Taking out a dollar-saving electric scooter subscription for peace of mind means you've totally fixed your daily commute. Or those long rides running around the neighborhood.

But what electric scooter is right for you? You may have heard about the awesome Zero 9 but there's a ton of choice out there right now. We've picked five great scooter alternatives with all the features you need for urban smooth travelling. And when you've gotten some local, rough terrain to handle too.

But let's kick-off with Zero 9...

Zero 9

When the Zero 9 followed hot on the wheels of its kid brother, Zero 8, it was hailed as a practical all-rounder.

With it's raunchy, build-quality good looks, and 24 mph top speed, this reliable, bang-for-your-buck electric scooter soon became one of the most popular rides of its day.

Let's see why...

Comfortable ride

The 40 pound mid-weight, portable Zero 9 is powered by a 600W motor, and packs a long-range 48V 13Ah Lithium-ion battery for a robust, comfortable ride of around 20 miles on a single full charge.

Ideal, if you're looking for a commuter scooter for smooth, daily short rides. And if you're making those longer distances across town, the Zero 9 could definitely be your urban, travel buddy.

Portability

A big reason why is portability between journeys. Zero 9 offers both an adjustable, telescopic stem, foldable handlebars and frame. More than a handy, fast action combo when you're constantly switching from riding to folding, carrying and storing your electric scooter.

Speed and acceleration

Hitting a top speed of more than 28 mph on 8.5 inch pneumatic tyres the Zero 9 is always a great performance. Ride quality is never less than smooth-running on a front and rear suspension system. Whether on the hard black-top and sidewalks of the daily commute. Or off-road scootering through dirt track or grass verge.

Zero 9 can hit some impressive acceleration too, typically between 15 mph in around 4 seconds to 20 mph in 7 seconds, with plenty of motor torque in reserve to make light work of inclines of up to 10 per cent.

Braking performance

Safety-wise, the Zero 9 is loaded with a solid, reliable system of front disc brakes and drum brakes fitted on the rear. They give a stopping distance of 10.2 feet at 15 mph which compares favourably with average stopping distances at the same speed of between 15 to 25 feet.

Steering column

Piloting the Zero 9 is simple and easy too. It's balanced design for handlebar and hand positioning puts you in total control, supported by LED readouts on speed, gears, distance and battery charge.

LED lights

You'll definitely be seen on a Zero 9 electric scooter. Both day and night riding. Its front and rear lighting is pumped with extra shiny bling of LED strips running up the stem and side of the deck. Illuminating the ground beneath you as you ride.

Deck space

A great design feature is the deck itself. Stretching some 21 inches long and nearly 8 inches wide, you have ample standing room, whatever size sneaker you wear. Plus, extra rear-edge trailing space and ample ground clearance to avoid bad curb drops.

Specifications

Weight: 40 lb

Fold Size: 43.0 in (L) x 14.5 in (W) x 7.5 in (H)

Unfold Size: 39.3 in (L) x 40.2 in (W) x 7.5 in (H)

Motor power (continuous): 600 W

Top speed: 24 mph

Incline range: 10%

Battery: 48V 13Ah Lithium-ion battery

Single charge range: 25 miles

Battery capacity: 624 Wh

Battery life: 8 hrs

Max rider weight: 220 lb

Brake type: Disc and Drum

Tire type: Dual 8.5-inch pneumatic

Suspension: Front-spring suspension, rear dual-spring suspension

Built-in lights: LED headlight, brake-activated tail-light, and under-deck illumination

Water resistance: IP54

Great alternative scooters

Kickboard technology never stops. Fast forward 3 - 4 years, and we can grab ourselves a great alternative among a range of e-scooters - and new hot rides for handling your local, urban terrain.

Apollo City

Urban rider

The clue's in the name. City. From Apollo, one of the recognized, reputable, leading retailers. We're talking an electric scooter aimed at urban rides. Built for short distance and long distance, for speed and comfort, lightweight and portable.

