Kick Scooter vs Electric Scooter

Ever since scooters showed up, kids and adults have been getting around and exercising on these personal transportation devices. Both kick scooters and electric scooters are great last-mile solutions, but they’re different in several ways. If you’re planning on buying one or the other, you’re at the right place. Because this post lists out the advantages and disadvantages of kick scooters and electric scooters so you can make an informed decision.

Related: Kick Scooter vs Bike, who wins?

Kick Scooter vs Electric Scooter, Who Wins?

Kick scooters are more portable, cheaper, and easier to ride compared to electric scooters. What’s more, kick scooting is great exercise while e-scooting offers zero fitness benefits. Also, kick scooters are easier and cheaper to maintain because they have no motor or battery. In addition, kick scooters are more eco-friendly because you never need to charge them. On the other hand, electric scooters are faster and gets the rider to their destination sooner than do non-motorized scooters. Also, electric scooters are more comfortable than kick scooters since they’re motorized.

Below is a quick summary of the advantages and disadvantages of both scooter versions.

Kick Scooter Pros

• Substantially cheaper than electric scooters
• More portable
• More environmentally friendly
• Riding a kick scooter is good exercise and makes you more fit
• Safer

Kick Scooter Cons

• Faster than walking but slower than electric scooters

Electric Scooter Pros

• Faster than kick scooters
• More comfortable

Electric Scooter Cons

• A hefty price tag
• Heavier than kick scooters

Is a Kick Scooter Safer Than an E-Scooter?

A kick scooters are slower than e-scooters and are usually ridden on sidewalks rather than on the road. This alone makes kick scooters safer than electric scooters. But this doesn’t mean e-scooters aren’t safe. Electric scooters typically have front and rear lights that increase visibility when riding at nighttime.

Also, electric scooter wheels have better traction kick scooter ones. Finally, electric scooters have better brakes, and they usually have a front brake and a rear one so you can stop easier.

Which is More Portable E-Scooter or Kick Scooter?

There are foldable electric scooters and foldable kick scooters, and both are convenient modes of transportation. You can easily fold them and carry them up stairs or get them onto trains and buses. However, kick scooters are much lighter and therefore more portable because they don’t have a motor and a battery.

Want to Lose a Few Pounds? Kick Scoot

Compared to e-scooting, kick scooting is the healthier choice. Pushing and balancing on a kick scooter works lots of muscles and strengthens the core. If you choose to kick scoot to work every day, that’s a great way to stay fit while saving money.

This isn’t the case with an electric scooter. The only time you kick an e-scooter is when starting it. The rest of the time, you’re standing on the deck and squeezing the throttle. This device does all the work, and the ride is more comfortable compared to kick scooting, but this isn’t how to lose weight!

Which is Easier to Ride? Kick Scooter or E-scooter?

Both kick scooters and electric scooters are easy to ride. Most adults can learn to ride either device in a matter of hours. But because e-scooters are usually ridden on the road, you need to be more alert and careful. But this doesn’t mean alertness is less important when kick scooting.

Which is More Comfortable E-Scooter or Kick Scooter?

Electric scooters are more comfortable than kick scooters. To ride an e-scooter, all you do is stand on the deck and work the throttle. With kick scooters, you need to put in tons of legwork to keep the device gliding forward. Also, e-scooters tend to have better suspension compared to kick scooters, which means the rides are smoother and more comfortable. But is being comfortable more important to you than being healthier and more fit?

Speed: Who Wins Kick Scooter or E-Scooter?

Electric scooters travel much faster than kick scooters. Kick scooters travel at an average speed of 8-10 mph and are a lot faster than walking. But how fast a kick scooter travels depends on how hard the rider pushes and the size of the wheels. By comparison, the average speed of electric scooters is 15 mph, but the world’s fastest e-scooters travel much faster than this.

Which is More Eco-friendly, Kick Scooter or Electric Scooter?

Both electric scooters and kick scooters have no emissions. But kick scooters are the more eco-friendly choice. Charging an electric scooter uses energy, and operating the device requires energy.  That said, electric scooters are more environmentally friendly compared to gas-powered cars.

Kick Scooters Are Way More Accessible Than E-Scooters

A decent lightweight folding electric scooter with a nice range and speed costs at least $1000. While some people can pay this without financing, there are many who can’t afford e-scooters. Kick scooters are pretty accessible, and even the finest of them (US-made ones) have a sub-$300 price point. But there are many models that cost way less than this. With $150, you should be able to get a decent kick scooter.

How Far Can You Commute on a Kick Scooter?

How far you can travel on a kick scooter depends on how much stamina you have, your riding ability, and terrain condition. When you’re new to kick scooting, even doing 3 miles makes your feet sore. But as time goes and your riding ability and persistence improve, you can easily ride 10+ miles. If the terrain is smooth and mostly flat, you can go further than if the terrain is hilly or rough.

Is an E-Scooter Good for Commuting to Work?

Yes. Lots of people these days use electric scooters to commute to work. Commuter e-scooters are foldable and lightweight and getting them into and out of vehicles and trains is pretty easy. These personal transportation devices have zero emissions and are way cheaper and easier to maintain than cars.

How Far Can You Commute on an E-Scooter?

How far an electric scooter carries you depends on its range. Scooter with a great range have powerful dual motors and a really good battery. Decent electric scooters have an impressive range of 20+ miles. Make sure to read electric scooter reviews before purchasing so you choose something with a nice range.

How Do You Charge an E-Scooter?

Electric scooters come with a charger. When the charge “meter” indicates the device needs to charged, grab the charger and replenish the charge. Not all electric scooters are charged the same way. Some e-scooter models have built-in batteries and all you have to do is plug them in. Other models require you to detach the battery and charge it outside of the scooter. When in doubt regarding the correct way to charge an electric scooter, read the user manual. If you misplaced it, search for your model’s manual on the manufacturer’s website.

Don’t wait until the battery is completely drained. Doing this damages the battery and reduces its lifespan. Always charge your electric scooter before the battery gets fully drained.

Can You Use an Electric Scooter as a Kick Scooter?

If an electric scooter’s battery runs out of charge, you can push the scooter, but this isn’t a good idea. Electric scooters are designed to be motor-driven and not manually operated. Kicking an e-scooter can be pretty exhausting. If your e-scooter runs out juice mid-trip, it’s best to catch a cab. Since e-scooters have a charge indicator, keep an eye on it and keep the device charged.

Wrapping Up

Kick scooters and electric scooters are an affordable, convenient, and fun way of getting around. Kick scooting offers riders an opportunity to exercise while having fun and reaching places sooner than walking. While e-scooters are way more expensive than kick scooters, they’re much faster. And since the rider does little to keep the device gliding, e-scooters are more comfortable. Both are inherently safe, but it’s important to wear a helmet.