Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The Kaabo Mantis X is the more thrilling scooter on paper - adjustable hydraulic suspension, eager dual motors, and a tempting price - but in day-to-day reality, the Apollo City Pro is the more complete, better-rounded commuter and the overall winner here. The Apollo feels more integrated, better sealed against weather, easier to live with mechanically, and more "finished" as a product.
Choose the Mantis X if you want a sportier, more tunable ride, love the idea of adjustable shocks, and don't mind a bit of extra tinkering and compromise on water protection and charging time. Choose the City Pro if you actually plan to rely on your scooter like a vehicle, ride in the rain, and value low maintenance and strong safety features over headline thrills.
If you're serious about spending this kind of money, it's worth digging into the details - the spec sheets don't tell the full story. Read on; the differences show up once you imagine living with these things for a year, not just the first weekend.
Electric scooters in this power and price bracket are a dangerous place for your wallet. Both the Apollo City Pro and the Kaabo Mantis X promise "car replacement" performance without crossing into full lunatic Wolf Warrior territory.
I've ridden both long enough to know where the brochure ends and the reality begins. One of them feels like a polished consumer product designed for grim, wet Tuesday commutes. The other feels like it was built by enthusiasts who really love carving corners and only grudgingly remembered people might also need to charge it and lock it somewhere.
On the surface, they seem like twins: similar weight, similar headline speed, dual motors, proper suspension. But once you live with them for a few hundred kilometres, the cracks - literal and metaphorical - start to show. Let's go through it piece by piece.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters sit in that "serious money, but not insanity" bracket. We're talking well north of rental-scooter money, but not yet in the flagship hyper-scooter zone. They target riders who have grown out of their Xiaomi or Ninebot and want something that can actually replace a car or a bike on medium-length commutes.
The Kaabo Mantis X leans towards the performance-commuter segment: think sporty rider, some weekend trail detours, big grin at every traffic light. The Apollo City Pro aims at the premium urban commuter: sleek, integrated, app-connected, more about being reliably on time than setting Strava records.
They compete because they share the same broad formula: dual motors, real suspension, roughly similar top-end speed, real-world range good enough for longer city commutes. If you're shopping one, you'll inevitably bump into the other - and that's where the nuances matter.
Design & Build Quality
Pick up the Apollo City Pro and it feels like a single, intentional object. Cabling is mostly internal, the lights, display and controls feel like they were designed as a system, not bought from three different Alibaba vendors. The frame is dense and quiet: no chorus of rattles when you bounce it off a kerb. The rubber deck mat is one of those small touches you only really appreciate after a few rainy days - a quick wipe and it looks civilised again.
The Mantis X goes for an industrial, "performance hardware" vibe. The C-shaped swingarms and chunky frame look ready for abuse, and the one-piece forged sections do inspire confidence. Up close, though, it still feels more like a very nicely assembled parts-bin special. You see more exposed wiring, more generic switchgear, and the cockpit is a little more "tuning shop" than "finished product". Not bad - just less cohesive.
Folding mechanisms are actually a good window into design philosophy. Apollo's system locks the stem rock-solid when upright, which is great, but the hook that secures it when folded can be fiddly until your muscle memory kicks in. The Mantis X borrows a beefy clamp from Kaabo's higher-end models: quick, solid, and confidence-inspiring. Folded, the Mantis feels more "grab-and-go"; unfolded, the Apollo feels more like a sealed, urban tool. Different priorities, both competent.
Ride Comfort & Handling
On rough city streets, the difference in suspension character is immediate. The Apollo's triple-spring setup is tuned for urban tarmac: firm enough that it doesn't wallow, soft enough to take the sting out of potholes and cracked asphalt. Combined with tubeless tyres you can run a bit softer, it delivers that "floating over broken pavement" feeling without turning into a pogo stick at speed.
The Mantis X hits back with adjustable hydraulic shocks. This is catnip for riders who like to tinker: you can soften things for cobblestones or stiffen everything up for fast, sweeping bike paths. When dialled in, it soaks up city chatter beautifully and is arguably plusher than the Apollo on truly ugly surfaces. The flip side is that bad adjustment, or simply never touching the knobs, can leave you with either a sofa or a plank. It rewards the engaged rider; it doesn't babysit the lazy one.
