Fiido Q1S Scooter Review

The Fiido seated scooter has decent acceleration for its speed, but isn’t coming in first against other premium commuter scooters. It has a zero to 15 mph time of 6.7 seconds.

With the single-motor Fiido scooter, there aren’t any performance-related features, like p-settings, to control the acceleration style, braking, and so on. You have a very simply display with on/off that shows the battery level.

Our speed tests are performed on flat ground with a 165 lb rider. The Fiido has a tested top speed of 16.4 mph, which is about par with the mid-range commuter Xiaomi M365, but about 5 miles slower than the Touring.

The Fiido is able to climb up a hill, but is going to go at a slow pace. Going up the 10% average incline, it took the 200-foot distance in 21.1 seconds. It felt like it could use a little kick-push at steeper points of the distance.

Compare with other scooters on our performance page.

Likely in part because of it’s rather low top speed, the Fiido seated scooter has a good range for a premium commuter, getting 20.2 miles in our performance tests.

During the range test, we max out the throttle. The route includes many stops, rough roads, and some uphill travel. Actual range will vary depending on the weight of the rider, riding style, and terrain.

Learn more about our extensive RG certification tests.

Braking on the Fiido seated scooter is solid, with dual mechanical disc brakes on the larger-than-average 12.5 in tires. The Fiido has an excellent stopping distance of 13.7 feet. It has smaller tires than most bicycles but larger tires than most scooters, giving you a more relaxed, seated riding position.

It comes equipped with 160 mm rotors, which more than make up for not having hydraulic brakes. In fact, when deciding between a scooter that has standard 120 to 140 mm rotors with suspension or a scooter with 160 mm rotors and no suspension, we’d choose the latter.

The ride on the Fiido is really comfortable, as the twist throttle allows you to accelerate smoothly off the starting line and easily control speed. With an ergonomic throttle and cruise control feature, it’s simple to change or hold the speed on the Fiido electric scooter. Because the twist throttle is only about one-third the length of the handlebar, you can more easily adjust your grip and relax your hand when not accelerating. One thing you may notice is a slight throttle delay and slow roll-on of acceleration, which may be an intentional feature to help prevent accidental throttle application, as the Fiido is a zero-start scooter.

With the plush seat and dual suspension, you’re able to handle good terrain well, but the rear suspension is tuned a bit stiff and doesn’t allow for much vertical movement. The front suspension does help dampen the ride, and will work correctly given the right size spacers are installed on either side of the wheel. We received two models of the Fiido, and the early release model had spacers that were too small, limiting the front suspension’s vertical travel.

The Fiido has enough range for a daily commute, but goes about the same speed as the average shared scooter. It doesn’t have exceptional acceleration or power up hills, but the dual mechanical disc brakes with larger than average rotors have exceptional brake feel, especially considering they’re not hydraulic. They may take some getting used to, as they are tuned rather strongly out of the box and can almost throw you over the handlebars if you’re not careful, even for a 240 lb rider. However, they’re great for bringing you to a full stop when needed.

With a basket hanging from the handlebars and a large compartment centered in the FIIDO’s frame, you’ve got space to carry almost anything, from a bag of groceries to man’s best friend. With most scooters, you have to throw on a backpack to carry everything you need. With the Fiido seated scooter, it bears the weight instead of you, which is why it gets the title of scooter utility vehicle (SUV). This is a big part of the Fiido’s charm, and what makes it such a fun ride.

The Fiido scooter has a fairly small folded footprint, as the handlebars fold down and to the side of the center compartment. It has a longer length than most electric scooters given the larger tires and seat, and can be stowed in a car trunk when necessary. It is definitely larger than most (standing) electric scooters when folded down, but the 44 lb weight doesn’t feel as cumbersome as it sounds. The Fiido is pretty easy to maneuver one-handed for carrying up stairs or throwing into a trunk.

The Fiido measures 40 inches long by 40 inches wide by 39 inches tall with a folded height of 31 inches.

The Fiido seated electric scooter has a very simple cockpit, with an electronic horn, light control and brake lever on the left handlebar, and digital display, power button, cruise control button, brake lever and twist throttle on the right handlebar. The electric horn sounds at 90 dB, which is the same loudness as other horns we’ve measured. This is amply loud enough to warn passersby or drivers.

The flat-palm handgrips are nicely textured and tightly secured. The cables are tied and routed neatly into the front fork of the frame. The one-color digital display is a little difficult to read in direct daylight, and only provides the battery level (no speedometer). Overall, it’s a very simple, pleasant cockpit.

