M365

Name: Xiaomi M365
Brand: Xiaomi
Availability: Discontinued

scooter350–450 EUR

Origin

Released in December 2016 and built in partnership with Ninebot/Segway, the Xiaomi M365 almost single-handedly created the modern consumer e-scooter category. By undercutting rivals at €350–400 with a genuinely good ride, it became the reference design that nearly every commuter scooter since has copied. Rental giants Bird and Lime built their first fleets on M365 hardware in 2017, putting the model on streets worldwide and turning it into the scooter that defined the standard.

Specifications

Frame: aluminum alloy (6-series, marketing-stripped from "Aerospace-grade")
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: Front hub motor
Brakes: Front E-ABS regenerative (KERS) + rear mechanical disc brake
Wheels: 8.5" Xiaomi OEM Alloy

The verdict

+Strengths

Category-defining value: a genuinely reliable ride at €350–400 that made e-scooters mainstream.
Best-in-class aftermarket and parts availability — nearly any wear part or upgrade is cheap and easy to source years later.
Pneumatic 8.5" tires give a noticeably smoother ride than the solid tires on many budget rivals.
Light (12.5 kg) and genuinely portable thanks to the slick one-twist folding mechanism.
Open, hackable ecosystem — Bluetooth app plus custom firmware lets owners tune speed and behaviour.

−Weaknesses

No suspension and a 250 W front motor — struggles on hills and feels weak with heavier riders or rough roads.
Standard model has no on-board display; you need the phone app even to see your speed.
Only IP54 — not safe for heavy rain or puddles, and water ingress is a common failure cause.
Pneumatic tires puncture and the rear tube is notoriously hard to change (stiff beads, motor cabling in the way).
Early folding-stem hinges developed play and were subject to a loose-screw stem-breakage recall.
Bluetooth security vulnerability allowed remote brake/speed manipulation on un-patched units.