Looking to buy a mobility scooter but not quite sure what details to look for or where to begin?  Let's face it, there are a lot of mobility scooters on the market today and a comprehensive mobility scooter buying guide is what you need for guidance. Well, we have got you covered in this article.  

Mobility scooters are good for someone who doesn't have any limitations in their motor skills and can use both hands without any issue.  As you read on, we will go over the different types of units and best brands in the mobility scooter industry. 

Finding the perfect mobility scooter to meet your needs shouldn't be overwhelming. At Electric Wheelchairs USA, we understand just how important it is for you to choose a reliable and comfortable scooter as your primary mode of transportation. 

That's why we are proud to offer one of the widest selection of mobility scooters on the market today — all designed with comfort, quality, and practicality in mind! 

From larger durable vehicles for outdoor use to ultra-lightweight models ideal for indoors, our comprehensive collection has something that is sure to fit any lifestyle or budget. 

And if you have any questions, our team of mobility experts are waiting for your phone call!

Let's get into it...

Is A Mobility Scooter Right For You?

There are a lot of reasons why you would want to use a mobility scooter. It basically comes down to a personal decision or a decision made by the family. If you are having difficulty driving then a mobility scooter might be ideal, as it can replace a vehicle.

If you’re not able to operate a motor vehicle, it might become a road safety issue.  If that is the case it will be better to have a mobility scooter. It is easy to use and you can drive at low speeds, which is less of a hazard in comparison to a car.

You can also use a mobility scooter in conjunction with other modes of transport. Many types can be stored in the trunk of a car to be transported and used somewhere else like in a shopping mall.

Are you recovering from an injury or surgery? Then a mobility scooter might be ideal as it will provide temporary assistance, allowing you to maintain your independence.

What Type of Scooter Do You Need?

There are so many different types of mobility scooters available today that it is easy to find one that is suitable for you. Before you run off and start selecting one for you, you first have to ask yourself this question.

What do you need it for?

Do you only need a small scooter that you use to get around inside your home or inside the shopping mall? Or would you rather want something to ride on to get to the the shopping mall or get to your friend’s home?

Or maybe you need something more robust that you can use more like a car for trips to locations that are further away?

Don’t forget to take into consideration where you live. What type of terrain is around the area where you live? While you can navigate flat pathways with a smaller scooter, you would need something with more power for an area with uneven ground.

Something else to look at is your physical build. A smaller scooter has a smaller seat and a smaller foot area. Should you have a bigger body frame you obviously need something larger to make you feel more comfortable.

What Are You Going To Be Using Your Mobility Scooter For?

The answer to this question is an important one that will help you narrow down your choices and find the right type of mobility scooter for you.  After that it's just a matter of what features that are to your liking, so you can find the right one for you.  Below, we will go through each kind and break down some of the main benefits and features of each below.

Transportable Mobility Scooters

If you are simply looking for something that is made for transporting, practical, and affordable, a transportable travel mobility scooter is a great option.  These are the most affordable kind of mobility scooter.  Many people who are first starting out their search for a scooter, just want something to help them get their mobility back, is easy to operate, and won't break the bank. 

What makes these great is that you can break these down into more manageable pieces, without the use of tools so you can store or transport your scooter.  Often times the heaviest piece is around 30-40 lbs, so it is much easier to lift.  It is also simple to travel with, you simply take it apart, place the pieces in the trunk of your car, and when you get to your destination, reassemble them and go about your way.    

Folding Travel Scooters

Another great option for someone who is active is a foldable mobility scooter.  This type of scooter is also made for someone who wants to take their scooter with them.  They are compact also, however, they simply fold into one piece as opposed to breaking them down into pieces.  This is more convenient and takes seconds to fold the scooter into a compact piece for storing or putting in your car.  Majority of these are airline approved as well.

Foldable scooters can also range in weight from as low as 34 lbs up to 60 lbs and just about all of these require no assembly, so its just a matter of charging your unit and they are ready to go!  

