Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 Review: penalised by its app

7/10

Editor's rating

Where to buy at the best price ?

See the price on Amazon

GOOD POINTS

• Comfortable
• Efficient on climbs
  (battery > 50%)
• Finishes

NEGATIVE POINTS

• App not very useful
• Loss of power (battery < 50%)
• Need for space when folding
• Risk of puncture

Summary

Design and comfort

True to its philosophy, Xiaomi presents here a scooter with a well-known design that has been present on the brand’s products since the famous Mija 365.

Fortunately, the latter is an asset, as it allows the scooter to be quite visually pleasing while presenting a high-quality finish and proven assembly. Here, only a few touches of blue mark the difference.

The whole thing is IP54 certified, so you can take it out in the rain without too much fear. Just avoid deep puddles.

The handlebars are comfortable to hold, with a good grip and enough width to maintain balance even with one hand. The integrated display is easy to read in all conditions and shows all the important information. Its brightness is automatically adjusted when the headlights are on.

The platform, the area where you place your feet, is large enough to allow you to put your feet next to each other without too much difficulty. Only larger feet may feel cramped.

The wheels are fitted with an inner tube tyre system. This is good for comfort, but there is a risk of punctures.

Security and transport

Xiaomi’s design has one notable flaw for people taking public transport: its folding system. Indeed, while it’s convenient to use, it doesn’t really reduce the Mi Scooter 3’s footprint. It also doesn’t help with moving it around as it doesn’t allow it to roll comfortably on the front wheel.

So all you have to do is use your arm strength, grab the stem and lift the 13.2 kg of the machine. Fortunately, this weight is within the average of the market.

The safety side of things is well taken care of. The front and rear lights are strong enough to make you visible in the dark. The braking system is efficient and easy to adjust. It combines a rear disc brake with energy recovery at the front (adjustable in 3 stages).

On the other hand, the handling of the Mi Scooter 3 is mixed. At cruising speed, it is precise enough to avoid holes and other road damage. At low speeds, however, the turning radius is a little too long to comfortably navigate between pedestrians.

Performance and battery life

The motor of the Mi Electric Scooter 3 is its main differentiator from other models of the brand.

The 300 W engine has a top speed of 25 km/h and a theoretical range of 30 km.

In reality, the top speed is easily reached in Sport mode thanks to the engine’s liveliness. The other two modes limit the speed to 5 km/h (pedestrian) and 20 km/h (D). The pedestrian mode is not very practical as it simply prevents the engine from starting..

There are two modes to choose from on hills: standard, which is sufficient for most gentle hills, and sport, which is best when the slope gets steeper.

As expected, the range is less than advertised. This is not surprising as it is common for all-electric vehicles to lose 25 to 30% of their theoretical range.

For example, a 6 km trip at an average speed of 20 km/h, with a temperature of 16 °C, and a 95 kg rider consumed 30% of the battery. This represents a maximum of about 20 km. A full charge takes approximately 5h30.

App

The App is the part where the Mi Electric Scooter 3 disappointed us the most. Indeed, if at first sight, the application looks good, we quickly realised that it was incomplete and could be improved.

Between the limited functionalities and the translation mistakes, the result is rather disappointing. It does, however, have a dashboard that allows you to consult the scooter’s data (mode, speed, range, average speed, and distance travelled on the current route).

The setting options are also limited, with the intensity of the energy recovery, the continuous activation of the rear light, the locking of the vehicle or the creation of a password to secure the whole.

A main shortcoming was the lack of cruise control, an option that is particularly useful when driving several kilometres in one go, but this option has since been added with a software update.

Conclusion

7/10

All in all, if we disregard the risk of a puncture and the absence of a speed regulator, the Mi Electric Scooter 3 is one of the most attractive models in its range for small urban journeys.

However, remember that its range is relatively limited and it is not one of the most practical when it comes to transporting it.

GOOD POINTS

• Comfortable
• Efficient on climbs (battery > 50%)
• Finishes

NEGATIVE POINTS

• App not very useful and can be improved
• Loss of power (battery < 50%)
• Need for space when folding
• Risk of puncture

Where to buy at the best price ?

See the price on Amazon

The Best Electric Scooters of the moment

Our choice, Best mid-range	Best budget	Best high-end	High-end alternative
Xiaomi Mi Pro 2	Xiaomi Mi Essential	Segway Max G30	Niu KQI3 Pro
The good performance of this scooter makes it pleasant to use without being afraid of hills. It is also safe and practical thanks to its interesting equipment.	This basic scooter from the extremely popular Chinese brand is particularly suitable for beginners who want to discover this means of transport but is limited to everyday use.	It is very robust and, thanks to its long battery life, is designed for long journeys. It also gives you perfect balance and is relatively well-equipped.	The Niu KQI3 Pro electric scooter is designed for medium and long distances. Of course, it has the right features to perform efficiently.
See the price on Amazon	See the price on Amazon		£ 772.14 on Amazon

Translated by Ramsés El Hajje