Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro takes the overall win here: it delivers stronger real-world performance and similar comfort for noticeably less money, making it the more rational choice for most riders. The Apollo City Pro answers with better weather protection, more polished integration, and a slightly more refined "consumer electronics" feel, but you pay a hefty premium for it.
Pick the KingSong if you want maximum punch, solid range and don't mind a bit of utilitarian charm. Choose the Apollo if you ride in foul weather, care deeply about design and safety features like powerful regen and high-grade water resistance, and are willing to pay for that polish.
If you can spare a few minutes, the detailed comparison below will make it much easier to decide which compromises fit your daily reality.
There's a particular class of scooter that promises to "replace your car" while still fitting in a lift and not terrifying your neighbours. The Apollo City Pro and the KingSong KS-N12 Pro both live in that middleweight, "serious but not insane" bracket: big batteries, real speed, dual suspension, and weights that make your lower back sigh just from reading the spec sheet.
I've spent a lot of kilometres on both, from wet, miserable commutes to sunny Sunday blasts where you take the long way home just because. On paper they look like siblings; on the road they feel like two different answers to the same question: how fast and how refined does a city scooter really need to be?
If you're torn between slick integration and raw value, between IP ratings and wallet pain, keep reading-this is exactly the kind of comparison that prevents expensive buyer's remorse.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters sit in the "upper-middle" commuter category: big enough batteries for proper daily duty, real top speeds that can keep pace with city traffic, and enough suspension travel that cobbles and tram tracks don't feel like a torture device.
The Apollo City Pro feels like it was designed by a consumer tech company that accidentally built a scooter: integrated cables, posh lighting, slick app, and a dual-motor setup tuned more for smoothness than drama. It targets riders who want a premium-feeling, feature-rich commuter they can ride all year, in all weather, without constantly wrenching on it.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro comes from the electric unicycle world, and it shows. This is a scooter built by engineers who obsess about batteries and controllers first, looks second. You get a higher-voltage drive train, strong torque and a surprisingly cushy ride, wrapped in styling that's more "serious tool" than art object.
They cost roughly the same to live with in terms of weight and day-to-day hassle, but not in money. That alone makes this an important head-to-head for anyone ready to upgrade from their first toy scooter to a grown-up machine.
Design & Build Quality
Put them side by side and the design philosophies couldn't be clearer.
The Apollo City Pro is the beauty queen here. The chassis looks like one continuous piece, with cables hidden away and panels fitting together cleanly. The rubber deck, the sculpted swingarms, the cyber-grey finish - it all whispers "premium laptop" more than "Chinese parts bin special". In the hand, the frame feels dense and rigid; nothing rattles unless you go looking for it.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro is more industrial. Aluminium frame, visible (though fairly tidy) cabling, and that RGB deck lighting which can look either cool or slightly nightclub-on-wheels depending on your taste. It feels solidly bolted together, but not quite as cohesively designed as the Apollo. You're always aware you're looking at a well-engineered scooter, not a piece of industrial design chasing awards.
On folding mechanisms, Apollo goes for a very tight, play-free stem lock that feels reassuring when you're hammering along at speed. Folded, however, the hook-to-deck latch can be annoyingly fiddly; hit it wrong and you'll spend a few seconds swearing and re-aligning. KingSong's quick-release lever and hook-on-fender is less glamorous but more straightforward in daily use-grab, flip, done. Neither feels cheap; they just prioritise different parts of the experience.
Overall, the Apollo wins on perceived build quality and visual integration; the KingSong feels a bit more "engineer's scooter" than "designer's scooter". Whether that matters after the first week is another question.
Ride Comfort & Handling
Both scooters are light-years ahead of entry-level machines when it comes to comfort. After a few kilometres on cracked pavements with these two, going back to a solid-tyre rental feels like punishment.
The Apollo's triple-spring setup (one up front, two at the rear) is tuned on the firmer side for city riding. It rounds off sharp edges and soaks up the constant chatter of bad tarmac without turning bouncy. Combined with its tubeless, relatively tall tyres, it gives that "floating just above the road" feeling while still staying precise when you tip into a turn. The wide handlebars give you lots of leverage, though they can feel a bit overkill in cramped bike lanes.
The KingSong runs dual spring suspension front and rear with standard pneumatic tyres. It's slightly more plush over potholes and cobbles, with a bit more initial give in the springs. On broken city asphalt, it's very easy on knees and wrists; long stretches of ugly cycle path become genuinely tolerable. Handling is neutral and predictable - you can lean it confidently into corners without worrying about surprise wobbles.
