Apollo City Pro vs Kaabo Mantis X Plus - Premium Commuter Showdown or Just Hype on Two Wheels?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The Kaabo Mantis X Plus edges out overall if you want maximum performance-per-euro and a plusher, more tunable ride, especially for sporty weekend blasts and mixed urban terrain. The Apollo City Pro, however, is the more mature, integrated "daily vehicle" with far better weather protection, smarter safety features, and a more polished user experience.

Choose the Apollo if you commute in real European weather, care about low maintenance and reliability, and want something that feels like a finished product rather than a hot-rod project. Choose the Mantis X Plus if you prioritise fun, carving ability, and value, and you don't mind doing a bit of tinkering now and then.

Both are serious machines; keep reading to see which compromises match your life, not just your spec-sheet fantasies.

Modern mid-tier performance scooters have a tough job: they need to be fast enough to be exciting, comfortable enough for bad tarmac, and civilised enough that you don't look like you've just ridden out of a stunt show. The Apollo City Pro and Kaabo Mantis X Plus both claim to live in that sweet spot - "proper vehicles", not toys, but also not 40 kg monsters.

I've put serious kilometres on both - enough wet commutes, late-night rides and "I'll just take the long way home" detours to see where the brochures end and reality begins. One plays the grown-up, integrated smart-scooter card; the other leans heavily into classic Kaabo "bang-for-buck" performance with some modern refinement layered on top.

If you're torn between these two, you're already shopping smart. The interesting part is not which is "better", but which flavour of compromise you actually want to live with day in, day out. Let's dig in.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters sit in that "serious money, but not insane" bracket: the step up from shared rentals and budget commuters into something you can actually depend on as transport.

The Apollo City Pro aims at the dedicated urban commuter who wants car-replacement vibes: integrated lights, turn signals, an app, strong water resistance, and a very controlled performance profile. Think smart, tidy, relatively premium - the sort of scooter you can park outside an office without looking like you moonlight as a stunt rider.

The Kaabo Mantis X Plus, on paper, targets pretty much the same rider: dual motors, similar weight, similar claimed range, similar top speed. But its soul is different. Kaabo is still very much a performance brand at heart, and the X Plus feels like a tamed-down sports scooter that just happens to be used for commuting.

They compete directly on price segment, performance class, and use case: daily city riding with enough power for hills, and enough comfort to survive less-than-perfect streets.

Design & Build Quality

Pick up the Apollo City Pro and the first impression is: "Ah, someone actually designed this as one product." Integrated cabling, flush lights, rubber deck, and that single-sided fork up front - it looks like consumer electronics on wheels. The chassis feels dense and quiet, with very few rattles even after the honeymoon period. The drum brakes are tucked away, the wiring is mostly invisible, and nothing screams "parts bin".

The Mantis X Plus, by contrast, still has that recognisable Kaabo skeleton: twin swingarms, exposed hardware, and a very traditional "performance scooter" stance. The new TFT display and cleaner controller integration bring it into the modern era, but you still feel like you're riding a well-sorted machine rather than a fully integrated product. It looks purposeful, but also more "mechanical".

Material-wise, both use solid aluminium frames, but the details differ. Apollo's rubber deck and mostly enclosed components make it feel more finished and easier to live with. Kaabo gives you a wider, open deck with a grippy mat and plenty of visible bolts, which is great if you like to wrench, less great if you hate chasing creaks.

Neither feels cheap in the hand, but they communicate very different philosophies: Apollo wants to disappear into your routine; Kaabo wants you to always be aware you're riding a machine with teeth.

Ride Comfort & Handling

On bad city surfaces, both are worlds better than entry-level commuters - but they go about it differently.

The Apollo City Pro uses a relatively firm triple-spring setup: one up front, two at the back. Paired with its tubeless tyres, it filters out the constant buzz of rough tarmac and takes the sting out of potholes. It doesn't bounce or wallow, but it also doesn't give you that "armchair" feeling. It's tuned for controlled commuting rather than off-road play, and you feel that - you're cushioned, but still connected.

The Mantis X Plus is softer and more indulgent. Those adjustable shocks can be dialled in, but even out of the box the ride is noticeably plusher. Cobblestones, expansion joints, nasty patches - the Mantis tends to float more where the Apollo just softens. On long rides, that takes less of a toll on your knees and lower back, especially if you're on the heavier side.

Handling is another split. The Apollo's wider bars and solid stem lock give very reassuring stability at urban speeds. It tracks straight, feels predictable, and doesn't encourage you to misbehave - you can carve, but it prefers clean lines to hooligan antics.

