

Struggling to decide which hoverboard to buy? Well, our Segway Minipro VS Ninebot Mini review should greatly help you choose the one that’s best for you. We’re going to look at everything from the features to the benefits to the downsides.
So, let’s jump right into the details, shall we?
How Do Segway Minipro VS Ninebot Mini Compare?
Both the Segway Minipro and the Ninebot Mini hoverboards will make your commute to work or the shops a lot more enjoyable. Not to mention that they look super stylish and help you save the environment by limiting the use of your car.
When you look at these two products side by side, they’re almost the same. There are perfectly good reasons to buy either one! But, we’re going to take a deep dive into the features that set them apart.
Before you go out and purchase either one of these, however, you need to a) read this comparison and b) think about the following factors:
- The type of hoverboard (classic, off-road, or self-balancing)
- Their certifications (i.e. have they been properly approved for safety)
- Your weight and height
- How long they take to charge
- Their maximum speed
- Their maximum range
- The terrain
- The weight of the hoverboard
Presenting The Segway Minipro
As far as electronic rideables go, there are countless models available. The Segway Minipro is one of the most well-known, slimmed-down Segways. It’s agile, comfortable, and oh-so-stylish (even though you might feel a bit silly when you first ride it).
So, what comes in the box? Let’s take a look.
Inside, you’ll find the following bits and pieces:
- The Segway Minipro self-balancing scooter
- The charging plug and cable
- An extending air faucet
- The user manual
Let’s jump straight into the features and benefits. There are plenty of juicy things to talk about here (including the amazing anti-theft alarm!).
Features and Benefits
Bluetooth Connectivity
Aside from the anti-theft alarm (see the next section) the Bluetooth and app connectivity is the best feature. You can use your cellphone to control the speed, reset the alarm, customize the lights, and update the system.
The Anti-Theft Alarm
The Segway Minipro is the first personal transporter to include an anti-theft alarm. This is such a great feature since it gives you a sense of security and safety. If someone does try to steal it, a high-pitched alarm will sound to alert you of this fact.
Everything is completely customizable and programmable though. So, if you don’t want to enable this feature, you don’t have to!
Adapts to Terrain
You can never be sure that the terrain you’re riding on will be smooth for your entire journey. Unless you’re on a dedicated track, it’s impossible for the ground to be favorable all the time.
So, the designers over at Segway have installed 10.5-inch tires that seemingly glide over any terrain (with a 9-cm clearance!). Wherever you are, you won’t be caught in a sticky situation if you encounter a bit of a bump!
Self-Balancing
Now, the gyroscopic technology that allows the Minipro to be self-balancing is almost identical to the components that are inside the Ninebot Mini. And, the real kicker is, they’re both as good in this aspect!
Automatic Front and Rear Lights
Generally speaking, hoverboards come with front lights only. However, Segway broke free from this stereotype by adding rear lights to their Minipro.
The best part is that it’s entirely automatic. You don’t need to faff around with switches. They adjust to your surroundings so you can stay safe while commuting or having fun. Night riding has never been more exciting!
Battery Life and Speed
The battery life is pretty good. You can travel around 14 miles on one charge. However, the most surprising factor is how fast it charges — in just 60 minutes, you’ll be good to go.
As far as speed goes, it’s not as quick as the Ninebot Mini. Its maximum speed is 10 miles per hour. You can decide whether that’s enough for you.
UL 2272 Certified
The Segway Minipro underwent fire and electrical safety tests and passed with flying colors! This is proof that it’s made using the highest quality wiring and casing. If nothing else allows you to rest easy, this should!
The Pros
- It’s easy to control thanks to the self-balancing feature.
- It’s very stylish.
- It has an anti-theft alarm included.
- It comes with a 1-year warranty.
- It’s a comfortable ride.
The Cons
- It’s rather expensive.
- The power readouts are inconsistent.
- It’s not the fastest model.
- It’s harder to steer with your knees.
Presenting The Ninebot Mini
The Ninebot Mini S-Plus is great for anyone and everyone — whether you’re 16, 25, or 34, you can ride and enjoy it. Thankfully, the decrease in technology prices has meant that personal vehicles like this one (and the Minipro) are available to the average person.
