It has been two years since Xiaomi released a Pro version of their flagship electric scooter. In 2021, the country settled for the Mi Scooter 3, launched at a recommended price of $449 and considered by reviewers as an excellent compromise and value for money.
In 2022, the Chinese company changes its strategy dramatically. For its fourth-generation scooter, only the Pro iteration is included in the French catalog, all at a particularly high price: $799. In 2020, the Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 sold for $499, almost half the price.
Is this price increase justified and legitimate? Is the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro worth your attention? Let’s find out in this comprehensive review.
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro Design
Back to basics, or almost. This is how one could summarize the appearance of the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro, which, like previous generations, shows a certain conservatism. The Chinese manufacturer applies more or less the same aesthetic formula as before, with minor changes that evoke memories.
Xiaomi has not hesitated to draw inspiration from its 2019 M365 Pro in small touches. For example, the various visible cables are now black and red – those on the Mi Scooter 3 were blue – just like the M365 Pro at the time. On this point, this fourth generation does not stand out.
The same applies to the rear light, which is now placed vertically instead of horizontally. An inclination also found on the M365 Pro. Don’t worry, though, as there are changes, especially in terms of size, as our protagonist gains weight.
A More Robust Appearance
At first glance, the Electric Scooter 4 Pro is much sturdier than its predecessors. One can tell that Xiaomi has increased its dimensions. Its wheels are now 10 inches – compared to 8.5 inches on the Scooter 3 – and its deck has been widened: 16 centimeters wide, compared to 14.5 centimeters on the previous generation and 15 centimeters on the Pro 2.
Consequences: you have a little more room to position your feet. For me (size 41.5), I never felt any discomfort finding space. Standing with both feet together is entirely possible. As for the deck’s grip, I have absolutely no complaints: my feet never slipped.
The scooter is also longer: 1198 mm, compared to 1080 mm on the Mi Scooter 3, with a total deck of 62 centimeters, compared to 56.6 centimeters on its counterpart. The same goes for height: 1240 mm for one, 1140 mm for the other. In short, the Scooter 4 Pro is simply more imposing.
The handlebar height is comfortable for a 176-centimeter user. I felt my arms were neither too low nor too high but at a balanced level that allowed me to feel comfortable and at ease on the scooter. For shorter and taller users, we recommend trying it in a store.
It Weighs on the Scale
True, the Xiaomi Scooter 4 Pro is imposing. True, it is more robust. True, it is reassuring and generates a sense of security. However, the problem is that all these adjustments have an impact on its weight: 16.5 kilograms on the scale, which is, objectively speaking, heavy.
As a reminder, the Mi Scooter 3 claimed a weight of 13.2 kg, compared to 14.2 kilograms for the Pro 2. These weight gains make the scooter difficult to transport and carry up a stairwell, especially with increasing dimensions. It’s doable, but frankly not ideal.
If you’re a fan of intermodal transportation, the Scooter 4 Pro is not the right candidate. Moreover, it’s not designed for that purpose. The folding system is identical to last year’s model: you need to operate a trigger, unfold the mechanism, activate the trigger again to unlock the entire system, and attach it to a hook on the handlebar bell.
It’s a relatively simple system to understand and easy to handle. For reference, the handles do not fold.
Lagging Comfort
Last year, the comfort of the Mi Scooter 3 was already one of its shortcomings. With this new generation, it’s worse. Not that comfort has radically deteriorated, but at $799, expectations increase. The problem: Xiaomi has not clearly improved this criterion.
The lack of suspension is a drawback that could be criticized. Consequences: vibrations are numerous and palpable each time you pass over cobblestones. Worse: even medium road irregularities cause serious jolts during your ride. It’s not pleasant.
The 10-inch tires do help to some extent, but it’s not enough. We ventured onto the muddy and rocky paths along Lake Daumesnil. Believe us: it shakes and caution is required. But it’s not entirely impractical.
