Xiaomi 1S vs Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 - Which "Standard" Scooter Actually Deserves Your Money?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 edges out the Xiaomi 1S as the better overall package: slightly more power, better brakes and a sturdier stem make it the more future-proof commuter, even if it costs a bit more and adds roughly a kilo of weight. It copes noticeably better with gentle hills and emergency stops, and feels that bit more sorted under everyday abuse.

The Xiaomi 1S still makes sense if you're very price-sensitive, have to carry your scooter a lot (stairs, no lift, daily trains), and ride mostly on flat, civilised tarmac. It's the "just enough" option for short, simple city hops.

If you want the more capable, more confidence-inspiring scooter and can stretch the budget, go Mi 3. If you just need a light, basic tool and every euro counts, the 1S remains serviceable. Now, let's dig into the details before you click "buy" on the wrong one.

When you line up the Xiaomi 1S and the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3, you're essentially comparing two generations of the same idea: compact, simple, regulation-friendly city runabouts that won't terrify first-time riders or annihilate their backs when they pick them up.

I've put plenty of kilometres on both, mostly in the usual European mix of decent bike lanes, evil cobblestones and surprise potholes. Neither scooter is thrilling, and neither is particularly comfortable on bad surfaces - but they're honest, functional machines that do the basic commuter job with minimal drama.

The 1S is best described as "good enough if your life is easy"; the Mi 3 is "what the 1S should have been from the start". If that sounds harsh, keep reading - the differences matter more than the spec sheets suggest.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both scooters live firmly in the entry- to lower-mid-range commuter category: single motor, modest top speed capped by EU law, no suspension, batteries big enough for typical inner-city days but not much more.

They're aimed at the same kind of rider: students, office commuters, and anyone doing short hops between public transport, home and work. Think daily round trips in the low-two-digit kilometre range, mostly on tarmac, not gravel trails or mountain passes.

They compete directly on price, weight and brand trust. The 1S is the cheaper, lighter, slightly older design; the Mi 3 is the "polished sequel" that tightens up braking, hill performance and build. If you're browsing one, you're almost certainly considering the other - and you should, because choosing purely on price is how you end up mildly annoyed every day.

Design & Build Quality

Pick up the 1S and it immediately feels familiar: that classic Xiaomi silhouette, matte frame, red accents, tidy wiring. It's the modern equivalent of a beige office PC - extremely common, functional, and nobody turns their head when you roll past. The chassis feels light but not flimsy, and the folding latch on the 1S, while proven over years, can develop a bit of play with time if you don't baby it.

The Mi 3 takes the same basic recipe and gives it a mild but welcome polish. The aluminium frame feels marginally stiffer when you rock the handlebars, and the improved folding latch locks with a more reassuring "clunk" instead of the "I hope that's enough" sensation you sometimes get with a well-used 1S. The upgraded rear brake hardware and beefier caliper mount give the back end a more solid, finished look.

In the hand, the Mi 3 just feels that bit more "assembled on purpose" rather than "iterated from a rental fleet favourite". Cable routing is slightly cleaner, the reflectors and rear light are more substantial, and the grey-with-orange colourway actually looks modern rather than generic rental-scooter grey. Neither is premium in the exotic-materials sense, but the Mi 3 wins the "this should survive a few years of commuting" contest by a nose.

Ride Comfort & Handling

Let's be honest: on both scooters, your knees are the suspension. There are no springs, no shocks - just 8,5-inch air-filled tyres and a rigid aluminium frame. On good asphalt or smooth bike paths, both glide pleasantly enough; on broken pavements or cobblestones, both will have you instinctively scanning for alternate routes after a few kilometres.

The 1S feels very light and flickable. Changing direction is easy, and the front-heavy weight distribution from the hub motor gives it a quick, almost nervous steering feel. At low speeds in crowded areas, that's nice - it's easy to thread through pedestrians and parked cars. At its modest top speed, it stays stable, but you do feel every sharp edge.

The Mi 3, despite the small weight gain, actually handles a bit more confidently. The reinforced stem and updated latch translate into less flex when you're braking or carving around a corner. That doesn't magically make cobblestones comfortable, but it does stop the front end from feeling vague. The overall posture on the deck is essentially the same on both: fairly narrow, one foot behind the other, fine for shorter rides, a little cramped if you've got long feet or wide shoulders.

In terms of pure comfort, neither is good - they are tolerable. The Mi 3's slightly tighter chassis and better brake balance make it less fatiguing because you're not subconsciously tense about stopping or wobble, but don't expect a night-and-day difference in bump absorption. That's equally mediocre on both.

