Acer is a brand of computer products. It is mainly known for its desktop and laptop computers and Predator range, aimed at PC gamers. In 2022, it decided to enter the fashionable electric mobility sector with two scooters, including the Acer ES Series 5, which is the subject of this test. It’s a real strategic decision, and these two products begin this new adventure. What is this Acer ES Series 5 worth at 499 euros against its competitors, such as the Ninebot F2E, the Xiaomi Scooter 4, and the Pure Air 3? The answer in this comprehensive test.
Acer is a Taiwanese computer manufacturer founded in 1976 by Stan Shih. The firm is known to the general public for its competitively priced laptops, desktops, and gamers with its Predator brand.
In 2022, Acer decided to invest in the electric mobility market. It is a booming sector, with more than 759,000 electric scooters sold in France in 2022. This is less than in 2021 with more than 900,000 electric scooters, but the market has moved upmarket with an average purchase price of 455 euros, i.e. +33.2% compared to 2021.
For its entry into the world of mobility, Acer has developed two electric scooters. The Acer ES Series 3 is offered at 399 euros, and the Acer Series 5 is marketed at 499 euros. The firm also plans to market a connected electric bike, the Ebii, whose release date has not yet been communicated. Acer intends to impose its paw in the electric mobility market, and the 3 and 5 series mark the beginning of this new adventure.
Our of the Acer ES Series 5 after two weeks of testing
We could test the Acer ES Series 5 for more than two weeks. Our model is the first version marketed by the brand. A second version is marketed at the same price, 499 euros, and includes two notable improvements. The first is the turn signals at the front and rear of the scooter deck. The second is the transition from the IPX4 standard to the IPX5 standard.
At Frandroid, we strongly advise you to opt for this new version if you consider buying this scooter. The switch to the IPX5 standard at the same price as the previous version is a considerable advantage to avoid water infiltration into the scooter when driving on wet ground. Turn signals are an important safety feature on a scooter. Raising your arm to indicate the direction can be dangerous on this type of machine.
Is the Acer ES Series 5 a successful bet for the first Acer scooter? The answer in this comprehensive test.
Acer ES 5 SeriesTechnical sheet
| Model | Acer ES 5 Series |
|---|---|
| Speed announced | 60km |
| Announced recharge time | 480 mins |
| Max speed | 25 km/h |
| Engine power | 350 watts |
| Maximum weight supported | 100kg |
A marked style
The Acer ES 5 Series stands out from the competition by its size. The deck is raised, and the stem is higher than most electric scooters. With 125 centimeters in height, the handlebar is as tall as that of the Segway-Ninebot F2E that we tested recently. It’s pleasant to dominate the pavement and enjoy excellent visibility. It is also advantageous for tall people who will not need to bend over to hold the handlebars.
The scooter is easily recognizable with its patterns – reminiscent of those of the brand – in green and gray, signed Sarah Boulmert. They bring originality to this Acer ES Series 5 and differentiate this model from other scooters. The green circles around the tires are also part of the visual identity of this Series 5.
First off, the build quality is excellent. The scooter is solid and robust, the finishes are satisfactory for the price, and the management of the cables is exemplary. Only the brake cables come out of the handlebars, then return to the top of the stem. The design of the scooter is particularly sleek, and the integration of the lights into the frame also contributes to this effect. Nothing to say on this point; the quality of manufacture and finishes of this Acer ES Series 5 exceeds our expectations for a scooter at 499 euros.
However, we encountered a quality problem related to the scooter’s screen during our test. The glue around the screen used to fix it was not sticking enough. The screen was, therefore, detached from the stem, and we could remove it completely by slightly pulling on it. We hope this problem is related to our test model and is not found on the models sold, especially since the new version is IPX5 certified. It is therefore supposed to be waterproof and not let water infiltrate.
The rear light is very powerful and incorporates a brake light to warn other road users in the event of braking. The power of the fire is then increased, and it begins to flash. On the other hand, the front light is perfectly integrated into the scooter’s frame but does not provide enough light. Compared to the rear light, its power is limited. We, therefore, do not recommend riding this scooter on an unlit road.
Hazard warning lights on either side of the rear wheel are also present on our test model. They are activated when the assistance switches to pedestrian mode. On the new version of this Series 5, these hazard warning lights also serve as rear indicators. At the front, the reflectors installed on our model are also used as indicators.
The scooter measures 118 centimeters in length, 49 centimeters in width, and 125 centimeters in height. In terms of weight, this Acer ES 5 Series weighs 18.5 kilos. It is a substantial weight. It is heavier than its competitors at Ninebot, whether it is the standard F2E which weighs 17.2 kilograms, or the Plus model, which weighs 17.5 kilograms and has greater autonomy. Opposite, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is doing better with its 15.2 kg.
The weight of this Acer is explained by its battery which offers an excellent capacity considering the price segment of this scooter – we will come back to this. At 499 euros, the Acer ES Series 5 does better on this point than the Ninebot F2E and F2E Plus marketed, respectively, at 549 euros and 599 euros, but also the aforementioned Xiaomi, which also sold 549 euros.
