Levy Plus vs Xiaomi M365 - Two Urban Classics Go Head to Head (But Which One Still Deserves Your Money?)

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

Xiaomi's M365 edges out as the more rounded everyday choice, mainly because it's lighter, cheaper, and backed by a gigantic ecosystem of parts, fixes and mods that keep it rolling for years. The Levy Plus fights back with a punchier motor, a bit more real-world range and that removable battery, which is genuinely useful if you can't drag a scooter into your flat or office. If you live in a walk-up, commute through mixed weather and like the idea of swapping batteries instead of swapping scooters, the Levy Plus can still make more sense.

If you want the simpler, proven, "buy it, ride it, forget it" experience - and don't need a removable battery - the Xiaomi M365 is the safer long-term bet. Both are decent commuters rather than dream machines, but one feels more sorted and better supported.

Stick around; the details and trade-offs are where this comparison really gets interesting.

Electric scooters have moved a long way from wobbly toys with squeaky brakes, but these two are still very much the reference point for "sensible commuter" territory. The Levy Plus is the modular, battery-in-the-stem upstart from New York, waving its removable pack like a backstage pass for apartment dwellers. The Xiaomi M365 is the old guard - the scooter that quietly dragged half the planet into micromobility without asking for much fanfare (or money).

I've put serious kilometres on both: early-morning commutes, wet cobblestones, lazy Sunday bike paths, and the occasional "why did I think this shortcut over broken pavement was a good idea?" moment. They're closer in character than you might think - modest performance, no real suspension, and both aimed squarely at people who care more about getting to work than setting lap times.

Under that surface similarity, though, they solve the same problem in very different ways. One hides the tech and leans on its massive community; the other shouts "swap my battery!" and hopes you notice. Let's pull them apart and see which one actually deserves your hallway space.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

These are classic mid-range commuters: sensible speeds, modest batteries, single motors, and weights your back can forgive. Neither is chasing the high-performance crowd; they're built for riders who want to replace a bus ride, not a motorbike.

The Levy Plus slots into that "entry-level premium" niche: a bit pricier, emphasising convenience and modularity over raw spec-sheet flex. The removable battery and slightly stronger motor say "serious commuter who still has to fight with stairs and landlords."

The Xiaomi M365, on the other hand, is the definition of baseline. It's cheaper, a little lighter and less powerful, but incredibly well understood. Every creak it can develop has been diagnosed on some forum already.

They're natural rivals because they target the same rider: someone doing daily city trips in the 5-20 km band, mostly on tarmac, who wants a scooter light enough for public transport and small flats, without spending big-scooter money.

Design & Build Quality

In the hand, the design philosophies are night and day. The Levy Plus wears its tech on its sleeve - that chunky stem is a dead giveaway that the battery lives up front. The deck is slim and fairly low, giving it a utilitarian look that says "commuter tool" more than "design icon." It feels reasonably solid, with a sturdy folding joint and minimal wobble when new. The battery clicks into place with a satisfying clunk, though the latch does need periodic checking to keep things tight over time.

The M365, in contrast, is all about hiding the tech. Battery in the deck, cables tucked away, proportions that almost pass for a manual kick scooter at a distance. It won design awards for a reason - it looks like a single clean object rather than a collection of parts. The folding latch is clever but notorious; if you ride a lot, you'll almost certainly meet the famous stem play at some point. Fortunately, cheap spacers and braces are everywhere, which says as much about Xiaomi's user base as it does about their hinge tolerances.

Material-wise, both rely on aluminium frames and simple, proven components. The Levy feels a bit more "startup industrial": purposeful but not exactly premium. The Xiaomi feels more finished but hides a couple of weak spots (rear fender, bottom battery cover) that don't love aggressive curbs or careless parking.

If you care about aesthetics and "object quality," the M365 has the edge. If you care about being able to pull your battery out like a magazine and stick it on your desk, the Levy Plus plays in a space Xiaomi simply doesn't touch.

Ride Comfort & Handling

Neither of these scooters has suspension, so you're relying entirely on tyre volume and frame geometry. The difference is that the Levy Plus rolls on larger air-filled tyres, while the M365 sticks with the classic, slightly smaller size that made so many rental riders discover what a pothole really feels like.

On decent city asphalt and bike lanes, both are fine. The Levy's bigger wheels smooth out expansion joints and cracks a bit better; you feel less of that harsh buzz through your knees on broken tarmac. After several kilometres of lumpy pavements, the Levy leaves you merely mildly annoyed, while the Xiaomi starts to feel like it's nagging every joint from the ankle up.

Handling-wise, the Levy's stem-mounted battery shifts weight forward and up. Steering feels a touch heavier, almost like there's a small backpack hanging off the bars. It's not unstable, just different - you get used to it after a day or two, but quick, low-speed wiggles feel more deliberate. The M365, with its deck-mounted battery, has a lower centre of gravity and a more "planted" feel in corners. It tips in more willingly and feels slightly more natural when carving bike paths.

