NAVEE scores a win with the NAVEE ST3 Pro e-scooter. The flagship of NAVEE’s electric scooter lineup successfully tackles ride quality, a highly desirable feature for electric scooters used for commuting. There’s a lot to like with the ST3 Pro, including field-leading maximum speed and range numbers, but the company’s patented Damping Arm Suspension system and self-healing 10-inch tires get most of the credit for a smooth ride that removes most of the bumps and jolts from cracks and irregularities in typical city streets.
NAVEE ST3 Pro e-scooter: Purpose and best use
The popularity and proliferation of e-bikes and electric scooters have driven the development of various micromobility solutions and usage niches. Due to its size, weight, and power, the ST3 Pro is an adult scooter that falls nicely into the commuting and urban alternative transportation categories.
The NAVEE does not have any pretenses about off-road capability. It’s built for driving on pavement or very smooth surfaces. Because of its powerful motor, battery capacity, suspension, brakes, and lights, the ST3 Pro certainly fills the bill for casual cruising, and the load capacity is sufficient for light touring. However, the highest and best use for the NAVEE ST3 Pro is for daily commuting, given its overall rugged build quality and well-thought-out design features.
NAVEE ST3 Pro e-scooter: By the numbers
Whether it’s an electric car, bike, or scooter, the first three questions most people ask are: “How fast?” “How far?” and “How much?” The answers for the NAVEE ST3 Pro are 24.9 mph top speed, 46.6 miles maximum range, and $949.99. Those answers are faster, farther than average, and surprisingly less costly than expected.
The 48V ST3 Pro electric motor is rated at 600 watts of continuous power and 1,350 watts of peak power. As a point of reference, there are plenty of e-bikes with motors that are only half as powerful as the ST3 Pro’s powerplant. NAVEE doesn’t publish a torque rating, but its ability to climb a maximum 28% grade attests to its pulling power.
The generous battery capacity is a good match for the motor. It’s a 48V system with 12.75Ah, which translates to 586.7 watt-hours, which is once again more than many e-bikes.
Another e-bike-like figure that isn’t as welcome as the power figures is the ST3 Pro’s weight. The manual lists the weight at 55.8 pounds,and on my digital scale, it was a solid 56 pounds.
One of the advantages of e-scooters over e-bikes for commuting and storage is that the scooter handle folds down to take up less space and for ease of carrying. The ST3 Pro’s 56-pound weight is not a game changer, but few owners will be comfortable carrying it up or down a flight of stairs daily.
NAVEE ST3 Pro e-scooter: Comfort and convenience
At 20 inches long by 6.5 inches wide, the ST3 Pro’s deck is a good size for your feet. A rubber permanent mat with slight ribbing provides extra traction for your shoes.
The two sets of bronze-colored bilateral swingarms that comprise the NAVEE’s Quad Damping Ar, suspension are not just a styling feature, they definitely deliver a smooth ride with support from both sides, front and back.
Ten-inch self-healing tubeless tires on the ST3 Pro are larger than average and, with the extra rebounding from surface irregularity, add to rider comfort physically. The tires’ puncture-sealing feature can also be reassuring if you pick up a nail when you’re far from home.
In addition to the damping arms and tire sidewall flex, the NAVEE ST3 Pro also has traction control to help keep the tires from slipping on wet or icy surfaces.
The scooter also has electronic antilock braking on the rear wheel, front drum brakes, and rear disc brakes. NAVEE’s Triple Braking System is an interesting idea, although I felt the braking was adequate and not as intense as I expected.
Lighting and user controls also can add to or subtract from rider comfort. The ST3 Pro has a bright, self-adjusting headlight, a large taillight with an integrated brake light, and turn signals on the ends of the handlebar grips. The turn indicators show both front and back. They’re not self-canceling, but they make a loud enough beeping sound that even I could hear (which is not usually true when I drive cars).
I found the ST3 Pro’s ergonomic handlebar comfortable and easy to use. The left side has a bell and turn signal buttons. On the right, find a multifunctional power button and a thumb throttle. There are also brake levers on each side, although they don’t show in the photo above. Getting a good picture of the display proved difficult, but the contents were informative and easy to read.
You can use the NAVEE app to lock the scooter. The app also supports the Apple Find My location system and proximity unlocking when you approach with a paired smartphone.
NAVEE ST3 Pro e-scooter: Riding impressions
The NAVEE ST3 Pro control system is easy to learn. Press and hold the power button to turn it on or off. Hold the button for two seconds to turn the headlight and taillight on or off. Double presses change drive modes from manual with no power assistance, which is depicted with a walking stick figure icon, D for drive, which is best for learning, and S for sport. As usual, sticking to the D setting while you figure out the controls and get used to the scooter is a good idea.
Regardless of the drive mode setting, the battery won’t power the scooter until you are moving about 5 mph, which is common but not universal with kick scooters. So, stand on the deck with your right foot, push off, and then kick the ground once or twice. The power comes on when you press the thumb throttle.
The ST3 Pro is well-balanced and easy to control. However, the scooter’s reaction to the throttle is more abrupt in Sport mode, so during my early tests, I stayed in the D setting when I was near pedestrians or maneuvering tight spaces.
You can use the app settings to set the top speed from 20 mph, the default when shipped, to 25 mph. The motor’s generous power gets up to speed quickly in a linear manner, meaning it’s easy to hold at a given speed, unlike some e-scooters and some e-bikes, where the power can feel like it’s all or nothing.
Our take
NAVEE’s ST3 Pro electric kick scooter is an excellent choice for commuting and other daily usage. The e-scooter’s weight is a consideration if you need to lift or carry it often, but the same heft adds to its stability and smooth ride. The ST3 Pro delivers on speed, range, ride comfort, braking, and safety features, and its sub-$1,000 price is competitive with other commuter scooters, such as the Segway eKickScooter F3.