Viewed as an entry-level scooter, the reality is Apollo City bristles with features any rider would be up for having on-board. Whether you're a younger rider, a student, the average adult commuter or an above average size adult.

Its robust, aluminum body is a best-in-class build with a IP54 water-resistant rating for beating out water spray and splash backs.

Let check out why riding an Apollo City means you should never again be late for work, lecture, or a meet at the mall.

First up...

Portability

Slick triple folding of stem, telescoping stem and screw-type handlebars magically transforms your full-sized scooter to a neat, portable package of 44 in (L) x 9 in (W) x 15 in (H). All in under 20 seconds. And light enough to easily carry into office, campus, lab or locker room.

Compared to scooters with spring-loaded handlebars, the more typical screw-type is more stable when fully locked and tightened. With only minimal play, which may be experienced over longer distances.

This scooter may only weigh 40 pounds, but it’s more than capable of handling 264 pound riders.

Ride comfort

Dual suspension - front and rear - is securely coupled to serious 8.5 inch pneumatic tires. Air-filled tires with their flexible tread will always grip a ground surface best and outperform airless, solid rubber tires.

Apollo City also offers a plumped up ride because of its responsive suspension system. Dampening down those annoying bumps and tears in the tarmac, and gliding over uneven, sidewalk paving.

It's definitely the comfort roll you need to avoid the shake and the rattle. When taking your daily commute on precinct manouvres. Even smartly handling some dirt tracks and off-road terrains you wouldn't normally expect from a city slicker scooter.

Speed and acceleration

A 600 watt motor easily propels this robust, sturdy looking scooter to speeds of 25 mph in under 12 seconds.

Under ideal conditions - a flat smooth road - speed tests found the Apollo could reach more than 25 miles per hour. It can also definitely make light work of those 10 per cent inclines at an average speed nearly tipping 10 mph.

Battery charge time

The City carries a 48V 13.2Ah Dynavolt battery which gives a maximum range of 28 miles or around 18 miles when scootering, full-on.

So when planning either a short or long rides there are two charging options. A standard charger gets you to full battery power within6 hours, reduced to 3 hours if using a fast charger.

Braking safety

With all that zippy speed and acceleration it's good news that Apollo City is loaded with 3 independent mechanical braking systems - front disc brakes, rear drum brakes and a "regenerative" brake.

The regenerative brake is part of the rear drum brake operation, automatically triggered by hand-lever control. It's added power can be set by LCD display. The conserved battery and brake energy is generally reliable, but most noticeably effective in controlling fast speeds rather than crunch stops.

Apollo is noted as being one of the safest scooters you can rely upon - achieving 15 mph to 0 mph in just 12.2 feet. Well within accepted standards for good braking of less than 20 feet.

Steering column

Adjustable telescopic handlebars stretch to 27.6 inches, and to 38.4 inches from the deck. Ride quality and steering control on a City scooter are always in your hands - via large rubber grips.

Here we have dual brake levers, and QS-4 finger throttle style read-out of speed, mileage and battery charge.

A huge, comfort travel plus for the daily commute - short distances as well long distances - is the option to engage cruise control.

Particularly, on the City and its finger throttle operation. With onboard cruise control, no need to apply constant pressure to maintain constant speed - so literally, no cramping of fingers - or scootering style.

Dual LED lights

Visibility to other street users is always a must, particularly when night scootering.

Apollo City is well equipped with low-mounted, dual front LED headlights and LED rear lights, strip lighting down the stem, and blue under-deck illumination.

You'll definitely be seen. But adding extra, high-mounted front lights will help better navigate those night time rides.

Deck room

The City scooter offers an expansive 20.5 x 7.5 inches of deck standing-room.

It boasts a bold, distinctive, and hard grip tread pattern, capable of supporting a maximum rider weight of 260 pounds.

So all round commuter friendly. As is the 4.5 inches of deck-to-ground clearance for handling curbs.