The position on this scooter is very comfortable, with narrower handles than those of the Ninebot F2E, but more ergonomic. For a particularly enduring scooter, it is a shame not to have invested more in comfort. On the Ninebot F2E, we appreciated the 57 centimeters wide handlebar against 49 on this model.
This resulted in an excellent grip on the handles. The top would also have benefited from being slightly wider. Given his size and weight, a slight increase in his measurements would not have changed the situation.
The 10-inch wide tires add comfort, and something rare, on an urban model at this price, a rear shock absorber absorbs a small part of the shocks. The tires are tubeless; that is to say, there is no independent inner tube in addition to the tires. This type of tire is becoming increasingly popular in the electric scooter market. They have the advantage of resisting punctures much better.
During our test, we encountered a problem with the wheels of this scooter. We felt like we had the rear tire punctured while driving. Acer answered us: this anomaly would be due to braking, which blocked the wheel, and following this braking, the tire would have become square. We hope this is again a problem with our test model, not the marketed one. But in the current state of things, this is not very reassuring.
The folding system of the scooter is well thought out and very easy to use. The binding has two clamping points. To unlock the binding, press the button located just above the lever. Once the binding is loosened, the scooter folds directly onto the fender with a slot to lock the scooter.
We have used this system many times, and it is easy to learn, practical and reliable. Unlike the Ninebot F2E, the hook is on the stem, not the bell, so the handlebar is perfectly aligned with the deck when the scooter is folded.
During our test, we noticed that the binding had loosened slightly. The brand confirmed this point to us; a tightening was enough to put things back in order. The system proposed by Acer is of good quality but will require tightening the two fixing screws from time to time, which remains relatively restrictive in the long run.
Once folded, Its weight and size limit its transport to short distances to store it at home or in the office, for example.
To keep the unfolded scooter in balance, a kickstand is present. It shows too much flexibility, which makes its use laborious. It folds up too easily: the slightest movement moves the kickstand and can tip the scooter. We reported the problem to Acer, who replied that the stand of our test model showed no anomaly. It will therefore be necessary to deploy the kickstand carefully to stabilize the scooter properly.
Last point: our test model is IPX4 certified, but as indicated earlier in this test, the new version of this Acer ES Series 5, marketed at the same price, is IPX5 certified.
This point places it on the podium of the most waterproof scooters in this price segment, with the Pure Air Pro 3, the Ninebot F2E and F2E Plus, and the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4. On the other hand, unlike some competitors, it offers no protection against dust.
In addition to this certification, the mudguards are of good quality and cover to best protect the driver from splashing water.
Embedded technology: The bare minimum
The Acer ES Series 5 scooter is equipped with an LED display. The information displayed takes up very little space compared to the screen size. Strictly speaking, it’s not annoying, but it’s a shame not to have designed a smaller screen or a larger display.
The quality of the display is sufficient. The screen would have benefited from being brighter for better readability in direct sunlight, but it is not the only manufacturer to overlook this point. The screen of the Ninebot F2E was unreadable in direct sunlight.
For the rest, it displays the essential information for the driver: the speed, the level of assistance materialized by three bars above the speed, the remaining range, the Bluetooth status, and the activation or not of the lights.
The Bluetooth symbol flashes when the scooter is available for pairing and remains static once paired. The lights can be turned on or off by pressing the button at the bottom of the screen once. Changing the level of assistance is possible by pressing twice in quick succession.
An app of limited use
The connectivity level is the bare minimum. An Acer app is available on iOS and Android. It is not essential and will mainly be used to check the battery level, and the number of kilometers traveled more precisely than on display.
On the application, it is also possible to control the lighting, change the level of assistance, or lock the scooter to prevent theft.
We encountered two issues with this app. First, pairing your smartphone each time you use the scooter is necessary – which is quite absurd. It is, therefore, necessary to display the available equipment and select the scooter which will appear under an identification number. It is also regrettable not to be able to give a name to your scooter and thus make it appear with this name rather than with a more technical identification number.
The other issue we found is related to the change in the assist level. The latter was turned off by changing the level of assistance from the application. So we had to turn the scooter back on and reconnect our smartphone to use the app again.
Driving: questionable choices
The Acer ES 5 Series scooter is fun to ride. The assistance lacks dynamism but is progressive and accompanies the driver gently. The starts are not abrupt, and the achievement of 25 km / h is well controlled. We did not have the unpleasant sensation of the assistance suddenly stopping at 25 km/h, the speed at which the assistance must be cut off according to European law for electric scooters.
Comfort is essential with its shock absorber at the rear, which slightly absorbs shocks. It is not as powerful as a real suspension as it is possible to find on higher-end scooters and even heavier than this Acer, but at this price, it is rather rare and palpable.
The ergonomic handles are very pleasant to use and provide real driving comfort. The height of the stem and the raised deck also contribute to the riding comfort of this scooter.
