F3

For a kid the best choice is an e3 pro from Segway. Has suspension so they won’t fall if they hit a crack in the road. If you want to spend a little more I’d recommend the F3. Even better suspension which will be safer

Ninebot f3, almost the same spec as max g2 but with some newer tech equipped, and most importantly of all, way lighter than max g2.

The adding of Hydraulic suspension is also a great comfort point

There is also the regular F3 (not the Pro) as an option that may be less expensive, and comparable to the G2? I was choosing between the F3 and the G2 last year and when with the F3 because I have to carry the scooter upstairs to my apartment, and the F3 is 10 pounds lighter. Something to consider if you will have to carry the scooter regularly.

Ah, bummer on the regular F3 being out of stock. It's a nice scooter. In any case, the F3 Pro is also noticeably lighter than the G2. Something to consider if you expect to have to carry the scooter around. The F3 folding mechanism (latch setup) is also nicer.

People are super weird and condescending about kids on scooters here, so you’re not going to get much help. FWIW my 13yo has a Segway F3 and loves it.

That budget is going to be tough. I got my 12 year old the Segway F3 this spring and it’s been perfect for him. Some of his friends have the E2 Plus II and they all ride all over the city going fishing and school football games and shit together. I think Segway makes great kid scooters with very low top speeds

$850? Fuck me. I paid $755.78 (I did it in euros and that's the exchange rate right now) for mine, and it has suspension; will apparently go 60km/h (no way am I trying it with knobbly tyres on tarmac); has an excellent lighting system (all voluntary); switchable 1WD/2WD; switchable vanity lighting (that I've only ever switched on by accident); disc brakes; tweakable settings so you can set a precise speed for 1st (of 3) gear; a claimed 45-60km range; and starts with a key. Does exactly what I want, and the only thing I can think to complain about is the manual didn't say how to maintain the brakes. It weighs quite a bit though.

The G2 has a much better real life range. I bought an F3 yesterday and cancelled the order when I realized real world range was 18-22 miles on sport mode. My current G30P gives me 25-28 on sports mode currently. If you care about motor power and comfort F3 is good. But if you care about range as I do, an F3 feel like a downgrade.

I can tell you right now that the G2 is NOT good for hills. It slows a ton. I wouldn't do the F3 either. ZT3 will work, but portability takes a hit, and upgradability is lost for that discount. G3 is a beast. Very portable and sexy. You can add the extra battery when it's out, or even swap the battery for a GT3 battery and gain 50% more internally. (You can do the GT3 battery swap on the ZT3 as well.)