Mi Electric Scooter 4

e-scooter350–400 EUR

Origin

Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Electric Scooter 4 series at a late-2022 MIJIA event in Beijing, with global rollout (including EU/Baltic) following in Q1-Q2 2023. The base 4 was positioned explicitly as the successor to the legendary Mi M365 / Mi Essential / Mi 1S line — the scooters that defined the consumer e-scooter category in 2018-2020 and seeded the first shared-mobility fleets (Lime, Bird, Tier). The base 4 was deliberately cost-engineered: same 8.5" tires as the M365, similar weight, similar real-world range, but updated styling, slightly more battery, a refreshed dashboard, and Xiaomi Home app integration replacing the older Mi Home protocol. It was never meant to be premium — it was meant to keep Xiaomi competitive in the sub-€400 entry tier as the M365 generation aged out. In the Baltic market, the base 4 quickly filled the spot the M365 had occupied: a default 'starter' e-scooter sold by Euronics, Senukai, 220.lv at near-impulse prices during seasonal promotions.

Specifications

Weight: kg
Brakes: Front E-ABS regenerative + rear mechanical drum

The verdict

+Strengths

Lightest mainstream e-scooter in its price tier — 14.2 kg makes stairs, public transport, and apartment-to-street carry significantly easier than the 18.7 kg Segway G30 or 24+ kg suspension-equipped alternatives.
Lowest barrier to entry — €349-399 across Baltic dealers makes it the de-facto starter e-scooter. M365 successor — instant familiarity for thousands of existing Xiaomi e-scooter owners upgrading.
Predictable, mature Xiaomi ecosystem — Mi Home app is broadly used, firmware is stable, parts (kickstand, hook, charger, tires) are widely stocked at Baltic e-scooter shops. No risk of orphaned ownership.
Easy to learn / very forgiving handling — short wheelbase, compact deck, modest top speed and torque make this a sensible 'first e-scooter' for new riders. Mistakes are recoverable.
Cheap consumables and easy DIY — tire swap €25-45 at Baltic shops or doable at home with basic tools, kickstand replacement €5-10, fold-hook €8-12. Lifetime cost of ownership low.

−Weaknesses

Real-world range is short — 18-22 km of mixed urban riding. Marketing claim of 30 km is unattainable in normal conditions. Riders commuting >10 km one-way without charging at destination will run flat.
IPX4 (not IPX5) — measurably less rain-tolerant than the G30 or 4 Pro Plus. Heavy autumn rain or hose-rinsing risks display and battery contact faults over time.
No suspension and only 8.5" tires — rough on Baltic cobblestone (Tallinn Vanalinn, Riga Vecrīga, Vilnius Senamiestis) and tram-track streets. Significantly stiffer ride than 10"-tire alternatives.
Front-only mechanical/E-ABS braking — same critique as the G30 but more acute because of smaller tires and lighter overall mass. New riders consistently underestimate stopping distance.
Modest hill-climb — 14% gradient sustained is fine solo but slows noticeably above 90 kg rider weight. Tartu Toomemägi, Vilnius Antakalnis hilly streets, Riga's Mežaparks-area inclines are workable but slow.
Cell-level battery diagnostics hidden in app — Xiaomi reserves cell-voltage view for the 4 Pro tier. Used-market buyers can't easily verify cell health.
Battery cells are second-tier (ATL/BAK variant) — durability is lower than LG-equipped premium scooters. Expect 5000-9000 km of meaningful capacity before noticeable drop, vs 8000-15000 on the G30.
Headlight is dim (1.1 W) — adequate on lit urban streets, inadequate on Baltic suburban routes in winter darkness. Aftermarket bar-mounted light is a common upgrade.

