{"id":9562,"date":"2021-01-30T18:21:51","date_gmt":"2021-01-30T18:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.electricscooterinsider.com\/?post_type=product&p=9562"},"modified":"2022-11-02T22:20:09","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T22:20:09","slug":"segway-ninebot-air-t15-review","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.electricscooterinsider.com\/electric-scooters\/reviews\/segway-ninebot-air-t15-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Segway Ninebot Air T15 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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I can\u2019t in good faith give the Ninebot Air T15 my full backing<\/strong>. Why?<\/p> Well, because there are just so many other scooters out there with better specs, that you could purchase for the same money. They might not look as good as the T15, and you won\u2019t necessarily be buying into a brand as prestigious \u2013 or prodigious \u2013 as Segway.<\/p> But in all likelihood, you\u2019ll be paying less, going faster, and getting further.<\/p> That said, anyone who\u2019s spent a fortune on the latest iPhone will know what I mean when I say there\u2019s a certain thrill to having the latest expensive gadget \u2013 particularly when it\u2019s more fashion than function. So for some, the pull of the Ninebot Air\u2019s aesthetic qualities may be too much to avoid.<\/p> <\/p> But don\u2019t get suckered in by the Segway\u2019s siren song \u2013 though its monochromatic color scheme, polished look and feel, and neat folding capabilities are easy on the eye, you can trust me when I say that you\u2019re better off looking elsewhere.<\/p> Best Value for Money Electric Scooters For Adults<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> Compact? Yes.<\/p> Cool? Definitely!<\/p> Comfortable? Not exactly<\/strong>.<\/p> The T15\u2019s narrow handlebars, small wheels, lack of suspension, and low deck all contribute to the scooter\u2019s poor ride quality. Ultimately, the T15 is jarring and that\u2019s unlikely to win the hearts and minds of many riders \u2013 and that\u2019s just on smooth roads.<\/p> Forget about tackling the tougher terrain with this one \u2013 it\u2019s a commuter scooter<\/strong><\/a> at best, and an overpriced, under-equipped fashion accessory at worst.<\/p> Just one look at the Air T15 will tell you that its handlebars are notably shorter and narrower than what you typically get with other scooters. While this design element certainly adds up to a satisfying aesthetic<\/strong>, I can assure you \u2013 it won\u2019t make for the most comfortable ride.<\/p> A more pleasant surprise, though, is between the handlebars, where you\u2019ll find the T15\u2019s cleverly-concealed dashboard. Completely flat, and rendered in the same sleek, dark style as the rest of the handlebars, it\u2019s easy to read \u2013 and looks exceptionally cool, too. More on that later.<\/p> <\/p> The Segway Ninebot Air T15\u2019s folding handlebars are fitted with a smooth black rubber. This is in keeping with the scooter\u2019s classy color scheme and has an ergonomic shape.<\/p> When a scooter\u2019s frame is one of the lightest<\/strong><\/a> on the market, there\u2019s not much you can complain about.<\/p> At 23 lbs, the Air T15 more than lives up to its moniker<\/strong>. Alongside a small handful of super light scooters, including the Unagi Model One<\/strong><\/a> and Hiboy S2 Lite<\/strong><\/a>, it is amongst the lightest for adults.<\/p> Part of the reason for this is the aluminum-magnesium alloy the T15 is made from. The other part is the T15 frame\u2019s diminutive size \u2013 when folded, it\u2019s just 8.7 inches tall. Place it next to a beast like the Apollo Pro or Urban Machina\u2019s EVOLV Pro Plus, and it looks more like a child\u2019s toy.<\/p> There are no major problems with the Air T15\u2019s deck. It measures around 17.7 inches long, and 6.7 inches wide \u2013 making it almost identical to the majority of entry-level scooters.<\/p> <\/p> More worrying is how low the T15\u2019s deck is to the ground, as well as how thin it is. That puts you at the risk of scraping the deck\u2019s underside on less well-maintained pathways and makes any attempt to mount a curb an extremely ill-advised one.<\/p> Like the Ninebot E22<\/strong><\/a>, the Air T15\u2019s tires are filled with PU (polyurethane) foam, which goes some way to counterbalancing the scooter\u2019s lack of suspension. Unlike the E22, though \u2013 which boasts jumbo 9-inch wheels \u2013 the T15\u2019s front wheel is just 7.5-inches in size.<\/p> <\/p> Thought that was small? Try the back one, which measures up at just 6-inches in circumference. The combined effect of these small wheels and the T15\u2019s lack of suspension means you\u2019ll need to stick to the path or expect a rocky ride<\/strong>.<\/p> Sure, the small wheels help make the T15 as light as it is. But should you have to sacrifice weight for ride comfort? I don\u2019t think so.