One of the most well-known brands, in the personal transport market, Segway’s electric scooters are a popular choice. In this feature, we do a Ninebot ES4 review and analyze the model, its specifications and our final verdict. A revamped version of its predecessors, ES1 and ES2, the Ninebot Segway ES4, is power-packed which we describe below in detail. While its core features are similar to the ES2, it has advanced features which make both scooters distinct and the ES4 better.
Part 1. Overview of Ninebot ES4 Electric Scooter
The Ninebot ES4 is a good choice of electric scooter for those looking for commuting purpose. The brand specifies it suitable for 14 years onwards on age, making it good for teenagers. It has a few downsides like price which we will cover extensively in this Ninebot ES4 review. However, the electric scooter by Ninebot, has a powerful battery as well as motor. The instantly recognizable brand, Segway, was acquired by Chinese company Ninebot in 2015. Their swathe of electronic products like the electric scooter is well-loved and renowned in the electric transport market.
Part 2. Ninebot ES4 Review: Key Features
The distinct features of the Segway Ninebot ES4 include a permanent external battery as well as the under-deck LED lighting. The former is what makes the scooter a lot faster than the ES2 and comes with a good range, albeit with downsides. The LED lighting makes for good aesthetic design. For this Ninebot ES4 review, we have divided this section based on key features like:
- Design and Construction
- Speed and Range
- Battery
- Portability and Weight
- Safety
- Miscellaneous
1. Design and Construction
The Ninebot ES4 comes in gender-neutral color variants of blue and silver, making it suitable for both genders and across age groups. It has LED lights under the scooter which light the ground in different colors.
The ES4 has pneumatic tires, the front being 8-inches and the rear 7.5 inches. Braking for the front is by an electric one located on the handlebar and the rear has a manual one. This makes the bike stable because both tires can be braked. For suspension, right above the wheels are situated the front and rear shock absorption springs. Small jerks and bumps are taken care of. The presence of hard rubber-based tires does not make for effective shock absorption but this feature is unique to an electric scooter.
The handlebar sports rubber grips which are more durable and easier to clean than foam-based grips. The electric scooter is pretty easy to use and has comfortable handlebars. An anti-slip mesh design deck is present. The scooter is waterproof with IP54 rating and can withstand splashes only and not submerged in water.
An LED screen on the ES4 contains important information on speed, battery and the riding mode. ES4 is a smart scooter and can be connected to your phone via Bluetooth. The app helps in color customization of sidelight and rear. You can control the headlights and speed levels from it too. In addition to this, it has an alarm, anti-theft and diagnostics for your two-wheeler. So you can trace your riding history, speed and battery state. The anti-theft notifies the rider of any tampering done with the scooter. There are cruise control options which can limit your speed but at the same time also save on battery through the regenerative battery recharge option on the app.
2. Speed and Range
The Segway Ninebot ES4 has an 800W peak power motor. On average, this power hub is at 350W. The top speed for ES4 is 18.6 mph and a range of 28 miles. To accelerate, first, the scooter is set in motion, and when above 3mph, the right acceleration throttle is gently pressed. Depending on the cruise mode, thrust is delivered accordingly.
As mentioned above in this Ninebot ES4 review, 3-speed modes are available. The first is the limit speed mode which adjusts speed via the app. The normal speed mode can deliver the maximum speed. The third is the sports mode which delivers maximum speed at higher power and acceleration. Switching between the modes is simple because of the proximity of the handlebars to the power button. Another thing to note is that cruise control is automatic when moving at constant speeds.
This heavy customization makes Ninebot ES4 electric scooter great for long-distance commute. While it can be taken off-road, but it doesn’t deliver the best performance for tougher terrains. However, it can cruise comfortably at up to 15% surface.
As mentioned the strong motor is also a silent one which means you can whizz past traffic without noise. A bell is, however, missing, which could have been present. The KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) front brake takes the scooter 4 seconds for a complete halt form top speed. Using the foot brakes reduces this duration.
