The Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter: The Best, Affordable Electric Scooter?
TABLE OF CONTENT
These days, you have so many choices when purchasing a scooter that it can be hard to zero in on the one that’s right for you. In this Kugoo M2 Pro folding electric scooter review, we’ll cover the pros and cons of the M2 Pro, as well as who should buy it, and various individual factors, including ride quality, speed, and more.
The Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter is a mid-range scooter, generally retailing for around $400. You can find cheaper scooters on the market, including units that retail for $200 or less. You can also find higher-end scooters that approach and surpass $1,000. Yet when it comes to finding the best deal, a mid-range scooter is often a sound choice.
The Kugoo M2 Pro electric offers a good mix of features for its price and some riders will find that this scooter meets their needs just as well as a more expensive scooter. Indeed, the Kugoo M2 Pro offers a similar feature mix and overall performance comparable to $500-$600 scooters.
While it’s possible to spend $200 or less on a scooter, many riders will find that these budget options don’t offer either the speed or distance necessary to meet their needs. Spending a bit more to purchase a mid-range scooter, like the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter, can go a long way towards ensuring a good ride.
Who should buy the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter?
The Kugoo M2 is an excellent all-rounder scooter that performs well in a variety of situations and will work for many different applications. We’re going to highlight the specifics below, but if you’re looking to spend $500 or less, the M2 should make your shortlist and would be a great choice.
The M2 will perform well in town, on a college campus, or while racing along paved paths at your local park. This scooter wasn’t designed for off-road use. However, given the excellent suspension system in combination with 8.5-inch tires, splash resistance, and excellent braking capabilities, a bit of light off-road use here and there shouldn’t be a problem.
You can find faster scooters that offer a longer range than the Kugoo M2. You can also find cheaper scooters, but you’ll have to make a lot of sacrifices. The M2 Pro hits a sweet spot combining great features and a good ride for a reasonable price.
Ultimately, the M2 is great for young adults, college students, and adults looking for a versatile scooter that costs less than $500. Whether you want to get to class, make short deliveries, or enjoy a casual cruise, the M2 Pro will likely meet your needs.
Still not sure if the Kugoo M2 Pro electric scooter is right for you? Let’s jump into this scooter’s specific features so you can learn more.
Kugoo M2 Pro Deck
The deck on the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter offers plenty of widths, and thus far in our tests, it’s proven firm and dependable. Balancing on a scooter typically isn’t too hard for the average adult. However, if the deck is too thin or too flimsy, it may reduce your ability to balance. If you’re cruising through town and suddenly the deck flexes, you could wobble, and the next thing you know you’re stumbling across the cement.
The deck on this Kugoo scooter offers good grip, doesn’t flex, and is wide enough for most people’s feet. It is rated to support people up to 120 kg.
Handlebar / Information Center / Tech Stack
The handlebar offers excellent grip and feels good in the hand. Turning is responsive and predictable as well. As far as affordable scooters go, the M2 Pro’s LCD screen dashboard offers excellent quality and is easy to read. Plus, from within the Kugoo app, you can control the brightness of the LCD screen plus other items like toggling the headlight on and off, turning the scooter power on and off, etc. (more on the Kugoo app below).
The information center features a large LCD screen that allows you to monitor your speed, select one of the three-speed modes, and see how much charge is left on the battery. If you’re connected to the app via bluetooth you’ll also see the Bluetooth logo on the screen. The LCD screen is easy to see, including on bright days.
Shock Absorbers
This is a stand-out feature on the M2 Pro. First of all, in this price range, you aren’t going to find a scooter that’s got shock absorbers. Second, if you do find a model in this price range that’s got them, I am confident you won’t have a nearly as comfortable a ride as what you’ll have with the M2 Pro. Between the deck, tires, and suspension system, this scooter not only provides ultimate versatility but supreme riding comfort.
The M2 Pro’s 8.5 Inch Tires
The Kugoo M2 Pro Folding scooter features 8.5-inch tires, a common size, especially for midrange scooters. Tires feature excellent build quality and ample traction.
Larger tires with a strong grip like those on the Kugoo scooter make riding over rough terrain easier. You might not plan to go offroading, but even on trips around town, you can find plenty of cracked sidewalks, uneven roads, brick-paved paths, sticks, gravel, and other dangers. The larger your tires, the lower the risk of a wipe-out.
Some scooters offer tires measuring 10 inches or more in diameter. However, these are often premium units costing twice as much, if not more, compared to the M2. Budget scooters, on the other hand, often feature wheels 6 inches or less in diameter. These cheap scooters tend to, quite frankly, suck on rough terrain.
The M2 splits the difference and combines the tires with an excellent suspension system that is among the best we’ve ever tested at any price point, let alone among midrange scooters.
Kugoo M2 Pro Lights
The Kugoo M2 Pro electric scooter features a front white LED light that provides roughly 7 or so meters of visibility. As such, visibility is a bit limited. On the rear of the deck, you’ll find red lights that activate automatically when you hit the brakes.
Lighting is adequate and will serve most riders well-enough during night conditions. That said, the angle on the M2’s front LED light is rather mild and the light is cast towards the ground, limiting visibility. Still, the front light should meet street legal requirements in most jurisdictions.
