Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The Angwatt CS1 2025 is the stronger overall package for most riders: it goes further, pulls harder on hills, carries much heavier riders, and does all that for roughly half the price of the Apollo City 2022. It feels more like a budget tank than a toy, and the value-per-euro is frankly embarrassing for many "big" brands.
The Apollo City 2022 still makes sense if you prioritise a refined, integrated design, better weather protection, ultra-low maintenance and polished app features over raw muscle and battery size. It suits riders who want something that looks grown-up in front of the office and aren't chasing every last km of range.
If you care most about performance, range and value, start with the Angwatt. If you care more about polish, integration and a bit of brand prestige, the Apollo still has a place. Now let's dig into how they really compare when the asphalt gets rough.
Stick around for the details-the numbers and riding impressions tell a much more interesting story than the spec sheets alone.
Electric scooters have finally grown up. On one side you've got the Apollo City 2022, the poster child for "designed object" commuters: sleek frame, hidden cables, clever regen brake, a scooter that tries hard to look like it belongs in a design museum lobby.
On the other, the Angwatt CS1 2025 rocks up like a budget streetfighter: huge battery, big tubeless tyres, chunky frame rated for serious rider weight, and a price tag that makes you double-check if someone missed a digit.
The Apollo City 2022 is for riders who want a clean, polished, low-fuss city machine. The Angwatt CS1 2025 is for riders who want maximum scooter for minimum money and don't mind a bit of brute-force charm. I've put real kilometres on both; let's see which one actually earns a spot in your hallway.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters sit in what I'd call the "serious commuter" class: too heavy to be pure last-mile toys, powerful enough to replace a fair chunk of car or public transport use, and capable of real-world round trips without constant charging paranoia.
The Apollo City 2022 plays the premium-commuter role: mid-to-upper price, strong water resistance, a very integrated chassis and features aimed squarely at daily riders who want comfort and low upkeep more than headline numbers.
The Angwatt CS1 2025 is the value insurgent: mid-tier performance at an entry-level price. It stretches into light off-road, hauls very heavy riders, and gives you "big scooter" feel without a "big scooter" budget.
Why compare them? Because if you're shopping for a capable city scooter and have looked at the Apollo, the Angwatt is exactly the kind of model that will pop up in your searches and make you think: "Wait... for that price, what's the catch?" Let's find out.
Design & Build Quality
Park them side by side and the design philosophies are immediately obvious.
The Apollo City 2022 looks curated. The frame flows in a single, sculpted line, with cables tucked away like a high-end e-bike. The rubber deck mat, integrated display and clean lighting make it feel like a finished product from a brand that cares about aesthetics and user experience. It's the scooter you're happy to roll into a co-working space without feeling like you've brought in garage hardware.
The Angwatt CS1 2025, by contrast, wears its structure on its sleeve. Thick iron-and-aluminium bones, big 11-inch wheels, broad deck, matte black finish-it's more "urban utility vehicle" than objet d'art. The integrated NFC screen helps modernise the cockpit, but overall it's function-first, form-second. You don't buy this one to impress your designer friends; you buy it to not care about potholes.
In the hands, the Apollo feels more refined: fewer rattles, very tidy cable routing, well-finished fenders, and a folding latch that closes with a reassuring mechanical snap. But it also feels somewhat "sealed" and proprietary; great when everything works, slightly more annoying if you're the sort who likes to tinker or swap parts.
The Angwatt feels more agricultural in a good way-thick, solid, overbuilt for its price. The upgraded kickstand and folding joint on the 2025 version do calm down most of the usual budget-scooter creaks. You can sense where they've saved money (paint, finishing, some small parts), but the fundamentals-the frame, fork, deck and suspension-feel reassuringly stout.
If you want your scooter to blend into modern architecture, the Apollo wins. If you want something that looks like it will survive being knocked over in a bike rack ten times a week, the Angwatt has the edge.
Ride Comfort & Handling
Both scooters claim "floating" comfort. One actually mostly glides; the other steamrolls.
The Apollo City 2022 uses a triple-spring setup with self-healing pneumatic tyres. On typical city tarmac, patched asphalt, and the odd stretch of cobbles, it's genuinely plush. You feel the bumps, but they're rounded off. The wide bars and nicely weighted steering make weaving through cycle lanes feel natural and controlled. After a 30-minute commute, your knees and wrists are still on speaking terms.
