Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
If you want stronger performance, better braking and a noticeably plusher ride, the ZERO 9 comes out ahead overall - it simply feels like the more serious scooter once you're rolling at real city speeds. The JOYOR F5S+ fights back with lower weight and price, making it the more logical pick for strict multi-modal commuting and third-floor walk-ups where every kilogram matters. Choose the ZERO 9 if your daily routes include faster roads, rougher asphalt, or steeper hills and you care more about ride quality than saving a few hundred euros.
Pick the JOYOR F5S+ if your priority is portability, "good enough" performance and keeping the budget in check, and your rides are mostly on decent tarmac at legal speeds. Both will get you to work; how you want to feel on the way there is the real question - and that's where the deeper comparison below really matters.
Stick around; the devil with these two is very much in the details, and some of the trade-offs are not obvious from the brochure numbers.
There's a certain type of scooter that promises to "do it all" without being a tank: enough power to feel lively, enough comfort to survive bad bike lanes, but still light enough to haul up a staircase without regretting all your life choices. The JOYOR F5S+ and ZERO 9 both claim that sweet spot - the mythical mid-range commuter that's neither a flimsy toy nor a 30-kg ego project.
I've spent a lot of hours and frankly too many city kilometres on both. On paper they're close cousins: compact decks, single rear motors, mid-capacity 48 V batteries, suspension front and rear. In practice, they have very different personalities, and both ask you to swallow a few compromises that don't show up in glossy marketing copy.
The JOYOR leans hard into light weight and price; the ZERO 9 leans into power, comfort and that "mini serious scooter" feel. Which trade-off is the right one for you is exactly what we're going to unpack.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters sit in what I'd call the "ambitious commuter" class. We're not in basic rental territory anymore, but we're also not talking about giant dual-motor rigs that eat pavements - or rear tyres - for breakfast.
The JOYOR F5S+ is for riders graduating from a Xiaomi-style starter: they want more punch, real suspension and better range, but they still need something they can plausibly carry into a flat or onto a train without bribing strangers to help. The key promise: strong performance in a surprisingly light, compact chassis at a still-digestible price.
The ZERO 9 is for the commuter who's decided comfort and speed matter at least as much as portability. It's heavier, faster, and more planted, with proper pneumatic tyres at both ends and beefier suspension. You can still fold it and lug it, but it's clearly built for riders who will spend more time riding than carrying.
Price-wise, they're in different halves of the mid-range: the ZERO 9 costs substantially more. That's why this comparison matters: you're really deciding whether the extra money and kilos buy you enough extra scooter to justify the stretch.
Design & Build Quality
Pick up the JOYOR F5S+ and the first thought is, "Is that it?" The frame is slim, the stem fairly spindly, and the whole thing feels like it's been on a diet. The aviation-grade aluminium is stiff enough, but the visual language is very utilitarian - straight tubes, visible welds, functional hinges. It's more "industrial warehouse trolley" than "Apple store display piece". Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't exactly radiate modernity. You feel where the accountants said "that'll do".
The ZERO 9, in contrast, feels denser and more deliberate the moment you grab the stem. The tubing is chunkier, the swingarms more substantial, and there's generally less of that "please don't drop me" anxiety when you bump it against a curb. It still has that exposed-bolt, slightly agricultural look you see on many early-generation performance commuters, but the overall impression is of a tougher, more adult machine. The matte black with red accents helps; it looks like it would rather be late to a street race than an office meeting.
Both scooters use folding stems and folding handlebars. On the JOYOR, the folding joints feel light and a bit fiddly - not fragile, but you're aware that this is where cost was saved. After some kilometres, you start chasing minor rattles and play if you don't keep things tight. On the ZERO 9, the hinges and locks feel beefier and less stressed, though they're not immune to stem-wobble either; this is a known quirk if you don't periodically tighten things.
Ergonomically, the JOYOR's telescopic stem is a nice touch - shorter and taller riders can actually dial in something that doesn't wreck their back. The ZERO 9 is generally sized for average-to-tall adults, with some versions also offering adjustment. Both cockpits use a trigger throttle and QS-style display; neither wins design awards, but both are functional and easy to live with. You will swear at the display in bright midday sun on both - they're equally mediocre there.
