NIU KQi Air vs Unagi Model One Voyager

Unagi scooters have been the best lightweight electric scooter available, offering the perfect blend of performance, aesthetics, and portability without breaking the bank.

However, in late 2023, NIU introduced a strong competitor to the Unagi Model One Voyager. The NIU KQi Air is a sleek, highly portable, and high-performing lightweight electric scooter. But is it better than the Voyager?

Let’s find out how the two scooters stack up against each other and which electric scooter is right for you.

Unagi Model One Voyager Vs. NIU KQi Air Comparison Table

Cost

Most people’s purchases are guided by a budget. Buying an electric scooter is no different.

Unagi, however, did something incredible for the electric scooter market; they eliminated the need to have your finances in check when purchasing a decent ride. The game changer we're talking about is Unagi’s Membership plan—a subscription-based payment structure that allows patrons to make monthly payments on their scooter instead of paying the full cost upfront.

You only need $79 a month to secure the Unagi Model One Voyager, and you can also opt for the cheaper alternative, the $59 Model One Classic. On the other hand, the NIU KQi Air is currently listed for $1399, which is a significant cost that many people may be unwilling to part with for a regular commuter scooter.

Check out our selection of the best budget electric scooters for adults.

The price barrier is what sustains the rental scooter industry. However, you can go the smart, more efficient, and more economical route by choosing an Unagi.

Performance

The NIU KQi Air is an entry-level electric scooter with a 350 W rear motor, with 700 W peak power. Meanwhile, the Unagi Voyager, is the lightest electric scooter on the market with dual motors, each rated 250 W, with a peak output of 1000 W.

Speed and Acceleration

The Unagi Model One Voyager and NIU KQi Air are both average commuters that achieve a similar top speed of 20 mph. This is considered the safest speed for bike lane riding, with most states in the US imposing maximum speed limits between 15 mph and 20 mph for electric scooters.

The single-motor KQi Air, however, has a slightly slower acceleration compared to the dual-motor Voyager, which reaches 15 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Range and Battery

NIU equipped the KQi Air with a 48 V, 451 Wh battery that achieves a range of between 15 to 31 miles, with the higher limit stated in the most ideal conditions. It has a charge time of 5 hours, so there’s a little bit of a downtime between rides.

The Voyager has a 36 V, 360 Wh battery, equipped with premium cells, that

1. Cater to the overall reduced weight, and
2. Enhance the battery life delivering a range of about 12–25 miles.

The scooter has a really quick charge time of 0-50% in an hour and 3 hours to full. Besides that, the smart BMS on the Unagi model is quite essential in preserving the scooter's battery.

Hill Climbing

Dual motor scooters naturally excel in hill climbing; therefore, it’s no surprise that the Unagi Voyager beats the KQi Air electric scooter to the top of the hill. The Voyager can comfortably and speedily scale most city inclines, while the single-motor Air is limited to 20-degree gradients, and will significantly slow down when climbing.

Braking

The KQi Air is equipped with a front disc brake and rear regenerative brake, which gives it a slight edge when stopping over the Voyager. The scooter comes to a halt at roughly 10 ft from a speed of 15 mph. On the other hand, the Voyager’s dual regen brakes bring the scooter to a halt in about 17 ft.

Read more on mechanical disc brakes, drum brakes, hydraulic brakes, and electronic brakes in our comprehensive guide on braking.

Build Quality

These are two of the most high-strength, durable electric scooters in their category–a benchmark for the level of quality riders demand when choosing a scooter in whatever class.

Materials and Durability

The Unagi Model One Voyager and KQi Air stand out as the only entry-level scooters to feature carbon fiber in their construction. For reference, carbon fiber is the material of choice for one of the fastest electric scooters in the market, the EMOVE Roadster, which also happens to be one of the most expensive.

The Model One Voyager features a carbon fiber stem, magnesium alloy handlebars, and a single-piece machined aluminum deck. The KQi Air has a mostly carbon fiber body (handlebars, stem, swing arms and deck), with magnesium alloy on the deck bridge, and ABS plastic on the fenders.

The benefit of these materials is their high strength-to-weight ratio; i.e.., a lightweight scooter with heavy-duty strength for durability.

Aesthetics

“It’s the kind of e-scooter you’d gift a lady working in corporate management”

Both scooters are neatly designed, with a preference for minimalism, and the carbon fiber definitely adds a touch of elegance.

You can choose between a deep cobalt, matte black, cool mist, or latte-colored Model One Voyager. While NIU's Air comes in standard carbon fiber black.