<\/p> Segway isn\u2019t known for making scooters that fall apart, and \u2013 though the T15 certainly has its issues \u2013 it didn\u2019t win a CES 2020 Innovation Award for nothing.<\/p> There\u2019s a lot to like about the materials<\/strong>. Made from a corrosion-resistant aluminum\/magnesium alloy, the T15\u2019s mainframe is built to withstand the rain, the sun, and the wind (though with that light frame, I wouldn\u2019t recommend setting out on a windy day!). Other parts of the scooter such as the caps on the front wheel, and at the rear of the deck are finished in impact-resistant plastic.<\/p> We\u2019ve already seen how the T15 suffers because of its light weight (23.2 lbs). Most notably, ride quality, speed, and climbing ability. But it\u2019s the scooter\u2019s disappointing load of 220 lbs that provides further proof that Segway has tossed any aspirations of substance right out of the window.<\/p> That\u2019s not to say a load of 220 lbs is objectively bad. The GoTrax XR Elite<\/strong><\/a> and XR Ultra<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 both of which I\u2019m a big fan of \u2013 have the same, as does Segway\u2019s Ninebot E22<\/strong><\/a> model. Crucially, though, all those scooters are available for less than $500 \u2013 and, in the GoTrax XR Ultra\u2019s case, as cheap as $359.99.<\/p> The Segway Air T15, by contrast, is on the market for around double that amount ($749.99).<\/p> Here\u2019s why the 220 lbs limit is so bad: the scooter already has lackluster specs when it comes to performance. If you weigh towards the upper end of the 220 lbs weight limit and try to ride the Air T15 at its max speed (which you most likely will because it is already slow), then you\u2019re going to be crawling at a snail\u2019s pace<\/strong>. Not to mention, that you\u2019ll probably only get 4-5 miles at best. This is equivalent to the range of kids scooters<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p> Sadly, this is another reason I can\u2019t recommend the Ninebot Air T15<\/strong>.<\/p> While the T15\u2019s weight alone is enough to make the T15 the most portable scooter going, Segway\u2019s designers went one step further. I\u2019m talking about the T15\u2019s tantalizing folding functionality, of course.<\/p> <\/p> The handlebars fold down parallel to the frame, and with just one pull of a lever, the scooter collapses in an instant. The kickstand disappears completely into the deck when you fold it, too.<\/p> Finally \u2013 and here\u2019s where Segway\u2019s attention to design detail gets more credit – once folded, the stem and deck sit close to each other, making the T15 a super compact unit<\/strong>. This makes the T15\u2019s already slight frame ideal for tucking under your arm or storing it out of sight.<\/p> Plus, you don\u2019t even have to lift the T15 off the ground to move it from place to place \u2013 you can just wheel it around while folded. It\u2019s a small, yet super handy detail.<\/p> A Guide to Foldable Electric Scooters (Lightest & Most Compact)<\/a><\/strong> The Ninebot Air T15 comes pre-assembled, which is a real breath of fresh air. You\u2019ll just have to unfold the scooter and pop out the handlebars \u2013 which, if you\u2019ve read this far, will know to be a breeze.<\/p> One word of warning, though.<\/p> Don\u2019t throw out the packaging! That dark grey polystyrene your scooter comes in isn\u2019t to be discarded, or recycled along with your empty cardboard box. Rather, that packaging doubles as the T15\u2019s stand \u2013 a sustainable solution, which also accommodates room for the scooter\u2019s charging brick and cable.<\/p> Combine this with the rest of the T15\u2019s sustainable, eco-friendly packaging \u2013 which can all be recycled \u2013 and it\u2019s a clever, classy touch from Segway.<\/p> The Segway Ninebot Air T15 is a slow scooter. Like its older cousin, the Ninebot E22, the T15\u2019s top speed is a doze-inducing 12.4 mph<\/strong>.<\/p> Whilst I would usually recommend only adrenaline junkies to steer clear of slow scooters, in this case, I recommend that all adults give it a miss.<\/p> For a similar price, you could pick up the Fluid Free Ride Horizon 13<\/strong><\/a>. You\u2019ll get your hands on a scooter with a mouth-watering top speed of 25 mph, 25 miles to match, and dual suspension too. The Horizon isn\u2019t light though. It\u2019s almost twice as heavy but it does fold into a compact package.<\/p> Fastest Electric Scooters<\/a><\/strong> I can\u2019t pull this punch. Offering a maximum ride distance of just 9.3 miles, the T15\u2019s range is, on paper, very poor.<\/p> Just compare it to the Ninebot E22<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 which, despite being cheaper and having the same speed, boasts an extra 4.4 miles of gas in the proverbial tank \u2013 and the T15\u2019s limitations are soon laid bare. Embarrassingly, the T15\u2019s maximum mileage is closer to Segway\u2019s ZING line of children\u2019s scooters<\/strong><\/a> than it is to similarly priced scooters.