Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 Review

Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is a successor of its hugely popular first electric scooter M365. It’s been almost 5 years between the release of these two electric scooters.

In this Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3 review, we take a closer look at what Xiaomi has decided to upgrade and what has remained the same.

So which one is better – an old good M365 or the new Mi Electric Scooter 3? Let’s find out!

MSRP: $550

Overview

To Whom?

The Mi 3 fits nicely in the market of affordable budget e-scooters.

It is built for people who are looking for a lightweight simple scooter to run short errands and for basic commuting.

Xiaomi Mi electric scooter 3 is for sensible riding where minimalism is a feature, not a drawback.

James Heath, Electric Wheelers

It is definitely not a powerhouse and you can not go offroading with it.

Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3 Specs

Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3 Performance

Speed and Acceleration

I have been riding both – Xiaomi M365 and Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3, so I can draw some conclusions.

The new Mi electric scooter 3 is more powerful than the old M365. Also, the acceleration is much better. It’s simply because of the more powerful hub motor, which has a peak power of 600 watts.

You can’t compare this motor with larger scooters. But for a budget scooter, there is not much to complain about in the acceleration department.

However, I would like to complain about the top speed. Although the motor is a bit more powerful than the one in the last version, the top speed is even less.

The maximum speed of Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is just 15.5 mph. But we must admit that this scooter is not meant for racing. So we really can’t complain about low top speed.

Related: Best-Selling Electric Scooters on Amazon

Hill Climbing

In the hill-climbing area, the new scooter performs about the same as the old M365.

The motor has enough power to handle some decently sized hills. Xiaomi claims that the electric scooter 3 is capable of climbing a slope up to 16%. It means that the maximum incline this scooter can handle is about 9 degrees.

Battery and Range

The battery of Xiaomi Mi electric scooter 3 has just 275 Wh of energy capacity. It’s about the same size as the M365. It is not a huge battery but thanks to the lightweight frame, it’s quite efficient.

Xiaomi promises that the new scooter has a range of 18.6 miles. That’s on paper with ideal conditions. I managed to ride the scooter for about 16.2 miles (I weigh about 200 lbs), which means the real range is almost as good as the advertised range.

When compared with similarly priced scooters, the mileage of Xiaomi 3 is competitive. For example, Hiboy S2 has a range of 17 miles, and Apollo Air has only 12 miles.

It took about 5-6 hours to recharge the battery fully.

Brakes

The braking system has got some nice upgrades.

Mi Scooter 3 now uses a dual-pad disc brake, which is much more efficient than a regular disc brake. Combined with the regenerative braking upfront they work pretty effectively.

Pro Tip: Micah Toll from Electrek suggests using regenerative braking if possible. This way you recharge the battery at the same time. Also, you don’t have to change the brake pads so often.

Design and Features

Build Quality

Xiaomi Mi electric scooter 3 is a lightweight commuter scooter. Despite the lightweight frame, it is still strong enough to support a payload of up to 220 lbs.

The frame of the scooter is made from aerospace-grade aluminum. That’s why it’s so lightweight, yet sturdy.

Xiaomi is known for building cheap but durable electric scooters and this here is no exception.

5 years old Xiaomi M365 electric scooters still ride around. The new Mi 3 has basically the same frame, so you can rest assured that it will last.

Related: Best Cheap Electric Scooters for Adults

Is Mi Scooter 3 Waterproof?

Xiaomi Mi 3 isn’t waterproof. However, it can withstand water from all angles.

It has a water-resistance rating of IP54, which means that it can withstand some water droplets and light showers without any problem.

Pro Tip: Dry it off as soon as you get to the shelter. By that, you can avoid damaging its electrical components.

Related: Best Rain-Resistant Electric Scooters

Portability

On the scale of portability, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is definitely on the top side.

It weighs just 28 pounds, so it’s light enough to carry up the stairs or on public transport. It’s one of the most lightweight and easy-to-carry scooters I know.

The folding mechanism is also been improved. 3-step folding is easy, quick, and sturdy. The bell on the handlebar has a hook that you can use to lock the handlebar when the scooter is folded. Very simple, yet smart feature.

Cockpit

The cockpit of Mi 3 is really minimalistic.

The LED screen is located exactly in the middle of the handlebars. It shows you the speed, driving mode, and remaining battery.

On the right side, you can find a thumb throttle. On the left, there is a brake lever and a bell. That’s it. Very minimalistic design.

Wheels and Tires

The Mi 3 comes with 8.5-inch pneumatic tires. Although the 8.5″ wheels are not big, the pneumatic tires on it make the ride quite smooth.

If I could choose between large solid tires or small pneumatic tires, I would pick pneumatic tires at any time.

Pneumatic tires provide so much better ride comfort than solid tires. Also, if you could get a puncture, there is a spare tire with an inner tube included with the scooter.

Of course, Mi 3 is not an off-roading scooter but you don’t have to necessarily only ride on smooth asphalt with it. It can perfectly handle some occasional bumps and dirt roads.

Does Xiaomi Mi 3 Have an App?

Since this is a Xiaomi product, you can pair it with Xiaomi’s Mi Home app.

You can use the app to lock your scooter remotely. If you leave the scooter unattended, someone still can just take it away. But still, it’s a nice safety feature.

Also, you can see different stats like current battery level, average speed, and more from the app. However, you can see those stats from the scooter’s screen too.

Comparisons

Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 vs Xiaomi Mi M365

Xiaomi Mi 3 vs Pro 2

Xiaomi Mi electric scooter 3 has a lot less power than Pro 2. The acceleration of Xiaomi Pro 2 is much better. If we compare the mileage, it is clear that Xiaomi Pro 2 wins this battle too.

The advantage of the Mi 3 is an improved braking system.

Read more from the related Reddit topic.

Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3 vs 1S

Some say that the Mi 3 scooter is a slightly improved 1S. We can’t argue if we compare their specs.

The only difference is the slightly more powerful motor of the Xiaomi Mi 3.

Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3 vs 4

Time passes and new models appear. In 2023, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 was released.

Compared to the previous version, the 4 has 10″ tubeless tires, which provide a smoother ride. Additionally, the Xiaomi 4 has 100W more powerful motor and comes with a slightly bigger battery capacity.

However, the Xiaomi 3 is shorter and lighter, providing better portability.

Xiaomi Electric Scooter 3 Review Conclusions

If you are familiar with previous Xiaomi electric scooters, you can be sure that most of the features you loved are still here. Xiaomi knows well how to build good electric scooters. How else the Mi M365 can be still one of the most popular electric scooters?

Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 has just some minor upgrades to improve the user experience even more.

Jarmo Habakuk

The founder and the editor-in-chief of the Electric Wheelers blog. With a previous background in IT, sales, and video editing, he has now established himself as a micromobility expert.

He bought his first e-scooter over 5 years ago and since then has owned dozens of e-scooters and e-bikes. His deep understanding of the technical aspects, coupled with a keen eye for market trends, enables him to provide insightful and reliable content.

His commitment to promoting sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions has made him a respected voice in the community of eco-friendly transportation enthusiasts.