The 10 Best Electric Scooters for Hills

To understand the concept of torque and why it is essential when looking at the best electric scooters for climbing hills, we can explain it like this:

People ask; "what is the difference between horsepower and torque, and why is torque so frequently mentioned when it comes to cars?"

An easy way of explaining it is if you think of a bicycle. When you put your foot on the pedal and press down, the amount of power you have can be explained as the torque, how fast you can pedal is the horsepower. So if you ever biked up a hill, you know it's not the speed in the revolution of the pedals that is the main focus, but rather the power to press down repeatedly. And the steeper the hill, the more power you need. That's why professional bikers' power output, when climbing, is measured in watts. The best guys produce a lot of watts.

So if you want to win the Tour de France...you have to be on the upper end of the watts scale or else....you will never win a tour. 

Terrain vehicles of different sorts are not about outright speed but enormous torque, which is why they can climb obstacles and rocks you would need a mountain guide's help to climb by hand.

This is important if you are about to invest in your electric kick scooter and you live in a hillier area. You will want to know that you choose one with a powerful motor enough to do what you ask of it. Or maybe you are looking for an off-road toy, to bring to the mountains for some fun antics, without scaring the daylight out of other hikers.

In this article, we will cover some of the best electric scooters for climbing hills with a focus on power, battery, and weight. Maximum speed, although a favorite topic amongst many, is not the primary focus but will be mentioned.


The overall weight of the scooter and... yourself...must also be taken into consideration. The heavier you are, the more powerful scooter you will need. Whereas a person who can find shade behind a telephone pole...might get away with a smaller package and still get the desired performance. Nothing saps power quicker from a lithium battery than weight. Combine the right package considering battery pack, weight, and power and you have the best scooter for you..

You might live in a hillier area and need something that can tackle those hills. Good news. You don't need to get a monster off-road scooter as there are options. Even lightweight ones.

Make sure to target a scooter with a minimum of 500W power though. Anything below that will eventually feel insufficient.

When you lay eyes on the Mosquito you will be forgiven for thinking; "why on earth is this toy mentioned in a blog about proper hill-climbing scooters?"

The Mosquito is so lightweight and slim that it resembles a kid's kick scooter more than anything else. But looks can deceive and technology can impress beyond our imaginations.

This is a proper fast electric scooter with strong hill climbing ability even though it only weighs 29 lbs (13 kg). A super portable lightweight scooter that has a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and a 22-mile (35 km) range. The scooter manages to incorporate enough battery power with a 48V 9.6Ah unit that drives the front wheel 500W/700W peak power motor.

Even 10% of inclines are dealt with confidently. The max weight is 265 lbs (120 kg). And it is fair to say that if you want to get the best performance out of the Mosquito, staying below that max weight is recommended.

It even has three brake systems. Rear drum brake, rear step-on brake, and a regen throttle on the front wheel recharging as you go. The idea behind the Mosquito was to offer the most possible performance of all super lightweight foldable electric scooters and they have succeeded.

When folded it only measures 13 x 6 x 42 inches (33 x 15 x 107 cm). And when you see it like that, you would never guess you are looking at a proper hill climbing electric scooter.

"Tiny Beast!"
"Bought this for my daughter at college, but wanted to put some miles on it to make sure everything was ok. I have another brand scooter and this outclassed it in almost every way. Lighter, easier operation, more torque and top speed. The smaller solid wheels don’t feel as “bike-like” as larger inflated wheels, but the suspension on this made sidewalk paths tolerable that were too jarring with fixed wheels. Once you get used to both brakes, stopping power is amazing. There’s a lot going on here in a small package that can be easily carried up a few flights of stairs."

Stepping up slightly in weight and style from the Mosquito we find the fluid Horizon. A true workhorse of an electric scooter.

The Horizon weighs 42 lbs (19 kg) and offers two choices of battery versions. Either 48V 10.4Ah with a 23-mile (37 km) range or a bigger 48V 13Ah with 30 miles (48 km) range.

When tested climbing hills, it managed to keep an average speed of 7,8 mph (12,6 km/h) up a 10% incline over 196 ft (60 m). This places it above the trend for its class.

