Ninebot Max Review

One of the most popular electric scooters on the market is the Ninebot Max. With impressive range and decent speed, it is no surprise that the Ninebot Max is a favored electric scooter amongst commuters. But does it live up to the hype?

Benefits of the Ninebot Max

Being one of the newer electric scooters on the market, the Ninebot creators have learnt from the many mistakes of their predecessors, and have included many beneficial features including;

Impressive range

The Ninebot Max probably has the most impressive range of any commuter electric scooter on the market. With a maximum range of approximately 65km (40.4 miles), you will have hours of uninterrupted riding without the need to stop and recharge your scooter.

Decent speed

It is common for electric scooters with extended ranges to compromise speed. Although the Ninebot’s maximum speed of 30km/h (19 mph) is not the best you can get for a commuter scooter, it is still decent if you’re not in a hurry, and will allow you to make it to your destination in good time.

Safety First

Safety is a crucial feature in any electric scooter. The Ninebot’s safety features include the use of electronic and drum brakes to ensure you stop safely and quickly. The Ninebot also has front and rear brake lights and side reflectors to help riders be noticed by pedestrians and other vehicles.

Disadvantages of the Ninebot Max

Lack of suspension

If you have a long commute, you will want to have a comfortable ride. One of the necessary components for a smooth ride is a sophisticated suspension system. Many Ninebot Max riders have complained that the suspension system definitely falls behind the competition. Although the Ninebot utilizes pneumatic (air-filled) tyres to try and compensate, the lack of suspension may be very problematic if you have a very long or bumpy commute.

Long charging time

Another disadvantage of the Ninebot’s extended range is that it also has one of the longest charging times. It takes approximately six hours to fully charge your Ninebot Max, which some may argue is a considerable amount of time to wait. A long charge time, means more time on the sidelines and can turn into a major inconvenience.

Weight

In order to support the impressive range and decent speed of the Ninebot Max, the creators have needed to include a larger battery and motor compared to most electric scooter models. While some electric scooter models have done a good job in finding the balance between speed, range and scooter weight (see Raine One), the Ninebot Max weighs approximately 18.7kg (41.2 lbs). This makes the Ninebot Max one of the heaviest commuter scooters on the market, which is not ideal if you need to carry the scooter up stairs or onto public transport.

Difficult to store

Although the Ninebot Max does fold down for storage, it is not as compact when compared to other models like the Raine One. Although this may not be a major detractor depending on your electric scooter needs, it does mean that if you ever plan on storing your scooter under your desk after a commute, or whether you need to put your Ninebot Max into the boot/trunk of your car for transport, it may be quite inconvenient.

Overall, it is not difficult to see why the Ninebot Max has become a favorite electric scooter amongst commuters. With its extended, the Ninebot Max is one of the most reliable electric scooters. However, depending on how you want to use your electric scooter and what your commute looks like (i.e. potholes) there may be better alternatives on the market for you.