Roinside UP8 Pro Electric Scooter Review: a no-nonsense commuter with solid range for the price

I’ve been using the Roinside UP8 Pro (350W, 8.5" solid tires, dual suspension) as a daily run-around scooter for a bit: grocery runs, quick trips to the gym, and some weekend rides just for fun. I’m around 185 lbs, so I’m not testing it with a featherweight body, and most of my riding is on decent city pavement with the usual cracks and a few short hills. I didn’t baby it, I just used it like I normally would.

Out of the box, it comes basically ready to ride. You unfold it, lock the stem, plug in the charger, and you’re good. No crazy assembly, which I like. It’s clearly not some high-end flagship scooter, but it doesn’t feel like a toy either. The 350W motor and quoted 23-mile range put it in that mid-range commuter category, roughly in the same ballpark as entry Segway/Ninebot models, but usually cheaper.

In day-to-day use, the main thing that stood out is that it’s simple and predictable. It gets up to speed fast enough, the brakes are strong enough, and the solid tires mean you’re not freaking out about flats. On the flip side, it’s not a powerhouse for steep hills, and the solid tires plus small 8.5" wheels still mean you feel bad roads more than you’d like, even with the dual shock setup.

So far, my overall impression is pretty positive: it’s good value for money if you want a straightforward scooter for short to medium commutes. It’s not perfect and you can definitely get smoother and stronger scooters if you pay more, but for the price bracket it sits in, it gets the job done without drama.

When you look at what this scooter offers—350W motor, up to ~19 mph, solid tires, dual suspension, app, and around 12–16 real miles of range—and compare it to big brands like Segway or Razor, it usually comes in cheaper for similar specs. That’s basically its biggest selling point: you get a proper adult commuter scooter without paying top-tier prices. Several Amazon reviewers called out the good price/performance balance, and I agree with that.

If you’re just starting with electric scooters or you want something for daily short commutes, campus, or neighborhood errands, this hits a nice middle ground. It feels more serious than the cheap no-name scooters that die in a few months, but it doesn’t blow your budget like high-end models. You still get a foldable design, a decent motor, solid range, and a double braking system that actually feels reassuring.

On the downside, you do compromise on some things: solid tires instead of air, so ride comfort is just okay, not great. Hill performance is limited, so if you live in San Francisco-type terrain, you may feel underpowered. And the brand doesn’t have the same long track record or support network as Segway, so if that matters a lot to you, that’s something to think about.

Overall, I’d say the value is strong if your expectations are realistic: you want a reliable, no-fuss scooter for everyday use on mostly flat roads, and you don’t need premium features or big-brand status. In that context, the Roinside UP8 Pro is good value for money and a sensible choice.

Design-wise, the Roinside UP8 Pro goes for a pretty standard commuter look: straight stem, narrow-ish deck, and 8.5" wheels. The model I had was red, which gives it a slightly sportier look than the usual all-black scooters, but it’s still pretty discreet. Nothing flashy, which I actually prefer for something I might lock outside or carry on public transport. It doesn’t scream expensive gadget.

The folding mechanism is fairly straightforward. You unlock a latch near the base of the stem, fold it down, and hook it to the rear fender. After a couple of tries, I could fold or unfold it in under 10 seconds. It feels reasonably secure when locked upright; I didn’t notice wobble in the stem while riding, which is something that can be annoying on cheaper scooters. I did check the screws and latch after a few rides, and nothing had loosened up, which is a good sign.

The handlebar layout is simple: throttle on the right, brake lever on the left, and a small LED display in the center. You get the basics: speed, battery level, and mode. The display is readable in bright sunlight, which some owners also mentioned, and I can confirm that. No fancy interface, but it does the job, and I didn’t have to squint to see my speed at noon. There’s also a small bell, which is fine for signaling pedestrians but don’t expect it to cut through loud traffic noise.

