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Micromobility is here to stay, and it’s changing how we experience urban life for the better. With Unagi’s membership program, you can enjoy all the benefits of a top-tier electric scooter without the sky-high price of ownership or the inconvenience of ride-sharing.
We’re excited to celebrate Unagi’s 5th Anniversary, and we want you to join the fun! To thank you for your support, we're hosting an exclusive $10,000 Airbnb giveaway. No purchase necessary—just enter for your chance to win! Hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/4/2024!
In today’s fast-paced world, finding an efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation is crucial. E-scooters offer a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate urban landscapes. Unagi stands out not only for its superior design and performance but also for its affordability and unmatched rental program.
While e-scooters have been gaining popularity due to their convenience and relatively low cost, they have been getting more attention lately for another reason: battery fires. It's important to understand the potential dangers associated with the battery technology that lies at their core.
In South Carolina, electric scooters exist in a sort of legal gray area. There's no statewide legislation that specifically addresses them.
Understand which personal electric vehicle is best, the choice between an electric bike or electric scooter might already be made for you by some critical factors, including portability and storage capacity.
Xiaomi and Unagi are legends in the electric scooters industry. But, which makes the better commuter – the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 or the Unagi Model One Voyager?
Xiaomi was propelled into instant fame with the release of their Xiaomi M365 scooter, which at the time of its release, around 2017, was the best commuter scooter. It was the benchmark for everything, from build quality to ride quality, performance, specs–everything.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and Xiaomi’s other models, including its upgrade the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro, in circulation today are an improvement on that framework, with all-around upgrades.
The Unagi Model One Voyager, succeeds the original Model One Classic, as the commuter scooter of choice, offering more power, and better performance, especially in range, while retaining all the qualities that made the Unagi great to begin with.
Which of the electric scooters is right for you? Let’s find out.
This table highlights the key features of the two scooters:
| Scooter Specs | Unagi Voyager | Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $79/month | $879.99 |
| Motor | Dual 250 W motors | Front 300 W |
| Speed | 20 mph | 15.5 mph |
| Battery | 360 Wh | 275.4 Wh |
| Range | 12-25 miles | 12.4-21.75 miles |
| Brakes | Dual electronic braking | Front EABS + rear disc brake |
| Scooter Weight | 29.6 lbs | 32.85 lbs |
| Max Rider Weight | 220 lbs | 242.5 lbs |
| Construction Materials | Carbon fiber, magnesium alloy and aluminum | Aero-grade aluminum alloy |
| Tires | 7.5 inch, solid hollow tires | 10-inch tubeless tires |
| Suspension | N/A | N/A |
| Deck | 19.2” x 5.04” | 6.3” Wide |
| Throttle | Thumb throttle | Thumb throttle |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 37.8” x 16.5” x 43.3” | 45.04” x 18.9” x 46.38” |
| Folded Dimensions | 37.8” x 16.5” x 15” | 45.04” x 18.9” x 18.7” |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP55 |
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is a little on the pricier side for a commuter scooter, listed for $878.99 on the official website. The entry-level market is highly competitive, and riders will demand to see value for money when opting for more expensive models in the class.
The Model One Voyager is the best budget electric scooter since you don’t need to pay the market price to own it. The Membership Plan is a subscription-based retail model that allows you to pay $79 a month for the Model One Voyager.
Your subscription is valid as long as you keep making payments, but you can cancel penalty-free if you’re no longer in need of the service. You get other membership perks like anti-theft insurance, maintenance, free and express delivery–and more, which makes the scooter an incredible bargain.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has a front wheel motor rated 300 W, with a max power output of 600 W. It is rated to perform optimally carrying a max rider weight of 242.5 lbs. Meanwhile, the Unagi Voyager is a dual-motor electric scooter with dual 250 W motors, churning out a peak 1000 W of power. It carries a max rider weight of 220 lbs–about the average adult.
The Xiaomi 4 electric scooter is a slow and steady electric scooter. The scooter has a max speed of 15.5 mph (25 km/h) in line with the top speed regulations of most states across the United States and across the borders. Speed is controlled by three-speed modes:
The Unagi Model One Voyager, on the other hand, reaches a top speed of 20 mph, as stated by the manufacturer. It has quicker and smoother acceleration courtesy of the dual motors, making it ideal for riders who want a bit of thrill in their commute.
The Model One Voyager sports a 360 Wh battery, with energy-efficient cells, achieving a cruising range of between 12-25 miles on a single charge. The scooter has a super fast charging system: 1 hour to 50% and 3 hours to full capacity. Therefore, riders going on longer journeys can stop and quickly recharge.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has a smaller 275.4 Wh battery powering the scooter through a riding range of between 12.4--21.75 miles. The 5 to 5.5-hour charge time is not as efficient as the Unagi. However, both scooters have smart battery management systems that protect the battery, ensuring longer battery life.
The dual-motor Model One Voyager is the better hill climber, by far. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is rated to climb maximum inclines of 16%, which riders report is a slow ascent. Meanwhile, dual motor scooters like the Unagis scale hills with incredible ease.
The Model One Voyager has a triple braking system comprising dual, front and rear electronic brakes, and a fender brake for less dramatic stops. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has a dual brake set-up, with a front E-ABS brake, and a rear wheel disc brake. Both electric scooters stop reliably fast, especially given their lower top speeds as per local laws and regulations.
From the beginning, Xiaomi sort of defined what modern scooters would look like–with every generic scooter manufacturer and rental scooter maker borrowing from the basic blueprint. The Model One Voyager, however, is design-wise, a cut above other scooters in its class.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is made using aero-grade aluminum alloy. The material gives the scooter its characteristic strength and ability to withstand daily abuse or regular commuting.