Where they diverge is "feel". The Apollo feels a touch more buttoned-down at higher speeds, like a heavier, planted machine that wants smooth inputs. The KingSong has a more playful character: it's sure-footed, but the single rear motor and geometry make it feel a little more eager to dart and weave.
If your commute is a mix of semi-decent streets with the odd nasty section, you'll be happy on either. If you live somewhere where the road budget clearly went missing a decade ago, the KingSong's slightly softer setup gives it a marginal edge in day-to-day comfort.
Performance
On raw grunt, the spec sheets tell one story; the road tells another.
The Apollo's dual motors deliver very civilised power. Launches are smooth rather than violent - more "strong metro train" than "dragster". It pulls willingly up to its top end and holds speed on hills impressively, especially for heavier riders. If you're used to anaemic single-motor commuters, it feels like someone finally gave you the missing half of the power you always wanted. But it's not the kind of scooter that tries to flip you off the back when you pin the throttle.
The KingSong, by contrast, feels feistier in everyday use despite having only one motor. The higher-voltage system and torquier rear hub give it a punchy mid-range. From standstill to city speeds, it leaps forward with that satisfying shove that makes you quietly glad you're wearing a helmet. On steep climbs, it just keeps grinding upwards without that depressing "slowing to jogging pace" moment you get on cheaper machines.
At the top end, both sit in the same broad "this is quite a lot of speed for small wheels" zone. The Apollo feels slightly more composed when you're flat out, thanks to that planted chassis and wide bars. The KingSong is still stable, but communicates more of what the road is doing under you - some riders like that, others prefer the Apollo's more filtered sensation.
Braking is a fascinating contrast. Apollo's dual drum brakes are backed up by its dedicated regen throttle, and that regen is the real star. Once you adapt, you can ride whole commutes barely touching the mechanical levers, modulating your speed with one finger and feeding energy back into the pack. It's smooth, predictable, and frankly addictive.
KingSong goes for a mixed front drum / rear disc setup plus electronic ABS. The feel is more traditional: a firm squeeze gives you a strong, confidence-inspiring stop, and the drum up front shrugs off rain and grime. The rear disc adds bite when you really need to haul it down quickly. It's not as seamless or "techy" as Apollo's regen-centric approach, but it works well and is easy for any rider to understand immediately.
If you love a very refined, controlled performance envelope with fancy regen tricks, the Apollo will keep you happy. If you just want a scooter that kicks hard, climbs like it means it, and stops with no drama, the KingSong quietly out-punches its price tag.
Battery & Range
Both scooters promise ambitious headline ranges that belong more to marketing departments than actual cities. Out in the real world, ridden like a normal human and not a lab robot, they're actually surprisingly close.
The Apollo carries a slightly larger battery, using modern cells and a conservative tuning that favours longevity and reliability. On mixed-mode commuting with some hills and a healthy use of the faster modes, you're looking at several tens of kilometres comfortably - enough for a serious two-way commute plus detours. Ride it flat-out in the highest mode, especially if you're a heavier rider, and you can drain it in a long afternoon, but that's hardly shocking.
The KingSong's pack is a touch smaller on paper but backed by that 60 V architecture and decent efficiency. In practice, both scooters land in a very similar "about half a century of kilometres" envelope when ridden briskly. The KingSong holds its power a bit better deeper into the battery; it feels less sluggish when you drop below half, whereas the Apollo starts to feel more like a sensible commuter than a sprinter as the charge dwindles.
Charging is where things part ways. Apollo's fast-charge setup gets its bigger pack refilled in an afternoon; plug it in at lunch and you can be back to near-full before rush hour. The charger fan is a bit noisy, but that's the price of speed. KingSong takes the "overnight and forget about it" approach: plug in when you get home, unplug in the morning. It's not slow by budget-scooter standards, but if you're used to faster top-ups, you'll notice the difference.
From a range-anxiety perspective, neither is a nail-biter for typical city use. The Apollo gives marginally more absolute capacity; the KingSong counters with a better €-per-kilometre story.
Portability & Practicality
Let's be blunt: neither of these is "portable" in the way marketing brochures like to pretend. They're both right around the "I regret this decision by the second flight of stairs" mark.