Performance

On flat city streets, the 1S accelerates in a calm, predictable way. It doesn't snap you forward; it just gathers speed steadily until it hits its legal ceiling. In traffic, you can get away from lights ahead of buses and lorries, but you'll never feel tempted to race that guy on an e-bike. Once you meet a substantial hill, though, the 1S runs out of enthusiasm quickly. On moderate slopes it slows but survives; on steeper ramps you start thinking about helping with your foot.

The Mi 3, using a stronger motor tune, has noticeably more punch off the line and - more importantly - when the road tilts upwards. You still won't be storming Alpine passes, but in the real world it's the difference between "hmm, this is struggling" and "all right, it's working for it, but we're moving". Bridges, underpasses and the average European hill are simply less of an ordeal. On the flat, the extra urge is mainly felt in how briskly it reaches its speed cap rather than in the cap itself.

Both scooters share the same mode layout - a walking pace mode, a normal commuting mode, and a "Sport" mode that gives you full beans. On the 1S, you'll likely live in Sport just to stop feeling like an obstacle. On the Mi 3, you can realistically use the middle mode for relaxed cruising and still feel you're making progress, saving the top mode for hills or when you're running late.

Braking is where the difference is clearest. The 1S's rear disc plus front electronic brake are decent for its class, but you need a firm pull and some practice to modulate them without skids on wet surfaces. The Mi 3's upgraded dual-pad rear brake and smoother electronic front brake integration feel more grown-up. Panic stops feel less panicky, with more bite available using less lever force. In city riding, that extra confidence is worth far more than the marginal motor power bump.

Battery & Range

On paper, both claim similar ranges, and both are similarly optimistic. In the real world, ridden like a normal human - frequent full-throttle bursts, stop-and-go traffic, a few hills, maybe a backpack - you're broadly in the same ballpark on each: city commuting distances rather than suburban touring.

On the 1S, plan for something like a medium-teens to low-twenties kilometre round trip if you're not trying to hyper-mile, less if you're heavy or live somewhere with topography. You can stretch it by living in the gentler mode and keeping speeds down, but that somewhat defeats the point of zipping past clogged traffic.

The Mi 3, despite similar battery capacity on paper, tends to feel a hair more flexible simply because the stronger motor keeps hills from murdering your speed as quickly. The flip side is that once the battery passes the halfway mark, you really feel the scooter protecting itself: acceleration softens, and holding full speed against a headwind becomes more of a wish than a guarantee.

Charging time is effectively identical and not quick by modern standards. You're looking at a full working day at the office or an overnight at home to go from flat to full. For most owners, that's fine; these are plug-it-in-when-you-get-home machines, not "top up over lunch and ride all evening" scooters. Range anxiety is manageable on both as long as your daily loop is clearly shorter than their realistic range and you're disciplined about charging. If you regularly flirt with their limits, you will eventually walk.

Portability & Practicality

Portability is where the 1S still makes its best argument. At just over twelve kilos, it's right on that threshold where carrying it up a couple of flights of stairs is unpleasant but doable without planning a recovery day afterwards. The fold is quick, the bell hook system is simple, and the balance point makes it reasonably easy to lug in one hand while you juggle a bag and your keys with the other.

The Mi 3 adds roughly a bag of groceries worth of extra weight. On paper that sounds minor; in real life, when you're on the fifth day of carrying it up an old, narrow staircase, you do notice it. For the odd lift outage or short station transfer it's fine; for those who regularly haul their scooter multiple times a day, that extra mass is the one thing that might genuinely make the 1S a better fit.

Folded size and overall footprint are basically identical. Both disappear neatly under a desk, slide into the boot of a small hatchback, or stand in a hallway without dominating it. The Xiaomi app support is similar between them - you get motor locking, KERS strength adjustment, basic ride stats and firmware updates. The app is genuinely useful, not just marketing fluff, but it's hardly a transformative experience either way.

Day-to-day practicality is a wash in most respects: same tyre size (meaning same puncture drama), same splash-resistance level, same under-deck battery that you'll occasionally wince about when you misjudge a curb. The Mi 3's sturdier latch means fewer worries about long-term stem wobble; the 1S counters with "yes, but I'm easier to carry". Pick your poison.

