6 Top Rated Mobility Scooters for Seniors – How to Search Guide

This Need-to-Know Guide shows what you should consider when buying a scooter, and compares 6 top rated mobility scooters for seniors using 10 of these features.

After all, if you are going to proceed with this investment, it is only appropriate that you compare “apples to apples” so you can get the best value for your money that meet your needs.

What is a Mobility Scooter?

It is a powered assistive device used by people who have difficulty walking and want to improve personal mobility. Scooters provide a top speed of 4 to 8 miles-per-hour and a weight capacity of 250 to 500 pounds.

Handicap scooters, also known as disability scooters, are designed for people with limited mobility who cannot use a regular wheelchair.

The right mobility scooter can help improve the quality of life for people with mobility problems – seniors, elderly and the handicapped.

Electric scooters, also known as electric wheelchairs, are battery-powered and can be used indoors or outdoors. Four-wheel scooters come with two rear wheels and two front wheels.

Two Types of Braking Systems

There are two types of braking systems.

Electro-magnetic braking: This system uses magnets and electricity to automatically brake for you whenever you release the throttle controller.

Hand -braking: This braking system is similar to that found on a bicycle. It includes a handle usually in front of the handlebar that allows manual control of the system.

This is not ideal for seniors and especially the elderly that have problems with dexterity and muscle strength, and are unable to engage the brakes.

Best Mobility Scooter Benefits

• Enhanced user mobility and accessibility
• Increased independence
• Use over multiple terrains
• Prevent trips, falls and associated injuries,
• Diversity of brands and models to suit different needs
• Simplicity of operation
• Cost effective

Choose a Mobility Scooter – Think of Safety and Servicing

A major consideration when operating a scooter is safety. Scooters must move following the rules of pedestrians. Not every machine requires a license. However, driving on highways is also not allowed for everyone.

You can drive on roadsides, sidewalks, parks, and other pedestrian areas.

Most manufacturers usually recommend a yearly service. If this is consistently done at the right time, the scooter will perform well. It is a failure to do this that typically affects proper functioning of the device.

The battery must be replaced every 2-3 years, depending on the demand usage.

What is the Right Mobility Scooter? Do You Need a Scooter or Electric Wheelchair?

The first question you must ask yourself is whether you need a scooter or a powered wheelchair. Your dexterity will play a very important factor in making this decision.

A power chair is used by those who have a disability that prevents them from being able to walk by themselves and unable to operate a manual wheelchair.

These individuals would benefit from the simple electric controls and joystick which automatically help navigation. 

Mobility scooters, on the other hand, have tiller and handle bars, They are typically equipped with three or four wheels, while an electric wheelchair usually has six wheels or more.

Most power chairs have two large drive wheels and four smaller wheels called casters for added stability.

Though both can be used indoors and outdoors, power chairs offer more maneuverability indoors. Scooters have a much larger turning radius than a power wheelchair, and therefore are very difficult to navigate inside the home or in tight corners.

Another important factor is that scooters cannot be adjusted to meet user requirements, while power chairs provide more choices for customization.

Choose the Right Type of Mobility Scooter For Your Needs

So, how do you go about choosing the right scooter? Which scooter is the best? The answer is that It depends on the specific needs and preferences of the senior or elderly user.

Some factors that could be considered include the size and weight of the scooter, the terrain it will be used on, and whether or not the senior citizen needs or wants additional features like a basket or cup holder.

Ultimately, the best scooter for a senior citizen is the one that meets their individual needs and allows them to safely and easily get around.

There are several basic questions you must address that will guide the type of scooter you choose. These are: 

• Will the scooter be more frequently for indoor or outdoor use or both?
• Will travel needs require that the scooter be easily transported by being foldable, with ability to fit in the trunk of a standard sized vehicle?
• What type of terrain will be driven over – asphalt, gravel, sand, curbs, mild or steep elevations?
• What will be the weight capacity you need to accommodate your weight?
• Will you require extended usage and higher that need increased battery range?
• Determine your budget 

By evaluating purpose and use, it becomes easier to identify a few options that meet your set criteria which best suit your needs. Once these are nailed down, you can then decide on which accessories to buy.

Weight Capacity, Weight Limit, and Heavy Duty Mobility Scooters

A top factor to consider is the scooter’s maximum weight capacity. Selecting an option with a capacity that is below your weight, can damage the unit and cause costly repairs and replacements.

Several parts of your mobility scooter can be affected by overloading it. It is generally recommend selecting a unit that can hold at least 25 pounds more than the user weight to reduce stress on the motor and other parts.

This weight is referred to as the weight limit of the device relative to you. A user operating the scooter at the maximum weight capacity will put stress on both the motor and batteries and these will not last as long as they should.

If you are close to the weight limit, it is better to upgrade to a model that can accommodate higher weight rather than cause damage to features like power-elevating seats and higher ground clearance.

The majority of popular models, including folding and travel scooters, have a maximum weight capacity of 250-300 pounds. Scooters with weight capacities up to 500 pounds and above are called heavy-duty scooters

Causes of Stress on Motor, Battery and Parts – Power Scooter Limitations

Climbing Steep Hills

Although the size of the battery does not affect the ability of a mobility scooter to climb a steep hill, managing steeper hills will require more power from the motor which drains the battery faster.

It means larger batteries will be needed for a scooter to climb a hilly road efficiently.

