Swagtron Swagger 5 Review
If your first impression is that the Swagger 5 looks a lot like the Xiaomi M365 scooter, you’re not alone. The swagger mimics the Xiaomi M365 in weight, motor size, folding features and frame design. The Swagger 5 doesn’t quite measure up to the Xiaomi M365 in all areas, but it does clock in at about a third to one half cheaper, so if you’re budget conscious, the Swagger 5 is a good scooter to consider.
Speed
For many consumers, the maximum speed of an electric scooter is the most important factor. With a 250 watt motor, the Swagger 5 reaches a max cruising speed of 18 miles per hour. That’s 2 ½ miles per hour faster than the M365. While that doesn’t touch the speeds of scooters like the Nanrobot LS7, it will get you where you’re going with ease. And given that most cities cap e-scooter speed limits at 10 to 15 miles per hour, going much faster is only going to result in headaches, literally and figuratively.
Controls
Electric scooter controls are an often-overlooked feature on many e-scooters. But a good set of user-friendly controls can make or break your riding experience. Like the M365, the Swagger 5 comes with a smart phone app which allows the rider to turn on the headlights and change gears. Both of these app features seem pretty useless and potentially unsafe. Luckily, the Swagger 5 also comes with some more useful app features such as cruise control to ensure that you never exceed your city’s e-scooter speed limit. This scooter also comes with a phone mount, allowing you to navigate while keeping your hands on the handlebar.
Portability
One of the main reasons for choosing an electric scooter is the ability to fold and carry it as you go throughout your day. And in the portability game, weight is the most important factor. The Swagger 5 weighs in at 26 pounds, almost a full pound lighter than the Xiaomi M365. The folding process on the Swagger 5 is almost identical to the Xiaomi M365, right down to the clip on the rear mudguard that secures the frame in a folded position. The lightweight aluminum frame and folding design allows for easy carrying and stowing in tight spaces.
Battery
Battery life is another important factor in deciding what scooter is best for you. Both charging time and battery life translate into how long you can ride before having to wait for the scooter to recharge. The lithium ion battery on the Swagger 5 can fully charge is 3.5 hours, which is an hour and a half faster than the M365. But the tradeoff for quicker charging capabilities is a reduced range of 6-12 miles per charge. Compared to the 18 miles per charge of the M365, you might find that you’re charging the batteries more often than you would like. And unlike the M365, the Swagger 5 does not have the ability to generate power from the motor or the braking system.
Ride Quality
If a smooth ride is important, you’ll want to pay close attention to a scooter’s brakes and tires. The Swagger 5 provides a rear disc brake that provides powerful stopping power. The tires are probably the most unique part of this scooter. The front tire is a pneumatic air-filled tire, but the rear tire is made of an airless honeycomb design that Swagtron bills as maintenance free. While no tire is indestructible, the fact that there is no tube to go flat does potentially translate into more riding time. However, if the tire does get damaged, you can’t just run out and buy a new one. You might want to consider buying a replacement tire to have on hand should you need one. Swagtron also recommends that you check your tire pressure regularly. Low tire pressure can reduce both your speed and your range.
Lighting
For scooter riders, visibility is a very important consideration. Increased visibility can literally mean the difference between safety and injury. One of the most effective ways to increase your visibility is with a headlight and taillight. The Swagger 5 comes with an LED headlight and a taillight for night riding.
Load Capacity
For larger riders, the maximum weight limit is a critical factor to assess when shopping for an electric scooter. Swagtron claims that the Swagger 5 can support a max weight of 320 pounds. This weight rating is a whopping hundred pounds higher than the weight limit of the Xiaomi M365, which is made from aircraft grade aluminum. The specifications of the Swagger 5 only mention that the frame is lightweight aluminum alloy. Without any further details, it’s hard to say why this scooter can hold one hundred more pounds than the M365.
Summary
Whether it was intentional or not, the Swagger 5 looks and feels like a Xiaomi M365 clone. In some areas Swagtron competes head to head and even comes out on top (weight and max speed, for example). But in other areas, Swagtron didn’t even try to compete. Giving up range for charging speed seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face. And the little extras that the M365 offers, such as regenerative power from the motor and the brakes are non-existent on the Swagger 5 model. With all that being said, however, you can’t argue with the price. If Swagtron is really trying to compete with Xiaomi, they were smart to recognize that the Swagger 5 doesn’t stand up to a side by side comparison with the M365. By pricing the Swagger 5 at one-third to one-half the price of the Xiaomi M365, Swagtron has created an economical alternative for people who like to M365 but find the price to be out of their reach. If budget is a large factor driving your e-scooter purchase, the Swagger 5 can provide you with a smooth ride, easy portability, and reliable construction.
