Xiaomi 1S vs Levy Original - Two Lightweight Commuters, One Clear Winner?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The Xiaomi 1S is the safer overall choice for most riders: it is cheaper, proven, easier to live with, and supported by a massive ecosystem of parts, guides, and community knowledge. The Levy Original counters with a punchier motor, slightly higher cruising speed, and that clever removable battery, but you pay more for less range per pack and a package that feels more clever than complete.

Pick the Xiaomi 1S if you want a no-drama, grab-and-go commuter that simply works and keeps costs down. Choose the Levy Original if your main headache is charging logistics or you absolutely love the idea of carrying spare batteries instead of a heavier scooter.

Both will get you to work; only one feels truly sorted as a long-term tool rather than a cool idea. Read on before you put your money down.

If you spend any time in a European city, you already know the Xiaomi silhouette - it is the scooter equivalent of a white hatchback with a roof rack: everywhere, unflashy, and somehow always working. The Xiaomi 1S is the refined descendant of the M365, and it still plays the "sensible commuter" card hard: light, simple, predictable.

The Levy Original arrives with a different pitch: a removable, bottle-sized battery that you pop out of the stem, take to your desk and charge like a laptop. On paper, it is the smarter urban animal: faster, modular, and refreshingly practical if you live in a walk-up or can't drag a scooter into the office.

But specs don't tell you how they actually feel through your shoes after a week of bad tarmac and late trains. That's where this comparison lives. Let's dig into what these two are really like to ride - and to own - day in, day out.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters sit in that "serious but not silly" commuter bracket: proper electric vehicles, not toy-store specials, but nowhere near the big, dual-motor monsters that eat pavements - and bank accounts - for breakfast.

They compete for the same rider: someone who wants a lightweight, foldable scooter for city streets and bike lanes, who occasionally needs to hoist it up stairs and doesn't want a degree in electronics to keep it running. Think students, office workers, and urban dwellers doing relatively modest daily distances.

The Xiaomi 1S leans hard into affordability and maturity: the formula is old, refined, and boring in a good way. The Levy Original is the challenger: slightly more performance, clever removable battery, a bit more flair - and a noticeably higher price tag. Same class, very different philosophies.

Design & Build Quality

In the hand, the Xiaomi 1S feels exactly like what it is: a design that has been iterated to death in rental fleets and commuter trenches. Matte aluminium frame, slim stem, battery in the deck - nothing fancy, but everything where you expect it. Joints and welds are clean, the folding latch has that "I've done this ten thousand times" feel, and there is very little to rattle when new.

The Levy looks more modern at first glance. The stem is thicker because the battery lives inside it, which gives the whole scooter a slightly more substantial, "grown-up" stance. The finish is pleasant, and the colour options are a nice touch if you are tired of fifty shades of black. The hinge is solid and neatly executed, and the deck is slim and tidy thanks to the missing battery pack beneath it.

Look closer, though, and the Xiaomi's sheer ubiquity shows in its favour. Weak points have been identified and reinforced over the years - mudguards, stems, cable routing. With the Levy, nothing screams "cheap", but you do get the sense of a smaller company still fine-tuning the product: paint that marks more easily, a slightly plasticky rear fender brake, and a stem that complicates mounting accessories because of its girth.

Overall, the Xiaomi feels like an industrial product; the Levy feels like a well-executed concept with a few rougher edges.

Ride Comfort & Handling

Neither scooter has mechanical suspension, so your spine negotiates directly with the road. How that feels depends a lot on tyres and geometry.

The Xiaomi rolls on smaller air-filled tyres. On good asphalt it glides pleasantly; the steering is light and nimble, almost "bicycle-like" in the way you can weave around potholes and parked cars. Once the surface deteriorates - cobbles, cracked pavements, tram tracks - you start doing the "knees as shock absorbers" dance. After a decent stretch of broken city sidewalk, your feet and calves know you've been commuting.

The Levy's advantage is its larger pneumatic tyres. They take the sting out of rough tarmac noticeably better, smoothing over joints, manhole covers and smaller potholes. It still doesn't float like a scooter with proper suspension, but the vibration level is lower, and on long stretches of less-than-ideal bike path, it feels more relaxed. The extra weight in the stem also plants the front wheel a bit more, giving the steering a slightly more stable, less twitchy character at higher speeds.

Deck comfort is a mild win for the Levy too. With the battery out of the way, the deck has a little flex and just enough room to shift your stance. The Xiaomi deck is harder, narrower and more "utility-board" than "longboard". It is fine for typical short commutes, but on longer runs you start fidgeting for a more comfortable stance sooner.

On handling: if you crave cat-like agility in tight city traffic, the Xiaomi's lighter front end and narrower bars feel very sharp. If you prefer a bit more calm at near-top speed, the Levy's front-heavy stance and bigger tyres feel slightly more planted.

Performance

Pulling away from lights, the difference in motors shows immediately. The Xiaomi's smaller front hub feels perfectly adequate for city pacing but never eager. It's smooth, predictable, and civilised - you won't scare yourself, and you won't impress your e-scooter-obsessed friend either. It reaches its speed cap briskly on flat ground, but it is more "easy jog" than "sprint".