The Fiido scooter comes with one headlight mounted over the front wheel and no other lighting. There is a small reflector over the rear wheel, but it can easily get covered by your jacket or backpack. Without a rear brake light, other road warriors will not have any indication that you’re slowing down unless they’re very near you.

We recommend a rear blinking taillight to clip to the back of the seat or onto your backpack to be seen by other drivers.

For riding at night, you’ll definitely need more lighting for better visibility.

The Fiido seated scooter comes with dual pneumatic 12.5 in tires that feel good, but are narrow enough to get caught in ruts in the street if you’re not careful. They feel a lot like small bicycle tires, and have inner tubes that you can replace when needed.

Read more about preventing and repairing flats.

Unlike most bicycles and electric scooters, the Fiido Q1S electric scooter comes with ample built-in storage. There is a zippered basket on the front of the scooter that hangs off the handlebars from metal hooks, and an open center compartment that can be removed (velcro straps). The basket provides 0.31 ft³ of storage and the center compartment provides 0.23 ft³ of storage for a total of 0.54 ft³ of storage.

During our performance tests, we were able to stow a yoga mat, a small (stuffed) dog, a couple pickleballs, and a pickleball racket into the Fiido without completely filling the compartments.

The Fiido Q1S is not intimidating, unlike some other premium commuter electric scooters. The design of the Fiido is thoughtful and sturdy, with strong welds and an aircraft grade aluminum alloy frame. The larger tires, seated position, and leisurely pace are perfect for anyone looking for a more relaxed ride. The Fiido is a pretty comfortable size for anyone from around 5 feet tall to 6 feet tall. Two of the RG team members are on the opposite sides of the height spectrum and both felt comfortable riding on the Fiido.

It can accommodate riders up to 330 lbs and has an IP34 water resistance rating, meaning it can go out in light rain (but you should avoid it, especially to ensure the warranty). The charging port is tucked underneath the seat and closed with a rubber plug, which is great for weather resistance.

Note: The Fiido will not turn on if it is plugged into a powered charging cable.

The Fiido has excellent build quality with two caveats: the plastic fenders and the lackluster digital display. The fenders on the Fiido Q1S feel flimsy and a little brittle, especially compared to the otherwise highly durable, aluminum build. Because of the flexibility of the fenders and the way they are attached to the wheels, the fenders can touch the tires while riding. This isn’t really a safety concern, but could become one if your fenders splinter and poke the tires.

On to the digital display: We have only see this type of display on one other electric scooter (Glion Dolly), and it doesn’t give the rider much information or control. In fact, you have to use the key fobs to deactivate the alarm before you can power on the Fiido, and have to press the power button multiple times to get it to work (according to the user manual). The digital display shows you the battery level and provides a separate indicator when the battery is low, but otherwise controls nothing. The lights and electric horn are controlled by standalone switches.

The lack of features isn’t really a problem, as the slower speed means you don’t have to tune it down for anyone to jump on and ride without much guidance or preparation. Because the operation is so simple and intuitive, you really don’t need a fancy display (especially if there aren’t any performance features to control).

The Fiido seated electric scooter comes equipped with a security alarm system that is controlled by key fobs (we received two). The key fob arms and disarms the alarm system, and allows you to power on the Fiido. When the system is on, jostling the Fiido will set the alarm off. The first time the alarm sounds, it stays on for a brief period. If it is disturbed shortly thereafter, the alarm will stay on for a longer period.

However, we’re not sure how effective the motion sensor is to deter thieves. We noticed that if we didn’t jostle the Fiido too much while carrying or wheeling it away, the alarm did not activate. The fact that you cannot get the Fiido scooter to power on without the key fobs is a more effective safety measure than the alarm itself.

The Fiido seated scooter is equal parts fun and utility, merging some of the best features of scooters and bicycles without being either. Standing on scooters, you have to keep an active rider stance and shift your weight to ride comfortably. Powering a bicycle by pedaling definitely takes more effort than twisting a throttle. On the Fiido, you don’t have to think about how you’re going to ride; you can jump on and kinda chill.

The tires are bigger than most scooters, but small enough to keep you riding lower to the ground than on a bike. It’s light and small enough to pop in your trunk, and comes with built-in storage that doesn’t come standard on scooters or bicycles. With the comfort of a bicycle and the power of an electric motor, the Fiido electric scooter is effortlessly fun to ride. You can go a little further distance than you might want to pedal, and the way the FIIDO’s built, there’s plenty of space to stow whatever you wish to bring with you.