Scooter Buyers' Guide
- Posted on
- By Tristan Mitzel (updated December 2023)
- Posted in Buyers Guide, Buzzaround, Folding Scooters, Golden, Mobility Scooters, Pride
- 2
This guide is intended to educate people interested in purchasing a mobility scooter. First, we will walk you through some of the features that are important to consider. We will give helpful tips and lay out what different categories of scooters can offer you. We finish with a list of our top picks for every type of scooter, with options for value and our Best-In-Class picks.
This guide is intended to educate people interested in purchasing a mobility scooter. First, we will walk you through some of the features that are important to consider. We will give helpful tips and lay out what different categories of scooters can offer you. We finish with a list of our top picks for every type of scooter, with options for value and our Best-In-Class picks. This guide was written in October 2022, and updated in December 2023, value decisions were made with current pricing considered.
Table of Contents
- Features to Consider
-- Recreational and Off-Road Scooters
Features to Consider
Suspension
Suspension systems, like Comfort-Trac from Pride and Comfort Spring Suspension from Golden, are some of the most popular features on Mobility Scooters today. Without a suspension system some users will find even small bumps uncomfortable. Suspension will especially make taking your scooter off-road smoother and more comfortable.
Turning Radius
It is important to consider how small of a turning radius you will need for your use of a mobility scooter. If you are going to need your scooter inside of cramped spaces like cruise ships and grocery stores, consider a 3-wheel scooter with a tighter turning radius. Some users find 3-wheel scooters unstable though and will need a 4 wheel scooter with a larger turning radius. For some users that know they'll need their Power Mobility Device in very cramped areas, a powerchair may be the best option.
iTurn Technology
The Jazzy Zero Turn series from Pride offer the stability of a 4-wheel scooter with the turning radius of a 3 wheel. iTurn is Pride’s patented zero-turn system, similar to a common technology in lawn mowers today. When making tight turns, the back wheel will begin to spin in opposite directions, resulting in turning radii as small as 37.25” for the travel-size version (ZT-8), and 43” for the full-size scooter (ZT-10).
Transportation
When looking to purchase a scooter, most folks are planning to use it for when they’re not at the house. That means transporting the scooter via car generally, and so it's important to plan how you want to do that before making a purchase decision. If you do not want to make the investment into a vehicle lift, we would recommend you consider only Travel scooters, Folding scooters, and a select few Full-size scooters that offer the ability to be easily disassembled. If you want to learn more about vehicle lifts, we have already made an article on the subject for your convenience.
Batteries
Batteries will be the primary point of failure and maintenance costs when owning a scooter, it is important to consider this when making your purchase decision. Most scooters use lead-acid batteries that are similar to the batteries used by cars. These batteries have an expected lifespan of 1 to 2 years, and you will likely want to replace them before they’re fully failing due to decreased capacity that happens over time. To maximize the lifespan and health of your batteries try to keep them as fully charged as possible when not using the scooter. We recommend finding a safe spot to store your scooter for charging every night or taking the battery box off of your scooter and chagrin them consistently in one spot inside the house.
Lithium-Ion batteries are slowly becoming more standard as the technology to produce the batteries becomes more economical. Li-Ion batteries have many advantages including being lighter, having larger capacities, and having significantly longer lifespans, typically 2+ years with good battery-care. Taking care of these batteries is slightly different from lead-acid batteries because they will benefit from being regularly discharged during use more. People whose Li-Ion batteries last many years typically regularly used their scooters and didn’t let their battery sit unused too long.
Types of Scooters
Travel Scooters
Travel scooters are designed to be easily transported without the help of additional assistance like a vehicle lift. Most of these scooters break apart into 4 easy-to-transport pieces, ideally weighing 30 pounds or less. The standard parts the scooter will separate into are: the battery shroud, the seat, the front half of the frame, and the rear motor assembly.
These scooters tend to max out with a 325-pound weight capacity and will tend to struggle with users that weigh more than 300 pounds. This type of scooter is intended for use on smooth or paved surfaces and with elevations that meet standard ADA requirements for ramps. They are generally able to traverse short grass and gravel paths. If you need a travel scooter for rough terrain, the Go-Go Sport is your best option in this category, but a heavier class of scooter might be best for you.
Highlights in this category include the Go-Go Endurance Li, with lithium-ion batteries standard, and the Go-Go Ultra X. The Endurance Li is especially lightweight for a travel scooter because its batteries add hardly any additional weight (about 6 lbs). We love the Go-Go Ultra X for the value it provides, and the ergonomic seat that is only available on this model. The mesh back that has been contoured to the shape of a spine make this scooter as comfortable as a modern office chair.
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| Breakdown of a Typical Travel Scooter |
Folding Scooters
Folding scooters are a subset of travel scooters. These scooters fold into a single lightweight unit. They're ideal for folks that don't want the hassle of breaking apart their scooter for transport.
Most folding scooters today use lithium-ion batteries because they are lighter weight and smaller than lead-acid batteries. Keep in mind if you are going to purchase a folding scooter with a Li-Ion battery for travel, many airlines and cruise lines have limits on the size of Li-Ion batteries that can be brought on-board. To ease this issue with the Buzzaround Carry On, