Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
If you just want the better everyday scooter, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is the safer, more rounded choice: stronger motor, more confident braking, better hill performance and a huge advantage in parts availability and community support. It feels like a mature, well-sorted commuter rather than an experiment.
The Reid E4 mainly makes sense if you're obsessed with design, want zero punctures at any cost, and your rides are short, smooth and flat - more riverside promenade than urban obstacle course. It looks flashier and is a touch lighter, but you pay for that in comfort, performance and long-term practicality.
If you care about riding feel and reliability more than underglow LEDs, the Mi 3 is the one to beat. If you're still unsure, keep reading - the differences become very clear once you imagine a full week of real commuting on each.
Electric scooters in this price bracket are no longer toys; they're commuting tools you rely on every single day. I've put decent kilometres on both the Reid E4 and the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3, in the kind of conditions that don't appear in marketing brochures: wet zebra crossings, broken pavement, overpacked trains and early-morning dashes when you're already late.
On paper, these two look like natural rivals: similar weight, similar claimed range, same legal top speed. In reality, they approach urban commuting from very different angles: one prioritises style and fuss-free ownership, the other focuses on proven hardware and predictable behaviour.
If you're trying to decide which one should actually live in your hallway, not just in an Instagram post, this comparison will walk you through how they stack up once the honeymoon period is over.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters sit in that "serious entry-level" class: light enough to carry without swearing, fast enough to replace a bus for short hops, and priced so you still have money left for a helmet. They target commuters, students and urban riders who want something better than a no-name special, but aren't ready to haul around a 25 kg monster with motorcycle suspension.
The Reid E4 aims at the style-conscious beginner: you get a flashy cockpit, underglow lighting and puncture-proof tyres in a very portable package. Think "fashion-forward last-mile tool".
The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is more of a workhorse: subtle design, familiar form factor, a stronger motor and a platform with an army of spare parts and tutorials behind it. It's built to be the default answer to "Which scooter should I buy?"
Same use case, similar budget, very different priorities - which is exactly why they deserve to be compared head-to-head.
Design & Build Quality
Pick up the Reid E4 and the first impression is actually pretty good. The frame feels solid, the folding latch uses stainless steel hardware, and the integrated colour display does look pleasantly high-end. The cable routing is tidy, and that underglow plus headlight surround gives it a bit of sci-fi theatre at night. It's clearly designed to be noticed.
The Xiaomi goes the opposite way: minimalist, industrial, nothing screams for attention. But after a few hundred kilometres, you start appreciating that restraint. The deck rubber is grippy and hard-wearing, the paint resists scuffs reasonably well, and the updated folding mechanism feels tighter and less "hingey" than earlier generations. It doesn't wow, it just quietly gets on with it.
Up close, the Xiaomi's aluminium frame and welds look more like mass-produced consumer tech; the Reid feels a bit more boutique - until you start digging into details like tyre choice, water-proofing and long-term parts support. The E4's IP rating is slightly weaker, and community reports of post-warranty battery/controller issues don't exactly inspire confidence for years of heavy use.
If you judge by showroom appeal, the Reid walks away with the beauty pageant sash. If you judge by how the thing is likely to age after two winters and three sets of brake pads, the Xiaomi's more conservative build starts to make more sense.
Ride Comfort & Handling
Let's talk about comfort, because this is where spec sheets lie most convincingly.
Reid went all-in on solid, cellular tyres and no suspension. On glass-smooth asphalt the E4 feels planted and surprisingly pleasant - the deck is broad, stance is relaxed, and the rubberised grips help with buzzing. But give it a kilometre of broken pavement or rough tiles and the story changes quickly. Every crack comes through your feet like a telegraph signal, and after a longer city ride your knees and wrists know they've been working.
The Xiaomi also skips suspension, but pairs that rigid frame with air-filled tyres. On good tarmac, it's genuinely silky; on average city streets, it still soaks up the sharp edges better than the Reid. You'll feel potholes and cobbles, of course, but the vibrations are dulled rather than punched straight into your ankles. With a bit of "soft knee" technique, it stays tolerable even on less-than-perfect routes.
In corners, both are stable at their modest top speeds, but the Xiaomi's pneumatic rubber gives more trust on uneven or off-camber surfaces. The E4's solid tyres stay round and puncture-free, yet on wet paint or smooth tiles they can feel a bit skittish, especially during sudden direction changes.
If your commute is mostly smooth bike paths, both are fine. The more your city resembles a patchwork of road repairs, the more the Xiaomi starts to feel like the grown-up choice for your joints.
