The NIU KQi2 Pro is a great beginner scooter that comes at a very budget-friendly price. It’s a simple scooter with a thumb throttle and one brake lever so that teens and beginners can easily learn how to ride.
Overall, it is a safe and affordable light commuter scooter.
In this review, I will tell you what I love and hate about the NIU KQi2 Pro.
Click here to buy the NIU KQi2 Pro from Walmart.
Click here to buy the NIU KQi2 from NIU directly.
The KQi2 is currently 25% off for Black Friday, get it for only $449
What I love about the NIU KQi2 Pro
- Great for beginners
- Bluetooth app
- Comes with extra grip tape
- Halo light
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Metal underbody
- Budget-friendly
- Pneumatic tires
- UL certified
- Safe
Should I get a Ninebot Segway Max G30LP or Niu KQi2 Pro?
For the price difference, I would get the NIU KQi2 Pro. They are very similar scooters with 10-inch pneumatic tires, 220 lb. weight capacity, Bluetooth app, thumb throttle, and single brake lever.
The Max G30LP does have a slight advantage on hills being rated for 20% hill grades vs 15% hill grades on the KQi2 Pro. The Max G30LP also has a slight battery advantage at 367 Wh vs 365 Wh on the KQi2 Pro.
However, the Niu KQi2 Pro comes in at $200+ cheaper than the G30LP so I would save the money since they have very similar ride quality. Plus you are backed by NIU’s great customer service whereas Ninebot Segway’s after-sales servicing is almost nonexistent.
Stand out with the halo light!
All NIU scooters and e-bikes come with an iconic halo light making it easy to spot them in the wild. I love the look and it helps make the scooters stand out from the Ninebot and Xiaomi scooters in the same class.
The light is mounted high and provides ample lighting for night riding. I would still get an additional handlebar light if you are going to do a lot of night riding but it is one of the best we have seen in a light commuter scooter.
NIU robust Bluetooth App
The NIU app is pretty sweet and you can control a lot of things like max speed, kick-to-start, and GPS locking. You can lock the scooter and it will alert you if someone is moving the scooter.
I like the app much better than the one we saw on the Anyhill UM-2.
Metal underbody to protect the internals
Most light commuter scooters have plastic bottoms. I like that the Niu KQi2 Pro has a metal underbody to protect the internals like the battery and controller.
The battery and scooter are UL certified so you don’t have to worry about lithium fires if you store the scooter in your home.
Overall, the KQi2 Pro has some nice safety features.
What I hate about the NIU KQi2 Pro
- No suspension
- Small deck
- Have to unlock the scooter to achieve higher speed
- Low clearance
- Braking power isn’t the strongest
- Throttle sometimes won’t engage
- App sometimes won’t connect
Does the NIU KQi2 Pro have suspension?
None of the NIU kick scooters have suspension. The 10-inch pneumatic tires help soak up bumps and cracks, but suspension helps a lot more.
I understand they don’t have it on the KQi2 Pro to make it budget-friendly low cost entry level scooter, but I would have liked NIU to put suspension on their KQi3 Max scooters.
Low clearance on the NIU scooters
We’ve had a chance to review the KQi2 Pro, KQi3 Pro, and KQi3 Max scooters and they all have the same issue. The deck clearance from the ground is low. The low positioning makes it easy to learn and makes the escooters ultra-stable.
However, I find that I bottom out on the 45-degree angle curbs if I ride straight up them. The NIU scooters have the lowest clearance I have seen on any electric scooter.
What type of brakes is on the NIU KQi2 Pro?
The NIU KQi2 Pro has one drum brake on the front and electric braking in the rear. Drum brakes require little to no maintenance but I prefer disc brakes because they offer stronger braking power.
At full speed, the NIU KQi2 does take a decent amount of space to stop compared to other lite commuter scooters.
Final Thoughts
If you are new to electric scooters or have teens, the NIU KQi2 Pro is a fun and safe choice. You won’t have to worry about kids going too fast because it maxes out at 17.4 mph (25 kph).
The low platform and simple-to-use controls make it perfect for those learning how to ride an electric scooter.
The scooter design is aesthetically pleasing and the app is one of the best in the industry. NIU after-sales servicing is great which you won’t find in a lot of the lite commuter scooter competitors like Ninebot Segway.
If you are looking for a dependable budget friendly scooter, the KQi2 Pro should be on your radar.
NIU KQi2 Pro Pricing, Coupon and Discount Codes
Click here to buy the NIU KQi2 Pro on Amazon in the US.
Click here to buy the NIU KQi2 Pro on Amazon in Canada.
Click here to buy the NIU KQi2 Pro from Walmart.
Click here to buy the NIU KQi2 from NIU directly.
The KQi2 is currently 25% off for Black Friday, get it for only $449
Click here to view all our coupons and discounts on scooters and other PEVs.
Click here to view all the safety gear that Jimmy and I use.
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If you enjoyed this review, check out some other comparable escooters that we have reviewed:
Anyhill UM-2 – A lite commuter scooter with a swappable battery
OKAI Neon – Another budget-friendly commuter scooter
EMOVE Touring – A budget-friendly commuter scooter that comes in 5 colors
EVOLV Terra – A dual-motor commuter scooter with solid tires
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