Budget Brawlers Face-Off: KUGOO M4 vs ANGWATT F1 NEW - Which "Cheap Beast" Actually Deserves Your Money?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The ANGWATT F1 NEW is the overall winner: it delivers stronger performance, a noticeably bigger battery, better front suspension, tubeless tyres and far better value, all for significantly less money. It feels like a modern budget muscle scooter, not yesterday's "fast but fiddly" project.

The KUGOO M4 still makes sense if you really want the included seat, slightly lower weight, huge community, and don't mind regular tinkering and bolt-check rituals. It can be a capable workhorse if you're patient and handy with tools.

If you care about getting the most real performance and comfort per euro, go ANGWATT. If you're a modder who enjoys fussing over their scooter like an old car, the KUGOO M4 can still be your thing.

Stick around-because the devil, and the fun, are both in the details.

There's a particular corner of the scooter world where specs are loud, prices are low, and refinement is... negotiable. That's exactly where the KUGOO M4 and ANGWATT F1 NEW live. Both promise "big scooter" speed and range for "small scooter" money, and both have built themselves reputations as budget beasts.

I've spent a lot of kilometres on machines like these, and these two are classic examples of different eras of budget performance. The KUGOO M4 is the older street legend: fast, rough around the edges, loved by tinkerers. The ANGWATT F1 NEW feels like the new kid who read all the forum complaints about scooters like the M4 and quietly fixed half of them.

If you're trying to decide which one deserves your hallway space (and your spine), this comparison will walk you through how they really feel on the road, what breaks your back, what breaks your nerves, and which one actually deserves your money.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters sit in that "serious but still kind-of-affordable" class. They're much faster and heavier than rental-style 25 km/h toys, but far cheaper than the big-name dual-motor monsters. Think: people who commute longer distances, heavier riders, or anyone who wants to stop being the slowest thing in the bike lane.

The KUGOO M4 pitches itself as an all-rounder: fast enough for traffic, comfy thanks to suspension and a wide deck, and with an included seat to tempt longer commutes. It's clearly aimed at riders who want car-replacement vibes on a strict budget.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW comes at it from the other angle: more motor, more battery, more modern features (NFC, tubeless tyres, hydraulic front shock) while still undercutting a lot of the market on price. It's the "I want ridiculous value and I don't care about the brand logo" choice.

They're natural rivals because on paper they occupy the same niche: single-motor budget hot-rods with proper suspension. In practice, they feel quite different the moment you leave your driveway.

Design & Build Quality

Pick up the KUGOO M4 and the first impression is: this is very much a "parts-bin special". Aluminium frame, exposed cables, a deck with grip tape, mechanical bits all over the place. It looks like a scooter designed by someone who prioritised a spec sheet over a design department. Not ugly, but very functional. And yes, the infamous cable spaghetti hanging off the front is real.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW, while still no design award contender, feels more modern and coherent. The frame mixes steel and aluminium with chunky, purposeful lines. The cockpit is dominated by a big central display and a tidier bar layout. The cabling is still visible (this is not a Segway), but less chaotic. The whole thing gives off "budget tank" rather than "kit scooter from a warehouse".

Where the difference really shows is in perceived solidity. The F1's folding latch locks in with convincing firmness; stem play is minimal, even at speed. On some KUGOO M4 units, I've had to wrestle with wobble and clamp adjustments before I trusted it above cruising speeds. That's not a problem you really want to have to solve on a "vehicle", but it's almost a rite of passage with the M4.

Finish quality follows the same pattern. The M4's external fasteners, clamps and joints all scream "please check me every week". The F1 NEW still benefits from a bolt check like any direct-import scooter, but it feels like fewer corners were cut in the chassis itself.

Design philosophy in one line: the KUGOO M4 looks like a powerful DIY project; the ANGWATT F1 NEW looks like a deliberately engineered product.

Ride Comfort & Handling

On the comfort front, both are galaxies ahead of stiff commuter toys-but they don't feel the same at all.

The KUGOO M4 uses basic spring suspension front and rear. It does a decent job soaking up smaller chatter and takes the sting out of rough tarmac. But it's very "bouncy scooter": hit a series of bumps and the front end can start pogoing, especially if you're heavier or running hard tyres. On broken city streets, after a few kilometres, you know you're on a budget setup.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW steps it up with an oil-damped (hydraulic) front shock paired with a spring, plus a beefy rear spring setup. That hydraulic front end is the star here. When you drop off a curb or slam through a pothole, it compresses and returns in a controlled, calm way instead of catapulting you back up. The ride is notably more composed and less fatiguing, especially at higher speeds on bad surfaces.

Both stand on large air-filled tyres, but the F1's tubeless setup shines. You can run slightly lower pressures without constantly fearing pinch flats, which adds a subtle but welcome softness to the ride. The M4's tubed tyres still cushion nicely, but you feel every sharp hit that makes it past the springs.

