Portable scooters, also known as mobility scooters, are becoming very trendy these days, especially among seniors. It’s quite expectable since these mini vehicles help seniors reach their destinations faster without going through the stress of walking or driving.

With portable scooters to the rescue, seniors no longer have to feel bad that they’re not as independent as they used to be. They can ride on portable scooters to the grocery, park, or other fun places. In addition, portable scooters are very easy to assemble, dismantle, and fold into travel packs when necessary. And you don’t need to watch YouTube videos to figure out how to use them.

Portable Scooters for the Elderly: What to Look For When Buying

Finding the ideal power scooter might be difficult considering the number of products on the market. However, there are certain factors will guide you in making the right choices. These factors are yardsticks that you have to pass each machine through to help you narrow down your options.

Wheels

The major reason why you are getting a scooter in the first place is to aid movement. Movement indoors requires the device to be able to make sharp turns and pass through tiny spaces. If you plan to use the scooter outdoors, then it should have some rugged wheels.

Operating range

Traveling a long distance requires a different kind of device from one that will be used for just indoor and around the house movement. If you are one who likes to travel long distances then you need a device that can go that far on a single charge. One with a low operating range will suffice for indoor or around the house movement.

Maximum speed

High-speed scooters are not too common in stores but they are available. If you are sure that your hands are steady as well as your steering skills, you may as well go for a scooter of about 20 miles/hour. Other than this, the better option is something slower, maybe in the range of 5 or 10 miles/hour.

Battery life

A very important tip is to purchase a device that has the kind of battery you need from the onset. A few people replace batteries after using the scooter for a while, but it is not advisable. Pay attention to the battery life because if it is dead, then you’ve got no movement.

Warranty

There are manufacturers that back their products to last, those are the products you should be going after. They will cover costs such as wear and tear, malfunctions, cushion damage, battery malfunctions, etc.

Portability

You should worry about this if you need to move your scooter in and out of your car often. For a person using the scooter indoors, you just want a scooter that will fit into storage somewhere in the house.

Pricing and additional costs

The prices of these scooters vary across manufacturers and capacity. For some scooters, you might need to pay for accessories like headlamps, crutch holders, etc. Most people bear part of the cost and let their insurance company handle the rest. If you don’t have that kind of luxury, you may need to consider a cheaper option void of some accessories.

Best Portable Scooters for Seniors: Our Top 7 Picks (see feature products below)

Now, the market abounds with portable scooters of various types and by different brands. And making the right choice can be quite challenging. But to make things easier, we decided to put the best options together in this review post. Read on to learn more.

1. Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 4 Wheel Travel Power Scooter

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GPGKN4G” locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 4 Wheel Travel Scooter[/easyazon_link] is perfect for a person on a budget as it offers you value for money, to the last dime. It has the ability to maneuver corners with astute flexibility, it is compact and lightweight. It is very affordable and charges very quickly. Best recommended for outdoor trips.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00GPGKN4G” locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/51MEPa3nOML.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”430″]

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Specifications

• Weight: 94lbs
• Max speed: 4.25 mph
• Weight capacity: 300 lbs
• Comes apart?: Yes
• Max range: 9 miles (12Ah), 15 miles (20Ah)
• Turning radius: 53.75″
• Max climbing angle: 6 deg
• Extras: Adjustable tiller, adjustable armrests, adjustable seat, ergonomic throttle
• Warranty: lifetimes (frame), 6 months (battery), 14 months (electronics)

Pros

1. You can purchase this beauty for about $700 and it is worth every dime paid. None of the functionalities were sacrificed which makes it a very good buy.
2. Unlike most portable scooter brands, you don’t need to install a dedicated chair lift to move it into your car. It is easily disassembled to be put in your car trunk.
3. It possesses a compact 4-wheel design. With this, you have the ability to navigate every kind of corner without batting an eyelid.
4. The Spitfire 4 Power Scooter comes with a travel basket installed. It also allows for customization so you can have interchangeable colored plates, cup holders, and crutch holders.

Cons

1. Not many features.
2. Poor turning radius.

2. Glion Dolly Foldable Lightweight Adult Electric Scooter

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B018KTMOPG” locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Glion Dolly Foldable Lightweight Scooter[/easyazon_link] is about the best portable scooter you can get if you have portability in mind. It is very easy to fold and put away. It also comes with a trolley handle which helps you to wheel it off like a suitcase. It can also stand vertically, different from other devices of the same class.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”434″ identifier=”B018KTMOPG” locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/41RO035y4WL.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”500″]

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Specifications

• Manufacturer: Glion Dolly
• Shipping Weight: 38.2 pounds
• Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required.
• Product dimensions: 37.4 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches; 27.3 pounds

Pros

1. Folds fast. It is about the fastest folding scooter I have seen. With just two pulls on the handlebars, a flick of the release lever, and a simple stomp on the silver pedal, you can put it away. Unfolding it is as simple as a click on the handlebar.
2. Stands vertically. You don’t need to hold it when it stands, it is strong enough to withstand the wind.
3. Rear electric brake. Reduces the risk of skidding off track, it helps to bring the device to a halt in the safest possible manner.
4. Bright headlight. You can’t be scared of riding at night because of the bright headlights. It also has a tail reflector built-in so cars from behind can see you clearly.
5. Big fenders. Riding in the rain shouldn’t be a problem, the fenders are big enough to prevent you from getting wet.