The top speed is 23 mph (37 km/h) with smooth and steady acceleration delivered by the rear 500W/800W peak power motor.

And on that rear wheel sits an 8-inch solid tire whereas on the front you find an 8.5-inch air-filled one. This is part of that workhorse philosophy behind the design. 90 % of all punctures on electric scooters are on the rear tire. This ensures you don't have that problem.

The one thing to keep in mind is that the rear drum brake is not the strongest out there. It works fine and for low maintenance and longevity, it is the way to go. This is a fast electric scooter though and making sure you know your brake system is well-advised. It also has a regen brake.

This is a very foldable electric scooter and once folded it measures 40 x 7 x 13.8 inches (102 x 18 x 35 cm) qualifying it as one of the best foldable electric scooters.

This is a very foldable electric scooter and once folded it measures 40 x 7 x 13.8 inches (102 x 18 x 35 cm) qualifying it as one of the best foldable electric scooters.

Another reason why so many people love it is the ride quality. The Horizon has a proper gem of a dual suspension and handles most of what you challenge it with on tarmacked roads brilliantly. The max weight is 265 lbs (120 kg).

The Horizon is neither "fancy" nor "cool looking" if those things matter. It is, however, one of the best electric scooters for daily commuting and has a proven track record with enough engine power and torque for decent hill-climbing abilities. You get it when you know exactly what you want and that is reliability, low maintenance and no-nonsense performance.

"Pirchased the Horizon V2 after previously owning the original Horizon and the Varla Eagle One. Came back to Fluidfreeride after Eagle One had fatal battery issue. Nothing beats Fluid's quality. The compact and lighter weight of the Horizon is an enormous advantage for portability. The new V2 with 30mi range and thumb throttle and carrying handle are a major improvement over the previous version. Came back because it seems they listened to their customers and upgraded an already superior product."

Single motor and strong performance uphill are not typical for e scooters. However, there are some that will manage just that. One such contender is the very priceworthy, low maintenance everyday commuter fluid Vista.

Here we have a rear wheel driven 1000W/3000W peak power motor that has strong acceleration, a top speed of 31 mph (50 kph), and will manage 10% inclines without missing a beat. The 60V 14.5Ah battery is good for 45 miles (72 km) of range if you stay in eco mode.

This is a fun scooter to ride and even though it sits on solid tires. The fact that they are not as rigid as other similar tires, and a front and rear adjustable spring suspension with adjustable rebound dampening is the perfect setup for a very comfortable ride even if you hit the max weight limit of 265 lbs (120 kg).

And you will never have to worry about a puncture.

A very wide deck measuring 17,5 x 9,0 inches (44,5 x 23 cm) means there is plenty of space to stand on. The 39 inch (100 cm) tall stem and wide handlebars render a perfect ergonomic riding position.

Intended as an everyday commuter, the focus lies on everyday dependability, low maintenance, and easy to ride. The braking is very strong yet still quite smooth and not as aggressive as other scooters can be.

Front drum brake, rear disc brake, and regen brake are well dialed in right out of the box.

A very nice cockpit is another welcome feature with a big center display showing all the needed info such as various ride modes, an included App that lets you customize your riding profile, zero start options, acceleration settings, etc. The throttle is thumb operated.

A proper lights package includes bright forward light, brake light, turn signals, and lateral swag lights.

At 60 lbs (27 kg) you can carry it even if not for long distances. The system and handlebars fold which comes in handy for easier storage purposes.

With great build quality, fun to ride, comfortable with good performance figures, IPX5 rating, and an asking price of just above $1000, the fluid Vista is almost a bargain. Top choice.

"The Vista is the second fluid scooter in our household. My wife bought the mosquito about a month ago and loves it. It provides a smooth ride with its front and rear suspension...you're definitely not limited to just the sidewalk with this scooter. The large display is great and makes it easy for me to monitor speed and battery life. It's portable, has a long-range, and a 30 mph top speed. Super happy with it so far. Looking forward to taking this thing everywhere this summer."