Who it’s for

first_time_escooter_buyerrider_with_short_commute_under_8km_one_wayrider_with_charging_at_both_endsapartment_dweller_without_lift_who_needs_lightweightrider_50_to_90_kgweight_conscious_commuteroccasional_weekend_riderstudent_short_campus_routebudget_conscious_baltic_buyer

Buyer’s notes

№ 01

If your one-way commute is under 8 km, you have charging at both ends, and you value light weight over range — the base 4 is the right answer. If your commute is 8-15 km one-way or you do delivery work, spend €150 more for the 4 Pro instead. The €150 gap closes the range deficit completely.

№ 02

Verify the exact model on the deck label before buying — 'Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4' WITHOUT a Pro/Plus/Ultra/Lite suffix. Sellers sometimes list 'Xiaomi 4 Pro' when they actually mean the base 4 (or vice versa). The price difference between base and Pro on the used market is €60-120 — don't pay Pro money for base hardware.

№ 03

Don't expect 30 km of real-world range. Plan around 18-22 km in mixed urban riding, 15-18 km on Sport mode constant 25 km/h, 12-16 km in Baltic winter sub-zero. If you need more range, the 4 Pro (35-40 km real) or Segway G30 (35-45 km real) is a better fit.

№ 04

Used market: ALWAYS pair the scooter with Xiaomi Home / Mi Home app before paying. Verify total km, ride count, and that there are no recurring fault codes. If seller refuses or app doesn't pair (could indicate counterfeit clone or banned serial), walk away.

№ 05

Best Baltic-region dealers for new base 4: Euronics, 1A, On24, Hansapost, Apollo (EE); 220.lv, RD Electronics (LV); Senukai, Topo Centras, Pigu.lt (LT). Seasonal clearance (May, July, late August, Black Friday) often drops base 4 to €329-359 on outgoing stock.

№ 06

Plan to replace the kickstand at 12-18 months (€5-10) and the fold-lock plastic hook at 18-24 months (€8-12). Tire replacement at 4000-6000 km (€25-45 per tire at Baltic shops). These are normal wear items — don't let a used seller use them as 'broken' negotiating leverage.

№ 07

Winter strategy in Baltic: IPX4 is honest about its limits. If you must commute below 0°C daily, store the scooter and battery indoors (apartment, not balcony or garage). Avoid riding through deep slush or salted streets. Inspect battery contacts for corrosion at the end of each winter season — preventive cleaning every March extends lifespan significantly.

№ 08

Theft prevention: base 4 has no built-in GPS. Add an Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag, or Tile under the deck inside a small adhesive case. Use a U-lock or chain through the folding stem when parking outside. In Tallinn/Riga/Vilnius city centres, never leave unlocked — Xiaomi scooters are a frequent theft target.

№ 09

Firmware unlocking (lifting 25 km/h to ~28 km/h) is technically possible but the motor doesn't reward it — hill climb gets worse, range drops further, and the legal risk (moped reclassification, fines €40-100, insurance void) is not worth the marginal speed gain. Leave the base 4 stock.

№ 10

Headlight upgrade is the single best accessory investment — the stock 1.1 W LED is dim. A €15-25 bar-mounted USB-rechargeable light transforms autumn/winter night commute safety. Mount on the stem above the dashboard for best beam reach.

№ 11

Hill check: if your commute includes sustained gradients above 12% (Tartu Toomemägi, Vilnius Antakalnis, Riga Mežaparks-area hills), test-ride before buying. The base 4's 300 W rated motor manages but slows noticeably under 90+ kg rider weight. The 4 Pro's 350 W is meaningfully better on hills.

№ 12

Tire pressure check is the cheapest range improvement. Stock 8.5" tires nominal at 50 psi. Letting them drop to 35 psi (common after a Baltic winter in cold storage) reduces real-world range by ~15%. Check monthly with a basic gauge — keep a portable pump at home.

Law & registration

All three Baltic states recognise EU-spec Mi Electric Scooter 4 as a personal light electric vehicle. Helmet, alcohol, and minimum-age rules differ. The base 4 ships globally at 25 km/h — firmware unlocking is technically possible but the motor doesn't reward it (plateau ~28 km/h, hill climb gets worse). The legal risk (fines, insurance void, moped reclassification) is not worth the marginal speed gain.