InMotion Air Pro vs Acer ES Series 4 Select - Which Scooter Really Owns the Daily Commute?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The INMOTION AIR PRO is the stronger all-rounder here: it's faster, feels more refined on the road, and delivers a surprisingly premium, "grown-up" ride for a mid-range commuter. If you want something that pulls hard, looks slick in an office lobby, shrugs off rain, and won't demand constant wrenching, this is the one to beat.

The ACER ES Series 4 Select fights back with a softer, more forgiving ride thanks to its front suspension and full pneumatic tyres, plus classy extras like built-in indicators. It suits riders who value comfort, safety gadgets, and a slightly gentler character more than outright speed and sharpness.

If your commute is mostly smooth tarmac and you care about pace, composure, and long-term robustness, go Air Pro. If your city is a patchwork of cobblestones and patched asphalt and you're happier cruising than flying, the Acer makes sense.

Now let's dig into how these two behave when the tarmac turns real and the spec sheet stops mattering.

Electric scooters in this price band are finally growing up. Gone are the days when your only choices were a flimsy toy or a hulking monster that weighs as much as your bike rack. The INMOTION AIR PRO and the ACER ES Series 4 Select sit right in that "serious but still portable" bracket that most commuters actually need.

I've spent proper saddle time-well, deck time-on both of these, through rain, dodgy cycle lanes, and the usual urban circus of taxis, dogs on extendable leads, and pedestrians on their phones. One of them feels like a finely honed commuter tool that just happens to be fun; the other is a comfortable, sensible choice that ticks boxes without quite lighting the same spark.

Think of the AIR PRO as the eager, athletic colleague who always takes the stairs, and the Acer as the reliable co-worker who brings biscuits and never causes drama. Both get the job done-but the way they do it is very different. Let's break it down.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters sit in the mid-range commuter class: not bargain-basement toys, not dual-motor rockets. Prices are close enough that most buyers will be cross-shopping them, especially if you're weighing up comfort versus performance.

The INMOTION AIR PRO targets riders who want serious pace and quality in a still-manageable package. It's the "I actually enjoy my commute now" scooter. The Acer ES Series 4 Select aims squarely at people who want a softer ride, strong safety features like turn signals, and a familiar big-brand name without going wild on price.

Same use case on paper-daily commuting, city errands, weekend runs into town-but different personalities. That's exactly why this comparison matters.

Design & Build Quality

Pick up the AIR PRO and the first thing you notice is how clean it looks. InMotion's hidden-cable approach gives the scooter a monolithic, almost EUC-inspired silhouette. No zip-tied wiring, no loose hoses; it feels like a single designed object rather than parts bolted together. The finish is restrained and businesslike-more "premium hardware" than "gadget".

The Acer also hides its cables well and has that "tech brand" design polish: neat cockpit, sleek matte frame, integrated display. It looks good, no question. But next to the InMotion, it feels slightly more conventional-like a very well-done take on the classic Xiaomi-style layout, rather than a reinterpretation of the form.

Frame stiffness is excellent on both, but the AIR PRO feels particularly tight and rattle-free, even after a lot of kilometres. Acer's chassis is solid too, though the extra weight gives it a more appliance-like heft rather than a sprightly vibe. Both support heavier riders respectably, with decks that don't flex or creak under load.

If you're the type who notices panel gaps and stem tolerances, the InMotion just edges it. It has that slightly more engineered, cohesive feel that suggests the brand has been doing high-end PEVs for a while-which, of course, they have.

Ride Comfort & Handling

This is where their philosophies really diverge.

The Acer comes armed with front suspension and full pneumatic, tubeless 10-inch tyres. On broken city surfaces, expansion joints, and those lovely municipal "repairs" that feel like speed bumps, it glides in a relaxed, cushioned way. The front fork takes the sting out of repeated hits, and with air in both tyres, the scooter has a plush, damped feel. After a few kilometres on cracked pavements, your hands, knees, and fillings are still on speaking terms.

The AIR PRO, in contrast, skips suspension entirely and runs a mixed tyre setup: air in the front, solid at the rear. On smooth bike lanes and good tarmac, this pays off. The scooter feels direct, connected, and very precise. You always know what the front wheel is doing, and the low, stable chassis encourages you to carve turns with confidence. But when the road gets bad, it reminds you-firmly-that physics exists. Long stretches of cobblestones or shattered asphalt will have you using your legs as suspension and scanning for better lines.

Handling-wise, though, the AIR PRO is the sharper tool. It turns in eagerly, feels planted at higher speeds, and responds instantly to body weight shifts. The Acer is more laid-back: stable, a bit more reluctant to flick from side to side, but reassuring and predictable. If you're threading through dense traffic and like a sporty response, the InMotion is the one that makes you grin; if you mostly cruise and value comfort first, the Acer's tuning is easier-going.