If I nitpick, the handlebar height is fixed, so if you’re very tall, the stance might feel slightly low. I’m around 5'10" (178 cm) and it felt okay, but I can see someone over 6'2" wishing it was a bit higher. Overall, the design is practical and no-nonsense: not pretty in a premium way, but functional, with nothing obviously cheap or flimsy at first glance.

The brand advertises up to 23 miles of range for this 350W, 8.5" version. As usual, that number is optimistic and based on light riders, flat ground, and lower speeds. In my use (185 lbs, mixed speeds, some stops, small hills), I was seeing roughly 12–16 miles per charge before the battery got low enough that speed started to drop noticeably. That lines up fairly well with one of the long reviews where the rider got around 29 miles solo but at lighter load and likely more conservative riding.

The battery behavior is pretty standard for this class. When it’s above 50%, you get close to full power and top speed. As you drop below around 30%, you start to feel it: acceleration softens and your max speed drops a bit. It doesn’t suddenly die on you; it just gradually feels more sluggish. I actually prefer that to a sudden cut-off, because you get plenty of warning to head home or find a charger.

Charging from low to full took me about 5 hours, which matches the specs. That’s acceptable for overnight charging or plugging in at work. I would not expect fast-charging from a scooter in this price range. As with any lithium battery, it’s worth following basic care tips: don’t leave it fully empty for long, avoid baking it in direct sun, and try not to charge overnight unattended all the time. One user even mentioned being careful with lithium batteries, which is good advice in general.

For typical daily use—commuting a few miles each way, plus some errands—this battery is good enough. If you’re doing long 15+ mile rides daily at full speed, you might want something with a bigger pack. But for most city users, you’ll probably charge it every 2–3 days, or daily if you just like to keep it topped off. In short: range is honest for the price and specs, as long as you’re not expecting the marketing number in real-world conditions.

Comfort is usually where cheaper scooters take the biggest hit, especially with solid tires. On this one, the dual suspension does help, but let’s be real: it’s still an 8.5"-wheel scooter with hard rubber tires. On smooth pavement, it rides nicely. On average city streets with cracks, manhole covers, and the occasional bad patch, you definitely feel the surface, but it’s not teeth-rattling like some no-suspension solid-tire scooters I’ve tried.

The deck width is medium. I could comfortably ride with one foot forward and the other at about 45 degrees, as one reviewer also mentioned. That stance felt the most stable, especially at higher speeds. If you have big feet, it might feel a bit narrow front-to-back, but side-to-side it’s okay. The deck grip is fine; even in slightly dusty conditions, I didn’t feel like I was sliding around.

The handlebar grips are ergonomic enough and didn’t cause any discomfort on 30–40 minute rides. Vibration through the bars is there, but not crazy. Most of the shock from bumps hits your legs and knees more than your hands. I did a couple of slightly longer rides (around 8–10 miles in one go), and while I wasn’t in pain afterward, I did feel like I had been standing for a while, especially on rougher sections. That’s pretty standard for this scooter category.

Where it struggles is on really rough surfaces: broken pavement, cobblestones, or transitions from grass to concrete. Even with the dual shocks, you have to slow down and be careful. One reviewer mentioned tumbling when hitting an obstacle at around 5 mph; I didn’t crash, but I can see how that happens if you’re not watching the ground. So in short: comfort is decent for daily commuting on normal roads, but if your city is full of potholes or you want a very smooth ride, you’ll want bigger wheels and pneumatic tires on a different scooter.

The scooter frame is aluminum, and overall it feels pretty solid in hand. No flex in the deck when I stood on it, no obvious rattles out of the box. The folding joint is usually the weak point on cheaper scooters, and on this one it feels reasonably tight. After several rides, I didn’t notice any play developing, but to be safe, I’d still recommend checking the latch and screws now and then, like you would on any folding scooter.

