Hiboy S2 Pro vs Razor C45 - Which "Budget Hero" Actually Deserves Your Commute?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The Razor C45 takes the overall win here: it feels more planted at speed thanks to that big front wheel, has a touch more real-world range, and brings better safety credentials and brand-backed peace of mind. The Hiboy S2 Pro still makes sense if you want the lowest possible running hassle, hate flats with a passion, and mostly ride on smooth bike paths at moderate speeds.

If you value stability, a more confidence-inspiring front end, and a better long-term ownership story, lean Razor. If your priority is low purchase price, simple "grab and go" commuting, and you can live with a harsher ride, the Hiboy is still a compelling workhorse.

Stick around for the full breakdown; on paper these two look similar, but on the road they feel very different - and the devil is in the tarmac-level details.

If you spend enough time on budget scooters, you start seeing the same formula over and over: modest motor, mid-sized battery, a folding stem and some optimistic range claims. The Hiboy S2 Pro and Razor C45 both slot neatly into that picture, but each tries to put a different spin on the template.

The Hiboy S2 Pro is the classic internet favourite: solid tyres, rear suspension, app, lots of glowing reviews, and a price tag that's very kind to first-time buyers. It's the scooter for someone who wants cheap, fast enough, and doesn't want to learn how to change inner tubes on a Sunday morning.

The Razor C45, meanwhile, leans on an old, trusted brand name and a big, bicycle-like front wheel. It feels more like a small vehicle than a toy, and it aims straight at riders who care more about stability and safety certification than about shaving every last euro from the bill.

On paper they're rivals; in practice they're aimed at two slightly different kinds of commuter. Let's dig into how they actually compare once you're out of the spec sheets and onto real streets.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters live in that "serious entry-level" commuter category: not toy-grade, but not the sort of machine that will drag you up mountains or hit motorcycle speeds. They sit in roughly the same performance class, comfortably beyond the weak rental clones, but still accessible to someone buying their very first e-scooter.

The Hiboy S2 Pro targets the budget-conscious city rider: think student, office commuter, or casual urban explorer who wants a simple, low-maintenance way to replace a bus pass. You get solid tyres, rear springs, and a motor that feels lively in city traffic, for the sort of price that undercuts many mainstream brands.

The Razor C45 is a half-step up in ambition and cost. It's aimed at the commuter who values a more reassuring chassis, a known brand, and a front end that doesn't panic the moment you see a pothole. It goes a bit faster on the flat, offers a shade more usable range, and takes safety certifications more seriously.

You'd cross-shop these if you want a mid-speed commuter that can replace short car or bus trips, fits in a flat or office, and doesn't cost the same as a mid-range e-bike. The question is: is it smarter to save money now, or to buy into the slightly more mature package?

Design & Build Quality

Pick up the Hiboy S2 Pro and you immediately get that "budget but not toy" impression. The aluminium frame is reasonably chunky, the welds are decent, and the matte black with red accents looks modern enough. It is clearly modelled on the Xiaomi-style school of design: slim stem, straight deck, integrated handlebar display. In the hands, it feels like a generic-but-solid Chinese commuter that's been iterated a few times - which is basically what it is.

The folding latch on the Hiboy is fast and familiar: lever at the base, stem hooks onto the rear fender. It works, but over a lot of kilometres you do start to feel a bit of play creeping into the joint unless you keep up with adjustments. Plastic elements (fender, cable housings) feel adequate, not premium. It's the kind of scooter you're not afraid to scuff, which is good, because you probably will.

The Razor C45 comes from a different design philosophy. The steel frame is heavier, but it has that "urban utility vehicle" vibe - more industrial, less gadget. There's a reassuring lack of creaks when you rock the stem; the folding latch is chunkier and locks in with more confidence. It looks like something that expects to live outside a bit, get rained on, and then go to work again the next day.

Visually, the C45's mismatched wheels give it a slightly odd stance at first, but you quickly stop noticing because the rest of the design is understated: muted colours, clean deck, simple cockpit. Fit and finish are more consistent than on the Hiboy, even if the steel brings a penalty on the scales. If your priority is "feels like a proper vehicle" rather than "looks sleek in Instagram shots", the Razor edges ahead here.

