I’ve been riding electric scooters around the streets of New York City since 2017, when food delivery people were still riding regular bikes and grilling during those summer months. Since then, I’ve leaned on electric commuter scooters as they offer the perfect balance between portability and range.
That’s what makes the Apollo Go attractive to me: it’s an electric scooter that can reliably get me to and from work in no time. I’ve been using it for the past few weeks and have a good idea of what it has to offer the daily commuter. There are clearly must-haves on my list when it comes to travel scooters, so I’ll share them throughout this Apollo Go review.
Apollo Go Review: Price and Availability
The Apollo Go costs $1,299 and sits somewhat in the middle of the company’s electric scooter lineup, between the $999 Apollo Air and the $1,799 Apollo City; the Apollo Phantom beats them all with a price tag of $2,399. For a limited time, you can get the Apollo Go for $1,199, which puts it pretty much on par with commuter scooters I’ve used like the In motion S1 and Freeride fluid mosquito.
The Apollo Go went on sale in February until Apollo directly, so if you are interested in getting it, that is the only place you can buy it. But expect to pay for the Go. I think it’s a fair price given the Apollo Go’s features and solid build.
Apollo Go Review: Design
I’ll be straight to the point: the Apollo Go is not my kind of commuter scooter. This is because I prefer something much lighter, preferably less than 30 pounds, because it is a chore trying to carry something heavier up and down stairs. The Apollo Go tips the scales at 46 pounds heavier.
On top of that, it doesn’t fold compactly enough to fit under the seats in most of the train cars I ride in every day. While the Apollo Go doesn’t have the qualities I want in a commuter scooter, I see plenty of other people taking similar sized scooters on their trips.
I think of the Apollo Go as more of an all-terrain scooter, perfect for beginners and those who want a smooth ride. And I think Apollo does a good job here.
For starters, the build quality of the Go is impeccable, clearly better than most electric scooters I’ve used. The choice of materials feels and looks premium, right down to small details like the Apollo Go’s 360-degree lighting, IP66 waterproof rating, and self-healing tires coated with PunctureGuard gel.
I’m confident that the Apollo Go will hold up well over the years thanks to its premium materials and solid construction. My only criticism of the design is the clunky folding mechanism. Sometimes it is necessary to move the latch that secures the handlebar to the board in order to release it. I prefer something that is more intuitive and quicker to launch.
Apollo Go Review: Performance
On my first ride, I was struck by the Apollo Go’s slower acceleration, but then discovered that, along with braking, it could be tweaked in the app to align things more with my preferences.
I will say that the Apollo Go rides very smoothly, thanks in part to its Airflow system that alleviates the impact of bumps in the road. Also, I want to mention how its solid construction gives it a maximum rider load of 265 pounds.
I took the Apollo Go for a much longer loop through the Henry Hudson Trail that hugs the Jersey Shore (a stretch of about 8 miles) and it was a smooth ride throughout. While the Apollo Go has a handle brake on the left handlebar, I relied primarily on the regenerative braking control because it applies the brakes moderately, whereas it feels much harsher on the Mosquito.
The turns could be a little wider, but I guess that’s because I’ve gotten used to the Mosquito’s handling. However, I think the Apollo Go offers the perfect balance of maneuverability and comfort for first-time users.
Apollo Go review: Battery life and range
Naturally, there are several factors that affect a scooter’s battery life, so being careful with braking and acceleration will result in longer times between charges. Apollo has it rated for a range of 20 to 30 miles with a top speed of 28 mph, which I think is what I expect from this type of scooter.
The Go is definitely better than the Apollo Air if distance is your priority, while the Apollo City and Phantom go further at 43 and 50 miles respectively.
On my ride along the Henry Hudson Trail, I kept the Go’s throttle in the middle setting and cruised around 20 mph most of the time. Once I returned home, I noticed that the scooter’s battery level dropped by 28%, making it almost up to the Apollo rating.
I still think the Apollo Go is pretty good when it comes to battery life, but my trip didn’t involve many hills, which ultimately isn’t that taxing on the battery.
Apollo Go Review: Apollo App
Call it the most underrated part of Apollo Go, but the companion app unlocks even more features. The most important thing has to be the ability to lock the scooter when not in use. I accidentally put it in lock mode and didn’t realize what the default code was, so the wheels practically locked. This is a useful security feature if you intend to lock it somewhere because a potential thief will realize that the scooter cannot be driven unless it is unlocked.
Secondly, the app also tracks many statistics of the scooter, such as its average speed during a ride, and records a history of them. And as I mentioned above, the app allows me to customize many of the Apollo Go’s settings, such as cruise control speed and acceleration. These are great details that I don’t find on other scooters, so I like how its ride can be adjusted to specific preferences.
Apollo Go Review: Verdict
If there’s one scooter I want to introduce to someone who’s never ridden one before, it’s definitely the Apollo Go. While it might suffice as a travel scooter for some, I consider it more of a versatile, everyday scooter for any level of experience that allows them to get around with confidence on their first ride.
The Apollo Go is possibly one of the best electric scooters I have used for its comfort and maneuverability. Add to that its premium build, custom configurations, long range, and safety features, and it’s the kind of scooter that makes you feel like you’re buying an iPhone, something you know is reliable and performs great.
