Best Electric Scooters for Climbing Hills

If you’re looking for the best electric scooters for hilly areas, this is the right place. In this buying guide, we list the top-rated electric scooters that will go up hills. It’s good for people who live in hilly areas like San Francisco to get an electric scooter that will go up hills or steep slopes, no matter for commuting or getting around the community. 

An electric scooter for climbing hills saves you energy and time while compared to those scooters for flat ground riding. The manufacturers generally indicate their scooters’ ability to climb hills in the product description. But this doesn’t mean you can’t ride an electric scooter without this statement in hilly cities. In real life, almost every adult electric scooter can go up gentle uphill slopes, but not all electric scooters can handle steep hills. 

There are so many different electric scooters to choose from. So to make it as simple as possible, we have categorized the best electric scooters for climbing hills into three levels.

• Tackes for 10-degree slopes
• Go up for 20-degree inclines
• Climb for 30-45 degree hills

Based on this way, we pick up several top-rated electric scooters for hilly areas and list them in the below table for a quick view.

Top-Rated Electric Scooters for Climbing 10-degree Steep Slopes

E-Scooter	Climbing Grade	Weight Limit	Price
Segway Max	20%	220 lbs	$759
Xiaomi Mi	Approx. 14°	220 lbs	$399
Gotrax XR Ultra	15°	220 lbs	$399
MegaWheels S10S	15°	264 lbs	$299
Apollo City	15°	265 lbs	$999

1. Segway MAX

The Segway Ninebot MAX is the best choice of electric scooters for climbing hills. There are several reasons for this ranking. Hill-climbing ability is the major factor.

The manufacturer boasts of 20% output when the scooter goes uphills. Keep this in mind, 20% is not equal to the 20-degree. If converting from percent grade to degree, 20% is almost the same as 11-degree in inclines.

The second impressive point is the MAX’s performance in a riding range. The Segway Ninebot MAX supports to go for a long-distance up to 40.4 miles, thanks to its medium-powerful motor and a large battery. This makes it also one of the best electric scooters riding a long-range. The only complaint was that the 551 watt-hours lithium-ion battery took 6 hours to recharge, even it’s said to come with a quick charge.

The Segway Ninebot MAX is one of the best electric scooters with waterproof protection, featuring an IP54 rating for splash-proof and riding in the light rain. It has a stylish and folding design and looks high-end. However, it’s not as portable as those lightweight models, it has a bulky and relatively heavy body. Not friendly for carrying in the hand, but still compact enough for storage in the car trunk or under the office desk or around a corner.

As an upgraded version, the Segway Ninebot MAX has two 10-inch larger wheels than 8-inch tires of its previous siblings. It’s one of the best electric scooters with big wheels for comfortable and stable riding experience.

	Ninebot by Segway MAX	Ninebot by Segway ES4	Ninebot by Segway ES2	Ninebot by Segway ES1
Climbing Slope	20%	15%	10%	10%
Range	40.4 miles (65 km)	28 miles (45 km)	15.5 miles (25 km)	15.5 miles (25 km)
Weight	42.1 lbs (19.1 kg)	30.9 lbs (14.0 kg)	27.6 lbs (12.5 kg)	24.9 lbs (11.3 kg)
Speed	18.6 mph	18.6 mph	15.5 mph	15.5 mph
Waterproof	IPX5	IP54	IP54	IP54
Motor	350 W	300 W	300W	300W
Capacity	220 lbs	220 lbs	220 lbs	220 lbs
Battery	551 Wh	374 Wh	187 Wh	187 Wh
Charging Time	6 Hours	7 Hours	3.5 Hours	3.5 Hours
Recommended Age	14+ years	14+ years	14+ years	14+ years
Required Height	3’11”–6’ 6”	3’11”–6’ 6”	3’11”–6’ 6”	3’11”–6’ 6”

2. Xiaomi Mi

The budget price is another reason why Xiaomi M365 ranks at the top of electric scooters for climbing hills. It’s suitable for urban commuting. The Xiaomi Mi is capable of 14-degree inclines, not the steepest, but great enough to deal with city road potholes.