We are dealing with so-called tubeless tires, meaning there is no separate inner tube. Here, the inner tube is integrated directly into the inner part of the tire.
This is a significant change compared to the Mi Scooter 3, as Xiaomi electric scooters have a reputation for frequent punctures. Tubeless tires are better at resisting punctures.
A Good Range of Features
The Xiaomi Scooter 4 Pro offers standard equipment. Reflectors are positioned on both sides of the deck, as well as at the front and rear of the scooter. The bell, which was poorly placed last year, now seems closer to the handle and falls perfectly under my thumb to warn someone.
The handles feature a textured rubber coating, which did not cause any discomfort on trips of about 30 minutes maximum. A kickstand is still included, although slightly short for our taste to ensure perfect support for the scooter. On several occasions, I had to be careful when parking it.
Effective Headlight and IPX4 Certification
Good news, the front headlight is highly effective. During a ride on the unlit paths of Lake Daumesnil, the light met my expectations. The road ahead was perfectly illuminated, with a wide light spectrum to brighten the surroundings. As a bonus: the rear brake light.
Lastly, this electric scooter is IPX4 certified, providing protection against splashes and water spray during rainy rides.
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro: Onboard Technologies
The Xiaomi Scooter 4 Pro features the same easy-to-read display. It shows the speed, mode used (walk, eco, or sport), and remaining battery life as a loading bar – not the most precise, but the app can help with that.
I never encountered any readability issues, day or night. The screen intelligently dims when the headlight is activated, thinking you’re riding at night. As soon as you turn off the headlight, the screen brightens up, assuming you’re riding during the day.
A More User-friendly App
For several generations, the Xiaomi Home app had not evolved. This time, Xiaomi decided to give it a facelift, especially in terms of the home interface once your scooter is paired with your phone. It’s immediately more welcoming and visually appealing.
Firstly, the interface is much more colorful. Secondly, the management of some functions is no longer accessible in the settings but directly from the main page. This includes the always-on rear light, regenerative braking intensity, and motor lock.
The “Battery Information” tab leads to a series of informative sub-tabs (remaining percentage, battery level, status, voltage, current, power, temperature, production date). The “Mileage Information” sub-tab provides data on total, single, and remaining mileage.
Finally, a large digital meter displays the remaining range in kilometers and percentage. At least the information is immediately visible.
Xiaomi Home is not without flaws. Firstly, setting up the device is literally noisy. As with the Pro 2, a continuous alarm sounds during the scooter’s configuration with the app. It’s genuinely annoying.
Furthermore, and as strange as it may seem, the scooter does not seem to save the regenerative braking level used. I sometimes started a trip with a “low” braking intensity, even though the “medium” level was configured during the previous trip.
I consistently connected to the scooter before a ride. Upon accessing the app and connecting the two devices, the app would automatically switch to medium regenerative mode. According to Xiaomi, this issue is isolated and related to our test model.
You shouldn’t encounter this anomaly.
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro: Riding Experience
The Scooter 4 Pro raises the bar in terms of nominal and maximum power: 350W for one, 700W for the other. This is the most powerful Xiaomi model in the catalog, as the Scooter 3’s 300W (600W maximum power) is dethroned.
In any case, your speed is limited to 25 km/h, as required by law. However, Xiaomi promises to climb even steeper slopes, up to 20% this time, compared to 16% last year. It’s a small improvement, but don’t expect to reach 25 km/h on such roads.
On moderate slopes, your scooter performs admirably. When it gets steeper, I sometimes didn’t exceed 16 or 17 km/h. Still, the Scooter 4 Pro demonstrates excellent capabilities in this area.
Enjoyable Flat Terrain Performance
On flat terrain, the ride is a delight. Accelerations are assertive but not as aggressive as a Dualtron Victor, allowing you to maintain good control of the vehicle, overtake slower road users with ease, and position yourself at the front of the pack when a traffic light turns green.