Ride Quality

The KQi Air has a slight advantage in ride quality over the Voyager, courtesy of some small design preferences.

Tires

The KQi Air rolls on 9.5-inch tubeless air tires. These tires are good for ride comfort, and their tubeless nature makes them impervious to pinch flats and work better with tire sealant. On city trails, you’ll enjoy a mostly smooth ride.

The Voyager has 7.5-inch flat free solid tires, that allow you to ride without worry of punctures, but can be a bit unforgiving on rough terrain. However, thanks to Unagi’s innovative honeycomb design, the air pockets in the tires have some significant shock absorption.

Suspension

Both scooters lack a suspension setup, which is not uncommon in the entry-level class. Not to mention, shocks add significant weight to the e-scooter.

Deck space

The NIU KQi Air is roomier with a 22-inch by 7.5-inch deck, that's made of carbon fiber, and lined with grip tape to minimize its slickness.

The Voyager has a single-piece machined aluminum deck that's embedded with silicon and measures 19.2 inches by 5.04 inches. We should note, however, that you get better clearance with the Voyager–3.3 inches, against the Air’s 2.9 inches.

Portability

The Voyager and the NIU KQi Air are the ultimate lightweight electric scooters. The KQi Air weighs less at 26.4 lbs against the Voyager’s 29.6 lbs.

The weight difference is almost insubstantial; but, here’s what makes the Voyager the best portable electric scooter on the market.

When folded, the scooter occupies very little space at 37.8 inches x 16.5 inches x 15 inches. And the Air, though lighter, is bulkier at 44.9 inches x 21.3 inches x 18.9 inches.

Water-Resistance

Both scooters are protected against sudden light showers, and water splashes from low puddles of water. The Voyager has a water resistance rating of IPX4, while the Air’s is slightly higher at IP55.

App and Control

The cockpits on both scooters are quite minimalistic–with the Voyager featuring a T-shaped display, a left regen pedal, and a right thumb throttle. All other functions are controlled by the power button.

The scooter, additionally, pairs with the state-of-the-art Unagi app that unlocks unique features like top speed settings, single and dual motor mode, remote lock and unlock, a remaining range calculator, and managing the scooter’s subscription.

The NIU KQi Air, on the other hand, has a right mechanical brake lever on the left side, and a half-twist throttle on the right. The scooter also features intuitive controls housed in a module box on the right, which demands plenty of multitasking of the right hand. In addition, you get an NFC key card to lock and unlock the scooter; but be careful not to scuff the already fragile, not-too-bright display.

The Air connects to the NIU app, and through it, you can set speed modes, dial in regen, set the charge limit for your battery, and monitor riding stats. However, the app feels like it still needs some fine-tuning to level up to the scooter's incredible build quality.

Lights

NIU scooters are legendary for their always-on halo headlight that casts a bright light on the road ahead. The Air additionally comes with turn signals on the handlebar end caps that are visible without being distracting to the rider. Then there’s an ambient light on the front of the deck that feels ill-placed as it’s not very visible. And, lastly, there’s the standard rear/ brake light.

The Unagi Voyager has your usual lights; the high-mounted headlights, a taillight that doubles as a brake light, and all-around reflectors.

Verdict

The choice between an Unagi Voyager and a NIU KQi Air electric scooter is a close call. Both scooters score exemplary well on aesthetics, build quality, portability, and basic performance. However, they’re not a match for match, and there are a few reasons to pick one over the other.

The NIU KQi Air is the perfect scooter for you if you take longer rides or your daily commute spans a distance longer than 20 miles and you prefer not to recharge your scooter mid-day. It is also a good choice if your route includes sections of track that are poorly maintained, as the air tires will deliver a better ride quality. Night riders might also consider the Air’s good lighting system.

The Unagi Model One Voyager, however, is one of the best electric scooters, especially for commuters. Starting with the flexibility of Unagi’s monthly payments, the Voyager continues to reign as the perfect first scooter for most adult riders. This comprehensive plan not only covers the cost of the scooter but also includes loss and theft prevention insurance and maintenance, ensuring a hassle-free experience for users. You also get good performance that’s amplified by the Voyager’s dual motor action--more power accelerating and on hills. Lastly, the Voyager is not just lightweight, it is also marginally more compact when folded than most other scooters in its class.

Ultimately, it boils down to personal needs and preferences, but at $79 a month, we’re rooting for you to get the Voyager. Check out what other benefits you get with your Unagi Membership.