You control this small but feisty machine by leaning and shifting your weight. You don’t need to worry about capsizing though; it’s self-balancing (which we’ll talk more about a bit later). For now, let’s take a look at what’s in the box:
- The Ninebox Mini S-Plus scooter frame
- The charger plug and power cable
- A plastic lid
- Two hex bolts and an Allen key
- A user manual, quick start guide, and the warranty notice
- The knee control steering bar
- The air valve extension
Okay, after you’ve familiarized yourself with the contents of the package, we’ll jump straight into the features and benefits. This is when we’ll truly see how the two models compare to each other.
Features and Benefits
Battery Life and Speed
Straight off the bat, we can tell you that the Ninebot Mini S-Plus takes approximately 4 hours to reach the full charge. How does this compare to the Segway Minipro? It doesn’t. As we know, the Minipro only takes an hour to reach full charge.
It can travel up to 13.5 miles from a single charge (again, this is slightly less than the Minipro) depending on the weight of the rider. However, it is a lot easier to get to grips with than the model we discussed earlier.
The Ninebot Mini App
Just like the Minipro, the Ninebot Mini S-Plus also connects to a smartphone app so you can use it remotely. You must download it in order to be able to turn the hoverboard on and start your ride.
From the app’s dashboard, you can see the battery level, direction, limit speed, current speed, remaining mileage left in the tank (so to speak), and other metrics.
Helpfully, the app limits your speed when you first start riding it so you can get to grips with the controls without injuring yourself. Once it deems you to be good enough, it will let you unleash the Mini’s full power.
Drive Remotely
Amazingly, you don’t even need to be on the Mini to ride it. Just head to the app, tap Bluetooth remote control and you’ll see a touchpad. This allows you to drive the hoverboard around. People have used this feature to deliver items around the office and even race their friends.
Slim Hardware
The overall design of the Ninebot Mini is very sleek. But don’t be fooled by its looks. It might be stylish but it certainly gets the job done.
Whether you’re going over wet terrain or sandy ground, you’ll stay clean and dry thanks to the tire guards. Not to mention that the tires themselves are made for gliding over bumpy surfaces so you’ll never be unexpectedly flung off.
Self-Balancing
The scooter is gyroscopically stabilized like the Segway Minipro. There isn’t much difference between the technology. They both work well to keep you (and themselves) upright!
The Pros
- You can control it with a mobile app and Bluetooth connection.
- It has stylish LED lights under the footing.
- It looks and feels futuristic.
- It’s easy to store.
The Cons
- The range isn’t great.
- It’s rather heavy. Carrying it downstairs is fine, however, anything else would be tricky.
- The steering bar is nonadjustable.
The Verdict: Should You Buy The Segway Minipro or Ninebot Mini?
Now for the most important question — what’s our verdict?
To tell you the truth, they’re both great. Each of them will help you get from A to B while having a lot of fun at the same time. But, in our opinion, there’s a fundamental winner here.
You should buy the Segway Minipro. Yep, even though it’s roughly $200-$300 less expensive than the Ninebot Mini (depending on where you buy it from). Here’s why.
There are two deciding factors that made this one have the edge for us. One is the fact that it only takes an hour to charge, and the other is because it can go that extra half a mile further from one charge. They’re minute differences, however, so you might not think that it’s worth the extra money.
Additionally, the entire unit is a bit bigger so works better for those who are taller than average. For us, it’s a no-brainer!
More Recommended Ebikes
Check out these other ebikes I've reviewed:
- Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
- Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
- Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
- Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
- Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
- KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
- Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
- Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
- Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
More Recommended Scooters
Check out these other scooters I've reviewed:
- Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
- Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
- Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
- Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
- GoTrax G5 Scooter – The GoTrax G5 Electric Scooter is a new commuter scooter from GoTrax that I’ve been riding for a while now. It’s a scooter that’s well-built, has a good top speed, and offers a lot of great features. And with a price point in the $500 range, it’s a scooter that offers a lot of value for the money too. Check out my GoTrax G5 Review.
- Sisigad Arrow Max Scooter – When it comes to scooters, you sometimes just need a solid, well-built, decently fast scooter to get you around. The Sisigad Arrow Max is an entry-level scooter that does exactly that. I’ve been riding it around a bunch lately – and so far – I find it to be a fun, affordable scooter that works well for commuting and getting around the city. Check out my Sisigad Arrow Max Review.
- Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.