E-bikes and scooters under $350 compared

Start with the battery, not the speed

The lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and scooters can catch fire. Consumer Product Safety Commission staff counted 373 deaths linked to e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards from 2017 to 2023, and 40 of them were associated with lithium-ion battery fires ¹. The Commission asks people to use devices and batteries certified to the applicable safety standards, to be present while charging, and to use only the charger made or recommended for the device ².

The standards have names: UL 2849 for the electrical system of an e-bike, UL 2272 for that of an e-scooter or other powered mobility device, and UL 2271 for their batteries. New York City has required certification to them for anything sold there since 2023 ³. Anywhere else, a stated certification is still the first thing to look for.

1. Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017–2023 US Consumer Product Safety Commission (staff report) — 373 fatalities from 2017 through 2023; 14 e-bike, 15 e-scooter and 11 hoverboard deaths associated with lithium-ion battery fires; staff report, September 2024
2. Micromobility: E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Hoverboards US Consumer Product Safety Commission — use devices and batteries certified to the applicable voluntary safety standards; be present when charging; use only the maker's charger
3. Local Law 39 of 2023 (Int 0663-2022) New York City Council — no sale of e-bikes, e-scooters or their batteries in NYC unless certified to UL 2849, UL 2272 or UL 2271; approved March 20, 2023, in effect 180 days later

What we know about these two

Gyroor sells two seated scooters with baskets that top out at 18.6 mph, the C1S and the C1Plus, and says each has passed UL 2272 certification ^{1 2}. Its pages give no certificate number or lab, so this is the maker’s claim. The listing here doesn’t name the model: the C1S is a 550 W, 36 V scooter weighing 48.5 lb with a 265 lb load limit ¹, the C1Plus a 650 W, 48 V one with a 300 lb limit ². Ask the seller which it is before you order.

For the UPLEE GE5 we found no maker page at all, so all we have is the listing’s own description: 14-inch wheels, a 500 W-peak motor, a removable 48 V 15 Ah battery, riders 4′9″ to 5′9″, 66 lb. Under federal law a low-speed electric bicycle has working pedals, a motor under 750 W and a top speed under 20 mph on the motor alone ³. The GE5’s motor fits the first number, but we found no top speed to check the second, and no UL 2849 claim.

1. Gyroor C1S Electric Scooter with Seat for Adults 550W, Ample Storage for Pets & Cargo Gyroor — 550W (800W peak), 36V 7.8Ah, about 18.6 mph, about 20 miles, 265 lb max load, 48.5 lb; “This product has passed UL2272 certification”; regular price $634.00 on 2026-10-08
2. Gyroor C1Plus electric scooter with large middle basket Gyroor — 650W (1000W peak), 48V 13.5Ah, about 18.6 mph, 300 lb max load; the same UL2272 statement
3. 15 U.S. Code § 2085 – Low-speed electric bicycles Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School — fully operable pedals, a motor under 750 W, under 20 mph on the motor alone with a 170 lb rider

A range figure is a good day

Gyroor rates the C1S at about 20 miles ¹ and gives no conditions for that figure. Makers that do publish their conditions show how narrow they are: one Lectric range figure assumes a 180 lb rider, 30 psi tires, flat ground, full throttle at 20 mph, no pedalling, no wind and 75°F, and Lectric says any variation gives different results ². Cold weather shortens range too ³. Treat any range on a listing as what the battery does on a good day.

1. Gyroor C1S Electric Scooter with Seat for Adults 550W, Ample Storage for Pets & Cargo Gyroor — 550W (800W peak), 36V 7.8Ah, about 18.6 mph, about 20 miles, 265 lb max load, 48.5 lb; “This product has passed UL2272 certification”; regular price $634.00 on 2026-10-08
2. Battery Range Lectric eBikes — one range figure assumes a 180 lb rider, 30 psi, flat ground, full throttle at 20 mph, no pedaling, no wind, 75°F; any variation gives different results
3. Can the eBikes handle extreme temperatures? Lectric eBikes — cold temperatures can reduce range

A lock is rated by how long it lasts against tools

Sold Secure rates locks Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond by how long they withstand specific tools ¹ — from a short attack with one hand tool at Bronze to power tools and machine testing at Diamond — and recommends a lock rated for powered cycles on an e-bike ². London’s Metropolitan Police advise two quality locks of different types, at least one of them a D-lock, through the frame and both wheels ³.

The Areyourshop lock is a 60 cm chain with three keys ⁴, and we found no security rating for it. Use it as the second lock, not the only one.

1. Sold Secure Ratings Explained Sold Secure — four grades, Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze, based on how long a product withstands specific tools
2. Sold Secure Bike Lock Ratings - Pedal Cycle Ratings Guide Sold Secure — Bronze: a short attack with one easily concealed hand tool; Diamond: heavier tools including power tools and machine testing; e-bikes: use a powered-cycle rated lock
3. Protect your bike from theft Metropolitan Police — two quality locks of different types, at least one a D-lock; lock the frame and both wheels
4. Motorcycle Bike Electric Scooter Lock with Key 60cm Chain Lock Anti Theft W/Bag Areyourshop — 60 cm chain; three keys; no security rating stated

What these prices mean

Each price here is the one we last read on AliExpress, and each product page shows the date and our full record. The Gyroor scooter dropped from $349.54 to $317.76 on October 1 and has stayed there; if it is the C1S, Gyroor’s two stores listed that model at $634 (gyroor.com) and at $423.60, sold out (gyroorboard.com), on October 8 ^{1 2}. The UPLEE GE5 has stayed between $274.58 and $275.32 since September 25. The lock has been between $45.05 and $50.41 since September 27, rising to $50.41 on October 8 with a change to the offer.

The struck-through “was” prices on these listings, up to $1,059.20 on the scooter, are the sellers’; we have not seen any of them charged. AliExpress also quotes new accounts a lower “Welcome deal” price, and store coupons can lower it further, so what you are shown may be less than what is listed here.

1. Gyroor C1S Electric Scooter with Seat for Adults 550W, Ample Storage for Pets & Cargo Gyroor — 550W (800W peak), 36V 7.8Ah, about 18.6 mph, about 20 miles, 265 lb max load, 48.5 lb; “This product has passed UL2272 certification”; regular price $634.00 on 2026-10-08
2. Gyroor C1S Electric Scooter – 800W(Peak), Front & Rear Baskets Gyroor — Gyroor's other store: C1S at $423.60 (regular $499.99), shown sold out on 2026-10-08