Specifications

Weight: 40 lb

Size folded: 41.3 (L) x 7.7 (W) x 13.9 (H) inches

Motor power (continuous): 600 W

Top speed: 25 mph

Maximum Range: 28 mi

Battery capacity: 634 Wh

Battery recharge time: 6 hrs (long) 3 hrs (short)

Max rider weight: 260 lb

Brake type: FrontDisc and Rear Drum

Tire type: 8.5 in air filled (pneumatic)

On-board lights: Dual LED front and rear

Water resistance: IP54

Unagi Model One (E500)

The one for travellin' in style.

Where other scooters might put their hardware mechanics right out there, Unagi has smoothed to a subtle, surface finger-play.

The Model One is designer-led elegance. For every rider with a fine eye for aesthetics.

A scooter sculpted with superior, Apple-style ergonomics. All bespoke, rider comfort. Exquisitely balanced with finger touch control, and tactile refinement.

A high class commute on every ride.

Let's deep-dive...

Build quality precision

We simply have to start with build quality. While makers of other electric scooters may opt for pumped-up urban glam. The team at Unagi have set their sights on subscribers to a different scooter experience.

Here build quality is more than standard, it's quality-control precision throughout - from design and manufacture to final finish.

It's the reason why the Model One is engineered to a high-spec, strength-weight ratio. Carefully melding carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium alloy into the look and feel of a stable and durable ride.

• Frame

Made by top carbon fibre producer, TORAY - a material recognized for its lightweight yet titan strength properties. Look carefully and you'll see it also lends frame support at potential stress points.

• Handlebars and Control Centre

Rare beauty in the palm of your hand. The Unagi handlebars and top bar control centre are seamlessly joined - formed from a single casting of magnesium alloy - one third lighter than aluminum.

Elegantly tapered and elliptical silicon grips are securely fused as one to the handlebars. A perfectly positioned thumb throttle sits below an instantly switchable speed and distance control button.

Completing the ergonomic chic are touch response brake paddles, horn and LED headlight.

Portability

Weighing in at a modest 27 pounds, the Unagi scooter is a 'model' of featherweight portability.

A quick and easy thumb slide operation, combined with 90 degree stem angle, and folded dimensions of 37 (L) 16 (W) x15 (H) inches makes this scooter super-light and compact for frequent folding and unfolding.

Motor power (E500)

First edition of the Model One was driven by a single motor. The recently upgraded E500 edition brings a 250 watt dual motor boost with speeds hitting 20 mph tops and 15 mph in little over 4 seconds.

Three top speed settings can be chosen for customizing your ride experience,

1. Top speed - 9 mph: Great entry-level for newbie riders with accompanying light acceleration for building confident, ride control.

2. Top speed - 12 mph: Perfect for the daily commute with a "balanced" throttle for cruising a steady-paced ride, throughout.

3. Top speed- 17 mph: Dialling it up for those downtime, full throttle rides where acceleration is a recreation, and a thrill-seeking high.

Acceleration

The new dual motors pack a torque- crunching lift for running up that hill up of 15-degrees. Generally, average inclines are 10 per cent in just over 12.5 seconds at nearly 11 mph.

Travel distance

The Model One is ideally primed for subscribers needing a short distance, daily urban commute.

It carries a 500 watt battery stacked with HG2 18650 lithium-ion cells from global tech giant, LG.

Battery charging time is a little under 5 hours from flat, which give the Model One a 15-mile range under best conditions, and a distance of 10 miles, overall.

Custom-built monitoring also prevents overheating, and assures reliable, longer lasting, and low maintenance.

Braking

Dual electronic brakes are provided, together with a rear fender foot brake for emergency, safety assist.

Applying both electronic and footbrake brings the Model One to a halt at 16.9 feet, and 25 feet, engaging only the electronic brake.

Ride deck

A sleek rubber deck is tapered for riding comfort which is larger than the typical scooter deck. Plus, there's an integrated kickstand on the left-hand side which disappears from view when retracted.

Tires and shock absorption

Unlike the air-filled inner tubes on a number of other electric scooters, the Model One sports solid, 7.5 inch puncture-proof, rubber tyres.

They also incorporate air pockets throughout their circumference. This makes for reliable shock absorption.

