Segway/Ninebot ES Max VS Xiaomi m365 Pro – Side-by-side Comparison
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Two scooters, similar appearance but from two different brands. Or are they?
Well, no. Xiaomi has a lot of stake in Ninebot/Segway and hence it was in their interest to not let Segway launch another flop scooter. The best solution seems to have been to let Segway rip(read lend) the factory that OEM the m365 for Xiaomi when creating their new model, the Ninebot ES Max.
On the other hand, Xiaomi with its red dot awards winning m365 went a similar route. They kept the design of the m365 and applied it to its successor the M365 Pro, only larger and with a more powerful battery and motor than on its predecessor.
It also includes a couple of other upgrades and improvements, you can read all about those in our big Xiaomi scooter comparison.
Today we’ll be putting these two up against each other, the Segway es Max versus the Xiaomi M365 Pro in order to decide which of these are really the greatest of electric scooters.
Comparison Table – Segway ES Max Vs Xiaomi M365 Pro
| Details | Segway ES | Xiaomi M365 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 15.5-18.6 mph | 15.5 mph |
| Max Distance | 40 mi | 28 mi |
| Battery | 551 Wh | 474 Wh |
| Net Weight | 42.1 lbs | 31.3 lbs |
| Charging Time | 6 hrs | 8.5 hrs |
| Power Nominal | 350 | 300 |
| Motor | Rear Hub Motor | Front Hub Motor |
| Max Angle (1% hill climb) | 20 | 20 |
| Brakes | Front Drum + Rear Electric | Front electric + Rear Disc |
| Tire | 10″ | 8″ |
| Dimension | Unfolded: 112 x 47 x 120 cm, Folded: 112 x 47 x 53 cm | Unfolded: 113 x 43 x 118 cm, Folded: 113 x 43 x 49 cm |
Differences between the M365 Pro & ES Max
Motor
Pro left, Max right.
When it comes to motor power the ES Max comes with a 50W higher nominal at 350W in comparison to the m365 pro’s 300W. A small increase some might say but noticeable in terms of acceleration and raw power. The best thing that sets these two apart is the fact that Segway chose to mount their hub motor in the rear. A smart decision as rear-wheel-drive pushes the scooter forward instead of pulling it. This gives it far better traction against the ground but also provides for a more stable less jerky ride. Leaving the Segway ES Max with an even bigger upper hand.
Battery & Range
Pro top, Max bottom.
In terms of battery, both use high-quality cells and are well constructed. The difference comes in the number of cells and what their total output is. If you’ve read our earlier Segway comparison guides you know that they have always been pushing for longer range per charge and this time it’s no difference.
The Segway scooter has a total of 551 watt-hours while the Xiaomi comes with only 474 watt-hours. This also translates into a total distance per charge of 40 miles versus 28 miles. 12 miles difference in range is a lot, many low budget models don’t even have that in total range. But remember, as always these were calculated by the manufacturers under the best possible circumstances. You’ll find our real-life test data below.
How you recharge these scooters are another thing that sets these two apart. The Xiaomi has only one way and that is with its standard charger. The Max can be charged in two ways, while on the go you can just take the power cord with you and use the built-in charger. This means you won’t have to carry around the entire bulky charger. But at home, you will want to use the standard fast-charger instead. With a more powerful battery, you’d be surprised to hear that the Max can be recharged within 6 hours in comparison to the Pro which needs 8.5 hours to replenish its battery.
In all aspects of battery and range, the Max takes home the trophy.
Frame & Design
Max left, Pro right.
When it comes to design both scooters have a similar appearance. This is due to Segway using the same OEM factory to create their Max that Xiaomi uses for their m365. However, there are differences in size. The Max is 1cm shorter than the Pro but comes with a 4 cm wider base plate and its handlebar sits 7 cm higher.
Segway also moved the folding latch to the front of the stem. This made the Max far more stable and not as prone to screws getting lose riding on shaky and bumpy terrain. They also reworked the entire folding mechanism to prevent the problems that both the Xiaomi m365 standard and the Pro model are suffering from. As well as to ease the pressure on the rear fender while the handlebar is attached to it in its folded state.
Brakes
Max left, Pro right.
One of the most important parts of your scooter is the brakes and these two scooters both have great braking capabilities. The M365 Pro comes with a 120mm disc brake and electric brake combo. Its disc brake actually had a size increase from the standard m365. This had a noticeable effect on its braking capabilities which we could see in the braking test between the Xiaomi m365 and Xiaomi Pro.
The Segway Max also has a combination brake, but it utilizes a front-mounted integrated drum brake in combination with its electric rear brake. A drum brake is more reliable because it is fully sealed off and cannot have its braking capabilities disrupted by external forces such as weather and dirt.
