Niu KQi 300x in the test: Robust e-scooter with big battery and powerful motor

Unlike predecessors like the Niu Kqi3 Max (test report) or Niu Kqi3 Sport (test report), Niu has given the KQi 300X an indicator, a larger battery, an improved suspension, a more powerful motor and more. We took a closer look at the 300X with German road approval in this test report.

KQi 300X pricing direct from Niu 799 euros.For this price, buyers get a high-quality e-scooter with many features.

The Niu KQi 300X is very simple to build. The handlebar only needs to be attached with four screws. After checking the tire pressure and tightening the screws, there is almost nothing that stands in the way of your first ride. Before you get started, Niu wants the buyer to connect the e-scooter to the Niu app. Registration is required for this.

Visually, the KQi 300X appears somewhat inconspicuous. The dominant colors are brown and black. Only a few red elements loosen up the otherwise quite simple design. The electric scooter looks narrow and delicate from the front, while from the rear it becomes more massive. There are a lot of cables on the handlebars, but Newi cleverly hides them behind the front lights.

The workmanship of the Niu KQi 300X makes a solid first impression. The maximum rider weight is 120 kg, which should be enough for most. The e-scooter is IP55 certified against water ingress. This means that it is protected from dust and water jets from any angle. Only the rear mudguard wobbles a little when you step on it. You shouldn’t put too much weight here. However, Niu writes that they have improved this problem compared to their predecessors.

The KQi 300X is a fairly large e-scooter. The handlebar length is 54.4 cm and the height is 123 cm. After folding, the height is reduced to 54.2 cm. The size of the running board is 55 cm long and 17 cm wide. Overall the e-scooter is 117.4 cm long. The distance of the running board from the floor is 7.6 cm.

Speaking of folding, the Niu KQi 300X’s folding mechanism works perfectly. The safety lever is easy to use and clicks into place reliably. The folded handlebar is held in place by an eyelet on the rear mudguard. This connection is reliably maintained and can still be easily removed. When folded like this, the e-scooter can be easily stowed on the train, but with a weight of 22.1 kg, it is quite difficult to carry it over long distances.

The indicator is immediately noticeable on the wide handlebar of the Niu KQi 300X. Unlike the Fritz running board (test report), the lights are only available at the front end of the handlebar. The turn signal is bright and beeps when activated so that you don’t forget to turn it off again after turning – practical. The two buttons to operate the turn signals are located on the right side of the handlebar. These can also be used to activate the hazard warning lights. The gas ring is also on the right side. Niu has therefore gotten rid of the usual thumb grip. Since the ring moves pleasantly smoothly, it is a good option for dealing with thumb pain on long journeys. The bell is mounted on the left side of the handlebar.

The color display is located in the middle of the handlebar, below which is the switch on and off button. In direct sunlight, the display is reflective, but still readable. It shows the speed without decimal places and the battery capacity in bars. The app provides more information. The e-scooter can be locked there. This activates the engine brake. If someone drives the e-scooter, an alarm sounds and flashing lights come on. However, thieves can still easily take the KQi 300X. Accordingly, we recommend using a good lock, more information about this in the guide to bicycle locks for e-bikes and e-scooters: smart, with app, alarm and GPS.

The statistics can also be viewed in the app – if you activate “Neu Link Ride” before the ride. However, this only works when the app is open. A mobile phone holder on the handlebar is practical for this. We show which one is suitable for this in the top 10 list: Best mobile phone holder – smartphone securely on the handlebar.

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You can also use the app to set, among other things, how strong the recuperation should be. We turned this feature off completely because, in our experience, it provides the most pleasant driving experience. In Dynamic mode, Niu lets the driver set a maximum speed of 38 km/h in the app. Fortunately, this has no effect on the actual top speed, otherwise the e-scooter would lose its road legal status.

The front light of the Niu KQi 300X is bright and can be adjusted in height. The taillight is also bright enough to be visible to other road users. It also lights up when braking.

The wide and long running board has a positive effect while driving. It is coated with rubber for better grip. The low center of gravity also contributes to a good driving experience. The front suspension has a stroke of 45 millimeters and is set quite tight to prevent the handlebar from shaking, but still filters out many shocks properly. To further improve handling, Niu uses 2.5-inch wide 10.5-inch tubeless tires with a self-healing coating. Due to the viscous fluid inside, minor damage should be sealed automatically. If you regularly travel on unpaved roads, you should still choose an e-scooter from the top 7 list: Best Off-Road E-Scooters.

The 500-watt motor in the rear wheel supports a peak power of 1000 watts. This is a huge amount for a street-legal electric scooter. We have rarely experienced more powerful engines in testing. According to the speedometer, the e-scooter travels at 22 km/h. The GPS app confirms 21 km/h. Quite a high and yet legal top speed.

We really like the mechanical disc brakes on both wheels. You grab it boldly and the e-scooter stops immediately, even if you brake hard. Still, they can be dosed easily and they don’t react too harshly.

Niu equips the KQi 300X with a 608 watt-hour battery. This is very high for this price range. The manufacturer states a maximum range of 60 kilometers. However, this value is only achieved under absolutely ideal conditions, i.e. with a light driver traveling comfortably on a flat route without much stopping in mild weather. In our case, with a rider weight of 85 kilograms, we traveled about 35 kilometers and made several trips in mainly hilly terrain. We always used the maximum speed. If you need more range, we recommend taking a look at our top 10: E-scooters with the largest batteries – The cheapest have the best range.

The charging port is located on the front of the running board. It is easily accessible and protected from water ingress. With the included power adapter, a full charge takes six hours.

Price of Nokia KQi 300X 799 euros. The manufacturer sells it directly on its website. Here we show the most popular e-scooters from Niu in price comparison.

The Niu KQi 300X is a really good e-scooter. We find the easily accessible and very bright turn signals a real asset for road safety. We have rarely seen such a powerful engine. The large battery ensures sufficient range, the brakes work reliably and the app offers many practical functions. The high overall weight and the self-healing, tubeless tires are also pleasing. Only the somewhat wobbly rear mudguard minimally impairs the otherwise excellent overall impression.