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NIU KQi3 Max vs NIU KQi Air X
The NIU KQi3 Max has the longer estimated range — 24.3 miles against 18 — because it carries 608 Wh to the NIU KQi Air X’s 451. The NIU KQi Air X is the lighter of the two at 25.8 lb, which puts it in the carry up stairs class. Everything else is below.
| Estimated range | 24.3 mi | 18 mi |
|---|---|---|
| Claimed range | 40.4 mi (1.7x the estimate) | 31 mi (1.7x the estimate) |
| Tested range | 31.1 mi | — |
| Top speed | 20 mph | 20 mph |
| Motor | Single motor, 450 W (900 W peak) | Single motor, 350 W (700 W peak) |
| Battery | 608 Wh at 48 V | 451 Wh at 48 V |
| Wh per dollar | 0.61 Wh/$ | 0.43 Wh/$ |
| Wh per pound | 13 Wh/lb | 17 Wh/lb |
| Weight | 46.3 lb — curb lift | 25.8 lb — carry up stairs |
| Max rider weight | 265 lb | 265 lb |
| Rated grade | 20% | 20% |
| Tires | 9.5" tubeless | 9.5" tubeless |
| Suspension | None | None |
| Brakes | Dual mechanical disc with regen | Front disc with regenerative rear |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP55 |
| Charge time | 8 h | 5 h |
| Folded size | 46.5 x 21.3 x 19.7 in | Folds |
| Deck width | 6.8 in | 7.5 in |
| Lights | Headlight, taillight | Turn signals, taillight, ambient lighting |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Yes | Yes |
| Approx. price | ~$999 | ~$1,049 |
| Released | 2023 | — |
NIU KQi3 Max: the case against
- No suspension on 9.5-inch tires at 20 mph
- Eight-hour charge is the longest in NIU's commuter range
- Owners report front-wheel instability on debris-strewn bike lanes
- IP54 is a splash rating, not a wet-weather rating
NIU KQi Air X: the case against
- $1,049 is $200 above the KQi Air for 0.4 lb less
- No suspension, so a 9.5-inch wheel carries all the vibration
- 20 mph and 350 W nominal, no more than the Air
- $2.33 per watt-hour against the Air's $1.88
- Store shows $1,899 as the crossed-out price, which is not what it sells for