In handling terms, the KUGOO M4 is nimble enough, with a reasonably wide bar and a stable deck. But that occasional stem play and the lighter front end can make it feel a bit nervous at higher speeds, especially on less-than-perfect surfaces. On a long, fast stretch, you tend to ride with a tiny bit of tension in your shoulders.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW feels more planted. The bar is wide, the wheelbase a touch longer, and the front suspension + tubeless tyres combo gives you that reassuring "glued down" feeling in fast sweepers. You notice it when you lean in: the F1 encourages you to trust it; the M4 asks you to stay alert.

Performance

Both scooters claim "proper" speed, but again, they reach that goal in different ways.

The KUGOO M4's motor sits in the familiar mid-power bracket. It's a strong step up from rental-grade scooters - you'll happily shoot off the line from lights, outpacing cyclists and commuter scooters with ease. Acceleration is brisk enough to be fun, especially in the highest mode, but it doesn't feel brutal. Top speed is genuinely "too fast for a casual bike lane" but below full-on hyper-scooter madness. Once you're there, the motor starts to feel like it's giving most of what it has.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW, by contrast, feels like someone gave a middleweight scooter a gym membership. That higher peak power and beefier controller translate to a considerably harder shove off the line. You squeeze the throttle and the rear tyre really digs in. It's still controllable, but you immediately feel that you've moved a league up in grunt. At speed, the F1 holds that top-end pace with more ease; it doesn't feel as strained. It's the one that has you casually cruising at speeds where on the M4 you'd already be "pushing it".

Hill climbing tells the same story. On the KUGOO, moderate hills are absolutely doable; you slow down, but you don't have to kick. Steeper climbs will make it work hard and trim your speed significantly, especially if you're on the heavier side. With the ANGWATT F1 NEW, those same hills are dispatched with a more confident surge. Long bridges, flyovers, and city slopes are just part of the landscape, not tactical obstacles.

Braking is competent on both. The M4 relies on dual mechanical discs which, once adjusted properly, haul it down respectably, though lever feel can be a bit crude. The F1 adds an electronic braking layer to its mechanical discs, which helps scrub speed more progressively and reduces pad reliance when you're doing repeated high-speed stops. Neither has the crisp, one-finger magic of hydraulic setups, but the F1's combination feels more "grown-up" when you're really hustling.

Battery & Range

The KUGOO M4 offers what used to be considered "very decent" capacity in this class. Realistically, if you ride enthusiastically - stop-start city riding, frequent full-throttle bursts - you're looking at a comfortable medium-distance commute with some spare in the tank. For many riders that's enough, but you're aware of the gauge after a spirited session.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW plays in another league for this price. Its battery is substantially larger, and you feel that in day-to-day life. Aggressive riding still gets you a proper long outing; ride it more sensibly and you can put in serious mileage before you feel any anxiety. The difference isn't subtle: with the F1, a there-and-back commute plus extra errands in between is something you do, not something you plan.

Neither is a fast-charging monster: with the stock chargers, both want the better part of a working day or an overnight plug-in to get from nearly empty to full. Given the F1's much bigger pack, that's perfectly acceptable-and in terms of "kilometres added per hour on the charger", the ANGWATT actually comes out ahead.

In real use: on the KUGOO M4 you plan your longer days; on the ANGWATT F1 NEW you mostly forget about the battery until much later in the week.

Portability & Practicality

Neither of these scooters is what I'd call "lift-friendly". They are both firmly in "small vehicle" territory, not folding toy territory.

The KUGOO M4 is the lighter of the two, and you do notice that when you have to haul it up a staircase or into a car boot. "Less painful" is still the right phrase - carrying it up several flights will qualify as leg day. The folding handlebars help a lot in tight spaces, and it will slot into most car boots without drama.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW, on the other hand, is unapologetically heavy. You feel every extra kilo when you deadlift it. If you live in a building without a lift and think you'll be carrying your scooter regularly, this weight can move from "annoying" to "deal-breaker" very quickly. Folded size is compact enough, but this is something you want to roll, not lift.

On practicality beyond weight, the tables turn. The F1's sturdier kickstand, bigger deck, tubeless tyres and generally more robust-feeling frame make it a better day-to-day tool if you're not constantly carrying it. The NFC system is a nice security convenience - nobody is joyriding this without your card.

The KUGOO's trump card is the included seat. For longer, slower commutes or if you have back or knee issues, being able to sit transforms the experience. But the flip side is more hardware to rattle and adjust, and yet another thing to maintain.

Safety

Safety on a scooter in this class is a package deal: braking, stability, lighting, and how much the scooter makes you work to keep it in line.