One of our favorites got better with this upgraded version. It always was and probably still is the coolest looking of them all. Some call it the "bat scooter" as it looks like something Batman would have in his arsenal of wheels.

And it doesn't mind climbing hills. A 48V 15Ah battery pack and dual 500W/1600W peak power motors have plenty of grunt for this 55 lbs (22 kg) electric scooter. That relatively light weight means it has plenty of grunt and can also travel 30 miles (48 km) before a recharge is needed.

It covers 196 ft (60 m) of 10% incline in just under 11 seconds and with an average speed of 12,5 mph (20,1 km/h). It is a fast electric scooter with strong acceleration and a top speed of 26 mph (42 km/h).

The one thing that needs to be understood is the specialty of the Widewheel. And the name says it all. It has very low profile solid wide wheels. This creates a unique riding experience. A floating feeling like your carving your way through corners. It has a dual-spring suspension and the tires are polyurethane-filled. They do flex a bit which provides ample grip even though they are airless.

This is a smooth surface scooter only. No dirt trails or cobblestones or any other such challenges. Think low stiff sports car with slicks. Tarmac only. Stick to that and you will love it.

Front and rear disc brakes, led lights, led display, easily foldable and handlebars fold as well. A great low-priced electric scooter that can go fast uphill and has a max weight of 220 lbs (98 kg).

"Been riding this wide wheel pro for about 2 weeks already and this is a beast of a machine!! Acceleration and traction are right on point. There customer service department are so responsive and quick to getting back to you and solving Any issues. Definitely will purchase again from these guys!!!"

You might think; "If I've seen one electric scooter I've seen them all." Well, then you probably haven't seen the bigger beasts. Those are what you need to have if you are looking for proper performance. Especially for off-road and other challenging surfaces.

Where the lightweight and portability of everyday commuters create an envelope for the designers they must stay within, with the beast scooters they can stretch that quite a bit.

The basic idea is the same and even though lightweight scooters can pack a significant power punch, they will not have big sturdy frames, huge suspension systems, massive brakes, and so on.

All this means added weight but also place for bigger battery units, motors, tires, and suspension systems. And they are proper fast and strong.

That's why we call them big boys or beast scooters.

A name that renders respect in the electric scooter world is that of the Mantis with some online experts even claiming it sets a new gold standard for these vehicles.

The second version called V2 is an improvement on what was already a good baseline and many say it is the best electric scooter in its price range.

And there are two battery versions. Choose the 60V 18,2Ah with a 33-mile range (53 km) or the bigger 60V 24,5Ah that can travel 45 miles (72 km) before needing some AC/DC.This is a bigger scooter with 65 lbs (29 kg) of dead weight yet is still foldable although the handlebars aren't. The weight limit is 265 lbs (120 kg).

There is plenty of power for your uphill ride with the dual 1000W/3000W peak power motors pushing relentlessly and the top speed is 40 mph (64 km/h). This is a quick electric scooter. Even in single-motor mode, it will reach 30 mph (48 km/).

Acceleration is quite brutal although still smooth due to the mapping of the sinewave controllers. But hang on as you will reach 15 mph (24 km/h) in just over 2 seconds.

Its front and rear swingarm suspension and 10-inch air-filled tires are a gem to ride. As mentioned, although not an outright off-road design it will be very good over dirt, grass, and rough city streets.

And we do find the expected regen brake with dual Zoom hydraulic disc brakes as part of this potent package. Stopping in control and fast enough won't be a problem.

A great all-rounder that can serve your commuting needs whether they are inner-city only or longer distances. It can also be a great weekend warrior that will not be left for dead in a hurry out in the bush.

"Seattle has some steep hills and at 200 lbs my niu was not fit for purpose so I had to upgrade. The Mantis has been fantastic so far. It flies up the steepest hills with ease and makes my commute a whole lot of fun."

If you are serious about off-roading and going over hilly and steep terrain at speed is your favorite pass time, then you will need a Wolf. There is a family of them and whichever you choose, it will be a crazy powerful electric scooter with torque to spare. The first of them we cover here is the Wolf Warrior X.