Overtaking is equally enjoyable and energetic. Truthfully, this electric scooter provides a balanced sense of power without compromising safety. Just note that acceleration is slightly gentler when going from 20 to 25 km/h, but this is not bothersome.
A minor drawback: the front wheel, which houses the motor, occasionally slipped during some starts. However, this is not dangerous.
Great Maneuverability
Although more substantial, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro is just as maneuverable as previous generations. I am not the most comfortable electric scooter user, yet I felt a certain pleasure maneuvering at the maximum allowed speed of 25 km/h, weaving through cyclists, on narrow streets, or when entering tight turns.
Regarding stability, caution is advised. While the Mi Electric Scooter 3 tester, Manuel Castejon, experienced no issues, I found the task more challenging. It might be a matter of habit.
For instance, the handlebar would tremble when I removed one hand to indicate a direction. On perfectly flat ground, this was manageable. But on rougher surfaces, it became more difficult. Unfortunately, this model does not offer a turn signal system to communicate intentions.
We’re not suggesting the Scooter 4 Pro is unstable. Just remember that an electric scooter is more sensitive to terrain irregularities than a larger, heavier, and evidently more stable electric bike.
Efficient Brakes
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro is undoubtedly reassuring in terms of braking. It benefits from a rear double disc brake and front ABS to prevent wheel lockup. This combination is entirely satisfactory for both intermediate and urgent braking situations.
The rear brake is powerful and progressive. However, you won’t fly over the handlebars in case of ultra-intensive braking. This is precisely what you want from an electric scooter, which should not endanger you during emergency braking situations. On wet surfaces—which I did not experience—reduce your speed in any case.
Additionally, the rear wheel almost never locked up when fully engaging the brake lever. This is another plus. The system is supported by a three-level regenerative braking system, which is incredibly effective. Personally, I predominantly used the medium level.
Regenerative Braking Levels
The highest level of regenerative braking is too abrupt when releasing the accelerator. This can be surprising at first. When using it, avoid trying to signal a direction with your right hand, as you would release the accelerator, engaging regenerative braking and causing a dangerous and difficult-to-manage jerk.
At least the high level has the advantage of stopping you completely. The medium level, on the other hand, is perfectly balanced: it slows you down without jolting and disengages once you reach a speed of 5 km/h. This is convenient because if the traffic light turns green at that precise moment, there is no need to give a small push with your foot to start. The lowest level requires using the brake lever to stop completely.
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro: Battery Life
Xiaomi officially states a range of 55 kilometers. However, when the Xiaomi Scooter 4 Pro is fully charged, the maximum indicated range is 45 kilometers. This may be a slight communication error on the Chinese manufacturer’s part. In any case, the promise still looks good on paper.
Is it met in reality? Almost. I managed to travel a total of 40 kilometers before the scooter experienced a drastic drop in power. I had about 5 km of range left before the scooter limited itself to a speed of 10 km/h, which is snail-paced in the world of urban mobility.
Note that I weigh 62 kg. As the user’s weight affects the range, it is essential to contextualize the data collected here.
Regarding recharging, Xiaomi made a smart decision to change its charging port: it is now magnetic, as is the cap. I find this system more convenient for connecting the device. Most importantly, if you accidentally trip over the cable, you won’t take the scooter with you. The cable will detach itself.
Recharging time remains lengthy: expect 8 to 9 hours. I personally opted for overnight charging sessions.
Overall, the Xiaomi Scooter 4 Pro is an enduring electric scooter. It raises the bar compared to previous generations, thanks to a 12,400 mAh battery providing 474 Wh. For comparison, the Mi Scooter Pro struggled to reach 30 kilometers, while the Mi Scooter 3 barely exceeded 20 kilometers.
Our battery life test was primarily conducted using Sport mode, combined with cautious driving.
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro: Price and Availability
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro has been available since September 8, 2022, starting at $899. It can be found at Amazon.
