax as the front wheel suspension helps you glide down uneven city streets and campus sidewalks. There’s also a handy control panel, so you can check your speed, distance and remaining battery life as you electro-scoot along.
And should you lose power, the Swaggercan also be operated as a manual kick scooter if the battery does give up the ghost mid-commute. In short, a super fun, urban performance electric scooter for when you need a helping hand. You may also be interested in some of the best folding bikes from our list, so check them out.
Compact foldable design with a lightweight carbon fiber frame
Motorized front wheel suspension for a smooth ride
Nippy 3 speed, 250-watt motor with a max speed of 15mph
Control panel shows speed, distance and battery life
Easy to drive, with a built in cruise control
- BrandSwagtron
- ModelSWAGGER 1, BLACK
- Weight17.26 pounds
Compact and super easy to use
Takes inclines of up to 20% in its electric stride
Can also be operated as a manual kick scooter
Battery life isn’t quite as good as the manual claims
The motor makes it a little on the heavy side
3Razor A5 Lux Adult Scooter
Razor are a popular choice in the scooter market and with this well-priced, all-round kick scooter that’s been luxed up for the taller adult rider, it’s easy to see why.
The A5 Lux is a lightweight, super strong animal made from aircraft grade aluminum frame and deck with large 200mm wheels to take the strain out of uneven roads and surfaces. The adjustable handlebars can rise to an impressive 104cm to give a comfortable ride for anyone over 6ft and its deck is just about long enough to accommodate two large feet. Easy to fold and carry, the Razor A5 Lux makes a satisfactory commuter scooter, but it is at weekends that this unassuming adult scooter comes into its own, with enough flex and agility to play well. It’s a great buy for the active dad wanting to join junior out on a pleasure scoot but who doesn’t want to spend mega bucks. And for scooting thrills, it has enough features and get up and go to please the ultimate big kid.
Made from aircraft grade aluminum frame and deck
Adjustable handlebars; easy to fold and carry
Extra-large 200mm urethane wheels to handle those bumps
Rear fender brake for safety and control
Anodized finish with kick stand
- BrandRazor
- Model13013243
- Weight9.4 pounds
Large urethane wheels give a seriously smooth ride
A solid and robust scooter that rolls well
A great value scooter for the price
Spongy handle grips may not suit everyone
4Globber One K 180 Adult Folding Scooter
The first of the two Globbers in this review, the K180 aims to make scooter commuting a doddle, with its clever folding mechanism that doubles up as a convenient security lock.
We think the Globber K 180 could well become your perfect work buddy if you are looking for a reliable adult scooter for the daily commute, combining performance with portability to make your working day just that little bit easier. It’s a sturdy-looking rigid frame model with ergonomic y-shaped padded handle bars, adjustable handlebar stem and an extra wide deck with rear mud flap to keep you comfy and clean as you eat up the commuter miles. It also has impressively large wheels made of high rebound PU with ABEC 7 bearing to provide a smooth, minimal effort glide and cushioning over those urban bumps. Front and rear handbrakes will get you stopping like a pro. Then there’s the clever folding mechanism that locks the handlebars to the rear brake for easy folding and carrying. When you are on a pitstop you can lock the handbrake for extra security. This is a nice-looking, very business-like adult scooter at a price that won’t break the bank. We like.
Front and rear brakes, with a lockable front handbrake
Rigid aluminum frame with rear mud flaps and kick stand
Large 180mm wheels made of high rebound, high quality PU
ABEC 7 bearing offer a minimal effort glide
Ergonomic handles with dual-injection comfy grips
- BrandGlobber Scooters
- Model499-190
- Weight14.33 pounds
Large comfortable design that folds up compactly
Deck large enough to cope with two big feet
Quality wheel bearings mean a smooth, quality ride
Lack of suspension means its best suited to smooth sidewalks
5Mongoose Rise Freestyle Kick Scooter
There’s no getting around it – The Mongoose Rise Freestyle Kick Scooter is designed for tricks. It’s designed for both kids and adults but its main purpose is to hone your tricks at the skatepark. Now, that doesn’t mean it can’t be used for commuting but it’s definitely not the most suitable. There are a few features that make it trick-worthy. These include stunt pegs on the front and back, MaxGrip on the deck and brake, and a threadless headset that you can spin around at will.