Ride Comfort & Handling

This is where the two scooters really go their separate ways.

The Hiboy S2 Pro rolls on dual solid tyres with a rear spring setup. On smooth tarmac, it actually feels quite composed: the 10-inch diameter helps, and at moderate speed the rear suspension knocks the sharpest hits off bumps and expansion joints. The moment you venture onto tired city paving stones or patched-up asphalt, though, the story changes. After five or ten kilometres of bad sidewalks, your knees and ankles will absolutely know you cheaped out on air.

In terms of handling, the Hiboy's front end is light and quick to turn, which is fun on narrower bike lanes but can feel slightly nervous at top speed, especially if the stem latch isn't perfectly tightened. The deck is long enough to shift your stance, but not generous; tall riders end up riding more like on a classic rental scooter, not like on a mini-moped.

The Razor C45 is a split personality: luxury up front, budget out back. That big pneumatic front tyre simply swallows rubbish urban surfaces that have the Hiboy skipping and skittering. Rolling off a curb edge or through a shallow pothole feels dramatically calmer; the scooter tracks straight and doesn't throw a tantrum over every crack. Steering is less twitchy, with a natural self-centring feel at higher speeds.

Then you hit a stretch of rough cobbles and the rear reminds you it's basically a steel bar on a solid wheel. Your hands are fine; your heels are not. On better roads, the overall comfort of the C45 is still ahead of the Hiboy simply because your front wheel does most of the work. On truly bad roads, both scooters will beat you up; the difference is that with the C45 at least your nervous system only hates the back half of the chassis.

For handling confidence - especially for newer riders - the Razor's calmer steering and larger front wheel give it a noticeable advantage. The Hiboy feels lighter and a bit more agile, but you pay for that with a more skittish feel over imperfections.

Performance

Both scooters live in that sweet "fast enough for city use, not fast enough to terrify normal humans" band - but they express it differently.

The Hiboy S2 Pro's rear motor has a slightly higher rated output on paper, and off the line it does feel pretty eager. From a traffic light you can clear the intersection briskly and sit comfortably ahead of casual cyclists. Acceleration is linear and predictable, with no nasty surges, and the top speed feels very usable in a city context. It doesn't turn your knuckles white, but it also doesn't leave you cursing behind e-bikes.

Hill-wise, the Hiboy punches above many bargain competitors: typical city bridges and mild climbs are handled without drama, although heavier riders will see the speed drop off on longer inclines. Think of it as "commuter strong" rather than "hill monster".

The Razor C45 trades a tiny bit of paper power for a more grown-up delivery. It gets up to a slightly higher top speed in its sport mode, and it feels more composed doing it. Acceleration in the lower speed modes is tamer - ideal for crowded paths - and in sport it still feels brisk, though not explosive. Rear-wheel drive and that larger front wheel give you better traction and confidence if you're pushing into its upper speed range.

On hills, the C45 is adequate, not heroic. Short, gentle inclines are fine; long or steep grades will have it grinding down to jogging pace, especially with a heavier rider. It's clearly tuned as a flatter-city commuter, just like the Hiboy, but the Razor's extra mass doesn't help when gravity gets serious.

Braking is one area where neither scooter really shines. The Hiboy's combination of rear disc and front electronic brake is decent at commuter speeds, but the regen can feel grabby if cranked up in the app and the rear disc often squeaks unless you baby it. The Razor's rear disc plus regen combo should, in theory, be stronger, but in practice the feel at the lever is a bit vague and stopping distances from its higher top speed don't inspire much enthusiasm. With both, you learn quickly to look further ahead and brake earlier than you would on a bike with good hydraulics.

Battery & Range

Both scooters play the usual marketing game with range: glossy figures for perfect conditions, reality once you add hills, heavier riders and a healthy dose of full-throttle temptation.

The Hiboy S2 Pro's battery offers a respectable capacity for its price class. In the real world, ridden mostly in its quicker mode with a "normal" adult on board, you're looking at a comfortable daily round trip of roughly a mid-20-kilometre total before the gauge starts making you nervous. Baby it in eco mode, and you can push closer to the brochure claims, but it's not exactly thrilling crawling around in the slow lane.

