The best mobility scooters vary in cost, with entry-level models costing as little as a few hundred dollars, while the top brands will set you back considerably more as these power scooters are loaded with extra features, have premium build quality and longer warranties. Even though the best Medicare Part D plans (opens in new tab) don’t cover mobility scooters, you might be able to get some help via Part B. Alternatively, check with your health insurance company (opens in new tab) to see what they will and won’t cover. A good quality power scooter should be easy to handle, taking on inclines with ease, and making it simpler for you to get from A to B. It’s the same with the best electric wheelchairs (opens in new tab). In our round-up of this year’s best mobility scooters, we’ve focused on features such as drive range (mileage per battery charge), ground clearance, comfort, portability, and safety features. Below you’ll find our recommended best mobility scooters from brands such as EV Rider, Drive Medical and Golden Technologies. Each power scooter has plenty to offer, but remember the right power scooter for you is the one that caters to your mobility requirements, so if you don’t need any of the extras, then you should be able to find a great motorized personal vehicle at an affordable price.
7 best mobility scooters
1. EV Rider Xpress: Best mobility scooter overall
With 5-star user reviews across a range of websites, the lightweight and durable EV RiderXpress Mobility Scooter has a lot to offer. EV Rider is one of the best mobility scooter brands in the world, and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a motorized power scooter can do, without charging the earth, shines here. The EV Rider Xpress is designed to be rugged and durable, and is therefore fitted with tough alloy wheels to tackle a variety of different terrain. While it doesn’t have the highest weight capacity of power scooters in our guide, it does support a maximum weight (your body weight, plus bags or groceries) of up to 300lbs, which is above average. The EV Rider Xpress Mobility Scooter has a maximum speed of 5mph and a driving range of 12.5 miles per battery charge. EV Rider has also designed it with four anti-tip wheels to boost your confidence that it will remain stable while you’re using it. If you’re planning on using the EV Rider Xpress in busy indoor spaces too, the 36.8-inch turning radius will come in handy, enabling you to pivot more easily in tight spaces. With an impressive maximum incline of 12 degrees, hills and ramps should pose little issue either, while the full suspension system, complete with an articulated front end and a mono-shock absorber in the rear, should boost your comfort further. Unlike many mobility scooters that use pressurized air in the wheels, the low profile tires on the EV Rider Xpress are solid, so they won’t go flat. When you’re finished using it, the scooter can be disassembled into five pieces – no tools required – for transportation.
Read our guide to the EV Rider Xpress 4 Wheel Scooter (opens in new tab)
2. Drive Medical Phoenix HD 4: Best mobility scooter for elderly users
The Drive Medical Phoenix HD 4 is widely considered to be one of the best mobility scooters for people searching for something that’s travel friendly, yet can support a higher maximum weight. Here it’s 350lbs, which is very impressive for a travel power scooter. The Phoenix 4HD is also designed with anti-tip wheels to ensure it remains stable during use. The top speed is 4mph, and the maximum cruising range is 15-miles, making it a good candidate for sightseeing adventures. If you’re planning a road trip and want a high-quality travel power scooter that easily fits in your car, the Phoenix HD 4 is a good choice here too as it breaks down into four parts. Drive Medical has fitted the Phoenix HD 4 with an ergonomic finger-pull throttle to hopefully make it easier to operate by people who experience limited strength in their hands. The height adjustable swivel seat (which can be locked into various positions) aims to reduce stress on your legs and knees. That swivel seat is deeply padded too, further striving to boost your comfort. Finally, the Drive Medical Phoenix HD 4 mobility scooter is fitted with a headlight to enable you to see better when out in dimly lit conditions or after dark. That works both ways, as it enables people to see you too. And if you ever fancy changing the look of this power scooter, do so with the included interchangeable red and blue color panels.
Read our guide to the Drive Medical Phoenix HD 4-Wheel Scooter (opens in new tab)
3. EV Rider Transport AF+: Best power scooter that folds
Unbelievably lightweight, the 44lb EV Rider Transport AF+ foldable travel scooter is airline-approved, and can also be taken on trains and cruise ships. That’s because, in addition to its lighter weight, the Transport AF+ has a folding mechanism that requires little input from you. To fold or unfold it, push a button and the mobility scooter handles the rest. Not only is the EV Rider Transport AF+ Automatic Folding Scooter compact, it’s designed with a tight turning radius to make it easier to maneuver in narrow spaces, taking any anxiety out of the situation. EV Rider has bundled the scooter with a handheld remote for the folding/unfolding function, and has designed the entire scooter with compact storage in mind. That makes it a worthwhile choice for smaller cars (and homes) too. An Actuator Lock ensures the scooter doesn’t fold up while you’re using it. The new dual front wheel design should provide more stability than the previous three-wheel model. There’s also an upgraded 11.5Ah lithium battery, powering a driving range of up to 10 miles per full battery charge. The EV Rider Transport AF+ Automatic Folding Scooter is also height-adjustable, features dual hand two-way throttle control for easier driving, and is fitted with an LED headlight to help you to see more of what’s in front of you and around you.