Where the Apollo starts to feel out of its depth is on really broken surfaces: rough gravel, big expansion joints, or ugly construction patches. It copes, but you start to consciously pick your line rather than just riding through it.
The Angwatt CS1 2025 leans on its combination of dual spring shocks and those bigger 11-inch tubeless tyres. On flat tarmac, it's comfortable; on bad tarmac and gravel, it's positively unbothered. You can hit the sort of pothole that would make you wince on a lighter scooter and the CS1 just thumps and carries on. The longer wheelbase and bigger wheels add a very noticeable sense of straight-line stability.
Handling-wise, the Apollo feels more nimble and city-sharp: quick direction changes, predictable lean, lighter steering. The Angwatt is more of a cruiser-stable, calm at speed, but a bit more effort to thread through tight pedestrian chicanes or lift the front slightly over curbs.
For pure urban comfort with decent roads, the Apollo is lovely. For mixed surfaces, heavier riders, or cities with truly tragic road maintenance, the Angwatt's bigger tyres and beefier chassis give it a clear real-world advantage.
Performance
Performance is where the personalities really diverge.
The Apollo City 2022, in its single-motor guise, offers brisk-but-sensible acceleration: enough to clear the junction ahead of the cars without feeling like it's trying to pull your arms out of their sockets. In dual-motor Pro trim it wakes up considerably-the launch is strong and hills stop being a worry-but you still get that "polite yet capable" Apollo character. Power delivery is very smooth, especially at low speeds. If you've ever hated the jerky on/off feeling of cheaper throttles, the Apollo will be a relief.
Top speed on the Apollo is in the "fast enough for city traffic" zone. You can cruise at speeds where you're not being bullied by cars, but you're not entering motorcycle territory either. Stability at those speeds is good, though the headlight's strength doesn't quite match the pace on dark, unlit paths.
The Angwatt CS1 2025 comes at things differently: a single motor too, but paired with a very generous controller and a bigger battery behind it. Off the line it has more punch than you expect from a budget single-the controller lets decent current through, and you feel it. It won't match a serious dual-motor scooter, but compared to other single-motor commuters, it has that "oh, okay, this thing goes" moment the first time you pin it.
At the top end, the Angwatt simply stretches further. Real riders are comfortably cruising at speeds where most mid-tier scooters are already fading, and the chassis feels happier at those higher velocities than you'd fear from the price tag. The big wheels help; straight-line stability is strong, and you don't get the nervous twitchiness you sometimes see on small-wheeled budget rockets.
Hill climbing tells a similar story: the Apollo Pro with dual motors is the hill goat of this comparison, but once you normalise for price, the Angwatt's single motor plus high-amp controller combo is very impressive. On serious inclines where 500 W class scooters visibly suffer, the CS1 just slows a bit and keeps going, even with a solid rider aboard.
Braking-wise, the Apollo's sealed drum + regen system is the commuter's dream: consistent in all weather, almost no maintenance, and you can do most of your daily slowing with that left thumb regen, which becomes addictive. The Angwatt's dual mechanical discs plus electronic brake have more outright bite when properly adjusted, but they demand more of you: you'll be tweaking callipers occasionally, and in the wet you need to account for the usual disc lag before they dry and bite fully.
Battery & Range
On paper, the Angwatt has the much bigger tank-and on the road, it feels like it.
The Apollo City 2022 Pro packs enough energy for most commuters to do a spirited round trip, plus some detours, without watching the battery gauge like a hawk. Ride hard and you'll realistically land somewhere in the middle of its claimed range; ride gently and you can push closer to the brochure numbers. The regen throttle recovers a little in stop-and-go traffic, but not enough to rescue truly abusive riding. You also get pleasantly quick charging for the battery size, making lunchtime top-ups very viable.
The Angwatt CS1 2025 simply carries more juice. Real-world riders are seeing day-trip style figures: the kind of distance where your legs are done before the pack is. Even with a heavy rider and mixed terrain, you're still comfortably in "charge every few days" territory for short commutes. You pay for that with longer charge times, so this is more of an overnight-charger than a nip-to-the-office-socket machine.
Range anxiety on the Apollo is manageable as long as you're realistic and not trying to commute like a race run every single day. On the Angwatt, you mostly stop thinking about it unless you're deliberately trying to drain the battery. If your use case includes longer suburban rides or weekend exploring without planning your route around sockets, the CS1 is simply the more relaxed companion.
