Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
If you care most about sensible value, everyday usability and easy maintenance, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is the better overall choice for most people. It rides softer thanks to its air-filled tyres, stops with more confidence, and costs far less while still being light enough to haul up stairs.
The Unagi Model One Voyager is for riders who put design, ultra-clean portability and zero-maintenance tyres above comfort and price. It feels like a fashion gadget that happens to be a scooter, and works best on smooth city tarmac with short to medium commutes.
If you want a practical daily commuter that doesn't punish your wallet or your wrists, lean Xiaomi. If you want the sleekest "carry everywhere" scooter and can live with a harsher ride, Unagi has its charm. Keep reading - the trade-offs are bigger than the marketing suggests.
Electric scooters have matured from quirky toys into serious commuter tools, and both the Unagi Model One Voyager and the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 sit right in that "reasonable, everyday transport" space. I've put real kilometres into both - the Xiaomi on grimy bike lanes and questionable shortcuts, the Unagi on the kind of smooth city asphalt it clearly dreams about at night.
The Unagi is the scooter for people who want their ride to look like it just rolled out of a tech keynote. The Xiaomi is the scooter for people who actually have to get to work every day, rain, potholes and all.
They cost very different money, approach comfort and safety in very different ways, and yet they'll probably both be on the shortlist of the same buyer. Let's peel back the marketing and see which one really fits your life.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
On paper, these two shouldn't be direct rivals: the Mi Electric Scooter 3 lives in the sensible mid-range commuter bracket, while the Unagi Voyager asks for premium money for relatively modest specs. In real life, though, they target the same rider: urban commuters, short to medium distances, mostly city streets, often mixing with public transport.
Both are compact, both are light enough to carry without a gym membership, and both cap their speed at typical European limits. You're not choosing between a monster scooter and a toy; you're choosing between two different philosophies of "everyday scooter": Xiaomi's pragmatic, slightly boring competence versus Unagi's "design-first, spec-second" Silicon Valley vibe.
Design & Build Quality
Pick up the Unagi Voyager and it feels more like an expensive gadget than a vehicle. Carbon fibre stem, magnesium handlebars, perfectly flush joints, hidden cables - it's obsessively clean. Nothing rattles, nothing looks cheap, and the finish holds up well after being bashed against stair rails and train doors. It's essentially the scooter equivalent of a slim ultrabook: not outrageous on raw power, but undeniably pretty.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 goes for a more conventional aluminium frame with a tried-and-true layout. It doesn't scream for attention, but the latest generation feels more solid than the early M365 era - fewer creaks, a more secure latch, and a general sense that it'll shrug off daily abuse. The cabling is mostly tucked away, though not as fanatically as on the Unagi, and the orange accents on the grey version give it just enough personality to not look like every rental scooter.
In the hand, the Xiaomi feels like a straightforward tool; the Unagi feels like a statement. One you pay for. If you want jewellery on wheels, the Voyager wins. If you want something that looks fine and you don't have to baby, the Mi 3 is more honest about its role in life.
Ride Comfort & Handling
This is where the two scooters part ways dramatically.
The Unagi Voyager rolls on small, solid rubber tyres with a honeycomb pattern and no suspension whatsoever. On fresh asphalt, it's sharp, precise and actually fun - think carving a skateboard line, but standing upright with a motor. The steering is quick, the ultra-rigid stem gives plenty of confidence, and weaving through traffic feels effortless. The moment the surface degrades, though, the romance ends quickly. Cracked concrete, brick, tram tracks - you feel everything. After around 5-8 km on rougher streets, my knees were politely asking whether I had anger issues.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 isn't magically plush - it also lacks suspension - but its larger, air-filled tyres soak up the small chatter that the Unagi simply transmits into your bones. On the same stretch of neglected city bike lane, the Xiaomi is "mildly annoying", while the Unagi is "I'm checking property prices in smoother neighbourhoods". The Xiaomi's handling is calmer and a bit more forgiving; it doesn't flick into corners as eagerly as the Unagi, but for everyday commuting it's the less tiring machine.
If your city invests in smooth bike lanes, the Unagi's agility is a joy. If you live somewhere that treats road maintenance as an optional hobby, the Mi 3 is the only one of the two that feels remotely sensible.
Performance
Despite what the spec sheets suggest, these are not wildly different animals in outright speed - both live in the legal-commuter space. The difference is in how they get there.
