EleKtro City Vs. Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40: Which Entry-level E-scooter Is Better?
The best electric scooter for beginners is an entry-level e-scooter since it offers all the basic specs and features a rider needs without sacrificing cost. They’re also practical since they’re lightweight, compact, and easy to manoeuvre.
Unfortunately, some people avoid entry-level e-scooters since some budget-friendly entry-level rides use cheap materials and components, resulting in unreliable e-scooters. But that’s not the case with all entry-level rides.
Many popular entry-level electric scooters offer a premium build, excellent ride quality, and good performance for an affordable price. Among them, the EleKtro City and Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 provide top-rated entry-level electric scooters compared to their class.
But what makes them different from other entry-level rides, and which should you pick? If you want one of these e-scooters as your new or next ride, consider this EleKtro City and Segway F40 review comparison as your entry-level electric scooter buying guide.
Quick Electric Scooter Comparison
|
EleKtro City |
Segway F40 |
|
|
Weight |
13 kg |
15.8 kg |
|
Max Load |
100 kg |
100 kg |
|
Motor |
400 W |
350 W |
|
Battery |
36 V 10.4 Ah |
42 V 5.1 Ah |
|
Charging Time |
3-4 hours |
Approximately 6.5 hours |
|
Top Speed |
30 kph (limited to 25 kph) |
30 kph (limited to 25 kph) |
|
Max Range |
40 km |
40 km |
|
Gradeability |
15° |
20% |
|
Brakes |
Drum Brake |
Electronic Brake, |
|
Tyres |
10” Pneumatic Tyres |
10” Pneumatic Tyres |
|
App Connectivity |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cost |
$899 |
$799 (from $1,199) |
|
Warranty |
2 Years for the Frame and 1 Year for Motor, Controller, Body, and Battery |
1 Year for Vehicle Body, |
|
Customer Service |
Responsive, Offers Parts and Repairs |
Responsive, Offers Parts and Repairs |
Design
Both entry-level electric scooters feature a minimalist and compact design. However, the Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 has a bit more colour than the EleKtro City.
The Segway F40 has a dark grey exterior with orange accents on its wheels, folding mechanism, and wires, adding a distinct and stylish look to this Segway scooter.
Meanwhile, the EleKtro City electric scooter sports a black exterior with a silver accent on its folding mechanism and the EleKtro logo on its stem and deck.
Despite being budget electric scooters, both models don’t use cheap materials, and each component has a solid, premium feel.
Although each e-scooter’s platform or deck is slightly thin and narrow, it doesn’t bend or crack easily and holds its shape even at heavy loads. In fact, both the EleKtro City and Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 can carry a max load of 100 kg.
Overall, both e-scooters have a distinct style, durable builds, and decent maximum loads. It all depends on which look you prefer.
Performance
The performance of entry-level electric scooters is usually subpar due to their small motors. However, the EleKtro City and Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 use bigger than usual motors and batteries, resulting in better performance than its peers.
The Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 electric scooter uses a 350 W brushless, direct current motor and a 42 V 5.1 Ah battery that delivers a top speed of 30 kph and max range of 40 km. But its top speed is limited to 25 kph to comply with electric scooter laws in Australia. It can also ride through slopes with a 20% gradeability.
Meanwhile, the EleKtro City offers a bigger motor and battery, but produces similar results as the Segway F40. This EleKtro scooter uses a 400 W motor and 36 V 10.4 Ah battery that produces up to 30 kph (limited to 25 kph for compliance) and up to 40 km. It can take on slopes up to 15° angles.
Since both electric scooters produce the same top speed and range, you can be sure either e-scooter will serve you well for your daily commutes and leisurely trips.
Just remember that the figures above don’t reflect actual speed and range. Your actual speed and range vary depending on several factors like rider weight, terrain, weather, riding style, and more.
Portability
How portable are the Segway F40 and EleKtro City? Both have a light weight and compact body, but the EleKtro City offers better portability.
The EleKtro City electric scooter only weighs 13 kg, making it easy to carry around or transport to places. The easy-fold mechanism also makes it easy to fit the e-scooter inside car trunks, under desks, and in small storage spaces.
Lastly, the EleKtro City features removable grips, allowing you to reduce its size and make it more compact.
On the other hand, the Segway F40 weighs slightly more at 15.8 kg. It also includes a folding mechanism that folds easily and securely. As a result, you can bring it on public transportation if allowed, inside your car, up the stairs, inside the elevator, and more.
Although both e-scooters have compact and lightweight builds, the EleKtro City offers better portability thanks to its lighter weight, compact body, folding mechanism, and removable grips.
Safety
Safety should always be your priority as a rider. Fortunately, both electric scooters provide reliable brakes and lights to keep you safe on the road.