The Razor C45 has a higher-voltage pack, and you feel that in the way it holds speed a bit better as the battery discharges. Realistically, in mixed riding with some fun thrown in, you get a little more usable distance than on the Hiboy - enough that if your commute is right on the edge for the S2 Pro, the C45 will feel that bit more relaxed. The claimed ride time lines up reasonably well with mixed-use testing, as long as you're not caning sport mode from start to finish.

Charging times are similar: neither is a fast-charging monster. Think: plug in at work, forget about it, or top up overnight at home. On both scooters, the chargers are classic brick units you can toss into a backpack if needed. The Hiboy's slightly smaller battery fills a tad quicker, the Razor's bigger pack obviously needs more hours - but neither demands special planning.

Where the Hiboy edges ahead is efficiency per euro spent; where the Razor pulls in front is how far you actually ride on a single charge in more spirited use. Both are absolutely fine for typical city commutes of around ten kilometres each way with a bit of detouring.

Portability & Practicality

Neither of these is a featherweight, and your spine will notice.

The Hiboy S2 Pro sits in that awkward "light enough to carry up a flight or two, annoying beyond that" bracket. The aluminium construction helps, but the solid tyres and chunky rear end add up. The folded package is reasonably compact and familiar in shape - it stows nicely in the boot, under a desk or beside your sofa. If you only need to haul it up one or two floors, it's doable; more than that, and you'll find excuses to leave it downstairs.

The Razor C45 goes a step further into "are we sure we don't have a lift?" territory. The steel frame and big front wheel mean it feels noticeably heavier in the hand. The folded footprint is longer and more awkward thanks to that oversized front tyre - it will fit into a car and under a desk, but it's not the sort of scooter you casually grab with one hand while juggling a coffee and a laptop bag.

In day-to-day use, the Hiboy's lighter weight and more compact folded format are a real advantage if you're mixing transport modes - hopping trains, navigating office corridors, or parking it in tight hallways. The Razor fights back with better robustness: the frame feels like it'll take more abuse from careless locking, being knocked over, or living in a communal bike room.

Both have kickstands that are... fine. Both have folding latches you can live with. Both have decent enough dashboards and basic app connectivity. But if your routine involves frequent carrying or tight storage, the Hiboy is the more practical choice; if your scooter mostly rolls from flat to street to workplace and back, the Razor's extra heft is less of an issue.

Safety

Safety is one of the main reasons I lean Razor in this matchup, despite its own compromises.

The C45's big pneumatic front wheel is a genuine safety feature, not just a comfort perk. It tracks straight in rougher patches, doesn't dive into every crack, and keeps the steering calmer at its higher cruising speeds. Combined with the UL battery and electrical certification, it feels like a scooter designed with more thought about what actually happens when things go wrong, not just when everything goes right.

The lighting on the C45 is adequate-for-commuting: a bright enough headlight mounted high to cast light ahead, and a responsive brake light that actually alerts following traffic. You'll still want extra lights or reflective gear in truly dark environments, but you're not starting from zero.

The Hiboy S2 Pro counters with a surprisingly good lighting suite for its price: front light, rear brake light and side/fender lighting that makes you more visible laterally. For night visibility, the Hiboy actually does a better job out of the box. Where it falls down is grip. Solid rubber on wet paint is never a great love story, and you feel it the first time you roll across a damp zebra crossing and feel the rear fidget under you.

Braking, as mentioned, is more "acceptable" than impressive on both scooters. Hiboy's regen can be tuned via the app and does help in everyday stopping; Razor's system feels slightly underwhelming when you're really pressing on. Neither has dual mechanical brakes or sophisticated ABS-style modulation. They're fine for legal-limit cruising if you ride defensively; they're not fine if you treat them like stunt scooters.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

On sticker price alone, the Hiboy S2 Pro looks like an excellent bargain. You get punchy-enough performance, decent real-world range, app features and lights that embarrass some pricier scooters. If your budget ceiling is hard and low, the Hiboy is one of the more sensible ways to get a functional commuter without gambling on a no-name brand.