Portability & Practicality
Let's be blunt: neither of these is a featherweight. If your daily routine includes three flights of stairs and no lift, you're going to get very fit or very annoyed.
The Apollo City 2022, especially in its single-motor trim, is noticeably lighter than the Angwatt, but still squarely in the "hefty" category. Carrying it for short spurts-up a few steps, into a car boot-is doable. Anything longer and you start to question your life choices. The folding latch is quick and secure, but the hook that keeps the stem latched to the deck when carried can be a bit fussy; more than once I've had it pop free mid-carry, which does not improve one's mood.
The Angwatt CS1 2025 is heavier again and feels it. The fold is straightforward and the 2025 tweaks have improved the folded stiffness and noise, but this is a scooter you roll, not shoulder. It fits fine in a car, but lugging it onto trains or up stairwells is work. You do, however, get a rock-solid deck and frame in return, particularly valuable for heavier riders.
On practicality beyond weight, the Apollo scores with its app integration and very high water resistance rating. Tuning regen strength, acceleration curves and speed limits from your phone is genuinely useful, and the IP rating means you can just ride when it's wet without overthinking it. The self-healing tyres and drum brakes mean fewer workshop visits too.
The Angwatt counters with sheer load capacity and that NFC ignition. If you're a big rider, or you carry serious bags, the peace of mind of a structure rated far above standard scooter limits is worth a lot. The NFC start is neat in daily use-tap, ride, tap, walk away-and the improved sealing in the 2025 version means rain isn't the instant no-go it can be on many budget machines, though it still doesn't feel as bomb-proof in foul weather as the Apollo.
Safety
Safety is a mix of design decisions, braking performance, stability, lights and how confident the scooter feels when you're pushing it.
The Apollo City 2022 does very well on the commuter-safety checklist. Dual sealed drum brakes plus that powerful regen throttle give you predictable stopping power in both dry and wet, with no exposed discs to get bent or contaminated. The chassis feels tight at speed, stem wobble is essentially absent when properly maintained, and the IP rating means electrical gremlins in bad weather are far less of a concern. Lighting is good, with integrated turn signals, though the main headlight could do with more punch for very dark paths.
The Angwatt CS1 2025 takes a more performance-oriented approach: big 11-inch tyres for stability, dual mechanical discs with electronic assist for strong stopping, and a decent lighting package with turn signals and side lighting for cross-traffic visibility. On dry roads, braking feels more urgent than the Apollo; in the wet, you need to be aware of typical disc behaviour until they bite. The bigger wheels and long wheelbase do a lot to keep things composed at higher speeds.
From a safety-for-heavy-riders standpoint, the Angwatt's load rating is a huge plus. Many heavier riders are effectively running their scooters at or beyond design limits; on the CS1, you're comfortably inside the intended envelope, and you feel that stiffness underfoot.
If your main enemy is weather, the Apollo has the edge. If your main enemy is mass-your own or what you're carrying-the Angwatt is the safer bet simply because it's built to cope with it.
Community Feedback
| Category | APOLLO City 2022 | ANGWATT CS1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| What riders love | Superb ride comfort for its class; very smooth throttle and regen braking; clean, premium design; low-maintenance drum brakes and self-healing tyres; strong water resistance; app customisation. | Outstanding value for money; big real-world range; strong torque for a single motor; high load capacity and solid "tank-like" feel; comfortable suspension with 11-inch tubeless tyres; quick EU shipping and responsive seller. |
| What riders complain about | Heavier than expected; awkward to carry and folding hook can slip; headlight underwhelming for unlit roads; some early QC issues; price feels steep compared to raw-spec competitors. | Very heavy and bulky; charger fan noise; occasional fussiness with NFC tap; needs brake tuning out of the box; rear fender could be longer; speed readout a bit optimistic. |
Price & Value
This is where things get uncomfortable for the Apollo.
The Apollo City 2022 sits at a price where you expect a coherent, well-finished product from a known brand-and you do get that. The integrated chassis, IP rating, self-healing tyres, refined controls and app ecosystem all cost money to design and support. Over time, low maintenance can claw back some of that upfront price in saved workshop visits.
The Angwatt CS1 2025, though, is in another galaxy in terms of value-per-euro. For roughly half the Apollo's price, you get a far larger battery, higher practical range, bigger tyres, a very beefy frame and genuinely strong performance. It doesn't have the same level of polish, and water resistance and brand ecosystem aren't at Apollo's level, but as a hard-nosed purchase it's extremely persuasive.
