Unboxing

Everything is very standard and securely packed, just like all other Ninebot / Xiaomi scooters! In the box you will find everything you need: manual book, pump adapter, steering wheel screws, screwdriver, and most importantly the scooter itself and the charger! Maybe it's a small thing, but the scooter box itself is very nicely decorated on one side, which is also a bit more eye-catching than standard boxes.

Assembly / preparation

Everything is very elementary, simple and fast. We screw in 4 steering wheel bolts (1 bolt is inserted as an extra - spare). Then we remove all unnecessary protective stickers, inflate the tires to 50 PSI with a practical Xiaomi 1S electric pump and connect to charge. After charging (or meanwhile) - connect to the Segway APP and activate the scooter!

First Impressions

Since I had a Xiaomi 1S scooter on the side, I compared it basically with it. So... Ninebot D28E is slightly larger than Xiaomi 1S in terms of dimensions. Ninebot has larger and more comfortable 10" tires, while the Xiaomi 1S has smaller 8.5". The frame itself looks just as massive and sturdier, and the additional red frame accents only draw attention to the scooter even more. If Xiaomi 1S can be called "gray city mouse", then I would say D28E "stylish city squirrel"

Space on the parking base is more on the Ninebot D28E. Although the length of the base itself may be the same, the space on the Ninebot scooter is simply used more practically, because the connection of the base frame and steering rod is made from below (2 red pipes). So I would say that it is quite a smart and good decision. At the same time, the steering wheel is ~2cm higher and ~5cm wider, so overall it is more comfortable.

The folding mechanism is identical on both scooters - there are no problems with that. The motor on the D28E is 300W, while the Xiaomi 1S goes with 250W, but there will be a separate post about performance insights. Another difference is that Xiaomi uses disc brakes, while Ninebot uses drum brakes. Which ones are better - it will be necessary to test more. All other aspects are quite identical, both have screens with info, of course Ninebot is rounder and more stylish.

What did we like?

The Ninebot D28E scooter really attracts attention due to its modern design and bright red color. Personally, I really like the model and it stands out from the crowd. The construction of the scooter itself is stronger compared to the Xiaomi 1S, the wheels are bigger - 10", so it's a little more fun and comfortable to ride.

What else I liked was a wider, longer parking base and a higher + wider steering wheel. These aspects further contribute to greater comfort and convenience when driving and maneuvering the scooter. Compared to the Xiaomi 1S, it feels like such a "compressed" model, the steering wheel is much narrower and it is noticeable, especially if you are a bigger/taller person.

A small detail, but I liked that the charging socket is built into the top, so it is more convenient to insert the charging cable than to find the connector with your fingers under the parking base. Anyway, the plug of the charging connector itself looks more solid and definitely more reliable than on the Xiaomi 1S. 

What could be better?

The Ninebot D28E model comes with a 300W motor (the same power as the Xiaomi Pro 2 model), but the speed is limited to 25km/h and, unfortunately, there is currently no possibility to "hack" / increase the instantaneous power and speed... Of course, if basically you ride in the city and you are a calm rider - the available power should be enough (well, unless you weigh 80kg+ and there is some steeper hill on the road, then choose a Ninebot G30).

Out of curiosity, I recorded CFW on the Xiaomi 1S scooter (increased power and speed) and then did some acceleration and hill climb tests. The results are that the Xiaomi 1S with CFW pulls better up the hill, the Ninebot D28E starts faster on the drag, but due to the higher max. speed (up to 27-28km/h) in the end, Xiaomi 1S still catches up and overtakes its "competitor". Of course, as soon as there is a way to flash CFW on the Ninebot "D" series models, the results should change in Ninebot's favor.

NiuxTech rating

• Design - Ninebot D28E
• Comfort - Ninebot D28E
• Quality - Ninebot D28E
• Compactness - Xiaomi 1S
• Customization - Xiaomi 1S
• Power / Speed - Xiaomi 1S (with CFW)

Which scooter to buy?

It all depends on the needs and budget. If you need a compact, reliable, cheap scooter under €300 - I recommend the Xiaomi 1S. If you want a little more power, more range, more comfort - then choose from Xiaomi Pro 2 / Ninebot D38E / Ninebot F40. Anyway, from quality mid-range up to €600 - the TOP1 choice is the Ninebot MAX G30.

Do you want to know more about the best electric scooters of 2023 in different price categories? NiuxTech has compiled a personal list of TOP scooters and a comparison with other models! 

The best electric scooters of 2023!