The best commuter electric scooter for New York City is one built for 20 mph or less, so it fits the state's definition of a street-legal electric scooter, with enough range for your week and a weight you can carry. Our picks: the Segway F3 overall, the NAVEE GT3 Max for range on a budget, the E-TWOW Booster ES if you carry it up stairs, the Hiboy S2R Plus for its removable battery, and the Segway E2 Plus II for first-time riders.
Most "best electric scooter" lists are full of 30, 40 and 50 mph machines that are not street-legal electric scooters in New York. Every model below is designed for a top speed of 20 mph or less by its maker's own figures, and in the city you ride at 15 mph or less anyway. See are electric scooters legal in NYC for the rules, and how fast electric scooters go for how commuter models compare with faster types.
- A design speed of 20 mph or less, ridden at 15 mph or less
- Rated range well above your daily round trip, since cold, hills and stops cut it
- Weight: every pound counts on subway stairs and in a walk-up
- Tires that handle potholes: tubeless, self-sealing or airless
- A water rating of IPX5 or better if you ride in all weather
- A UL 2272 certified electric scooter, the standard NYC requires for sale
The best commuter electric scooters for NYC at a glance
| Electric scooter | Top speed | Rated range | Weight | Price band* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segway F3 | 20 mph | 44 miles | 42 lb | $500–$1,000 |
| NAVEE GT3 Max | 20 mph | 46.6 miles | 50.7 lb | Under $500 |
| NAVEE G5 | 20 mph | 28 miles | 46.1 lb | Under $500 |
| Segway E2 Pro | 18.6 mph | 21.7 miles | — | Under $500 |
| NAVEE G5 Max | 20 mph | 43.5 miles | 49.8 lb | Under $500 |
| Segway E3 Pro | 20 mph | 34 miles | 40 lb | $500–$1,000 |
| Hiboy S2 Max | 19 mph | 40 miles | — | $500–$1,000 |
| NAVEE V40i | 20 mph | 25 miles | 39 lb | Under $500 |
| INMOTION Air | 19 mph | 22 miles | 34.5 lb | $500–$1,000 |
| Hiboy S2R Plus | 19 mph | 22 miles (44 with a spare battery) | 31.5 lb | Under $500 |
| E-TWOW Booster ES | 19 mph | 19 miles | 25.6 lb | $500–$1,000 |
| Segway E2 Plus II | 15.5 mph | 15.5 miles | 36 lb | Under $500 |
| Hiboy S2 | 19 mph | 17 miles | — | Under $500 |
*Price band from our current price; the product page shows today's price. Speed, range and weight are the makers' figures; real range is shorter in the cold, on hills and with a heavier rider.
Best overall: Segway F3
The Segway F3 is the commuter we recommend most for New York: 1,000W, designed for 20 mph, rated for 44 miles, front hydraulic and rear elastomer suspension for rough streets, and an IPX6 water rating. At 42 lb it is manageable on stairs, and it adds TFT navigation, Apple Find My and Segway's AirLock.
Best value for range: NAVEE GT3 Max
For under $500, the NAVEE GT3 Max gives you 46.6 miles of rated range from a 596.7 Wh battery, dual suspension and automatic lights, designed for 20 mph. It is heavier at 50.7 lb, so it suits riders with an elevator or a ground-floor home. The NAVEE G5 Max is a close alternative with turn signals, rated for 43.5 miles.
Lightest to carry: E-TWOW Booster ES
If your commute includes a fifth-floor walk-up or a lot of subway stairs, weight beats everything. The E-TWOW Booster ES is 25.6 lb with a 500W motor and airless tires, so it cannot get a flat. The INMOTION Air at 34.5 lb and the NAVEE V40i at 39 lb trade a little weight for more range.
Best for apartments: Hiboy S2R Plus
The Hiboy S2R Plus has a removable 313 Wh battery, so you can leave the electric scooter downstairs and charge the battery at your desk or in your apartment. With a spare battery its range doubles from 22 to 44 miles, and the frame weighs 31.5 lb.
Best for first-time riders: Segway E2 Plus II
The Segway E2 Plus II tops out at 15.5 mph, the pace you ride in the city anyway, and weighs 36 lb, with front spring suspension and hollow tires. Under $500, it is a low-risk way to find out whether an electric scooter commute works for you. The Hiboy S2 also costs under $500.
Prefer bigger wheels? The AINOHOT VOLT rolls on 20-inch and 16-inch wheels, is designed for 18.6 mph and is rated for 28 to 31 miles.
Why not a faster commuter?
Popular models like the Segway Max G3 are built to reach 28 mph, which puts them outside New York's definition of a street-legal electric scooter, even though they ship limited to 20 mph. If you want one for riding outside the city, that is a separate choice; for NYC streets, a model designed for 20 mph or less is the safe one. Our Segway Max G3 vs Max G2 vs G3 Plus guide covers the differences.
What a commute costs to keep running
A daily commuter goes through tires and brake pads, and winter salt is hard on connectors and bearings. Our technicians service every brand at every Wilson's shop. All prices are starting prices, parts and labor included: flat tire repair from $40, airless tire install from $40, brake repair from $25, and a tune-up and safety check from $50. See our NYC repair price guide.
More for commuters: how much an electric scooter costs, electric scooter tires, keeping it from being stolen, our NYC electric scooter buying guide and electric scooter vs e-bike.
Browse all commuter electric scooters, or test ride a few side by side at any Wilson's shop.
Browse all electric scooters at Wilson's, from city commuters to dual-motor flagships.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric scooter for commuting in NYC?
For most riders, the Segway F3: designed for 20 mph, 44 miles of rated range, suspension for rough streets and an IPX6 rating. On a budget, the NAVEE GT3 Max. Compare all Segway electric scooters.
What is the lightest commuter electric scooter you sell?
The E-TWOW Booster ES, at 25.6 lb.
How much range do I need for an NYC commute?
Take your round trip, double it for cold weather, hills and battery aging, and choose a rated range above that number.
Can I take my electric scooter on the subway?
MTA rules allow folded, portable devices in many cases, but rules change. Check the MTA's current rules before you travel.
Where can I test ride a commuter electric scooter in NYC?
At any Wilson's shop. In New York City, our shops are in Flushing, Elmhurst, Brooklyn and Long Island City, and every model in this guide is designed for 20 mph or less.