Handling-wise, both have reassuringly wide decks and bars, but they have different personalities. The Apollo feels very planted and neutral - you point, it goes, with little drama. Great for threading traffic in the rain when you'd rather be anywhere else. The Mantis X is keener to lean and carve; those wide 3,0-inch tyres dig in and invite you to cut faster lines through bends. It's the one that makes you take the long way home "just to check that one turn again".
Performance
Acceleration on both is in the "this is no toy anymore" category. Dual motors mean they shrug off city starts and will have you ahead of traffic without much effort. The Apollo delivers its shove in a very linear, controlled way - the MACH controller smooths things out so you surge forward rather than get catapulted. You can ride it in heavy traffic without constantly thinking "this thing is trying to kill me", which is nice.
The Mantis X is a bit more excitable. In its stronger modes, it jumps forward eagerly; Kaabo motors are known for overachieving relative to their rated wattage. Sine-wave controllers do tame the worst jerkiness, but the scooter still feels more eager and playful out of the blocks. If you like to be first away at every light, it'll suit you. If you're the "hands slightly sweaty" type, the Apollo is easier to manage at the limit.
At higher speeds, both sit in the same broad territory. Apollo's top-end is marginally higher on paper, but on real roads they feel similar: quick enough that you start worrying more about local laws and your helmet than whether there's another five kilometres per hour left. The difference is in how they behave there. The City Pro feels calm and composed; you're aware you're moving fast, but the chassis doesn't feel out of its depth. The Mantis X feels more alive - stable, but with a touch more feedback through the bars and deck. Some will call that "engaging", others will call it "a reminder this thing has teeth".
Braking is a tale of philosophies. Apollo leans heavily on its dedicated regen throttle. You end up doing most of your slowing with your left thumb, barely touching the mechanical drums. It's smooth, progressive and recycles a bit of energy - after a few days it becomes second nature, and you start to miss it on other scooters. The Mantis X uses discs plus electronic braking: good bite, plenty of power, but more conventional. You do more work at the levers, and in really poor grip you have to modulate more yourself. Both stop you; Apollo makes it feel more refined and one-finger easy.
Battery & Range
Both scooters sit in that sweet spot where real-world range is enough for serious daily duty without turning the chassis into a battery with wheels. The Apollo packs more energy on paper, and you feel that on longer runs. Ridden briskly in mixed modes, it comfortably does a typical there-and-back urban commute without entering "please-find-a-plug" territory. Only heavy riders hammering top mode all the time will push it towards the lower end of its real range.
The Mantis X has a slightly smaller battery, but it's not meaningfully behind in day-to-day use if your commute is moderate. Ride it hard and you're still looking at a respectable distance before it starts dropping towards the last bars. Where things diverge is charging. The Apollo charges from empty in roughly a long afternoon; it's perfectly plausible to top it from low to full during half a workday and ride home with confidence. The Mantis, with its stock charger, is an overnight proposition. For most people that's fine, but if you're the forgetful type who realises at 11:00 that you need a full battery by 16:00, the Apollo is far more forgiving.
Voltage sag - that sense of a scooter going limp as the battery drains - is reasonably well controlled on both. The Kaabo stays lively almost until late in the pack; the Apollo also keeps enough punch to tackle end-of-day hills without humiliating you. Still, that extra capacity and faster charge on the Apollo make it feel more like a "real vehicle" and less like a toy you have to schedule around.
Portability & Practicality
On the scale, the two are basically in the same "are you sure you want to carry that?" category. Around the thirty-kilo mark isn't something you casually haul up four flights of stairs every evening, no matter how strong your intentions were when you clicked "buy".
The Apollo is honest about this: it feels dense, and the fixed-width handlebars don't exactly help it sneak into tight spaces. Getting it into a small boot or a packed train carriage often involves a bit of Tetris. If your routine includes lots of stairs and public transport, you'll quickly tire of it. As a ground-floor, elevator, or car-boot scooter, however, it's fine.
