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Updated (2024) Mobility Scooter Buyers Guide

Looking to buy a mobility scooter but unsure of what specifications or details to look for? In today’s competitive online shopping environment, there can be so many options to consider that it can become overwhelming. Here at Mobilityscootersdirect.com, we try our best to educate our customers about our products so that they can confidently purchase a disability scooter that will be the best suited for their needs.

In this blog post, I’ll be reviewing some of the most important factors to consider if you’re shopping online for a mobility scooter. Below I have created a list of factors/considerations to look for during the shopping process. I believe that once you have an understanding of each point below, you’ll be able to shop with confidence for your next scooter. Should you need further assistance, you can always reach out to our sales department.

Below I have listed a few key points that you should be looking for when shopping for the most suitable mobility scooter to purchase.

#1 – What Are You Using Your Mobility Scooter For?

As you may have discovered, there are several different types of categories on our website in which you can find models for different applications. Below is a short video demonstration showing you the various categories.

YouTube video

For example, our folding mobility scooters category will feature models that are made for traveling and that can fold-up. Some folding models fold manually while others do so automatically like the one in the video below called the Transformer Scooter.

YouTube video

If you plan on only using your mobility scooter indoors you will want something that is not going to be very large this way you can fit tight doorways or hallways. We have a category on our website called “indoor mobility scooters” where you can shop specifically for models designed for indoor use. We recommend checking out the Go Go mobility scooter series as they are primarily compact and easy to get around the house with.

Travel mobility scooters are similar to folding models since they are compact and made for travel but they do not fold up. They’re also generally made to be durable so that they can withstand the transportation they go through while the owner is traveling from one destination to the next.

If you plan on using your mobility scooter strictly outdoors on a standard terrain then the favorable choice will be a full-size mobility scooter. They tend to travel longer distances than travel or folding mobility scooters with some having the capability of going faster. Now if you’re someone who is a heavy set person or you’re looking to ride over rough terrain with ease heavy duty mobility scooters are the way to go. They hold more weight than any other scooters and they also pack more torque and durability. We have a section on our website for off-road mobility scooters where you can find models equipped with full suspension and extra-large tires capable of taking on multiple terrains. Check out the Afikim S4 below which is a great option if you’re looking for something like an “all-terrain mobility scooter”.  They even have the option to include a rooftop canopy and a dual seat.

YouTube video

#2 – Knowing Your Required Specifications

Once you have determined what type of mobility scooter you‘re looking for, you will need to consider which models will be the best fit for you. We highly recommend paying close attention to the following specifications to ensure that you end up buying a scooter that is going to provide you or the intended user with optimal comfort.

  1. Seat Width & Depth – The dimensions of the seat are very important to check and measured in inches.
  2. Seat Adjustments – It’s important to know if the seat can rotate, slide forward or backward to find the most comfortable seating position.
  3. Armrests – It’s important to know if the unit has armrests and what options the armrests have (i.e. flip-up, width adjustable, height adjustable, removable)
  4. Weight Capacity – The maximum weight that the unit is rated to handle.
  5. Seat-to-Ground Height – The distance from the seat to the floorboard of the scooter.
  6. Overall Width – The widest points of the unit measured to ensure it fits between narrow spaces in your home.
  7. Turning Radius – The total amount of space needed to execute a 180-degree turn. This is important if you plan to use the scooter indoors or in places that have narrow hallways with turns.
  8. Overall Weight of Heaviest Piece – The total weight of the unit or weight of the heaviest piece if it disassembles. This is important if you plan to transport your unit.
  9. Top Speed – What the maximum speed is of the unit? Most medical scooters only go up to 5 mph, if you need something faster, you’ll want to look into a recreational scooter.
  10. Braking System – Automatic brakes or manual disk brakes. Automatic brakes are also known as electromagnetic brakes and are much safer than manual brakes.
  11. Throttle System – How you make the unit move forward, either with a delta tiller or rotating handlebar. Many elderly customers prefer the delta-style tiller for its ambidextrous use.
  12. Ground Clearance – The space between the ground and the bottom of the scooter. This is important if you have small curbs to enter your garage.
  13. Incline Rating – The highest incline/slope that the unit is rated for. This is important if you have a steep driveway or plan to go on trails with hills.
  14. Travel Range – The max distance that the unit can travel on a full charge. Many factors can impact the travel range such as the terrain, weight of the user, and more.
  15. Tiller Adjustment – If you need more space between the seat and the steering column, you want to be sure that the tiller is adjustable (tilts forward or backward) to create more space or to bring the handlebars closer.