A trolling motor
The problem with this Acer 5 Series comes from the engine’s power. The motor, located on the front wheel, delivers a power of 350 watts nominal and up to 470 watts maximum. For comparison, the Xiaomi Scooter 4 offers 300 watts nominal and 600 watts maximum, while it weighs less than 15 kilograms, or 3.5 kilograms less than this Acer.
The Ninebot F2E offers 400 watts nominal and up to 800 watts maximum while being one kilogram lighter than this Acer. Finally, the Pure Air 3 from Pure Electric, sold 50 euros cheaper and weighing only 15.5 kilograms, provides up to 550 watts maximum.
470 watts maximum for a scooter weighing 18.5 kilograms is too little. This limited power limits the use of this scooter to light slopes. The brand promises, on paper, to climb angles of climb of up to 15%. For comparison, the Ninebot F2E goes up to 18%, even 19% for the Pure Air 3. On steep slopes, our speed did not exceed 10 km/h. It’s starving.
It’s all the more unfortunate that this Acer ES 5 Series scooter has excellent autonomy. It’s possible to ride it for several days without charging, so we expect to be able to handle any situation. This is not the case; Acer has favored autonomy at the expense of power. Perhaps the end should have been balanced better.
Braking that slips
Acer opted for a disc brake on the rear wheel. An electronic brake is also included to secure braking. The electronic brake is anecdotal; we barely felt it when we released the accelerator. The disc brake is, therefore, the only real braking device. No ABS or front disc brake even though the scooter weighs 18.5 kilograms. We often skidded during our test even though the ground was dry and the weather conditions were favorable.
This was not reassuring, impacting the final rating of this product.
For comparison, the Ninebot F2E has an electronic brake adjustable via the application much more powerful than the Acer. And during our test, the braking proved very powerful and secure, and even in rainy weather, we did not skid.
Exceptional autonomy
The scooter costs $499 but rivals electric scooters costing over $600 when it comes to range. The Acer scooter is equipped with a 15 Ah or 540 Wh battery. For comparison, the battery of the Ninebot F2E offers a capacity of 10.2 Ah or 367 Wh. We traveled 40 kilometers, and we had 26% battery left when the Ninebot F2E had no battery left after 27 kilometers traveled.
This Acer ES Series 5 beats all its competitors in this price segment, which hardly exceeds 35 to 40 kilometers of autonomy. This very good performance is explained by its limited power and, above all, by its massive 15 Ah battery, which also justifies its weight of 18.5 kilograms. Its engine consumes less than its competitors, and it should also be noted that the power of the assistance is reduced to around 30% of the remaining battery.
A socket with a cover is located on the edge of the scooter deck to charge this scooter. You must be patient to fully recharge the battery since it will take about 8 hours to go from 0% to 100%. This is not a major defect with such autonomy since it will be recharged less frequently than most electric scooters in this price segment.
Price and availability
The Acer ES Series 5 scooter costs 499 euros, 50 euros less than the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and the Ninebot F2E. It is sold at 50 euros more expensive than the Pure Air 3 and 100 euros cheaper than the Pro version but offers much better autonomy.
It is a competitive price considering its technical characteristics, particularly the impressive battery.
The scooter is marketed in major brands such as Fnac, Darty, RueduCommerce, and ElectroDepot. Acer provides after-sales service in partnership with the brand and spare parts supply.
To get an idea of the positioning of this Acer in comparison with scooters sold 50 to 100 euros more expensive, we offer you this summary table.
Conclusion
This first electric scooter from PC manufacturer Acer is encouraging for the future. The quality of the finishes convinced us with exemplary cable management. Comfort is also at the rendezvous with a raised platform, a high stem, and ergonomic handles. Adding a rear shock absorber is also appreciable with some shock absorption. The 10-inch tires are wide for better comfort and puncture resistance.
The other real strong point is autonomy. For a product at 499 euros, the battery capacity of this Acer ES Series 5 exceeds that of all its competitors for a range of up to 50 kilometers. It is an autonomy that we normally find on scooters exceeding 600 euros or more.
Unfortunately, This scooter is not free from serious flaws preventing it from rising to the podium. The engine power is undersized, given the size and weight of the scooter. With only 470 watts of maximum power, the scooter is far from competing with competitors like the Ninebot F2E. In rating, it is struggling.
We also encountered some worrying problems that did not reassure us about the reliability of this scooter over time. The screen that came off, the mounting system at the stem that came loose, or our wheel that became deformed and changed the feeling of riding the scooter.
Also, the braking did not reassure us during the test. In the best possible conditions, this Acer has skidded far too often to come to a safe stop. This is an essential point since the braking guarantees the user’s safety. At his handlebars, we were not totally at peace.
Let’s also add that the switch from the IPX4 standard to the IPX5 standard and the turn signals on the new version of this scooter without a price change is a good initiative for Acer.
POSITIVES OF THE ACER ES 5 SERIES
- Finishes
- Comfort and ergonomic handles
- Excellent autonomy
- IPX5 and indicators for the same price
CONS OF THE ACER ES 5 SERIES
- Long-term reliability (screen peeling off, fixing system, deformed wheel)
- Motor power too low
- Too tight brakes
- Long charge
- Perfectible application, some bugs