Overall build? The ZERO 9 feels like it can take more abuse and shrug; the JOYOR feels light and honest, but not particularly overengineered. If you plan to throw the scooter around, the ZERO 9 inspires more confidence in the metalwork, even if it too has its "keep a toolkit handy" charm.
Ride Comfort & Handling
On fresh asphalt, both ride pleasantly enough that you briefly wonder why you ever cared about suspension. Then you hit your first patch of broken pavement and the differences show up fast.
The JOYOR F5S+ runs on smaller wheels with a single air-filled tyre at the front and a solid block at the rear. Joyor tries to rescue this with front springs and a dual rear suspension setup, and to be fair, it works better than you'd expect on such a compact scooter. On typical city paths and gentle imperfections, the rear suspension takes the sting out, turning sharp hits into dull thuds. But the solid rear tyre still tells you exactly what you're riding over. After a few kilometres of rough cobbles, your knees and ankles know you saved money on rubber.
The ZERO 9, with its dual pneumatic tyres and more sophisticated rear air shocks, simply feels like it belongs on bad European tarmac. You can charge over cracked bike lanes and sunken manholes at commuter speeds without continually bracing for impact. The front spring plus the air shocks at the back give you real travel, not just token bounce, and the tyres themselves absorb a lot. On long rides, this difference adds up: where the JOYOR is "fine" for half-hour trips, the ZERO 9 stays comfortable closer to the point your phone, not your joints, is running out of battery.
Handling mirrors this split. The JOYOR is light and flickable, easy to weave through pedestrians or narrow cycle lanes. The downside is that at higher speeds it starts to feel a bit nervous, especially with that solid rear and short wheelbase. You can ride it fast, but your subconscious keeps a finger on the "this might get sketchy" button.
The ZERO 9 feels more planted. The slightly larger tyres, longer wheelbase and better suspension give you a clear stability advantage when carving around bends or descending a mild hill. It still steers quickly enough for city work, but there's more composure; you don't feel like a small pothole is going to rearrange your trajectory without asking.
If your daily environment is perfectly smooth cycle paths and short trips, the JOYOR delivers acceptable comfort in a very compact package. If your city thinks "road maintenance" is a theoretical concept, the ZERO 9 is the one that doesn't punish you for every municipal failure.
Performance
Both scooters live in the "lively commuter" performance band, but their personalities are quite different once you pull the trigger.
The JOYOR F5S+ runs a mid-power rear motor on a higher-voltage system than most cheap commuters. On a chassis this light, that means it jumps off the line eagerly. From a traffic light, you're out in front of bicycle traffic without trying, and it doesn't immediately run out of breath the way a basic rental would. Up to the usual capped urban speeds it feels punchy and fun, especially if you're in the lightweight to medium rider bracket.
Unlock it on private land and it will hustle into the mid-thirties, but that's where the structural lightness and small wheels start to show. It can do it, and it's objectively impressive for the weight, but it's not a scooter that encourages prolonged fast riding. Braking is handled by a single rear drum plus regen - adequate for typical city speeds, but when you've had a car cut you off at the last second, "adequate" isn't the adjective you wish you'd invested in.
The ZERO 9, on the other hand, feels like the JOYOR's over-caffeinated cousin. The motor is stronger, the controller feeds it more aggressively, and the result is a much more assertive shove when you ask for power. From a standstill, it doesn't just slip away from bicycles; it embarrasses most rental scooters in a few metres. The speed ceiling, when derestricted on private property, is in the "this is getting serious now" range. On a compact deck, that's genuinely quick, and you feel it.
Importantly, the chassis, suspension and brakes feel more up to the task. With pneumatic tyres both ends and that front disc plus rear drum combination, emergency stops feel shorter and more controllable. You still need to respect the physics of a small-wheeled scooter at high speed, but you're less reliant on hope and early braking than on the JOYOR.
