The best electric scooter for hills depends on how steep your streets are and how fast you're allowed to ride. For a 20 mph commuter, the Segway F3 is rated for a 20% slope and has hill-hold assist. For steep cities, the Segway Max G3 climbs a 30% grade from a 2000W motor. Under $1,000 with two motors, the Ausom L2 Max is rated for a 34% grade. And for the steepest ground, the Segway GT3 Pro is rated for 38%, and Kaabo's Warrior 11 Max for 45°.
Every pick below has a climbing rating its maker publishes, and every one is in stock or orderable today. We sell them, ship them free to the lower 48, and service them in our shops, including San Francisco, where hills are part of every commute.
Makers quote climbing in two different units. A percent grade is the rise over the distance: a 20% grade climbs 20 feet for every 100 feet forward, which is an angle of about 11°. Degrees are the angle itself, and they add up fast: 30° is about a 58% grade, and 45° is a 100% grade. So a "35° climb" and a "35% grade" are very different claims. Compare like with like, and treat every figure as the maker's own test result: a heavier rider, a low battery or wet pavement all reduce what you'll actually get.
The best electric scooters for hills at a glance
| Best for | Electric scooter | Climbing rating (as published) | Motor power | Top speed | Price band* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hills on a budget, 20 mph or less | Segway E2 Pro | 18% grade | 750W max | 18.6 mph | $400–$600 |
| NYC-legal commuting with hills | Segway F3 | 20% grade | 1000W max | 20 mph | $500–$1,000 |
| Faster commuting, moderate hills | Segway ZT3 Pro | 25% grade | 1600W max | 24.9 mph | $750–$1,250 |
| Steep cities | Segway Max G3 | 30% grade | 2000W max | 28 mph | $1,250–$2,000 |
| Dual motors under $1,000 | Ausom L2 Max dual motor | 34% grade | 2 x 1000W (2688W peak) | 38 mph | $750–$1,000 |
| Dual motors and comfort | Ausom Gosoul 2 Pro | 33% grade | 2 x 1400W max | 36 mph | $750–$1,000 |
| Hydraulic brakes for the way down | Joyor S10-S-Z | 35° | 2 x 1000W | 37 mph | $500–$750 |
| Most capable on pavement | Segway GT3 Pro | 38% grade | 2 x 3500W max | 50 mph | $2,000–$3,500 |
| Off-road climbs, heavier riders | Kaabo Warrior 11 Max | 45° | 2 x 1500W (6720W peak) | 50 mph | $2,000–$3,000 |
*Price band from our current price; prices change often, so the product page shows today's price. Climbing ratings, power and speed are the makers' figures as listed on our product pages, in the unit each maker uses.
Best budget electric scooter for hills: Segway E2 Pro
The Segway E2 Pro is the lowest-priced pick here with a published climbing figure: a 750W max rear-wheel-drive motor rated for an 18% slope, 10-inch tubeless tires and a top speed of 18.6 mph, so it stays inside New York's 20 mph limit for electric scooters. Its range is modest, about 21.7 miles theoretical and 15.5 at full speed, and Segway notes that hills cut into it. For a little more, the Segway E3 Pro has the same 18% rating from an 800W max motor, with suspension at both ends.
Best for hills under 20 mph: Segway F3
The Segway F3 is our pick for riders who need to stay at 20 mph or less, as in New York, and still face real hills. Its 450W motor peaks at 1000W and is rated for a 20% slope, and hill-hold assist can be set to stop it rolling back when you pause on a climb. It's rated for up to 44 miles in Eco mode, carries 265 lb and weighs 42.3 lb, with suspension at both ends and IPX6 water resistance. More in the best electric scooters under $1,000.
Best for faster commuting with moderate hills: Segway ZT3 Pro
The Segway ZT3 Pro moves up to a 650W rear hub motor with 1600W max, rated for a 25% slope with a rider on board, and a top speed of 24.9 mph. The 597 Wh battery is rated for up to 43.5 miles in Eco and about 18.6 at full speed. It weighs 65.5 lb and carries 265 lb.
Best for steep cities: Segway Max G3
The Segway Max G3 is the single-motor electric scooter we'd point a San Francisco commuter to first. Its 2000W max motor is rated for a 30% grade with a rider on board, and Boost Mode takes it from 0 to 15 mph in 2.4 seconds. It reaches 28 mph once High Speed is enabled, has disc brakes front and rear, carries 286 lb and weighs 54.2 lb. Segway rates its range by mode: 34 miles in Sport and 25 in Sport+, each at that mode's top speed.
Best dual-motor electric scooter for hills under $1,000: Ausom L2 Max
Two motors are the biggest step up for hills, because both wheels pull. The Ausom L2 Max dual motor pairs two 1000W motors (2688W peak) with a 998 Wh battery, for a 34% grade rating, up to 38 mph and up to 56 miles, at 73.4 lb with a 287 lb rider limit. The Ausom Gosoul 2 Pro is rated for a 33% grade from two 1400W max motors, with a switch to run on one motor on the flat and both on climbs, and suspension at both wheels, at 70.5 lb.