The rear brake lights are bright enough and easy to identify at night.
Kugoo M2 Pro Braking
One really nice feature of the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter is the dual braking system that uses a front electric brake and a mechanical disc brake on the rear wheel. A lot of mid-range and budget scooters don’t offer dual braking systems. While a single brake may be quite good, it’s hard to beat dual braking.
Speed and range are often the quickest features to draw attention. However, a lot of frequent scooter riders will tell you that good brakes are just, if not more important, than any other factor. And here, the M2 Pro really shines, especially when you remember that it’s a mid-range scooter.
The M2 brakes quickly and smoothly. As you break, you remain firmly in control of the scooter.
M2 Pro Max Speed
If you read the spec sheet, the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter is a rather pokey scooter. Supposedly, this scooter tops out at just 15.5 miles per hour. Some scooters costing $300 or less can approach 15 or even exceed 15 miles per hour.
Fortunately, the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter’s top speed is understated on the spec sheet. We topped the M2 out at 23 miles per hour, which is a pretty fantastic maximum speed for a scooter costing less than $500. That said, we hit maximum speed under ideal conditions and with a full charge.
Still, even as the battery drained and in other normal conditions, we regularly hit 18 MPH. This Kugoo electric scooter packs a lot of punch for the money when it comes to speed — far more than Segway, GoTrax, and even the beloved Xiaomi m365 pro. When it comes to acceleration, the M2 Pro is much quicker than its peers.
It’s important to note that our tests were in the sport mode which provides the fastest speed. There are 3-speed modes that allow you to customize your ride based on terrain and whether or not you’re trying to get the most range out of the scooter or overall max speed.
One thing to keep in mind with speed is that you’ve got to give something up in order to get top-end maximum speed. If you have a higher top-end speed, you end up sacrificing torque and acceleration off the line.
That’s the case with the Kugoo M2 Pro. Lots of top-end speed but when you race the GoTrax G4, for instance, the G4 will beat you off the line but the M2 Pro quickly catches up because it’s got a higher top-end speed.
If it’s speed you’re after and you like the Kugoo brand (we do), then check out the Kugoo M4 Pro. That scooter takes speed to a whole new level. They tell you the max speed is 28 mph but we suspect you’d probably see a maximum speed in the mid-’30s (don’t worry, our review on the Kugoo M4 Pro is coming soon).
Other Scooters To Consider
Specification, Comparison, and Reviews
| MODELS | TOP SPEED | RANGE | WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoTrax GMax Ultra | 25 mph | 45 mi | 36 lbs |
| Segway Ninebot Max G30P | 18.6 mph | 40.4 mi | 41.2 lbs |
| GoTrax GXL V2 | 15.5 mph | 9-12 mi | 26.4 lbs |
| GoTrax G4 | 20 mph | 25 mi | 36 lbs |
| Hiboy S2 Pro | 19 mph | 25 mi | 33 lbs |
| The Kugoo M2 Pro | 20 mph | 18.6 mi | 34 lbs |
| Razor Electric Scooter T25 | 15.5 mph | 18 mi | 27 lbs |
Water Resistance
The M2 isn’t waterproof but is “splash resistant,” earning an IP54 rating. In practice, this means the M2 should survive puddles, light rain, and the like. However, if the M2 Pro is submerged in water, it could potentially ruin the scooter.
Unfortunately, truly waterproof scooters aren’t widely available. The M2’s IP54 rating is among the highest ratings you’ll find on most scooters right now. Many other midrange scooters feature a lower waterproof rating and may be more susceptible to water damage, including splashes and rain.
If you happen to live in an area that gets a lot of rain or is quite moist, the M2 Pro is one of the better options, especially at the price point.
M2 Pro Portability & Weight
The M2 Pro folding electric scooter is a lightweight scooter, weighing approximately 34 pounds. Since the M2 Pro is crafted largely of aviation-grade aluminum, it’s durable and lightweight. Folding is a strong point for the M2 Pro as well, and with a bit of practice, you can fold it in about 3 seconds.
Quality of Construction
Build-quality is generally good, although a few parts, such as the headlight casing, feel cheap. The frame is constructed of aviation-grade aluminum, making the M2 Pro both light and durable. Further, the stock tires are high quality and should serve you well over many miles and various surfaces.
Charging
The Kugoo M2 Pro packs a 18650 lithium battery with a 7.5Ah battery capacity. It generally takes between 4 to 6 hours to get a full charge, which is in line with other scooters offering similar distances and ranges at this price point.
The official max range of the M2 Pro comes in at 18.6 miles per charge. Some scooters struggle to hit official numbers, but it’s possible to hit and exceed 18.6 miles on this electric scooter.
I’ve not yet ridden the scooter to a completely dead state but I did ride it to 42% battery life and had already traveled 14 miles. I would suspect that, like the speed, Kugoo has under-promised and over-delivered.
Unfortunately, the charging cover feels cheap and flimsy. We wouldn’t be surprised if the cover broke off after extended use. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker but is among the few knocks against the M2 Pro.
