NIU KQi 200F review: An affordable folding electric scooter with a cool trick
NIU’s recent addition to its KQi line of electric scooters, the KQi 200F, delivers on its promise of being a smart, mid-range commuter scooter that balances portability, comfort, and tech-savvy features. It’s normally reasonably priced, but right now during Prime Day sales you can actually get it for $250 off, dropping the price to just $549. At that price, it’s as affordable as a cheaper scooter while offering features and tech found in pricier models!
In fact, it looks like NIU has some pretty crazy Prime Day sales on just about everything in the e-scooter lineup, so it’s worth checking out.
NIU KQi 200F Video Review
To see how the scooter performs in real-world riding, check out my video review below. But don’t forget to keep reading afterwards for my complete thoughts!
NIU KQi 200F tech specs
- Motor: 700W peak power rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 54 km (33 mi) as advertised
- Battery: 48V 7.8Ah (365 Wh)
- Weight: 20 kg (44.1 lb)
- Frame: Aluminum
- Suspension: Front suspension fork
- Brakes: Front drum brake, rear regenerative braking
- Wheels: 10 x 2.3-inch air-filled tires
- Extras: LCD display with speedometer, LED headlight and tail light plus handlebar turn signals, safety lockout on folding mechanism, folding handlebars, UL certification
Design and performance
NIU upgraded the 200F over the previous KQi 2 Pro with several meaningful tweaks. The most obvious is the set of new foldable handlebars that not only make the bars wider while riding for more stability, but also fold to reduce the width to just 6.9 inches (17.5 cm), making it easy to stash in tight spaces or car trunks.
The front suspension and 10″ pneumatic tires also offer a cushioned ride that soaks up city bumps quite nicely.
While not a powerhouse compared to some of the hot rod scooters out there, the 700 W peak motor gives it enough muscle to handle moderate hills and keep up with traffic. NIU claims 20% hills can be conquered, though that’s an incline steep enough that I didn’t have access to one. The top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) feels safe for bike lanes and no one is going to give you dirty looks since you’re basically keeping up with e-bikes, but you might find yourself feeling like a slowpoke on the side of some urban roads if you’re trying to ride in the lane with cars.
NIU equips the KQi 200F with front drum and rear regenerative brakes. The brakes seem plenty strong for me and I like trying to use the regenerative braking as much as I can, leaving the drum brake for when I need to stop even more quickly.
The scooter also includes LED lights in the front and rear, not to mention handlebar-mounted turn signals, which I think are the best place to put them and make your turning indications more visible.
It’s not clear to me that car drivers are actually looking for turn signals on scooters yet, but at least they’ll be visible to drivers – even if they come as something of a surprise.
As a side note, having owned several NIU vehicles myself, I love how the halo LED headlight lends some design consistency from one to the next. It’s not a major feature by itself, but I think it looks cool and so I’m glad they brought it to their standing scooters, too.
Connectivity has always run deep at NIU, which is known for its smart electric mopeds and motorcycles. The KQi 200F continues that legacy.
Bluetooth helps the scooter pair with the NIU app, letting you lock/unlock remotely, adjust riding modes (E-Save, Sport, Custom, Pedestrian), track trips, set cruise control, and adjust charging limits to prolong battery life. That last one is a cool feature that you won’t find from very many electric scooters out there, but it could actually give you several more years of usable range out of your battery, though it should already last several years on its own.
The app is actually the same one I’ve used for NIU’s electric motorcycles and mopeds, so again, it’s great to see some consistency here. And if you’re going to have an app for a kickscooter, at least you can make it well-designed and well-tested. NIU succeeded there.
Alright, but what are the drawbacks?
There’s a lot that I enjoy about the KQi 200F, from how darn smart and connected it is to how darn small it can fold to fit in tight spaces. And the ride is powerful yet smooth, two things that don’t always go well together.
But there are real downsides here, too. The 44 lb (20 kg) weight means that even though the scooter can fold compactly, it’s still going to be heavy for some people to carry. I don’t mind lifting it into a trunk, but if I had to carry it up several flights of stairs, I’d definitely have my fitness monitor congratulating me on the impromptu workout.
There’s also a drop in range when you make full use of the highest power mode, which, of course, is the fun mode. That’s to be expected though, and you can’t fight physics. More power means faster-draining batteries.
I’ll also say that the deck isn’t exactly offering me a ton of real estate. I’m not a big guy, so it works for me. But if you’ve got huge feet or you just like to spread out, you may find yourself reaching for more deck that isn’t there.
Final verdict
All of that being said, and despite the few negatives I could find after looking hard enough, I was VERY impressed with the NIU KQi 200F.
The scooter hits a noticeable sweet spot for urban commuters who want a dependable, smart e-scooter without the premium price. Its thoughtful upgrades – folding handlebars, dual suspension, and solid app integration – show NIU is refining its winning formula, not reinventing it. For daily city use, I’d call it a compelling pick.