The Mantis X is similarly heavy, but its folding package is a touch more cooperative. The way the stem locks to the rear lends itself better to short carries, and the slightly narrower folded stance makes it easier to stash under a desk or in a hallway. Still, let's not romanticise: neither of these is a "last-mile" featherweight. They're roll-to-the-door, lift-only-when-needed machines, and your back will agree.
Safety
Safety is one area where Apollo has clearly been obsessing. The IP66 rating means rain is a nuisance, not a threat. You don't need to eyeball every puddle and wonder whether a stray splash is going to end your controller. The lighting package is properly thought through: a bright, high-mounted headlight that illuminates the road, brake light behaviour that actually communicates, and turn signals at both bar and deck level that cars can't pretend they didn't see. Paired with self-healing tyres that shrug off most small punctures, it feels built for those days when everything on the road is trying to ruin your mood.
The Mantis X does make a genuine effort with safety too: a real headlight (not the candle Kaabo used to get away with), turn signals, and a serious stem clamp that bans wobble from the party. Tyre grip is excellent thanks to the wider rubber, and the overall stance is stable at speed. But the IP rating is more "it'll cope with showers if you're sensible" than "don't care, I'm going anyway". And you're back to tubes in the tyres - absolutely fine if you're used to checking pressures and maybe adding sealant, but it does mean punctures are back on the menu.
Braking confidence tilts again towards Apollo's side: dual drums plus that regen lever bring you down from speed with minimal drama and almost no maintenance. The Mantis X's discs work well, but need occasional adjustment and are more exposed to the elements. On a grim wet evening, the Apollo simply feels more like a machine that anticipates the real world.
Community Feedback
| Apollo City Pro | Kaabo Mantis X |
|---|---|
| What riders love | What riders love |
| Refined, quiet chassis; ride feels "premium" and integrated. Regen throttle becomes addictive, with many reporting they hardly touch the mechanical brakes. Strong confidence in wet weather thanks to the high water resistance and self-healing tyres. App customisation and the overall "finished product" feel get mentioned a lot. | Suspension comfort and adjustability are constantly praised; many call it "cloud-like". Punchy hill-climbing and playful acceleration make it a favourite among sporty riders. Solid stem and improved folding earn trust compared to older Kaabos. NFC start and the general "cool factor" come up often. |
| What riders complain about | What riders complain about |
| Weight is the number one gripe; many underestimated how hard it is to carry. Rear mudguard doesn't fully save you from spray unless you add an extender. The folding hook can be annoyingly finicky until you learn its quirks. A few nitpicks about throttle comfort on very long rides. | Again, weight - people expect something more portable than it really is. Long stock charging time frustrates heavier users. Fender coverage and flats on tubed tyres are recurring annoyances. Some wish hydraulic brakes were standard, and there are scattered comments about slightly cheap-feeling switchgear. |
Price & Value
On sticker price alone, the Mantis X looks like the bargain. It undercuts the Apollo by a non-trivial margin and throws adjustable hydraulics and that sporty character into the mix. To a spec-sheet shopper, it screams "best bang for your buck". And if your metric is fun per euro, especially on good weather days, it makes a strong case for itself.
The Apollo asks for more upfront and doesn't shout nearly as loudly about it. Where it earns its keep is in the boring stuff: water sealing, low-maintenance brakes, tubeless self-healing tyres, faster charging, and a more polished electronics package. None of that looks sexy in an advert, but it does matter the fifth time you ride home in the rain or the first time you don't get stranded by a pinch flat. Over a couple of seasons, that premium starts to feel less like overpaying and more like having quietly bought the "grown-up" choice.
Service & Parts Availability
Apollo has spent a lot of energy building a brand around service and customer experience, especially in Europe. Their scooters feel like they were designed with aftersales in mind: modular components, app diagnostics, clear communication about updates. They've had their teething problems like everyone else, but the pattern is: identify, revise, roll out. For the average rider who doesn't want to live on forums, that is reassuring.
