4 Best Electric Scooters for College Students & Campus Life (Hand Selected From 140+ Models)

Light, affordable, and perfect for short commutes? The GoTrax GXL V2 fits the bill perfectly, allowing students to get to class with minimal effort. Even better, it features a long list of desirable features that are remarkable to see on a scooter that only costs $349.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the GXL V2, let's talk about something that comes at a premium for most students: space. Whether you're still living at home or have moved into a college dorm, you probably don't have much storage space, so picking a light and compact scooter is a top priority. Weighing just 26.4 lbs, the GXL V2 doesn't disappoint. It features a simple folding system, and although it doesn't have folding handlebars, its folded dimension of 43.3 (L) x 17.1 (W) x 14.6 (H) inches means it's small enough to stash out of sight or hide under a classroom desk.

This isn't the only advantage. If you're like me, you've probably found yourself rushing to make that 9 am bell at one time or another, but this will be a thing of the past with the GXL V2. With a top speed of 15.5 mph, you'll be able to get to your lectures with plenty of time to spare.

This kind of speed is perfect for inner-city riding and is well-suited to navigating congested paths and bike lanes. The rate of acceleration is fairly moderate, and the power of its compact 250W motor allows you to traverse gentle sloping hills. This might not seem like much, and there are scooters out there that can manage far more challenging inclines, but for the majority of cityscapes and college campuses, it should be more than enough.

The GXL V2 isn't known for its breakneck speed, but a good set of brakes are still a must, especially if you're going to be riding around a busy campus where you might need to stop abruptly for other scooterists, cyclists, or students. The rear disc and the front regenerative brakes do the job. Together, they produce a level of braking power that you can rely on. From 15 mph, the brakes will bring you to a complete stop in 5.0 meters.

This is also a great scooter for students who don't have far to go. Its maximum range of 12 miles (7-9 under realistic conditions) means that destinations in the local area will become no more than a stone's throw away – perfect when you're in a rush. Plus, it’s ideal for when you need to get to the opposite side of campus between classes. And, with a relatively short recharge time of 4 hours, you'll be able to make sure you're never caught out with no power.

If 12 miles doesn't seem like enough, I recommend checking out the Turboant X7 Pro. This scooter sports a larger battery and a longer maximum range (30 miles) than the GXL V2. The X7 Pro also has the advantage of being equipped with a detachable battery pack meaning you can swap a spent battery out for a fresh one on the go.

Although the GXL V2 isn't meant to be ridden over long distances, it still has everything you need for a smooth and comfortable ride. It might not have any suspension, but it does feature 8.5-inch pneumatic tires that deliver a decent amount of shock absorption on smooth sidewalks and roads. It's pretty rare to see a scooter at this price with air-filled tires, and this demonstrates the care and attention that's gone into its design. This is one of the stand-out features and a clear demonstration of its value for money.

This is reinforced by solid construction. Don't let the budget price tag fool you – there's nothing lackluster about this scooter's durability. It's sturdy and reliable, so it delivers a balanced ride for users up to 220 lbs. It even comes with a water resistance rating of IP54, so you can ride it in light rain without having to worry about damage.

If your classes run into the late hours of the afternoon when the sun sets and night begins to roll in, the GXL will keep you visible to others from the front but not from the back. It features a fairly bright LED headlight, but unfortunately, it doesn't have a taillight. However, this can be fixed with the purchase of additional lighting to boost your visibility.

When it comes to the user-friendliness of riding the GXL V2, it gives you full control over your riding stats thanks to the digital display, which is seamlessly integrated into the top of the stem. From here, you can keep an eye on your speed and battery life, as well as change riding mode. It even has a cruise control function – you might not find yourself using this too much when you're on campus, but it'll come in handy if you decide to take the GXL out for a spin on the weekends. Activating cruise control is super simple – just maintain a constant speed for 10 seconds and it’ll kick into action.

This is one of the best-selling budget electric scooters and for good reason. It comes with several features beyond its price tag, including pneumatic tires and dual brakes, whilst still maintaining affordability.