Pure Air Pro review: The electric scooter you can take on all terrains
The Pure Air Pro is a smooth, quiet and robust e-scooter that’s great for all types of riders in any climate or terrain and the first in-house model made by the UK ‘s retailer of e-scooters and e-bikes Pure Electric.
Although the company is new to producing its own scooters, it has created a product with features on a par with, and sometimes better than, bigger brands that have had years more experience to perfect their craft.
One thing Pure Electric says it has kept in mind with the Pure Air Pro is the fact that this e-scooter will be ridden in the UK, where the weather can be inclement and terrain can vary. On both counts, the Pure Air Pro offers intelligent solutions.
The Pure Air Pro weighs 17kg, which is heavier than average, but the flip side is that it can easily accommodate heavier riders. While most e-scooters can only accommodate a maximum of 100kg, the Pure Air Pro stretches this to a more practical 120kg.
This weight also contributes to a stable ride at speed but the main reason the Pure Air Pro rides so well is that it has 10in pneumatic wheels that do a great job of keeping you steady on any surface and grip well on wet surfaces. This goes against the common trend of having solid rubber wheels, which I find uncomfortable on bumpy terrain and slippery when the roads are wet.
Before I go any further with this review, I should mention that, while the Government has recently legalised rental e-scooter for trials in the UK, private e-scooters are still illegal to ride on UK roads and pavements. Riders can be caught and fined although this is unlikely to happen if you’re riding sensibly. Electric scooters have gained popularity in the last few months as a means to commute safely while maintaining social distancing measures.
Price and competition
At £680, the Pure Air Pro is the most expensive e-scooter that we’ve reviewed. Its main competitor is the Xiaomi M365 Pro, which is our favourite electric scooter and over £100 cheaper at £570. The Xiaomi has better range (27 miles versus 22.4 miles) and it weighs nearly 3kg less at 14.2kg. It can also be paired with your smartphone, while the Pure Air Pro cannot.
However, the Pure Air Pro more than holds its own against the M365 Pro in most other departments. All Pure Air Pro e-scooters come with pre-inserted puncture protection fluid, something classified as a paid optional extra on the M365 Pro. And, while both e-scooters have pneumatic wheels, the Pure Air Pro’s wheels are larger, making for a more comfortable ride on bumpy surfaces.
The Pure Air Pro also has a superior IP65 rating, making it a more reliable all-weather e-scooter, and it has a more powerful 350W motor (versus 300W).
Design and setup
The Pure Air Pro comes in two colours: black and grey (that’s available to pre-order). The former has a consistent overall tone, while the grey unit has a black rubber sticker on the deck, and a black handlebar, wheels and mudguards.
After you remove the e-scooter from the box you’ll need to fit the handlebars using the bolts and Allen key provided but that’s the only bit of self-assembly you’ll need to do other than checking the tyres are inflated correctly.
Unfolding it is simple: just release the latch below the right handle from the hook on the rear mudguard, pull up on the bars and secure it with the clamp on the steerer tube. To fold away reverse this process. The clamp can get a bit tight sometimes but it’s very secure.
The design is sensible and straightforward. Where most e-scooters have a display mounted in the centre of the handlebar, the Pure Air Pro’s screen is on the right handlebar.
It displays all the usual stats, from speed and distance to battery capacity, but its novel position means the three buttons, which are used to turn on the e-scooter, toggle the headlight, and switch between the three riding modes, fall within easy reach of the right grip. Those three riding modes, by the way, are High (up to 15.5mph); Medium (up to 12.5mph) and Eco (up to 9.5mph).
Aside from the display, the e-scooter has all the features you’d expect: a manual brake lever and bell within easy reach of the left grip; an accelerator thumb throttle that sits within easy reach of the right handle; a kickstand and charging socket just below the fork to the left of the front wheel; reflectors on both sides of the front wheel; and integrated front and rear lights that turn on automatically. First impressions are that the grips and accelerator throttle feel a bit cheap compared to other offerings on the market, but this soon fades into the background when riding.
Other features
There was no app connectivity on our review unit but Pure Electric has promised to change that via a firmware update in the near future. Among other minor features, the app will add remote motor lock for additional peace of mind but, sadly, won’t add cruise control or the ability to change your default display readings from km/h to mph.
If that’s disappointing, the Pure Air Pro’s IP65-rated water resistance is anything but. It’s the best we’ve seen on any e-scooter we’ve reviewed. The rating essentially means you’re protected from water from low-pressure jets in any direction. The manual says you’re fine riding it in rain and through puddles but advises you avoid exposure to strong rains for prolonged periods of time.
Comfort and ride
You’ll need to fully charge the e-scooter’s 36V 345Wh battery before you first climb on board but, with that done, you’ll find it a dream to ride. In fact, it’s one of the most robust, stable and easy to manoeuvre e-scooters I’ve tested.
The deck is wider than other e-scooters making it comfortable for bigger riders and those, like me, who have large feet. In fact, it’s one of the few e-scooters I’ve switched on and ridden for hours without giving a second thought about battery life, weather or terrain.
This is largely thanks to the pneumatic wheels that are completely silent and can tackle almost any surface with complete composure. I rode in the rain and never once felt unsafe or out of control, the powerful 350W motor does a great job of tackling inclines than the M365 Pro and, like the wheels, is very, very quiet. You’ll definitely need to use the bell to warn people you’re approaching.
It’s also easier to switch between riding modes than most other e-scooters: the display buttons are within easy reach of the right grip instead of in the centre, where you have to take your hands off the handlebars to make changes.
Another feature I like is the braking mechanism, which brings you to a gradual, yet firm stop instead of throwing or jerking you forward. There was no slippage or skidding, either, even when braking on wet roads and puddles. You can even adjust your brake sensitivity by tightening or loosening the brake adjuster, which is situated near the rear wheel.
Verdict
Pure Electric’s tagline for the Pure Air Pro is “built for real life” and that’s a pretty accurate description of what it delivers. Yes, it’s slightly expensive, quite heavy and lacks Bluetooth connectivity, but it compensates for that with a robust ride that’s smooth and quiet, no matter the terrain.
The big question then is whether it’s worth the extra money over the Xiaomi M365 Pro, which comes in at £100 cheaper. If you’re a larger rider looking for a smooth, powerful and comfortable e-scooter then I can’t recommend the Pure Air Pro highly enough. For everyone else, the M365 Pro has you covered.
Pure Air Pro Specifications
Top speed 15.5mph
Range 22.4 miles
E-scooter Weight 17 kg
Max. rider weight 120 kg
Motor power 350W
Charge time 4.5 hours
Wheels: Pneumatic