The solid rubber tires are a big plus for durability. You don’t have to worry about punctures, which is a big deal if your city streets are full of glass and debris. The trade-off is slightly harsher ride, but from a durability standpoint, solid tires are low-maintenance. Just keep an eye on wear over time. The rear disc brake and cable are basic but functional. I’d expect to adjust the cable tension after a few months of use, which is normal. Pads will eventually wear, but that’s a cheap replacement.

The electronics and display haven’t shown any weird behavior so far. The app connection worked, though I wouldn’t judge long-term reliability on just a few weeks. Roinside offers a 12-month warranty on different parts, which is good to have, but of course, how easy it is to claim depends on their customer service. The Amazon rating (around 4.2/5 with 2,000+ reviews) suggests most people aren’t running into constant breakdowns, but there will always be some units with issues.

From what I’ve seen and from other user feedback, I’d put durability at above average for the price. It’s not built like a tank, but it doesn’t feel like a cheap toy either. If you use it for normal commuting, avoid riding through deep puddles, and do basic checks (screws, brake cable, etc.), it should hold up fine. If you plan to abuse it off-road or in heavy rain, this isn’t the right tool.

Performance-wise, the 350W motor does a solid job for flat and slightly hilly areas. Acceleration is smooth and decent, not neck-snapping but enough that you don’t feel sluggish starting from a stop. On flat ground, I could get close to the claimed 18–19 mph without much effort, especially in the highest speed mode. For commuting in city traffic or on bike lanes, that’s plenty. I rarely felt like I needed more speed, and honestly, on small wheels, going faster would start to feel sketchy.

Where you notice the limits is on steeper hills. On mild inclines, it maintains speed fine; on proper hills, it slows down. It will usually still climb, but you’re not flying up. Another user mentioned that it slows considerably on steep slopes, and I had the same experience. If you live in a very hilly area and want to blast up hills at full speed, this is probably not your scooter. For mixed terrain with occasional inclines, it’s acceptable.

The controls become second nature quickly. Throttle is responsive without being jerky, and the scooter offers two starting modes: glide start (kick to get going, then it engages) and electric start. I mostly used glide start because it feels more natural and saves a bit of strain on the motor. The presence of multiple speed modes is handy: I used the lower mode in crowded areas and full power in open stretches. The app lets you tweak some of this, but you don’t have to use it if you don’t care.

Overall, in daily use, the scooter feels fun and confident enough for normal commuting speeds. It’s not a performance monster, but for city riding within the legal limits, it does the job well. Just be aware of its limits on steep hills and don’t expect motorcycle-like power from a 350W commuter scooter.

The version I used is the 350W, 23-mile, 8.5" dual shock absorber model. Official specs say up to about 19–22 mph and up to 21–24 miles of range, but as usual, that’s under ideal conditions: light rider, flat ground, and low speed. In real life, with my weight and mixed riding, I’d say expect around 12–16 miles of honest range if you’re riding at medium-to-high speed and not babying the throttle.

The scooter has a 350W brushless motor in the front wheel (nominal power), with a claimed top speed capped around 19 mph to match regulations. It uses solid rubber tires (8.5" on this model) and dual suspension, which is nice on paper because solid tires usually ride harsher than air-filled ones. Braking is handled by a rear disc brake plus electronic EABS. There’s also an app that lets you lock the scooter, switch speed modes, and play with some settings like cruise control.

Weight-wise, it’s about 30 lbs (around 13–14 kg), which is light enough to carry up a flight of stairs or throw in a car trunk, but you still feel it after a few minutes of carrying. The frame is aluminum, the deck is medium width, and it’s rated for riders up to 256 lbs. It folds via a one-click locking mechanism on the stem, which, once you get used to it, is quick enough for daily commuting.

Overall, in terms of pure specs and what’s in the box (scooter + charger + manual), this is a mid-range commuter scooter: not a monster off-road thing, not a toy, just a city/urban runabout. If you’ve used something like a basic Segway/Ninebot before, the general category and performance level will feel very familiar, just at a typically lower price point.