Read our guide to the EV Rider Transport AF+ Scooter (opens in new tab)
4. Pride Mobility ZT10: Best mobility scooter covered by Medicare
Reimagining and redesigning the mobility scooter led Pride Mobility to create its most rugged power scooter yet. The Pride Mobility ZT10 has a maximum weight capacity of 400lbs (to include your body weight and the weight of any bags or groceries), which is the highest of any vehicle in our best mobility scooters guide. It also has a top speed of 7mp, and a maximum driving range of 18-24 miles. The Pride Zero Turn 10’s powerful dual motors and two-wheel drive are designed to offer better traction on more challenging terrain, so it’s no surprise to reader user reviews that mention how it glides over smooth surfaces. Pride Mobility has also made the ZT10 with a view to indoor use too, shaping it so that it can more easily fit through hallways, doors, and into some types of elevators. The biggest selling point with the Pride Mobility ZT10 is its use of iTurn technology, which essentially enables the mobility scooter to pivot quickly and turn easily in tighter spaces. There’s even a built-in USB port so that you can charge your phone or other compatible device while you’re on the go.
Read our guide to the EV Rider Transport AF+ Scooter (opens in new tab)
5. Pride Travel Pro Premium: Best cheap mobility scooter
If you’re looking for one of the best mobility scooters that’s affordable yet doesn’t skimp on quality, take a look at the Pride Travel Pro Premium 3-Wheel Motorized Scooter. It’s one of the cheapest power scooters in our guide, yet has generally favorable user reviews across various major retailer websites. The Pride Travel Pro Premium is designed with portability in mind, and as such can be disassembled into five pieces for easier storage in your trunk. With the heaviest piece weighing 27.5lbs, it will hopefully be light enough for most users to lift. Three-wheel scooters, like this one, are usually more maneuverable compared to four-wheel mobility scooters, with the exception of high-tech models like the Pride Mobility ZT10. The Pride Travel Pro Premium has basic forward and reverse controls, which existing users praise for ease of use. We have spotted a couple of user reviews complaining about the battery life over time, and how the scooter tipped over for a couple of users, which is worth keeping in mind. On the whole, the Pride Travel Pro Premium won people over with its cheaper price and added creature comforts, including a padded height adjustable seat, and a free cup holder and saddlebag for holding essentials.
Read our guide to the Pride Travel Pro Premium 3-Wheel (opens in new tab)
6. Buzzaround EX: Best mobility scooter 4-wheel
Golden Technologies makes some of the best mobility scooters on the market, and the Buzzaround EX has attracted rave reviews from existing users. With a generous 18-mile drive range and an impressive turning radius of 56-inch, the Golden Technologies Buzzaround EX provides the perfect mix of reliability and agility. There’s plenty of legroom, and an above average maximum user weight capacity of 350lbs. The Buzzaround EX also utilizes Comfort Spring front and rear suspension, there to ensure a smoother ride over various terrain, and sports a four-inch ground clearance, which is one of the highest of all scooters in this guide. Safety features include a bright LED headlight and taillight. The Buzzaround EX is powered by two rechargeable U-1 batteries. These can be fully charged in under 12 hours, which isn’t speedy, so look elsewhere if you want a mobility scooter with a shorter charging time. Oh, and much like the Drive Medical Phoenix HD 4 scooter, this one comes with red and blue interchangeable color ‘shrouds’, so you can customize the scooter to suit your color preference.
7. Drive Medical ZooMe: Best mobility scooter for travel
If you hate having to disassemble and reassemble your scooter every time you travel, you’re going to love the ease and convenience of the Drive Medical ZooMe. Much like the EV Rider Transport AF+, the ZooMe folds and unfolds at the push of a button. Whether you want to journey around town or take a cross-country trip on a plane or using public transport, the Drive Medical ZooMe Flex Folding Travel Scooter will travel well. It comes with an airline safe lithium battery, is lightweight, and folds up to the size of a suitcase, making it extremely compact and portable. The padded seat and armrests are designed to offer enhanced support and comfort, and the adjustable delta tiller should be easier to operate if you experience limited hand strength or joint pain. The maximum driving range is 13 miles per full battery charge, with the travel scooter reaching up to 4mph. Drive Medical has fitted the ZooMe Flex Folding Travel Scooter with anti-tip wheels for better stability, with flat-free tires removing any worries about developing a puncture.