The KUGOO M4 does tick many boxes on paper: dual disc brakes, front and rear lights, turn indicators, side LEDs, big pneumatic tyres. When set up correctly and kept in good shape, it can be a secure platform. But that's the rub: "when set up correctly". Out of the box, I've seen everything from rubbing discs to loose stem clamps, and speed wobble is not a myth if you ignore your bolts.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW feels more inherently stable at pace. The front hydraulic shock resists the chattering that can unsettle the front wheel, the frame feels more torsionally stiff, and the weight distribution gives you a confident, planted stance. Add in its electronic brake support and you get better composure when hauling down from high speeds.

Lighting is decent on both, with proper front lights, brake lights, side illumination and indicators. As usual in this segment, turn signals are mounted too low to fully trust with inattentive drivers, but they're a good complement to hand signals. The F1's lighting package feels a touch more modern and cohesive, but both are visible enough at night.

In simple terms: the KUGOO M4 can be safe if you're diligent. The ANGWATT F1 NEW feels safer by default, especially if you like going fast often.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

This is where things get awkward for the KUGOO M4.

The M4 earned its reputation in an era when getting this level of speed, suspension and range at its price was genuinely impressive. Today, it's significantly more expensive than the ANGWATT F1 NEW while delivering less motor power, a smaller battery and a less refined ride. You're paying a premium for an older concept, plus the comfort of a huge existing community and ecosystem of parts.

The ANGWATT F1 NEW, meanwhile, is aggressively priced. You get bigger everything - motor, battery, comfort hardware - for substantially less money. It's the textbook definition of "bang for your buck" in this category. Yes, you're sacrificing some brand maturity and local support, but in pure cost-for-capability terms, it simply runs away with it.

If your wallet is the ultimate judge, it's not a close contest.

Service & Parts Availability

KUGOO's ace is age and scale: the M4 has been around long enough that parts are everywhere. Generic discs, tyres, controllers, even upgraded clamps and stems-you name it, someone sells it cheaply. Official customer support can be slow or patchy, but the third-party and community ecosystem is vast. If you're willing to wrench, it's almost impossible to "total" a KUGOO M4.

ANGWATT, being newer and tied largely to big online retailers, leans more on that retail chain for support. Parts are available, but often via the same limited set of channels you bought it from, or generic compatible components. There's a growing community, but it doesn't yet rival the sheer volume of Kugoo owners swapping tips in every language on Earth.

So: for pure parts availability and community know-how, KUGOO still has the edge. For official, polished, local after-sales support... neither is a shining example, but the F1 doesn't magically fix the direct-import reality either.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

Between these two, the ANGWATT F1 NEW is the scooter that feels like it belongs in the current generation. It rides better, goes harder, goes further, and somehow costs a lot less. On the road it feels like a solid, confident little brute that's just as happy blasting to work as it is soaking up an evening joyride. If you want maximum real-world performance and comfort for your money, this is the clear pick.

The KUGOO M4 is tougher to recommend at its present price. It still has its charms: the seat turns long commutes into sit-down cruises, the adjustable cockpit suits taller riders, and the ocean of community knowledge and cheap parts makes it attractive for tinkerers. But it demands more babysitting, feels older in its ride and design, and simply doesn't match the ANGWATT on power or value.

If you're a hands-on rider who likes to mod, fiddle and "own" their machine mechanically, and that seat really speaks to you, the KUGOO M4 can still make sense. For everyone else-the commuters who want a fast, comfy, brutally good-value scooter that just gets on with it-the ANGWATT F1 NEW is the one that will put the bigger grin on your face more often, and for less money.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics let you compare how efficiently each scooter turns euros, watts, kilograms and time on the charger into speed and range. Lower cost per Wh or per kilometre shows how much "battery and distance" you get for your money; weight-based ratios highlight how much mass you haul around for that performance; efficiency (Wh/km) reveals how thirsty the scooter is; and power/speed and weight/power ratios show how strongly the motor is pushing relative to its weight and top speed. Average charging speed tells you how quickly your wall socket turns into usable energy in the pack.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the KUGOO M4 scores 2 points against the ANGWATT F1 NEW's 8. In the Author's Category Battle, the KUGOO M4 gets 14 ✅ versus 27 ✅ for ANGWATT F1 NEW (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: KUGOO M4 scores 16, ANGWATT F1 NEW scores 35.

Based on the scoring, the ANGWATT F1 NEW is our overall winner. As a rider, the ANGWATT F1 NEW is simply the scooter that makes more sense: it feels stronger under your feet, smoother over bad roads, and far kinder to your bank account. It gives you that "big scooter" feeling without demanding "big scooter" money, and it does it with a reassuring sense of composure. The KUGOO M4 still has a certain scruffy charm, especially if you like to tinker and value the seat and huge community, but next to the F1 it feels like yesterday's hero hanging on at tomorrow's prices. If you want to smile more often and worry less about whether your scooter can keep up-with your commute and with the times-the ANGWATT is the one to ride away on.

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.