Not too long ago we had a look at the Ninebot Segway ES1, a great electric scooter for commuters from the company Ninebot by Segway. Today we’re publishing our Segway ES2 review, a more powerful sibling of the Segway ES1.

The widely known self-balancing electric transportation vehicles producer, Ninebot by Segway, currently produce just 2 electric scooter models ES1 and ES2, they both look very similar but the Segway ES2 version is a little bit more powerful and packs a few extra features which we’ll go into in detail below.

The Ninebot Segway scooter ES1 and ES2 both have the option for you to purchase an additional bolt-on battery to vastly increase the distance your scooter can cover with a full charge. This is one of the key selling points, in our opinion, as it makes the most suitable option for people looking to travel or commute long distances before charging the scooter.  The bolt on battery for the ES2 can be seen below:

Some review sites call the ES2 with the battery upgrade the Ninebot by Segway ES4, but this is not an official product name and there are only two models, the ES1 and the ES2.  To make it easier to understand, when we are talking about the scooter with the extra battery we will call it the ES2 with battery upgrade throughout this review.

Ninebot Segway ES2 is a great overall electric scooter with fantastic specifications and remarkable distance with the upgraded battery pack, making it one of the best alternative means of green transportation for long distance commutes available on the market in 2019.

Continue reading for a detailed review of all the aspects of the scooter, our personal insights, recommendations, and some comparison to the Segway ES1 model.

Speed, Power & Distance

How fast does it go?

Comparing to other lightweight electric scooters on the market Ninebot Segway ES2 sits around the middle with a max speed of 25 km/h (15.5 m/h). The max speed is enough for commuting in the city, and whilst it’s not the fastest electric scooter available, it comes packed with other features. What is interesting is that Segway ES2 has a bit better acceleration than some other lightweight electric scooters. This comes from a 300W power hub motor at the front wheel. Usually, the market standard for such electric scooters is 250W hub motor. The peak power for ES2 is 700W while the ES2 with battery upgrade (‘ES4’) option offers 800W peak power! The difference in acceleration between the regular ES2 and the ES2 with the battery upgrade is felt in sports mode but is not a game changer and does not provide any extra speed.

Does it have more than one speed setting?

Similar again to the ES1, the Segway ES2 has 3 speed modes. The first speed mode is limit speed mode, meaning you can set your own speed limit with your smartphone through the Ninebot smartphone app which is available on iOs and Android. We really like this mode since you can customize a lower speed in case of high people traffic, cars on your path, or for younger riders. The second is the normal speed mode which gets you to max speed, and the third speed mode is sports mode that again goes to max speed but with more power and greater acceleration.

What age/weight is it suitable for?

Ninebot by Segway suggests that the minimum age for riding their electric scooter is 14 years. Compared to electric scooters designed primarily for children, it is on the fast side, even with the lower speed settings. Its a great option for teenagers, so we feel their age restriction is fair.

The max rider weight is not very impressive at just 100 kg (220 lbs). We have tested the scooter with multiple testers and heavier testers were still happy with the scooter since its powerful motor didn’t result in a huge drop in acceleration or max speed, but it obviously took longer to reach max speed.

What is the range/distance?

Segway ES2 has 25 km (15.5m) distance when riding on perfect conditions. This is a fairly standard distance a lightweight electric scooter can cover considering other options on the market. But what makes it exceptional is the extra battery upgrade option, which some people call the Segway ES4. With the battery upgrade and perfect riding conditions, you should be able to reach 45 km (28 miles) distance! This really makes the scooter stand out against others in the market, and makes a huge difference for people commuting longer distances in the city that don’t have a chance to charge their electric scooter in the school or office. We think it’s the best electric scooter for long commutes.

Can it be used off-road?

Ninebot by Segway is focusing on creating recreational, self-balancing, green electric vehicles. They do have options for people to go off-road, but sadly, at the moment they don’t have any electric scooters for off-roading. The hard rubber 8-inch front and 7.5-inch hard rubber tires do not provide the best grip on wet surfaces and will shake really hard going on rocky surfaces. This scooter is meant to be ridden in urban areas; streets, pavements, and pathways.

Battery Life & Charging

How long does it take to charge?

The Segway ES2 has a relatively short charging time of 3.5 hours to go from 0% to 100%. One of the fastest charging times we have seen on electric scooters in this bracket. If you opt for the ES2 with battery upgrade version it will take you 7 hours to charge both batteries.

Battery protection & safety

Ninebot by Segway make sure to implement safety control on all their products. Just like Segway ES1, the ES2 version has general battery safety controls:

• Over-heating protection
• Short circuit protection
• Over-current protection
• Over-charge protection

How long will the battery last for?

As almost all electric scooters in the industry Ninebot by Segway use high-quality Lithium-Ion batteries which should comfortably last 500-1000 charge cycles which is approx 2-3 years of regular use.

Design and Ergonomics

Since Segway ES1 and ES2 were developed with Ninebot, the same company that helped produce Xiaomi M365, you can see several similarities, and we think it’s a good thing! The Segway ES2 looks great, it is not provocative but still catches people attention.

Segway ES2 comes in black and silver colors. Both color combinations are gender neutral and so suitable for all ages and genders.

Ninebot by Segway has also put LED lights underneath the Segway ES2 scooter that illuminates the ground with different colors. A nice feature to make the scooter look “cooler” and more eye-catching.

Is it foldable?