The Levy, with its beefier motor and higher peak output, has a livelier kick. In Sport mode, it steps off the line with more urgency and keeps pulling up to its slightly higher top speed in a way the Xiaomi cannot match. You notice it when overtaking rental scooters or staying ahead of quick cyclists - there is just more shove available, especially at mid-speed.

On hills, neither is a mountain goat, but the story is similar. The Xiaomi will tackle modest gradients if you give it a run-up and keep your expectations in check; steeper ramps slow it to a determined plod, and heavier riders will definitely feel it sag. The Levy climbs the same slopes with a shade more authority, holding speed better on moderate hills, though the laws of physics still apply: long or steep climbs will see speed bleed off on both machines.

Braking performance is closer than the spec sheets suggest. The Xiaomi's rear disc plus front electronic braking give it predictable, controlled stops, with the front system doing a nice job of preventing wheel lock. The Levy layers on an extra safety net with its fender brake; in daily riding, the main difference is feel more than raw stopping power. The Xiaomi's lever and modulation feel a bit more refined, whereas the Levy gives you the reassurance of multiple redundant options if you panic and stamp on something.

In everyday traffic, the experience boils down to this: the Xiaomi feels composed and honest, the Levy feels a touch more eager and athletic - up to the point where its higher speed starts to expose the limits of a light, non-suspended chassis.

Battery & Range

Here, the two scooters take completely different routes - and that's where buyers often get confused.

The Xiaomi packs a modest battery in the deck but squeezes impressive real-world distance out of it if you ride sensibly. Even ridden flat-out in its sportier mode, it comfortably covers typical city commutes and short errands without forcing you into range-anxiety maths at every junction. Treat the throttle with a little restraint and it will get you through a reasonably long day in the saddle with some buffer left.

The Levy's pack is smaller and lives in the stem. On a single battery, the real-world distance is noticeably shorter - enough for many inner-city hops, but not generous. If you ride in full-power mode and you're not featherweight, you will see the gauge slide down faster than on the Xiaomi. That's the trade-off.

But then comes the ace: swapping batteries. Pop the latch, slide out the tube, drop in a fresh one; it genuinely takes moments. Carrying a spare in your bag means your total practical range can leapfrog the Xiaomi's easily, without ever having to wheel the scooter near a socket. It is wonderfully convenient if your day is unpredictable or you lack secure indoor parking with power.

Charging times add another twist. The Xiaomi takes its time to get back to full - very standard for its class - which is fine if you mostly charge overnight. The Levy's smaller pack fills much faster, and because it's detachable, it spends its charging hours on a desk instead of blocking a corridor. Over a week of real commuting, that convenience arguably matters more than the raw minutes on the charger.

So: single-battery simplicity and better baseline range (Xiaomi) versus modular flexibility with shorter "per tank" distance (Levy). If you don't want to buy or carry spares, the Xiaomi wins this chapter handily.

Portability & Practicality

Both scooters land in that magical low-teens weight range where an average human can genuinely carry them without rehearsing for a strongman competition. The Xiaomi is fractionally heavier on paper, but in the real world the difference is tiny; what you notice more is balance and shape.

The Xiaomi's deck battery keeps weight low and central. Folded, it feels like picking up a slightly bulky briefcase: the mass sits close to your legs, and stairs are manageable, even several flights. The classic folding latch and bell-hook system are quick, and once you've done it a few times, you can fold and lift it in one smooth, bored motion.

The Levy is marginally lighter and feels that bit more manageable when you grab it by the stem, though the battery-filled column makes it slightly top-heavier when folded. Its latch and hook are tidy and secure; the whole procedure is also very quick. Where it pulls ahead in practicality is decoupling the charging chore from the chassis. Being able to lock the scooter to a rack and just walk off with a battery is a luxury you only appreciate fully once you've dragged a dirty scooter through a carpeted lobby a few times.

Storage is a narrow win for the Xiaomi. Its slim stem fits more easily in crowded hallways and under desks, and the industry-standard frame shape plays nicely with off-the-shelf wall mounts, hooks and stands. The Levy's thicker stem can be a bit more awkward in tight indoor spaces and makes accessory mounting (phone holders, extra lights) more fiddly.

Daily practicality verdict: if your main pain point is carrying and folding, they're very close. If your main pain point is where and how you charge, the Levy's removable battery is genuinely transformative - provided you're willing to live with the shorter base range and higher price.

Safety

At the modest speeds we're talking about here, safety is mostly about tyres, brakes, stability, and how visible you are to the rest of the urban circus.

Both scooters ride on air-filled tyres, which is non-negotiable in this class if you care about traction. The Xiaomi's smaller wheels mean you need to treat deep potholes and tram gaps with a bit more respect; hit something ugly at an angle and you'll feel the impact right up your spine. The Levy's larger tyres roll over the same nonsense with a bit more grace and a larger contact patch, which helps when the surface is wet or dusty.

Braking systems are broadly similar - rear disc plus electronic front assistance on both, with the Levy adding the old-school stomp-on-the-fender option. In practice, you rely on the lever braking ninety-plus percent of the time. Xiaomi's setup feels slightly more polished and predictable in modulation, while the Levy's redundancy is comforting if you're anxious about failure modes.