Having said all that, you can still use it to get from A to B. It has 100mm high-impact wheels that let you fly down a hill and a brake good enough to stop you. We also like the fact that it has extra-wide handlebars with bike-style grips, making it super comfortable to ride around town on.
Extra-wide handlebars
Bike-style grips
100mm high-impact wheels
Front & back stunt pegs
MaxGrip on deck and brake
Threadless headset
Available in 10 colors
- BrandMongoose
- ModelR6314AZ
- Weight11.86 pounds
You can hone your skills at the skateparks
Gain credibility with your kids
High-quality materials and construction
There are better scooters for commuting
Some problems with handlebar durability
6HUDORA 230 Adult Kick Scooter
The Hudora 230 is one of the most popular scooters with adults. It has a bunch of features that make it a little more ‘grown-up’ than some of the other scooters on the market. Firstly, the handlebar is adjustable (from 32.7-41.9”), so you don’t have to spend all your time bending down and hurting your back. It also has a maximum weight limit of 264.5lbs, which should accommodate almost everyone reading this buying guide.
Other grown-up features include a bell, to alert people of your presence, and a kickstand, so you don’t have to lean it up against a wall when you jump off. It’s also completely foldable and has a carrying strap, which is ideal when you need to carry it into the office. In short, the Hudora 230 is designed for adult commuters. It’s still a scooter but it feels more mature.
Adjustable height handlebars (from 32.7-41.9”)
Maximum weight limit – 264.5lbs
Foldable design (with carrying handle)
Includes bell, kickstand, and bike-style grips
Rear brake
- BrandHudora
- Model230
- Weight11.46 pounds
Designed for adults
Comes with kickstand, bell, and more
High-quality components
Easy to fold and carry
Expensive for an unpowered scooter
7Swagtron Commuter Kick Scooter
This next scooter is literally designed for commuting. If you’re the kind of fun-loving adult, looking for a new way to get from A to B, this might just be the perfect vehicle for you. The Swagtron Commuter Kick Scooter is an affordable scooter that is stacked with features to make your commute easier. For example, you can adjust the handlebars to your perfect height, it has a bell to alert other sidewalk users, and soft handlebar grips for those long rides.
Another feature we like is how easy it is to fold away. With three quick steps, it folds into an easy-to-carry package. It only weighs 10lbs as well, so you won’t wear yourself out carrying it. One thing that’s important when looking for an adult scooter is the wheel size. The bigger the wheels, the more smooth the ride will be. The Swagtron Commuter Kick Scooter has 200mm wheels with ABEC-9 bearing, making this one of the smoothest scooters on this list.
Adjustable handlebars
Folds away in three steps
200mm wheels with ABEC-9 bearings
Bell and kickstand
Maximum weight limit – 200lbs
- BrandSwagtron
- Model99188-9 K8
- Weight10 pounds
Designed for commuting adults
Smooth and consistent ride
Lots of useful features
Lightweight & easy to fold away
Not the most durable
Needs better brakes
8XPRIT Electric Scooter
In this article, we’ve hailed the fitness benefits of having a scooter. But that doesn’t mean we’re against electric scooters. Honestly, there are few better feelings than powering up a hill on the XPRIT Electric Scooter. Powered by a 250W motor, you can achieve high speeds up to 15mph (under the right conditions) and get as far as 15 miles without having to recharge the battery. It has two modes – normal and power saving – which allows you to conserve energy when you need to. When the battery runs out, it only takes 2 to 3 hours to recharge, so it’s perfect to get to and from work.