Performance
Performance is where similarity on paper hides very different personalities on the road.
The Reid E4's front motor is tuned for gentle, predictable acceleration. In its sportiest mode it will eventually reach the legal city limit, but it takes its time getting there. Off the line, it's friendly rather than exciting - great if you're nervous in traffic, less great if you're trying to beat the lights. On flat ground it cruises acceptably; throw in a headwind or a subtle uphill and you'll feel it losing enthusiasm, especially if you're anywhere near the upper weight limit.
The Xiaomi's motor simply has more punch in reserve. In its fastest mode it pulls you up to commuting speed with noticeably more urgency, and it hangs on better when the road tilts up. Moderate hills that make the Reid cough along become merely "slowed but manageable" on the Mi 3. On short ramps and bridges you don't instinctively prepare to kick-assist; it just grinds through.
Braking tells a similar story. The Reid's combination of electronic and mechanical rear braking works, and the lever feel is okay, but it's easy to lock the rear tyre and skid on smooth surfaces if you panic. The Xiaomi's upgraded dual-pad rear brake and refined front electronic braking are a step up in confidence. Hard stops feel more composed and controllable, with fewer "am I about to do a front-flip?" moments when the surface isn't perfect.
If you're light, live somewhere flat and rarely need to brake aggressively, the E4's performance is serviceable. If you have hills, heavy backpacks, or a habit of leaving distance-keeping to the last second, the Xiaomi is simply the more capable platform.
Battery & Range
Both brands quote ranges that assume you are a featherweight gliding at a leisurely pace on billiard-table roads. In the real world, riding them back-to-back at full legal speed, they land in a very similar ballpark.
The Reid's battery is a touch smaller on paper, and that shows: push it in the fastest mode and you're realistically looking at a short-to-medium commute with a bit in reserve - enough for most urban routines, but not something you'd choose for a long urban exploration day unless you know there's a plug waiting.
The Xiaomi's pack is slightly larger and paired with a more efficient motor. In identical conditions it tends to eke out a bit more distance, particularly if you're disciplined and spend some time in the middle speed mode. The catch is charging time: the Mi 3 takes noticeably longer to go from empty to full, which matters if you want to recharge completely between morning and evening rides.
Range anxiety on the Reid tends to show up a little earlier, but its faster top-up helps offset that if you can charge at work. The Xiaomi gives you a safer buffer for days when you detour for errands, at the cost of longer sessions at the wall.
Portability & Practicality
This is one area where the Reid genuinely puts up a good fight. It's a shade lighter than the Xiaomi, and that stainless-steel folding joint feels commendably solid out of the box. Folding is quick, and when hooked onto the rear mudguard the package is compact and well balanced in the hand. For short stair carries and squeezing into tight apartment hallways, it does well.
The Xiaomi is marginally heavier on paper, but in practice the difference is small enough that most riders won't really notice. Its folded shape is slightly longer but slimmer, and the hook-to-mudguard system is equally quick. Where the Mi 3 pulls ahead is in the "lived-with" details: the deck rubber is less prone to scuffing, the latch design has been through several generations of refinement, and the tolerances stay tight for longer according to users who have hammered these things for years.
Reid adds some nice touches - the integrated bell, the grocery-bag hook on the stem, the app-based motor lock. Xiaomi counters with a more polished app, better integration with its ecosystem, and the quiet practicality of being the scooter every third shop knows how to service.
If your day involves multiple fold-carry cycles, either will work. If you care about how the scooter will feel after folding it thousands of times rather than dozens, it's hard to ignore Xiaomi's track record.
Safety
On a scooter, safety is mostly about three things: stopping, staying upright, and being seen.
The Reid does a decent job on visibility. The multi-LED headlight with coloured surround gives you a large light signature, and the underglow makes you very obvious in the dark - arguably more obvious than the Xiaomi. The rear light and reflectors are fine, though not spectacular. Braking strength is adequate, but that rear solid tyre can break traction suddenly if you really clamp down in the wet.
The Xiaomi doesn't have the party lights, but it does have a larger, brighter rear lamp and well-placed reflectors front and side. More importantly, the braking package feels more predictable when you're hard on the lever. You still need to respect road conditions, of course, but there's more modulation and less drama when you misjudge a stopping distance.
Tyre choice plays a huge part in stability. Solid tyres mean no punctures for the Reid, but they also mean less give and, in the wet, a narrower margin for error. The Mi 3's pneumatic tyres put more rubber and flexibility between you and the tarmac. You can still wash out if you do something silly on a painted line, but grip levels are more forgiving overall.