The Mantis X Plus has that classic "Mantis carve": it loves being tipped into corners. The wider, balloon-like tyres and geometry invite you to lean and play. At similar speeds, it feels more agile and playful than the City Pro, though the trade-off is you're more tempted to push your luck - especially on questionable surfaces.

Performance

Both scooters run dual motors in roughly the same power class, and both use modern controllers to make that power civilised. On paper they're close; in practice, the personalities diverge.

The Apollo City Pro delivers what I'd call "organised urgency". It steps off the line cleanly, pulls steadily up through urban speeds, and never feels like it's yanking at your arms. There's enough punch to clear junctions confidently and tackle steep hills without drama, but the throttle mapping leans conservative. You're not fighting it; you're just... going quickly.

The Mantis X Plus, thanks to those sine wave controllers and Kaabo's usual priorities, feels a touch more eager. The initial roll-on is still smooth, but it ramps up with more enthusiasm. If you pin it from a standstill, you get that classic "oh, here we go" shove that performance riders love. It's not silly-fast in the grand scheme of Kaabo, but compared back-to-back with the Apollo, it feels more alive.

Top speed sensation? Both sit in the "this is more than enough for city riding" zone. The Apollo feels calmer near its upper end - the chassis and throttle tuning encourage a slightly more measured pace. The Mantis, meanwhile, feels more playful at higher speeds: stable enough, but lighter on its feet and more eager to dart between gaps.

Braking is where the Apollo quietly flexes. The combination of dual drum brakes and that dedicated regen throttle gives you a level of modulation that's rare in this class. You end up doing most of your slowing with regen, and the drums are just backup. It's almost addictive - rolling off with the left thumb and feeling the scooter scrub speed without dive or squeal.

The Mantis X Plus relies on discs with electronic assist. Stopping power is absolutely there, and the electronic help can prevent full lock-ups, but you do need to stay on top of cable tension and pad wear to keep it sharp. It works, but it feels more "old school scooter" next to Apollo's regen party trick.

Battery & Range

Battery sizes are similar, with the Apollo carrying a slightly larger pack. In the real world, both will give a typical mixed-use rider a healthy day of commuting with margin - we're talking work and back with detours, not just a limp to the office.

The City Pro's slightly bigger battery and efficient regen braking translate into very solid real-world range. You can cruise at sensible speeds, climb a few hills and still have enough energy not to ride home watching the percentage like a hawk. It's a surprisingly "relaxed" battery experience - you don't think about it much unless you're absolutely hammering it.

The Mantis X Plus is respectably close. Ridden in a similar fashion - not full-throttle everywhere - it delivers comparable range. Start living at the top of the throttle and it drops more quickly; that plush suspension and playful power delivery practically beg you to use more energy than you strictly need.

Charging is where things really separate. The Apollo goes from empty to full in under half a working day. You can realistically plug in at the office and be topped up before you leave. The Mantis, with its standard slow charger, takes roughly twice as long. For some riders that's fine - overnight is overnight. For others, that feels dated in this price class, and upgrading chargers becomes an almost mandatory extra.

Portability & Practicality

Let's be blunt: neither of these is what you casually swing over your shoulder. They're both hovering around that "manageable but not friendly" weight range. One flight of stairs? Fine. A metro station death-march? Less fun.

The Apollo's fold is solid but not especially compact. The stem locks down to the deck with a hook system that works once you've learned its quirks, but it's not a one-tap affair. Wide, non-folding handlebars add stability on the road but make threading through narrow doors or tight train aisles a mild comedy routine. For car transport, it's doable - just don't expect dainty.

The Mantis X Plus folds a little more conventionally. The upgraded clamp gives good stiffness when riding and drops quickly when you want it folded. The package is still chunky, but it's slightly easier to live with if you regularly throw it into a boot. The bars are wide too, and the overall feel when carrying is similar: "gym warm-up", not "last-mile gadget".

In terms of day-to-day practicality, the Apollo claws back ground with better weather protection and less-fussy components. Its sealed drums, self-healing tubeless tyres and strong IP rating make it less vulnerable to the usual city abuse. The Mantis is fine in light rain with its IPX5 rating, but you're always a bit more aware of exposed cabling and traditional components when the sky turns grey.

Safety

Safety is where the City Pro feels like it was designed by people who actually commute in traffic every day.

That regen throttle gives you gorgeously controllable deceleration without grabbing a single lever, and the sealed drum brakes are consistent in the wet and need essentially no attention. Add in a bright, properly-aimed headlight, integrated front and rear indicators, a high-visibility brake light, and full 360° lighting, and you feel very "vehicle-like" in traffic, not like an afterthought.