But if your needs involve longer rides, faster speeds, or off-road excursions, you’ll likely want a more powerful model. Still, at its current $549 sale price, it’s tough to argue with what you’re getting: comfort, safety, and smarts in a sleek, portable package. And even at its MSRP, I still say it’s worth it!
For a daily commuter or a student living in tight city spaces, the KQi 200F delivers real-world value. It won’t reshape your definition of “fast,” but it just might redefine practical, connected electric commuting.
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Forget fumbling with cables or hunting for batteries – TILER is making electric bike charging as seamless as parking your ride. The Dutch startup recently introduced its much-anticipated TILER Compact system, a plug-and-play wireless charger engineered to transform the user experience for e-bike riders.
At the heart of the new system is a clever combo: a charging kickstand that mounts directly to almost any e‑bike, and a thin charging mat that you simply park over. Once you drop the kickstand and it lands on the mat, the bike begins charging automatically via inductive transfer – no cable required. According to TILER, a 500 Wh battery will fully charge in about 3.5 hours, delivering comparable performance to traditional wired chargers.
It’s an elegantly simple concept (albeit a bit chunky) with a convenient upside: less clutter, fewer broken cables, and no more need to bend over while feeling around for a dark little hole.
TILER claims its system works with about 75% of existing e‑bike platforms, including those from Bosch, Yamaha, Bafang, and other big bames. The kit uses a modest 150 W wireless power output, which means charging speeds remain practical while keeping the system lightweight (the tile weighs just 2 kg, and it’s also stationary).
TILER has already deployed over 200 charging points across Western Europe, primarily serving bike-share, delivery, hospitality, and hotel fleets. A recent case study in Munich showed how a cargo-bike operator saved approximately €1,250 per month in labor costs, avoided thousands in spare batteries, and cut battery damage by 20%. The takeaway? Less maintenance, more uptime.
Now shifting to prosumer markets, TILER says the Compact system will hit pre-orders soon, with a €250 price tag (roughly US $290) for the kickstand plus tile bundle. To get in line, a €29 refundable deposit is currently required, though they say it is refundable at any point until you receive your charger. Don’t get too excited just yet though, there’s a bit of a wait. Deliveries are expected in summer 2026, and for now are covering mostly European markets.
The concept isn’t entirely new. We’ve seen the idea pop up before, including in a patent from BMW for charging electric motorcycles. And the efficacy is there. Skeptics may wonder if wireless charging is slower or less efficient, but TILER says no. Its system retains over 85% efficiency, nearly matching wired charging speeds, and even pauses at 80% to protect battery health, then resumes as needed. The tile is even IP67-rated, safe for outdoor use, and about as bulky as a thick magazine.
Electrek’s Take
I love the concept. It makes perfect sense for shared e-bikes, especially since they’re often returning to a dock anyway. As long as people can be trained to park with the kickstand on the tile, it seems like a no-brainer.
And to be honest, I even like the idea for consumers. I know it sounds like a first-world problem, but bending over to plug something in at floor height is pretty annoying, not to mention a great way to throw out your back if you’re not exactly a spring chicken anymore. Having your e-bike start charging simply by parking it in the right place is a really cool feature! I don’t know if it’s $300 cool, but it’s pretty cool!
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Tesla has launched a new software update for its vehicles that includes the anticipated integration of Grok, but it doesnt even interface with the car yet.
Earlier this week, CEO Elon Musk said that Tesla would integrate Grok, the large language model developed by his private company, xAI, into its vehicles.
Today, Tesla started pushing the update to the fleet, but there’s a significant caveat.
The automaker wrote in the release notes (2025.26):
Grok (Beta) (US, AMD)
Grok now available directly in your Tesla
Requires Premium Connectivity or a WiFi connection
Grok is currently in Beta & does not issue commands to your car – existing voice commands remain unchanged.
First off, it is only available in vehicles in the US equipped with the AMD infotainment computer, which means cars produced since mid-2021.
But more importantly, Tesla says that it doesn’t send commands to the car under the current version. Therefore, it is simply like having Grok on your phone, but on the onboard computer instead.
Tesla showed an example:
There are a few other features in the 2025.26 software update, but they are not major.
For Tesla vehicles equipped with ambient lighting strips inside the car, the light strip can now sync to music:
Accent lights now respond to music & you can also choose to match the lights to the album’s color for a more immersive effect
Toybox > Light Sync
Here’s the new setting:
The audio setting can now be saved under multiple presets to match listening preferences for different people or circumstances:
The software update also includes the capacity to zoom or adjust the playback speed of the Dashcam Viewer.
Cybertruck also gets the updated Dashcam Viewer app with a grid view for easier access and review of recordings:
Tesla also updated the charging info in its navigation system to be able to search which locations require valet service or pay-to-park access.
Upon arrival, drivers will receive a notification with access codes, parking restrictions, level or floor information, and restroom availability:
Finally, there’s a new onboarding guide directly on the center display to help people who are experiencing a Tesla vehicle for the first time.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla is really playing catch-up here. Right now, this update is essentially nothing. If you already have Grok, it’s no more different than having it on your phone or through the vehicle’s browser, since it has no capacity to interact with any function inside the vehicle.
