Thanks to Segway for providing the F3 for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. No links are monetized. GWW recommends riders always wear protective gear while riding.
With an introductory price of $699, and an MSRP of $849, the Segway NineBot F3 is a good value for consumers who are looking for a safe and efficient commuter kick scooter, and/or a scooter for cruise around town for fun. The latter is my desire and that is how I tested the F3. I’ve found it to be the best scooter I’ve ever tested and I’ve tested multiple brands and price points.
Most of my riding time was spent in a hilly neighborhood, with slopes at 7-12 degrees. I weigh 190 lbs and I would classify myself as an experienced rider. While I tested the scooter on hills and streets, I also tested it in scooter-packs with my kids, who do not exceed 15 MPH. Being able to easily maintain pace with them but also accelerate to get ahead of any road hazards or oncoming traffic made the experience much better for me as a parent.
Design
The Segway Ninebot F3 adopts a stealthy yet safety-conscious design. Its primarily black and gray body, punctuated by a few strategic red highlights, gives it a modern and understated aesthetic from several feet away. But, man, when you get up close and see the details, you see more of the design inspiration, which, I think, is almost cyberpunk in nature. Beyond looks, functionality and safety are clearly prioritized. The vibrant and informative Smart TFT display is a key design element, positioned for quick and easy glances at crucial information like speed and battery level, minimizing distractions. Further enhancing safety are the thoughtfully integrated turn signals, a reliable automatic headlight, and a clearly visible taillight, ensuring visibility during all times of day and in varying conditions. This blend of a low-profile color scheme with prominent safety features makes the F3 a well-considered urban mobility solution.
Expanding on the design of the Segway Ninebot F3, it’s clear that practicality and user experience were key considerations. The folding mechanism, while contributing to the scooter’s overall utility, is designed for relatively straightforward operation, allowing for easier storage in apartments, offices, or car trunks.The latching mechanism feels secure, providing confidence when carrying the folded scooter. This is a straight-on latching system, which is an upgrade over the popular G30LP model.
The ergonomics of the F3 also stand out. The handlebar height is well-suited for a range of adult riders, promoting a comfortable and upright riding posture. It’s comfortable at my stature of 5’11” and my wife at 5’9″. The grips are textured to provide a secure hold, even during longer rides or in slightly damp conditions. The placement of the controls – the throttle, brake lever, and power button – feels intuitive and easily accessible without requiring significant hand adjustments. The wider standing deck helps with stability and I’ve found I can spend more time on the F3 than the G30LP. So, if you have challenges with foot fatigue, the F3 may be better for you. Even the kickstand is thoughtfully designed, deploying and retracting with a solid feel.
Riding Experience
What contributes greatly to that comfortable ride is the inclusion of both forward and rear suspension. I tested the suspension repeatedly by driving onto and off of sidewalks and over small road objects like rocks and pinecones. Of course, I do not recommend you do this. Forward suspension is hydraulic based. While rear is elastomer, which means it relies on polymers, rubber, and rubber-like materials to help absorb bumps in the road. The rear suspension should prove to be durable and resilient over time. While also requiring little to no maintenance.
I’ve been buzzing around my hilly neighborhood and nearby trails on the F3, and for an introductory price of $849 (eventually hitting an MSRP of $999), this thing is a serious contender for anyone wanting a reliable commuter or, like me, a thrilling way to explore the neighborhood. At 190 lbs, a pack of kids with me, and several small to major inclines to tackle, I need power. But I’m not the type of consumer who buys strictly on a single requirement. More on that later. First, more about the experience.
My testing grounds were hilly streets, tackling inclines up to 12 degrees like a champ. What really impressed me? Even on those steeper 12-degree hills, I was able to maintain a steady 6 MPH on the low end, in Sport Mode without needing to kick. That speaks volumes about the 450W nominal motor (with that impressive 1000W peak power). Most scooters I’ve tried would have me foot-pushing or walking up those grades. And with enough momentum, I took the same slopes at 9 MPH instead of 6 MPH.
But the real win for me was cruising with my kids, who hover around the 12 MPH mark. The F3’s ability to effortlessly match their pace in the standard driving mode while still offering that instant burst of acceleration to manage traffic and potential hazards was a game-changer for our family. My kids play sports all year round, on their respective teams. As a family, we don’t get to play together very often. Scootering is something we’ve gravitated to but my biggest concern is always cars. Fortunately, we live in a fairly quiet neighborhood, but my Segway G30LP doesn’t offer the same dynamic speeds as the F3 (or the comfort!).
Technical Specifications
- Top Speed: Clocking in around 20 mph (32 km/h), with some regional models capping at 15.5 mph (25 km/h). Plenty of zip for urban adventures and keeping ahead of the kids when needed.
- Maximum Range: Segway claims up to a solid 44 miles (70 km) in Eco Mode, thanks to the efficient 477Wh high-capacity battery and their SegRange™ technology. While my hilly testing likely reduced this a bit, the fact that I could tackle those 12-degree climbs without draining the battery too quickly is a testament to its efficiency. Plus, that optional external battery is there for those who need more juice.
- Power Plant: A robust 450W nominal motor (peaking at 1000W). This is the powerhouse that allowed me to conquer those 12-degree slopes at 6 MPH without kicking at my 190 lbs weight.
