Segway Ninebot Max 2021 Review

Review Summary

Ninebot Max Specification Scores

Note: All scores are calculated directly from scooter specifications using consistent and carefully calibrated formula. This enables an objective assessments and easier comparisons between alternative products.

Ninebot Max Specification

Note: Fixed color coding rules are applied consistently across all products to ensure objective assessment of specifications.

Who SHOULD buy? This is the undoubtedly the sensible all-round choice for someone who wants a reliable smooth ride and very good range at a reasonable price.

Who should NOT buy? If you want something a little more portable, or a design that is more more distinct and inspired then look elsewhere. If it is important to have a higher top speed.

Read our affiliate disclosure here

Ninebot Segway Max Overview

It’s important to point out that Ninebot-Segway is partly owned by Xiaomi and that this scooter is effectively a significantly upgraded version of the (hugely) successful Xiaomi M365 design platform. That means the battery is located under the deck (not in the stem like the other Ninebot-Segway ES models), and it has almost identical styling to the M365. For this reason much of the review will reference comparisons with the M365. The Max can also be seen as two models up from the Xiaomi M365, with the Xiaomi Pro sitting in-between.

Ninebot-Segway have done something very simple and very sensible with the Max G30; they have picked over all the small flaws in the M365 and ironed them out. More robust tubeless pneumatic tyres, bigger wheels and deck, a sturdier folding mechanism, greater range, greater power and an excellent fast charging battery.  It’s sooo sensible it verges on annoying – it’s the scooter equivalent of the classroom swat.  The equation is fairly simple – if you like sensible, this scooter should really appeal. If you want sexy, it won’t. But let’s face it, in the world of electric scooters it’s sensible that sells.    

The size and range of the Max may be overkill for some, but it is worth bearing in mind that the larger tyres and deck also deliver a more stable and safer ride. So it may be counter intuitive but if safety and stability is a big concern (as it will be for many who are new to electric scooters), then it may be worth considering over smaller models for that reason alone. But if you plan on putting it in the boot and don’t have a large car, make sure you measure it will fit first (117 x 53 x 48cm), because it’s just getting to the size where it may not fit in some smaller car boots.

Design

As mentioned, the overall design is based on the M365 frame, but there are a number of significant differences. The obvious ones include colour touches on the wheel area and larger size. But some less obvious differences include a motor on the rear wheel (not the front), a beefier folding mechanism than the M365 to eliminate stem wobble The Max G30 also has tubeless tyres which claim to be puncture resistant and self-healing and testomony from owners suggests they are a big improvement over the puncture prone M365. Another improvement is its newly designed fast charging set-up (detailed later under the battery section). The Max is littered with design tweaks and improvements making it overall a really substantial upgrade from the M365.

Speed: Top speed for this scooter varies across different regions. In most regions it is 18 mph but in some countries, including the UK version, it is restrict it to 15.5 (although with a bit of saucery it is possible to unlock this restriction). It is worth mentioning that the Max shows a slight drop-off in top speed as the battery is drained. This is common in many electric scooters, but the effect kicks in a little earlier than expected on the Max, with drops in speed reported at 75% power. This is much less pronounced in those versions already restricted to 15.5.

Range: This scooter is really more about range than speed, with a claimed 40 mile range. In reality user reports suggest that the true range is closer to 30 miles, with several owners reporting even less at closer to 25. It is normal to expect real world performance to be in the region of 30% lower than claimed range so this is not entirely surprising. This always causes complaints from unsuspecting owners so just be warned and take it into consideration when buying any scooter. The M365 has similar issues so this is one thing that is yet to be ironed out.

Power: 350W power moves it ahead of both the M365 (at 250W) and the Pro (at 300W). It is just enough to make performance up steep hills to remain respectable, but there is still a slight drop off.

Max Load: Surprisingly there is no increase here, remaining at the 100kg max. This is surprising because this model would otherwise really appeal to those larger heavier riders for whom the M365 is a little small.

Wheels: 10 inch wheels with pneumatic tyres guarantees a better ride than the vast majority of electric scooters on the market. And whilst suspension would have improved upon the ride further, its existing set-up is more than adequate for most urban surfaces, as the larger than average wheels gives a big advantage for riding over small pot holes and cracks. It is also notably solid and stable thanks to its stiff front stem and relatively large deck.

Tyres: Tubeless puncture resistant tyres are a fine detail, yet they are also a potential game changer and will no doubt be one of the strongest selling points for some buyers. By far the biggest complaint of the M365 was not just the punctures, but the fact it was such a challenge to repair them. The Max has been out long enough now to get confirmation from existing owners that the tyres on the Max really are less susceptible to punctures, yet maintain the softer ride that pneumatic (air filled) tyres have over solid tyres.

Suspension: The Max G30 does not come with suspension which means that whilst ride quality is good, it cannot compete with the best on the market.

Size and Weight: As with any longer range scooter it is susceptible to weight gain from a larger battery. Combined with its slightly chunkier build this scooter’s only obvious drawback is its inferior portability and higher weight, weighing in at 18.7 kg. It’s not ideal for taking on most commuter trains but it still folds to just about fit into the back of most (but certainly not all) car boots. Carrying up one flight of stairs would be very possible but a pain.

Capacity: A large capacity of 551 Wh (nearly double the 280 of the M365).

Charging: The battery management enables charging at almost double the rate of the M365, which means despite having nearly double the capacity it takes practically the same amount of time to charge. Another subtle but big advantage is that it is designed with its power converter inside, which means the charging cable is simply, a cable, without the usual bulky transformer. This is an excellent design addition because it takes away the bulk in scenarios where you may need to take the charger with you (you simply need a plug and wire). It also means replacing the charger cable or getting an extra one (to leave in the office for example), will be much cheaper.

Display: Integrated into handlebars, it allows you to see speed, battery life and select three different speed modes.

Bluetooth / App: Of course, as with all the Ninebot Segway scooters, it includes the Bluetooth features

Lights: High mounted light which is slightly brighter than the M365 and adequate for most nigh time riding.

Brakes: It has drum brakes on its front wheel. These are not particularly sensitive but can be adjusted. Having a more gradual front wheel braking makes sense for the front wheel as it reduces the chances of them locking up (which is much more hazardous on a front wheel than it is on the rear). The rear wheel has regenerative electronic brakes (often referred to as KERS which stands for Kinetic Energy Return System). This is a fancy way of saying that some of the energy used to slow the motor is harvested to put some charge back into the battery. The strength of these electronic brakes can be adjusted. They are a clever addition which help to slow the scooter in a controlled way without locking the wheel, but the braking they provide is not powerful enough for emergency braking.

Overall the braking of the Ninebot Segway Max can be described as simply mediocre. Not a highlight on an otherwise great scooter.

Feedback from Owners

Amazon US has the Ninebot Segway at an incredible 4.5 out of 5 with 376 reviews (at the time of writing). Most users have had an extremely positive experience with their scooter. The higher overall star rating owes a lot to the more robust tyres which reduce negative reviews from frustrated owners unable to change their tyres (something that plagued the M365).   Owners praise the stability and comfort as well as the fast charging battery.

Most of the negative reviews about the Max were about the same things; firstly the drop off in top speed as the battery drains (falling gradually from about 18mph to 15mph, starting when the battery gets to about 80% battery). This is a common issue among many scooters although it is more pronounced on some than others. The other complaint was not achieving its full 40 miles. For the uninitiated this may be a shock but it is also the norm across the majority of scooters.

None of the scooters on the market are faultless, but very few come with less complaints than the Ninebot Max G30.