iScooter i8 Review: a budget commuter scooter that’s good if you know its limits

I’ve been using the iScooter i8 as a basic commuter and neighborhood scooter, not as a toy, and I’ll be honest: I bought it because it was cheap and had decent reviews, not because I expected anything crazy. I mainly use it for short trips to the store, going to the gym, and quick rides around the neighborhood. So this review is from the point of view of someone who just wants something practical that doesn’t fall apart after a week.

Out of the box, it took me maybe 10–15 minutes to get it ready: unfold, tighten a few screws, check the tires, and charge it fully. One thing that confused me at first: it ships in “assist” (kick-to-start) mode, so you have to push off before the motor kicks in. If you want it to start with just the throttle, you have to press the power button four times. Took me a minute and a trip to the manual to figure that out.

In daily use, I treated it like a simple car replacement for short rides, not like a high-end commuting machine. I’m around 190 lbs, and I have a couple of hills on my route, so I was curious to see if the 350W motor and 12-mile advertised range would hold up in real life. Spoiler: it does okay, as long as you keep your expectations realistic and don’t expect full power when the battery drops.

Overall, the i8 feels like a budget scooter that gets the job done. It’s not the smoothest, it’s not the most powerful, and it’s definitely not meant for heavy rain or hardcore daily commuting over long distances. But for the price and casual use, it’s actually pretty solid, with some annoying flaws you should know about before buying.

For roughly $200 (give or take depending on sales), the iScooter i8 lands in that budget zone where you can’t expect miracles, but you still want something that doesn’t feel like a toy. On that front, it delivers fairly well. You get a 350W motor, up to 18 mph speed, real pneumatic tires, a double braking system, and foldability. For a first scooter or for a teen, that’s a decent package.

Compared to more expensive models from brands like Segway or NIU, you clearly give up some things: longer range, better hill performance, proper suspension, app integration, and usually better water resistance. But those scooters often cost two to three times more. If you just need something to cover a few miles here and there and don’t want to drop a ton of money, the i8 is a reasonable compromise.

Where the value shows is in simple everyday use: quick charge once or twice a week, ride to school or the store, fold it and toss it in a trunk if needed. You’re not paying for fancy features you might never touch. On the other hand, if you already know you’re going to ride every single day, in all kinds of weather, and you need rock-solid performance on hills, I’d say save up and get something more robust. Otherwise, you’ll outgrow this scooter pretty fast.

So in short: good value if you’re realistic about what you’re buying. It’s a budget commuter that makes sense for light use, teens, and short trips. If you go in expecting a high-end, all-weather workhorse, you’ll be disappointed. If you treat it as an affordable, practical tool for short rides, it’s actually a decent deal.

Design-wise, the iScooter i8 is pretty straightforward. Matte black frame, simple stem, small deck, and a basic LCD display in the middle of the handlebar. Nothing fancy, but it looks clean and doesn’t scream “kid’s toy,” which I appreciate. The deck is on the narrow side but has a non-slip surface, and for normal shoes it’s fine. If you have big feet, you’ll probably end up riding with one foot slightly angled or hanging a bit off the edge, but it’s manageable.

The 8.5-inch pneumatic tires give it a more grown-up look compared to solid plastic wheels, and they help a bit with bumps. The handlebar height is fixed at about 43 inches, which for my height (around 5'10") feels okay. I wouldn’t mind adjustable height, but at this price, fixed is normal. The controls are simple: one power button, a throttle, and brake lever. The display shows speed, mode, and battery bars. It’s bright enough to see during the day and at night, so no complaints there.

The folding system is kind of a mixed bag. It folds in one step, which is nice, but here’s the issue: there’s no proper lock to keep it securely closed when folded, at least not in a way that makes carrying it comfortable. So yes, you can fold it to put it in a car trunk or store it in a corner, but walking around with it in one hand while it’s folded is a bit awkward. The latch can feel a little flimsy when you’re new to it, even if it holds up fine in normal use.

Overall, the design is minimal and practical. It’s light enough to drag up a flight of stairs, small enough to fit in an apartment or office, and looks decent. The only real design annoyance for me is the folding not locking properly for carrying. If you plan to fold and carry it often, that will get on your nerves. If you mostly roll it and only fold it to stash it somewhere, then it’s not a big deal.

The iScooter i8 comes with a 187.2Wh battery, and the brand claims up to 12 miles of range. In the real world, that 12 miles number depends a lot on your weight, terrain, and how fast you ride. In my case, using it for short commutes and some errands, I’m getting something like 8–10 miles on a full charge if I ride mostly in the top mode and deal with a couple of hills. If you’re lighter and ride slower, you might get closer to the 12 miles, but I wouldn’t count on it if you’re riding full speed all the time.

The battery gauge is just four bars, so it’s not super precise. It stays on full for a bit, then drops to 3 bars, and that’s where you start to feel the scooter lose a bit of power. By the time you’re at 1–2 bars, you clearly feel the motor working harder and the speed dropping, especially on inclines. It’s still rideable, but you notice the difference. For my use (2–3 short trips a week), I usually charge it once a week for about 5 hours and that’s enough.

Charging time is around 5–6 hours from empty, which is pretty standard for this size of battery. You just plug it in at home and forget about it. The charger is small and not too noisy. One thing to keep in mind: follow the brand’s advice and fully charge it the first time before riding. It’s basic battery care, but it helps keep it from acting weird.

Overall, the battery is fine for short to medium rides, but it’s not made for people who need to do long daily commutes. If your round trip is under 6–7 miles and mostly flat, you’re good. If you’re trying to stretch it to the full 12 miles with hills and high speed, you’ll probably end up cutting it close, and the scooter will feel weaker toward the end of the ride.