This Xiaomi Mi electric scooter for climbing hills goes at an average speed – 15.5 miles per hour and as far as 18.6 miles, thanks to its 350W motor and 270Wh battery. However, the weight limit is not high enough to hold a slighter heavier rider than 220 lbs.

3. GOTRAX XR Ultra

This Gotrax XR Ultra electric scooter will effortlessly tackle 15-degree inclines, making it have a name in this roundup of best electric scooters for climbing hills. The climbing angle is not as steep as those most powerful electric scooters, but still good for people living in a hilly area with gentle slopes.

It features a folding design and a lightweight body, very portable for easy carrying on the bus, train, or wherever you go. The other features are not outstanding among those fast-speed electric scooters or long-range electric scooters. You can’t complain about not getting a perfect scooter for climbing hills given the price. The Gotrax UR Ultra electric scooter is very cheap, under $400 at Amazon.

4. MegaWheels S10

The MEGAWHEELS S10 is also a good electric scooter for handling gentle slopes. It supports a climbing angle up to 15-degree, not as steep as more powerful scooters. But this doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your consideration.

Actually, the MEGAWHEELS S10 is a good and budget option for urban commutes or last-mile transportation. The 15.5 mph top speed is street-legalized to run on the city streets, while the 15-degree incline ability enables it to deal with potholes effortlessly.

13.8 miles range is good for short commutes. And if you want to take it on a train or bus, the lightweight and compact body allows you to easily carry around and store it under your desk.

5. Apollo City

The City and Light are two entry-level models from the Apollo. The Apollo City was built with the sweet spot between power and portability in mind. It’s powerful enough to climb any hills under 15-degree grade and compact enough to fit under your desk.

Weighing only 39 LBS (18 KG), featuring a 3-second folding mechanism, along with the 28 miles long riding distance – the Apollo City adapts perfectly to the different stages of your commute. Short or long commutes, it depends on your needs.

It is also equipped with strong LED lights in the front, rear, and under the deck to ensure you ride safely at all times. The IP54 water resistance allows you to have safe riding on light rain days.

Best Electric Scooters for Climbing 20-degree Hills

E-Scooter	Climbing Grade	Weight Limit	Price
Swagtron Swagger 5 Boost	20°	220 lbs	$300
Dualtron Mini	20°	220 lbs	$1499
Emove Cruise	20°	352 lbs	$1399
Duatron Thunder	25°	265 lbs	$3699
Apollo Ghost	25°	300 lbs	$1599

6. Swagtron Swagger 5 Boost

If you are finding one budget electric scooter that is capable of going up to 20-degree steep streets, you won’t miss this Swagger 5 Boost. It was built for urban commutes in hilly areas, no matter you want to use it as the last-mile transportation gadget, or for short commutes within 11 miles.

Weighing only 27 lbs, you can easily carry it around or on a train or bus. The high weight limit of up to 320 pounds saves the Swagtron Swagger 5 Boost a spot on the best options for slightly heavier riders.

7. Dualtron Mini

The Mini is the entry-level model from the Dualtron series, so it was built with basic features for a rider to climb 20-degree hills. The basic word is just compared to the other higher-level Dualtron scooters. It does not mean the Dualtron Mini a bad option. Actually, except for the expensive price, the Dualtron Mini looked premiumly.

With a maximum 1450W hub motor, the Dualtron Mini is able to reach a top speed of up to 32 miles per hour, much faster than most city two-wheeler conveyance tools. Along with a 52 volt 17.5 Ah LG battery, the Dualtron Mini will take you anywhere within a maximum riding distance of 34 miles.

Costing over $1000 bucks, it’s not suitable for those who don’t have much budget on a commuting tool. And if you do want a superscooter with excellent features at this price class, you should consider the next one – Emove Cruise.

8. Emove Cruise

Compared to its own other features, the ability to climb 20-degree hills might be the least for Emove Cruise, which is our favorite electric scooter overall.

The top speed of Emove Cruise is not that impressive neither. The 600W motor might the reason, even it outputs up to 1600W power at the peak. This only happens when you compare the Emove Cruise to those high-end powerful electric scooters. Actually, the 25 miles per hour top speed is faster than most average options with a 15.5 mph speed.