3. Battery
The battery takes 7 hours for charging. It has lithium-ion batteries and has 4 safety controls: Over-charge, short-circuit, over-heating and over-current protection. The batteries can comfortably last 500-1000 charging cycles making them durable for 2-3 years. While charging, the handlebar-mounted LED display shows battery charge in terms of percentage which makes reading easier.
4. Portability and Weight
The electric scooter is made of aluminium hard alloy and weighs 31 pounds because of the external battery. It is borderline lightweight and heavy to carry around. It can hold a weight of 220 pounds. The scooter can be folded and wheeled around. To fold, a small pedal in front when pressed allows folding of mainframe and locks the scooter into the rear mudguard.
5. Safety
This Segway scooter is UL 2272 certified which ensures no exploding lithium batteries. That being said, overcharging should still be avoided. The rear light adds in night riding safety. In addition to this an app which gives basic instructions on safety gear, it also has anti-theft features.
6. Miscellaneous
In this, we discuss customer service. ES4 has a 12-month warranty which includes the vehicle parts. There is a 180-day warranty for the electronic brake parts, charger and pack and the battery charger. Parts which are prone to wear like handlebar grips have a 90-day warranty. The reviews on most website show positive and satisfied feedback on Segway customer service.
7. Cost
The Ninebot ES4 electric scooter is priced at $799.
Part 3. Ninebot ES4 Review: Pros and Cons
Another important part of any purchase like this Ninebot ES4 review is the pros and cons.
Pros
- The external battery gives better speed and range.
- Good for a long-distance commute.
- Has better safety features than ES2.
- Easy to use because of small handlebars so navigating traffic is easy.
- The suspension system and a powerful battery are plus points.
Cons
- The scooter is expensive and priced at $799. Upgrading from ES2 is unviable.
- Longer charging time.
- Missing a basic feature like a bell.
- The kickstand can’t prop scooter when folded and folds under the scooter’s weight on an inclined surface.
- Solid rubber tires make uncomfortable riding on uneven surfaces.
Part 4. Best Alternative to Ninebot ES4: TURBOANT X7
If you are looking for something more durable without the hitches of cost and longer charging period, its better to have an allrounder like the TurboAnt X7. A lightweight electric scooter which is not cumbersome to carry around makes the perfect mark for the daily commuter.
- X7 Pro Folding Electric Scooter
- Detachable battery design allows for a fast battery change and convenient charge.
- An allrounder compact and lightweight scooter which is portable measuring 41.6 × 16.5 × 17.7 in (1056 × 420 × 450 mm) when folded.
- It weighs only 29.7 lbs, bearing a load of 275 lbs and gives a strong torque powered by a 350W motor.
- It is fast and delivers a maximum speed of 20 mph and a travel radius of 16 miles.
- Like any modern electric scooter, it sports a LED display with lights for nighttime riding safety. The display panel includes battery level, settings and current speeds which can be seen even during daylight.
- Among safety features, it has an anti-slip design and wide deck for foot room space. The 8.5 front and rear pneumatic tires make for smoother riding across different terrains. It can also move in inclined planes of 15% slopes.
- Charging duration is between 4-6 hours and is water-resistant with an IP54 rating.
- To control speeds, it also has riding modes to choose from.
Unlike other more expensive options in the option, the TurboAnt X7 is a viable option for commuters with better performance and equally matched features.
Conclusion
So after this Ninebot ES4 review, we believe the ES4 makes for a decent scooter. It has its share of drawbacks like heavyweight because of the external battery. To add to that, it is cheaper also. That being said, ES4 is good for commuters with good speed and range but its tires can be upgraded. Its prohibitive cost is a deterrent for most but makes for an overall reliable brand electric scooter. It is not a bad scooter but for similar features and better performance TurboAnt X7 electric scooter is a good choice.