The i8 has no suspension, just 8.5-inch pneumatic tires. On smooth pavement, the ride is pretty comfortable. The air-filled tires soak up small cracks and little bumps reasonably well. On rough asphalt or broken sidewalks, you feel everything. It’s not painful, but you’re definitely aware that there’s no shock absorber helping you out. For short rides, it’s fine. For longer rides on bad roads, it gets tiring.

The deck is slightly narrow but has a non-slip surface that grips well, even if your shoes are a bit dusty. I usually ride with one foot forward and one angled behind, and that works. Taller or bigger riders might find it a bit cramped, but it’s workable. The handlebar grips are basic but comfortable enough, and I didn’t get any hand fatigue from normal use.

The scooter does have cruise control, which kicks in after holding a steady speed for a short time. This is handy on long straight sections, since you don’t have to hold the throttle constantly. Just be careful when you first get used to it, because if you forget it’s on, the scooter will keep going even if you loosen your thumb a bit until you brake or tap the throttle again.

Noise-wise, it’s quiet. You mostly hear the tire noise and a light motor hum at higher speeds. For neighborhood use, that’s nice. Overall, the comfort is acceptable for a budget scooter: decent on smooth roads, a bit rough on bad ones, but nothing shocking. Just don’t expect the plush feel of a scooter with suspension and bigger wheels.

In terms of build, the frame is aluminum and feels pretty solid for the price. There’s no weird flexing in the stem when you brake or hit small bumps, and the deck doesn’t creak under my weight. The scooter doesn’t feel like it’s going to snap in half, which is honestly what I worry about with cheaper models. The welding and finish are not premium-level, but they’re clean enough that you don’t feel like you’re on a toy.

The weak point is clearly water exposure. One user mentioned leaving it outside in the rain and having issues right after: the scooter turned on but wouldn’t drive, then later worked again after drying out. That pretty much matches what I’d expect from a budget scooter with no strong waterproof rating. This is not something you want to ride in the rain or leave outside unprotected. Light splashes are probably okay, but if you live in a rainy area and need an all-weather commuter, this is not it.

The folding mechanism feels a bit basic, but mine hasn’t loosened up so far. You’ll want to check the screws now and then, especially after the first few rides, because cheaper scooters sometimes need a little tightening as everything settles. The tires are pneumatic, which is nice for comfort, but you do have to be ready for potential flats. The good news: some units ship with a spare tire, which is a nice touch for this price point.

Overall, I’d say the durability is good enough for casual use: a few days a week, short commutes, and neighborhood rides. If you abuse it daily, ride in bad weather, or toss it around, don’t be surprised if problems show up sooner. For someone who takes basic care of it and stores it indoors, it should hold up reasonably well.

On flat streets, the i8 does its job. With the 350W motor, I can hit around 17–18 mph in the highest mode when the battery is full and the road is flat. Acceleration is decent for this kind of scooter: it’s not a rocket, but you don’t feel like you’re crawling either. For city cruising, it’s fine. If you’re used to higher-end scooters, you’ll find it a bit weak, but for a first scooter, it feels quick enough.

Hills are where you feel the limits. I ride up a long, pretty steep hill to get to a school nearby, and I do notice the scooter slows down a lot, especially once the battery drops below full. At my weight (around 190 lbs), it can still climb, but not fast. If you’re near the 220 lbs limit and have steep hills, don’t expect it to fly up. You’ll probably end up at jogging speed on the steeper parts. For mild slopes, it’s fine, but again, keep expectations realistic.

Another thing: the scooter’s power drops as the battery goes down. At 4 bars (full), you get the best speed and torque. At 3 bars, you start to feel it lose a bit of punch. At 1–2 bars, the speed and climbing ability drop clearly. It’s still usable, but it feels more sluggish. This is pretty common on cheaper scooters, but it’s noticeable here. So if your commute includes hills, you’ll want to start with a full charge.

Overall, in daily use, I’d say the performance is good enough for short commutes on mostly flat ground. It’s not built for long, fast rides or for heavy riders on steep hills. For teens or lighter adults riding around the neighborhood, going to school, or riding on campus, it feels pretty solid. Just don’t expect miracles from a 350W motor and a small battery.

The iScooter i8 is basically a lightweight, entry-level electric scooter aimed at adults and teens. On paper, you get a 350W motor, a top speed of up to 18 mph, and a range of about 12 miles. It supports riders up to 220 lbs, uses 8.5-inch pneumatic (air-filled) tires, and weighs about 26.4 lbs. It folds, but more on that part later because there’s a catch. It comes with a basic display on the handlebar, cruise control, a headlight, taillight, and a double braking system (disc brake plus electronic brake).

In the box, you get the scooter, the charger, a small manual, and some screws with a screwdriver. Assembly is simple: you’re basically just attaching the handlebar and tightening everything. No app, no pairing, no nonsense. If you like plug-and-play stuff, that part is nice. The manual is a bit basic, but it explains the three speed modes (6/12/18 mph) and how to switch from kick-start to zero-start, which you’ll probably want to do if you use it a lot in the city.

In reality, the i8 sits in that middle ground between “kid toy scooter” and “serious adult commuter scooter.” You can absolutely use it to commute a few miles, but it’s not built for long 10–15 mile daily commutes with big hills. It’s more like: ride to school, ride around campus, go to the store, or cruise around the neighborhood. If you’re buying this for a teen or for light adult use, it makes sense. If you’re trying to replace a car for daily 10+ mile round trips, I’d look at something with a bigger battery.

So overall, what you get is a simple, functional entry-level scooter with just enough power and features for short, practical rides. It’s not overloaded with tech, and that’s fine. But you need to be clear with yourself: this is a $200-ish scooter, and it behaves like one, both in good and bad ways.