Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite City Commuter Electric Scooter Reviews 2023: Is It For You?
Pros
Cons
The Swagger 5, the third addition to a new line of Swagtron electric scooter, is earning mixed reviews from customers due to its comparable similarities with the Xiaomi Mi M365, except that it is half the price.
Will its upgraded look and performance specs measure up with customer expectations? We have come up with this review to help you decide whether this Swagger scooter is worth your money or just another poor copycat.
Speed and Power output
The Swagtron Swagger 5 is fairly fast, with its 250W front hub motor that is remarkably quiet and immediately starts as soon as you hit the throttle. It has a maximum speed of 18 miles per hour which is 20-30% more than the top speed of other scooters reviewed.
Another good thing about this scooter is its ability to let you choose between 3 different speed levels. You can start at 5 miles/hour, then transition to 10 miles/hour, before finally reaching its top speed at 18 miles/hour. This makes it a versatile choice for people with different riding preferences. Bear in mind that you need a smartphone to switch gears as this feature is not available on its main display.
Range & Battery Performance
According to Swagtron, the Swagger 5 can reach up to 12 miles on a single charge. It is powered by a 37V 4.4ah 158Wh lithium-ion battery that takes just 3.5 hours to fully charge. To be honest, the range is a bit too short even if this scooter is meant for leisurely rides and daily commutes.
For example, you could be heading towards your school or office which is 5-6 miles away, you may not be able to ride back home unless you charge your scooter.
This is probably the Swagger 5’s main disadvantage. If you are planning to use this scooter for long-distance trips or you do not have the opportunity to charge it often, then you might want to consider purchasing the Xiaomi Mi scooter instead. Unlike the Swagger 5, the Xiaomi electric scooter has a maximum range of 14.6 miles with 280Wh battery.
Design & Construction Quality
In terms of design and overall look, the Swagtron city commuter electric scooter is a major improvement to its predecessors. It comes in a matte black color with just a pop of red details. It does look a bit identical to the Xiaomi scooter but Swagger 5 can definitely hold its own in terms of design and construction. Plus, many scooter manufacturers, not just Swagtron, is going for a similar look and design features these days.
The Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite is also well-built, considering it is one of the least expensive scooters in the market. It is marketed as a light portable scooter weighing only 26 lbs., which is the average weight for an electric lightweight scooter of its caliber.
Materials:
The aluminum alloy frame makes the Swagger scooter sturdy yet light. Its handles are made of rubber while the parts that cover the joints and bolts are plastic.
What was astonishing, however, is its 320-pound maximum rider weight. This is significantly higher compared to the Xiaomi Mi M365 which can only carry riders of up to 220 pounds.
However, you should bear in mind that lightweight scooters with this kind of maximum rider weight often have some limitations. The higher the weight, the more difficult it is to achieve the maximum speed and acceleration. Still, Swagtron should be commended for improving the quality of its e-scooters.
Handlebar:
Swagtron has finally bid farewell to plastic-looking levers. The Swagtron Swagger electric scooter has a new and improved bike-like handbrake with a better acceleration bar. It also features a modern display screen that shows your current speed, battery life, and Bluetooth pairing information.
This safety feature should be implemented in more electric scooters.
Foldable:
The Swagtron City Commuter electric scooter has a quick-fold design that makes it an ideal choice for the busy riders. You simply need to release the mainframe lock and fold it down so it fits easily into train compartments, buses, car trunks, and more. Once folded, its dimensions are 41.5 x 17 x 19 inches. Because of its lightweight frame, you can easily carry it around with you no matter where you go.
Assembly:
The scooter is shipped mostly assembled so you only need to add in a few parts, such as the handlebars and the phone mount. The tires also need to be inflated but this is easily done with the help of a standard bicycle pump and a pressure gauge. It usually comes folded as well so you need to unfold it before you can start using it.
Tires & Braking System
This particular Swagtron electric scooter boasts a combination of 8.5” cushioned front tires and airless honeycomb rear tires. Its honeycomb tires help to deliver a smooth ride even on bumpy surfaces, while the air-filled front tires offer increased performance benefits.
