Electric scooters have exploded in popularity in recent years as a fun, eco-friendly way to get around urban areas. Two of the most popular brands are Unagi and Segway. But which one is right for your needs?
This comprehensive guide examines the key features, pros, cons and differences between Unagi and Segway electric scooters to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Unagi Model One | Segway Ninebot Max |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs | 42 lbs |
| Max Speed | 15.5 mph | 18.6 mph |
| Range | 15.5 miles | 40 miles |
| Motor Power | 250W | 350W |
| Brakes | Drum brakes | Electric ABS brakes |
| Tires | 9″ airless rubber | 10″ air-filled |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | Not water resistant |
| Price | $990 | $800 |
Overview Of Unagi Scooters
Founded in 2018, Unagi is a relatively new player in the electric scooter market. But they’ve quickly made a name for themselves by focusing on sleek, stylish designs and top-notch performance.
The flagship Unagi Model One scooter boasts a lightweight magnesium alloy frame, aesthetic design with clean lines, and comes in a variety of eye-catching colors. It folds down quickly for easy carrying and storage on buses, trains or in your home.
Here are some key specs for the Unagi Model One:
- Top Speed: 15.5 mph
- Range: 15.5 miles
- Motor: 250W brushless DC hub motor
- Battery: 24V 7.8Ah lithium-ion
- Weight: 24.7 lbs
- Brakes: Front and rear drum brakes
- Tires: 9” honeycomb airless rubber tires
- Load Capacity: 275 lbs
Unagi scooters run about $990 retail. They come with a 1-year warranty.
Overview Of Segway Scooters
Segway is the original name in electric personal transporters. They popularized self-balancing two-wheeled vehicles back in the early 2000s.
Today, Segway offers a varied line of electric kick scooters in addition to their classic self-balancing models. Their Ninebot line of kick scooters are direct competitors to Unagi.
The Segway Ninebot Max is their premium model. Here are some key specs:
- Top Speed: 18.6 mph
- Range: 40.4 miles
- Motor: 350W brushless DC motor
- Battery: 551Wh lithium-ion
- Weight: 42 lbs
- Brakes: Front and rear eABS anti-lock brakes
- Tires: 10” self-healing tubeless tires
- Load Capacity: 220 lbs
The Ninebot Max costs around $800 retail. Segway offers a limited 1-year warranty.
Now let’s compare some key factors to see how Unagi and Segway scooters stack up.
Weight
One of the first things you’ll notice is that Unagi scooters are almost 20 lbs lighter than the Segway Ninebot Max. The Unagi weighs just 24.7 lbs versus 42 lbs for the Segway.
This makes a significant difference in portability. The lightweight Unagi scooter is effortless to pick up and carry onto public transit or up stairs. The heavier Segway Max can become unwieldy and difficult to carry over long distances.
Winner: Unagi
Design & Ergonomics
Unagi has put more focus into creating a visually striking, ergonomic scooter design. It has a lower profile than Segway models. The handlebars are low and close to the deck, giving a comfortable riding stance. The aesthetic colors and lightweight magnesium alloy frame make a stylish statement.
Segway scooters have a slightly bulkier, utilitarian look. With bigger tires and higher handlebars, the riding stance feels more upright. This can help visibility in traffic but isn’t quite as ergonomic.
Ultimately design preference comes down to individual taste. But the consensus is that Unagi has paid more attention to fashionable colors, finishes and integrating the electronics seamlessly into a clean silhouette.
Winner: Unagi
Handling & Ride Quality
With larger 10” air-filled tires, the Segway Ninebot Max provides more shock absorption and a slightly smoother ride than Unagi’s small hard rubber tires. But both offer adequate comfort for urban riding.
Unagi’s smaller tires do support more nimble handling and carving capability. Its lightweight frame also allows quick acceleration and tighter turning. So the overall agility and maneuverability goes to Unagi.
When it comes to stability though, the Segway’s bigger tires and wider deck means it feels a bit sturdier at higher speeds. The wider handlebars also deliver more control.
So in summary, Unagi has the edge in nimbleness while Segway offers more stability.
Winner: Tie
Range
Range is a huge factor when shopping for an electric scooter. You want to be able to ride for a decent distance before needing to recharge.
The Unagi Model One scooter has a rather limited maximum range of just 15.5 miles per charge. Real world results will often be a bit lower than the claimed range.
Meanwhile, the Segway Ninebot Max boasts an outstanding maximum range of 40 miles on a single charge. You can realistically ride for 30+ miles before needing to recharge.
So if ride range is your top priority, the Segway Ninebot Max is the clear winner here. But keep in mind the Unagi’s shorter range does enable its lighter weight.
Winner: Segway
Speed
With a top speed of 18.6 mph, the Segway Ninebot Max can reach slightly faster velocities than the 15.5 mph Unagi. Most urban commuters don’t need speeds beyond 15mph, but the extra speed headroom is always nice to have.
Both scooters provide three speed modes to suit your needs. The speed difference between them is relatively minor.
Winner: Segway
Braking
Perhaps the biggest performance advantage the Segway Ninebot Max holds over Unagi is its braking system.
The Segway uses electric ABS brakes on both wheels. This anti-lock braking system prevents the wheels from locking up and skidding during hard braking.
