Best Electric Scooters Under $500 (Street-Legal in NYC, 2026)
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The best electric scooter under $500 for most riders is the NAVEE G5: designed for 20 mph, rated for 28 miles, with suspension at both ends, tubeless tires and an IPX5 water rating, for $400. If you want something lighter, the Hiboy S2 Pro gives you 25 miles at 37.4 lb. If you want the lowest price, the Hiboy S2 starts at $300. And if you can stretch to the top of the budget, the Segway E2 Pro is the strongest street rider here.
Every electric scooter on this list is designed for a top speed of 20 mph or less by its maker's own figures and weighs well under 100 lb, which is what New York State law requires of a street-legal electric scooter. In the city you ride at 15 mph or less anyway. That matters at this price, because plenty of cheap electric scooters sold online are built to go faster and are not street-legal here. See are electric scooters legal in NYC for the rules.
- A design speed of 20 mph or less, so it counts as an electric scooter under New York law
- Rated range of 17 to 28 miles; plan on less in the cold, on hills and with a heavier rider
- Tires: solid honeycomb tires never go flat, air-filled and tubeless tires ride softer
- Suspension: most models here have it at the rear only; the NAVEE G5 has it at both ends
- A rider weight limit that fits you: 220 lb on most Hiboy models, 265 lb on the NAVEE G5 and Segway E2 Pro
- A UL 2272 certified electric scooter, the standard NYC requires for sale
The best electric scooters under $500 at a glance
| Electric scooter | Top speed | Rated range | Weight | Tires | Price from* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAVEE G5 | 20 mph | 28 miles | 46.1 lb | 10-inch tubeless | $400 |
| Segway E2 Pro | 18.6 mph | 21.7 miles | — | 10-inch tubeless | $500 |
| Hiboy S2 Pro | 19 mph | 25 miles | 37.4 lb | 10-inch honeycomb | $423 |
| Hiboy KS4 Pro | 19 mph | 25 miles | 40.6 lb | 10-inch honeycomb | $400 |
| Hiboy S2 Nova | 19 mph | 20 miles | 34.5 lb | 8.5-inch solid front, air rear | $350 |
| Hiboy S3 | 19 mph | 17 miles | 34.5 lb | 8.5-inch honeycomb | $315 |
| Hiboy S2 SE | 19 mph | 17 miles | 37.8 lb | 10-inch solid front, air rear | $310 |
| Hiboy S2 | 19 mph | 17 miles | 35.5 lb | 8.5-inch honeycomb | $300 |
| Hiboy Q2 Seated | 20 mph | 22 miles | 61.5 lb | 14-inch air | $470 |
*Prices at the time of writing, October 2026. Speed, range and weight are the makers' figures; NAVEE rates the G5's range at a steady 9 mph, and Segway's 21.7 miles is its theoretical figure (15.5 miles at full speed). Segway does not publish the E2 Pro's weight on our product page.
Best overall under $500: NAVEE G5
The NAVEE G5 is the most complete electric scooter you can buy for $400. It is designed for 20 mph from a 400W motor with an 800W peak, rated for 28 miles, and sprung at both ends on 10-inch tubeless tires, which is rare at this price. It adds an IPX5 rating, handlebar turn signals, traction control and Apple Find My. The trade-off is weight: at 46.1 lb it suits riders with an elevator or a ground-floor home more than a walk-up.
Best for rough streets: Segway E2 Pro
At $500, the Segway E2 Pro sits right at the top of the budget, and it earns it with a 750W rear-wheel motor, Segway's traction control and 10-inch leak-proof tubeless tires. Its body is rated IPX4 and the battery pack IPX6. With the latest firmware it reaches 18.6 mph, and we install that update in the shop before you ride out. It carries riders up to 265 lb.
Best range for the money: Hiboy S2 Pro and KS4 Pro
The Hiboy S2 Pro gets you 25 miles of rated range at 37.4 lb, on 10-inch honeycomb tires that cannot go flat, with rear dual suspension and regenerative braking. The Hiboy KS4 Pro matches the 25 miles with a stronger 500W motor and a 750W peak, at 40.6 lb. Both are designed for 19 mph.
Lightest to carry: Hiboy S2 Nova and S3
If you carry your electric scooter up stairs, the 34.5 lb models are the ones to look at. The Hiboy S2 Nova pairs a solid front tire with an air-filled rear and rear suspension, and is rated for 20 miles; its battery is rated IPX5. The Hiboy S3 runs 8.5-inch honeycomb tires and rear dual suspension for 17 miles.
Lowest price: Hiboy S2 and S2 SE
The Hiboy S2 is the lowest-priced street-legal electric scooter we sell at $300: designed for 19 mph, rated for 17 miles, with honeycomb tires and rear dual suspension at 35.5 lb. The Hiboy S2 SE moves up to 10-inch tires, solid at the front and air-filled at the rear, for a little more comfort over bad pavement.
Want a seat? Hiboy Q2 Seated
A seat is allowed. New York's definition of an electric scooter (Vehicle and Traffic Law §114-e) covers models with handlebars and a floorboard or a seat, as long as they weigh under 100 lb and have a top speed of 20 mph or less. The Hiboy Q2 Seated fits: designed for 20 mph, rated for 22 miles, with 14-inch air tires, suspension at both ends and a rear basket, at 61.5 lb.
Just over budget, the Hiboy U2 also fits the definition, designed for 20 mph at 61.5 lb. Two other seated models we sell are built to go faster than 20 mph, so they are not street-legal electric scooters in New York: the Hiboy ECOM 14 (22 mph) and the Hiboy U2 Pro (25 mph).
Under $500, but not street-legal in NYC
Two models in this price range are built to go faster than 20 mph: the INMOTION C10 (21.8 mph) and the Hiboy ECOM 14 (22 mph). That puts them outside New York's definition of an electric scooter for public roads, and they aren't sold or shipped to New York City addresses. If you plan to ride on NYC streets, choose one of the models above.
Keeping a budget electric scooter running
Cheaper electric scooters see the same potholes as expensive ones, so tires, brakes and folding hinges wear first. Our technicians service every brand at all four NYC shops: flat tire repair from $40, airless tire install from $40, brake repair from $25, folding hinge and latch repair from $30, and a tune-up and safety check from $50. See the full NYC repair price guide, and our guide to riding in rain and winter, since most models here are rated for light rain only.
Spending a little more? Our best commuter electric scooters for NYC guide goes up to $800. Or browse all commuter electric scooters and test ride a few side by side at any Wilson's shop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric scooter under $500?
For most riders, the NAVEE G5 at $400: designed for 20 mph, 28 miles of rated range, suspension at both ends, tubeless tires and an IPX5 rating. If weight matters more, the Hiboy S2 Pro at 37.4 lb.
Are cheap electric scooters street-legal in NYC?
Only if they are designed for 20 mph or less and weigh under 100 lb. Every model in our picks above meets that. Some low-priced electric scooters sold online are built to go faster, and those are not street-legal electric scooters in New York.
What is the cheapest electric scooter you sell that is street-legal in NYC?
The Hiboy S2, from $300.
Honeycomb or air-filled tires?
Honeycomb tires are solid, so they never go flat, but they pass more of the road through to you. Air-filled and tubeless tires ride softer. If your streets are rough, choose air or tubeless tires, or rear suspension at the least.
Can I pay over time?
Yes. Financing is available on approved credit, in the shop or at checkout. See financing.
Where can I test ride an electric scooter under $500 in NYC?
At our shops in Flushing, Elmhurst, Brooklyn and Long Island City.
Sources: New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §114-e; NYC DOT, Electric Bicycles & More. Checked October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.