Of course, when you can reach speeds of 15mph, you need a reliable way to bring yourself to a stop. Fortunately, the XPRIT Electric Scooter comes with a disk brake on the back that is more than capable of slowing you down in time. Other safety features include a brake light on the back and side reflectors to keep you visible at night.
250W motor
Max speed 15mph
7500mAh Battery (2-3 hours to recharge)
Power Saving Mode
Rear disk brake
Brake light and side reflectors
Maximum weight limit – 220lbs
- BrandXPRIT
- Weight27 pounds
Charges super quick
Impressive top speed
Lots of safety features
Easy to assemble
Locking mechanism is faulty
Some problems with battery life
9Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter
If the Segway Ninebot Max was too expensive for you, you can get the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter for around half the price. It doesn’t have the same impressive stats or build-quality as the Segway, but it’s still a pretty impressive product. The 250W motor provides high speeds of 15.5mph and can take you over 18 miles on a single charge. The battery takes around three to four hours to charge, so it can work as a commuter tool.
The whole scooter weighs 26.8lbs and folds down to make it easy to carry around. It also has a bunch of features that make it safe to use on the road or sidewalk including a bell, ultra-bright 1. 1W headlights, and disc brakes on the back.
250W motor
Max speed – 15.5mph
Range – 18.6 miles
Double braking system
Ultra-bright 1. 1W headlights
3-4 hours to charge
- BrandXiaomi
- ModelM365
- Weight26.9 pounds
More affordable than the Segway
Impressive max speed and range
Lots of safety features
Difficult to change tires
App doesn’t always work well
10Segway Ninebot MAX Electric Kick Scooter
By now, almost everyone in the world has heard of Segway. Their self-balancing two-wheel vehicles made a huge splash when they came onto the scene in the early 2000s. Now, the company has diversified by making all sorts of other motorized vehicles. The Segway Ninebot MAX Electric Kick Scooter is one of those products. One of the benefits of buying from a brand like Segway is that you can trust the technology. This isn’t your average scooter with a motor strapped to the back. It has a 350W motor, is powered by a smart battery, and has a bunch of premium features that set this scooter apart.
You can achieve max speeds of 18.6mph and travel up to 40 miles on one singular charge. The Smart Battery Management System makes this one of the most efficient electric scooters on the market. It also has a bunch of riding modes that you can control using the LED display on the handlebar. You can connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and access a bunch of training procedures. It even has an LED headlight so you can ride around at night.
350W motor
Max speed – 18.6mph
Range – 40 miles
Smart Battery Management System
551Wh Battery (6 hours to charge)
LED display
- BrandSegway
- ModelG30P
- Weight51 pounds
Amazing build quality
Impressive range
Surprisingly fast
Attractive LED display
Takes a while to charge the battery
Customer support isn’t great
Adult Scooter Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection of Adult Scooters
Whether you want your new adult scooter for commuting, leisure jaunts or a total big kid blast in the park, you need to pick the model that has the right spec to match your ride.
To ensure you get the optimum performance out of your new kick scooter we used the following criteria to determine which adult scooters made our final list:
- Overall quality and durability of materials as well as technical features
- User reviews
- Reputation and value for money
Features To Look For In Adult Scooters
Depending on your scooting ambitions, you’ll want to consider the following before buying the self-propelled two-wheeled vehicle of your dreams:
Deck –the deck is your footplate and also adds rigidity and strength to your adult scooter. Decks made from aluminum or magnesium are the strongest so have the durability for long distances while wood (usually maple) gives you a more flexible, responsive ride. The size of the deck is also an important thing to check, particularly if you are tall or have feet on the large side as you need to be able to comfortably get both feet onboard; at the very least one behind the other. Deck size is also proportional to the wheel size – the larger the wheels, the larger the deck tends to be. A simple rule of thumb is for portability, choose a small deck size, for comfort, go larger. Also check out the deck height as this really makes a difference to just how easy your scooter is to propel. The lower the deck height from its surface to the ground, the more comfortable the push kick needed to keep your scooter going.