Lighting flair: Reid. Actual safety net on sketchy surfaces and panic braking: Xiaomi.
Community Feedback
| Reid E4 | Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|
| What riders love Stylish design, bright cockpit, fun underglow, no punctures, light to carry, quick charging. |
What riders love Reliable everyday use, strong brakes, better hill climbing, easy-to-find parts, sensible weight, mature app. |
| What riders complain about Harsh ride on rough ground, weaker hill performance, occasional battery/controller issues, mixed after-sales support, solid tyres slipping in the wet. |
What riders complain about No suspension, real-world range lower than claims, performance fade on low battery, puncture hassles, strict top-speed cap. |
Price & Value
Price-wise, the gap between these two is smaller than many people expect, with the Reid usually a bit more expensive than the Xiaomi despite its smaller battery and softer performance. You're paying for looks, the fancy display and the promise of no punctures, rather than for harder-hitting hardware.
The Xiaomi undercuts it while serving up a punchier motor, pneumatic tyres, stronger brakes and the comfort of a colossal parts ecosystem. It's not outrageously cheap, but viewed over a few years of use, it's very hard to argue against the cost-per-kilometre it offers.
If the Reid were clearly cheaper, its compromises would be easier to swallow. Sitting where it does, it has to rely heavily on its design appeal to justify itself - and for some riders that will be enough, but purely on value terms the Mi 3 is the more rational buy.
Service & Parts Availability
This is where the Xiaomi quietly crushes most of the competition, Reid included. Thanks to its global popularity and shared platform with earlier models, you can find spares for the Mi 3 almost everywhere: inner tubes, tyres, brake discs, controllers, third-party accessories, you name it. There's a tutorial video for every operation and plenty of independent shops that know the platform inside out.
With the Reid E4, things are less rosy. Official support exists, but feedback on responsiveness is mixed, and sourcing specific parts can be a bit of a treasure hunt once you're outside major markets. You're far more reliant on the brand itself staying engaged with the product line. If you're handy with tools but like knowing replacement bits will still be available in a few years, Xiaomi offers a lot more peace of mind.
Pros & Cons Summary
| Reid E4 | Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | Reid E4 | Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (rated) | 250 W front hub | 300 W front hub (600 W peak) |
| Top speed | 25 km/h (limited) | 25 km/h (limited) |
| Battery capacity | 270 Wh (36 V, 7,5 Ah) | 275 Wh (36 V, 7,65 Ah) |
| Claimed range | 28 km | 30 km |
| Real-world range (typical) | 18-22 km | 18-22 km |
| Weight | 13,1 kg | 13,2 kg |
| Brakes | Front electronic + rear disc | Front E-ABS + rear dual-pad disc |
| Suspension | None | None |
| Tyres | 8,5" solid cellular rubber | 8,5" pneumatic (air-filled) |
| Max rider load | 100 kg | 100 kg |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Charging time | 3-4 h | 5,5 h |
| Price (approx.) | 506 € | 462 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
After living with both, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 comes out as the more rounded, less compromised scooter for actual day-to-day urban use. It isn't glamorous and it won't win any originality contests, but it accelerates more confidently, climbs better, stops with more assurance and rides noticeably more comfortably on the same broken city surfaces.
The Reid E4 feels like a great concept that leans too hard into aesthetics and maintenance-free tyres at the expense of comfort and real-world performance. If your rides are short, your roads are smooth and you value the "wow, that looks cool" factor above outright capability, you can absolutely be happy with it - just go in knowing what you're trading away.
