EMOVE Touring vs. Unagi Model One Voyager

The EMOVE Touring and Unagi Model One Voyager are two of the hottest electric scooters on the market, each offering unique features and impressive performance. But which one is the perfect fit for you?

In this comparison guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these two models. From speed and range to design and comfort, we'll help you decide which electric scooter will take your ride to the next level.

EMOVE Touring

EMOVE is the retail giant, VORO Motors’, in-house brand. They are credited with having some of the most rider-focused models on the market, from the Cruiser line to the Roadrunner seated e-scooters, to the new performance Roadster. The Emove Touring is positioned as their commuter-focused model and recently got a 2024 upgrade.

Unagi

Unagi scooters, on the other hand, have been popularized by regular commuters, beginner riders, and those looking for a scooter that fits their luxurious lifestyle. Riders get to choose between the original Model One Classic and our focus of the day, the Model One Voyager.

The EMOVE Touring, or the Unagi Model One Voyager–which is the ultimate commuter scooter?

The EMOVE Touring Vs. Unagi Model One Voyager Comparison Table

Cost

The EMOVE Touring is a bargain for its price. The Touring retails for $899, giving most budget electric scooters a run for their money. For the price, you get a highly reliable electric scooter that’s perfectly suited for beginner and intermediate riders, with a proven track record, low maintenance requirements, and incredible support from VORO.

However, we do not assume that you immediately have that amount of money to spend on a good quality scooter. The evidence is in the number of commuters opting for shared/rental scooter rides daily. That’s where Unagi swoops in to save the day with its revolutionary membership plan–a subscription-based payment structure that lets you pay $79 a month for the Voyager, or $59 a month for the Model One Classic, resultantly allowing you to own the scooter for the duration of the plan.

Performance

The EMOVE Touring is a 500 W motor scooter, with a rear wheel drive. It is perhaps the strongest single-motor electric scooter in its price class. The Model One Voyager, on the other hand, features powerful dual motors, rated at 250 W each with a peak power of 1000 W.

Speed and Acceleration

The EMOVE Touring is famous for its speed, and the 2024 version gets you to a tested top speed of 21 mph, against the manufacturer-cited max speed of 25 mph. It achieves a similar acceleration to 15 mph as the dual motor Voyager, both reaching the mark in 4.4 seconds.

However, the Voyager has a lower top speed of 20mph--in line with acceptable bike lane riding speeds in the US.

Range and Battery

The Touring and Unagi Voyager are aptly named–they are both long-range electric scooters. The EMOVE Touring has a large 48 V, 624 Wh battery, that charges in about 6 hours, and achieves a tested range of 20 miles. VORO, however, claims it can reach 32 miles in ideal conditions. The scooter also makes use of 21700 LG cells that promote efficiency and support a long battery life.

The Voyager electric scooter also makes use of energy-dense cells but has a lower-rated 36 V, 360 Wh battery. Riders get anywhere between 12-25 miles of range, depending on riding conditions. However, thanks to the short 3-hour charge time, or 1 hour to 50% capacity, there should be no significant obstacle to taking longer journeys.

Hill Climbing

The dual-motor Unagi is an excellent hill climber, and the Touring matches in torque. Both scooters can scale a 200 ft, 10-degree gradient in under 14 seconds.

Braking

The Unagi’s dual electronic regen brakes bring the scooter to a halt in 17.3 ft from a speed of 15 mph. To slow down, riders can also use the rear fender brake. Alternatively, the Touring only applies single-wheel braking, courtesy of the scooter's rear-located regen plus drum brakes. This setup accounts for its longer stopping distance of 18.5 ft from a speed of 15 mph.

Build Quality

The brand EMOVE is synonymous with durability, while Unagi is renowned for quality. That means you can’t go wrong with either electric scooter on this front.

Materials and Durability

Unagi leverages high strength-to-weight ratio materials in the construction of its electric scooters. You get high-quality carbon fiber on the stem, magnesium alloy on the handlebars, and a single-piece machined aluminum for the deck. This culminates in a heavy-duty, incredibly lightweight, and durable electric scooter that will serve you for years.

On the other hand, the EMOVE Touring features strong, aircraft-grade aluminum, that results in a scooter that can withstand the rigors of daily riding.

Aesthetics

The Unagi Model One Voyager is a sleek and elegant scooter, while the Touring is more functional in appearance. Both are intricately designed--The Voyager is the scooter you’d take into a corporate meeting, while the Touring is what you’d take on a site visit.

Regardless, both electric scooter models offer variety in color choice. For Unagi, you get to choose between deep cobalt, matte black, cool mist, or Late. The Touring, alternatively, comes in orange, stealth black, white, purple, and red.

Ride Quality

The Touring e-scooter comes with a seat attachment option, and that’s not the only ride comfort trick up its sleeves.