Today’s cheapest prices on the best mobility scooters
How to choose the best mobility scooter for you
In order to properly research the best mobility scooters for a range of budgets and mobility requirements, we evaluated each product’s design, features and spec, and where possible we used the owner’s manual to give us greater insight. More importantly, we analyzed existing user reviews, especially from people who have been using each scooter for some time now. We find that verified user reviews are the best indication of a product’s pitfalls and benefits, but they must be taken into consideration along with many other factors. Let’s now take a look at some of the top considerations you could make to help you find your ideal mobility scooter… Weight capacity The weight capacities of the scooters we reviewed range between 250-400lbs. These weight capacities include any baggage you take with you, such as groceries. So, even if your weight is far below the maximum limit for the scooter, you need to consider what else you’re taking with you. Exceeding the weight limit can cause the scooter to become unbalanced while turning and can dramatically reduce the range and speed. Speed The fastest scooter we included maxes out at 7 miles per hour. This is good because if the scooters went any faster, they’d risk throwing you off or tipping over while turning. While most scooters max out between 4-7 miles per hour, the slowest scooters max out at about 3 miles per hour. Operating range Each scooter’s operating range varies widely. Some of the scooters maintain speed and battery for less than 10 miles. After that, you must recharge the battery, which generally takes between six and 12 hours. This information is particularly important if you plan to use your scooter for extended periods, such as for a day at the amusement park. The operating ranges of the scooters we evaluated are between 6.3 and 24 miles, with most averaging between 10-15 miles. If you plan on only using your scooter for short trips or inside, you can choose one with a smaller operating range. Otherwise, you should look for a model that operates for at least 10 miles. Maneuverability A mobility scooter’s advertised maneuverability is generally based on a rider of average weight and height. It is important to note that maneuverability is also affected by your body weight. When used by heavier riders, power scooters don’t perform as well and can’t maneuver as well as the specifications might suggest. Ground clearance The scooters we evaluated sit low to the ground, with ground clearances between one and four inches. Since they sit low to the ground, they are more stable than their taller counterparts; however, low-clearance scooters incur more damage when driven on uneven terrain, so they are best used indoors and on flat or paved surfaces. Turning radius No matter where you use your scooter, you need one with a small enough turning radius to get you around tight corners. The scooters we reviewed have turning radiuses between 31 and 56 inches. Not surprisingly, scooters with only three wheels are generally more maneuverable and turn tighter. That said, three-wheel scooters have a higher risk of tipping over. Maximum incline The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires commercial ramps to have a 1:12 ratio slope or five-degree incline, and residential ramps require a 2:12 slope or 9.5-degree incline. All the scooters we reviewed can climb an incline of six degrees, and two of the scooters can climb inclines anywhere from eight to 12 degrees.
Will insurance pay for my scooter?
The best mobility scooters cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000, but it’s possible that medical coverage will pay for part or all of the scooter. For example, Medicare Part B plans cover power-operated scooters, walkers, and wheelchairs under the Durable Medical Equipment clause. In order to qualify for coverage, you’ll need to have a written order from your doctor stating that you have a medical condition that:
Makes it difficult to move around your home.Makes you unable to perform daily activities like bathing, dressing, getting out of bed or chairs, using the restroom, even with the use of a cane.Doesn’t affect your ability to get on and off the power scooter, or operate the powered scooter safely. And if you need assistance, your doctor needs to ensure someone is available to assist at all times, like a caretaker or family member.
In addition, your doctor and the mobility scooter supplier need to be enrolled with Medicare, and the scooter needs to be approved for use in your home. If you meet these criteria, your Medicare Part B plan pays for 80%of the cost, but only after you’ve met your deductible for the year. That said, this is applied to the approved amount. So if your Medicare plan only approves you for a scooter at a $1,000 price point, it’ll pay for $800, but it won’t pay for $2,000 of a $2,500 power scooter. If you don’t have Medicare, the coverage of power scooters varies by the insurance plan and provider, but the principles are likely to be the same – you have to prove you have a medical need for the mobility scooter, and you need to meet your deductible before your provider pays anything. Before you purchase a power scooter, it’s worth checking with your insurance provider to see whether your plan could cover any of the cost. Depending on your mobility needs, you may also be interested in our guides to the best fall detection (opens in new tab), the best stairlifts (opens in new tab) and the best walk-in tubs (opens in new tab).