The Apollo feels every bit as heavy as its spec suggests. Carrying it for a few steps into a train or up a short staircase is fine; anything more and you'll start planning your life around lifts and ground-floor storage. The wide, non-folding handlebars don't help: they're great while riding, less so when you're trying to wedge the thing into a crowded train vestibule or a tiny boot.
The KingSong weighs almost the same, and your back will not notice the difference. Its folding is quicker and a bit more idiot-proof; the latch geometry also makes it slightly easier to pick up and swing into a car. The bar width is a touch more forgiving for doorways and corridors, but we're not in "slimline commuter" territory here either.
On daily practicality, it's more nuanced. Apollo's high water-resistance means you simply stop worrying about the forecast - ride through heavy rain, hose the deck off later, done. The self-healing tyres and drum brakes minimise workshop visits. KingSong counters with a big-rider-friendly frame, high load rating, and a strong kickstand plus simple, effective locking positions that make it easy to park and chain up.
If your routine involves lots of carrying or tight multi-modal gymnastics, frankly, you should be looking at something lighter entirely. Between these two, the KingSong is a hair easier to live with when folded; the Apollo is easier to live with when the sky opens.
Safety
Both manufacturers took safety seriously, but they prioritised different aspects.
Apollo puts on a masterclass in all-weather, all-visibility commuting. That serious front light actually puts usable light on the road, not just on passing car bumpers. The integrated handlebar and rear turn signals are bright and genuinely helpful - you can signal without letting go of the bars, which matters more than you think in busy traffic. The rear brake light behaviour is clear, and the 360-degree lighting makes you feel like a moving road feature rather than a stealth target. Add the high water resistance and puncture-resistant tyres, and you have a scooter that remains predictable even in weather that would send most riders back to the tram.
KingSong answers with a broad lighting package of its own - a good headlight, deck lighting and turn signals that actually look like they belong there, not like an after-thought accessory. You're visible, and the RGB elements give you a lot of side-on presence at night. The hybrid braking system, plus E-ABS, gives you strong and consistent stopping in dry and wet. Grip from the tyres is very decent, and the chassis doesn't develop twitchiness even when you're pressing on.
Where KingSong loses a little ground is weather sealing. It's fine for wet roads and light rain if you're sensible, but it's not the scoot I'd choose for repeated "London in November" downpours. Apollo's higher protection rating is a genuine advantage if you commute in a rainy climate and don't have the luxury of "just taking the car" instead.
Community Feedback
| APOLLO City Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|
| What riders love | What riders love |
| Sleek design, integrated cabling, and premium feel. Very smooth ride with triple suspension and tubeless tyres. Powerful, controllable regen braking used for most stops. Excellent wet-weather confidence and minimal maintenance hardware. Strong hill performance even for heavier riders. | Punchy acceleration and great hill-climbing. Comfortable suspension and big-tyre ride quality. Solid, rattle-free build with "serious vehicle" feel. Eye-catching lighting and good night visibility. Good real-world range and value for the performance. |
| What riders complain about | What riders complain about |
| Heavy and awkward to carry; not stair-friendly. Price sits at the sharp end of the commuter spectrum. Folding hook can be fiddly to latch. Rear fender could do a better job in heavy rain. Charger fan noise and some throttle-comfort nitpicks. | Also very heavy; not for walk-ups. Charging time feels long by modern standards. Mechanical brakes instead of hydraulics at this level. Rear fender and kickstand design draw some grumbles. Occasional app/Bluetooth quirks and display visibility in harsh sun. |
Price & Value
This is where the match stops being friendly and starts getting a bit one-sided.
The Apollo City Pro sits firmly in premium-commuter pricing territory. You're paying for its integrated design, high water resistance, regen sophistication and that feeling that someone actually thought about user experience beyond the spec sheet. If you ride daily, year-round, and want something that feels more like a finished product than a kit of parts, the price is at least defensible-even if it's a bit of a wince at checkout.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro undercuts it significantly while offering comparable comfort, similar real-world range, and stronger bang-for-buck performance. You give up some refinement and all-weather bragging rights, but your wallet suffers a lot less. For many riders, that's the smarter compromise: it feels like a "grown-up" scooter at a mid-range price, not a mid-range scooter pretending to be premium.
In pure value terms-how much ride you get for each euro-the KingSong clearly has the upper hand.