Full-Size Mobility Scooters

If you are looking for something a little more heavy duty, full-size mobility scooters are great choice.  Many of these are similar to transportable mobility scooters in that they break down into pieces for transport.  However, they pieces do weigh more, but it helps with taking up less space and makes it easier to transport. 

These scooters offer a higher weight capacity, typically a longer battery range, and a faster top speed.  Often times, they have more bells and whistles, making them more appealing as well, but at a higher price tag.

Bariatric Mobility Scooters

 Perhaps you are looking for the heaviest duty power scooters on the market.  Well, these units certainly fit the bill.  Bariatric mobility scooters are heavy duty and some of the offer the highest weight capacity available today; as high as 600 lbs of weight. 

Some of these are even classified as recreational scooters because they can reach speeds of up to 15 mph and offer longer than average battery ranges of up to 40 miles per charge.  They are just like mini cars, except they are electric scooters.  

2 Person Mobility Scooters

Some people just simply don't want to ride alone.  Dual seating mobility scooters are somewhat newer to the market, but are very popular.  These units are also considered "bariatric" or "heavy duty" simply because they need to support the weight of humans.  Many of them offer longer battery ranges and fast top speeds as well making them appealing to many of our customers.  Some even offer a suspension, so you have the smoothest ride possible on various terrains.

Using Your Scooter

When You Get Your Scooter

It is best to first try out your scooter on a flat surface and in an area that is free of traffic or structures in order to get a feel for the controls. Switch it on and practice using the controls such as stopping, turning and going up and down the inclines.

Make sure that you are able to operate all of the controls. Also make sure you can adjust your seat and can get on and off without needing assistance.

Now that you have that out of the way, find a suitable place to store it when not in use. If it is a small scooter, you might be able to keep it indoors, but if it is bigger, then a garage or carport might be more convenient. Wherever you choose to park make sure it is in the vicinity of a power outlet, so that you can recharge without any issue.

In order to keep your mobility scooter functioning to at an optimum level, you may want to make sure it is serviced every year.  Or at least contact the manufacturer’s tech support on tips to maintain its longevity.  That is what they are there for!

Charging Your Scooter

Always make sure the battery is fully charged before you go out. To do that, follow these instructions:

1. Turn the power switch to the OFF position
2. Connect your charger to the charging port of the scooter and the other end to the power outlet
3. When you see the orange/red LED light, it is an indication that the scooter is charging
4. The LED light will change to green when the battery is fully charged
5. After seeing the green light disconnect the charger from the port and then from the power outlet

Stay Safe On Your Mobility Scooter 

Before you go on a trip, you must first check and see if your battery is fully charged. Also check to  see if everything is secured. As in the case of a normal vehicle, you must never use your mobility device when you are tired, feeling sick, or impaired.

You want to be visible to other cars and pedestrians when you are outside. If your mobility scooter has lights, use them. To add towards additional visibility, you want to add an orange safety flag to your unit.

When riding, make sure you don’t overload your scooter with bags and accessories. Anything you carry should not obstruct your view or your ability to use your controls.

Before you travel, make sure you plan out your route and make sure you know exactly where you are going. Try to steer clear of busy roads and pavements that are too narrow. Also cross the roads at places where there are marked pedestrian crossings or traffic lights.  

What Are The Best Mobility Scooter Brands? 

Currently, Electric Wheelchairs USA carriers 26 different brands that offer mobility scooters.  However, there are a few that stand out as our best selling brands that we do the most business with.  They all offer some of the best warranties in the industry.  We will go over each of them below.

Pride Mobility

Pride is widely considered the flagship brand in the mobility industry.  They design power wheelchairs, lift chairs, and of course, mobility scooters.  The company was started in 1986 and have a history of designing and manufacturing some of the best products with cutting edge technology and many patented features that you will not find with other brands. 

Many of their scooters come with multiple accessory options to suit your specific needs or desires.  This is another company that has a great warranty and also includes one year of in-home service for the first as well.  Pride's best selling mobility scooters are the Victory LX Sport, Victory 10 4 Wheel, and the Go-Go Elite Traveller 4 Wheel.

