NAMI Stellar vs KAABO Mantis X - The Mid-Range Showdown That Might Surprise You

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The NAMI Stellar edges out as the more complete, grown-up scooter for everyday riders: it rides smoother, feels more refined, and delivers a premium experience without trying to rip your arms off. The KAABO Mantis X fights back with stronger hill-climbing, more punch off the line and better range, making it a better fit for heavy riders, steep cities, and weekend thrill-seekers. If your priority is daily comfort, quality feel and "effortless" commuting, go Stellar. If you want to blast up hills, stretch longer distances and don't mind extra weight and a bit more fuss, the Mantis X has its appeal.

Now, let's dig into how they really compare once the honeymoon specs wear off.

In the increasingly crowded "serious commuter" segment, the NAMI Stellar and KAABO Mantis X sit right in that dangerous middle ground where scooters either become brilliant daily vehicles... or expensive toys that slowly gather dust in the hallway. I've put meaningful kilometres on both, and they're very different answers to the same question: how much performance do you actually need on the way to work?

The Stellar is NAMI's attempt to bottle the magic of their legendary hyper-scooters into something you can actually live with day to day. Think: premium suspension and silky sine-wave control in a compact, reasonably liftable package. The Mantis X, on the other hand, comes from a long lineage of "hold my coffee" Kaabo machines, dialled back just enough to be (somewhat) sensible, but still very much a dual-motor hooligan at heart.

If you're wondering whether you should go for NAMI's refined compact bruiser or Kaabo's high-energy hill-eater, keep reading: the differences show up the moment your feet hit the deck.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters land in that mid-range premium price area where buyers are moving up from rental-style commuters and want something "real" - proper suspension, meaningful speed, and a chassis that doesn't squeak like a shopping trolley after a month.

The NAMI Stellar is, at its core, a comfort-first, single-motor performance commuter. It's aimed at riders who want high-end feel, serious build quality and a plush ride, but don't care about keeping up with motorcycles. It's for people who want to enjoy the commute, not survive it.

The KAABO Mantis X, in contrast, leans hard into dual-motor performance in roughly the same weight and price ballpark. It's pitched at heavier riders, steeper cities, and those who want to mash the throttle on a Saturday and pretend they're carving snow. Where the Stellar whispers "smooth", the Mantis X happily shouts "more!".

They're natural rivals because they cost similar money, promise "premium mid-range", and target riders upgrading from the Segway/Ninebot/Xiaomi world. One gives you refinement and quality of life; the other sells extra grunt and range. The interesting part is what you give up for each.

Design & Build Quality

Park them side by side and the philosophy clash is obvious. The Stellar looks like a downsized, serious machine - that classic NAMI tubular frame, welded and unapologetically exposed. It feels like a miniaturised hyper-scooter: industrial, rigid, and impressively free of creaks when you start pushing it. The stem clamp locks down with intent, and once everything is tightened and Loctited, it feels like a single piece of metal rather than a set of hinged compromises.

The Mantis X follows the familiar Kaabo formula: chunky C-shaped suspension arms, a broader deck, and that aggressive "ready to pounce" stance. Materials are solid - the aviation-grade aluminium frame is no joke - but the overall feel is more modular and "parts assembled" than the Stellar's monolithic vibe. It still feels robust, but it doesn't quite radiate the same overbuilt seriousness when you pick it up and shake it.

Ergonomically, both cockpits are well thought out. The Stellar's large central TFT display looks and feels like it belongs on a much more expensive scooter - bright, information-rich, and deeply customisable. Buttons and switches are decent, though some riders find the ergonomics a bit of a stretch until muscle memory kicks in. The Mantis X's KM03 centre display is a big improvement over older Kaabo units and the NFC start is slick, but the switchgear and plastics feel slightly more "mass-market" than "premium instrument".

In the hand and under the feet, the Stellar comes across as the more cohesive, "engineered as a system" product. The Mantis X absolutely feels solid and capable, but you're more aware that this is a performance platform adapted to commute duty, not originally designed for civilised daily life.