Kaabo, meanwhile, has the advantage of a large global footprint. There are plenty of distributors, plenty of third-party parts, and a huge modding community. Need a brake rotor, a replacement fender, or a whole new swingarm? Someone has it, somewhere. The flip side is that your experience can vary a lot depending on which local dealer you buy from; the brand's support culture isn't as consistently packaged as Apollo's. Enthusiasts thrive in this ecosystem; less technical riders may occasionally feel like they've been handed a nice bit of hardware and told, "Good luck, you'll figure it out."
Pros & Cons Summary
| Apollo City Pro | Kaabo Mantis X |
|---|---|
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Cons
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Cons
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | Apollo City Pro | Kaabo Mantis X |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (nominal) | 2 x 500 W (dual) | 2 x 500 W (dual) |
| Top speed | ca. 51,5 km/h | ca. 50 km/h |
| Real-world range | ca. 40-50 km | ca. 45 km |
| Battery | 48 V 20 Ah (960 Wh) | 48 V 18,2 Ah (ca. 874 Wh) |
| Weight | 29,5 kg | 29 kg |
| Brakes | Dual drum + regen (Power RBS) | Dual 140 mm discs + EABS |
| Suspension | Front spring, dual rear springs | Front & rear adjustable hydraulic shocks |
| Tyres | 10" tubeless self-healing pneumatic | 10 x 3,0" tubed pneumatic (CST) |
| Max load | 120 kg | 120 kg |
| IP rating | IP66 | IPX5 (scooter), IPX7 (display) |
| Charging time (stock charger) | ca. 4,5 h | ca. 9 h |
| Typical price | ca. 1.649 € | ca. 1.250 € (mid-range) |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If you strip away the marketing and the YouTube hype, the Apollo City Pro ends up being the more sensible, rounded choice for most people who are actually going to commute on these things. It's better protected against the elements, easier to live with in terms of maintenance, and has a level of integration that makes it feel like a mature product rather than a very fast toy. You sacrifice a little raw excitement and you pay more for the privilege, but what you get back is day-to-day trust.
The Kaabo Mantis X is the more charismatic one - the scooter you buy because you like riding for its own sake. Its adjustable hydraulic suspension and more playful acceleration make it the better pick for riders who savour the journey, tinker with settings, and mostly ride in decent weather. If budget is tight and you want as much performance as you can get for the money, it's hard to ignore.
But if we're talking about a single do-it-all machine to rely on through a couple of winters, with as little drama as possible, the scales tilt towards the Apollo City Pro. The Mantis X is the fun fling; the City Pro is the one you're still glad to see every rainy Monday morning.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | Apollo City Pro | Kaabo Mantis X |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 0,00172 €/Wh | ✅ 0,00143 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 32,01 €/km/h | ✅ 25,00 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 30,73 g/Wh | ❌ 33,18 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 0,57 kg/km/h | ❌ 0,58 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 36,64 €/km | ✅ 27,78 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ❌ 0,66 kg/km | ✅ 0,64 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 21,33 Wh/km | ✅ 19,42 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ❌ 19,42 W/(km/h) | ✅ 20,00 W/(km/h) |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ❌ 0,0295 kg/W | ✅ 0,0290 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 213,33 W | ❌ 97,11 W |
These metrics look purely at maths: how much you pay per unit of energy, speed, or range; how heavy the scooter is relative to its battery and performance; and how quickly you can refill that battery. Lower values generally mean better efficiency or value, while the power-to-speed ratio and charging speed reward stronger motors or faster refuelling. They don't capture ride feel or build quality, but they're useful if you like to justify your choice with a spreadsheet.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | Apollo City Pro | Kaabo Mantis X |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ❌ Slightly heavier, bulky bars | ✅ Marginally lighter, neater fold |