- Braking Power: Reliable stopping comes courtesy of a front disc brake and a rear electronic brake. Felt solid and responsive during all my testing, even on those downhill stretches after conquering the hills.
- Suspension System: The combo of a front hydraulic shock absorber and a rear elastomer shock absorber made even the uneven pavement on my neighborhood routes feel surprisingly smooth.
- Rolling Stock: 10-inch tubeless self-sealing tires are a godsend for a comfortable ride and offer peace of mind against flats – crucial when you’re focused on keeping an eye on the kids.
- Smart Display: The Smart TFT display is clear and informative, showing speed and the selected Sport mode that helped me tackle those hills.
- Smart Features Galore:
- Segway AirLock: Bluetooth unlocking is surprisingly convenient when you’ve got your hands full with kids’ scooters. Its common I would need to stop for several minutes while walking 10+ feet away from my scooter.
- Apple Find My: For someone who occasionally misplaces things, this is a huge plus. I was able to watch my nephew’s location when he borrowed the F3 for an afternoon.
- SegRide Stability Enhancement System & Traction Control System (TCS): These work silently to keep things stable, especially appreciated when accelerating to get ahead of traffic.
- Multiple Riding Modes (Eco, Standard/Drive, Sport): The ability to easily switch to Sport for hill climbing and back to Standard to cruise with the kids is a major plus.
- Cruise Control: Handy for those less hilly stretches.
- Smart Battery Management System (BMS): Ensuring efficient power delivery for those hill climbs.
- Over-the-air firmware updates: Keeping the scooter current without any hassle.
- Illumination: A bright 6W automatic headlight, integrated turn indicators, and a high-visibility brake light are essential for safety during those evening rides with the family.
- Weather Warrior: With an IPX6 water resistance rating for the scooter body and IPX7 for the battery, a little unexpected drizzle won’t derail our adventures.
- Weight & Capacity: At around 41-42 lbs (18.6-19.2 kg), it’s manageable, and the 265 lbs (120 kg) max payload means it handles my weight comfortably even on inclines.
- Charging Time: Around 8 hours for a full charge. Overnight plug-in fits perfectly with my daily routine.
- Dimensions (Unfolded): 45.4″ L x 23.2″ W x 49.7″ H (1152 x 590 x 1262 mm)
- Dimensions (Folded): 45.4″ L x 23.2″ W x 24.1″ H (1152 x 590 x 613 mm) – Folds down nicely for storage after our rides.
Buying requirements
When buying a differentiated product, such as an electric scooter, I recommend buyers create a list of core requirements. Here are mine:
- Range
- Top Speed
- Weight
- Charging Time
- Braking System
- Riding Comfort
- Build Quality
Then, gather the data for the products, and both score and rank it by importance. As you consider multiple scooters, the importance rank would remain the same. Here is how it breaks down for the F3:
| Requirement | Data | Score (of 10) | Importance (of 10) |
| Range | 44 Miles | 9 | 8 |
| Top Speed | 20 MPH | 8 | 10 |
| Weight | 42 LBS | 10 | 9 |
| Charging Time | 8 Hours | 10 | 5 |
| Braking System | Front is disc based, rear is electronic | 8 | 9 |
| Riding Comfort | Hydraulic front suspension, elastomer rear suspension, with 10″ tubeless tires | 9 | 10 |
| Build Quality | Constructed with integrated magnesium alloy die-casting for enhanced stability with IPX6 water resistance for the body and IPx7 for the battery pack | 10 | 10 |
Next, multiply the Score by the Importance and add the results. In the case of the F3, it yields a total sum of 554. When you consider multiple scooters, and run through this process, you can compare the scores to inform your choice. In every category, the Ninebot F3 has a higher score than my current scooter, the G30LP.
Who is this for?
The Segway Ninebot F3 isn’t just a scooter with impressive specs and good looks; it has genuinely enhanced our neighborhood explorations and family outings. The fact that it tackled those hills with me (and without me having to kick!) speaks volumes to the motor and the intent of this scooter, overall. I would love more power, but that would put the budget required to $999+. For that, I have my eye on the new Max G3 from Segway.
For the price, you’re getting a fantastic blend of real-world performance, good looks, safety and smart features, such as Apple FindMy support. I have no doubt, this would suite multiple types of buyers/riders well:
Of course! Based on your style—direct, helpful, and clean—here’s a rewritten version tailored to you:
Who Should Buy the Ninebot F3
✅ City Commuters
Perfect for daily rides to work, class, or around town. It handles stop-and-go traffic well, saves on gas, and you can skip the parking headache. Built-in Apple Find My adds peace of mind if you leave it outside.
✅ Paved Trail Riders
If you enjoy smooth rides on greenways or park trails, the suspension setup and self-sealing tires keep things comfortable and low-maintenance.
✅ Delivery & Gig Workers
The F3’s extended range (up to 50 miles with the extra battery) makes it a solid option for short-distance delivery work in the city.
✅ New or Casual Riders
Safety features like traction control, stability assist, and dual braking make it easier to ride—even if you’re new to scooters or just want a bit more control.
✅ College Students
A good mix of tech, looks, and utility. Great for getting across campus fast without being a hassle to manage.
Who Should Skip It
❌ Off-Road Riders
Not built for dirt, gravel, or rough trails. It’s made for pavement.
❌ Frequent Travelers
At around 41 lbs, it’s not ideal for hauling on public transit or dragging through airports for most buyers.