On hills, the difference is obvious. Where the JOYOR will climb the majority of typical urban inclines with decent momentum - slowing, but not shamefully so - the ZERO 9 tends to maintain more of its pace and feels less strained under a heavier rider. If you live in a flat city, this is nice to have; if your commute includes real gradients, it becomes the primary reason to choose the ZERO 9 over the JOYOR.
Battery & Range
Both scooters use similar-voltage battery packs with comparable stated capacities, and - surprise - both manufacturers are a bit optimistic in their range claims. In the real world, with an adult rider, mixed terrain and normal commuter speeds, you get broadly similar usable distance.
On the JOYOR F5S+, that translates into enough range to comfortably handle a mid-length round trip commute plus detours, provided you're not riding flat-out all the time. Ride it at the legal limit, mix in some stops and a few gentle hills, and you land in the "safe for a typical city day" band. Push it harder or unlock it and run top speed constantly, and you'll eat into your buffer quickly - the classic small-battery, light-scooter reality.
The ZERO 9, with a slightly larger battery but also more power and higher potential speeds, ends up in a similar territory: you can commute a decent distance without worrying, but it isn't some touring monster. Ride sensibly and you'll see a solid city-day's worth of riding; hold it near top speed and the gauge drains in a way that reminds you this is still a mid-range commuter, not an endurance platform.
Charging times are in the same "plug it in at night, forget about it" window. Neither supports fancy ultra-fast charging; both are classic plug-and-sleep affairs. The difference is more psychological: on the JOYOR, you're very aware that depleting that lighter battery means you may need to be disciplined about charging; on the ZERO 9, the extra headroom gives you a bit more room to be lazy without paying for it the next morning.
Range anxiety? On either scooter, if you size your purchase sensibly for your commute and don't treat every journey like a drag strip, you'll be fine. If you're the type who forgets to charge things and then complains they're empty, no mid-range scooter will save you.
Portability & Practicality
This is the category where the JOYOR F5S+ genuinely earns its fanbase, and where the ZERO 9 politely steps aside and says, "I'll be in the 'slightly heavier' corner if you need me."
The JOYOR is firmly in the "carryable without an apology tour" weight class. Up a single flight of stairs, most adults can just grab the stem and go. Up to a third-floor walk-up, it's not fun, but it is doable without turning it into a workout session. The folded package is impressively compact; the folding handlebars and flat fold mean it actually disappears under desks and seats instead of just theoretically fitting there in marketing images.
The folding process itself is quick and mostly painless once you develop the muscle memory. The scooter sits low and tight when folded, so you're not wrestling with an awkward metal origami. For multi-modal commuting - ride, train, ride - it's very clearly designed with that pattern in mind.
The ZERO 9 sits in that awkward middle ground: still portable, but now you're aware of the weight. Carrying it up a single flight is fine; two or three flights and you'll start reconsidering your life hierarchy of "power versus stairs". The folded footprint is reasonably compact thanks to the folding handlebars and stem latch into the rear fender, but it feels bulkier in the hand than the numbers suggest. You can absolutely combine it with public transport; you just won't enjoy sprinting through a station with it.
In day-to-day practical terms, the JOYOR is easier to integrate into tight living spaces and regular carrying. The ZERO 9 is still practical, but it's clearly biased towards people who roll more than they lift.
Safety
At commuting speeds, safety is a combination of brakes, grip, stability and visibility - and here the ZERO 9 has a more complete package, even if it's not flawless.
The JOYOR's single rear drum plus regen is okay for the capped speeds most riders will see in traffic. The modulation is forgiving, and you're less likely to lock the wheel with a panic grab. The downside is obvious: everything is happening on the rear. In an emergency stop from higher speeds, you simply don't have the same arresting force as a scooter with a proper front disc; you compensate by riding more defensively and braking earlier.
The tyre setup doesn't help in the wet: the front pneumatic gives decent grip, but the solid rear can become skittish on painted lines, steel covers and smooth stones. Add in the smaller diameter, and you get a scooter that's happiest in dry conditions on predictable surfaces. It's not dangerous if ridden sensibly, but it demands respect and caution when things get slippery.