If you're paying with your heart as well as your wallet-the "I want something that looks and feels premium" argument-the Apollo still holds its ground. If you're paying primarily with a calculator, the Angwatt runs away with this round.
Service & Parts Availability
Apollo is an established brand with a growing network, particularly in North America and increasingly in Europe. You get documented support channels, official parts, and a company that at least aspires to bicycle-level service culture. Early batches had some teething issues, but reports suggest they've improved both QC and after-sales responsiveness.
Angwatt is newer but not vapourware. European warehouses, relatively fast shipping and mention of local repair partners in listings are encouraging. Community feedback on seller responsiveness is good so far, especially given the price bracket, but it doesn't yet have Apollo's depth of official ecosystem or long track record. For basic parts like tyres, discs and generic electronics, you're fine; for more specific items, you're more in "enthusiast brand" territory.
If long-term, brand-backed support is high on your list, Apollo is the safer, if pricier, bet. If you're comfortable with a more DIY-friendly, community-driven support experience, Angwatt is acceptable-and the money you save can fund a lot of occasional third-party work.
Pros & Cons Summary
| APOLLO City 2022 | ANGWATT CS1 2025 | |
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | APOLLO City 2022 (Pro) | ANGWATT CS1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (peak) | 2 x 500 W (ca. 2.000 W) | 1.000 W |
| Top speed | ca. 51,5 km/h | ca. 55 km/h (higher for some) |
| Realistic range (mixed riding) | ca. 35-40 km | ca. 45-50 km |
| Battery | 48 V 18 Ah (ca. 864 Wh) | 48 V 21,3 Ah (ca. 1.022 Wh) |
| Weight | ca. 29,5 kg | ca. 30 kg |
| Brakes | Dual drum + regen throttle | Dual mechanical disc + E-ABS |
| Suspension | Triple spring (front + dual rear) | Front and rear spring shocks |
| Tyres | 10-inch tubeless self-healing | 11-inch tubeless road/off-road |
| Max load | 120 kg | 200 kg (best ≤150 kg) |
| Water resistance | IP56 | Improved sealing (no formal IP) |
| Charging time | ca. 4 h | ca. 8 h |
| Price | ca. 1.145 € | ca. 496 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If we strip away branding and just look at how much practical performance, comfort and range you're getting for your money, the Angwatt CS1 2025 is the more compelling scooter for most riders. It goes further, carries more, feels utterly unbothered by bad roads, and your bank account barely flinches. For heavier riders especially, it's not even close-the CS1 is one of the few scooters in this price range that feels purpose-built rather than just "rated" on paper.
The Apollo City 2022, though, still has a clear audience. If you ride in all weather, value low maintenance and enjoy the feel of a thought-through, integrated product, it delivers a very civilised commute. It's the nicer object to live with day-to-day, even if it doesn't win every numbers game. Think of it as the polished executive hatchback versus the tuned but slightly rough performance bargain.
If your priority list starts with "range, power, value" and you're not scared of a bit of heft, choose the Angwatt CS1 2025. If your list starts with "refinement, design, weatherproofing, brand ecosystem" and you're prepared to pay for that polish, the Apollo City 2022 still earns its place-just be honest with yourself about how much scooter you really need versus how much scooter you're paying for.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | APOLLO City 2022 (Pro) | ANGWATT CS1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 1,33 €/Wh | ✅ 0,49 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 22,24 €/km/h | ✅ 9,02 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ❌ 34,15 g/Wh | ✅ 29,35 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ❌ 0,57 kg/km/h | ✅ 0,55 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 28,63 €/km | ✅ 9,92 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ❌ 0,74 kg/km | ✅ 0,60 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 21,6 Wh/km | ✅ 20,44 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 38,83 W/km/h | ❌ 18,18 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ✅ 0,01475 kg/W | ❌ 0,03 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 216 W | ❌ 127,75 W |
