The Smallest Electric Scooters For Adults (That Are Actually Good!)

Last updated: October 9th, 2023

The smallest adult-sized electric scooters are a fun, zippy way to get around town.

The best ones provide just enough range for local trips and transit connections, yet fold small enough to stash under your desk, beneath a bus or train seat, or even in the bottom of a shopping cart.

While less compact than kids’ models, these lightweight electric scooters can carry a full-grown adult of roughly average height and weight.

Such a compact electric scooter makes big trade-offs in features and performance. Right off the bat, let’s set realistic expectations:

• About 6-10 miles of real-world range due to small, light batteries. Manufacturers often claim higher numbers that seldom reflect actual conditions.
• Less than 30 lbs in weight—and ideally in the mid-20s—for easy lifting and carrying when folded. Going any lighter puts your into the realm of kid-sized scooters with uselessly short range (and diminutive size).
• Smaller wheels, typically 6″, which maximize portability at the cost of smoothness.

If you’re OK with these trade-offs in exchange for terrific portability, then here are the best tiny e-scooters of 2023.

My favorite small, lightweight electric scooters

Its 250 W motor is standard for this category, but the 15 mph max speed outshines the smaller but similarly-priced Ninebot Air T15. To slow down, you’ll find the usual set-up: a thumb-activated regenerative brake plus a fender “stomp brake” for emergencies.

With a claimed range of 10 miles (likely 8-9 miles in actuality), you’ll go farther per charge than on the Ninebot Air T15. It even rivals the real-world range of the Unagi Model One.

One standout feature is Inokim’s choice of a front pneumatic tire and rear suspension—both rarities in this category. The 6″ tires still warrant extra caution around obstacles, but you can expect a smoother ride than on any of its solid-tire, un-suspended competitors.

The dual-motor version (2 x 250 W) is snappy from a stop and quick up inclines, especially compared to its cheaper single-motor sibling. And both versions sport 8″ honeycomb tires that’ll cruise a little more smoothly than the 6″ we see elsewhere in this category.

One other thing, and perhaps coolest of all: Unagi’s unique rental program is the best way to find out whether an e-scooter is worth it. Unlike beaten-up public rentals, you get your own scooter for less than your local bus fare.

The Unagi is neither the smallest adult electric scooter nor the best value. But it might be the best overall fit into your daily life.

It’s designed with multimodal commuters in mind, and Glion knows this market well. In 5-10 seconds, it folds down into a distinctive “dolly” configuration (hence the name) that’s easy to tow or to stand on end.

However, its relatively long range comes from a bigger, heavier battery. That bumps this e-scooter up to 29 lbs, enough to keep it from topping this list. Even so, it’s a worthy pick if you value compactness more than shaving off those last few pounds.

It rides on 8″ honeycomb tires without suspension, so ride quality is adequate on smooth pavement. In fact, expect a slightly smoother ride than from the 6″ on other ultra-portable scooters. But if you’ll tackle rough ground, then look for a different option with suspension and/or pneumatic tires. (Admittedly, those are rare at this price point).

My one serious concern with the Dolly is its single, rear electronic brake. Most of your braking power is at the front wheel, so missing a front brake means extremely long stopping distances.

That would be less worrisome if it maxed out at jogging speed (like the Ninebot Air T15). And if you’ll only ride down the sidewalk between transit stops—a perfectly legitimate use—then it’s probably fine.

But at 15 mph, a rear brake alone just isn’t adequate—even for a cheap electric scooter. Stay far under top speed unless you’re in a wide-open area with zero likelihood of emergency stops.

The T15 packs convenient features like 6″ solid rubber tires, thumb- and fender-activated regenerative braking, and one of the quickest folding mechanisms around.

It maxes out at 12.4 mph via a 250 W motor, making quick work of trips that are just slightly beyond walking distance.

Segway/Ninebot claims it’ll cover 9.3 miles, but actual owners report just 4-5 miles of range. That’s a low number even by the modest standards of the ultra-compact segment. Climbing ability is also extremely limited, and would drain the already small battery even faster.

With that in mind, the Ninebot Air T15 might make sense for transit riders who want to speed up their last-mile connections. And this incredibly small, foldable electric scooter is easily stowed at work for mid-day outings, if you’ve got the cash to spare. However, its small, hard tires are only appropriate for smooth pavement.

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Is a small e-scooter right for you?

As I’ve emphasized, small e-scooters entail big compromises. Range is mostly a function of battery size, so small and light batteries usually keep range in the single digits.

To be blunt, ride quality also suffers.

That’s not necessarily a problem if you stick to short rides on well-maintained city streets. But if your trips involve higher miles or tougher terrain, then it’s worth sacrificing portability for 10″+ pneumatic tires, and even suspension.

That said, all the above are good examples of this category, and should equally keep you happy with reasonable expectations in mind.