Lighting is good enough on both for typical city use but not what you'd want for bombing down pitch-black country lanes. The Xiaomi's integrated front light throws a respectable beam for its class, and its rear lamp with brake-flash is nicely visible. Levy's stem-mounted headlight and taillight are comparable; neither makes you invisible, but adding a helmet light or bar-mounted extra is still strongly recommended if you ride at night regularly.

Stability at speed is where the trade-off bites. The Xiaomi's capped top speed matches its chassis confidence: it feels settled at its limiter, and you rarely feel like you're outrunning the hardware. The Levy goes a few kilometres per hour faster, and while it remains composed, you are more aware of every bump and wobble at that extra clip - simply because you're asking more of a light, unsuspended frame. Bigger tyres help, but there's only so much alchemy they can do.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

This is where the two scooters stop being polite and start getting real. The Xiaomi undercuts the Levy notably on price. For that lower outlay you get a proven commuter platform, respectable real-world range, solid safety, and the comfort of knowing that every corner shop on the internet sells parts for it. In terms of cost-per-functional-kilometre, it's hard to argue against.

The Levy charges a premium for its removable battery, bigger motor and tyres, and more boutique branding. For some riders - those with awkward charging situations, those who know they'll buy extra packs, or those who really value the livelier acceleration - that premium will feel justified. For many others, you are paying extra to patch over limitations that arguably shouldn't be there in the first place, like the very modest single-battery range.

If your budget is tight and you want maximum reliable utility, the Xiaomi is the better value. The Levy only makes financial sense if you will actively exploit its battery system and faster charging in your daily life, not just admire the idea on the spec sheet.

Service & Parts Availability

On the Xiaomi side, support is almost a non-issue simply because the ecosystem is enormous. Whether your fender cracks, your brake cable stretches, or you manage to murder a controller, someone sells the part, someone has filmed the repair, and someone on a forum has already sworn at the exact same bolt you're stuck on. Warranty is largely handled through mainstream retailers, which simplifies life in most of Europe.

Levy, being a smaller and more regional player, approaches this differently. Their direct support is, by most accounts, responsive and helpful, and they sensibly stock common spares. That's good news. The less rosy part is that you are tied to a much narrower supply chain, and if you are outside their core markets, shipping and turnaround can be less convenient than grabbing Xiaomi bits from the local online megastore. Long-term, you're betting on a small brand keeping up that level of support.

For DIY-friendly owners, both are serviceable, but Xiaomi's sheer volume advantage and army of tinkerers makes life easier - especially in Europe.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

After a lot of kilometres on both, the answer is less dramatic than the marketing would like - but clear enough.

If you want a scooter that simply disappears into your routine, the Xiaomi 1S is the better bet. It may not excite you, but it rarely disappoints you either. It offers solid range for its weight, acceptable comfort on decent roads, cheaper entry price, and a support ecosystem that rivals few others. When something eventually wears out - and it will, this is urban transport, not a museum piece - you'll fix it without turning your living room into a research lab.

The Levy Original is clever and occasionally delightful, especially when you pull the battery out in a café while everyone else hunts for wall sockets. The stronger motor and larger tyres make it feel more energetic and slightly more forgiving on rough tarmac. But its short per-battery range and higher price mean you're paying a premium for a feature that only truly shines if you commit to buying and carrying extra packs.

So, who should buy what? If your commute is a straightforward there-and-back within the Xiaomi's comfort zone, and you can charge at home without theatrics, the 1S is the saner, better-value choice. If you live up many stairs, have nowhere to park indoors, or will absolutely make use of spare batteries and desk-charging, the Levy can make sense - just be aware you're choosing a neat solution with some very real compromises attached.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics show, in cold numbers, how efficiently each scooter converts money, weight and charging time into range, speed, and power. The Xiaomi is clearly more efficient per euro, per kilogram and per watt-hour, especially when it comes to real-world range and energy use. The Levy, in contrast, offers better performance density: more motor power for its weight and speed, plus faster charging - but at the cost of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the XIAOMI 1S scores 6 points against the LEVY Original's 4. In the Author's Category Battle, the XIAOMI 1S gets 25 ✅ versus 15 ✅ for LEVY Original.

Totals: XIAOMI 1S scores 31, LEVY Original scores 19.

Based on the scoring, the XIAOMI 1S is our overall winner. When you strip away the clever tricks and the marketing slogans, the Xiaomi 1S simply feels like the more complete companion: it fades into the background, keeps doing its job, and rarely asks for more than a quick overnight charge and the occasional tyre check. The Levy Original has its charms - that removable battery, the stronger motor, the slightly cushier roll over bad tarmac - but it never quite escapes the feeling of being a neat solution wrapped around a fairly limited core scooter. If you want the scooter that will quietly earn your trust commute after commute, the Xiaomi is the one that feels right under your feet. The Levy can absolutely work for the right rider with the right use case, but you have to adapt to it; the Xiaomi, most of the time, just adapts to you.

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.