Performance

On paper, both motors sit in the same band, but on the road the personalities differ nicely.

The AIR PRO accelerates with a satisfying shove from the rear. It doesn't try to throw you off, but it absolutely will leave rental scooters and older 250 W commuters behind at the lights. That rear motor digs in, and the scooter feels like it "wants" to go. It will comfortably cruise at speeds where you're flowing with city traffic rather than getting buzzed by every e-bike, and in its sportiest mode it feels legitimately quick for something you can still carry up stairs.

The Acer's motor is a touch stronger on peak figures, but its delivery is more measured. It gets up to its capped top speed briskly enough, and there's enough torque that you don't feel embarrassed merging into a bike lane. In "Sport" mode it's decently lively, but where the AIR PRO urges you to squeeze the throttle just a bit more, the Acer is more "you're fine, relax". Think brisk commuter versus spirited commuter.

On hills, both are in the same class: capable on typical city inclines, flyovers, and bridges, but not mountain goats. The InMotion holds speed pleasantly well on moderate climbs with an average rider on board; the Acer is similar, sometimes feeling a hair stronger at the very start of an uphill push, but they both run out of enthusiasm on truly brutal gradients. Dual-motor territory this is not-but for normal city profiles, neither will have you hopping off to kick.

Braking: here it's more a matter of flavour than raw power. The AIR PRO pairs a front drum with rear regenerative braking, cleverly staged through a single lever. The regen gently hauls you down first, then the drum takes over, giving a very smooth, predictable deceleration. It's low-maintenance, weatherproof, and drama-free.

The Acer uses a front disc plus rear electronic system with ABS-style control. Stopping power is strong and feels reassuring, especially when you really grab a handful. There's a bit more "bite" up front, and thanks to the suspension and tyres, the scooter stays controlled when you clamp down, even on less-than-perfect surfaces. If you're a fan of the crisp feel of disc brakes, you'll appreciate it; if you like the sealed, zero-fuss nature of drums, the InMotion's setup is brilliant for commuting.

Battery & Range

Both scooters live in the same real-world range neighbourhood: comfortable for most daily commutes, not touring machines.

The AIR PRO's battery is slightly smaller on paper, yet it's impressively efficient. Ride it like a sane commuter-in the middle speed mode, cruising at moderate pace-and it comfortably covers typical there-and-back office trips with a buffer for detours. Start hammering it in the fastest mode and sprinting away from every light, and, unsurprisingly, that margin shrinks. Battery placement in the deck helps stability and seems to aid efficiency: you're not fighting a top-heavy chassis.

The Acer claims a bit more on the spec sheet, and in gentle real-world use it can indeed go further on a charge if you baby it: Eco mode, steady throttle, little climbing. But once you use Sport mode properly and take advantage of the suspension comfort (which usually means riding a bit faster and more relaxed), its practical range drops into a similar bracket to the AIR PRO. The heavier frame also doesn't help when you're continually stopping and starting in city traffic.

Charging is where the Acer claws back a win. It refills in roughly a workday's length or a long evening, whereas the AIR PRO is more of an overnight guest when empty. Practically, if you charge at home, both are fine; if you rely on topping up at the office during shorter windows, the Acer is more forgiving.

Crucially, neither scooter feels like a range-anxiety machine for city use. You don't find yourself obsessively counting percentage points after every traffic light-provided your daily distance isn't absurd.

Portability & Practicality

This is where numbers on the spec sheet don't tell the full story. Both are "portable" in a technical sense, but they behave differently in the real world.

The AIR PRO is lighter, and you feel that immediately. Carrying it up a flight or two of stairs is not fun-but it's doable without contemplating a gym membership. Getting it into a car boot or onto a train is straightforward, especially with its slim, cable-free profile. The folding mechanism is quick and familiar: drop the stem, hook it to the rear, done. The latch itself isn't the most premium feeling part of the scooter, but it gets the job done and hasn't given me reason to distrust it.

The Acer sits noticeably heavier in the hand. One flight of stairs is okay; three in a row, morning and evening, and you'll start questioning your life choices. On the plus side, that extra mass does translate into a feeling of solidity when riding. Folded, it's acceptably compact, but not petite-it eats more boot space than the AIR PRO and feels bulkier to manoeuvre in crowded train vestibules.

For mixed-mode commuters who genuinely carry their scooter more than a few steps a day, the InMotion is the more realistic long-term companion. For those who mostly roll from garage to lift to office, the Acer's extra weight is less of an issue, and you reap the benefits in comfort.

Safety

Both manufacturers clearly took safety seriously-but they invested in different areas.

The AIR PRO leans heavily on core engineering: excellent water resistance (especially around the battery), a very stable low-slung chassis, bright forward lighting with genuinely useful throw, and a braking setup that remains consistent in the wet because of the sealed drum. On dark, wet commutes, you feel that this thing has been designed by people who spend real time on small wheels.