Meanwhile, the Model One Voyager is a material masterpiece–featuring carbon fiber on the stem, magnesium alloy on the handlebars, and a single-piece machined aluminum frame. These materials have a high strength-to-weight ratio, resulting in a super lightweight but highly durable electric scooter.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is the scooter you see rolling down the street. Well, not really, but every other scooter you see is a Xiaomi clone. The design is basic, and the scooter comes in standard black, with gray stock grips. If you want to blend with the crowd, this is one way to do it.
If you want to stand out, however, the Unagi Voyager should give you that edge. It is a clean, minimalistic, well-designed, flawlessly integrated, sleek scooter. It comes in unique color choices: cobalt blue, cool mist, matte black, and latte. Whatever your aesthetic, there’s a Model One Voyager for you.
The ride feel is almost similar. Both scooters are close in dimensions, are designed to support the average adult, and both feature an ergonomic thumb throttle. However, in addition, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has a 6-axis gyroscope sensor, designed to keep the scooter stable when turning. The sensor does so by monitoring the riding angle, and automatically adjusting the speed, giving the scooter a smoother turning radius than most scooters in its class.
The scooters are designed for city riding, or riding on well-maintained roads.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has 10-inch tubeless tires that are great for ride comfort. They have a decent amount of shock absorption especially when rolling over uneven surfaces, and like all air tires, they have elevated stability. Their tubeless design means fewer tire punctures and the Xiaomi 4’s tires are also deeply treaded, which gives them longevity.
The Unagi Model One Voyager has 7.5-inch solid tires that are flat-free. The tires come in a honeycomb design, meaning they are hollowed out to give the scooter extra cushioning. Their small nature also reduces the scooter’s overall dimensions.
Like most other scooters in their class, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and Unagi Model One Voyager do not come with suspension.
The deck on the Unagi Model One Voyager measures 19.2 inches by 5.04 inches. The deck is covered in anti-slip material that gives comfort and stability to the rider. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4, alternatively has a 6.3-inch deck width that offers riders a variety of foot positioning. The deck is also covered in a grippy rubber material allowing riders to feel planted during the whole ride.
The Unagi Model One Voyager is the scooter for you if you’re after the best lightweight electric scooter. The scooter is highly portable, courtesy of its 29.6 lbs weight. It also has an incredibly easy-to-use folding mechanism that collapses the scooter into a 37.8-inch x 16.5-inch x 15-inch package. When folded, the Voyager is very easy to lift and carry over a distance.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is not as portable as the Voyager (nothing is) but is manageable in comparison to most other scooters. The scooter weighs 32.85 lbs, which is manageable for the average adult. It also has a quick folding mechanism and folds down to 45.04 inches x 18.9 inches x 18.7 inches.
Both electric scooters have water resistance ratings. The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has a higher rating of IP55, while the Unagi Model One Voyager has an IPX4 rating. The difference isn’t much, and the scooters can both afford to get caught up in light showers or splash through shallow puddles.
However, as soon as the rain starts to really come down, seek shelter. Remember, rainy conditions introduce variables that reduce the normal safety levels associated with riding electric scooters.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 has a single-button, sleek integrated display console that gives the readers all the vital riding metrics at a glance. It is readable in direct sunlight and uniquely has a tire-maintenance reminder. You get a left brake lever and a right thumb throttle on the handlebars.
The scooter connects to the Mi Home scooter app, which gives access to riding stats, a remaining range calculator, a tail light-always-on setting, a lock/unlock function, and kinetic energy recovery system settings.
The Model One Voyager also has a multifunctional dashboard that allows riders to view vital stats and has the same single-button operation as the Xiaomi. Also, like the Xiaomi 4 electric scooter, it connects to the Unagi smart app.
The Unagi app offers a range remaining calculator based on your rider weight and riding speed, access to top speed settings, a toggle for single and dual motor mode, remote lock and an unlock, and an interface to manage your scooter subscription.
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and Unagi Model One Voyager have a near-similar light set-up. They both have a high-mounted headlight, that’s activated by a click of the power button when the scooter is on. They have a rear light that also doubles as a braking light, which serves to alert pedestrians and vehicles behind of braking intent. Both electric scooters are fitted with a front and rear reflector function, to increase night-time visibility.
So, which is the best electric scooter for you?
The Xiaomi and Unagi Model One Voyager are within short margins of each other when it comes to performance numbers, with the latter slightly outdoing the competitor. The Unagi has a better maximum speed, travel range, hill climbing, and acceleration, while the Xiaomi has a shorter braking distance. The mild performance makes both scooters great options if you have no prior riding experience.
The Xiaomi has better ride quality courtesy of the 10-inch tubeless tires, and the 6-axis gyroscope sensor, but the Unagi has better aesthetics, a more durable build, and is the best lightweight electric scooter on the market–not forgetting that it’s also the best (and only) portable dual motor scooter.
With your preferences checked (or not) in either category, it comes down to cost. The Unagi gains a big edge over the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4, courtesy of the subscription plan. You pay just $79 per month for the scooter, and enjoy the following perks of membership:
Therefore, it feels like a no-brainer that the Unagi Model One Voyager is the ultimate commuter. However, feel free to browse through our curated list of the best electric scooters for adults, and the best electric scooters if you need to weigh your options.
In the U.S., most states don't require a license. For those that do, they usually just ask for a regular driver's license or a learner's permit.
Yes, you can bring an electric scooter on a plane, but it needs to have a lithium battery smaller than 100 watt-hours, which most don't.
Manufacturers advise against riding electric scooters in the rain. The main reasons are: water can fry the electronics, make the ride dangerous, and void your warranty.
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*Disclaimer: Unagi, INC. has used best efforts, but does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the below findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States or internationally. Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin…
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