The Unagi Voyager has dual motors, one in each wheel, and the scooter is light. That combo gives you a surprisingly sprightly launch; it jumps off the line and holds its pace up moderate hills far better than you'd expect from such a slim machine. Unlock the higher-speed mode and it has just enough extra headroom to overtake rental scooters or clear an intersection without feeling rushed. Hill starts are its party trick: where most light scooters slow to an undignified crawl, the Unagi still feels willing, at least for average-weight riders.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 relies on a single front motor but has a stronger peak punch than older Xiaomis. In practice, it pulls you up to its capped top speed briskly enough for normal commuting. On moderate inclines it no longer feels tragic, but if you're heavier or the hill is long, you definitely sense it digging deep. Once the battery dips past the halfway mark, acceleration softens; it goes from "keen" to "fine, I'll get there when I get there".
Braking is where Xiaomi fights back hard. The Mi 3's combination of a proper rear disc brake and front electronic braking gives you predictable, confident stops. You can squeeze hard without drama, and the lever feel is reassuring. The Unagi's dual electronic brakes are smooth and futuristic, but they lack that immediate "bite" of a good mechanical disc, and needing to stomp the rear fender as your mechanical backup is... let's say old-school. It works, but it's not exactly confidence-inspiring in a genuine emergency.
In short: Unagi feels more muscular off the line and on hills; Xiaomi feels more trustworthy when you need to scrub speed quickly.
Battery & Range
Manufacturers love optimistic range claims. Real riders... less so.
The Unagi Voyager packs a noticeably larger battery than the Xiaomi and has clearly improved on the old Model One's anaemic endurance. In the real world, with mixed riding and dual-motor use, it comfortably covers typical city commutes with some margin - think there and back with a detour for coffee, as long as you're not riding flat-out everywhere. Ride more gently and you can stretch it towards what I'd call "reasonable all-day in-town use", though not touring scooter territory.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 has a smaller pack and you feel it sooner. In everyday, full-speed commuting you're looking at a modest real range; fine for short hops to work, uni or the station, but you'll plan to charge more often. Longer round trips start to get borderline unless you can plug in at your destination. And yes, performance does taper as the battery drops - it's still usable, but the energetic feel you get on a fresh charge fades.
On the flip side, the Xiaomi's smaller battery is kinder on the wallet, and its efficiency isn't bad. The Unagi charges much faster, which is genuinely handy for office top-ups - a long lunch break can resurrect your range nicely. So: Unagi wins on how far you can realistically go per charge and how quickly you can refill; Xiaomi wins on not making your bank account cry for those kilometres.
Portability & Practicality
Both scooters sit in that sweet spot where you can actually carry them without rethinking your life choices, but they approach it differently.
The Unagi Voyager is marginally heavier on paper than the Xiaomi, but it carries better. The tapered carbon stem fits your hand like it was designed by someone who has actually run for a train with a scooter. The one-button folding mechanism is genuinely excellent: quick, tactile, and less fiddly than most. Folded, it feels like a sleek, rigid wand you can swing by your side without bits flapping around.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 is slightly lighter but less "clever" in the hand. The fold is still quick - flip, latch, hook the bell onto the rear mudguard - and it's compact enough to fit under desks, in boots and beside café tables. But when you're carrying it for longer stretches, you notice the weight distribution and the more conventional stem - it's functional rather than delightful.
In day-to-day use, both are perfectly serviceable for stairs, trains and office life. The Unagi feels more premium and a touch more ergonomic to carry; the Xiaomi feels like the one you don't mind knocking into a doorframe.
Safety
Safety is a mix of hardware and how the scooter behaves when things go wrong.
The Xiaomi Mi 3 takes a very solid, conservative approach: grippy pneumatic tyres, a proper rear disc brake with dual pads, front electronic braking, bright rear light and generous reflectors. The braking system, in particular, is a clear step ahead of cheap clones and even earlier Xiaomis - stops are shorter, straighter and feel more controlled. The tyres give decent grip in the wet, though you still need to respect painted lines and metal covers.
The Unagi Voyager relies heavily on its electronic braking and solid tyres. On dry, clean tarmac, the E-ABS system slows you smoothly and predictably; add the rear fender stomp if you must, and you can haul it down reasonably quickly. But on dust, gravel or wet surfaces, the lack of a proper mechanical disc brake and the harder rubber tyres mean you don't have the same margin for error. The integrated lights are nicely executed and bright enough for city use, but the front beam is more "be seen" than true countryside illumination.
Stability-wise, the Unagi's stiff stem does feel great at speed - no wobble, very direct steering. The Xiaomi is a bit more relaxed in its geometry and tyre size, which actually helps less experienced riders. In practice, for everyday commuting in less-than-perfect conditions, the Xiaomi's combination of grippier tyres and stronger brakes feels like the safer package.
