Best Scooter for Senior Citizens – Reviews

What brings you here? Looking for the best scooter for senior citizens, huh? I see. You’re at the right place because we’re here to lessen your job. From hundreds of mobility scooters for senior citizens available online and in the stores, we’ve shortlisted only 6 models that can meet any user’s expectations.

Mobility scooters are an amazing invention for senior people with mobility issues, joint pain, back pain, and normal people as well as for moving to places without the need of using one’s legs. These scooters are great for short to mid-distance traveling as well as for indoors.

We’ve made our list based on extensive research on mobility scooter brands, types, batteries, weight and size, portability, and many other factors. We chose the ones that stood out among all the others. We’ll be covering every detail you need about these items. Motorized scooters for elderly or the folding scooters for adults- you’ll find it all here.

Top 5 Best Mobility Scooter for Outdoors reviews 

Here you’ll find the 6 best scooter for senior citizens according to us. We’ll be walking you through a thorough description of the products and their pros and cons so that you can choose which one is the perfect item for you.

In the meantime, make yourself a good cup of coffee and get yourself comfortable because we’re going to dig straight into the reviews now!

01. Pride Mobility Go-Go Traveler Plus 4-Wheel Scooter

Okay, we have a Pride mobility scooter here. Pride mobility is a renowned name in the world of mobility scooters. They’ve introduced quite a large range of fantastic scooters over the years. The Go-Go Traveler Elite 4-wheel scooter is one of them.

The delta-style tiller has a wrap-around handle. This ergonomic shape allows you to rest your wrists while controlling the direction with the handles. You can also operate it with one hand. With a maximum speed of 4.5 mph and two 18 Ah full-charged batteries, this scooter can go as long as 14.5 miles.

The total weight of the unit is only 87 lbs. the feather-touch disassembly lets you dismount the parts within seconds. The lightweight parts easily fit into your car or trunk and save space. The manufacturers give you a choice of interchangeable shroud panels. You can choose the one that satisfies your taste. The rear wheels are slightly bigger than the front wheels to overcome on-road obstacles efficiently.

The non-scuffing, matte black tires maintain the sleek look of the scooter. Another indispensable feature of this scooter is that it provides you with a dual-charging facility. You can charge the batteries both in on-board and off-board situations.

What we liked

• This scooter has LED lighting for safe commuting at night.
• It features a long driving range of 12.7 miles.
• The lightweight parts provide portability.
• The maximum weight capacity is 300 lbs.
• The battery charger has a dual-charging mode for both on-board and off-board charging.
• The turning radius is low. There’s a storage basket on the tiller.

What we didn’t like

• This mobility scooter has a low ground clearance of only .83 inches

Verdict

This one comes at a relatively higher price than the items we’ve reviewed previously, but at a lower price than most other 4-wheeled scooters. It offers a good deal of superior facilities as well. It’s suitable for traveling because of the lightness of the parts. The parts are easy to disassemble and reassemble. So, if you’re looking for a high-end, budget-friendly, 4-wheel travel mobility scooter, it might be an ideal choice for you.

02. Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 3 wheel travel power scooter

The first item on our list and probably the best one on a tight budget is the Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 3-wheel travel power scooter. This item comes at a reasonable price while not compromising the quality.

This scooter features anti-tip, non-marking wheels. The throttle control is ergonomic, and the delta-shaped tiller is adjustable. You get a swivel seat and it is height-adjustable. Even the armrests are adjustable and padded. The backrest is a fold-down one.  All these sum up to provide you with a comfortable trip with this scooter.

It features a freewheel operation. Moreover, due to the ergonomic throttle control, learning the maneuvering the scooter is surprisingly easy. The device can climb inclines of 6 degrees. The turning radius for this scooter is 45.5 inches. It’ll give you a maximum speed of 4.25 mph. The total distance covered with a full-charged battery is 9 miles in the best conditions.

The item comes with interchangeable color panels. Therefore, you can hide scuffs and unavoidable spots. The parts are lightweight and provide trouble-free disassembly which makes it one of the best folding mobility scooters as well. The weight capacity of this device is 300 lbs. The item weighs only 85 lbs while its heaviest part weighs 29 lbs.

What we liked

• The price is affordable.
• The seating arrangement is comfortable.
• Controlling the device is simple.
• High-quality and puncture-proof wheels give smooth rides.
• Batteries need only 6 hours to charge fully.
• Adjustable tiller, seat, and armrest.
• Provides quick disassembly for transportation.

What we didn’t like

• This scooter is not suitable for high inclines and hilly terrains. The climbing angle is low.
• The driving range might not be adequate for some users.