In most any cases you would want to look into heavy-duty handicap scooters that have a full suspension. With the full suspension, you will get that extra push

Mobility scooters can handle mild hills and slopes, but they may not handle steep climbs.

Use in Sandy Beach Areas

Using scooters in sandy areas is not recommended because sand may blow into the internal mechanical parts and cause damage.

Exceeding the Weight Capacity

Operating the device by a user exceeding the weight capacity and weight limit will most certainly create a strain on the battery.

Scooter Classification

Classification Types

Class 1 – Manual wheelchairs

Class 2 and Class 3- Mobility scooters and powerchairs.

Due to their lightweight qualities and smaller size, Class 2 mobility scooters can be better maneuvered and quickly dismantled.

Selection of mobility scooters can be made from three main types classified by their top speed.

• 4 mph for Class 2 scooters, makes them only suitable for use on pavements. This is just a little faster than the average walking pace and is ideal for shopping or family outings. They must never be used on cycle trails
• 8 mph for Class 3 scooters means they can be used on roads with a speed limit of 30mph, as well as pavements. Class 3 scooters are often referred to as Road Class scooters. They are larger than their Class 2 counterparts, are more spacious, rugged, and have the look of a small car rather than a mobility scooter.
• These scooters have a top speed of 8 mph and can be driven on the roads. They are deemed roadworthy because they have lights at the front and rear and fitted wing mirrors.

As a cautionary note, the mobility scooter was never designed to be driven on highways or on more rural roads with high traffic.

3-Wheel Scooter Vs 4-Wheel Scooter

A four wheel mobility scooter provides greater stability and is generally more rugged than it’s three wheel counterpart. Use of a 4-wheeler is suitable when

• Navigation will be outdoors and over mixed and rough terrain
• User prefers the weight distribution provided by a four wheel scooter
• A wider, sturdier and broader wheelbase. is needed
• User weight is above average

A three wheel mobility scooter, on the other hand, is a better option when

• Navigation will be indoors or over smooth surfaces
• Sharp turning radius is required for narrow and tight spaces
• User is tall and requires more leg room

Is Registration or License Required?

Mobility scooters do not need to be licensed because they do not move at fast enough speeds to be designated as recreational vehicles. Local by-law registration may be necessary if you desire to use the device on the pavement or road.

It is always wise to make inquiries, as not every city or province allows this, while others may require a license to operate a Class 3 scooter.

Note that, depending on the city, province or state, some public shopping malls and other private areas may not allow the operation of these assistive devices.

Foldable Travel Scooters – Great for Air and Cruise Ship Travel

in order for a mobility scooter to be foldable and easy to transport, it must be lightweight. Many fold up scooters can weigh than 50 pounds or less

Air Travel

Mobility scooters and power chairs are classified as medical equipment by the FDA, which means you can fly with a mobility scooter at no extra charge

Most airlines let passengers take their mobility devices at no extra charge.

Cruise Ship Travel

Most major cruise ships allow bringing abroad or use of a mobility scooter, wheelchair, walker or other mobility device if it will make the user more comfortable

As an added service, some cruise ships have mobility scooters available for onboard rental.

Related Article

The Automatic Folding Mobility Scooter – Maintain an Active Lifestyle

Comparing 6 Top Rated Mobility Scooters

Weight	Weight Capacity	Turn Radius	Top Speed	Max Drive Range	Clearance	Dimensions	Seat Width	Battery	Front Tire
141.87 kg	425 lbs	53"	8 mph	25 miles	4 "	56" x 26" x 53"	20"	50 Ah x 12V x 2	14" pneumatic

Weight	Weight Capacity	Turn Radius	Top Speed	Max Drive Range	Clearance	Dimensions	Seat Width	Battery	Front Tire
88 kg	350 lbs	57"	5.7 mph	20 miles	3 "	50" x 25" x 52"	19"	35 Ah x 12V x 2	10" flat free

Weight	Weight Capacity	Turn Radius	Top Speed	Max Drive Range	Clearance	Dimensions	Seat Width	Battery	Front Tire
83.91 kg	350 lbs	54"	5 mph	22 miles	2.5 "	48" x 25" x 40"	18"	33 Ah x 12V x 2	10" flat free

Weight	Weight Capacity	Turn Radius	Top Speed	Max Drive Range	Clearance	Dimensions	Seat Width	Battery	Front Tire
42.64 kg	300 lbs	53.75"	4.25 mph	9 miles	2 "	42.5" x 20.5" x 36"	16.5"	Lithium - 12aH	8" flat free

Weight	Weight Capacity	Turn Radius	Top Speed	Max Drive Range	Clearance	Dimensions	Seat Width	Battery	Front Tire
38.1kg	265 lbs	Not stated	3.7 mph	12.4 miles	2 "	33" x 19.5" x 38"	16.9"	12 V	7.5" flat free

Weight	Weight Capacity	Turn Radius	Top Speed	Max Drive Range	Clearance	Dimensions	Seat Width	Battery	Front Tire
30 kg	265 lbs	60"	12 mph	12 miles	3 "	22" x 21" x 41"	Premium Large	Lithium; 8.2 AH - 15.6 AH	10"

Conclusion

This need-to-know guide examines key considerations to be made prior to buying a scooter. It also compares 6 top rated mobility scooters for seniors using similar criteria.

References

The impact of mobility scooters on their users. Does their usage help  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4510203