Moving to our favorite part, the Emove Cruise has a very high weight limit for heavier riders – more than 350 pounds. Few scooters can beat this amazing capacity.

The 62 miles range is also one reason we strongly recommend the Emove Cruise to you. You don’t need to charge the scooter every day. This lasts the scooter’s life span and saves your time.

9. Dualtron Thunder

You won’t believe that this high-end Dualtron Thunder electric scooter is only capable of 25-degree hills. After all, the price is very expensive, more than $3500. Maybe this ability is not the Dualtron Thunder’s objective.

As a matter of fact, the Dualtron Thunder packed with a very powerful motor that generate up to 5400W power at peak, enabling the scooter to reach a top speed of 50 miles per hour. But you can’t blame its ability to climb hills, this grade – 25-degree, covers most steepest streets in the US anyway.

It’s just all Dultron scooters are a bit pricey, even they outperform the competitors.

10. Apollo Ghost

Apollo Ghost is an alternative for Emove Cruise, with a better performance in climbing hills – It goes up any hills of 25-degree. Other features are less competitive to Emove Cruise, even the Apollo Ghost is $200 more expensive than Emove Cruise.

After comparing these two electric scooters, you’ll find the Apollo Ghost beats the Emove Cruise in two aspects, or maybe three: motor, speed, and climbing hill ability.

The Apollo Ghost features two powerful 800W brushless motors that add up to 1600W of total nominal power and offer maximum 2000W instantaneous output at peak.

When the riding speed and the ability to climb hills are closely related to motor performance. There is no doubt the Apollo Ghost beats the Emove Cruise in these three features, as the latter only packed with a 600W motor that will output a maximum of 1600W power at peak.

With a top speed of 34 mph, it accelerates from 0 to 15 MPH in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 25 MPH in 5.3 seconds. This makes it definitely faster than most single motor electric scooters on the market, including the Emove Cruise.

If a faster top speed and acceleration and higher climbing hills grade are what you are after, the Apollo Ghost will not disappoint.

Other features for Apollo Ghost are still impressive in its price range. A 300-lb high weight limit means it is suitable for those slightly heavier adults. A 39-mile range gives you more freestyle to ride on the scooter as long as possible. After all, the Apollo Ghost sells at a very affordable price around $1500 till now in 2021.

Best Electric Scooters to Climb 30° Steeps Streets

E-Scooter	Climbing Grade	Weight Limit	Price
OUTSTORM MAXX	30°	385 lbs	$1977
Kaabo Wolf Warrior	30°	450 lbs	$2799
Dualtron X2	35°	265 lbs	$6499
Apollo Pro	40°	330 lbs	$2499
Kaabo Wolf King	45°	400 lbs	$2999

11. OUTSTORM MAXX

At first, we though the OUTSTORM MAXX is a very expensive electric scooter, spending almost $2000 buck. After comparing it to the scooters in the same price range, our mind changed and we recommended it as best bet for climbing hills equally or above the 30-degree. It’s the best budget one of the top 5 on our list.

We know that the capability of a scooter to climb hills is determined by the motor. The enable the OUTSTORM MAXX to go up 30-degree hills, the scooter pack a powerful motor that outputs 3200w power at peak. Powerful motor also makes it to reach a top speed of 56 miles per hour.

The OUTSTORM MAXX features an impressive maximum load capacity of 385 pounds, beating most electric scooters for heavier riders on the market.

12. Kaabo Wolf Warrior

The Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11 is a premium electric scooter built for junkies. It’s no surprise that this scooter loads the impressive features that you can find on high-end electric scooters.

Equipped with dual brushless 1200W motors, combined with two 40A controllers. The Wolf Warrior delivers a peak output of 5400W power that makes it reach a top speed of 50 miles per hour and climb up to 30-degree hills with ease. It takes only 1.9 seconds to accelerate to 15 mph, thanks to the powerful motor.

Another impressive feature is the maximum load capacity. The Wolf Warrior supports riders up to 450 pounds, very suitable for big guys commuting and fun. This weight limit is also good for two average-weight adults, while the wide deck provides enough space for two-people standing.