Verdict

One of the best portable scooters for the elderly as it’s very lightweight itself and easily fordable. It would make a good gift for parents, grandparents, and even younger citizens. If you’re looking for great features within a tight budget, I’ll suggest you look no further. This scooter will make a decent device that is low-maintenance and doesn’t cost you thousands of dollars.

On top of everything, the company provides a forever warranty on the frames, one year on the batteries, and two years on the electronics. What else does anyone need? Stop wandering around because this one’s the best possible mobility scooter for anyone.

03. BUZZAROUND EX 4-Wheel Heavy Duty Long Range Travel Scooter

The one that has stunned us with its premium-quality build, outstanding battery life, extended driving range, and whatnot, is the BUZZAROUND EX 4-wheel heavy-duty travel scooter. This one comes from the brand Golden Technologies. They’ve been proving their dominance in this industry with their amazing contributions over the years, and this product here is no less than the other ones.

The item comes in 6 color options. They provide a choice of seat size too. You can either pick an 8-inch or a 20-inch seat. The seat is height-adjustable. The stadium-style seat has removable armrests on both sides. The wraparound tiller has a mounted LED battery gauge that shows you the charge condition of the batteries. Therefore, you’ll know when to recharge the batteries.

This one’s the only one on our list that can cover a distance of 18 miles. This amount is a lot compared to all the other scooters we’ve reviewed here. You can go nearly anywhere with this scooter. Moreover, the 9-inch heavy-duty wheels give you smooth rides on all sorts of terrains.

The downside of this scooter is that it’s a little expensive compared to the other ones. Every part of this scooter is made of high-quality material and provides the best performance. So, the price will be worth the superb features. In case of traveling out of the country, this mobility scooter might not be the best option for transportation because the overall device is 155 lbs.

What we liked

• This device has a long driving range of 18 miles.
• The powerful motor is 320 watts. The maximum speed is 5 mph.
• There are plush suspensions on both front and rear wheels for extra stability.
• The scooter has ultra-bright LED headlights for safety on night rides.
• The headlight is angle-adjustable for optimal performance.
• The parts are easy to disassemble and mount back.
• There’s an LED battery gauge for the indication of battery life.
• It has a ground clearance of 4 inches.

What we didn’t like

• This scooter is heavy.
• The heaviest piece weighs 53 pounds. The price is high.

Verdict

As we’ve seen, this Buzzaround Ex Scooter from Golden Technologies possesses some of the best possible features an outdoor mobility scooter should have. As long as the price is concerned, it might not be the best option for someone who has a tight budget. However, if you buy this scooter, you won’t regret having spent the money as the performance and the durability of this item will be worth it all.

04. Drive Medical Scout Compact Travel Power Scooter

This one’s another amazing scooter from the Drive medical. The physical features are pretty much similar to the previous one that we reviewed except that this one has 4 wheels and it weighs more.

4-wheeled mobility scooters give you great stability and performance in almost all types of terrains. Because of the 94 lbs device weight including the heaviest piece of 39 lbs and the anti-tip wheels, this scout moves smoothly on rough terrains and keeps the device stable to the greatest extent.

While the previous model gives you a range of 9 miles at best, this one gives you two choices of range. If you choose the 12V 12Ah battery, you’ll get a maximum range of 9 miles. If you take the 12V 20Ah battery, you’ll be able to drive 15 miles before running out of power.

The climbing angle is 6 degrees as the spitfire 3-wheel scooter, but the turning radius is 53.75 inches. This makes the turnings better than the 3-wheelers. The fold-down backrest, adjustable swivel seat, and padded armrest give you a cozy ride while ensuring maximum safety.

What we liked

• The parts offer quick disassembly.
• The wheels are flat-free, non-marking, and anti-tip activated.
• The overall weight capacity is 300 lbs.
• It comes at a cheaper price than other 4-wheelers.
• There’s a big carrier basket on the front side.
• The adjustable delta-shaped tiller, freewheel operation, and ergonomic throttle make controlling the scooter simple.

What we didn’t like

• The climbing angle is low.
• The ground clearance is as low as 2.5 inches.
• The turning radius is greater which makes it hard to take a turn in a narrow place.

Verdict

With a stylish look and great specifications, this scout is suitable for users with limited strength. It facilitates the control of people with muscular pain and joint and back problems. Those who prefer a commute for short to mid-distance shopping and traveling will also find this scooter useful. The price is also very cheap for a 4-wheeled scooter. Those who are beginners will find the device much more simple to maneuver.