As almost all electric scooters, Segway ES2 is easy to fold. Just step on the small pedal at the front of your foot surface and the mainframe will fold and lock into the rear mudguard. We really like the compactness of the folded scooter and how it can be wheeled along like a suitcase. It’s easy to store it in your trunk, office, or even under your bed. The unfolded dimensions are 102 × 43 × 113 cm and folded 113 × 43 × 40 cm.

An additional improvement over ES1 is that when riding you can fold the release pedal upwards to protect you from accidentally stepping on the pedal while riding and potentially crashing.

What material is it made from?

The scooter is made from hard aluminum alloy making quite lightweight, just 12.5 kg (25 lbs). There are some plastic parts like wheel covers, rear foot brake, and control pedals.

Handlebar

The handlebar on the Segway ES2 is well crafted. In the middle of it, you have your LED screen that will show all the vital information you need: current speed, current speed mode, and battery state.

The acceleration and brake pedals are really comfortable, easy to use with just one finger with each hand and very responsive.

A great improvement we love from Segway ES1 is that on Segway ES2 they put rubber handle grips instead of foam grips. Yes, we mentioned that foam grips are more comfortable, but they wear off very fast and get dirty often. With rubber grips, it’s easy to clean them and they last much longer.

Does it connect to your smartphone via app or Bluetooth?

Ninebot Segway ES2 is a smart electric scooter. You can connect to the Ninebot app on your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth connection.

We really love the options available on the Ninebot app for your scooter. The Ninebot app probably offers the most customization for your scooter in the market. In the app you can view your riding history, mileage, speeds, and battery state. You can also set speed limit for the speed limit mode and cruise control and even choose regenerative battery recharge level.

One extra safety feature that we haven’t seen on many other electric scooters is that you can lock your scooter with Ninebot app. The wheels will be put on brake and if someone moves the scooter your phone will be notified. Obviously, it will not prevent from thieves just taking the scooter and carrying it, but it is a nice feature to notify you if anyone is moving or tampering with your scooter.

Does it have suspension?

Yes! There are front and back shock absorption springs just above the wheels. They won’t do miracles and make your ride totally smooth, especially with the hard rubber tires, but they definitely absorb some of the small bumps and pavement inequalities on your way. Again, the suspension is a rare commodity with most electric road scooters on the market in 2019.

Build quality and ease of use

The solid aluminum alloy body feels very firm. All the joints and connections feel sturdy and durable and hard rubber tires won’t go flat since they aren’t inflatable.

During our tests of ES2 with/without the battery upgrade, we had no quality issues arise. The only thing we would like changed is the anti-slip rubber base. Whenever you step with dirty, dusty, or wet shoes you can instantly see it on the gray rubber which tarnishes the fresh look of the scooter. If the color was black, perhaps it wouldn’t look as dirty.

Even though we didn’t encounter any quality issues, we have seen some people reporting broken or damaged pieces. It happens from time to time with almost all electric scooters but what we wanted to highlight is that Ninebot by Segway will repair your scooter if it’s within the warranty period. However, you will have to ship it to them from your own pocket. We have seen a few customers which were not happy with quite a high shipping price just to repair or replace their scooter.

Segway ES2 just like its sibling ES1 is very easy to use from the start when you turn it on. You have very clear information on your front LED screen to see speed, gears, and battery state. Comfortable acceleration and braking make it a pleasant mean of green transport.

After your ride, it folds easily for you to carry or store. The Segway ES2 is lightweight, but if you purchase an additional battery and make it ES4, remember it adds 2.3 kg (5lbs). Weighing almost 14.8 kg (33 lbs) is borderline lightweight and will be heavier to carry. Luckily, you can wheel it along behind you when you’re not riding it.

Safety and usability on the road

From Segway ES1 we know that the stronger sibling ES2 is well built and safe to use on the road.

Anti-slip rubber allows feeling safe if you step on it with wet footwear. Segway ES2 has not only front LED lights but also rear and side red LED lights instead of reflectors to make you more visible in the night.

The front electric brake and rear manual brake will provide safe braking even if you use the Segway ES2 as a regular kick-scooter. With the electric brake, you should stop within 4 meters distance.

Is the Segway ES2 waterproof?

The Segway ES2 has the IP54 waterproof rating. Meaning it can withstand water splashes from all directions. However, make sure you do not submerge it underwater or leave in rain.

Does it have cruise control?

Yes. Again, cruise control is a sought after feature for electric scooters in 2019, so having a cruise control is a blessing for people in the city who commute every day. The cruise control is especially handy if you go for Segway ES2 with battery upgrade to travel long distances as you won’t have the need to always hold acceleration pedal.

Maneuverability

The ES4 is a great electric scooter for a city commuter. Small handlebars allow maneuvering between people and cars in traffic. Easy brake and acceleration along with different speed modes allow adapting to different situations and urban environments. Most cities do not have many hills so a 10-degree climbing angle, even if it’s not that height, shouldn’t be a problem. If you are living in a city with more hills maybe think about going for Segway ES2 with the battery upgrade option for more power and acceleration to get you to up to 15 degrees hills.

Restrictions and availability

Ninebot by Segway is a big international company, so most buyers should have no trouble finding a dealer that ships to their country.

Make sure to spend some time and look up your local laws about personal electric transportation vehicles on public roads and pavements. Different countries and states have different laws that change very often. Make sure you are up-to-date with your laws.