<\/p> Worse still, the Air T15, like all electric scooters, will have even less mileage in practice. If you ride at full speed, you can expect around a 35-40% decline in the range – equating to as little as 5 or 6 miles<\/strong>. If you are seriously thinking of purchasing this scooter, it should be only for casual rides \u2013 and short ones at that.<\/p> Electric Scooters With the Longest Range<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p> The Ninebot Air T15\u2019s hill-climbing capability \u2013 a maximum slope of 15% (8.5-degrees) \u2013 is standard for a scooter in this price range.<\/p> That said, there are better options out there. This is mainly because of the lack of torque needed to effectively scale hills without the scooter crawling up them<\/strong>.<\/p> If hill climbing is on your agenda, and you don\u2019t need to scale any inclines that are over 15%, then I\u2019d recommend checking out the Turboant X7 Pro<\/strong><\/a>. Not only does this scooter have enough torque to propel you upwards of 20 mph, but it also has the battery capacity (up to 30 miles) that can keep the wheels rolling up many hills. Plus, it only costs $499.98, so you\u2019ll save a bunch too.<\/p> Oh boy. I\u2019ll get straight to it \u2013 the Ninebot Air T15 has no suspension to speak of. This, in combination with the T15\u2019s small, solid tires, means you can expect a bumpy ride<\/strong>.<\/p> As with the Ninebot E22 \u2013 Segway\u2019s more budget-friendly scooter for commuters and younger riders \u2013 the T15 comes equipped with PU foam-filled tires. When it comes to shock absorption, this is both good and bad news.<\/p> <\/p> The good? That special PU foam means you\u2019ll get a small \u2013 well, at least token \u2013 level of suspension. When it comes to their ride-softening capabilities, PU foam-filled tires are closer to pneumatic tires than they are solid ones, and you\u2019ll also get some resistance to punctures.<\/p> The bad? As I mentioned earlier, the wheels are small. I mean really small. Sure, that might add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the T15 \u2013 and it certainly helps its portability \u2013 but in terms of suspension and overall ride comfort, it\u2019s not good. Small wheels mean you\u2019re closer to the road, meaning you\u2019ll feel every crack.<\/p> Though this scooter\u2019s specs aren\u2019t particularly impressive, it\u2019s still made by Segway \u2013 a brand with a reputation for safety.<\/p> The T15\u2019s front brake lever (located, as you\u2019d expect, on the left side of the handlebars), along with the rear foot brake, join together to deliver the dual braking system.<\/p> <\/p> Complimenting this is the T15\u2019s regenerative braking system, which \u2013 although a feature most of us now come to expect as standard \u2013 is still a nice touch.<\/p> Braking particulars aside, the laws of physics dictate. The T15\u2019s lightweight 23 lb frame and slow top speed certainly play in its favor when it comes to braking.<\/p> My only real issue with the braking system is that you have to use a thumb paddle to engage the brakes. I\u2019ve ridden many scooters and whilst some, like the T15 and even more luxurious models, like the Unagi Model One<\/strong><\/a>, use thumb paddles to engage the brakes, I always prefer traditional hand-operated ones that you pull. I always find that being able to physically pull on the brakes gives a greater sense of control. Plus, it\u2019s second nature for most new riders who are used to riding bicycles.<\/p> Most of the Ninebot Air T15\u2019s best features aren\u2019t unique to the scooter itself. Its quick, 4-hour charging turnaround<\/strong>, for instance, is a product of the Smart Battery Management System (SMBS) common to all Segway scooters. Still, it\u2019s handy to have, and I\u2019ll discuss the SMBS a little more later.<\/p> The T15\u2019s battery itself is of the 21700 automotive-grade lithium-ion variety \u2013 the same used by some electric cars. Unfortunately, it doesn\u2019t guarantee great battery performance, and other reviewers \u2013 like myself \u2013 have paid particular attention to the battery falling short of the 9.3-mile range promised.<\/p> As you\u2019d expect with the Ninebot Air T15\u2019s daring, distinct design, the LED dashboard doesn\u2019t disappoint.<\/p> The bezel-less display shows off your scooter\u2019s info in style<\/strong>, with embedded nixie tubes (electronic devices used for displaying numerals or other information using glow discharge) putting you just a click away from your scooter\u2019s battery life, riding mode, speed, Bluetooth connection status, and error messages.<\/p> I know what you\u2019re thinking. High price, limited range, snail-like top speed\u2026 just what am I paying for with this scooter?