How to Select a Mobility Scooter

Knowledge is power, and also the key to making the right decision about which scooter is right for your lifestyle. Scooters offer some unique benefits different from a manual or power wheelchair, in terms of price, ideal areas of use, portability, and maneuverability. As you choose a Scooter to fit your individual needs, The Medical Supply Depot wants to arm you with all of the information you will require to make an educated choice.

Before you read on, ask yourself the following key questions:

  • Am I able to walk unaided in some way, either alone, or with a walker, cane or crutches?
  • Will I be able to transfer in and out of the chair without personal assistance?
  • Do I have sufficient hand and thumb strength to control a “tiller,” or a bicycle type handlebar?

If you have answered “yes” to all of these queries, then a scooter is something worth considering if you’re looking for these benefits:

  • An electric chair that is ideal for outdoor use-depending on the model, this can range from sidewalks and driveways to the rugged terrain of a farm.
  • A chair that is easier to transport - most scooters dissemble without tools, and travel scooters can often be taken apart and reassembled in under two minutes, and stored in the trunks of the most compact of cars.
  • Something more affordable than many power wheelchair models
  • A chair that is fairly light-when dissembled; the heaviest parts often weigh less than 25 pounds.

As with all of our products, The Medical Supply Depot offers a wide range of scooters, each designed to fit the personal needs of the consumer. Both travel and full size scooters come in the three and four wheel variety, and as always, we offer a heavy duty option for any who requires a larger weight or height capacity.

If you want a scooter that has the “bells and whistles” to challenge any power wheelchair, then you are looking for a full size wheelchair, either three wheel or four wheel.

Some benefits of the full size model:

  • Averages 20 - 25 mile battery life because of the larger battery size
  • Access to many more seating options, such as high backs which recline, wider seats, sliding seats, etc.
  • Speeds of up to 10 miles per hour
  • Can be a smoother ride, with limited or full suspension

In terms of wheel choice, the three wheel option is best if you need this scooter for indoor and outdoor use. While it has large tires for stability in an outdoor environment, it is still more easily maneuverable in a smaller space.

For outdoor use on a rugged terrain, choose the four wheel scooter, which has a long and wide wheelbase that is safest for sloping ground, gravel, and uneven terrain. This scooter is great for work and play outdoors, not a good choice for indoor use.

For those of you who travel, and seek ease of transport for you and your wheelchair, the three wheel travel scooter offer unparalleled benefits.

  • It dissembles into just four pieces, and will easily fit into the trunk of most vehicles
  • Light pieces to lift
  • Airline safe, with gel-filled batteries, will be checked as luggage

Some important things to remember about the three wheel travel scooter:

  • Travel scooters in general are designed for relatively smooth surfaces, with gentle slopes, like sidewalks and driveways
  • Travel scooters should not be taken into sandy areas, which can destroy the motor
  • These compact travel scooters do have a weight and height limit of up to 300 pounds and 5’ 10”, depending on the model

Like other scooters, if stability is one of your top concerns, then you might be most comfortable with a four wheel travel scooter, which provides the maximum steadiness possible for a travel model.

The Medical Supply Depot is here to provide you with all of the necessary data to make the most informed decision about what wheelchair or scooter fits your life best. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, and we will do our best to address all of your concerns.