There are many mobility scooters on the market, how to buy the right one for you. Here we introduce Mobility Scooters: A Buyer’s Guide.
When purchasing a mobility scooter for oneself or a loved one, there are many features to consider other than price such as maximum speed or battery charger time. Based on the type of mobility scooter from indoor to outdoor to travel, the scooters will vary in ability to cater to the scooter’s essential function.
Generally, scooter prices can range from $800 to $1500 wherein the average price normally lies around $1200. Thus, this article will explain the specific features of a scooter and how to identify what type of scooter is right for you.
Maximum Speed
The fastest speed a scooter can ride is around 4 mph to 5.5 mph. This can be important for consumers who are utilizing mobility scooters for travel.
Max Operating Range
This refers to the distance a scooter can travel in one charge cycle- normally varying from 8 to 15 miles. This is important for users who frequently will be using the scooter on a daily basis and don’t want to charge it often.
Weight Capacity
This is how much weight the scooter can handle based on the manufacturing parts. The average scooter will hold up to 300-500 lbs.
Assembled Weight
By knowing the assembled weight of the scooter, this allows for easy transportability and disassembly for people who need it on the go. The average scooter will range from 50-200 lbs.
Turning Radius
This is the smallest circular turn that the scooter can make and can allow for easy maneuverability and steering capability. It can also be defined as the minimal space needed to execute a 180° “U turn”. For reference, the lowest “zero turn” that clears this is a 38” turning radius.
Ground Clearance
This refers to the space between the base of the tire and undercarriage. A lower clearance will allow for more stability, but a higher clearance prevents damage to the bottom of the scooter from the outdoor environment. The average ground clearance will range from 1.30” to 4.00”.
Climbing Angle
This is the largest angle recommended for scooters to safely climb surfaces and will primarily be used for ramps and outdoor surfaces. The climbing angle can go up to a maximum of 8 degrees and will generally be somewhere in this range of 6-8 degrees.
Battery Charge Time
When utilizing the scooter on a daily basis, it is important to know the charge time so that people can plan accordingly. The average mobility scooter will take at least 8 hours to make a full charge, so most people will charge overnight.
General Thoughts
Overall, all of these features are extremely important to look at when buying a new mobility scooter. If you are more of an outdoor person, it would be best to invest in scooters with high ground clearance, good turning radius and a large climbing angle.
In more casual environments, it would be profitable to buy a mobility scooter with a low assembled weight and high maximum speed and large maximum operating difference. By comparing all these features, only then can you make the best choice for your mobility scooter at a cheap and reasonable price.
