For years, I knew electric transportation was going to be the future of commuting. However, I didn’t realize just how fast it would be adopted by the mass public. Everywhere I go, I see people riding electric scooters. People love them and for good reasons. They’re affordable, easy to ride, and go long distances on a single charge. It’s no wonder we’re seeing a huge influx of new e-scooters hitting the market. So which one should you get? That’s what we’re finding out today.
I’m reviewing three e-scooters from Segway: The Ninebot E2, the Ninebot F2 Plus, and the Ninebot Max G2. As the naming convention suggests, the E2 is an entry-level KickScooter whereas the Max G2 is the high-end version. As such, the Ninebot F2 Plus sits right in the middle.
Build quality of the Ninebot E2, F2 Plus, and Max G2
Having reviewed many e-scooters, one thing I can say about Segway is that they make well-constructed e-scooters. You do see a lot of commonality between the three Ninebot models. First, they feature the same folding mechanism where the handlebar locks into the base. Second, they all have a brushless DC electric motor. The E2 has a 450W motor whereas the F2 Plus and Max G2 have 800W and 900W motors respectively. Immediately, you can see a big jump in the motor from the beginner-friendly E2 to the F2 Plus. This is why the F2 Plus is designed for more experienced teen and adult riders. Third, they all feature tubeless tires. The E2 uses FlatFree tire technology where the inner tube is filled with a foaming material. This solves the problem of tire leakage with traditional pneumatic tires. The F2 Plus and Max G2 also feature tubeless, self-healing tires. A jelly layer inside the tire seals any punctures that are 4 mm or less.
One notable design difference is that the Max G2 has a front and rear suspension. There’s a hydraulic damper at the front and a double spring suspension at the rear. This is the first time I’ve seen a suspension system on an e-scooter.
Speed, range, and weight capacity
A big consideration for e-scooters is the speed and range it provides. The E2 has a top speed of 20 km/h and a riding range of up to 25km. This makes it ideal for beginners like young teens and first-time riders. It has a maximum weight capacity of approximately 198 lbs. Conversely, the F2 Plus has a 25 km/h top speed and a 55km riding range. It can handle riders up to 265 lbs. Finally, the Max G2 stands by its name. It has a top speed of 35.4 km/h and an impressive riding range of up to 70 km. For context, most local laws allow up to 32 km/h. Like the F2 Plus, it has a maximum weight capacity of 265 lbs.
Segway app
All three bikes work with the Segway-Ninebot app, available on Android and iOS. Here, users can customize their riding experience. In the Segway app, users can select between the three riding modes, turn on cruise control, and adjust the lighting settings. The app even allows you to remotely turn the scooter on from the app. However, for that to happen, the Ninebot e-scooter must be within Bluetooth range. My bet is most people will not use that. Instead, I think most people will use the app to view the battery details. The app displays the battery power in percentages to help riders know when they need to recharge. The vehicle odometer is also displayed which lets you know how many kilometers the Ninebot e-scooter has travelled.
Rideability of the Ninebot E2, F2 Plus, and Max G2
Now comes the fun part. For this review, I decided to start with the Ninebot E2, and then work my way up to the Max G2. This should provide me with a good sense of what you get when you move up a model. From there, I will be able to help people decide which one is right for them.
Ninebot E2
Compared to the other Ninebot models, the E2 has a larger footboard and horizontal dashboard on the cockpit. It’s easy and comfortable to stand on. The 2.8” LED dashboard is easy to read. In fact, I prefer it over the other vertical dashboards on the other two models. From the first ride, I could clearly see that the E2 is designed with beginners in mind. I’m pretty sure my mom and 10-year-old niece could ride this. In fact, the niece is coming over so I plan to let her ride this to confirm my suspicion.