Ride Comfort & Handling

This is where the NAMI name earns its reputation. The Stellar's suspension is frankly ridiculous for its size and price: adjustable front and rear shocks that actually do something when you tune them, combined with a geometry that isolates the deck from most of what the road is trying to do to you. On broken city tarmac and cobbles, the Stellar just glides. After a handful of kilometres of rough bike paths, my knees and wrists still feel surprisingly fresh, which is not something I can say about many mid-range scooters.

The 9-inch tubeless tyres are the only slight fly in the ointment. They're wide and confidence-inspiring, but when you drop into a deep pothole or hit a sharp-edged curb cut at a bad angle, you're reminded you don't have giant wheels. The saving grace is that the suspension is good enough to make the wheels feel bigger than they are. You float more than you'd expect from a scooter this compact.

The Mantis X counters with adjustable hydraulic shocks and big 10-by-3 tyres. On smooth to moderately rough surfaces, it's superb - cushy, composed and very "carvey". The wider tyres add a lovely, planted feel in fast bends, and the adjustable damping lets you stiffen things for spirited riding or soften it for city abuse. Over repeated long rides, the extra deck space also helps with foot fatigue: you can keep shifting stance to stay comfortable.

Push both hard into corners and through choppy surfaces, and the Stellar feels more precise and "tight", whereas the Mantis X feels more like a playful longboard - a bit more movement, a bit more bounce if you leave the suspension too soft, but very fun. For pure comfort, they're surprisingly close, but the Stellar's smaller tyres are compensated by a suspension tune that feels more refined out of the box. The Mantis X will absolutely iron out your commute - it just feels a tiny bit more "sporty toy" compared to the Stellar's "mini vehicle" composure.

Performance

On paper, this looks easy: dual motors versus single, case closed. In reality, it's more nuanced - but yes, when you want to go fast and climb hard, the Mantis X plays the louder card.

The Stellar's single rear motor, paired with NAMI's famous sine-wave controller, delivers a wonderfully linear, controlled surge. It pulls strongly enough to put a grin on your face and will happily sit at a brisk urban cruising speed without feeling stressed. The magic is in how it does it: no jerks, no surging, no noise - just smooth, predictable thrust that makes riding in crowded cities far less twitchy. It has enough torque for bridges, flyovers, normal European inclines and then some. On brutally steep, long hills, you'll feel it working, but you're rarely left stranded unless you deliberately pick a city built on cliffs.

The Mantis X is unapologetically more excitable. Fire up both motors and a sportier mode, and the scooter wants to jump forward the moment you give it real throttle. For getting away from lights or punching through traffic gaps, it's in a different league. Uphill, especially with a heavier rider, it just keeps pulling where the Stellar eventually runs out of breath. If you live somewhere that thinks gradients are a personality trait, the dual-motor Kaabo will feel like cheating.

Braking on both is good, but with different personalities. The Stellar's mechanical discs, helped by strong regen, offer progressive, confidence-inspiring stopping. Once bedded in and adjusted properly, you can scrub off speed smoothly without feeling like you're going to pitch over the handlebars. The Mantis X's discs and EABS give more bite, especially at higher speeds - you can really haul it down from max speed - but the feel is slightly more abrupt until you get used to the regen behaviour. Hydraulic brakes would have really completed the package; as it stands, we're in the territory of "very competent, but not as polished as it could be."

If your day-to-day ride is mostly flat to mildly hilly and you value refined, stress-free acceleration, the Stellar's performance is more than enough. If you regularly ride with traffic at full clip, haul a heavier body up nasty hills, or simply crave that "turbo" dual-motor hit, the Mantis X is undeniably the stronger performer.

Battery & Range

Here the story tilts firmly towards Kaabo. The Stellar's battery sits squarely in "serious commuter" territory. Ridden like a normal human - decent but not insane speeds, a mix of stop-start and flowing sections - you can rely on a comfortable medium-distance round trip without sweating. Ride full tilt everywhere and you'll eat through the pack noticeably quicker, but that's true of every scooter. For most urban commuters, it's enough: ride to work, maybe detour via a café, ride home, charge overnight.