Thanks to the 60V 35Ah Battery with battery management system protection, the Wolf Warrior can ride 70 miles long-range in the eco-mode beating most electric scooters in this price range.

13. Dualtron X2

The Dualtron X2 was built for extreme performance. The manufacturer created this scooter for a powerhouse to amaze the riders with an ultra-powerful motor and a massive battery. You won’t be disappointed with the Dualtron X2 if you want to enjoy more freedom of riding an electric vehicle.

Packed with 6720-watt max BLDH hub motors, combined with a 72V 42Ah battery with LG cells, the Dualtron X2 is absolutely a beast scooter. A robust motor and large battery make it reach at the fastest speed of more than 65 miles per hour while allows you to go as far as 93 miles away. This is the longest distance an electric scooter can ride, on our list.

Thanks to the impressive motor, the Dualtron X2 is capable of climbing 35-degree hills with ease. However, this is not the steepest grade a scooter can go, the Apollo Pro and Kaabo Wolf King even performs better in conquering steep streets in the world.

14. Apollo Pro

The specifications listed above are for the basic version of the Apollo Pro, which has three variants with different motors and batteries. All the Pro models will support climbing a maximum of 40-degree hills, due to the dual-motor mode for power.

Apollo Pro	52V	60V	60V Ludo
Battery	52V 22.5aH	60V 21aH	60V 21aH
Range (eco)	up to 56 miles	up to 50 miles	up to 56 miles
Range (Turbo)	25 miles	25 miles	25 miles
Motor	2 x 1000W	2 x 1200W	2 x 1200W
Motor (Peak)	2400W	3200W	3200W
Speed	38 mph	42 mph	44 mph
Acceleration	6.2s to 30 mph	5.3s to 30 mph	4s to 30 mph
Price	$1749	$2299	$3299

Three options were designed for different needs. The basic 52V Pro version is for entry-level enthusiast who don’t want to spend too much on trying a premium scooter. As long as you want to change the higher performance choice, The 60V Ludo Pro is available.

As three variants have the same body, it’s supposed that you need to change the battery only to turn the scooter from medium level to high level.

15. Kaabo Wolf King

You won’t believe that there exists an electric scooter that can go steep hills as 45-degree. The Kaabo Wolf King proves this. It’s the best option for climbing hills if you’re living in a hilly area or city.

Just like the manufacturer named it with a king, the Wolf King matches this title with very high performance in power and speed, and also the climbing ability.

Equipped with the dual 1500W VM motors, combined with dual 72V 40A Minimotors controllers, the Wolk King is supposed to have a maximum output of 6720 watts. This enables the scooter to reach a remarkable top speed of 60 miles per hour, ranking #2 on the fastest electric scooters list.

The powerful motor also allows a brutal acceleration. The Wolf King accelerates from 0-50 mph in 4.8 seconds. With the greatest performance, acceleration, and climbing ability yet, it is a machine created to empower the extremists to push the limits of what is possible.

Buying Guide of Best Electric Scooters for Climbing Hills

Before you make the final decision to get an electric scooter that will go up hills, there are caveats to consider.

Climb Ability

Generally speaking, the steeper the hill is, the harder it is for the electric scooter to climb up. There are several factors that determine whether your electric scooter can go uphill or not. The scooter’s climbing angle is the most important factor of them all.

You’ll easily find this number in the manufacturer’s product description if the scooter has this ability. The bigger the number is, the better capability it is for the electric scooter to do the climb. The climb angle is also influenced by the motor, and we’ll talk about it in the next part.

Sometimes, you’ll see different expressions in the climbing ability. Some scooters will have a percentage while others have a degree. The percentage is different from the grade and you can’t directly convert them to each other.

How to convert slope percent to degrees?

There is a formula to convert a slope percent to degrees:

Degrees = Tan-1 (Slope Percent/100)

For example: With a slope percentage of 30%, degrees would be: Degrees = Tan-1(.3). Calculated out this gives an angle of 16.70 degrees.

You can also go to the calculation website to get a result from slope percentage to degrees. Just enter the percent number and press the button to calculate, you’ll get the result of the degree at once.

You can get a quick result from below table that lists most common seen percent to degrees.