Tires

The 2024 Touring gets a tire configuration upgrade. The electric scooter now features a front 8-inch tubeless air tire that’s smooth to ride on, impervious to pinch flats, has good traction, improved handling, and great cornering. The 8-inch rear tire is solid, as that’s where the majority of flats happen.

The Unagi Model One Voyager keeps it classic with dual, 7.5-inch solid tires. They are, additionally, hollowed out to help with shock absorption.

Suspension

Unlike most other scooters in its class, the Touring features a full suspension setup. There are three springs on the front and two at the back that smooth out large bumps on the road. They work with the front tire to deliver a smooth and comfortable ride. The Voyager, however, does not have a suspension setup.

Deck Space

The EMOVE Touring has one of the longest decks on an electric scooter, and not just in its class. The scooter has a deck measuring 23 inches by 7.1 inches and is covered in sandpaper grip tape to help with traction.

The Unagi Model One Voyager has a 19.2-inch by 5.04-inch deck, that’s covered in silicon for grip and is easier to clean than the alternative.

Ride Ergonomics

The Touring, besides being an optionally seated scooter, is comfortable to ride for most people. The retractable stem caters to a wide range of riders, from as short as 5’1’’ to taller riders at 6’ plus--you can raise the handlebar from a height of 28 inches above the deck to 41.5 inches. Additionally, it is designed to handle heavy adult riders with a max rider weight of 308 lbs. The Voyager has a lower max rider weight of 220 lbs.

Portability

The Unagi Voyager is the best lightweight and foldable electric scooter. It weighs just 29.6 lbs and folds down to a comfortable 37.8 inches x 16.5 inches x 15 inches–a size that fits in the most compact spaces.

The Touring is less portable with the scooter's weight at 41 lbs. However, the collapsing handlebars and retractable stem have an advantage when it comes to storage, with the folded scooter measuring 44.1 inches x 8 inches x 15.5 inches.

Water-Resistance

You can ride both electric scooters through mild rain, and splash your way through shallow puddles as they are both IP-rated. The Voyager has an IPX4 rating while the Touring has an IP54 rating.

App and Controls

The EMOVE Touring has a litter of controls on the bars as it lacks a companion app. On the left handlebar, you have a brake lever, a bell, and a control box with switches for the lights and an electric horn.

On the right, you have the trigger throttle attached to a QSS4 display, a USB port on the display, a mode button, and the on/off switch. Additionally, you get a keyed ignition with a voltmeter. To access P-settings, press the mode and power buttons simultaneously.

The EMOVE Touring has plug-and-play cabling, and courtesy of that, Voro provides an alternative optional motorcycle-style twist throttle and a thumb throttle that you can switch without hassle.

The Unagi Model One Voyager, on the other hand, has a simple cockpit setup. You have a regen lever on the left, a thumb throttle on the right, and an integrated display console with a single-button operation mode.

Control is complemented by Unagi’s companion app, which unlocks features like the remaining range calculator, top speed settings, single and dual motor mode, remote lock and unlock, and subscription management.

Lights

The EMOVE Touring has a low-mounted headlight and is supplemented by two sets of bead deck lights on the front and back (the switch for the deck lights is found along the deck). You also have a tail light, but no brake light. VORO additionally offers an optional rechargeable headlight that you can mount on the handlebars and connect to the USB port for charging.

The Voyager scooter has a high-mounted headlight and a taillight that doubles as a brake light. It also has multiple reflectors all around.

Verdict

What’s the best electric scooter for commuting?

On one hand, you have the super fast, long-ranged, Touring, that’s not afraid to take on hills. The scooter, while not as aesthetically pleasing as some of the newer designs, makes up for this fact by being exceedingly functional, and catering to a diverse range of riders. Tall or short; light or heavy, the Touring is for you. Plus, given the scooter's comfortable ride courtesy of the suspension and front air tire, and the affordable-ish price tag, the Touring is definitely gunning for the top seat.

On the other hand, we have the king of the lightweight scooters, the Unagi Voyager. The 29.6 lbs weight makes this a commuter's dream. The small folded dimensions, ensure that you’re not worrying about where to stash it on the train, in the bus, or in your dentist’s lobby. Never mind that the scooter crushes on hills, has a reasonably fast top speed, has better braking than the competitor, has lightning-fast charging, has an award-winning design, and is low maintenance.

The icing on the cake is the low $ 79-a-month access fee, which means you can get the Voyager without prior planning, and Unagi allows you to cancel your subscription at any time. And don't forget all the other benefits of the All-Access Plan.

It’s a no-brainer for us–if you’re a regular commuter, the Unagi Voyager meets your needs in all the ways that matter, plus more. The Touring, however, proves worthy as a close second. If you need further proof, you can always compare them to our other editor’s picks for the best electric scooters.