During my first ride, the 20 km/h max speed felt very slow to me. However, this makes it perfect for kids tall enough to ride it. It’s fast enough to make them happy but slow enough to put parents at ease. The speed dropped down about 5 km/h up hills. It also has a slow acceleration before it gets to the top speed. Still, these features make it perfect for novice and beginner riders. Kids and perhaps older people would enjoy this riding experience. Finally, I folded it down and carried it with one hand. The E2 weighs approximately 31 lbs. I could easily carry this upstairs without much issue.
Ninebot F2 Plus
Riding the F2 Plus next was a huge jump-up in performance. From the initial acceleration, I could feel the power difference between the 450W motor on the E2, and the 800W motor on the F2 Plus. It got to the 25 km/h max speed pretty quickly. Still, I yearned for a little more speed. Thankfully, it has a Sport Mode in the app where I was able to increase the speed to 30 km/h. As an experienced rider, I was able to zip around and make sharp turns without any issues. This was a lot of fun to ride.
One thing that I really came to appreciate was the inclusion of the hook just under the cockpit on the stem. This is perfect for hooking a bag on the front. I have a grocery store nearby so I took this review opportunity to grab a loaf of bread. I’ve tried to ride an e-scooter with a bag hanging off my arm. It’s actually quite dangerous but this hook fixes that. I could see myself using the F2 Plus to make quick grocery trips all the time. Folded down, the F2 Plus weighs approximately 39 lbs. It certainly feels heavier, but I could still carry this up a flight of stairs with one hand.
Ninebot Max G2
Finally, I took the Max G2 out for a test ride. To be honest, the performance felt very similar to the F2 Plus. However, the dual suspension makes a huge difference. My initial thought was the footboard felt like it was on pillows. It definitely absorbs shocks, especially when riding on cracked or rough surfaces. Like the F2 Plus, the Max G2 has a Sport Mode inside the app. However, with this e-scooter, I was able to get a max speed of 35 km/h. This is considerably faster than what most jurisdictions allow on bike lanes.
As you can see in the video, I tested this on a closed surface, and let me tell you, this e-scooter feels like a sports car. I’ve never gone that fast before on an e-scooter. It sure is fun! You need to be an advanced rider to go those speeds otherwise it’s pretty dangerous. The big con that I found with the Max G2 is the weight. It weighs a whopping 53.5 lbs. I would need two hands to carry this upstairs.
Which Segway Ninebot e-scooter would I recommend?
I wish every customer had the opportunity to try different e-scooters before making their decision. I’m glad I started at the entry-level Ninebot E2 and worked my way up. I can appreciate what you get as you move up. For the parents, you can’t go wrong with the E2 for kids. I would have no hesitation to let my 10-year-old niece ride it, provided she is tall enough. When she comes over, I will verify that. That said, my other 5-year-old niece is going to be very jealous. She is too small to ride it. I suspect that the E2 will be under a lot of Christmas trees. It’s at the right price point for many kids to get their first e-scooter.
Personally, I would choose the Ninebot F2 Plus. That may surprise a lot of people given that I praised the performance of the Max G2. I think it’s the best value for what you’re paying and getting. Plus the F2 Plus has a helpful hook for carrying bags and I can actually carry it. That’s a huge consideration for me because I’m looking at this from a practical day-to-day basis. I could carry this on the bus or on the train without much issue. As great as the Ninebot Max G2 is, I don’t think I could take that on public transit. It’s just too heavy for my liking and I’m surprised it doesn’t have the carrying hook like the F2 Plus. Still, I cannot deny that it provides the most enjoyable riding experience of the three. So if you want the best bang for your buck, choose the Ninebot F2 Plus. That’s my Handy Andy recommendation.
E-scooters are a great investment
We all need to get around, and e-scooters provide a fast, affordable option to do just that. If you’re in the market for one, I highly recommend you choose a Segway e-scooter. Out of all the different models I’ve tried, it’s the one brand I trust the most. Thankfully, you’ll find a Segway e-scooter at a price point for any budget. It’s a great investment to help you get around in and around town.