Service & Parts Availability
Apollo has spent real effort building a support ecosystem, with a reputation (in Europe too) for being more responsive than the average anonymous import brand. Firmware updates, documented fixes, and a decent supply of spares make life easier if you're not the DIY type. That said, turnaround times and local partner quality still vary by country; the reality doesn't always match the marketing gloss, but it's better than many.
KingSong comes from the electric unicycle scene, which is famously demanding when it comes to reliability. That heritage helps: control boards, batteries and key components are generally robust, and there's an established network of EUC-focused dealers in Europe who also handle the scooters. Parts availability is decent, especially for electronic bits; plastics and fenders can be more hit-and-miss outside major markets.
If you want the more polished, hand-holding ownership experience, Apollo nudges ahead. If you already have a trusted EUC/scooter specialist shop, they're probably very comfortable working on the KingSong as well.
Pros & Cons Summary
| APOLLO City Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|
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Cons
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Cons
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | APOLLO City Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (rated / peak) | Dual 500 W / 2.000 W peak | 1.000 W rear / 1.400 W peak |
| Top speed (unrestricted) | Approx. 51,5 km/h | Approx. 50 km/h |
| Battery | 48 V 20 Ah (960 Wh) | 60 V 14,5 Ah (858 Wh) |
| Claimed max range | Up to 69,2 km | Up to 80 km |
| Real-world range (typical) | Ca. 40-50 km | Ca. 40-50 km |
| Weight | 29,5 kg | 29,3 kg |
| Brakes | Dual drum + strong regen | Front drum + rear disc + E-ABS |
| Suspension | Front spring + dual rear springs | Dual spring suspension (front & rear) |
| Tyres | 10" tubeless self-healing pneumatic | 10" pneumatic road tyres |
| Max load | 120 kg | 120 kg |
| IP rating / water resistance | IP66 | Approx. IP54 |
| Charging time | Ca. 4,5 h | Ca. 7-8 h |
| Lights & indicators | Bright headlight, brake light, integrated turn signals | Headlight, brake light, RGB deck lights, turn signals |
| App support | Apollo app (tuning, lock, stats) | KingSong app (modes, lights, lock) |
| Approx. price | Ca. 1.649 € | Ca. 1.076 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If you strip away the marketing fluff, both the Apollo City Pro and the KingSong KS-N12 Pro are competent, capable, bordering-on-premium commuters. Neither is a game-changer, but both are a giant leap above the lightweight toys many people start on.
The KingSong KS-N12 Pro is the more convincing package for most riders. It offers strong real-world performance, very usable range, comfortable suspension and a solid, confident ride at a price that doesn't feel like punishment. It may lack the Apollo's flashier polish and weather-proofing, but as a daily transport tool per euro, it's hard to argue against.
The Apollo City Pro earns its place if you live somewhere wet, care deeply about design and integration, and really value sophisticated regen braking and high water resistance. It feels more "finished" in several small ways, but you pay quite a lot for those niceties, and the performance gap in its favour simply isn't big enough to justify the extra outlay for everyone.
My simple guidance: if you're a pragmatic commuter who wants maximum scooter for the money, go KingSong. If you're the sort of person who happily pays extra for nicer materials, better sealing and slicker UX-and you actually ride in the rain-then you'll likely be happier on the Apollo, even if your accountant won't.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | APOLLO City Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 0,00172 €/Wh | ✅ 0,00125 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 32,02 €/km/h | ✅ 21,52 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 30,73 g/Wh | ❌ 34,16 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 0,57 kg/km/h | ❌ 0,59 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 36,64 €/km | ✅ 23,91 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ❌ 0,66 kg/km | ✅ 0,65 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 21,33 Wh/km | ✅ 19,07 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 38,83 W/km/h | ❌ 28,00 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ✅ 0,01475 kg/W | ❌ 0,02093 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 213,33 W | ❌ 114,40 W |
