There’s a reason why scooter-sharing companies love the Xiaomi M365! This sleek yet powerful electric scooter is the best choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-use, low-maintenance and eco-friendly mode of transport. Priced at around $500, it is one of the most affordable scooters out there too that doesn’t compromise on quality, power and features.
Review: Xiaomi M365
Quality
Price
What we like
- The foldable design makes it portable and easy to store
- The wheels have great traction control
- It is equipped with bright LED lights for added safety when riding at night
- The Xiaomi M365 has a great battery life and only charges for 5 hours
What we don’t like
- It has a low climbing angle meaning it's not suitable on inclined areas
- Lacks suspension for uneven terrain
- It isn't waterproof
Technical Specifications
Materials:
Aerospace-grade Aluminum Alloy
Brakes:
E-ABS + Disc brake
Tires:
8.5 in pneumatic tires
Max speed: 15.5 mph
Range: 18. 6miles
Max weight: 220lbs
Max incline: 14°
Motor: 250W
Battery: 30 x 18650mAh
You’ve probably heard of Xiaomi not for their scooters but for their mid-range smartphones. Xiaomi is one of the largest mobile phone manufacturers in the world. They have been recently gaining popularity and reputation in the US because of their elegant yet affordable flagship phones.
But what you don’t know is that Xiaomi released their very first scooter, the Xiaomi M365, in 2016. Three months after it was released in the market, it became one of Bird’s original rental scooters.
In addition to that, the Mi M365 has garnered several awards from top tech companies like the T3 (UK) and the Red Dot (Germany). Since then, Xiaomi has been creating top-selling scooters every year and making waves in the scooter industry.
Xiaomi M365 Scooter Review
Construction
Many of Mi M365 owners attest to its durability. As a matter of fact, the frame of this scooter is made with aviation grade aluminum alloy which is usually the materials used for making bicycles and aircrafts. This aerospace-grade material makes this scooter strong enough to carry a 220 lb load rider. In addition, because of the alloy’s low density feature, the scooter’s total weight is just around 26.9 lbs. This makes it easier and lighter to bring on your daily commute.
- Foldable Design
One of the reasons big scooter-sharing companies noticed the M365 is because of its foldable feature. Unfolded, it measures 42.5 x 16.9 x 44.9 inches. Folded, you can reduce its height to just 19 inches.
This design feature lets you easily carry the scooter when there’s a riding blockade like stairs or uneven surfaces. It will not be a hassle to bring it with you on your way to work on a bus or a train. Furthermore, this folding mechanism allows you to store the M365 in small tight spaces.
- Waterproofing
Scooters like the M365 usually have an IP54 protection. Although it doesn’t guarantee complete protection, this rating is enough to protect your scooter from minor splash and light rain!
Please bear in mind that Xiaomi can not withstand long exposure to larger amounts of moisture, water and rain as this may damage the main electrical components of your scooter.
Speed and Range
If you want a scooter for racing purposes, then the Xiaomi M365 is probably not for you. This electric scooter is designed for the daily commuter who’s looking for a fun and faster way of going out and about. With its top speed of 15mph, it is of course 5x faster compared to just walking home. In addition to that, you can avoid traffic, and enjoy a hassle free transport.
If you’re looking for faster electric scooters, check out our review of the top 7 fastest electric scooters.
With the 280Wh total battery power and 7800mAh battery capacity, the Xiaomi M365 can travel up to 30 km. This is an impressive feature since it only takes around 5 hours to charge. Imagine if the distance between your home and work is 3km, technically, you can go back and forth 5 times before your battery empties.
Handling & Controls
Not only does this scooter look minimalistic, the controls and handlebar are simple and beginner-friendly too. In fact, its dashboard only has 2 components, the power button and the four-LED-lights display. Once you turn the power button on, you will hear a beep and see the LED lights turn on. Each light corresponds to around 25% of the charge.
To start accelerating, just press on the throttle and kick your scooter to life.
The M365 has a lot of other features to give you an enjoyable ride. One of these is its anti-slip handles that will keep your sweaty hands from slipping during longer rides. Another great feature is its 8.5 in air-filled tires. Pneumatic tires generally have thicker treads, they will not only provide a decent traction and cornering capabilities but also smoother and less-shaky rides.
Braking System
Unlike other electric scooters which only have one brake, its dual-brake system is one of the greatest features of the Mi M365.
The rear wheel of this Xiaomi scooter is equipped with a mechanical disc brake. If you’re not familiar with it, this type of braking system makes use of a brake cable to activate the brake caliper. The advantage of these types of brakes is that they produce much more friction and work great in both wet and dry roads.
On the other hand, the front wheel is equipped with an E-ABS regenerative anti-lock braking system. This braking system in addition to the rear wheel’s brake provides superior braking power to your scooter.
In addition, the regenerative features of the front wheels improve your scooter’s braking efficiency and energy conservation. The anti-lock feature of the front wheels can also shorten your braking time to 4m. In addition, the E-ABS tires will prevent you from skidding and sliding during emergency braking, especially on snowy surfaces, gravel and sand.
Price
Just like their famous smartphones, the Xiaomi M365’s looks promising to commuters who are looking for a beginner-friendly, mid-range electric scooter. At $500, you already have the strength and power that you’ll need in a scooter for work or leisure. In addition to that, you’d probably save a lot of money if you buy a scooter instead of renting it.
To give you an example, if it takes you 2 hours to travel back and forth to work. That will cost you around $20 in total, according to Ridester’s computations. And in a month of renting a scooter for work, you could have bought one instead!
Xiaomi M365 Scooter Extra Features
Xiaomi Smart Phone App
As you might expect, given the fact that Mi M365 is produced by one of the largest mobile companies in the world, it is compatible with any smartphone via Bluetooth. The app is available on iOS and Android and gives you access to all of the scooter’s settings and preferences. It lets you control your speed, view your battery status, see your ride history and change your display settings easily using your phone.
Ultra Bright Headlights
Another great feature the Xiaomi M365 has is its built-in ultra-bright headlights. The 1.1W headlights have a range of up to 6 meters, which is very useful especially during night rides.
In addition to that, it also has red brake lights which is another great safety feature every mobility scooters should have.
Conclusion
Now you know why, the Xiaomi M365 is still considered the king of electric scooters. From its very affordable price to its solid build quality and performance, not only ride-sharing companies love it but also e-scooters fans and regular commuters too.
Overall, we highly recommend the M365 especially for beginners or first-timers and people of all ages. Its speed and range matches its simple yet classy look. In addition to that, its price is relatively affordable. It actually gives you a chance to find out if scooters are for you without breaking the bank.