Kudos Mobility App
The Kugoo app makes it easy to monitor and control your scooter remotely. You can use the Kugoo app on iPad or Android to check basic functionalities of the app such as battery status, control cruise control, toggle various settings, and look up ride statistics. Checking battery status remotely is especially appreciated as it can help you plan out your day and any commutes.
Some app users on both the iOS and Android store do report a variety of problems with the Kugoo app, including connectivity issues and bugs. In my experience, the app generally performed well enough but I expect to see improvements in the future.
Kudos products are popular in China and the app is in English but there are a couple of places where you’ll see Chinese characters — like yes or no buttons. However, it’s easy to figure out what’s what because they’re red for (no/cancel) and green (yes/accept). I had no issues with the app or connecting to the scooter.
Want to check out the Kugoo app? You can download Kugoo Mobility from the Android and iOS stores.
Warranty
Kudos offers a limited 12-month warranty that provides protection against craftsmanship defects and a 6-month battery warranty. Kudos will only refund or replace warranties after verifying that faults are due to craftsmanship or manufacturing issues.
If Kugoo is found at fault, customers do not have to pay shipping fees for returns and replacements. Customers will only be charged once (at most) for shipping and no handling fees are assessed. Customers are advised to reach out before shipping a product.
Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter Review
If you’re looking for a solid all-around scooter that offers a good feature mix for the price, the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter is one of the best on the market in the $350-$500 price range.
Some scooters struggle to live up to the specs on paper. The advertised max speed for the M2 is just 15.5 miles per hour, which is rather slow these days. Yet in practice, the M2 can usually hit 18 miles per hour and in our tests, we regularly hit 23 MPH on a flat road just after jumping on the scooter after a full charge. Anything over 20 MPH is quite fast for an affordable folding electric scooter. The strong power the 350W motor delivers definitely shines through on this model.
As we mentioned, the tires measure 8.5 inches. Many budget scooters feature wheels of six inches or less, while some premium scooters feature wheels of at least 10 inches in diameter. This isn’t simply about measuring up, larger wheel diameters typically result in a smoother ride and better handling on rough terrain.
The M2’s tires fall into the middle of the pack, offering solid performance on uneven terrains, such as cracked sidewalks. Where the M2 really shines, however, is the suspension and shock absorbers. Quite simply, the stock suspension system is excellent, allowing for great handling and a smooth ride. This allows the M2 pro to punch above its price point.
A couple of low points but not deterrents
While the M2 features good build quality overall and solid looks. There are a few low points that really are nonissues and easy for the manufacturer to fix. They’re more style-based than anything and, if I had the choice, I would upgrade the quality of the charger port cover which has a flimsy plastic cover, upgrade the look and feel of the power button and plate surrounding it would be easy upgrades.
Two things on the safe side I would definitely change are the headlight and headlight housing. The headlight isn’t aimed at the right angle, it could throw a larger, wider beam of light. Finally, I’d add a security system to it that you can access from the LCD screen. You can lock the scooter in the Kugoo app but if you were out riding and the battery on your phone died, I’m not sure how you’d disarm the security features on the scooter.
These items, in my mind, are easy to overlook when considering buying the Kangoo. Hands down, it’s one of the best scooters we have tested and when it comes to speed and range, you’re getting electric bike performance for the cost of an electric scooter.
The range is solid as well. Many midrange scooters mileage on a single charge top out around 14 miles but you can often get 18 miles or more out of the M2. These days, some premium scooters are hitting 25 or even 30 miles in range, but you’ll often have to spend $1,000 or more.
As for other mid-range scooters, the M2 is quite competitive in its class. The Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter costs just $50 more than the popular GoTrax GXL V2. For just $50, you get a faster scooter with better suspension and an overall smoother ride. The M2’s deck is also wider, something many riders will appreciate. The M2 Pro offers better features and a smoother ride than most cheaper scooters, like the Kugoo S1 Pro.
Conclusion
The Kugoo M2 Pro folding electric scooter offers great build quality, excellent portability, fantastic braking, and an overall smooth, dependable ride. At the mid-range price point, the M2 Pro also offers a high top speed and can go quite a distance. Anyone looking for a reasonably priced scooter should closely consider the M2 Pro. So far, no company has put together the “perfect” scooter at any given price point. There’s almost always a trade-off. With the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter, you have to put up with some rather cheap and flimsy plastic parts.
Still, the Kugoo M2 Pro Folding Scooter is a well-rounded and reasonably priced scooter. It’s a great choice for getting around a college campus or making in-town deliveries. Some scooters offer significantly faster speeds and/or longer ranges, yet they often cost at least twice as much as the M2.
Unless you have very specific requirements or a real need for speed, you’ll probably be served just as well by a competitive mid-range electric scooter, like the Kugoo M2 Pro. If you are looking for another model from Kugoo that’s a bit beefier, faster, and has a longer range, then take a look at the Kugoo S1 Pro. The S1 Pro is a bit more expensive but does boast higher speed, longer battery life, and LCD screen. If you want the top of the Kugoo electric scooter lineup checks out the Kugoo M4 Pro. Be sure to check back soon for reviews of both the S1 Pro and the M4 Pro.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