Most other automakers are integrating LLMs inside vehicles with the capacity to interact with the vehicle. In China, this is becoming standard even in entry-level cars.
In the Xiaomi YU7, the vehicle’s AI can not only interact with the car, but it also sees what the car sees through its camera, and it can tell you about what it sees:
Tesla is clearly far behind on that front as many automakers are integrating with other LLMs like ChatGPT and in-house LLMs, like Xiaomi’s.
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Robinhood stock hit an all-time high Friday as the financial services platform continued to rip higher this year, along with bitcoin and other crypto stocks.
Robinhood, up more than 160% in 2025, hit an intraday high above $101 before pulling back and closing slightly lower.
The reversal came after a Bloomberg report that JPMorgan plans to start charging fintechs for access to customer bank data, a move that could raise costs across the industry.
For fintech firms that rely on thin margins to offer free or low-cost services to customers, even slight disruptions to their cost structure can have major ripple effects. PayPal and Affirm both ended the day nearly 6% lower following the report.
Despite its stellar year, the online broker is facing several headwinds, with a regulatory probe in Florida, pushback over new staking fees and growing friction with one of the world’s most high-profile artificial intelligence companies.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a formal investigation into Robinhood Crypto on Thursday, alleging the platform misled users by claiming to offer the lowest-cost crypto trading.
“Robinhood has long claimed to be the best bargain, but we believe those representations were deceptive,” Uthmeier said in a statement.
The probe centers on Robinhood’s use of payment for order flow — a common practice where market makers pay to execute trades — which the AG said can result in worse pricing for customers.
Robinhood Crypto General Counsel Lucas Moskowitz told CNBC its disclosures are “best-in-class” and that it delivers the lowest average cost.
“We disclose pricing information to customers during the lifecycle of a trade that clearly outlines the spread or the fees associated with the transaction, and the revenue Robinhood receives,” added Moskowitz.
Robinhood is also facing opposition to a new 25% cut of staking rewards for U.S. users, set to begin October 1. In Europe, the platform will take a smaller 15% cut.
Staking allows crypto holders to earn yield by locking up their tokens to help secure blockchain networks like ethereum, but platforms often take a percentage of those rewards as commission.
Robinhood’s 25% cut puts it in line with Coinbase, which charges between 25.25% and 35% depending on the token. The cut is notably higher than Gemini’s flat 15% fee.
It marks a shift for the company, which had previously steered clear of staking amid regulatory uncertainty.
Under President Joe Biden‘s administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission cracked down on U.S. platforms offering staking services, arguing they constituted unregistered securities.
With President Donald Trump in the White House, the agency has reversed course on several crypto enforcement actions, dropping cases against major players like Coinbase and Binance and signaling a more permissive stance.
Even as enforcement actions ease, Robinhood is under fresh scrutiny for its tokenized stock push, which is a growing part of its international strategy.
The company now offers blockchain-based assets in Europe that give users synthetic exposure to private firms like OpenAI and SpaceX through special purpose vehicles, or SPVs.
An SPV is a separate entity that acquires shares in a company. Users then buy tokens of the SPV and don’t have shareholder privileges or voting rights directly in the company.
OpenAI has publicly objected, warning the tokens do not represent real equity and were issued without its approval. In an interview with CNBC International, CEO Vlad Tenev acknowledged the tokens aren’t technically equity shares, but said that misses the broader point.
“What’s important is that retail customers have an opportunity to get exposure to this asset,” he said, pointing to the disruptive nature of AI and the historically limited access to pre-IPO companies.
“It is true that these are not technically equity,” Tenev added, noting that institutional investors often gain similar exposure through structured financial instruments.
The Bank of Lithuania — Robinhood’s lead regulator in the EU — told CNBC on Monday that it is “awaiting clarifications” following OpenAI’s statement.
“Only after receiving and evaluating this information will we be able to assess the legality and compliance of these specific instruments,” a spokesperson said, adding that information for investors must be “clear, fair, and non-misleading.”
Tenev responded that Robinhood is “happy to continue to answer questions from our regulators,” and said the company built its tokenized stock program to withstand scrutiny.
“Since this is a new thing, regulators are going to want to look at it,” he said. “And we expect to be scrutinized as a large, innovative player in this space.”
SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently called the model “an innovation” on CNBC’s Squawk Box, offering some validation as Robinhood leans further into its synthetic equity strategy — even as legal clarity remains in flux across jurisdictions.
Despite the regulatory noise, many investors remain focused on Robinhood’s upside, and particularly the political tailwinds.
The company is positioning itself as a key beneficiary of Trump’s newly signed megabill, which includes $1,000 government-seeded investment accounts for newborns. Robinhood said it’s already prototyping an app for the ‘Trump Accounts‘ initiative.
WATCH: Watch CNBC’s full interview with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev
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