Xiaomi’s Electric Scooter 4 Pro Max bridges the gap between the 4 Pro and 4 Ultra, featuring improved battery life and comfort. Launched in 2024, it presents a stylish design with a matte golden finish and familiar cockpit features. Despite weighing 21.6 kg, its performance includes a peak power of 960 W, suitable for urban riding. While it offers adequate comfort with dual-spring front suspension, it still faces competition from brands like Ninebot and Niu in connectivity and braking efficiency.
Before the launch of the latest Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 series, the existing models from this Chinese tech powerhouse continue to hold their ground. In fact, they’re expected to stay in the lineup for a while longer. Within the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 lineup, we’ve previously evaluated the standard model 4, the enhanced 4 Pro, the premium 4 Ultra, and the budget-friendly 4 Lite 2nd Gen.
Introducing the Xiaomi Electric 4 Pro Max, which has arrived alongside the 4 Lite. This model occupies a sweet spot between the 4 Pro and the 4 Ultra, boasting improved battery life and enhanced comfort features. Launched in 2024, it enters a competitive market filled with electric scooters that offer increasingly attractive price-performance ratios and the integration of suspension systems.
Can the 4 Pro Max hold its own as we await the next generations from Xiaomi and Ninebot? Is it a genuine upgrade from the 4 Pro? We put this model to the test for a week, and here are our insights.
Specifications Overview
This review is based on a model provided by the manufacturer.
Stylish Design with a Touch of Class
While most Xiaomi electric scooters share a similar aesthetic, the 4 Pro Max introduces a hint of uniqueness, setting it apart from its siblings, except for the 4 Ultra, which is based on the Navee S65.
The scooter features a subtle matte golden finish, elevating its appearance to a more premium level compared to other models in the lineup. This sophisticated design extends to the plastic fenders, folding lever, and even the wheel coverings.
The overall look is understated yet chic, and the deck’s design, which wraps around the rear wheel, enhances this refined aesthetic. A space for a license plate (not mandatory in France) is included, although it places the rear light – equipped with a stop function – at a low position, reducing its visibility to other road users.
Weight Considerations
Aside from its visual appeal, the structural elements remain consistent with its counterparts. The steering column and handlebars mirror those found on the other models, with grips that are slightly lighter and equipped with turn signals. The left control is conveniently located for easy access.
Moving forward, the traditional bell also functions as a folding lock, while the central display and its accompanying button rest above a front light that could be more powerful. This front light activates automatically based on surrounding light conditions. The right side retains a conventional acceleration trigger, unlike the latest models from Niu and Ninebot that feature handle-integrated controls.
In terms of convenience, the folding mechanism is standard yet asymmetrical, allowing for some space on the left side for easier transport. However, the scooter’s hefty weight limits its portability. Weighing in at 21.6 kg, it’s 3 kg heavier than the competing Ninebot F2 Pro E. Thus, frequent use in multi-modal transport is not recommended, and navigating stairs without an elevator could be challenging. When folded, its dimensions are 56 cm in height, 53 cm in width, and 1.18 m in length.
Familiar Display Features
Though the deck and wheel designs differ slightly, the cockpit remains identical to the other Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 models. The Pro Max showcases a large display that indicates speed and current driving mode.
Additional icons inform the user about lighting status, smartphone connectivity, and battery life via a five-indicator gauge. These features are standard and familiar to users. The lower central button, however, is non-functional while riding, serving only to power the scooter on, activate lights, and switch modes.
Connectivity Options
For accessing more advanced settings, the Xiaomi mobile application is essential. This app, part of the Xiaomi Home ecosystem, features a dedicated interface for electric scooters.
However, users might be disappointed as there are no new features compared to previous Xiaomi 4 model tests. In fact, some data has been removed, such as current mileage and trip statistics. What remains includes a theoretical display of battery life, battery percentage, motor lock status, and rear electronic brake level.
Users can adjust settings like keeping the rear light on, receiving low battery alerts, and inputting access codes, along with battery information (temperature, voltage, etc.) and total mileage.
It’s clear that Ninebot and Niu have consistently outperformed Xiaomi in terms of connectivity features, urging Xiaomi not to become complacent.
Performance Insights
The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Pro Max boasts a peak power of 960 W, which sounds impressive on paper. This is 20 W more than the 4 Ultra, but the nominal power is still lower at 400 W compared to the Ultra’s 500 W.
This power difference is noticeable during acceleration, particularly on steep inclines. Unlike the Ultra, the Pro Max lacks an S+ mode; its S mode allows for speeds of 25 km/h, utilizing its full power, while the D mode caps the speed at 20 km/h and the pedestrian mode ranges from 5 to 6 km/h.
Overall, the Pro Max performs adequately for urban riding in Paris, delivering linear acceleration and convincing recovery without excessive noise from the motor. Braking is managed via a front drum brake and a rear electronic brake, but stopping from 25 to 0 km/h takes longer compared to competitors that utilize dual drum or disc brakes (4.50 m here versus an average of 4 to 4.30 m).
Suspension and Comfort
The motor’s performance is well-matched with the scooter’s handling, offering a smooth and precise ride, aided by the low deck height. This design feature is appreciated, providing a sense of stability.
However, caution is required to avoid scraping the deck on curbs or steps due to the low ground clearance. The extended deck accommodates larger feet comfortably, though it tends to collect water in rainy conditions without significantly impacting grip.
While the scooter’s rear end is rigid, transmitting road vibrations, the dual-spring front suspension is a notable advantage. It effectively absorbs bumps, enhancing comfort in comparison to the Xiaomi 4 Pro. However, it still falls short of the performance offered by Niu models.