As we get older, we often find ourselves getting less and less mobile, and finding it more difficult to get around. It can be particularly jarring to watch a formerly active parent or grandparent struggling to keep up with daily activities and social outings. For seniors who are finding it harder to get around, a mobility scooter might just be the ideal solution. Buying motorized scooters for seniors represents a fairly large purchase, and there is a lot of choice on the market. The Senior List® will never publish content that is influenced by an advertiser. In order to support our site, we may receive a fee from some links you see on pages like this one. To learn more about our consumer-promise, click. Mobility Scooter Retailers There are many scooters on the market today. Please note that each retailer offers several models and the ranges stated cover the main models on each site. The complement of features varies from model to model. Scooter weight: Starting at just 100 for some of the travel models, ranging to 300lbs for some of the heavy duty ones. User weight: Starting at 250lbs for the foldable models, up to 500lbs for some of the three and four wheelers. Travel distance: From 5. About: Walgreens offers a small but surprisingly varied range of mobility scooters, including three or four wheel, and foldable models. Scooter weight: Starting at just 59lbs for their foldable model, ranging to 94 lbs for some of the heavy duty ones. User weight: Starting at 200lbs for the foldable model, up to 275lbs for some of the three and four wheelers. Travel distance: From 6 — 10 miles per charge. About: As you can imagine, Amazon offers a huge range of mobility scooters! Our initial search found many 3 and 4 wheeler models, and some highway worthy models, plus travel scooters. Amazon offers 100 plus listings — the specs below are from some of the top searches. Scooter weight: Starting at just 82lbs for some of the travel models, ranging to over 200lbs for some of the heavy duty ones. User weight: From 200lbs — 400lbs. Speed: Most of the models we found were around the 4 — 5 mph mark. Travel distance: From 6. As well as mid-price models they also offer very high-spec and heavy duty scooters, suitable for use on many types of terrain. Scooter weight: Starting at just 62lbs for their foldable model, ranging to 233 lbs for some of the heavy duty ones. User weight: Starting at 250lbs for the foldable model, up to 500lbs for some of the three and four wheelers. Travel distance: From 5. Advertisement Related: Medicalsupplydepot About: Medical Supply Depot offers the full range of scooters, including indoor, outdoor, travel, and both 3 and 4 wheel models. Scooter weight: Starting at just 70lbs for some of the travel models, ranging to over 300lbs for some of the heavy duty ones. User weight: Starting at 250lbs for the foldable models, up to 500lbs for some of the three and four wheelers. Travel distance: From 8 — 35 miles per charge, depending on model. In-Depth: What are Mobility Scooters? Mobility scooters are small motorized vehicles. They can be front or rear wheel drive. The user sits on them in a similar seated position to sitting in any chair, and steers them by way of handlebars much like a bicycle. Scooters run on integrated batteries and need regular charging. Each model differs slightly, but in general you can expect around 6 to 8 miles of use from each charge for a standard model, though some heavy duty models go as far as 30 miles per charge. Models suitable for road use run at up to 8 mph, while indoors and sidewalk suitable models max out around 4 mph. Related: What is the Purpose of a Mobility Scooter? A motorized scooter for seniors is a mobility aid designed to make it much easier to get around. Some seniors use their mobility scooter in place of walking, taking public transit, or relying on a lift from another person, to get around their local area with minimal trouble. Others use their scooter to get around the home if walking is difficult. What Features are Important in a Mobility Scooter? Some mobility scooters are only suitable for indoor use, while others can only be driven on sidewalks, and still others can be driven on roads. If your loved one needs a scooter that can be folded up for taking on public transit or in a car, make sure the model you pick is designed to do so. Three wheeled models have a much smaller turning radius, but are only suitable for use at home. The three most important safety features to look for are non-tip wheels, an easy to use brake, and an easy to use single hand controller. Some models also offer non-leak batteries for extra reassurance. Some batteries allow 6 to 8 miles of use, while others go as far as 30 miles — be sure to pick one that suits the typical distance the scooter will be traveling. If this a particular concern, look for one with an adjustable backrest, movable arms, and an extra padded seat. Related: What are the Different Types of Mobility Scooters? Their outdoor use is limited, however, so think carefully before choosing one. Having four wheels gives them extra stability. Some three and four wheel models also come with a canopy to protect the user from the elements. Advertisement What Does Mobility Scooter Class Mean? A class 2 scooter user is considered a pedestrian and may travel anywhere a pedestrian would walk — which rules out roads and highways! They can travel at up to 8 mph. Always be clear on whether the scooter will need to be used on roads or highways, and if so, make sure to purchase a class 3 scooter. Why Would Someone Need or Consider a Mobility Scooter? For many seniors, loss of mobility is a distressing part of getting older. When it becomes hard to walk around the home, or to get to church, the library, the shops or for meetups with friends, a mobility scooter can be a wonderful piece of equipment. Using a mobility scooter gives many seniors their independence back, which is good for their confidence, and helps them keep up with their social life and stay active. How to Choose a Mobility Scooter The most important thing when it comes to choosing a mobility scooter is to be very clear about when, where and how the senior will use it. This will dictate which model you need, and whether it should be class 2 or class 3. With so many mobility scooters on the market, you are sure to find one to suit your needs and budget. We recommend getting clear on what specs you need and making a list before you start shopping, to be sure the scooter you choose is the ideal one for your loved one. It is extremely important to encourage people to purchase their mobility equipment from a local dealer that sells reliable product. The problem here is that people are obtaining equipment that they really do need, but then when it needs service or repair, the company that provided it for them is either out of business, or they are only an online retailer that does not provide service or repair. This is problematic, especially if the parts are in another country and difficult to obtain. We provide actual sales, service, delivery, and installation for all of the products that we sell. It is the only way to truly provide a lifetime of good customer service to those that need and depend on mobility equipment. I appreciate your content and I will be creating a link to your very informative blog on my website also. My mother is getting older and mobility scooter could really help her get around better. I think you made a great point about what features are the most important for a scooter. I especially liked that you mentioned the safety features of the scooter and make sure it has non-tip wheels, easy brakes, and a single hand controller to help seniors use their scooter. We will have to keep this in mind as we search out scooters. Copyright © 2018 The Senior List, LLC. The Senior List® should be used for information and entertainment purposes only. The Senior List and their writers, business partners and associates do not provide financial, legal or health related advice as a substitute for professional consultation. By using The Senior List. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.