Standing comfort is a narrow win for the Levy: the deck is a bit longer and easier to shift your stance on, though not exactly luxurious. The M365's rubber deck is grippy and confidence-inspiring, but narrower, so larger feet end up more stacked than staggered. After a longer ride, both will have you shifting your weight around, but neither is a torture device.

Performance

Acceleration is where the Levy Plus makes its presence known. Its motor has noticeably more shove off the line and holds speed more confidently on flat ground. You're not getting thrown backwards, but overtaking cyclists and staying with brisk bike-lane traffic is more effortless. It climbs mild city inclines more politely, though it still clearly belongs in the "city hills only, please" category. On steeper ramps, heavier riders will feel it bog; this just happens a bit later than on the Xiaomi.

The M365 feels gentler. From a standstill, it takes a push, then eases into speed with a smooth, predictable pull. In standard mode, it's lively enough for urban riding, but there's no drama. If your city is largely flat or gently rolling, it's adequate; add weight and steeper hills, and you'll quickly find yourself providing "human assist" kicks, particularly as the battery drops.

Top-speed sensation is different between them: the Levy Plus runs a little faster on paper and feels it in practice. At its max, it still feels reasonably composed, especially thanks to those bigger tyres, but you're aware you're using most of what it has. The M365 tops out earlier and feels more sedate at full tilt - which some riders might actually prefer, especially beginners. It's hard to accidentally get yourself into serious trouble on an M365 unless you try.

On the braking side, both do well for their class: rear disc plus front electronic braking. The Levy Plus adds the quaint-but-handy rear fender stomp as an emergency backup, which is comforting if you're the paranoid type. The Xiaomi's combined lever and regenerative front assist give a more unified feel, especially once you dial the settings in via the app. In an emergency stop, both do the job; neither feels like a high-performance braking system, but you're not left praying.

Battery & Range

On claimed figures, Levy Plus and M365 sit in the same ballpark. Out in the real world, the Levy generally goes a bit farther per charge, especially if you're not constantly pinning the throttle. Its battery is simply larger, and you can feel that on mixed urban routes - you finish commutes with a bit more headroom in reserve.

The Xiaomi's range is decent but more modest. For a typical there-and-back city commute in the low double-digit kilometre range, it's fine. Start pushing it longer, add hills or a heavier rider, and you'll be watching those battery bars more closely. It's very much designed for the classic "last few kilometres to and from transport" use case rather than long cross-town adventures.

Where the Levy Plus changes the game is the swappable pack. One extra battery in a backpack, and suddenly your "entry-level" scooter behaves like something much more touring-friendly. For riders with no secure indoor parking for a full scooter, being able to lock the chassis downstairs and just carry a small battery upstairs is genuinely life-changing. It also future-proofs the scooter: when the pack ages, you swap it, not the whole machine.

Charging is quicker on the Levy - pleasantly so. Plug it in while you have dinner and read some emails, and it's back to full. The Xiaomi takes noticeably longer to recharge from empty. Fine if you charge overnight, slightly annoying if you drain it before lunch and hope to ride again mid-afternoon.

Portability & Practicality

Portability is where both try to charm you, and they mostly succeed. The Xiaomi M365 is marginally lighter and it shows when you're carrying it one-handed up stairs or onto a train. That weight advantage, plus its compact fold and bell-as-latch solution, make it a very easy travel companion. Fold, hook, lift, done. Slide it under a desk and forget it's there.

The Levy Plus isn't far behind, but that stem battery makes it feel slightly top-heavy in the hand. Carrying it by the stem feels different to the more balanced Xiaomi. It's still absolutely manageable for a reasonably fit adult; you just don't get that "featherweight" impression. On the flip side, you can often avoid carrying it at all by locking the frame and just taking the battery, which in daily life is arguably the bigger win.

In cramped flats and offices, both have a small footprint when folded. The Xiaomi's cleaner design and integrated latch make it more elegant in small spaces; the Levy's fold is secure but not quite as tidy. As a piece of "apartment furniture," the Xiaomi looks less like a tool and more like a deliberate object.

For day-to-day practicality, the Levy's modular design really comes into play over the long term: battery replacement is trivial, and almost all the wear-prone bits are straightforward for DIYers. The M365 is also very DIY-friendly, but more in the "welcome to the forum, here's the mod kit, now swear at your tyres for two hours" sense.

Safety

Braking confidence is good on both, with a slight nod to the Xiaomi for how integrated and predictable the system feels once set up. One lever, both brakes working together, mild electronic ABS help - it all adds up to reassurance, especially in wet conditions. The Levy's triple option (disc, electronic, and fender) gives redundancy, which I appreciate, but out of the box the feel is a bit less refined.

