If you have been looking to buy a mobility scooter and found yourself overwhelmed by the large variety of scooters available, you are not alone. The options seem endless and it becomes difficult to know where to begin, particularly when you're looking for your first one. This guide will help you choose which 4-wheel mobility scooter is best for you.

Is A Mobility Scooter What You Need?

In order to use a mobility scooter you need to be able to use both hands without any problems and have no motor skill limitations. Mobility scooters are most popular amongst people who are having difficulty driving a car. They are also useful for people recovering from surgery or an injury. Although they travel at low speeds they can replace a car and comfortably transport you along roads over short distances. Many people use them in conjunction with other transport types like take the train into the central business district or travel to the mall by car and then use the mobility scooter while at their destination.

What Should You Look For In a Mobility Scooter?

Before you even start shopping around you need to have a good think about what you need your mobility scooter for.

• Do you need it to move around your home or inside a mall?
• Do you need it to get you to the mall?
• Do you need to use it more like a car and travel longer distances?
• Do you want to use it on outdoor trails?
• What is the terrain like that you're going to be travelling on?
• Do you have a big body frame?

Your answers to these questions will help you decide on a mobility scooter that's the best fit for you. If you just need it to get around the house a small, standard scooter will suffice, if you're larger you will need a scooter with a big enough seat, and if the terrain you'll be traveling on is uneven, you'll need a scooter with a more robust frame.

What are the Different Types of Mobility Scooters?

Let's take a look at the different types of mobility scooters available. They all have different features and benefits and, now that you've considered what it is you want from your mobility scooter, you can find one with features that suit your needs.

Transportable Mobility Scooters

The most popular mobility scooters are the transportable mobility scooters. They're compact, lightweight, affordable, easy to operate, and transportable - of course. They're ideal for first time buyers and for people who are recovering from a setback and need something to get them around until they get their mobility back. They are modular and can be broken down into more manageable parts without any tools. You can just take them apart, pop them in the trunk of your car, and reassemble when you reach your destination.

Folding Travel Scooters

If you are someone who is active and likes to get around then the foldable travel scooter is a good choice. They're made for travel and don't need to be broken down into pieces in order to be transported, you simply fold them up. This makes them convenient for travelling and storing. They are also lightweight and easy to handle which is why most major airlines prefer folding travel scooters.

Full-Size Mobility Scooters

These scooters are more robust, have a longer battery range, and travel at higher speeds. Full-size mobility scooters, like transportable mobility scooters, break down into modular pieces in order to be transported more easily. The pieces do weigh a bit more though because it is heavy-duty scooter. They also have a higher weight capacity and a bunch of bells and whistles like storage compartments, top of the range suspension, and deluxe seating.

Bariatric Mobility Scooters

These mobility scooters are the heaviest duty scooters you can get. They can carry the most weight, have a battery range of about 40 miles, and are almost like a small car. Some bariatric mobility scooters are classified as recreational scooters because of the speeds they can reach and their rough terrain capabilities.

Two Person Mobility Scooters

New to the market are mobility scooters that can take two people. They are also considered to be bariatric because of the weight they are able to carry. They come in tandem and side-by-side configurations with enough power to allow two people to enjoy a smooth ride for a good distance. Many also have the ability to convert the second seat into a storage area for you to carry shopping, tools, or pets.

Accessories and Options

Once you've decided on which of these best 4-wheel mobility scooters is suited to your needs you can start looking at the different brands and what options or features they offer.

Almost all scooter models will have seat upgrade options so you can have a seat that's a little wider or sturdier. Battery options are another item that you may want to upgrade if, for example, you want to increase the mileage per charge of a smaller mobility scooter, or add more power to a bariatric mobility scooter. If you are planning to travel by air you should avoid lithium batteries as some airlines don't allow them on board. Then there are buckles, canopies, and seat styles that can be modified as well.

Most accessories for mobility scooters, like cup holders, cane or crutch holders, and oxygen tank holders are universal and will fit on any 4-wheel mobility scooter. Some models will already have these accessories built-in. Take a look at what the options are for the models you've shortlisted and see if your selection gets narrowed down.

Before You Buy

You should now have a good idea of what type of mobility scooter you need and can start shopping around. When shopping online make sure that the source offering the mobility scooter is either the manufacturer themselves or a company that deals directly with the manufacturer. This is important because you want to ensure you have direct access to the manufacturer should you need technical assistance or support and need to invoke the warrantee.

We hope that this 4-wheel mobile scooter buying guide helps you find the one most suited to you. Once you've bought your scooter you must please remember to try your scooter out first to familiarize yourself with the controls. And stay safe by putting your lights on, not overloading, and obeying the rules of the road. Whichever model you settle on, one thing you're guaranteed of is having the freedom to move around again. Enjoy!

About the author:

Trevor Fenner is the founder and owner of Mobility Paradise, a one-stop shop for mobility scooters, electric scooters, electric wheelchairs, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, lift chairs, saunas, steam showers, massage tables, exercise equipment, electric bikes, massage chairs, and bathtubs. Years ago, Trevor's grandma had an accident that made her dependent on a wheelchair; this forced Trevor and his family to put her into an elderly care facility. Since then, Trevor would visit her to take a walk around the neighborhood. Mobility Paradise was created because Trevor couldn't find an online store that offers a wide selection of mobility equipment and educational resources. What started as a business focusing on mobility scooters grew to include all kinds of mobility products. You can shop for the most reliable mobility products at Mobility Paradise.