Community Feedback
| Aspect | UNAGI Model One Voyager | XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| What riders love | Gorgeous design; very easy to carry; surprisingly strong hill performance; zero punctures; fast charging; bright, clean display; super-simple fold; good customer support. | Reliable daily workhorse; strong braking; soft-ish ride for a rigid scooter; decent hill power vs older Mi models; easy parts availability; good app; sensible weight; strong lighting and reflectors. |
| What riders complain about | Harsh ride on rough ground; high purchase price for the range; no proper hand disc brake; less grip in wet; small kickstand; cramped deck for big feet; limited water resistance. | No suspension and bumpy on bad roads; real range far below claims; noticeable power drop at lower battery; puncture-prone tyres that are painful to change; low handlebar for very tall riders; speed cap feels restrictive. |
Price & Value
This is the elephant in the room. The Unagi Voyager costs well over twice as much as the Mi 3 in many markets, despite broadly similar performance envelope and a real-world range advantage that is noticeable but not transformative.
With Unagi, your money goes into exotic materials, minimalist design, dual motors and the whole "premium tech product" experience. If that speaks to you - and to some people it genuinely does - you'll find ways to justify it. But from a pure transport-per-euro perspective, it's hard to ignore just how much extra you're paying for the aesthetics and weight-saving rather than massive gains in capability.
The Xiaomi, by contrast, sits at a price where its compromises feel fair. It's not thrilling, but it gives you a solid, proven platform, good safety, spares everywhere and a ride that won't destroy your joints for half the money. If we're being brutally honest, it delivers more real-world utility per euro than the Unagi, even if it never turns heads in the same way.
Service & Parts Availability
The Xiaomi Mi 3 is the king of "I broke it, now what?" support. Because it shares so much DNA with the wildly popular M365 family, every common wear part - tyres, tubes, brake pads, mudguards, levers, stems, even controllers - is easy to find, often cheaply, and there's a YouTube tutorial for almost every job. Independent repair shops know these scooters inside out. Long-term, that matters a lot more than people think.
Unagi's Voyager is more niche. The company's direct support is generally well-rated, and their subscription model in some regions softens the blow of bigger repairs. But you're more dependent on Unagi as a brand; generic third-party parts and upgrade options are limited, and that carbon stem and integrated cockpit are not exactly DIY-friendly if something serious goes wrong. This is very much an "authorised support channel" type of scooter.
Pros & Cons Summary
| UNAGI Model One Voyager | XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 | |
|---|---|---|
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | UNAGI Model One Voyager | XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (rated) | 2 x 250 W (dual motors) | 300 W (single motor) |
| Motor power (peak) | 1.000 W (combined) | 600 W |
| Top speed | Up to 32 km/h (unlockable) | 25 km/h |
| Claimed range | 20-40 km | 30 km |
| Realistic range (mixed use, approx.) | 20-25 km (up to ~30 km careful) | 18-22 km (as low as ~16 km hard riding) |
| Battery capacity | 360 Wh (36 V, 10 Ah) | 275 Wh |
| Charging time | ≈3-5 h (about 3 h typical) | ≈5,5 h |
| Weight | 13,4 kg | 13,2 kg |
| Brakes | Dual electronic regenerative + rear fender | Front E-ABS + rear dual-pad disc |
| Suspension | None | None |
| Tyres | 7,5" solid rubber honeycomb | 8,5" pneumatic (air-filled) |
| Max rider load | 100 kg | 100 kg |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Price (approx.) | 1.095 € | 462 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If I strip away the marketing gloss and look at how these scooters behave in everyday life, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 comes out as the more rounded, sensible choice for most riders. It stops better, rides softer, costs far less, and is backed by a parts ecosystem and community that make long-term ownership significantly easier. It's not exciting, but it quietly does the job with minimal drama - which is exactly what you want at 7:30 on a wet Tuesday morning.
The Unagi Model One Voyager is more specialised. It's what you buy if your commute is short, your roads are smooth, and you care more about carrying a beautiful object than about squeezing every last kilometre per euro. In that context - chic city, good bike lanes, lots of stairs and trains - the Voyager makes a certain stylish sense. Outside that bubble, the price premium and harsh ride are hard to justify.