05. G0-Go Ultra X 3-Wheel Travel Mobility Scooter

The Go-Go Ultra X 3-wheel travel mobility scooter is also from the Pride Mobility family. This one is an extremely lightweight scooter including the heaviest part weighing only 29 lbs.

This item comes with an auto-latching lockup mechanism that permits simple dismounting that you can do with one hand only. They call it feather-touch disassembly. Portability is one of the key features of this scooter due to these qualities. The exclusive black, non-scuffing tires keep the scooter looking new after months of use.

While this scooter features a low driving range and maximum speed, it would make a good scooter for the older people who generally use the scooter to move around the neighborhoods. The vinyl swivel seat is foldable and super comfy.

The turning radius of the scooter is only 33 inches. It’s a proper commute for shallow streets. With the dual-voltage charger, it’s not a problem to travel long distances as you can charge the batteries off-board somewhere in the middle of your journey although it’ll take some time.

What we liked

• The extra light parts make transportation easy.
• It has a maximum weight capacity of 260 lbs.
• It contains a storage basket on the tiller.
• There’s a drop-in battery box for traveling.
• The dual-voltage charger provides charging in both on-board and off-board conditions.
• The vinyl swivel seat is height-adjustable.
• This device has a low turning radius.

What we didn’t like

• The maximum speed is much low- only 4 mph.
• The total driving range with a full-charged battery is 6.9 miles.

Verdict

This scooter is one of the best travel-friendly mobility scooters. It’s especially a very convenient device for elderly people as handling, controlling, and storing this light scooter will be easy on their part. It comes with a pack of outstanding features. It won’t cover long distances but will provide superior performance for close-distance commutations.

Buying Guide for the Best Scooter for Senior Citizens

Okay, you must be thinking why after giving you reviews on the best mobility scooters for outdoors we’re now giving you a buying guide! We’re being honest about the factors we judged while choosing the items, that’s all. Reading further, you’ll find the 13 factors that influenced our choice of the products.

01. Type of Scooter

Don’t confuse the terms ‘type’ with ‘class’ of scooters. There are two classes and several types of mobility scooters. Let’s have a brief introduction to each type.

Outdoor Mobility Scooters

Specially designed for outdoor use, these scooters are a little heavier than all the other types. These come with more features for heavy-duty usage on the roads. The batteries discharge slowly and you get an increased driving range. Some outdoor mobility scooters are foldable, but due to the weight of the parts, they aren’t the ideal type for transportation.

Travel Mobility Scooters

This type of mobility scooter is lightweight, compact, foldable, and less comfortable. They are designed to keep private and public transportation in mind. Some are automatically foldable, and some require manual-folding. They’ll fit inside a car or the trunk. The seats are not much cushioned due to saving space and keeping the scoter light. Therefore, these won’t be as comfy as the other types.

Mid-Size Mobility Scooters

The best indoor-outdoor mobility scooters are mostly mid-sized ones. They have easy maneuverability. Some of these types are foldable too, but the big wheels don’t make them a good option for transportation. Nevertheless, the big wheels do complement your on-road journeys and give you smooth rides.

Sports Mobility Scooters

This type is ideal for users who want more from a general mobility scooter. These come in slim and sleek patterns with flashy lights. These look a lot like motorized scooters. The sports mobility scooters have a high driving range. Moreover, they provide better speed.

02. 3 Wheel vs. 4 Wheel

There are two versions of mobility scooters as well. The 3-wheeled ones are compact, transportable, lightweight, and easily maneuverable.

On the other hand, 4-wheel mobility scooters give you more stability in outdoor usage. They are heavier than the 3-wheelers. The 4-wheelers feature greater battery power and a longer range for driving. They give you a more spacious area for the foot also.

The 3-wheel scooters cost less than the 4-wheel scooters. 3-wheelers are more suitable for the indoors and short-distance use whereas the 4-wheeled ones are great for outdoors, on rough terrains, steeped roads, etc.

03. Weight capacity

Mobility scooters have a weight capacity that the user must not exceed. This can vary from 250 to 600 lbs (with the user on it). If you cross the weight limit, the scoter can malfunction. The battery drains charge faster, the scooter runs slower, and there’s a risk of tipping over. So, if you’re going to a store to buy things, you have to make sure you don’t overstuff your scooter on your way back from there.

04. Speed

Speed is a crucial factor here. Mobility scooters can have a speed of 4 mph to 8 mph. The maximum speed approved by the law is 8 mph. so, whatever your purpose for buying a mobility scooter is, make sure the speed also fits that criteria.

