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This $43 Razor Wannabe Is the Best Deal You'll Find for a Nonelectric Scooter

I didn't feel like paying $80 for a Razor scooter for my 13-year-old. So I tried this Uenjoy one instead and it turned out to be an excellent value.

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David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
David Carnoy
2 min read
The Unejoy kick scooter is a great value

Only the blue version Uenjoy kick scooter includes a handbrake, a feature rarely if ever seen in a scooter that costs less than $50. 

David Carnoy/CNET

My 13-year-old son lost his Razor kick scooter the other day. "Dad, it's gone forever," he announced rather dramatically. His story remains fuzzy on just how he lost it (there was some talk of leaving it behind in a store in New York), but I wasn't too thrilled with its disappearance, particularly after I noticed that the popular Razor A5 model I'd paid $60 for during an Amazon sale four years ago now cost $84

After some digging on Amazon, I came across the Uenjoy Scooter for Big Kids & Adult (no, that's not a typo, the "s" is left off Adult, leaving it singular). For $43 it looked pretty good and the reviews on Amazon seemed solid, with a few minor complaints. Then I noticed the blue model actually came with a "handbark," which I took to mean hand brake, a feature that's rarely if ever seen at this price. I was sold.

Just to be clear, based on price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel, this is one of those products on Amazon that never gets a "Limited Time Deal" or a "Daily Deal" tag and just seems to stay at the same price. So even though it may not be an Amazon Prime Day or Early Access Deal, it always seems like one, which is why I'm noting it so close to Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale, which runs this Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 11 and 12. 

As noted by Amazon reviewers, the scooter requires a little assembly. The front wheel has to be attached to the scooter, with a nut that requires you to use two hex-key Allen wrenches to loosen (both wrenches are included) before you can put the wheel on. That may be a little tricky for some people to deal with, but I didn't have a problem. And, as one buyer noted in his review, I did have to make some adjustments to the hand brake. Plus, it's a bit of a bummer that the scooter doesn't have a kickstand (the Razor does). 

However, once I got everything together, the Uenjoy scooter worked just fine and looks more substantial and rides a little smoother than the Razor A5, which is a little lighter and easier to carry around. That said, the Uenjoy is slightly easier to fold up. I do like the Razor -- it can really take a beating -- but I just didn't feel like paying $84 for another one and wanted to try something new. (I can't tell you how well the Uenjoy will hold up, but we haven't had an issue after using it for a couple of weeks.)

If you don't want the hand brake or just want another color beside blue, you can save $3. But I personally feel the hand brake is well worth it for only a few bucks more. And so did my kid. 

"Dad," he said, "This scooter is a great deal. Aren't you glad I lost my Razor?"