The ZERO 9 counters with a front disc and rear drum combo, which is a night-and-day upgrade when you need to scrub speed quickly. You can lean on the front more confidently, with the rear drum helping keep things in line. It's still a small-wheel scooter - nothing changes that - but in real-world close calls, I've been much happier on the ZERO 9's levers than on the JOYOR's single drum.
With full pneumatic tyres, the ZERO 9 also offers more predictable grip across surfaces, especially in the wet. The trade-off is susceptibility to punctures and the joy of changing tubes around a drum brake, but in terms of staying upright, air wins over solid almost every time.
Lighting is a mixed bag on both. Each has integrated front and rear lights, and both are "good enough to be seen" but not "good enough to see" on totally unlit roads. The ZERO 9 at least piles on the swag lighting - stem strips, under-deck glow - which massively improves side visibility in traffic. Is it a bit disco? Yes. Does it work? Also yes. On the JOYOR, the single low-mounted front light does an acceptable job of lighting your immediate path, but I would not trust either scooter as-is for serious night riding on dark routes without an extra high-mounted lamp.
Community Feedback
| JOYOR F5S+ | ZERO 9 |
|---|---|
| What riders love | What riders love |
|
|
| What riders complain about | What riders complain about |
|
|
Price & Value
The JOYOR F5S+ sits at the lower end of the mid-range, and on pure wallet impact it's clearly the gentler option. You get a decent motor, solid range, dual suspension and a truly portable chassis for a sum that undercuts many "big name" commuters with weaker specs. On the spreadsheet, the cost-per-kilometre and cost-per-watt figures look very healthy.
The catch is where those savings appear: cheaper feeling hardware in some spots, a basic brake setup, and that compromise solid rear tyre, which trades running costs for grip and comfort. If your budget is tight and you need something that does the job without demanding a second mortgage, the JOYOR's value story is persuasive - as long as you accept its limitations and don't try to ride it like a high-end performance scooter.
The ZERO 9 asks for a noticeably higher outlay. In exchange, you get a stronger motor, better suspension, full pneumatic tyres, stronger brakes and generally a more serious ride experience. If you use all of that - longer commutes, higher speeds where legal, rougher roads - the price difference starts to feel like money sensibly spent rather than luxury.
Where value becomes questionable is if your real-world use is mild: flat, short, smooth rides at capped speeds. In that scenario, you're paying for capability you don't really exploit. But for the average rider who wants comfort, headroom and a scooter that doesn't feel out of breath the moment the road turns uphill, the ZERO 9 offers a more complete package, even if the asking price is flirting with more modern competition these days.
Service & Parts Availability
Both brands are known enough in Europe that you're not wandering into complete after-sales wilderness, which is more than can be said for some random marketplace specials.
JOYOR has a decent dealer and parts network across Europe, especially in Spain and surrounding regions. Controllers, tyres, batteries and consumables can be sourced without too much drama. The upside of the F-series being everywhere is that independent shops have seen them, know their quirks and can usually fix them without a learning curve. The downside is that some parts are very Joyor-specific, so you're somewhat tied to their ecosystem when something more structural fails.
ZERO, thanks to its long-standing presence and global distribution, has one of the more robust community and parts ecosystems in this class. Many components are fairly standard, and there's a deep catalogue of spares and upgrades - from brake parts and controllers to stems and suspension pieces. The flip side is that ZERO's official after-sales experience varies wildly with your local distributor. Some are excellent; others, less so. Fortunately, the community tends to fill in the gaps with guides, support and third-party suppliers.
In short: JOYOR offers solid, brand-centric support; ZERO offers a broader, more mod-friendly parts landscape, at the cost of sometimes needing to be a bit more hands-on or community-driven.