The electronic braking system also prevents unwanted tyre locking under maximum braking - ensuring both a safe and smooth ride on typical, flat urban routes.

Lighting and visibility

Safety and visibility relies on ample scooter lights. The Model One offers two forward-facing, flush-mounted 1.8 watt LED headlights. On the rear, a low-slung red LED also throws out a powerful illumination for safe night riding.

Specifications (E500)

Weight: 27 pounds

Folded dimensions: 37 (L) x 16 (W) x 15 (H) inches

Motor power (continuous): 500 W

Top speed: 20 mph

Travel distance: 15 miles

Battery capacity: 282 Wh

Battery recharge time: 5 hours

Max rider weight: 280 lb

Brake type: Dual electronic and rear foot brake assist.

Tire type: 7.5 inch solid rubber

On-board lights: Dual front LED and Rear red LED

Water resistance: IP54

Turboant X7 Pro

Small, light and fast. The Turboant is aptly named. And definitely a superhero to the daily commuter - adult or teen - who needs an electric scooter which ticks all the boxes for totally awesome urban rides.

Portability

Hassle-free, quick folding and unfolding is always a scooter must-have. The Turboant folds down to 43in (L) x 17in (W) x 18in (H) and is a light carry, weighing in at 27 pounds - the low end of the typical, electric scooter range of 12 - 145 pounds.

Another bonus is the removable battery pack (6.5 pounds) from the handlebar stem for shedding unwanted carry weight.

Build Quality and Load

The Turboant sports a sturdy and robust aluminum alloy frame, typical of most electric scooters.

But the X7 Pro is designed for a maximum load capacity of 275 pounds. And able to carry those riders who couldn't previously find a scooter which could carry beyond 220 pounds.

• Handlebars and Control Centre

Neat, uncomplicated handlebars are wrapped in reassuring, robust firm gripping rubber. A central LED display provides all the necessary readouts, including speed, distance, battery life, brake, bell, headlight - and riding mode*.

• Deck

A slimline deck in a textured rubber finish for strong, anti-slip grip gives a standing space of 18 x 5.8 inches with a typical 4 inches of ground clearance and some 3 inches of deck-to-handlebar height.

Speed and Acceleration

The X7 is loaded with a single 350-watt electric motor, capable of quickly hitting 16 mph, maxing out at around 20 mph, and dealing with those 10 per cent inclines.

• Cruise control - Consistent travel speed can be maintained for 10 seconds by simply holding down the 'cruise button'.

The removable 3 pound, 230 Wh battery has around a 6 hour charging time, which delivers a travel range of between 9 to 16 miles, depending on Riding Mode*.

Turboant puts you in charge of how fast you want to travel. Whether on practical, daily commutes or for fun riding - and hitting the throttle.

*Riding Modes - are designed for setting a bespoke rider experience of maximum speed.

Mode 1- Beginner: 6mph. Sensible speed for younger riders or scootering for the first time.

Mode 2- Eco: 12mph. Useful for conserving battery life and extending travelling distance.

Mode 3 - Sport: 20mph. For leaning-in to no-nonsense 'responsive acceleration' scootering.

Braking

As found in other scooters, the Turboant provides a triple braking system - electronic brake, disc brake and foot brake.

The electronic brake and disc brake are both controlled by the X7 Pro’s ergonomically designed. hand lever. The footbrake, located at the rear fender gives back up for quicker stops.

Tires

X7 is pumped up on 10 inch air-filled, tubeless pneumatic tires. A great boost to ride quality and comfort compared to the more standard 7.5 inch tires on similar models.

The added cushioning, and bold robust tread, more than make up for a lack of suspension to smoothly sail through an urban commute.

LED Front and Rear Lights

The Turboant features a 3W Front LED headlight, with a valuable downward angle, and powerful enough to illuminate any ride through the night-time urban landscape. Rear LED lights are also brake activated.