Safety

Both scooters tick the basic urban safety boxes: front electronic braking with anti-lock logic, rear mechanical disc, all-round reflectors and a headlight that is acceptable for being seen and just about usable for seeing on lit streets. Neither is a night-time country-lane specialist, and I'd still recommend an additional helmet or handlebar light if you ride after dark a lot.

The 1S offers a competent, if unremarkable, safety experience. Braking distances are reasonable, and the front electronic brake does a decent job of avoiding immediate wheel lock on slippery patches, provided you don't grab the lever like you're trying to rip it off. The rear light brightens under braking, which is genuinely useful in traffic.

The Mi 3 simply moves the goalposts a little. The dual-pad rear caliper delivers more controllable power, and the integration with the front regenerative system feels smoother - more "gradual squeeze" than "on/off". That makes a big difference when a car door opens in front of you or a pedestrian steps into the bike lane while glued to their phone. The larger rear light and extra reflectors also mean you stand out more when approached from behind or from the side.

Tyre grip is very similar on both, as they share basically the same rubber and size. On wet metal grates or painted lines, both will remind you that physics still applies. But in the hierarchy of "how likely am I to bin it when something goes wrong?", the Mi 3's braking package and stiffer front end put it slightly ahead.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

The 1S sits at a lower price point, and that remains its main attraction. For riders on a tight budget who just want a decent, brand-name scooter and aren't expecting miracles, it's acceptable value. You get a well-known platform, mountains of community support, and a scooter that will do the job as long as you don't ask too much of it.

The Mi 3 costs more, but what you get for the extra outlay isn't just a slightly peppier motor. The improved braking, better latch, stronger hill performance and refined safety hardware all add up to a scooter that feels more "sorted" and less like an entry-level compromise. Over years of use, that extra margin in safety and robustness is worth more than the price gap for most commuters.

If your budget is absolutely fixed and every euro must hurt, the 1S is still defensible. If you have any wiggle room at all, the Mi 3 offers better long-term value because it's less likely to feel under-spec'd or annoying six months down the line.

Service & Parts Availability

Here, both scooters are effectively equal - and that's a good thing. Xiaomi's popularity means tyres, tubes, brake pads, mudguards, stems, dashboards and even controllers are available all over Europe, both from official channels and third-party sellers. If something breaks, chances are high that someone has already filmed a detailed repair guide in their kitchen.

Official after-sales service quality varies a bit by country, but because both models were widely sold through big-box retailers and online giants, warranty claims usually go through the shop rather than some obscure importer. Independent repair shops know these scooters well; they're the "VW Golf" of the e-scooter world.

The Mi 3 benefits slightly from having the newer generation hardware, particularly in the folding and brake department, which should mean fewer wear-related issues long term. But in practical terms, you'll have an easier time owning and fixing either of these than most random no-name imports.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

If your riding is genuinely simple - flat city, short commutes, occasional public transport, and you need your scooter to be as light on your arm as it is on your wallet - the Xiaomi 1S still does the job. It's not exciting, and it has clear limits, but as a basic tool for modest distances it holds up.

However, once you factor in hills, emergency stops, long-term durability of the stem and the general feel of the ride, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 is the more convincing all-rounder. It doesn't transform the experience, but it fixes just enough of the 1S's weak spots to be the smarter buy for most riders. You pay a bit more, you carry a bit more, but in return you get a scooter that feels less like "entry-level compromise" and more like "competent daily transport." If I had to live with one of them as my main city scooter, I'd take the Mi 3 and not look back.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics break down where your money, weight and energy are going. The 1S wins on pure cost-efficiency and lightness relative to its modest performance and range. The Mi 3, by contrast, uses the same energy budget more forcefully, giving you more motor power per unit of speed and per kilogram. Charging performance and raw energy efficiency are effectively identical.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the XIAOMI 1S scores 8 points against the XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3's 4. In the Author's Category Battle, the XIAOMI 1S gets 23 ✅ versus 32 ✅ for XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: XIAOMI 1S scores 31, XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 scores 36.

Based on the scoring, the XIAOMI Mi Electric Scooter 3 is our overall winner. Riding both back-to-back, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 3 simply feels more reassuring: stronger brakes, a tighter front end and that extra bit of hill performance make everyday commuting calmer and less annoying, even if it never becomes genuinely exciting. The Xiaomi 1S holds on as the lighter, cheaper workhorse, but it increasingly feels like the model you buy when your budget, not your preferences, makes the decision. If you can stretch to it, the Mi 3 is the scooter you're less likely to regret in six months' time. If you can't, the 1S will still get you there - just with a little more compromise baked into every ride.

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.