Percent	Degrees
2%	1.15°
5%	2.86°
10%	5.71°
15%	8.53°
20%	11.31°
25%	14.04°
30%	16.70°

Motor

Electric scooters with sufficient power and torque are able to get you up the hills without slowing down so much. As a rule, the more powerful the motor is, the sharper inclines the scooter will tackle. For less powerful electric scooters, a climb angle greater than 15° is considered too steep to climb. For premium e scooters, on the other hand, that angle could be a piece of cake.

The more powerful they are, the better the performance in climbing hills.

Battery

Just like any electric-powered vehicle, your electric scooter’s performance is affected a lot by its battery. To climb hills, the scooter needs to come packed with a powerful battery to store the significant power. Actually, the combination of the battery and the motor has a direct and important impact on the performance of the scooter. The performance does not only mean the proficiency to go up hills, but also the competence to ride for a long range.

If you happen to live in a hilly area just like San Francisco, you’re considering buying an electric scooter with a powerful battery and motor. An electric scooter powered by a long-lasting battery and high-torque motor at least 250 watts or above will be perfect for you.

Weight 

The rider’s weight is another important factor that affects the performance of an electric scooter to go up hills. The more weight a scooter has to carry, the more work its motor has to do. You can’t expect an electric scooter to climb the same incline with two people on it while compared to one rider on it. At this point, a scooter with a higher weight limit performs better to carry more weight, even in climbing hills. But make sure the total weight is within its maximum weight capacity. 

Tires

Tires with proper grip and adequate size are crucial for the scooters to handle steep hills. The electric scooter you buy should have grooved, treaded tires. Deep and clear texture provides the scooter more grip power than bald tires. For this aspect, you can check those off-road electric scooters. Almost all electric scooters of this type are capable of climbing hills. 

Small-sized tires can make climbing more difficult than it needs to be. Ideally, a scooter’s tires should be at least 8.5 inches or larger. Actually, you’ll find most commuting electric scooters come with 8.5 inches or larger tires. So do the best electric scooters for climbing hills in this roundup review. 

Suspension

Having an electric scooter with a suspension can help you go uphill with ease when compared to uphill travel on a scooter with no suspension. When you are climbing a hill, your body tends to exert more weight on the rear wheels of the scooter to balance itself. A suspension in the scooter, therefore, ensures that the load exerted on the back of your scooter is not translated to the wheels. An e-scooter with a rear suspension ensures you enjoy a comfortable city ride and climb hills with confidence.

Riding electric scooters with premium-grade materials, powerful motors, efficient batteries,  high-thread tires, you’ll be climbing – and conquering – steep hills with ease.

FAQs about Best Electric Scooters for Climbing Hills

1. Can electric scooters go up hills?

Short answer: yes, electric scooters can go uphill. But not all electric scooters have this ability. The manufacturers should state if their electric scooters are capable of climbing hills or not in the product description. You can easily know if it is an ideal electric scooter that can go up hills as you expected. Checking its climb angle to find the best option for your needs.

2. What are the best electric scooters for hilly areas?

That depends on your needs. If you prefer the best electric scooters for San Francisco hills, the bigger climb angle it features, the better it is. The Qiewa Q1Hummer can climb the steepest hills, up to 30-degree. If you want a budget option, the Swagger Pro is a great alternative. It climbs 25-degree hills

3. What’s the best electric scooter for uphill commuting?

If you live in a hilly area, a scooter with a good climbing angle might be better for choice. For those people with a tight budget, the Swagger Pro is worth considering. Its climb angle is up to 25-degree, superbly beating most electric scooters for going up hills. If you don’t mind the budget, the Qiewa Q1Hummer is a better-performed choice. It climbs hills up to 35-degree. It’s one of the best electric scooters for heavy adults, with a weight limit up to 550 lbs.