Best for the ride back down: Joyor S10-S
Climbing is half the job; stopping on the way down is the other half. The Joyor S10-S-Z has hydraulic disc brakes at both wheels at a price where most electric scooters have cable discs or drums, plus two 1000W motors and a climbing rating of 35°, in degrees, from Joyor. It reaches 37 mph, weighs 65.7 lb and carries 265 lb. Full specs in Joyor S10-S specs, top speed and price.
Most capable on pavement: Segway GT3 Pro
The Segway GT3 Pro has the highest percent-grade rating of our picks: 38%, from two hub motors at 3500W max each, with 0 to 30 mph in 3.9 seconds and a 50 mph top speed. It runs a 72V, 2160 Wh battery and hydraulic disc brakes, carries 330 lb and weighs 117.1 lb, so it's a machine for a garage, not a walk-up.
Best for off-road climbs and heavier riders: Kaabo Warrior 11 Max
The Kaabo Warrior 11 Max is rated by Kaabo for climbs of up to 45°, with two 1500W motors (6720W peak) and 52 Nm of torque, 11-inch tubeless all-terrain tires, 160mm hydraulic brakes and a 330 lb rider limit. It's the pick for rough, steep trails and for heavier riders who find smaller electric scooters slowing on climbs. Compare it with its lighter sibling in Warrior 11 Max vs Warrior X Max. For even more, Kaabo rates the King GT Pro for 50°; see which Kaabo electric scooter.
What makes an electric scooter good on hills?
- Motor power, especially peak power. Climbing needs torque. Rated (nominal) power is what a motor sustains; peak or max power is the burst it gives on a climb. Compare the same figure across models.
- Two motors. Dual-motor electric scooters drive both wheels, so they keep traction on loose or wet climbs and share the load between motors.
- Battery voltage and size. Higher-voltage, bigger batteries (48V, 60V, 72V) tend to hold up better on long climbs. Climbing uses range fast, so plan on less than the rating if your route is hilly.
- Brakes for the descent. Hydraulic disc brakes stop with less hand force and hold their adjustment on long descents. Electronic or regenerative braking helps too.
- Your weight. Climbing ratings are measured by the maker with its own test rider. If you're near the rider limit, choose a model with room to spare.
Check the speed rules where you ride
A stronger motor usually comes with a higher top speed. In New York, an electric scooter must have a top speed of 20 mph or less and weigh under 100 lb to be ridden on public roads, so of these picks only the Segway E2 Pro, E3 Pro and F3 fit, and the faster models aren't sold or shipped to New York City addresses. See are electric scooters legal in NYC; elsewhere, rules vary by state and city. For more speed, see the fastest electric scooters, and for rough ground, the best off-road electric scooters.
Hills are hard on brakes and motors: service at Wilson's
Steep routes wear brake pads faster, heat up motors and controllers, and work the battery hardest. Our technicians service every brand, wherever you bought it, at our shops in New York City, San Francisco and Miami, with express service at every shop. A simple inspection is always free. Starting prices, parts and labor included: brake repair from $25, hydraulic brake bleed from $15, controller replacement from $35, battery load test from $50 and motor repair from $100. See electric scooter brake repair, controller repair and motor repair, or book a repair at our New York and San Francisco shops. Our San Francisco shop is at 360 11th St in SoMa.
Browse high-performance electric scooters and off-road electric scooters for more dual-motor models. Free shipping to the lower 48, and Klarna or Affirm Pay in 4 at checkout; see financing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric scooter for hills?
For a 20 mph commuter, the Segway F3, rated for a 20% slope with hill-hold assist. For steep cities, the Segway Max G3 at a 30% grade. With two motors under $1,000, the Ausom L2 Max at a 34% grade.
How steep a hill can an electric scooter climb?
Entry-level models are often rated for about 12% to 18%, strong single-motor commuters for 20% to 30%, and dual-motor models for 33% or more. Check whether a rating is in percent or degrees, and expect less with a heavier rider or a low battery.
Is a 20% grade the same as 20 degrees?
No. A 20% grade is about 11°. Twenty degrees is about a 36% grade.
Do I need a dual-motor electric scooter for hills?
Not for moderate hills; single-motor models like the Segway F3 and Max G3 are rated for 20% and 30%. For steep or loose climbs, or heavier riders, two motors help a lot.
Which electric scooter is best for San Francisco hills?
Of our picks, the Segway Max G3 is the single-motor commuter we'd start with, and the Ausom L2 Max or Gosoul 2 Pro if you want two motors under $1,000. Our San Francisco shop services all of them.
What is the best electric scooter for hills in NYC?
The Segway F3, which stays at 20 mph and is rated for a 20% slope, or the Segway E2 Pro or E3 Pro at 18%.
Sources: makers' specifications as listed on our product pages, checked November 2, 2026; New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §114-e. Prices change; the product page always shows today's price. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
