What is a good electric scooter? While most of them look similar, key differences make them either pleasingly or frustratingly limited.

To avoid disappointment, here are five important things to consider when choosing the best electric scooter for you.

1. Some scooters don't have enough power to get you up a hill.

Electric scooters use an electric motor to propel you forward - just like a car uses an engine. But to keep costs down, some manufacturers use small and underpowered motors.

Unfortunately, these motors struggle to get you up hills, even slight ascents, which means you have to get out and push.

To make sure you always get enough power, look for a scooter with at least a 300W motor (preferably 500W if you can afford it). And check that this number refers to the average power of the scooter, not the maximum power.

2. You can't ride most scooters in wet weather.

Most electric scooters are designed for countries where it rarely rains.

Some even have a system inside the scooter to detect if you've used it in wet conditions. If so, your warranty may be void.

So if you don't want to take a taxi every time it rains, make sure you choose a scooter with a higher waterproof rating.

The "IP" rating describes how waterproof the scooter is. If you live in the UK or Northern Europe, we recommend that you use an IP65-rated scooter (avoid IP54).

The best brands clearly indicate whether their scooters are waterproof or not. If you can't find any info on it - or if it's described as "splash proof" - assume it's not waterproof.

3. Not all scooter brakes are created equal.

Every good quality electric scooter has two brakes - one on the front and one on the rear.

An electric brake and a physical brake are also common. The physical brakes are more powerful and are therefore usually located at the front to reduce braking distances and improve safety.   

There are two main types of physical brakes - drum brakes and disc brakes. While both are very good, there is one key difference.

Disc brakes get into dirt and grit easily, which means they may need regular maintenance.

Drum brakes, on the other hand, cover the pads to keep dirt out. That's why they're our recommended pick if you're looking for a low-maintenance ride.

4. Some scooters are designed to carry more weight.

The scooters are rigorously tested to a specific weight limit to ensure they can be ridden properly for many years.

Many e-scooters are designed with a weight limit of 100kg.

But while 100kg is more than enough for the average rider, a higher weight limit of 120kg will give you extra strength and reassurance. For example, if you need to carry a heavy backpack.

The higher weight limit also indicates premium build quality. So to make sure your ride is as robust as possible, look for a scooter with a maximum load capacity of 120kg.

5. Bigger wheels = more comfortable ride.

Regardless of the surface, you're bound to feel some bumps as you ride. But wheel size has a big impact on how it feels under your feet, as well as overall comfort.

Our team of professionals has ridden e-scooters on almost every surface type in Europe - from cobblestone to tarmac to concrete. So we know from experience that 10-inch wheels make for a smoother ride.

Wheel dimensions are usually measured in inches, not centimeters. Choose a scooter with 10-inch wheels instead of 8-inch wheels for a more comfortable experience.