Golden Technologies

Golden is an American manufacturer of power wheelchairs, lift chairs, and mobility scooters.  Their corporate headquarters is located in Old Forge, PA and they are also a company with longevity being in business for over 30 years.  This company's products set the pace in the mobility industry for comfort, performance, and convenience. 

It all starts with using cutting edge craftmanship, designs, and superior materials.  Plus, they have never lost sight of what the customer's needs are.  This is another brand that offers one year of in-home service for the first which helps with the end user's peace of mind.  Their top-selling mobility scooters are the GB148D, Patriot, and Avenger.

EWheels

EWheels is one of the newer brands in the industry, but when we say newer, this company just recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary.  In that time span, they have quickly become one of the leading brands in the mobility scooter industry.  Their most popular products are heavy duty recreational scooters.  These type of scooters offer a long battery range and a better than average top speed that you won't commonly find in other electric mobility scooters.  

EWheels has recently expanded into the medical scooter and power wheelchair industry are making waves there as well.  Their top selling scooters are the EW-36, EW-M34, and EW-46.

Three Or Four Wheel Preference

Once you have narrowed down your selection based on your height and weight, you can narrow down the selection even more by choosing on preference of stability over maneuverability or maneuverability over stability to find the right and most appealing three wheel or four wheel model. Three Wheel Scooters  tend to turn a lot easier around narrow and tighter spaces making them much better on maneuverability. With Four Wheel Scooters there is more stability and less of a chance of tipping. Overall a four wheel model normally provides a little more support.

Available Options & Accessories

Once you narrow down to models that you feel are the best mobility scooters, check for available options and accessories. There are plenty of mobility scooters that will have upgrades on seat sizes in case you need something a little wider to sit in.  Battery options will allow a longer lasting life and put more power and mileage on the performance side of things. You will see there are many different batteries whether lead acid, deep cycle, or lithium that are available on numerous models. A word of caution to users who decide to purchase lithium batteries. 

If you plan to travel on a plane with your mobility scooter you must check to make sure whatever flight you decide to go on allows lithium batteries brought aboard. There are some airlines that will not allow lithium batteries on their aircrafts. Some mobility scooters come with other options such as buckles and buckle sizes, canopies, and even styles of seats with different adjustments.

On the Accessory side of things, you have plenty of options available for a majority of mobility scooters. Things such as cup holders, side arm bags, oxygen tank holders, cane or crutch holders are mostly universal, attaching to most all handicap mobility scooters. Some accessories will come with certain mobility scooters.

When you find a mobility scooter that you like, check the page for accessories and options and you should be able to find out what is available or compatible for that particular model.  If you don't see an option you are looking for, Contact Us.  We can often times add on some customization depending on the brand or model. 

Before You Purchase

Now that you have some knowledge to use and look for when shopping, make sure you’re shopping with a reliable source online. Make sure your source deals directly with the manufacturer. This way you know you will get a warranty and if for any reason you need any type of technical support your source can either speak with the manufacturer on your behalf or you can speak to them directly for assistance.

Now You're Ready To Shop

Now that you have read our mobility scooter buying guide, do you feel like you’re ready to shop?  Hopefully, this guide helps you in finding the right choice!  If you have any further questions that come to mind contact us and we will provide any other information to help you shop online for the best mobility scooter to suit your needs. 

Many of our customers are active an are on the go.  If you fall into that category, take a look at our top folding mobility scooters.  These are all easy to fold up, lightweight, and are the most popular that we sell.  If you are looking for more of a heavy duty unit that can be used outdoors, take a look at our top outdoor all terrain mobility scooters.  These are not as easy to travel with, but some people just want to get out and explore and don't want to be stopped.

Our helpful and knowledgeable agents are available Monday-Saturday from 8AM-6PM at 800-682-9444.  Call us to find the right mobility scooter for your situation!