Tires
As the specifics state the Max has a 1.5-inch increased tire size to 10-inch. But that’s not all, the Max also comes with 1 cm wider tires which gives the scooter more contact with the ground. That results in it having a superior grip over the Xiaomi Pro’s slimmer 8.5-inch tires.
The other difference is that the M365 uses inner tube tires, while the Max scooter has tubeless tires with self-sealing function. This leaves the m365 more prone to flats and you will have to disassemble the entire tire in order to fix it. The Segway Max, on the other hand, will be able to fix its own flat thanks to the self-repair sealant already present within its tires.
It’s not a fool-proof feature and only works for small to normal-sized punctures, which means you can still blow a tire. But being saved from having to switch out or repair a tube on an electric scooter are just as precious as the one ring was to Gollum.
You can learn more about this in our guide to electric scooter tires.
LED Lights, Display and features
The lighting system on both these scooters is capable enough to ensure safe usage during the dark hours of the day. However, the Max once again has the upper hand on Xiaomi’s Pro. Max has a focused LED light that pretty much resembles a shield being shot out in the dark. Cool looking and it lights up the night perfectly. The M365 Pro provides a less impressive light but it does get the job done.
Max left, Pro right.
The Display on both scooters is mounted on top of the stem. They look and work just the same. The display can easily be read on sunny days as well as on dark nights. Both scooters come with 3 main speed modes, ECO for energy-saving mode(about 9mph/15kmh), D for standard mode(12,4mph/20kmh), or S for sports mode(15.5-18.6mph/25-30kmh). Segway ES Max also has a 4th gear that can be used when walking with the scooter, this mode is called powered assist. Other things you can keep track of on the display are speed, battery, Bluetooth, headlight, lock, and error/maintenance.
Apart from the display, both devices are also app-enabled so you can connect them to your smart device and change settings to your liking or keep track of your ride stats. One difference is what type of bell the scooters use. Segway chose to go with a, at least for me, new design that is engaged by twisting the left inner handle. Xiaomi Pro optimizes space by having the bell at the hook that latches on to the rear fender. Both bells have a loud but not scary loud sound and work just like intended.
Max left, Pro right.
Weight
The Ninebot Max is definitely the heavier option of the two with a more powerful battery and a slightly larger frame it comes in at a total of 42.1 lbs(19.1kg) which is 10.7 lbs(4.8kg) more than the 31.4 lbs(14.2kg) of the M365 Pro.
Riding experience
Since neither of the scooters has any other suspension system than the pneumatic tires they stand on there is very little difference between the two, but I must admit that the Ninebot ES Max with its 10-inch tires had a bit more shock reduction too them.
The Xiaomi pro scooter had an increase to handlebar height from its predecessor, but the Max has an even higher handlebar making it even more comfortable riding for someone above 180cm. Both scooters are spacious and comfortable standing on. The acceleration and speed of the Max make it much more fun and enjoyable to use.
The Xiaomi scooter sits higher up giving it a ground clearance of 8.5cm towards the ES Max’s 7.5cm.
The 9lbs extra weight is a bit of a bummer if you have to carry it around for an extended time. However, if you can walk with it instead then there isn’t a big difference as it rolls just fine while pushed.
Should you buy the Segway/Ninebot ES Max or the Xiaomi M365 Pro?
It all depends on how much you have to spend and how you’re going to use your scooter.
The best reason why you should buy the Ninebot Max is that you have a great need for its insane range. That’s the biggest difference between the scooters. Sure the Max is superior in most aspects, but it also costs a couple of hundred dollars more.
If you need something more portable the Xiaomi Pro with its lower weight is a great choice. I’ve owned my M365 for 2+ years now and it has had a couple of minor issues but I still trust it with my life. This upgraded version still has a great distance per charge in comparison to most other scooters in its price range and the riding comfort is not bad. It’s just not as top-notch.
Conclusion
Another comparison between Segway and Xiaomi has come to an end. Whether you decide to buy the Xiaomi Pro or the Segway/Ninebot Max, you are going to get a great piece of equipment. Not only can both scooters take you for a long and comfortable ride, but they both also come from reputable brands that are going to have a vast amount of spare parts available at your disposal. Should you ever need something fixed.
You get a reliable scooter that will have no problem what so ever to withstand the test of time. They are both very capable scooters but if I could pick one out of the two it would definitely be the Segway ES Max that comes out on top. A very easy to use and comfortable scooter to ride on and with its insane range you will be able to pretty much cover your entire commute and skip the subway, train, or bus altogether.
If you have any questions or input on the Xiaomi m365 pro versus the Segway/Ninebot ES Max, feel free to comment below.