05. Control

Before making a purchase, make sure you’ll be able to have good control over the scooter or not. The braking system, lights, and indicators play vital roles in how you control the vehicle on the roads. So, read the user manual to understand if the controlling would be simple for you or not.

06. Battery

The battery specifications give us an indication of how long we can travel with the scooter with a full-charged battery. It also affects the total weight of the scooter. You can go around 8 to 20 miles or over depending on the type and capacity of a battery.

Mobility scooter batteries can be of wet-cell, gel cell, lead-acid cell, and lithium-ion cell. The gel cells are FAA approved, so, traveling overseas won’t be an issue with them. The other kinds require maintenance, but they are more effective.

Some scooters feature non-removable batteries. Therefore, make sure if the provided battery will be sufficient for you or not because some scooters won’t give you the liberty of replacing the battery with a high-end new one.

07. Tires

Check out the tires too. While driving the scooter, you’ll come across bumps, speed breakers, broken ramps, steeped roads, and dirty and muddy roads. The wheels carry your weight and keep the scooter moving, so, it has to be strong and sturdy enough to overcome all these obstacles. Look for the ones with puncture-proof wheels if your regular used route is not well-paved.

08. Drive Range

Whether it’s for indoor or outdoor use, make-ahead calculation of how much length you’ll be covering each day with your scooter. Different mobility scooters can offer different ranges. It depends on the battery greatly. If you don’t want to run out of battery power in the middle of nowhere, you mustn’t ignore this vital factor.

09. Seat

Most mobility scooters come with cushioned seatings. They are comfortable for extended periods of sitting and traveling long distances. Some give you the adjustable seating feature to allow you to have the seat adjusted for your optimum comfort. For the elderly and people with back problems, comfort is a factor you shouldn’t overlook. Therefore, check the seat well before purchasing.

10. Ease of Transport

The size and weight of a mobility scooter define if it’s easily transportable or not. Some scooters offer the dismounting of the parts. If the parts are lightweight, public and private transportation of the scooter gets easy. Traveling to other cities or countries also requires you to carry the mobility scooter to the place. So, in that case, you’d be looking for an easily portable mobility scooter.

11. Folding or Disassembly

There are mobility scooters that you can fold or disassemble. Some have automatic dismounting and some require manual folding. This feature saves your space for storing it. It also gives you the ease of transportation which we’ve already discussed.

12. Storage

Mobility scooters sometimes have accessory storage spaces. Some have a basket on the front; few have one on the rear side as well. Some of them come with cup-holders too. These things come in handy for keeping accessories and other kinds of stuff.

13. Price

Depending on the model, material, and features, the price of mobility scooters varies. The price might start at 500$ for the basic scooters. It increases with increased facilities. A high-tech mobility scooter can cost you over 3000$. We kept the factor ‘price’ at the bottom because one shouldn’t compromise the quality of the price.

Depending on your budget, look for the best possible features you get. A high-priced scooter might only be a one-time investment for better performance, durability, and quality for many years. Therefore, take your time to decide which one best fits all your necessities and budget.

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Safety Recommendation

A mobility scooter gives you the freedom of mobility. However, nothing is an unmixed blessing. Like all the other vehicles, mobility scooters need to be taken care of. If not, you might risk your and the others’ safety. So, here goes some safety advice you must follow.

01. Advice from Doctor:

When you decide to buy a mobility scooter, consult with your doctor or therapist to know if you’re capable of using one or not.

02. Perfect Fit:

Talk to a professional to get the scooter that best fits your needs.

03. Charged battery:

Try to go out with a fully charged battery. Always carry the battery charger along with you. Don’t charge the battery with your car’s charger as it can damage the battery.

04. Weight Capacity:

Never exceed the weight capacity of the scooter. If you do, you won’t get the maximum performance. This can result in slow speed and fast battery draining.

05. Manual:

Before starting to use the scooter on the pavements or roads, practice operating for a few days inside your home. Take it outside only after mastering the controls properly. Read the model’s user manual to learn the in and outs of the scooter.

06. Look forward and behind:

Use pedestrian crossings to cross the roads. Look forward and behind while doing that.

07. Safety Drive

Leave the right of way for the pedestrians, and drive slowly in a crowded area.

08. Avoid Some Roads:

Try to use the scooter on paved pathways and roads. Avoid broken ramps, muddy roads, and grassy areas.

09. Road laws:

While using on the roads, follow the road laws. Abide by the traffic signals.

10. Indicator lights

Visibility is a must when you’re using a mobility scooter. As the scooters are low in height, other traffic users might not see you. Wear vibrant colors, use a safety flag that stands high over your head, and use the indicator lights to make others see you.