The Segway F40 uses two types of brakes, a front regenerative electric brake and a rear disc brake. According to Segway, the 140 mm disc brakes have an increased reaction time of 27%, responding quickly in 0.1 seconds. And it feels like it, as the e-scooters react immediately to the brake and slow down quickly when riding at high speeds.
Besides the brakes, it also uses a bright 2.5 W LED front light to illuminate your path and increase your visibility at night.
Meanwhile, the EleKtro City uses drum brakes, plus front and rear lights. Drum brakes have a strong braking force and longer-lasting component, making them reliable and practical in the long run. The lights are also bright enough for extra visibility on the road at night.
Although both electric scooters offer ideal safety features, the Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 offers better safety features. Also, it’s an excellent electric scooter for beginners since its responsive braking system offers extra stability and steerability during emergencies.
Nonetheless, the EleKtro City and Segway F40 are reliable entry-level electric scooters.
App Connectivity
The features of entry-level electric scooters often don’t include app connectivity. You’ll often find this smart technology incorporated in commuter e-scooters with better specs and higher prices. But the EleKtro City and Segway Ninebot F40 offer an app connectivity feature despite being entry-level rides.
You can connect the EleKtro City to your smartphone using an app. Just scan the QR code on the user’s manual, download the app, and connect it via Bluetooth. With the app, you can lock and unlock the e-scooter, control the lights, change your speed mode, activate cruise control, monitor your riding information, and upgrade the e-scooter’s firmware.
Meanwhile, you can connect the Segway Ninebot F40 with the Segway-Ninebot App via Bluetooth. Using the app, you can see your riding speed, battery level, energy usage, and activate cruise control after hitting at least 8 kph.
Overall, both e-scooter apps work well and have a user-friendly interface. The apps offer extra convenience and insight into your riding information, allowing you to maximise each trip.
Ride Quality
Although both electric scooters don’t have suspension, they still offer excellent ride quality for city trips due to their tyres.
The Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 electric scooter features 10-inch pneumatic anti-skid tyres. Its polymer-lined tyres include wear-resistant tread, giving you a smooth and comfortable ride. The tyres also do a good job of absorbing shocks from humps and uneven surfaces on the road.
Meanwhile, the EleKtro scooter also uses 10-inch pneumatic tyres. It offers extra cushioning for a more stable and smoother riding experience.
Both e-scooters are on par regarding ride quality, and both also offer easy steering and handling. As a result, they’re perfect beginner-friendly electric scooters. Either e-scooter will serve you well if you prefer one with good riding experience.
Price
The EleKtro City and Segway Ninebot F40 are some of the most affordable electric scooters in the entry-level category. The EleKtro City has a retail price of $899, while the Segway F40 has a retail price of $1,199. But as of writing, Segway has it on sale for only $799, making it a steal.
If you buy during the sale, it’s worth buying the Segway F40. Otherwise, get the EleKtro City since it has a lower retail price than the F40. Note that EleKtro offers sales regularly, allowing you to get the City for a lower price via their website.
However, at these price points, are these e-scooters worth it? Definitely! Both models elevate the features of entry-level electric scooters. At a reasonable price, both rides offer smart app connectivity, better safety, a premium build, and higher specs than most of its peers.
Warranty and Customer Service
Regarding warranty, the EleKtro City has a longer warranty period than the Segway Ninebot F40. EleKtro offers a warranty of two years for the frame and one year for the controller, motor, battery, and body.
Meanwhile, Segway offers one year warranty for the body, 180 days warranty for other components like the battery pack and charger, and 90 days warranty for components that are subject to wear, like handlebar grips and the rear wheel.
Although Segway is an established and reliable brand in the industry, EleKtro’s longer warranty period shows the brand’s confidence in its products. If you prefer a longer warranty period, consider getting the EleKtro City. But remember that both brands offer excellent e-scooters regardless of the warranty.
When it comes to customer service, both brands are responsive online and via hotline. Both also sell parts on their website and offer repair services through their local headquarters and retail partners.
Which Entry-level E-scooter Is Better?
The EleKtro City and Segway Ninebot KickScooter F40 both provide an excellent entry-level ride without sacrificing quality and cost. However, the best ride for you depends on what you’re looking for.
If you prefer an e-scooter with good performance and better safety features, consider the Segway F40. Its high specs and dual braking system will help you take on most roads in the city safely, especially during emergencies.
On the other hand, get the EleKtro City if you need a portable ride with high specs. With its larger motor and battery, you can go at high speeds and long distances, while still being able to carry it around anywhere.
Overall, both rides offer excellent riding experience, from its app connectivity to ride quality. Either model will offer the best electric scooter for beginners and seasoned riders for city trips.
Hopefully, this electric scooter review helped you learn more about these two e-scooters and see which one suits you best. Feel free to share this post with others or share your thoughts in the comments section of our social media post.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for similar models, browse Scooteroo for other entry-level electric scooter recommendations, or check out e-scooter reviews on our blog section.
Previous article