Pros & Cons Summary
| JOYOR F5S+ | ZERO 9 |
|---|---|
| Pros | Pros |
|
|
| Cons | Cons |
|
|
Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | JOYOR F5S+ | ZERO 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (nominal) | 500 W rear | 600 W rear |
| Motor power (peak) | 650 W | 1.200 W |
| Top speed (unlocked, approx.) | ca. 35-38 km/h | ca. 47 km/h |
| Battery | 48 V 13 Ah (ca. 624 Wh*) | 48 V 13 Ah (624 Wh) |
| Claimed range | 40-50 km | 45 km |
| Real-world range (typical) | ca. 30-35 km | ca. 30-35 km |
| Weight | 16 kg | 18 kg |
| Brakes | Rear drum + regen | Front disc, rear drum |
| Suspension | Front spring, dual rear springs | Front spring, twin rear air shocks |
| Tyres | 8" front pneumatic, 8" rear solid | 8,5" pneumatic front & rear |
| Max rider load | 120 kg | 120 kg |
| IP rating | IP54 | Marketed IP66 (real-world: cautious) |
| Charging time | 6-7 h | ca. 6 h |
| Approx. price | ca. 544 € | ca. 908 € |
*Note: JOYOR's battery is listed as 48 V 13 Ah; this implies around 624 Wh, despite some earlier marketing suggesting a smaller pack.
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If you strip away the marketing gloss and focus on daily reality, the choice between these two comes down to a simple triangle: portability, comfort and performance. You only get to pick two, and each scooter picks a different pair.
The JOYOR F5S+ goes all-in on portability and affordability, with "good enough" performance for urban limits. It's the better tool if your day involves stairs, trains and tiny storage spaces; it's also kinder to your bank account. As long as your roads aren't terrible and you're not trying to ride at derestricted speeds all the time, it does the job competently, if without much finesse. Think of it as a pragmatic workhorse with a slightly old-school flavour.
The ZERO 9 leans toward comfort and performance, accepting extra weight and cost as the price of admission. It accelerates harder, brakes better and rides more smoothly over the kind of patched-up asphalt most cities specialise in. It feels more secure when pushed and more pleasant on longer commutes. If your riding is mainly street-level, point-to-point, and your stairs are limited or optional, it's simply the more satisfying machine to live with day after day.
For most riders who can justify the extra spend and don't have brutal daily carrying demands, the ZERO 9 is the stronger overall choice: more capable, more composed and more future-proof for expanding commutes. The JOYOR F5S+ still makes sense if portability and price beat everything else on your priority list - but go into it knowing exactly what you're giving up to save those kilos and euros.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | JOYOR F5S+ | ZERO 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ✅ 0,87 €/Wh | ❌ 1,46 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ✅ 14,91 €/km/h | ❌ 19,32 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 25,64 g/Wh | ❌ 28,85 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ❌ 0,44 kg/km/h | ✅ 0,38 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ✅ 16,74 €/km | ❌ 27,94 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ✅ 0,49 kg/km | ❌ 0,55 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ✅ 19,20 Wh/km | ✅ 19,20 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 13,70 W/km/h | ❌ 12,77 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ❌ 0,032 kg/W | ✅ 0,030 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ❌ 96,0 W | ✅ 104,0 W |
These metrics are a purely mathematical way to look at how much "stuff" you get per euro, per kilogram, or per watt. Price per Wh and per kilometre show how cost-efficient the scooter is for energy and real-world range. Weight metrics tell you how much battery or speed you get for each kilogram you carry. Efficiency (Wh/km) indicates how frugal the scooter is with its battery. Power and charging metrics show how strongly and how quickly the scooter can deliver or replenish energy. They don't capture comfort or build feel, but they're useful for understanding the raw trade-offs under the skin.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | JOYOR F5S+ | ZERO 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ✅ Noticeably lighter to carry | ❌ Heavier, less stair-friendly |