11. Clothes or outfits

Beware of wearing laced clothes or outfits with straps that can get stuck in the wires.

12. Anti-rollback feature:

Make sure your scooter has an anti-rollback feature in case you usually have to use high and low inclines.

13. Inspect:

Inspect regularly if the brakes, lights, indicators, horn, etc. are functional or not.

14. Service:

Once a year, take the scooter to service centers to make sure everything is working in perfect condition.

15. Insurance:

Try to get insurance and buy breakdown covers. They all come in handy in case of emergencies.

FAQs for the best scooter for senior citizens

Here we’re going to answer some of the questions that we receive from the users frequently.

01. What are the different classes of mobility scooters? 

Mobility scooters are of two classes- class 2 and class 3. There are no class 1 mobility scooters. Class 2 mobility scooters are for use on pavements where the maximum speed for them is to be 4mph. Class 3 category is suitable for on-road use. They can have a maximum speed of 8 mph.

02. Are mobility scooters allowed on the pavement?

Yes, off-road mobility scooters are allowed on the pavements. On a legal basis, a class 2 mobility scooter is allowed on the pavements with 6.4 kilometers per hour (4 mph) maximum speed.

Class 3 mobility scooters are, however, not permitted to be used on the pavements unless having onboard controls to speed down the vehicle to 4 mph.

03. What are the rules for mobility scooters?

The rules/laws for mobility scooters can vary from country to country or by state. The general rules are quite similar everywhere. They are-

• Class 2 mobility scooters can reach a maximum speed of 4 mph. The user doesn’t need to register it or pay any road tax for it. It’s legally allowed to be used on the sidewalks, pavements, crossroads, etc. but not on the roads.
• Users can use class 3 mobility scooters (the ones with lights, indicators, and onboard controllers) on the roads. They won’t have to pay any road tax or have insurance for them. However, to use them on the roads, the user has to register the class 3 mobility scooters with DVLA. There’s no legal requirement of a driving license to operate these mobility scooters on the roads. The highest speed limit for these is 8 mph or 12.9 kilometers per hour. The user has to be 14 or older to drive a class 3 scooter.

Nevertheless, you should check your country’s/state’s laws on mobility scooters.

04. How far can a mobility scooter go?

It depends on the model and class of the scooter and its battery. On a fully charged battery, it can go anywhere between 6 to 10 miles. Some modern and high-tech scooters can go more than 20 miles per go.

05. How heavy is a mobility scooter?

As we’ve already known, there are 3-wheel or 4-wheel mobility scooters. It’s only natural that the 4-wheelers should be heavier than the 3-wheelers.

There are heavy-duty mobility scooters that weigh even more than the 4 wheeled ones. There are Ultra-lightweight folding mobility scooters as well which weigh from about 40 to 50 pounds only.

Depending on the type, a mobility scooter can weigh from 40 to 400 lbs.

06. Can a mobility scooter fit in a car?

Yes, the foldable ones. There are lightweight and portable mobility scooters that you can carry in your car. You can disassemble the parts of the folding mobility scooters to fit them in your car. Not all mobility scooters will give you this facility.

07. Do mobility scooters fold automatically?

Yes, there are some automatic folding mobility scooters that open and fold automatically. They are called “folding.”

08. What are the benefits of mobility scooters?

There are several benefits. Some of them are-

• Prevention of mobility issues for disabled or weak/elderly people.
• They give you the comfort of doing the necessary chores without having to move. Some items come with very comfy seats as well.
• These are easy to operate and any one of 14 or over can use them without needing a driving license.
• Some are allowed on roads as well; which makes transportation easy.
• Traveling for elderly people becomes easier.
• Low buying and maintenance costs.
• Some mobility scooters have carrier baskets for extra space to put things.

Final Words

I hope I’ve been able to give you all the details you needed about the best mobility scooters. Modern science has given us numerous high-facility devices. Mobility scooters are one of them. Not only do they solve the mobility issues of older people but they also facilitate the commuting of anyone over 14.

Our research scoops out the best of the best items from the market. All items have their good and bad sides. We presented everything about them so that you can make a good purchase. If you still got any queries, leave us a comment in the comment section.

In today’s world, exploring the world outside your home, experiencing the obstacles, and making adventures can be done sitting in the comfort of your mobility scooter. This device gives freedom of movement to people who have difficulties moving from one place to another. With this new definition of freedom, conquering the same things as others have become more effortless. We hope you get the best experience using the best scooter for senior citizens.

Read here How To Fix A Mobility Scooter