The Mantis X simply carries more energy. That shows on real-world rides: you can push harder, ride longer, and still get home with a bit of buffer. For those doing longer daily distances or wanting to use the scooter both for commuting and weekend fun without constant charging, the extra capacity makes a difference you can feel in the pit of your stomach - namely, less range anxiety when the battery icon starts to drop.

The catch is charging. The Stellar's pack size means a full charge within a workday or a regular night's sleep with the stock charger is very realistic. The Mantis X, on the other hand, is very much an "overnight from low" affair with a standard charger. If you forget to plug in and find a half-empty battery in the morning, you're either doing eco-mode penance or hunting for a faster charger.

In short: Stellar is "enough range, easy to live with". Mantis X is "more range, more freedom, more patience required at the socket".

Portability & Practicality

Neither of these is a featherweight last-mile toy. They're both genuine vehicles. But the Stellar makes more of an effort to pretend it's portable.

On the scales, the NAMI is a few kilos lighter, and you do feel that when you have to haul it over a doorstep, up a couple of stairs, or into a car boot. The folding mechanism is secure rather than slick, but once folded, its footprint is quite reasonable. Lifting it by the stem feels manageable for most adults for short bursts. I wouldn't want to carry it up four floors daily, but for the occasional staircase it doesn't feel like punishment.

The Mantis X crosses that invisible line where you stop thinking "I'll just carry it" and start thinking "where's the lift?". The folding design is well executed - fast, tidy, and the hooked bars make it easy to grab - but the sheer mass is still there, and the wider bar/tyre combo adds bulk in crowded environments. In practical terms: car boot, yes; train and bus at rush hour, only if you're stubborn and mildly antisocial.

Weather protection is decent on both. The Stellar's IP rating and sensible fendering mean drizzle and wet patches aren't a drama, though like any non-motorbike scooter, deep puddles are still a bad idea. The Mantis X has a solid water rating as well, but riders do complain about rear fender spray on really wet days, so don't wear your finest white trousers if the forecast says "biblical".

For everyday living - storing under a desk, manoeuvring in tight hallways, lifting into cars - the NAMI just feels that bit more civilised. The Mantis X rewards you for tolerating its heft with extra performance and range, but you pay in sweat when stairs and public transport enter the chat.

Safety

Both scooters check the major safety boxes, but they do so with different emphases.

The Stellar focuses on being predictable and visible. The high-mounted headlight is actually usable at night, not just decorative, and the chassis feels impressively composed at the sensible speeds it's built for. The smaller wheels require a bit more attention when you're scanning for deep potholes, but the excellent suspension and solid stem inspire trust. The regen braking system is tuned very nicely - you can ride almost "one pedal" style once you're used to it, scrubbing speed early and keeping panic braking to a minimum.

The Mantis X, meanwhile, is designed to stay stable at higher speeds. The larger tyres and modern folding mechanism deliver strong straight-line stability, even when you're closer to the top of the speed range. The lighting package, with proper headlight and indicators, is a real boon in mixed traffic; being able to signal without hand-waving is a genuine safety upgrade. Braking performance is strong, but the combination of EABS and mechanical discs can feel a bit abrupt at first - it rewards riders who take the time to fine-tune lever feel and regen strength.

One thing to keep in mind: the Mantis X's performance potential raises the stakes. Mistakes at its upper speeds hurt more, and throttle discipline matters. The Stellar's more moderate ceiling is, in a way, a built-in safety feature for riders who don't entirely trust themselves not to get carried away.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

On pure sticker price, they're in the same stadium. On what you actually get for your money, they trade blows in interesting ways.

With the Stellar, you're paying for flagship tech scaled down: sine-wave control, a truly premium frame, excellent display, and suspension that frankly embarrasses a lot of scooters that cost much more. The raw spec sheet won't impress people obsessed with maximum watts per euro, but the quality of the ride and the feeling of solidity do. It's the kind of scooter that still feels "nice" after the new-toy smell has worn off.