These types of powerful scooters are heavy machines as they carry big batteries, have bigger chassis, bigger motors, bigger tires and so on. It clocks the scale at 79 lbs (36 kg) with a weight capacity of 265 lbs (120 kg).

There are two versions of batteries. The Standard with a 60V 21Ah battery good for 40 miles (64 km) of range. Or you can opt for the Pro version and get the longer 52-mile (84 km) range.

The Standard version has a slightly higher top speed and acceleration although not by much. The Pro:s bigger battery and smart management system extend the range but also add a bit of weight. The top speed is 44mph/41 mph (71/66 km/h) respectively.

The standout feature of any Wolf scooter is the motorcycle-style oil-damped front fork. Where all other electric scooters have a single stem, the Wolf's have this.

The power and torque delivery comes from dual 1000W/3000W peak power motors. Brutal acceleration to say the least when you go full throttle in max power settings and dual motor mode.

It covers 196 ft (60 m) of 10% grade in 7,8 seconds! It keeps going and going and you feel like you could climb a mountain. Where most other electric scooters start to run out of puff, the Warrior doesn't.

It has fantastic ride quality with the front hydraulic and rear spring suspension system being top-notch. Optional 10.3-inch air-filled street or road tires and dual hydraulic disc brakes will help keep you in control.

There are bigger Wolf's but some think that this "smallest" of them actually offers better overall performance and thus is a bigger bang for the buck. It is a bit lighter, plenty fast, yet still foldable and possible to get into an average car's trunk.

For climbing hills, it is one of the best.

"fun all arounder"
"After trying out the Mosquito I realized the fun factor far outweighed the utility for me, so I traded up for the Wolf Warrior X. I wanted something that could handle some off road use, had decent range, and could haul a heavier (240 lbs) rider up moderate hills. This scooter is really fun to cruise around the trails and bike paths of the bay area. Kinda feels like a powered mountain bike. Instead of doing a scooter/bart commute I now do a scooter/ferry commute and definitely feel like it's boosted my quality of life. In eco/dual motor mode it has great range and doesn't go above 15mph which is perfect for commuting."

If you are not familiar with the Mantis name yet, you are probably new to the electric scooter world. It is a benchmark of quality and performance and users love them.

The King GT is the strongest of the two versions for sale today and should be on anyone's short list of potent hill climbers.

A heavy boy with 74 lbs (33,6 kg), it houses a 60V 24Ah battery unit with dual 1100W/4200W peak power motors.

This is a fast and strong electric scooter with a top speed of 43 mph (69 km/h) and with blindingly quick acceleration. And you can travel 56 miles (90 km) before recharging.

It takes 7,5 seconds to travel 196 ft (60 m) at a 10% incline. Nonchalantly as you go it flies up such a hill without missing a single beat.

This particular version of the Mantis has such a good ride quality that once you've tried it, the risk is you don't want anything else. With the twist of a knob, It offers various ways to adjust the front and rear hydraulic shock absorbers preload and rebound to your liking. Softer for off-road antics or stiffer for fast tarmac riding. Choose either 10-inch air-filled street or off-road tires.

Such fast electric scooters all need proper brakes. In this case, we are happy to find fully hydraulic dual 140 mm disc rotors as well as regen braking. Best in class braking. The max weight is 265 lbs (120 kg); even if you are that size, the Mantis King will feel sharp.

Although not a specific off-road electric scooter you can use it on bumpy dirt trails and other than less perfect surfaces thinking it was designed for off-road. Such is that phenomenal ride quality.

A truly amazing scooter.

"I’ve had the scooter for about a week now. Crazy torque up hills and doesn’t skip a beat. Had a little confusion with a charging issue but Fluidfreeride and Michael Sha figured it out for me and the scooter is just fine. Few things you’ll have to adjust like the suspension and maybe the brakes if the rotors rub but all of those are very simple to do. So far I’m super happy with the Nami Klima and I’ve recommended it as well as purchasing through fluidfreeride to all of my friends and those who ask about the scooter"

Nami is a brand that takes its manufacturing of e scooters seriously. Their products are of excellent quality and synonymous with massive performance.