Its rear tires also protect it from the risks of flats even though it does not offer the same cushioning effect of the front tires. Unless you are riding on extremely bumpy roads, you will hardly notice the difference.
With regards to quality, the Swagger 5’s honeycomb tires fare considerably better than other airless tires we have tested. It sticks to the pavement even when exposed to moderate rain and its rubber offers good traction.
The Swagger 5 also offers two braking systems: an electronic front brake and a rear disc brake. The combination of the two provides a secure and immediate stop. However, some users said that its brakes are a bit loose and required a few adjustments. Overall, it is safe and fully functional.
Safety
To ensure the safety of riders, especially those who are traveling during the night, the Swagtron electric scooter offers front and rear end lights. To be safe during poor weather conditions, it is best to provide additional lighting. It pays to be extra safe and cautious.
Its rear disc brake also offers additional protection by allowing the scooter to make a full stop within 4-5 meters when going on maximum speed.
Bluetooth
Similar to the Xiaomi Mi scooter, the Swagger 5 connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth. It is downloadable on both iOS and Android.
Connecting to the app enables users to unlock additional features, such as cruise control, GPS tracking, gear switching, and many more. It also allows you to turn the headlights on and off. You can even place the scooter on sleep mode to conserve energy and extend its battery life.
However, you do not need to have the app or carry a smartphone to actually use this scooter. It works just fine even without the app.
Brand & Customer Service
Swagtron started exploring the electric scooter niche just a year after delivering high-quality hoverboards to customers. It aimed to provide riders with the most lightweight scooter available in the market. Unfortunately, its new line of e-scooters just did not offer the same quality that its customers were used to and production was ultimately stopped.
However, after listening to customer complaints and feedback, Swagtron has come up with an improved product design that offers functional features at an affordable price.
You can connect with their customer service department via phone, email, or chat. It operates Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM EST, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 AM to 6 PM EST. (1)
Swagtron offers a 1-year warranty for the Swagger 5 Elite. This covers the original purchaser from any manufacturing defects under normal use. The limited warranty (2) is not transferrable to subsequent purchasers, however.
Downsides
This particular model of a Swagger scooter is not recommended for long rides. It only travels 12 miles in a single charge, after all.
Moreover, switching gears is only available through the smartphone app, which is inconvenient if you forgot to bring your mobile. Tire replacement is not offered by Swagtron either.
Also, the brakes needed adjustments as they were loose.
Who Should Buy the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite Electric Scooter?
Considering its various speed choices, the Swagtron Swagger 5 is ideal for teenagers, professionals, and even elderly people going on leisurely rides. It is an environment-friendly alternative to riding a car or a bus.
However, due to its short-range, I recommend that you avoid using it on long-distance trips. Rather, use it to bridge short distances in between rides. For instance, from the bus stop to the train station.
It carries riders of up to 320 lbs, but we do not advise going beyond 220 lbs as it could negatively affect the scooter’s overall performance, speed, and acceleration.
Final Verdict
The Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite Electric Scooter deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It is affordable, well-built, foldable, with intuitive features, and adequate speed. While it does not function as well as the Xiaomi Mi scooter in terms of acceleration, build, and range, it does come close with regards to quality. Plus, it is nearly half the price of a Xiaomi scooter.
Unlike the Xiaomi which only displays dots to indicate its remaining battery life, Swagger 5 has an aesthetically-pleasing control panel that shows the battery information.
It also comes with a phone mount which enables users to focus on the road and not worry about holding their phones.
Overall, the Swagger pro electric scooter offers many advantages at an affordable price. Its only downside would be the short maximum range. If you plan to use it in your daily commute, you may need to recharge it at least once or twice a day which can be a bit of a hassle. However, if you do run out of battery, you can easily fold the scooter and bring it along with you as you ride a bus, train, or taxi.
Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite City Commuter Video Review
| Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite City Commuter Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed | 18 MPH |
| Motor | 250 watts |
| Range | 12 miles |
| Battery | 36 volts |
| Charge Time | 3.5 hours |
| Max Load | 320 LBS |
| Weight | 26 LBS |
| Wheel Size | 8.5 inches |
| Tires | Air-filled front tire and airless honeycomb rear tire |
| Brake System | Disc |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Price | $$ |
FAQs
References
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