<\/p> The answer to your question is the Ninebot Air T15\u2019s ambient LED colored strip, which runs vertically down the front of the steering column.<\/p> <\/p> Along with those narrow handlebars and slight white frame, this groovy strip is the T15\u2019s most-recognizable trait. Once you\u2019ve connected your scooter to your phone via Bluetooth, you\u2019ll be able to customize the color of the front bar<\/strong> \u2013 along with the T15\u2019s rear light \u2013 with your preferred color palette.<\/p> There\u2019s even an option to apply effects to that light strip, such as \u2018dynamic breathing\u2019 and \u2018full color breathing\u2019, for that added touch of pizzazz.<\/p> Necessary? No.<\/p> Cool? Undeniably.<\/p> The Segway Ninebot Air T15 comes with four riding modes, which break down as follows:<\/p> Again, the T15 isn\u2019t built for speed. Four riding modes make for some level of relaxed riding, though. For what it\u2019s worth, it has more settings than the Air T15\u2019s cousin, the Segway Ninebot E22, which has three.<\/p> Plus, the \u2018Pedestrian\u2019 mode, which slows you down to less than 4 mph, and keeps your tail light flashing can be fun. It\u2019s named after the people that will be overtaking you when you select it!<\/p> I\u2019m a big fan of the Segway-Ninebot app. It\u2019s easy to use, and once you\u2019ve learned a bit more about it you can get way more out of your chosen scooter.<\/p> It\u2019s not just for choosing what color your T15\u2019s front LED light will be rocking, it\u2019s also for selecting your riding mode, viewing your battery usage, and analyzing your previous rides and journey log. You get a surprisingly wide remit to customize your T15\u2019s settings, such as the regenerative braking, to your preferences.<\/p> Don\u2019t forget to download the app, and make an account with your name and details. Failing to connect your T15 to the app will cause the scooter to emit a high pitch beeping sound until you do. It\u2019s not something you want to inflict on your eardrums.<\/p> The Ninebot Air T15 boasts a more-or-less industry-standard water resistance rating of IPX4. This will protect your deck from splash damage, and enable you to ride with confidence in the rain<\/strong>.<\/p> One of the T15 hipper features is its self-retracting, inward-folding handlebars.<\/p> <\/p> Between the center of the handlebars, you\u2019ll find a nifty lever. This triggers the T15\u2019s unique, \u2018one-click\u2019 folding mechanism, which then causes the handlebars to automatically collapse in, for a more simple, hassle-free fold<\/strong>.<\/p> The Ninebot Air T15 comes equipped with Segway\u2019s SBMS. By monitoring the cells inside the scooter\u2019s battery, the SMBS helps prevent overheating, prolong the battery\u2019s life span<\/strong>, and provide a more accurate dashboard reading of how much juice your scooter has left.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t I do love how this scooter looks, so I wish I could say yes. Unfortunately, I can\u2019t.<\/p> This scooter is not worth its price tag<\/strong>. It\u2019s not worth the $749.99 Segway was initially asking for it, and, to be honest, I don\u2019t recommend it even when it\u2019s occasionally heavily discounted for $599.99.<\/p> For me, this is an overstretch from Segway. It feels like they made a good-looking scooter that they know people would buy \u2013 it\u2019s got sex appeal in spades, after all. Yet they forgot to include the one main thing that needs to be good if you\u2019re charging that much \u2013 the specs!<\/p> There plenty of other similarly priced, and cheaper<\/a>, scooters that deliver above and beyond the Air T15. Check out my alternatives below.<\/strong><\/p> Best Cheap Electric Scooters<\/a><\/strong>Pros and Cons<\/h2>
Ride Quality<\/h2>
Is the Segway Ninebot Air T15 Comfortable to Ride?<\/h3>
Design<\/h2>
Handlebars<\/h3>
Frame<\/h3>
Deck<\/h3>
Wheels<\/h3>
Build Quality & Durability<\/h3>
Weight & Load<\/h3>
Folding & Portability<\/h3>
\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p>Assembly<\/h3>
Performance & Safety<\/h2>
Speed & Acceleration<\/h3>
Best 15 MPH Electric Scooters<\/a><\/strong>
Best 20 MPH Electric Scooters<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p>Range<\/h3>
Hill Climbing<\/h3>
Shock Absorption \/ Suspension<\/h3>
Braking<\/h3>
Charge Time<\/h3>
Features<\/h2>
LED Dashboard<\/h3>
LED Lights<\/h3>
Cruise Control<\/h3>
Mobile App & Bluetooth<\/h3>
Water Resistance Rating<\/h3>
Folding Handlebars For Enhanced Portability<\/h3>
Battery Management System<\/h3>
Specification: Segway Ninebot Air T15 Review<\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Value for Money<\/h2>
Is it Worth the Price Tag?<\/h3>
Best Value For Money Electric Scooters For Adults<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p>Alternatives<\/h2>
What Other Scooters Should You Consider?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t