The Razor C45 comes in a chunk higher. For that extra outlay you're largely paying for the bigger, safer-feeling front wheel, heavier duty frame, better electrical certification and the comfort of dealing with a long-established manufacturer. In pure euro-per-spec terms, it doesn't look as exciting as the Hiboy. In euro-per-year-of-not-being-annoyed terms, it starts to make more sense, especially if you ride daily and push the scooter hard on imperfect infrastructure.

Value, in other words, depends on what you count. If "cheap and works" is your entire checklist, the Hiboy is hard to argue with. If you factor in ride quality, stability and peace of mind, the Razor's pricing isn't unreasonable - just not the steal many buyers expect when they first see the familiar logo.

Service & Parts Availability

This is where brand heritage actually matters.

Hiboy lives primarily online. Parts are available, but you're often dealing with warehouses, e-mails and varying levels of responsiveness. There's a large community of owners, so you won't struggle to find third-party advice or guides, but actually sourcing certain components in Europe sometimes involves more patience than you'd like. When it works, it's fine; when it doesn't, you quickly see where costs were shaved.

Razor, for all its quirks, has a more traditional distribution network. You can often get parts through official channels, and documentation is generally better. Support isn't boutique-level hand-holding, but it's structured - and that matters when you're chasing a battery or controller a year or two down the line. In much of Europe, you're simply more likely to find someone who has seen a Razor before than someone who has a drawer full of Hiboy spares.

If you're handy and happy to tinker, the Hiboy ecosystem is perfectly survivable. If you want your scooter to be a tool, not a hobby, the Razor's support structure is a safer bet.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

Both of these scooters come with compromises baked in - that's just the reality of their price bracket. The interesting part is where they choose to compromise.

The Hiboy S2 Pro is the sensible choice if your priority is getting rolling for as little money as possible with as little faff as possible. It's quick enough, has honest real-world range for everyday commuting, folds down small enough, and those solid tyres mean you can stop worrying about pump pressures and patch kits. You do pay with comfort and wet grip, and the long-term ownership experience depends quite a bit on your tolerance for minor rattles and DIY fixes.

The Razor C45 is the better-rounded machine for riders who care about stability, safety and brand backing. The ride is calmer at speed, the front end is vastly more forgiving over ugly road surfaces, and the overall package feels more like a small vehicle than a disposable gadget. You give up some portability and pay more for the privilege - and you still don't get perfect suspension or top-tier brakes - but as a daily commuter it simply feels more reassuring under you.

If I had to live with one of these as my only scooter for a couple of years of real-world commuting, I'd take the Razor C45 and accept the extra weight and cost. If I were buying a first scooter for someone on a tight budget, with a mainly smooth route and a good eye for road conditions, the Hiboy S2 Pro would still be on the shortlist - just with a very clear warning about what happens when cheap tyres meet bad roads.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics put hard numbers on different aspects of efficiency and value. Price-per-Wh and price-per-km tell you how much energy and range you get for your money. Weight-based metrics show how much scooter you have to haul around for each unit of performance or range. Wh-per-km gives real-world energy efficiency, while power-to-speed and weight-to-power show how strongly each scooter is geared for its top speed. Finally, charging speed reflects how quickly you can refill the battery in terms of power throughput.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the HIBOY S2 Pro scores 8 points against the RAZOR C45's 2. In the Author's Category Battle, the HIBOY S2 Pro gets 20 ✅ versus 21 ✅ for RAZOR C45.

Totals: HIBOY S2 Pro scores 28, RAZOR C45 scores 23.

Based on the scoring, the HIBOY S2 Pro is our overall winner. Between these two, the Razor C45 ultimately feels like the scooter I'd trust more when the road gets ugly and the weather turns mean, even if it does hit the wallet and your biceps a bit harder. The Hiboy S2 Pro charms with its low buy-in and punchy feel, but it never quite shakes the sense that you've bought a very competent shortcut rather than a fully rounded tool. If you're hunting for the best overall daily partner rather than just the cheapest ticket into the game, the C45 is the one that feels grown-up enough to keep you happier, and safer, over the long haul.

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.