Cons

1. It weighs about 28 pounds making it quite bulky to pull around.
2. Short range. It can’t go too far, maybe about 7 miles before it loses speed and stops abruptly.
3. Poor climbing ability. Don’t bring it along on a climbing trip, the 250-watt motor could mess you up.

3. Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 3 Wheel Travel Power Scooter

Very similar to its 4-wheel brother, the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GPGKMJC” locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Drive Medical Scout Spitfire 3 Wheel Travel Power Scooter[/easyazon_link] is a very comfortable portable scooter. However, both devices have a few differences. One of the major differences between both scooters from Drive Medical is that the Spitfire 3 has a 3-wheel power design and the Spitfire 4 has a 4-wheel power design. The former also has a turning radius of 45.5 inches.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”333″ identifier=”B00GPGKMJC” locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/31qy4RXBvL.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”500″]

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Specifications

• Manufacturer: Drive Medical
• Shipping Weight: 125 pounds
• Batteries: 18888888 CR2 batteries required.
• Product dimensions: 42.5 x 20.5 x 36 inches; 85 pounds

Pros

1. Cost effective. It is worth every dime spent, giving you value for money.
2. It can be folded easily and fits in perfectly into your car trunk.
3. It comes with a cushioned seat which can be adjusted as well.

Cons

1. Not as portable as the Spitfire 4.
2. Weighs more than its successor.

4. Hikole Scooter

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B07F9PGDW1″ locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Hikole Scooter[/easyazon_link] is one of the easiest scooters to fold up. It can be packed together in a record 3 seconds, maybe because unlike other scooters, it comes with 2 wheels. It is able to support a lot of weight and the wheels are built to make a bumpy ride smooth.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B07F9PGDW1″ locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/41qLdVzOrRL.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”500″]

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Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hikole
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 pounds
• Batteries: no batteries required.
• Product dimensions: 33.5 x 11.8 x 4.3 inches; 8.82 pounds

Pros

1. Supports a lot of weight.
2. Can maneuver very easily.
3. Easy to fold up.
4. Worth every dime.

Cons

1. Not as durable as other scooters on this list.
2. Does not come with a strong warranty.
3. Not so easy to ride, it comes with just 2 wheels.

5. Travel Pro Premium 3-Wheel Mobility Scooter

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B079SMBL4W” locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Travel Pro Premium 3 Wheel Scooter[/easyazon_link] is one of the best options for seniors who love to move around. It can maneuver through door frames, hallways, and tight spaces. The turning radius is superb and it has a smooth 3-wheel power design. This scooter seems to be an all-rounder since it also possesses portable properties.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B079SMBL4W” locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/51UWXRuY9iL.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”500″]

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Specifications

• Manufacturer: Pride
• Shipping Weight: 126 pounds
• Product dimensions: 37 x 19.5 x 21 inches

Pros

1. Battery life. The battery of this scooter lasts very long and charges fast too. So you are not scared of running out of battery life on your way to the grocery store.
2. Great wheels. The wheels are puncture and flat free. They also have forward and reverse controls.
3. It comes with a faux-leather seat and easily adjustable padded armrests. You can even flip the armrests when you want to get in.
4. No noise. Compared to most devices in its class, this device by Pride does not make noise. The noise can be frustrating most times.

Cons

1. The device cannot hold up much weight, maximum weight is 180 pounds.

6. Shoprider Echo 3-wheel Mobility Scooter

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00375A8SE” locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Shoprider Echo 3-Wheel Mobility Scooter[/easyazon_link] is built for moving through tiny spaces with top-notch stability. It possesses several features which make it stand out from the others. Most prominent is the quick connect battery pack, which is peculiar to the product. This feature allows for quick and easy charging.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”451″ identifier=”B00375A8SE” locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/41ieshUAfL.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”500″]

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Specifications

• Manufacturer: Shoprider
• Shipping Weight: 96 pounds
• Batteries: 2 Nonstandard Battery batteries required. (Included)
• Product dimensions: 37 x 20 x 36 inches; 96 pounds

Pros

1. Ease of movement. Moving around has never been so easy, especially considering the tight spaces you have to maneuver indoors.
2. The tires are puncture proof so you are not worried about changing your tires because of the prick of a sharp object.
3. It comes with a special feature known as quick connect battery pack. This is peculiar to this product and helps for quick charging.
4. It comes with several accessories like travel basket, padded armrests, and adjustable seat height.

Cons

1. Poor customer care.
2. Cannot be customized.

7. Shoprider SL-73 Scooter

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00375J1JQ” locale=”US” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″]Shoprider SL-73[/easyazon_link] bears a lot of similarities to the Shoprider Echo 3, perhaps the only difference being the weight. This model weighs far less than its predecessor.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B00375J1JQ” locale=”US” src=”https://bestchoicesforseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/519B4woFHmL.jpg” tag=”choicesforseniors-20″ width=”419″]

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Specifications

• Manufacturer: Shoprider
• Shipping Weight: 96 pounds
• Batteries: 2 Nonstandard Battery batteries required. (Included)
• Product dimensions: 37 x 20 x 36 inches; 70 pounds

Pros

1. Great battery life.
2. Ease of use.
3. Flat-proof tires.

Cons

1. It cannot support much weight.
2. Cannot easily be customized.

Wrap Up

Portable scooters are worthwhile investments for seniors which help them move around easily. So far you must have learned the factors to look out for in choosing a mobility scooter and the advantages they bear. This beautiful tech will make life easy for you, either when going on a road trip or moving around your neighborhood.