Wheels -to determine the smoothness of the glide, kick scooters use the same type of bearing in the wheels as skateboards and inline skates. Generally, the higher the wheel bearing rating, the better your adult scooter’s performance.
Now, here’s the engineering geek bit – the bearings are rated by the ABEC standard, and the lower the rating, the lower the precision, with the rating running from 1 to 9. A lower rating means you need to kick more to get a sustained glide, where a high rating means less kick effort to glide like a scooting swan.
Most kick scooters are rated between 5 and 7, 7 being a really smooth, quality glide per kick. The quality of the bearings also makes a difference to the scooter’s overall performance.
Handlebars– for steering, control and all-round comfort whatever your height, you need a good pair of handlebars to get to grips with your scooter.
To get your adult scooter to fit with you, check that the handlebar stem can be adjusted to your height as you don’t want to be stooping as your scooting. Scooter handlebars themselves come in different lengths but the main styles are a one piece T-bar, one piece Y-bar, BMX style bar and bat wing bar. The T-bar is an easy to use option, coupled with comfy grips they are a good bet for your commuter scooter. Y-bar are also a robust handlebar and slightly longer than the T. The BMX style handlebar gives good control and is a feature of the hybrid or dirt scooter while the bat wing bars are the strongest and typically seen on stunt or extreme scooters. Check the width of the handlebars to ensure they are comfortable for your size.
Brakes -the basic adult scooter is designed to be stopped by the rider pushing their foot down on the rear fender to create friction on the back wheel. The rear fender brake is a simple and effective system, but some scooter models also have a bicycle-style handbrake on the handlebars to support slowing and stopping your scooter.
Additional brakes on your scooter are a nice extra feature to have but they do add a little more weight and more parts to keep maintained. Consider a model with additional front brakes if you are manoeuvring around a busy town or city (and pedestrians) and you need extra control, otherwise the rear fender brake works perfectly well.
Wheel Size - although small, wheel size matters when it comes to the performance of your scooter. Most scooter tires are made from polyurethane (PU), which is a great, light and durable material for urban surfaces, and also has good rebound to keep the tirein shape.
To adjust the performance of your tires, pick a wheel size for the type of scooting you want to do. Large wheels (180, 200 or 230mm) have a better rolling motion, meaning a longer glide distance per push while giving good shock absorption. Larger wheels are ideal for long commuting or leisure journeys where you need the glide as well as comfort over objects and small lumps and bumps on the ground. But they are heavier, so make your scooter less portable.
Smaller wheels (145mm or less) make your adult scooter the Michael Jackson of the scoot circuit, giving you better agility and speed while keeping it light on its toes. But the payback is a ‘noisier’ ride when it comes to comfort and vibrations and less rolling and more pushing on your behalf.
Types of Adult Scooters
When it comes to adult scooters, one size does not always fit all and there are different model types to match what you want to do. Commuter scooters are super comfy, lightweight models that are spot on for using on your daily commute to work, around campus or about town. They are also good as general fun scooters and getting outand about with the kids.
Dirt and hybrid scooters are for the more adventurous, who like to take their scooting off the pavement and onto rougher terrain while for the full on adrenalin junkies, stunt scooters – which channel the spirit of BMX and trick skateboards – will be your thing.
Commuter and hybrid scooters are also great pleasure scooters for the weekend.
As well as the different types of adult scooter, you can also choose between human-powered (kick scooters) or electric, for when personal push power just simply is not enough.
Safety Tips When Riding a Scooter
Whether you are whizzing ahead on your daily commuter route or out in the park with your mates or the kids, scooter riding should be a blast. And, while as an adult riding a scooter you really shouldn’t take yourself too seriously, your safety should be. There’s nothing like a misguided tumble from your new kick propelled mean machine for it to be quickly gathering dust in the garage as you renew your subway pass,so a little safety savvy wouldn’t go amiss. Most manufacturers recommend helmets and elbow/knee pads and who are we to argue but if you choose not to kit up, then be safety aware.
