The basic scooter design consists of an airplane grade aluminum frame,[4] 98 mm polyurethane wheels, and a hinged fender over the rear wheel, which is pushed down by the foot to act as a spoon brake. The handlebar and headtube fold for carriage when a quick release latch is opened. At 26.5 pounds, the Razor Icon is the same weight as the Unagi Model One and GoTrax GXL V2. It’s about as light as you’re going to get without venturing into the best electric scooters for kids, but for smaller individuals. I was able to carry it up the steps of a train and through Penn Station without too much difficulty, though you’ll get an arm workout.
The full-sized deck and frame are designed for riders 13 and up. The all-steel frame and fork deliver a solid ride and stand up to rugged use. The 8-inch pneumatic rear tire softens the bumps in the road and the two rechargeable 12 volt batteries deliver up to 40 minutes of drive time. When I was growing up, older kids got to speed around on mini-bikes powered by lawnmower engines, while I pedaled furiously on my Big Wheel. Thanks to cheap electronics, children now have access to a wealth of motor-driven vehicles, such as the Razor E100 Glow electric scooter.
Since the scooter has been around for many years now, and has seen a lot of updates and fixes over the releases, the last versions of it are very reliable and barely have any serious issues left. Also, the E200 features another Razor-specific feature, which is the reset button, located next to the power razor hoverboards button. Whether the scooter folds will depend on the specific version, as newer versions of the scooter should come with a folding mechanism. The scooter is well protected by lots of foam and bubble wrap. While the Razor E Prime Air certainly is pretty to look at, it does have its shortcomings.
These Razor electric scooters are built for kids, so the makers expect rough use from the riders. Keeping this in mind, the manufacturers have invested in creating a sturdy steel frame body. Unless the e-scooter is dropped from a great height or run over by a truck, it’ll last for years. Razor scooters are some of the few chain-drive electric scooters available today (most electric scooters today have hub motors, integrated inside the wheels).
A single, steady speed mode allows kids greater control over the scooter. But, some prefer multiple speed modes and are bored driving a single speed. Whether you plan to use the e-scooter for last-mile connectivity, to commute to school, university, or work, or ride around the neighbourhood; you’ll find a scooter that can do the job here.
With a 15 mph max and an LED screen to monitor speed, the Swagtron Swagger 8 was the most “grown up” scooter we tested. Our athletic and older testers preferred this electric scooter for older kids because it could go so much faster than the others. With a front plastic wheel, it’s a bumpier ride than the air tire of the E100, but its hub motor (vs razor scooter chain driven motor) is less likely to need maintenance. If your child is confident and athletic, you’re better off with a slightly faster scooter. Our daredevil 5-year-old girl would only ride the Swagtron SK1 in short bursts; her excitement level dwindled quickly because it was too slow for her (even though it was her first electric scooter).
In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom’s Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, razor hoverboards an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. There are no LED lights on the front or back of the electric scooter.