The Mantis X Plus is not far behind on the lighting front: strong headlight, turn signals, and side deck LEDs that do a good job of marking your outline. At night, it looks fantastic and is certainly visible. Braking performance is strong, but relies on traditional discs and mechanical setup. If you're diligent with maintenance, it's confidence-inspiring; if you're not, performance degrades more noticeably than Apollo's drums plus regen.

Weather safety is another clear split. The Apollo's high water resistance and tubeless, self-sealing tyres offer significantly more peace of mind on rainy commutes or debris-strewn bike lanes. The Mantis rides and grips well in poor conditions thanks to its tyres and suspension, but its lower waterproofing and tubed tyres mean there's a bit more low-level anxiety when conditions turn ugly.

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Price & Value

On sticker price alone, the Mantis X Plus comes in clearly cheaper. For riders who shop first by budget and then by brand, that's a powerful hook: dual motors, full suspension, TFT dashboard and strong real-world performance for less money than many "premium commuter" names.

The Apollo City Pro asks for a noticeable premium and, depending on your expectations, doesn't immediately shout "bargain". You're paying for integration, higher water resistance, refined electronics, and a more polished ownership experience rather than raw spec flex. If you just eyeball motors and top speed, it can feel overpriced next to something like the Mantis.

Long-term, though, the value equation isn't just about initial cost. The Apollo's low-maintenance components, better weather sealing and strong support ecosystem in Europe can save money and stress over years of commuting. The Mantis gives better upfront performance-per-euro, but you should be prepared for more hands-on adjustment and a bit more wear-and-tear attention.

Service & Parts Availability

Apollo has built a name on being relatively customer-centric for this industry: decent documentation, active software updates, and a network of authorised partners in key European markets. Parts like controllers, throttles and display units are specific to Apollo, but at least you can get them from one place without trawling dubious marketplaces.

Kaabo, on the other hand, sits on a huge global distribution network. The upside: generic wear items - brake pads, fenders, controllers, even swingarms - are widely available, often at competitive prices. The downside is that support quality depends heavily on whichever regional seller you bought from; some are excellent, some are... less motivating.

In practice, if you're the kind of rider who wants to drop the scooter at a shop and say "call me when it's fixed", Apollo tends to feel more joined-up. If you're comfortable ordering parts and occasionally turning a spanner, Kaabo's ecosystem is very workable and often cheaper.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

Both scooters live in the same performance neighbourhood, but they're very different housemates.

The Kaabo Mantis X Plus is the obvious choice if you want maximum thrill and comfort for the money. The ride is plush, the handling is addictive, and the dashboard and NFC lock give it a genuinely modern feel. You get a lot of scooter for the price - as long as you're fine occasionally tightening bolts, adjusting brakes and accepting that charging is more of an overnight ritual than a coffee-break top-up.

The Apollo City Pro, meanwhile, feels like the more serious transport tool. It's not trying to impress you at every throttle squeeze; it's trying to get you to work, through rain and potholes, with as little drama and maintenance as possible. The regen braking, water resistance, tubeless self-healing tyres and quick charging matter a lot when you stop thinking like a hobbyist and start thinking like a commuter.

If your riding is mostly urban, all-weather and very utility-focused, the Apollo's blend of safety and polish makes it the more rational companion. If your inner child still wants to carve up bike paths at the weekend and you're willing to look after your machine a bit, the Mantis X Plus delivers more grins per euro - even if it occasionally reminds you where Kaabo saves money.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics isolate the dry maths: how much you pay and carry per unit of energy, speed and range, how efficiently each scooter turns battery into kilometres, and how quickly they refill. Lower values generally mean better "bang for the buck" or better efficiency, while the power-to-speed ratio and average charging speed reward stronger performance and quicker turnaround.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the APOLLO City Pro scores 3 points against the KAABO Mantis X Plus's 7. In the Author's Category Battle, the APOLLO City Pro gets 23 ✅ versus 24 ✅ for KAABO Mantis X Plus (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: APOLLO City Pro scores 26, KAABO Mantis X Plus scores 31.

Based on the scoring, the KAABO Mantis X Plus is our overall winner. Between these two, the Kaabo Mantis X Plus ultimately feels like the more emotionally satisfying choice for many riders: it's lively, comfortable, and makes everyday routes feel like something you actually look forward to, not just endure. The fact that it does this while undercutting the Apollo on price is hard to ignore. The Apollo City Pro answers with maturity rather than fireworks; it's the one you trust when the sky opens, the roads are grimy, and you just need your scooter to behave. My heart leans toward the Mantis for its fun factor, but my sensible commuter brain keeps glancing back at the Apollo's rain-ready, low-maintenance realism.

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.