Adult scooters are largely robust things and can forgive the odd knock and tumble but to keep you both in good condition, do think about the following. Be aware of the surface you are riding on and adjust your speed or riding style to suit. Life would be boring if you always had to avoid the bumps, jumps and inclines but remember you are on a self-propelled scooter, not on a competitive, hi-spec BMX. Check your speed and make sure you are in control, especially if you are whizzing along a pedestrian-packed sidewalk to make that 10am meeting. And keep your scooter in tip-top condition so no unexpected mechanical failings literally take the scooter wheels from under you.
Adult Scooter FAQ
Q: Should I Buy a Scooter with or without Suspension?
A: By absorbing the micro-shocks when rolling over uneven and rough surfaces, especially when you are going at a speed, suspension is good for keeping you comfortable as you scoot. However, there is always a trade off as a suspension system will make your adult scooter heavier, meaning you do sacrifice a little on both performance and portability. And with the extra moving parts, you do get a noisier ride. So, when deciding whether to go for a model with suspension, you need to think about what the main reason you are getting an adult scooter for.
With suspension making your ride a breeze over rough or uneven surfaces, then it would be a good move if you regularly commute the same route and know it has its rough moments or you are a total scooter off-roader.
But if you are a leisure scooter or your routes vary from smooth to a bit more bumpy and prefer to have a lightweight, portable machine, then you could happily go without. If you do opt for no suspension, look for other features that can help to smooth out your ride, such as skateboard-style cambered wood decks rather than rigid aluminum and air-filled pneumatic wheels. But it is a personal choice and a few bumps in the road will keep you on your toes!
Q: How Do I Maintain my Scooter?
A: You can certainly increase the shelf life of your adult scooter and maintain the comfort on your ride with a few simple maintenance hacks.
Keeping your new scooter clean is the easiest way to keep it on the road, so wash out all that city grime from your daily commute with a wipe down of the key areas such as the wheel bearings, wheel fixings and deck. Also keep those nuts and bolts and moving parts clean and well-greased.
If the ride is starting to slow down, check and replace your wheel bearings and test the tread on your tires. Replace if they are wearing too low. When not out scooting your little heart out, keep your adult scooter stored away from the elements to keep it rust free and rolling smooth.
And the simplest maintenance hack is to know your scooter and don’t push it beyond its limits. Even if you feel under peer pressure from your scooter mates.
Q: What is the maximum weight for an adult scooter?
A: Most kick scooters work to a payload of between 200-250lbs but there are models designed specifically for taller adults - the super-robust XOOTR Adult Kick Scooter can take up to 800 pounds!
Check the product spec of your chosen scooter for its maximum weightbefore you buy as what you don’t want to do is put your new urban mode of eco-transport under too much strain. Overweighting your adult scooter will just make it wear and tear quicker or simply ruin its ride ability.
If you are a taller or larger adult, as well as its maximum weight, check out its maximum handlebar height as a scooter too small and low will have you running to the chiropractor quicker than you can shout ‘I’m a scooter dude’. Ideally the height of your scooter’s handlebars should be between your hips and your chest.
Q: How do I lock up my scooter securely?
A: When locking up your scooter, it is best to lock it to a fixed object, so it cannot be quickly lifted and scooted away. A locking cable is a good way to secure your scooting pride and joy, taking it through the wheel spokes and around the body to fix it to the bike rack, railing, lamp post or similar. Some folding scooters also use the folding mechanism to lock the collapsed body in place for added security.
You can buy locks specifically for scooters or a simple strong bike lock would suffice; go for a coded lock so you don’t have to fiddle around with keys. If you use your adult scooter for your work commute, then if it’s possible store your folded scooter indoors (many fold down small enough to fit under your desk or in a work locker) for added scoot-tastic security.