| Range | ✅ Similar range, lower weight | ✅ Similar range, more power |
| Max Speed | ❌ Lower top-end pace | ✅ Faster when derestricted |
| Power | ❌ Weaker motor overall | ✅ Stronger, punchier motor |
| Battery Size | ✅ Same energy, lighter | ✅ Same energy, more grunt |
| Suspension | ❌ Basic, works but limited | ✅ More refined, plusher |
| Design | ❌ Dated, very utilitarian | ✅ Sportier, more cohesive |
| Safety | ❌ Single drum, solid rear | ✅ Better brakes and grip |
| Practicality | ✅ Easier to store and lift | ❌ Bulkier and heavier |
| Comfort | ❌ Solid rear limits comfort | ✅ Much smoother on rough |
| Features | ❌ Simpler, fewer extras | ✅ Swag lights, stronger brakes |
| Serviceability | ✅ Simple, common platform | ✅ Standard parts, many guides |
| Customer Support | ✅ Decent EU dealer network | ✅ Strong global distribution |
| Fun Factor | ❌ Fun, but capped by chassis | ✅ Noticeably more grin-inducing |
| Build Quality | ❌ Feels lighter, less solid | ✅ More robust overall feel |
| Component Quality | ❌ More budget-leaning parts | ✅ Better suspension, brakes |
| Brand Name | ❌ Less enthusiast prestige | ✅ Strong enthusiast recognition |
| Community | ✅ Plenty of European owners | ✅ Huge global user base |
| Lights (visibility) | ❌ Basic, nothing special | ✅ Stem and deck lighting |
| Lights (illumination) | ❌ Weak for dark roads | ❌ Also needs extra light |
| Acceleration | ❌ Quick, but milder | ✅ Stronger, more urgent |
| Arrive with smile factor | ❌ Competent, not thrilling | ✅ Genuinely entertaining ride |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ❌ More fatigue on rough | ✅ Suspension saves your joints |
| Charging speed | ❌ Slightly slower average | ✅ Slightly faster recharge |
| Reliability | ✅ Simple, fewer fancy bits | ✅ Robust if maintained |
| Folded practicality | ✅ Very compact folded size | ❌ Bulkier, less "brick-like" |
| Ease of transport | ✅ Light, easy to haul | ❌ Heavier, awkward longer carries |
| Handling | ❌ Nervous at higher speeds | ✅ More planted and stable |
| Braking performance | ❌ Rear drum only | ✅ Front disc plus drum |
| Riding position | ✅ Adjustable stem helps fit | ✅ Comfortable for most adults |
| Handlebar quality | ❌ Can rattle, feels light | ✅ Feels more solid |
| Throttle response | ❌ Less powerful, modest punch | ✅ Strong, responsive feel |
| Dashboard/Display | ❌ Basic, glare in sunlight | ❌ Same issues, no better |
| Security (locking) | ✅ Easy to thread small lock | ✅ Similar locking options |
| Weather protection | ❌ Light rain only, IP54 | ❌ Marketing optimistic on rain |
| Resale value | ❌ Weaker brand pull used | ✅ Holds value better |
| Tuning potential | ❌ Less common to mod | ✅ Popular platform to tweak |
| Ease of maintenance | ✅ Simple, fewer complex parts | ❌ Tyre work more annoying |
| Value for Money | ✅ Strong spec for lower price | ❌ Good, but pricey now |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the JOYOR F5S+ scores 7 points against the ZERO 9's 4. In the Author's Category Battle, the JOYOR F5S+ gets 14 ✅ versus 30 ✅ for ZERO 9 (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: JOYOR F5S+ scores 21, ZERO 9 scores 34.
Based on the scoring, the ZERO 9 is our overall winner. Between these two, the ZERO 9 is the scooter that feels more "sorted" once you're actually out on the street - it rides better, brakes harder, and makes rough commutes feel like less of a chore and more of a daily treat. The JOYOR F5S+ earns respect for how much it squeezes into such a light, affordable chassis, but too often you can feel exactly where the compromises sit when the road or the traffic gets serious. If you can live with the extra bulk and cost, the ZERO 9 is the one that keeps you smiling longer and worrying less about what the city throws at you. The JOYOR remains a clever choice for tighter budgets and tighter stairwells - but it's the scooter you buy because you have to; the ZERO 9 is the one you buy because you really want to ride it.
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.