While the Nami Burn E2/MAX might be a step too far for some in performance and price range, there is a perfect alternative in the new Nami Klima.

It is not as heavy as the bigger Burn E2. Clocking in at 79 lbs (36 kg) is still respectable but does mean it carries less weight.

Best in class torque and acceleration with dual 1000W motors. It takes just under 5 seconds to reach 30 mph (48 kph) from a standstill. No other e scooter in this class can match that. You would have to look for a bigger scooter and twice the cost to get the same performance.

The mapping of the thumb throttle and the 40A sine wave controller is set to perfection. You can accelerate as smoothly as you like without any jerky inputs disrupting the flow. Keeping a steady pace is also easy. The top speed is 42 mph (68 kph).

There are two versions available and the difference is the battery. The base version with a 25Ah and the MAX:s 30Ah. The range is 50/60 miles (80/96 km) respectively.

A fully adjustable dual coil shock suspension system and 10 inch pneumatic tires deliver one of the best ride qualities you can ask of an e scooter. Rough terrain, gravel, doesn't matter. Rock solid and buttery smooth.

The 42 inch (132 cm) tall stem is also a perfect choice as even if you are a taller rider, you don't need to reach for the handlebars. This also adds to that wonderful ride quality.

A fast scooter needs to stop fast as well. Two fully hydraulic dual Logan piston 160 mm rotor disc brakes, and regen braking for added stopping power again places the Klima best in class. Also in this area, it manages to outperform more expensive competitors. It comes to a complete stop from 15 mph (24 kph) in only 9.4 feet (2.8m).

The Klima is not a scooter that you will carry around for longer distances. But you can fold the stem and get it easily into the trunk of your car.

A large "smartphone-like" IP65 rated display dominates the cockpit. Improved for better visibility in direct sunlight it carries all the info you need. Mode settings, light settings, controller temperature, battery status, settings to adjust front and rear motor power, USB port, and so on.

A powerful 2000 lumen front light, bright rear LED strip, also acting as a brake light and including turn signals, and a motorcycle style horn means you will be seen and heard properly.

IP55 rated, and with a max weight of 265 lbs (120 kg), the Klima is one of the best scooters in its price range on the market at the time of writing.

"Ive bought the Mantis King GT upgrading from a Dualtron mini limited and wowwwww! Has such great adjustable suspension and eats up any uneven pavement cracks and glides ride over the cable car tracks in SF! I weigh 125lbs and this thing pulls me up practically any steep hill in SF and is a straight runnnnerrrr on flat land!!!"

The Wolf Warrior X GT is an updated stronger version of the Warrior X. It now has a bigger battery pack, the frame is one inch bigger and it has a new display as well as a thumb throttle.

The bigger 60V 28Ah battery pack is good for 50 miles of range (80 km) but adds a tad more weight compared to the regular Warrior X and it clocks the scale at 83 lbs (37,6 kg). The hill-climbing power is very similar between the two, and there's plenty of it.

They complete the 196 ft (60 m) 10% incline in just under 8 seconds and with an average speed of 17,5 mph (28,2 km/h).

The same choice of dual 1100W/3500W peak power motors packs a punch and the acceleration and top speed are food for thought. You will reach 44 mph (70 km/h) before it stops accelerating.

All the Wolf's stand out as they have a motorcycle-style front fork rather than a single stem. The option of front hydraulic shocks demonstrates a true intent as off-road beasts and they are. Stability is rock solid and the ride quality is as good as it can get on such an electric scooter when traveling on bumpy dirt roads. 10 x 3-inch air-filled tires, optional street or off-road, and a dual rear spring suspension are the recipe for this joyride.

The max rider weight is 265 lbs (120 kg) and it can handle it. Fully hydraulic front and rear Zoom disc brakes will only need 9.8 ft (3 m) from 15 mph (24 km/h) to a complete stop. The bite is there.

If you are looking for the best electric scooter for climbing hills, you will find them here at the top of the electric scooter pyramid. And the Warrior X GT is one of them.