Bonus: Complete List of 40 Electric Scooters to Climb Hills

E-scooter	Price	Weight (lbs)	Capacity (lbs)	Motor	Top Speed (mph)	Range (miles)	Battery	Charge Time (hours)	Tire Size	Waterproof	Incline
Segway ES2	$569	28	220	300W	15.5	15.5	187 Wh	3.5	8	IP54	10%
Hiboy Max	$400	34	220	350W	18.6	17	36V	4-6	8.5		15%
Hiboy MAX V2	$400	35	265	350W	18.6	17	36V	4-6	8.5		15%
Hiboy NEX	$279	25	180	250W	13	~13	36V	4-6	6.5		15%
Hiboy NEX3	$400	30	200	350W	16	16	36V	6.5	8.5		15%
Hiboy S2 Lite	$300	21	180	250W	13	10.6	36V	6	6.5		15%
Hiboy S2R	$470	31	200	350W	19	17	36V	4-6	8.5		15%
Segway ES4	$759	31	220	300W	18.6	28	374 Wh	7	8(F)/7.5(R)	IP54	15%
Segway Ninebot Air T15	$749	23	220	300W	12.4	9.3	144 Wh	4	9.7	IP4	15%
Segway Ninebot E22	$499	30	220	300W	12.4	13.7	184 WH	3.5	9	IP4	15%
Segway Max	$799	42	220	350W	18.6	40	551 Wh	6	10	IPX5	20%
Xiao M365	$599	27	220	250W	15.5	18.6	36V	~5	8.5	IP54	~14°
Apollo Light	$899	37	220	350W	22	22	490 Wh	5	8.5	IP54	10°
XPRIT 10 Pro	$360	37	264	350W	18.6	15	36V	6-8	10		11°
Apollo City	$999	39	265	800W	25	28	634 Wh	6	8.5	IP54	15°
Emove Touring	$899	39	330	500W	24	25	624 Wh	3-4	8	IP54	15°
Gotrax G4	$500	36	220	350W	20	25	374 Wh	4.5	10	IP54	15°
Gotrax XR Elite	$420	32	220	300W	15.5	18.6	36V	4	8.5	IP54	15°
GOTRAX XR Ultra	$399	27	220	300W	15.5	18	36V	3-4	8.5	IP54	15°
MEGAWHEELS S10s	$299	27	264	250W	15.5	13.8	36V	4-6	8		15°
Segway Ninbot S	$489	28	220	400W x 2	10	13.7	238 Wh	2-4	10.5	IP54	15°
Segway Ninbot S-Plus	$779	36	220	400W x 2	12.5	22	329 Wh	4	11	IP54	15°
Apollo Explore	$1,299	52	265	1000W	31	34	946 Wh	8	10	IP54	20°
Dualtron ni	$1,499	48	220	1450W	32	34	52V	10	8.5		20°
Emove Cruiser	$1,399	52	352	600W	25	62	1560 Wh	9-12	10	IPX6	20°
Swagtron Swagger 5T	$300	27	320	250W	18	11	36V	~3.5	8.5	–	20°
Apollo Ghost	$1,599	64	300	1600W	34	39	946 Wh	12	10	IP54	25°
Dualtron Compact	$2,649	70	265	max 3400	40	50	1,260Wh	12	8.5		25°
Dualtron Eagle Pro	$2,290	66	265	Max 3600W	40	50	1,344Wh	12	10		25°
Dualtron III	$2,969	80	265	max 3600w	40	75		16	10		25°
Dualtron Raptor 2	$2,099	50	220	Max 3000W	37	37	60V	9	8		25°
Dualtron Spider	$2,250	44	220	max 3000w	37	37	60V	8.7	10		25°
Dualtron Thunder	$3,699	95	265	max 5400w	50	75	60V	20	11		25°
Dualtron Ultra V2	$3,149	81	265	max 5400w	50	75	60V	20	10		25°
Kaabo Mantis Pro Se	$1,899	65	330	1000W x 2	40	40	1092 Wh	4-5	10		30％
Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11	$2,799	101	450	1200w x 2	50	70	2100 Wh	~8	11	IPX4	30°
OUTSTORM	$1,998	101	385	max 3200W	56	53	84V	7-9	11		30°
Dualtron X2	$6,499	145	265	max 6720w	65+	93	72V	8+	13		35°
Apollo Pro	$2,499	77	330	2000W/ 2400W	38-44	56	1170 Wh	10-12	10	IP54	40°
Kaabo Wolf King	$2,999	105	400	1500W x 2	60	50	2016 Wh	5	11	IPX4	45°