Segway Ninebot E2 Plus Review

The Segway Ninebot E2 Plus allows consumers to commute with the Segway brand and associated build quality without the traditional expense. The brand's intro model features a comfortable ride, great portability, and an app to control and help you customize the ride's features. It is best suited for individuals who value storage and portability and do daily short commutes.

Range

The real-world range of an electric scooter dictates which model is right for you. This metric looks at the actual mileage when tested on our standardized loop and the overall recharge time. The Segway Ninebot E2 Plus fell short of its stated range but remains comparable to other scooters in its price range. Riders that fall below the weight limit and have optimal riding conditions may make it closer to the manufacturer-claimed 15.5 miles. We were surprised by the 7-hour recharge time despite its shorter range. Overall, this model offers an acceptable range for shorter commutes around the city.

In our extensive testing, the 220-watt-hour lithium-ion battery propelled this model for 10.9 miles in 55 minutes. This was notably below the manufacturer's stated range of 15.5 miles. A scooter's range can change based on rider weight, terrain types, and road conditions. We tested on a standardized flat track and maintained a consistent speed throughout.

After range testing, we placed the scooter on the charger and recorded its charge time from zero to a full battery. Despite having a smaller battery, it took seven hours to recharge the scooter fully. This is one of the longest recharge times in the review. A shorter range and long recharge time combo leaves something to be desired, ultimately making this model best for shorter commutes.

Speed and Hills

We maxed out the throttle and pushed the limit on various grades. The E2 has swift acceleration and accurate top speeds but struggled in our hill-climbing tests.

The E2 utilizes a 300w motor that can produce 500w maximum power to achieve its manufacturer-stated and measured top speed of 15.6 MPH. After a small kickstart, the motor kicks in with smooth acceleration. The app allows you to fine-tune the speed at which the motor engages after a kickstart.

While we found it to have quick acceleration, it struggled to make it up our moderate test hills (3.5% grade), losing almost nine mph throughout the hill. Performance suffered as the hills got steeper, and the model could not crawl to the top of our more telling test hills. The power of the E2 is best suited for flatter commutes across the city.

Ride Comfort

A comfortable ride is a key factor when purchasing a new vehicle for commuting. We rode around the pothole-laden roads of Lake Tahoe to test each model's shock absorption and cockpit experience. The E2 Plus provided an above-average ride experience thanks to its medium-sized hollow tires, LED Deck lighting, and comfortable cockpit.

The 8.1" hollow tires are low maintenance and improve ride comfort due to their size and construction. They use a minimalist internal structure to support the subsequent hollow sections. It provides a nice ride experience that splits the difference between solid and pneumatic tires. The E2 mutes small cracks and reduces the impact of medium ones. While vibrations were ultimately present, the overall ride quality was above average, and our test team could ride for long sessions similar to its overall range. Large cracks were very noticeable on the model, while not often spine jerking; we suggest avoiding routes with large cracks or looking into models with suspension. This model offers plenty of comfort for surfaces with minor damage and small to medium-sized cracks.

Portability

The importance of portability differs with each situation. It may be less important for those who can pull the scooter directly into a garage, but it is of the utmost importance for those who need to carry it up flights of stairs. The E2 Plus adds to its city-centric feature set with an impressively low weight and reliable carrying latch.

This model weighs a reasonable 33 pounds. While that may not sound light, it's competitive for a scooter of this build quality. The ergonomics also make carrying this scooter easier. The tube is large enough to comfortably grab but small enough that most hands should be able to grip it fully. It is also well-balanced and easier to carry in different positions than other scooters of the same weight. When it comes to folding, the scooter is easy to fold and unfold, which locks into place utilizing a redundant latching system to prevent the scooter from folding during use (believe it or not, we have seen this happen). The lever is secure and takes some effort to engage or disengage when folding or unfolding the scooter. The fold latch is offset and helps provide a locked-in package when carrying the scooter.

Braking

Just like your car, the braking system on a scooter is critical, especially in a fast-paced city where you never know what is around the corner. We tested each scooter's overall stopping power and speed control. The E2 provided average stopping power on flats and hills. However, it has no controls to prevent the scooter from traveling beyond its top speed of 16 mph when going downhill.

The E2 utilizes an electric brake in the front and a drum brake in the rear. One handle controls these, providing adequate stopping power and speed control in each test. The 14-15% grade slopes presented a challenge, as it took a bit longer to decelerate. Due to the lack of control and overall braking power, riders should monitor their speed when traveling downhill. Regaining control at higher speeds may be difficult while traveling down steeper hills.

A short overall braking distance on flat surfaces can make your commute safer. The two-brake combo took 21 feet to decelerate from 15-0 mph. The drum brake in the rear prevented the rear tire from skidding. The added control enhanced the user-friendliness and overall performance of the scooter. While this scooter would benefit from increased braking power, its overall performance is well suited to the ideal terrain for this scooter.

Should You Buy the Segway Ninebot E2 Plus?

This model is a good choice if you are looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly scooter from one of the industry's most recognized brands. That said, there is a lot of competition, and this model did not stand out for its price.