 

In order to get the right product for yourself (or a loved one), make sure to take measurements and weights. Depending on how much you weigh and how tall you are, you can and will help narrow down your selection based upon seat height and weight capacity. If you weigh more than the weight capacity can handle you will burn out the motor and it will not be safe. In fact, the same can happen even if you weigh the same amount as the weight capacity rating because the weight capacity is a “maximum” weight rating which means you will be operating at a maximum load and stressing the motor. You can damage or even possibly break it if you don’t pay close attention to this advice. To get the best performance out of your mobility scooter choose something that will have a weight capacity of at least 30 to 50 lbs heavier than you. Remember the more weight or the bigger you are the more your mobility scooter will have to perform, draining the batteries in a quicker amount of time.

#3 – Three Or Four Wheel Preference

Three_or_four_wheel_mobility_scooter

Once you have narrowed down your selection based on your weight and height you can narrow down the selection even more by choosing on the preference of stability over maneuverability or maneuverability over stability to find the right and most appealing three or four-wheel model. Three-wheel mobility scooters tend to turn a lot easier around tighter spaces making them much better on maneuverability. With four-wheel handicap mobility scooters, there is more stability and less of a chance of tipping. Overall a four-wheel model normally provides a little more support, visit our 4 wheel mobility scooters page to view them all.

# 4 – Upgrade Options & Accessories

Accessories

Once you find 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. As mentioned earlier, the Afiscooter is one of the only mobility scooters with a rain cover canopy upgrade which is very convenient for those that live in tropical climates that experience unexpected rainfall.

Battery upgrade 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 is available on numerous models. As a disclosure 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 that whatever flight you decide to go on is ok with having lithium scooter batteries brought aboard. There are some flight companies that will not allow lithium batteries on planes.

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, sidearm 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 model that you like, check the mobility scooter accessories page and custom options and you should be able to find out what is available or compatible with that particular model.

#5 – Trusted Brands & Warranty Support

One of the last few things to consider during your shopping journey is the manufacturer or brand of the product you’re interested in. The last thing you want is a product that lacks manufacturer support for warranty claims, parts, or troubleshooting. Brands like Pride Mobility, Afikim, Golden Technologies, Drive Medical, and E-Wheels have been in business for a long time and they offer the best warranty plans in the industry. Most of them even include a 1-year, in-home service contract that will cover any labor needed for warranty claims.

Here at MobilityScootersDirect.com we only deal with manufacturers that are known to make high-quality products and provide excellent warranty support to our customers. That is why our online reputation is almost perfect since we have been in business. Check out our customer testimonials page to see what our customers think about us or simply go to Google and type in our company name. We are here for our customers long after the sale is made, whether it’s for parts, troubleshooting, or any other matter related to your product. We’re also a mobility scooter parts dealer for all the brands that we carry and we price them competitively. We also offer mobility scooter replacement batteries and replacement services locally.

Ready To Shop Online

Now that you have read The Mobility Scooter Buyers Guide do you feel like you’re ready to shop?  Hopefully, the mobility scooter buyer’s guide helps you in finding the right choice! Keep in mind that our mobility scooter help forum is monitored by technicians and other product owners, post your question there if you want to get help from the community. As another option, if you have any further questions that come to mind contact your available online source and they should be able to provide any other information to help you shop online for the best suitable handicap mobility scooter.