Meanwhile, the Unagi relies on standard drum brakes. These don’t provide quite as much braking power and traction as a scooter of this speed warrants.
The extra braking capability adds both safety and confidence when riding the Ninebot Max at top speed.
Winner: Segway
Battery Life
Both scooters utilize high quality lithium ion batteries that provide hundreds of charge cycles. But the larger battery capacity of the Segway means it should outlast the Unagi over years of use.
The 551Wh Ninebot Max battery pack dwarfs the 24V 7.8Ah pack used by Unagi. Owners of the Ninebot Max report being able to achieve 500-1000 full charge cycles before noticing battery degradation.
Expect to get around 300-500 charge cycles from the Unagi battery before needing to replace it. Replacement Unagi batteries currently cost $158 on their website.
Winner: Segway
Also Read: Choose Between Hiboy S2 And S2 Pro.
Durability
The Ninebot Max wins out in durability thanks to its beefier construction, air-filled tires and larger battery pack. Owners report getting thousands of miles out of their Segway scooters over years of steady use with minimal maintenance required.
The slim, lightweight Unagi does not quite match that level of long term robustness. It’s not designed for off-roading and jumping curbs like a Ninebot Max can handle.
Winner: Segway
Water Resistance
Here is one advantage Unagi scooters have over Segway – they are certified IPX4 water resistant. This means they can withstand splashes from any direction and light rain.
Segway scooters have more exposed components and ports, making them susceptible to damage if ridden in wet conditions. Neither are meant for submersion.
Winner: Unagi
Portability
This is one of the strongest advantages of the Unagi over Segway scooters. As mentioned earlier, the Unagi weighs just 24.7 lbs with a folding stem. You can easily carry it in one hand onto buses, trains, up stairs etc.
At 42 lbs, lugging around the much bulkier Segway Ninebot Max becomes quite unwieldy over longer distances. You’ll struggle to carry it with one hand for an extended time.
If easy portability is a priority, Unagi is the winner here.
Winner: Unagi
Price
Unagi scooters demand a premium price of around $990 MSRP. That’s about $200 more than a Segway Ninebot Max.
You are paying extra for Unagi’s brand name, trendy aesthetics and ultra-portable lightweight construction. So neither model can be considered a real “budget” option.
But the Segway does offer better value for money when you factor in its superior range, speed and braking. Just don’t expect the same stylish design or portability.
Winner: Segway
Unagi And Segway Compared: Pros And Cons
To summarize the key differences between Unagi and Segway scooters, here’s an overview of the main pros and cons of each:
Unagi Model One Pros:
- Sleek, lightweight, fashionable design
- Weighs just 24.7 lbs for easy carrying
- Smooth, carvy handling and nimble urban performance
- Light enough for public transit commuting
- IPX4 water resistance rating
Unagi Model One Cons:
- Quite expensive at nearly $1000
- Short maximum range (15.5 miles)
- Underwhelming drum brakes
- Unknown long term durability
Segway Ninebot Max Pros:
- Impressive 40 mile maximum range
- Powerful electric ABS braking system
- Stable and confidence inspiring at higher speeds
- Large battery has incredible lifespan
- Proven long term durability and reliability
- More affordable price around $800
Also Read: Comaprison Between GoTrax Rival and GLX V2
Segway Ninebot Max Cons:
- Heavy and bulky at 42 lbs
- More difficult to carry over distances
- Lacks sporty styling of Unagi
- Exposed components susceptible to water damage
So in summary, Unagi offers impressive styling and handling but falls short on range and braking. Segway has superior performance metrics but lacks portability and design finesse. It depends which factors are most important for your needs.
Also watch the video!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For some urban riders, the premium design, ultra-lightweight portability and nimble handling of the Unagi will be worth the nearly $1000 investment. But budget-focused buyers will be better off with the performance and value of the Segway Ninebot Max.
The main differences are the Unagi’s lighter weight (24.7 lbs Vs. 42 lbs), more stylish design, shorter range (15 miles Vs. 40 miles), and weaker drum brakes compared to Segway’s ABS electric brakes. Unagi focuses more on aesthetics while Segway prioritizes performance.
The battery and components should provide 300-500 charge cycles and about 1-2 years of usable life. Light riders may get up to 3 years before requiring major service. But Unagi’s long term durability is not on par with Segway models.
Unagi can handle minor hills up to about 10% grade thanks to its 250W motor. But steeper hills will drain the battery quickly. Bulkier scooters like Segway Ninebot Max perform better on hills due to higher motor power and battery capacity.
Also Read: Differences Between GoTrax GXL V2 And Segway ES1L.
Conclusion
When comparing Unagi Vs. Segway electric scooters, the main tradeoffs are style against substance.
Unagi offers serious curb appeal with its svelte lightweight magnesium frame and aesthetic kick of color options. The easy portability is unmatched. But range, power and braking performance is limited.
Segway Ninebot Max sacrifices style points for burlier performance. With bigger tires, more power and superior battery life, it outruns the Unagi. But lugging its 42 lb bulk around is no fun compared to the light Unagi model.
So choose Unagi if you prioritize stylish looks and easy carrying ability for urban commuting and multi-modal transit. Opt for the Segway Ninebot Max if you demand maximum mileage range, speed and the confidence of serious brakes. Either scooter can serve you well for eco-friendly short range transportation with the right expectations.