So: pick the Mi 3 if you want a trustworthy everyday tool that plays nicely with your wallet and your spine. Consider the Unagi if you want your scooter to double as a design accessory and you're willing to accept that, functionally, you're paying a lot for that privilege.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | UNAGI Model One Voyager | XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 3,04 €/Wh | ✅ 1,68 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 34,22 €/km/h | ✅ 18,48 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 37,22 g/Wh | ❌ 48,00 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 0,42 kg/km/h | ❌ 0,53 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 47,61 €/km | ✅ 23,10 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ✅ 0,58 kg/km | ❌ 0,66 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 15,65 Wh/km | ✅ 13,75 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 31,25 W/km/h | ❌ 24,00 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ✅ 0,0134 kg/W | ❌ 0,0220 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 120 W | ❌ 50,00 W |
These metrics put numbers to the trade-offs: Xiaomi absolutely crushes cost efficiency (price per Wh, per km/h, per km), while Unagi is clearly superior in power-to-weight, power-to-speed and how quickly it can refill its battery. Xiaomi uses its smaller battery more efficiently per kilometre; Unagi throws more watts at the problem and charges faster, but you pay heavily for that privilege.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | UNAGI Model One Voyager | XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ➖ Similar, better carry shape | ➖ Similar, slightly lighter |
| Range | ✅ Bigger battery, goes further | ❌ Shorter practical range |
| Max Speed | ✅ Higher unlockable top speed | ❌ Lower capped top speed |
| Power | ✅ Dual motors, stronger pull | ❌ Single motor, less grunt |
| Battery Size | ✅ Larger capacity pack | ❌ Smaller capacity pack |
| Suspension | ➖ None on either | ➖ None on either |
| Design | ✅ Sleeker, more premium look | ❌ Plainer, more generic style |
| Safety | ❌ Weaker braking, hard tyres | ✅ Strong brakes, better grip |
| Practicality | ❌ Harsh ride limits routes | ✅ More forgiving everyday use |
| Comfort | ❌ Solid tyres, very harsh | ✅ Air tyres soften bumps |
| Features | ✅ Dual motors, app, display | ❌ Plainer feature set |
| Serviceability | ❌ Proprietary, harder to DIY | ✅ Easy parts, many guides |
| Customer Support | ✅ Strong direct brand support | ❌ Varies by region, less direct |
| Fun Factor | ✅ Lively, agile, stylish | ❌ Sensible but less exciting |
| Build Quality | ✅ Very tight, premium feel | ❌ Good, but more basic |
| Component Quality | ✅ High-end materials, cockpit | ❌ Decent mid-range components |
| Brand Name | ➖ Recognised, lifestyle oriented | ➖ Mass-market tech giant |
| Community | ❌ Smaller, less third-party help | ✅ Huge global user base |
| Lights (visibility) | ➖ Good, integrated, but minimal | ➖ Good, plus many reflectors |
| Lights (illumination) | ❌ Better in lit city only | ✅ Slightly more practical beam |
| Acceleration | ✅ Punchy thanks to dual motors | ❌ Adequate, but milder |
| Arrive with smile factor | ✅ Feels special, playful | ❌ Functional, less character |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ❌ Jarring on rough surfaces | ✅ Smoother, calmer ride |
| Charging speed | ✅ Much faster to full | ❌ Noticeably slower charging |
| Reliability | ➖ Solid, but niche platform | ➖ Proven, but tubes puncture |
| Folded practicality | ✅ Superb ergonomics when folded | ❌ Functional, less elegant |
| Ease of transport | ✅ Great to carry on stairs | ❌ Fine, but less ergonomic |
| Handling | ✅ Sharper, more agile steering | ❌ Calmer, but less lively |
| Braking performance | ❌ No proper disc up front | ✅ Strong, confidence-inspiring |
| Riding position | ➖ Compact, sporty stance | ➖ Conventional commuter stance |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Magnesium, integrated controls | ❌ More basic alloy bar |
| Throttle response | ✅ Instant, zippy feel | ❌ Softer, more muted |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Brighter, more integrated | ❌ Functional but simpler |
| Security (locking) | ✅ App lock, integrated approach | ❌ Basic, relies on external lock |
| Weather protection | ❌ Lower rating, more cautious | ✅ Slightly better ingress rating |
| Resale value | ➖ Holds as niche premium | ➖ Strong due to popularity |
| Tuning potential | ❌ Closed ecosystem, limited mods | ✅ Huge modding community |
| Ease of maintenance | ❌ Proprietary parts, less DIY | ✅ Simple, many guides, parts |
| Value for Money | ❌ Expensive for what you get | ✅ Strong bang for buck |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the UNAGI Model One Voyager scores 6 points against the XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3's 4. In the Author's Category Battle, the UNAGI Model One Voyager gets 20 ✅ versus 12 ✅ for XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3.
Totals: UNAGI Model One Voyager scores 26, XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 scores 16.
Based on the scoring, the UNAGI Model One Voyager is our overall winner. Between these two, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 simply feels like the more complete partner for real-world life: it may be less glamorous, but it keeps you safer, more comfortable and much richer while doing 90 % of what most riders actually need. The Unagi Model One Voyager has its own charm - it's lovely to look at, fun to flick around and wonderfully easy to carry - but it asks you to pay a lot and forgive quite a bit in everyday comfort. If your heart says "design object" and your commute is short and smooth, the Unagi will absolutely scratch that itch. If your brain is in charge and you just want a dependable scooter that doesn't feel like a fashion experiment, the Xiaomi is the one you'll be happier to live with long-term.
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.