Should you buy the NIU KQi2 Pro or the KQi3 Pro? What are the differences, and which one is a better value? I’ve had an electric scooter for over 3 years now, and it’s so much fun to ride. Sometimes I use it as an actual mode of transportation – to get me where I want to go – and sometimes I just ride it around because it always puts a smile on my face – so when Niu asked if I wanted to compare the KQi2 and the KQi3 Pro – I thought, – uhhhh, yeah, definitely.
I’ve had both of them for a few months now and this video will help you choose which one might be a better fit for you because they are definitely targeting different types of riders – and thank you to NIU for sponsoring this video.
Now, take all these things to the next level, and you get the KQi3 – so an even more substantial frame, an even wider deck, and overall all when you look at them side by side – it’s obvious that the KQi3 Pro is the more premium model. The KQi2 actually has slightly larger pneumatic tires but the KQi3 has wider ones – and in both cases I was happy with the shock absorption and grip. I live in Cleveland and our roads are pretty terrible – for some strange reason – so this was important to me.
Both handlebars are nice and wide, and that really makes the riding experience comfortable – especially if you ride for a long time. And it also improves handling and steering as you go into turns, go over bumps, or when you have to suddenly break. And speaking of brakes, both models offer regenerative braking – which I’ll get to in a minute – the KQi2 has an integrated front drum brake so there’s one brake handle. The KQi3 actually has dual disc brakes so there are 2 brake handles. Both models brake fast, and I haven’t had any skids, but personally I prefer the KQi3 because the front and rear discs give it more even and smooth braking.
Now, back to regenerative braking – you’ve probably heard about it with other e vehicles, and these scooters can store the kinetic energy that’s created during braking. In both cases you get 3 levels – weak, medium and strong – and this is an important choice because you’re going to feel the difference as soon as you let off the accelerator. If you set it to weak – then the scooter will slowly roll to a stop and it will feel very natural – this also means you’re storing less energy in the battery. If you set it to strong, you’ll feel the scooter braking much more quickly as soon as you let off the accelerator, and you’ll be storing more energy. And of course medium is right in the middle – I suggest testing out the 3 different levels and seeing which one fits best with your particular riding style – I have mine set to medium most of the time.
When it comes to range, again we see the KQi3 Pro come out ahead with 31 Miles or 50KM vs 24.9 M or 40KM on the KQi2. And this, is a function of the motor power and the battery. So first of all, we’re getting a 300W motor on the KQi2 vs 350W on the KQi3 Pro. You can actually feel that difference in the faster acceleration on the KQi3 Pro and in the fact that it’s better at handling steeper hills. I said this at the beginning, but I have a smile on my face every time I ride these – they are both super fun and this additional performance is just a bonus.
When it comes to battery life, we’re getting a higher capacity battery on the KQi3 Pro which is something I welcome with every device that requires charging. (486WH vs 365 WH). One thing I was super curious about was the charging time, and we’re looking at about 7 hours on the KQi2 vs 6 hours on the KQi3 Pro. In both cases, it’s something you’re going to want to do overnight, or while you’re at work. The nice thing is that you don’t need to worry about overcharging either one – NIU incorporated 14 different types of battery protection to keep you going.
The KQi2 has a more minimalistic design, it’s lighter, more portable, it has swappable griptape for the deck, so you can choose one that best fits your style – and while it easily handles adult riders – it feels like it’s designed for a younger audience, students looking for convenient transportation, or just someone who wants to have fun with their commute.
The KQi3 is more substantial; we already talked about the wider deck and the improved braking system. It’s heavier and because of that the ride is less bumpy, more comfortable and more stable even with the higher top speeds and the longer range. So I think it’s a better fit for professionals and power commuters who are looking for a more efficient ride to work – and might want to skip those high gas prices.
As far as size, both are the same length, the KQi3 is slightly taller when extended, but both fold down to the same height so they are easy to store and you should be able to fit them in the trunk of a car if you need to. (length, 46.1in (117.09cm), handlebar height: KQi2 Pro 45.5in (115.57cm), KQi3 PRo 48in (122.00cm), height after folding: 19.8in (50.4cm)
I can also do firmware updates right through the app – they are automatically detected and they are super easy to install. Two opportunities for improvements are a slightly brighter display – to help in direct sunlight, and maybe 2 more buttons for additional functionality outside of the app.
The KQi2 has a clean and minimalistic design, good comfort and stability, swappable grip tape, it’s available in white or gray, it’s lighter, and it’s a great option for someone who wants premium safety features and reliability at a lower cost.
The KQi3 is the more luxurious option – mine is Ultra Black, and it also comes in Rose Gold. It has better performance in terms of range and speed, it’s more comfortable to ride, and it has a more advanced braking system – so if you have the additional budget – it’s an absolutely fantastic option.
Hopefully this helped you choose between the NIU KQi2 Pro and the NIU KQi3 Pro. You know what I always say, buy it nice or buy it twice!
Good luck and see you soon.