These metrics show how efficiently each scooter converts money, weight and time into usable performance. Price-per-Wh and price-per-km/h tell you how much performance you buy for each euro. Weight-based metrics highlight how much mass you haul around for the battery, speed and range you get. Wh per km hints at energy efficiency. Power-to-speed, weight-to-power and average charging speed reveal how aggressively a scooter can use its motor and how quickly it refuels between rides. Together, they explain why the Angwatt dominates the value and range conversation, while the Apollo still shines as the more technically "dense" machine in power and charging terms.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | APOLLO City 2022 | ANGWATT CS1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ✅ Slightly lighter overall | ❌ A bit heavier |
| Range | ❌ Adequate but shorter | ✅ Noticeably more real range |
| Max Speed | ❌ Slightly lower cruise | ✅ Higher comfortable top |
| Power | ✅ Strong dual-motor punch | ❌ Single motor less grunt |
| Battery Size | ❌ Smaller capacity pack | ✅ Bigger long-range battery |
| Suspension | ✅ More refined city feel | ❌ Rougher but capable |
| Design | ✅ Sleek integrated aesthetics | ❌ Functional, less elegant |
| Safety | ✅ Better wet brake consistency | ❌ Discs need more care |
| Practicality | ✅ App, regen, weatherproofing | ❌ Bulkier, longer charging |
| Comfort | ✅ Plush on urban streets | ✅ Very comfy, bigger tyres |
| Features | ✅ App, regen throttle, signals | ❌ Fewer smart features |
| Serviceability | ❌ More proprietary parts | ✅ Simpler, more generic bits |
| Customer Support | ✅ Established brand channels | ❌ Newer, less proven |
| Fun Factor | ✅ Smooth, confident carving | ✅ Big-torque budget hooligan |
| Build Quality | ✅ More polished overall | ❌ Solid but less refined |
| Component Quality | ✅ Higher-grade finishing | ❌ More budget hardware |
| Brand Name | ✅ Stronger recognition | ❌ Emerging player |
| Community | ✅ Larger, longstanding base | ❌ Smaller, growing group |
| Lights (visibility) | ✅ Integrated, tidy package | ✅ Good, includes sides |
| Lights (illumination) | ❌ Headlight a bit weak | ✅ Brighter, better spread |
| Acceleration | ✅ Dual motors punchier | ❌ Strong but less savage |
| Arrive with smile factor | ✅ Smooth, composed enjoyment | ✅ Grin from value and shove |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Very low-stress commute | ❌ Slightly more demanding |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much quicker turnarounds | ❌ Slow overnight charging |
| Reliability | ✅ Mature platform, low wear | ❌ Good, but less proven |
| Folded practicality | ❌ Hook can be annoying | ✅ Sturdier folded setup |
| Ease of transport | ✅ Slightly easier to lug | ❌ Heavier, bulkier |
| Handling | ✅ Sharper, more agile | ❌ Stable but less nimble |
| Braking performance | ✅ Strong, consistent with regen | ✅ Powerful discs with care |
| Riding position | ✅ Very natural stance | ✅ Spacious, sturdy deck |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ More premium feel | ❌ More basic cockpit |
| Throttle response | ✅ Exceptionally smooth control | ❌ Strong but less refined |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Clean integrated unit | ✅ Modern NFC centre screen |
| Security (locking) | ✅ App lock, motor resistance | ✅ NFC start adds barrier |
| Weather protection | ✅ Excellent IP56 rating | ❌ Improved but behind |
| Resale value | ✅ Stronger brand helps | ❌ Cheaper, brand unknown |
| Tuning potential | ❌ More closed ecosystem | ✅ Easier modding path |
| Ease of maintenance | ✅ Drums, self-healing tyres | ❌ Discs, more adjustments |
| Value for Money | ❌ You pay for polish | ✅ Huge performance per euro |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the APOLLO City 2022 scores 3 points against the ANGWATT CS1 2025's 7. In the Author's Category Battle, the APOLLO City 2022 gets 31 ✅ versus 16 ✅ for ANGWATT CS1 2025 (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: APOLLO City 2022 scores 34, ANGWATT CS1 2025 scores 23.
Based on the scoring, the APOLLO City 2022 is our overall winner. Out on the road, the Angwatt CS1 2025 just feels like more scooter for less pain: more distance, more shove on hills, more headroom for heavy riders, and a price that makes it feel like you've gamed the system. It may not have the Apollo's polish, but it delivers the kind of carefree, "go wherever you like" riding that keeps you looking for excuses to roll it out of the garage. The Apollo City 2022 is still the smoother, more civilised partner and it genuinely makes commuting feel grown-up rather than scrappy, but in this match-up it struggles to justify its extra cost. If my own money were on the line, I'd live with the Angwatt's rough edges and enjoy the surplus performance and freedom it quietly sneaks into your daily rides.
That's our verdict when we try to stay objective – but hey, riding is mostly about emotions anyway, so pick the one that will make you look forward to your commute every single day.