Specifications

Weight: 29 lb

Folded dimensions: 41(L) x 16(W) x 18 (H) inches

Motor power (continuous):350 W

Top speed: 20 mph

Travel Distance: 9-16 miles

Battery capacity: 230 Wh

Battery recharge time: 6 hrs

Max rider weight: 280 pounds

Brake type: Disc (Regenerative)

Tire type: 10 inch, Pneumatic Tubeless

Built-in lights: LEDs, Front and Rear

Water resistance: IP54

Mercane WideWheel Pro

Boasting 4 inches across the tread and looking a serious slinky speedster, the Mercane WideWheel Pro offers high performance chic for the urban explorer.

Portability

The WideWheel folds both the stem and handlebars to pack right down to a portable 43 (L) x 9 (W) X 16 (H) inches. The Mercane is no lightweight - at 54 pounds - but can still be carried over a short distance. The stem can also be locked in the folded position for a more comfortable carry.

Build quality and Load capacity

Latest Pro version has beefed up the aluminum-alloy component strength for a maximum rider weight of 220 pounds.

• Frame - a sports performancedesigner appeal of charcoal grey frame, wide mudguards, funky shaped deck and red trim.

Cockpit controls

Brake lever and intuitive hand controls with backlit LCD display of speed, total mileage, voltage, and battery status. Plus, quick speed mode switching - Eco (battery saving, low performance) to Sport (high performance). Handlebars sport ergonomic, two-tone grips.

• Deck - an elegant streamlining taper - from a roomy 8.6 to a slender 5-inches wide - makes the WideWheel one of the slimmest electric scooter decks available. The deck can also be fitted with a seat if needed by individual riders.

Speed and Acceleration

The WideWheel Pro packs dual 500W motors - which explains a total 54 pound scooter weight. It's also why the Pro can be at least 50 - 60 per cent faster than other urban commuter scooters, with a top speed of 26 mph.

Acceleration tests can see the WideWheel hitting 15 mph in just over 3 seconds, 20 mph in 5 seconds, and 25 mph in around 8 seconds. Dual motors also tackle inclines of up to 30 per cent with a minimum of fuss.

Braking

To deal with its undoubted zippy speeds the WideWheel Pro is fitted with powerful dual mechanical disc and dual electronic brakes. Their lever-touch sensitivity means it delivers a controlled and precise stop from 15 mph in only 12.5 feet.

Lights

A high-mounted and extra-bright front LED light is flush-fitted, together with a rear red LED tail-light. The illumination is sufficiently strong for safe riding in well-lit urban neighborhoods.

The on-board lights are powerful enough for you to be seen when riding in well-lit urban surroundings. However, fast riding on dark roads will likely need an extra bright, long-throw light.

Battery power and Travel distance

The onboard 48V 15Ah high-efficiency, Lithium-ion battery pack is not only twice the size of a standard electric scooter, it amps up the Widewheel's travel range.

On a single charge - which takes around 7 hours - the Pro has an extended range of 19-20 miles in regular conditions, including start/ stops.

Tires and Suspension

There's no doubt the 8 x 4 inch, ultra-wide tires are always likely to be the big feature on a scooter branded as the WideWheel Pro.

Both tires are actually airless, and are filled with soft polyurethane foam instead of an inner tube or simply, a solid tire. As you might expect, the wide tires give that extra firm stability and absorption to deal with sidewalk cracks, seams and bumps.

Making turns with extra wheel width is a different experience from other more standard scooters, and the WideWheel is definitely not intended for off-road adventures.

The accompanying dual-spring suspension lends a further super smooth, super thrill ride quality.

Specifications

Weight: 54 pounds

Folded dimensions: 43 (W) x 9 (L) x 16 (H) inches

Motor power (continuous): 1000 watts (2 x dual 500 watts)

Top speed: 26 mph

Travel Distance: 22 miles

Battery capacity: 720 Wh

Battery recharge time: 7 hours

Max rider weight: 220 pounds

Brake type: Dual mechanical and Dual electronic

Tire type: 8 x 4 inch ultra wide foam filled.

Built-in lights: Front LED and Rear Red LED

Water resistance: IP54