"I am a heavy rider, over 6 foot, 240 lbs. and this scooter is fast and comfortable! No problem going uphill and suspension is very good when jumping from curves. Headlights are bright and blinkers a plus when on the road. So far battery retention is superb! Highly recommend to anyone!"

The Wolf Warrior X GT is an updated stronger version of the Warrior X. It now has a bigger battery pack, the frame is one inch bigger and it has a new display as well as a thumb throttle.

The bigger 60V 28Ah battery pack is good for 50 miles of range (80 km) but adds a tad more weight compared to the regular Warrior X and it clocks the scale at 83 lbs (37,6 kg). The hill-climbing power is very similar between the two, and there's plenty of it.

They complete the 196 ft (60 m) 10% incline in just under 8 seconds and with an average speed of 17,5 mph (28,2 km/h).

The same choice of dual 1100W/3500W peak power motors packs a punch and the acceleration and top speed are food for thought. You will reach 44 mph (70 km/h) before it stops accelerating.

All the Wolf's stand out as they have a motorcycle-style front fork rather than a single stem. The option of front hydraulic shocks demonstrates a true intent as off-road beasts and they are. Stability is rock solid and the ride quality is as good as it can get on such an electric scooter when traveling on bumpy dirt roads. 10 x 3-inch air-filled tires, optional street or off-road, and a dual rear spring suspension are the recipe for this joyride.

The max rider weight is 265 lbs (120 kg) and it can handle it. Fully hydraulic front and rear Zoom disc brakes will only need 9.8 ft (3 m) from 15 mph (24 km/h) to a complete stop. The bite is there.

If you are looking for the best electric scooter for climbing hills, you will find them here at the top of the electric scooter pyramid. And the Warrior X GT is one of them.

"This company has gone way beyond the normal measures to please me as a client. I had an issue with my Burne-2 and they replaced it immediately. I’ve never had service so complete and on the spot. It started with YouTube videos of their tips and reviews that led me to my scoot. I will always buy from this company. Client for life. Thank you!"

The Wolf Warrior X GT is an updated stronger version of the Warrior X. It now has a bigger battery pack, the frame is one inch bigger and it has a new display as well as a thumb throttle.

The bigger 60V 28Ah battery pack is good for 50 miles of range (80 km) but adds a tad more weight compared to the regular Warrior X and it clocks the scale at 83 lbs (37,6 kg). The hill-climbing power is very similar between the two, and there's plenty of it.

They complete the 196 ft (60 m) 10% incline in just under 8 seconds and with an average speed of 17,5 mph (28,2 km/h).

The same choice of dual 1100W/3500W peak power motors packs a punch and the acceleration and top speed are food for thought. You will reach 44 mph (70 km/h) before it stops accelerating.

All the Wolf's stand out as they have a motorcycle-style front fork rather than a single stem. The option of front hydraulic shocks demonstrates a true intent as off-road beasts and they are. Stability is rock solid and the ride quality is as good as it can get on such an electric scooter when traveling on bumpy dirt roads. 10 x 3-inch air-filled tires, optional street or off-road, and a dual rear spring suspension are the recipe for this joyride.

The max rider weight is 265 lbs (120 kg) and it can handle it. Fully hydraulic front and rear Zoom disc brakes will only need 9.8 ft (3 m) from 15 mph (24 km/h) to a complete stop. The bite is there.

If you are looking for the best electric scooter for climbing hills, you will find them here at the top of the electric scooter pyramid. And the Warrior X GT is one of them.

"The Wolf King GT Pro is amazing! Super beefy frame holds everything together nicely, providing a wicked smooth ride. The power in single motor is more than enough, in dual motor mode it’s so fast and responsive it’s scary…but zero wobble. The display is laid out nicely, easy to read, easy to use. Cruise control works great, I use it in Auto mode and it kicks off when breaking instantly, which is great. The ABS works awesome, however, I do t use it, it feels overly aggressive with the pulses, but you won’t slid, I like skidding…lol. Big wide grippy deck, double tube front end, and responsive suspension."

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