Segway ES3 Review – ES2 Upgraded!

by Nathan Schaumann

The Segway ES3 is essentially a variant of the ES2 that comes with the external battery included. It has the same frame and base specs but the extra battery pack gives it longer range and a bit better motor performance. With the second battery, the ES3 can reach about 28 miles of range and a slightly higher top speed around 18 mph. It’s a convenient package for those who wanted the extended range without buying the add-on separately. Below, we’ll answer questions specific to the ES3:

Click here for the latest price of the Segway ES3.

Q: What is the max speed of the Segway ES3?
A: The Segway ES2 has a top speed of 15.5 mph (25 km/h) under standard conditions. Out of the box, it’s typically limited to ~15 mph which was a common speed for this class of scooter. With certain firmware tweaks you can get it ot 18mph, but officially it’s about 15 mph.

Q: What is the range of the Segway ES3?
A: Segway advertises up to 28 miles of range on the ES3 in ideal conditions (combining both the internal 187 Wh battery and the external 187 Wh battery). This assumes a lower-speed mode (Eco ~9 mph) on flat terrain. That’s a big step up from the ES2’s ~12 mile real-world range. In Sport mode at full 15.5 mph, the range is more around 20-22 miles on a full charge, but we would still adjust that estimate downwards. In everyday riding, we’d bet most users will see somewhere in the 18-22 mile range per charge.

Other factors that impact range are rider weight, ambient temperature (hotter is better), and overall battery health. We recommend doing a full range test in your specific conditions before trusting it as a commuter for ranges in the upper bounds of 20-22 miles.

Q: What is the battery size of the Segway ES3?
A: The ES3 effectively has two 187 Wh batteries, totaling 374 Wh of capacity. One battery is internal (same as ES2’s) and the second is the clip-on external pack. Each is 36 V, 5.2 Ah. When charging, both batteries charge via the single port (the scooter manages charging them sequentially or in tandem).

Q: Does the Segway ES3 have a removable battery?
A: Yes, in the sense that the external battery pack is removable. If you wanted a slightly lighter scooter, you could remove the pack and the scooter becomes a normal ES2. However, removing it frequently isn’t exactly a quick swap system; it’s still involves unscrewing a couple bolts.

Q: How long does it take to charge the Segway ES3?
A: Charging the ES3 (both batteries) from empty takes about 6 hours.

Q: What is the weight of the Segway ES3?
A: The ES3 weighs about 13.6 kg (30 lbs). The external battery adds roughly 4 lbs to the ES2’s ~26 lbs. It’s still relatively portable, but you do feel the extra few pounds when carrying it. The weight distribution also shifts a bit with the battery on the stem, but not significantly.

Q: What is the weight limit of the Segway ES3?
A: The weight limit remains 100 kg (220 lbs), same frame and design as ES2. The extra battery doesn’t change the structural capacity. For riders near the limit, the ES3 at least has more power available to maintain speed better than the ES2, but it’s not officially rated beyond 100 kg.

Q: Is the Segway ES3 single or dual motor?
A: The ES3 remains a single motor scooter – front wheel drive, 300 W nominal (peak might go a bit higher with the extra battery current, sometimes quoted up to 800 W).

I personally much prefer single motor scooters to have the motor in the rear rather than the front. I own a Hover-1 Journey 2.0 scooter with a front motor that I use for short commutes, and it bugs me that every time I accelerate from a stop (unless I am leaning all the way forward), the front wheel loses traction and skids for a couple feet, gradually eroding the tire tread over time.

Q: How big are the tires on the Segway ES3?
A: The ES3 uses 8-inch diameter tires on the front and 7.5-inch on the rear. These tires are solid (airless) rubber tires, not pneumatic. Most scooters that feature different tire sizes on front vs rear choose to put the larger tire in front, for increased clearance on large bumps or small curbs. Also, the standard motor Segway uses on the ES3 only fits in an 8-inch hub.

Q: What are the brakes on the Segway ES3?
A: Braking setup is the same as ES2: front electronic brake + rear foot brake. With the extra battery, the electronic brake can actually be a bit stronger because there’s more regenerative capacity. It will still be smooth and have the anti-lock function.

The rear foot brake is essentially a fender stomp brake, like a non-electric Razor kick scooter. you can step on the rear fender to create friction on the rear wheel for extra stopping power.

This brake setup means virtually no maintenance, but if you are a heavier rider going down a steep incline, the scooter might struggle to slow you down.

Q: Is the Segway ES3 foldable?
A: Yes, it folds just like the ES2 does, same mechanism. The external battery doesn’t interfere with folding at all (it’s mounted on the front of the stem, not affecting the hinge). So, you pull the lever, the stem folds down and hooks onto the rear fender. Folded size is identical except the stem is a bit thicker with the battery on. It remains a very convenient scooter to collapse and carry.

Q: Can the Segway ES3 climb hills?
A: The ES3 has improved hill climbing over the ES2 thanks to the dual battery providing extra power. It’s rated for up to 15% incline. In practice, that means it can handle moderate hills better: you might maintain maybe 10–12 mph on a slope that would slow an ES2 to 7 mph. It will still struggle on steeper hills, though, and isn’t considered a true hill climber.

Q: Does the Segway ES3 have suspension?
A: Yes, the ES3 features front and rear suspension, which is somewhat unique for a scooter its size. There are small spring-based shock absorbers on the front wheel and above the rear wheel. These help absorb some bumps and vibrations, especially since the tires are solid. The suspension travel is not huge – so it’s still a fairly stiff ride.

Q: Can the Segway ES3 go off-road?
A: Not really. The small solid tires and relatively low motor power are best suited for paved roads. You could probably make it across a short patch of grass or packed dirt, but it would slow down considerably on anything more challenging.

Q: Can you ride a Segway ES3 in the rain?
A: The ES3 has an IP54 rating, meaning it’s protected against splashes of water from any direction. Riding in light rain or on wet ground is generally fine.

Never charge the scooter when it has been in the rain, or when any components (including the charger itself) are wet.

Q: Does the Segway ES3 have an app?
A: Yes. The ES3 works with the Segway-Ninebot app (the same app as other Segway scooters). Through the app, you can monitor your ride statistics in real time, adjust settings, lock the scooter, and even enable features like “Follow Mode” (if you want to walk alongside the scooter while it powers its wheels slowly). The app is also where you set up the AirLock phone-as-key feature and pair the scooter with Apple Find My. It will also alert you of any firmware updates.

The Freshly Charged Take

The Segway ES3 combines the convenience of the classic ES2 design with the benefit of extended range and a tad more motor power. It’s definitely not a fast or powerful scooter by any means, but it’s a good entry level model with substantial range.

More Segway Reviews from Freshly Charged

Looking for more Segway content? Check out our in-depth reviews across every category:

Commuter Scooters

High-Performance Scooters

Kids & Youth Scooters

Go-Karts

Bikes

Other Vehicles

1 carousel

Scooter Comparison Tool

Use our Freshly Charged Scooter Comparison Tool to evaluate this scooter alongside more than 500 other scooters. Compare and organize scooters by factors such as price, top speed, battery size, weight, water-resistance rating, and more!

You may also like

Subscribe for the Latest PEV News

We are Andrew and Jimmy, two guys who love personal electric vehicles, and we hope to share our experiences and reviews to help you find the best next PEV for your needs.

Copyright © 2025 Freshly Charged.