These metrics look purely at how efficiently each scooter converts price, weight, power, battery capacity and charging into measurable outputs. Lower cost per Wh or per kilometre rewards better value; lower weight per Wh or per kilometre favours lighter, denser packages. Wh per km shows energy efficiency in real use. Power-to-speed and weight-to-power describe how much punch you get for the scooter's size. Average charging speed simply reflects how quickly the charger can refill the battery. None of this accounts for feel, design or weather resilience-just the maths.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | APOLLO City Pro | KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ❌ Slightly heavier, bulky bars | ✅ Marginally lighter, tidier folded |
| Range | ✅ Slightly larger battery buffer | ❌ Similar, but a bit less |
| Max Speed | ✅ Tiny edge, more stable | ❌ Slightly lower, still quick |
| Power | ✅ Dual motors, stronger pull | ❌ Single motor, less surge |
| Battery Size | ✅ Bigger pack, more capacity | ❌ Smaller pack overall |
| Suspension | ✅ Firmer, very composed | ❌ Softer but slightly cruder |
| Design | ✅ Sleek, highly integrated look | ❌ More utilitarian aesthetics |
| Safety | ✅ IP66, superb lighting, regen | ❌ Good, but weaker in rain |
| Practicality | ❌ Wide bars, awkward to stash | ✅ Folds easier, simpler shape |
| Comfort | ✅ Very smooth, planted ride | ❌ Comfortable, but slightly harsher |
| Features | ✅ Regen throttle, self-healing tyres | ❌ Fewer clever hardware tricks |
| Serviceability | ❌ More integrated, harder DIY | ✅ Simpler layout, easier wrenching |
| Customer Support | ✅ Strong brand-backed support | ❌ More dealer-dependent |
| Fun Factor | ✅ Smooth power, techy regen play | ❌ Fun, but less characterful |
| Build Quality | ✅ More cohesive, fewer rattles | ❌ Solid, but less polished |
| Component Quality | ✅ Drums, tyres, lighting top-tier | ❌ Good, but more basic parts |
| Brand Name | ✅ Strong scooter-focused branding | ❌ EUC-leaning, scooters newer |
| Community | ✅ Larger scooter-specific base | ❌ More EUC-centric userbase |
| Lights (visibility) | ✅ Excellent, well-positioned signals | ❌ Good, but less focused |
| Lights (illumination) | ✅ Strong usable road lighting | ❌ Adequate but less impressive |
| Acceleration | ✅ Stronger launch, dual-motor pull | ❌ Quick, but less urgent |
| Arrive with smile factor | ✅ Techy, smooth, satisfying | ❌ Competent, less memorable |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Very planted, low stress | ❌ Slightly more busy feel |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much faster top-ups | ❌ Overnight only, slower |
| Reliability | ✅ Mature revisions, proven fixes | ✅ Strong electronics heritage |
| Folded practicality | ❌ Fiddly hook, wide bars | ✅ Cleaner fold, easier handling |
| Ease of transport | ❌ Hefty, unwieldy to lug | ❌ Equally hefty to carry |
| Handling | ✅ Very stable, reassuring | ❌ Playful, but less refined |
| Braking performance | ✅ Regen + drums, very controlled | ❌ Good, but less sophisticated |
| Riding position | ✅ Wide bars, roomy deck | ❌ Good, but less generous |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Sturdy, confidence-inspiring | ❌ Solid, but more basic |
| Throttle response | ✅ Smooth, well-tuned curve | ❌ Slightly cruder feel |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Clean, integrated, legible | ❌ Fine, but less readable |
| Security (locking) | ✅ App lock plus stout frame | ❌ App lock, less integration |
| Weather protection | ✅ IP66, true rain warrior | ❌ Splash-ok, not storm-proof |
| Resale value | ✅ Strong brand, high demand | ❌ Lower price, weaker resale |
| Tuning potential | ❌ Closed ecosystem, less moddable | ✅ Easier to tweak and mod |
| Ease of maintenance | ❌ Integrated design complicates work | ✅ Straightforward hardware layout |
| Value for Money | ❌ Pricey for what you get | ✅ Strong performance per euro |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the APOLLO City Pro scores 5 points against the KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro's 5. In the Author's Category Battle, the APOLLO City Pro gets 31 ✅ versus 8 ✅ for KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro.
Totals: APOLLO City Pro scores 36, KINGSONG KS-N12 Pro scores 13.
Based on the scoring, the APOLLO City Pro is our overall winner. Between these two, the KingSong KS-N12 Pro ends up being the scooter I'd recommend to most people with a straight face: it feels capable, grown-up and surprisingly engaging without demanding a silly budget. The Apollo City Pro is the nicer object and the better foul-weather companion, but that extra refinement comes at a price that's hard to ignore once you've ridden both back-to-back. If your heart leans towards design, integration and riding through storms without a second thought, the Apollo will still make you happy. But if you simply want a solid, punchy commuter that feels like money well spent every time you thumb the throttle, the KingSong is the one that leaves the more satisfying aftertaste.
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.