The Mantis X, meanwhile, is aggressively specced for the money: dual motors, larger battery, adjustable hydraulic suspension, serious hill ability. On a spreadsheet, it absolutely looks like the better deal for performance hunters, especially if your local prices are favourable. The compromise is that some components and finishing touches land closer to "good mid-range" than "quietly premium". You get a lot of capability per euro, but not every detail feels as overbuilt as the marketing implies.

If your definition of value is "how much power and range can I get for this budget?", the Mantis X wins. If value for you means "how nice does it feel every single day I ride it?", the Stellar quietly makes a very strong case.

Service & Parts Availability

Both brands are well established with decent dealer networks, especially in Europe.

NAMI works closely with reputable retailers, and while it's a smaller brand than Kaabo, parts support for the Stellar is better than you might expect. Shared DNA with the bigger models means a lot of components are proven and not hard to source through specialist shops. The enthusiast community is smaller but quite dedicated, and NAMI has a good track record of iterating based on feedback.

Kaabo has sheer scale on its side. The Mantis line is everywhere, and that means pads, tyres, fenders, and even major parts are relatively easy to find. There's a huge ecosystem of tutorials, mods and upgrades. The flip side of that popularity is variation: different trims, different local spec tweaks, and the occasional parts lottery depending on your region. Still, if you want something that any half-decent scooter tech immediately recognises, the Mantis X is the safer bet.

Overall, Kaabo has the advantage in sheer parts ubiquity, while NAMI wins a bit on the "engineered platform" feel where fewer things feel bodged or improvised in the first place.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

Living with both, the pattern is clear. The NAMI Stellar feels like a smaller, saner version of a flagship scooter that just happens to make an excellent commuter. The KAABO Mantis X feels like a performance scooter that's been taught enough manners to do a commute without getting arrested.

If your riding is mostly urban, your roads are less than perfect, and you care more about arriving relaxed than shaving a few minutes off your time, the Stellar is the one that will quietly win your heart. Its suspension and controller tuning are a joy, and every ride feels composed and civilised. You give up the nuclear hill-climbing of dual motors and the longer legs of a bigger battery, but in return you get a scooter that simply feels "right" almost all of the time.

If you're heavier, live in a hilly city, or simply crave more hit when you twist the throttle, the Mantis X makes sense. It stretches further on a charge, shrugs at slopes, and offers a grin-inducing punch out of corners. You just have to be ready to live with more weight, slower charging, and a slightly less cohesive out-of-the-box feel that benefits from some fettling and setup.

For most everyday riders who want a premium-feeling, confidence-inspiring machine to commute on bad roads and still enjoy weekend spins, the NAMI Stellar is the better-balanced scooter. The KAABO Mantis X is the right choice if your priority list starts with "power" and "range" and you're willing to compromise a bit on refinement to get them.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics strip everything down to cold maths: cost per unit of battery or speed, how much mass you carry per range or power, and how efficiently each scooter turns watt-hours into kilometres. Lower is better for most (less money or weight per unit of performance), except where more power per speed and faster charging are desirable. They don't tell you how a scooter feels, but they're useful to see where each one is objectively thrifty or wasteful.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the NAMI Stellar scores 6 points against the KAABO Mantis X's 6. In the Author's Category Battle, the NAMI Stellar gets 33 ✅ versus 21 ✅ for KAABO Mantis X (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: NAMI Stellar scores 39, KAABO Mantis X scores 27.

Based on the scoring, the NAMI Stellar is our overall winner. Between these two, the one that keeps calling me back on grim weekday mornings is the NAMI Stellar. It simply feels more sorted, more relaxing, and more like a small, well-engineered vehicle than a tamed performance toy. The KAABO Mantis X can absolutely thrill and stretch further, but the Stellar is the scooter I'd actually choose to live with every day - the one that turns rough commutes into something you quietly look forward to rather than endure.

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.