If, however, you want a scooter that will quietly get you to work and back in a wide variety of conditions, is easy to repair, and doesn't make you dread the odd hill or emergency stop, the Mi 3 is simply the more sensible partner. It may be the boring choice on the shop floor, but out in the street it's the one that feels like it was designed by people who commute, not just people who design.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | Reid E4 | Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 1,87 €/Wh | ✅ 1,68 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 20,24 €/km/h | ✅ 18,48 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ❌ 48,52 g/Wh | ✅ 48,00 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 0,524 kg/km/h | ❌ 0,528 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 25,30 €/km | ✅ 23,10 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ✅ 0,655 kg/km | ❌ 0,66 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ✅ 13,5 Wh/km | ❌ 13,75 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ❌ 10,00 W/km/h | ✅ 12,00 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ❌ 0,0524 kg/W | ✅ 0,0440 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 77,14 W | ❌ 50,00 W |
These metrics look purely at maths: how much you pay per unit of energy, speed and range; how much weight you lug around for that performance; and how fast the battery refills. Lower values typically mean better efficiency or value, except for power-to-speed and charging speed, where higher figures indicate stronger acceleration potential and quicker charging respectively. They don't capture comfort or build quality, but they do give a neat snapshot of which machine squeezes more out of each euro, watt and kilogram.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | Reid E4 | Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ✅ Fractionally lighter to carry | ❌ Slightly heavier overall |
| Range | ❌ Similar but smaller battery | ✅ Slight edge, more usable |
| Max Speed | ✅ Tied top speed | ✅ Tied top speed |
| Power | ❌ Noticeably weaker on hills | ✅ Stronger motor, better pull |
| Battery Size | ❌ Slightly smaller capacity | ✅ Marginally larger pack |
| Suspension | ❌ Solid tyres, no suspension | ❌ Rigid frame, no suspension |
| Design | ✅ Flashy, distinctive, techy | ❌ Conservative, less exciting |
| Safety | ❌ Grip limits, braking feel | ✅ Better tyres and brakes |
| Practicality | ❌ Parts, harsh ride limit use | ✅ More versatile day to day |
| Comfort | ❌ Harsh on broken surfaces | ✅ Softer thanks to pneumatics |
| Features | ✅ Fancy HUD, lighting, app | ❌ Plainer but functional setup |
| Serviceability | ❌ Harder to source parts | ✅ Huge aftermarket support |
| Customer Support | ❌ Mixed experiences reported | ✅ Broader support network |
| Fun Factor | ❌ Damped by harsh ride | ✅ Punchier, more playful |
| Build Quality | ❌ Looks good, doubts long-term | ✅ Proven, robust platform |
| Component Quality | ❌ Battery/control issues noted | ✅ Refined over generations |
| Brand Name | ❌ Smaller, niche in scooters | ✅ Category benchmark brand |
| Community | ❌ Limited user base | ✅ Massive global community |
| Lights (visibility) | ✅ Underglow, big presence | ❌ Functional, less dramatic |
| Lights (illumination) | ✅ Strong multi-LED headlight | ❌ Adequate, not outstanding |
| Acceleration | ❌ Gentle, can feel sluggish | ✅ Sharper, more responsive |
| Arrive with smile factor | ❌ Style nice, ride tiring | ✅ More grin per kilometre |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ❌ Vibrations wear you down | ✅ Smoother, less fatigue |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much faster to refill | ❌ Noticeably slower charge |
| Reliability | ❌ Some post-warranty issues | ✅ Strong track record |
| Folded practicality | ✅ Compact, easy to stash | ❌ Slightly bulkier footprint |
| Ease of transport | ✅ Tiny weight edge, hook | ❌ Similar but a bit heavier |
| Handling | ❌ Grip limited by solid tyres | ✅ More confidence in corners |
| Braking performance | ❌ Easier to lock rear | ✅ Stronger, more controlled |
| Riding position | ✅ Wide deck, relaxed stance | ❌ Narrower deck, more compact |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Nice grips, tidy cockpit | ❌ Functional, less premium |
| Throttle response | ❌ Soft, lacks urgency | ✅ Crisp, predictable pull |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Colourful, information-rich | ❌ Basic but readable |
| Security (locking) | ✅ App motor-lock, hook handy | ❌ Standard electronic lock |
| Weather protection | ❌ Lower rating, more caution | ✅ Slightly better protection |
| Resale value | ❌ Niche brand, weaker resale | ✅ Strong second-hand demand |
| Tuning potential | ❌ Limited mods, small scene | ✅ Huge modding community |
| Ease of maintenance | ❌ Solid tyres, parts sourcing | ✅ Common parts, guides galore |
| Value for Money | ❌ Pricey for compromises | ✅ Strong package for price |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the REID E4 scores 4 points against the XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3's 6. In the Author's Category Battle, the REID E4 gets 13 ✅ versus 26 ✅ for XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3.
Totals: REID E4 scores 17, XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 scores 32.
Based on the scoring, the XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 is our overall winner. As a daily companion, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 simply feels more sorted: it pulls harder, rides kinder and slots into your life with fewer "I wish it did this better" moments. The Reid E4 has charm and presence, but too often you're reminded of what you gave up for that style and puncture-proof promise. If I had to pick one to rely on through all seasons and all moods, I'd take the keys to the Xiaomi without much hesitation. The Reid will turn more heads outside the café, but the Mi 3 is the one that will keep quietly showing up for you, day after day, without drama.
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.