The Acer, in turn, piles on active safety features: the front disc + rear e-brake combo, turn signals that actually make a difference in dense traffic, good-sized tyres with reassuring grip, and solid IPX water protection. Being able to indicate a turn without taking a hand off the bars is a tangible safety upgrade, especially on faster roads and roundabouts.

In terms of grip, the Acer's twin pneumatic tyres have the edge, particularly in the wet or on uncertain surfaces. The AIR PRO's solid rear sacrifices some traction and feel when the tarmac is greasy, even though the front pneumatic does a decent job of hanging on. Stability at speed is excellent on both; the InMotion feels more "planted sports commuter", the Acer more "confident cruiser".

Community Feedback

Price & Value

Price-wise, the Acer undercuts the AIR PRO by a noticeable margin. On a pure sticker comparison, Acer looks like the bargain: suspension, bigger-feeling battery, indicators, strong motor-all for less cash.

But you have to factor in what you're actually buying. With the InMotion, you're paying a little extra for higher top-end speed, a lighter chassis, serious waterproofing effort, and that premium, integrated feel. It's also, in practice, a very low-fuss ownership experience: almost no brake tweaking, no rear puncture drama, and a reputation for solid reliability.

The Acer delivers great feature-per-euro, especially if you prioritise comfort and gadgetry. For a rider who doesn't care about being the fastest on the bike lane, it feels like a smart, measured purchase. The AIR PRO, on the other hand, feels like you're getting a slice of enthusiast-grade engineering at commuter money. From a long-term "how much will I enjoy this every single day" perspective, the InMotion often ends up feeling like the better value even at the higher price-especially if you lean performance-curious.

Service & Parts Availability

Both brands have solid European distribution, but they come from different backgrounds.

InMotion has a long history in personal electric vehicles, especially electric unicycles, and that shows in the ecosystem: specialist dealers, communities, parts pipelines, and people who actually know how to fix them. Getting spares like tyres, controllers, or displays is generally straightforward through niche PEV retailers.

Acer brings the muscle of a global electronics giant: established warranty processes, familiar RMA flows, and plenty of retail partners. While scooter-specific know-how in some shops can be hit-and-miss, you at least know you're dealing with a brand that understands consumer support at scale. For basic components-tyres, brake pads, mechanical bits-you're unlikely to be stuck.

If I had to pick which one I'd rather maintain three years down the line, I'd lean slightly towards InMotion because of its deep PEV focus and simpler, more maintenance-light hardware. But for a typical owner, neither choice is risky.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

If you strip away the spec-sheet noise and focus on how these scooters feel day in, day out, the INMOTION AIR PRO comes out as the more compelling machine for most riders. It's quicker, lighter, and feels better engineered as a whole. The chassis and motor give it that "just one more detour" character, and the waterproofing and low-maintenance hardware make it a very easy scooter to live with. You step off it at the end of a commute feeling like you've ridden a proper bit of kit, not just an appliance.

The Acer ES Series 4 Select absolutely has its place. If your city's roads look like they've survived several wars, or if you're not interested in speed but care deeply about comfort, indicators, and a cushy ride, it's a sensible, grown-up choice. You'll appreciate the suspension and the extra layer of safety tech, and if you rarely have to carry it far, its weight won't bother you much.

But if you're asking which one I'd hand to a typical urban commuter who wants a mix of fun, pace, and practicality-and who'll likely end up riding faster than they admit-the AIR PRO is the scooter that feels more special. It doesn't just move you; it makes the commute something you actually look forward to.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics isolate pure maths: how much scooter you get per euro, per kilogram, per watt, and per kilometre. Price-per-Wh and price-per-km show cost efficiency; weight-based metrics show how much battery and performance you're carrying around; Wh/km highlights energy efficiency; power-to-speed and weight-to-power give a sense of how aggressively tuned each scooter is; and average charging speed tells you how quickly they refill their tanks.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the INMOTION AIR PRO scores 3 points against the ACER ES Series 4 Select's 7. In the Author's Category Battle, the INMOTION AIR PRO gets 29 ✅ versus 16 ✅ for ACER ES Series 4 Select (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: INMOTION AIR PRO scores 32, ACER ES Series 4 Select scores 23.

Based on the scoring, the INMOTION AIR PRO is our overall winner. InMotion's AIR PRO simply feels like the more complete partner for a daily rider who cares about how a scooter rides, not just what it costs. It's quick, reassuringly tight, and has that subtle "engineered, not assembled" character that keeps you looking forward to the next journey. The Acer, while thoroughly competent and often very comfortable, never quite escapes the sense of being a well-made appliance. If you want your commute to feel like a small slice of freedom rather than just another transfer between meetings, the AIR PRO is the one that will keep you smiling longer.

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.