Lighting is adequate on each, but not exactly motorbike-grade. The M365's headlight is surprisingly decent for urban use and mounted high enough to cast a useful beam. The Levy's integrated stem light is bright enough to be seen and to see on lit streets, though in truly dark suburbs or country paths you'll want extra lighting with either scooter. Rear visibility on both is fine, with tail-lights that react when braking.

Tyres are an important safety piece. The Levy's larger air-filled tyres are simply more forgiving if you misjudge a crack or tram track - they roll over more nonsense before it becomes a crash. The Xiaomi's smaller tyres are okay if you stay alert; let your concentration slip over a deep pothole and you can very much pay for it.

On stability, the M365's deck-mounted battery and low centre of gravity help a lot. High-speed wobble isn't really an issue at its modest speeds, but the folding joint needs to be kept in good condition; neglect it and you introduce play you don't want. The Levy's stem heaviness shifts some weight forward, which is mostly fine but asks you to respect wet surfaces and steep downhills a bit more.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

On price alone, the Xiaomi M365 has the clear advantage. It asks significantly less and still delivers a very competent commute. In a market where cheap scooters can be genuinely awful, the M365 manages to feel "proper" without raiding your savings. Factor in its strong resale value, and it turns into one of the most sensible financial decisions you can make on two electric wheels.

The Levy Plus charges a noticeable premium. In return, you get the removable battery, a bit more real-world range, a slightly stronger motor and faster charging. Whether that's worth the extra outlay depends heavily on your living situation. If you have a lift, secure storage and easy sockets, you might never fully exploit what you paid for. If you're in a fifth-floor walk-up with a grumpy landlord and no ground-floor power, that extra money suddenly feels very reasonably spent.

Long term, the Levy's replaceable battery concept helps with longevity, but the Xiaomi counters with massive parts availability and a huge used market. From a pure bang-for-buck perspective, especially for first-time buyers, the M365 still wins.

Service & Parts Availability

Levy is a smaller, more human brand. You get a direct line to a company that actually knows the product it sells, with spares and repair guides clearly documented. For riders in North America that's a real plus; in Europe you may rely more on shipping and third-party services, but at least the parts exist and the company is engaged.

Xiaomi is a global giant; your experience depends on where you live. Official support can vary, but what really matters with the M365 is the unofficial network. Need a new controller, brake lever, fender, dashboard, or a random rubber plug? Odds are you'll find five versions on an online marketplace in about thirty seconds. Any competent scooter shop knows how to work on it, and YouTube is overflowing with repair walkthroughs.

For EU riders specifically, Xiaomi has the edge: there are simply more parts, more shops and more second-hand scooters floating around. The Levy is serviceable and repair-friendly, but feels more like a "specialist item"; the M365 is a common language.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

After living with both, the Xiaomi M365 still feels like the more complete, better-balanced package for the average rider. It asks less from your wallet, less from your muscles when you carry it, and rewards you with a scooter that simply gets the commuter job done without fuss. The handling is natural, the design has aged well, and the ecosystem around it practically guarantees you'll never be stuck for a fix.

The Levy Plus is more of a specialist: stronger motor, slightly better range, bigger tyres and that removable battery. If you live in a city where charging a whole scooter indoors is a recurring nightmare, or you regularly push your range and like the idea of dropping in a fresh pack, the Levy's concept makes a lot of sense. It's a clever tool, just not one that everyone needs.

If I had to recommend one blind to a typical city commuter who wants a straightforward, good-value first scooter, I'd steer them to the Xiaomi M365. For the rider with a walk-up flat, awkward parking and a longer urban route, the Levy Plus becomes the smarter, if less universally appealing, choice.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics answer very specific questions: how much battery and speed you get for your money, how much weight you carry per unit of performance or range, how efficiently each scooter turns watt-hours into distance, and how quickly you can refill the tank. Lower "per something" values mean you're getting more for less; higher power-per-speed and charging power numbers mean stronger pull and quicker turnarounds between rides.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the LEVY Plus scores 7 points against the XIAOMI M365's 3. In the Author's Category Battle, the LEVY Plus gets 25 ✅ versus 18 ✅ for XIAOMI M365 (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: LEVY Plus scores 32, XIAOMI M365 scores 21.

Based on the scoring, the LEVY Plus is our overall winner. Neither of these scooters is perfect, but the Xiaomi M365 stitches its compromises together into a calmer, more cohesive everyday ride that's easier on your wallet and your brain. The Levy Plus feels a bit more eager and clever, yet also more situational - brilliant if you live the removable-battery lifestyle, less convincing if you don't. In daily use, the Xiaomi fades into the background and just quietly works, while the Levy nudges you with a bit more speed and that handy pop-out pack. For most riders, that quiet competence wins; for a narrower group juggling stairs, storage and longer trips, the Levy Plus still makes a lot of sense.

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.