| Range | ✅ Bigger pack, flexible use | ❌ Slightly smaller real range |
| Max Speed | ✅ Tiny edge, very stable | ❌ Slightly lower, similar feel |
| Power | ❌ Smoother, a bit tamer | ✅ Punchier, more eager |
| Battery Size | ✅ Noticeably larger capacity | ❌ Smaller, still decent |
| Suspension | ❌ Good, but non-adjustable | ✅ Adjustable hydraulics, plush |
| Design | ✅ Integrated, clean, modern | ❌ More parts-bin industrial |
| Safety | ✅ IP66, regen, strong lights | ❌ Weaker IP, more tinkering |
| Practicality | ✅ Better charging, low fuss | ❌ Long charges, more upkeep |
| Comfort | ✅ Very good urban comfort | ✅ Superb when dialled correctly |
| Features | ✅ App, regen throttle, signals | ❌ Fewer integrated smart tricks |
| Serviceability | ✅ Cleaner, low-maintenance setup | ✅ Huge parts, mod ecosystem |
| Customer Support | ✅ Strong, brand-driven support | ❌ Dealer-dependent experience |
| Fun Factor | ❌ Calm, composed, less wild | ✅ Sporty, playful personality |
| Build Quality | ✅ Very solid, few rattles | ❌ Good, but less refined |
| Component Quality | ✅ Integrated, thought-through bits | ❌ Some plasticky controls |
| Brand Name | ✅ Strong commuter reputation | ✅ Big performance pedigree |
| Community | ✅ Active, but smaller | ✅ Huge Kaabo user base |
| Lights (visibility) | ✅ 360° package, clear signals | ❌ Improved, but still behind |
| Lights (illumination) | ✅ Strong, useful headlight | ❌ Better than old, still meh |
| Acceleration | ❌ Smooth rather than ferocious | ✅ Sharper, more exciting pull |
| Arrive with smile factor | ✅ Smooth, satisfying commute | ✅ Grin-inducing performance |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Very composed, low stress | ❌ Sportier, more demanding |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much faster refill time | ❌ Definitely overnight only |
| Reliability | ✅ Sealed, low-wrench use | ❌ More things to babysit |
| Folded practicality | ❌ Wide bars, awkward shape | ✅ Tidier footprint folded |
| Ease of transport | ❌ Heavy, no folding bars | ✅ Slightly easier to lug |
| Handling | ✅ Stable, predictable manners | ✅ Lively, precise carving |
| Braking performance | ✅ Strong regen + drums | ❌ Good, but less refined |
| Riding position | ✅ Comfortable for longer stints | ✅ Spacious, excellent stance |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Solid, confidence-inspiring | ❌ Fine, but more generic |
| Throttle response | ✅ Smooth, controllable curve | ❌ Sharper, less forgiving |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Integrated, clear enough | ✅ Modern centre display |
| Security (locking) | ✅ App lock, some deterrence | ✅ NFC keycard ignition |
| Weather protection | ✅ IP66, very rain-capable | ❌ Adequate, but not great |
| Resale value | ✅ Premium commuter appeal | ✅ Strong Kaabo demand |
| Tuning potential | ❌ More closed, app-focused | ✅ Modder-friendly platform |
| Ease of maintenance | ✅ Drums, tubeless, fewer issues | ❌ Discs, tubes, more upkeep |
| Value for Money | ✅ Higher price, higher polish | ✅ Cheaper, huge performance |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the APOLLO City Pro scores 3 points against the KAABO Mantis X's 7. In the Author's Category Battle, the APOLLO City Pro gets 31 ✅ versus 19 ✅ for KAABO Mantis X (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: APOLLO City Pro scores 34, KAABO Mantis X scores 26.
Based on the scoring, the APOLLO City Pro is our overall winner. Between these two, the Apollo City Pro feels more like a partner you can trust every single day, in any weather, without thinking too much about it. The Kaabo Mantis X is the more exciting date - it flirts harder, carves better, and gives you that little hit of adrenaline every time you twist your wrist, but it asks more of you in return. If I had to live with one as my only scooter for a couple of years of real commuting, I'd take the calmer, better-sealed, more sorted Apollo. The Mantis X is wonderfully tempting, but the City Pro is the one that quietly keeps showing up and doing the job, and that matters more once the honeymoon is over.
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.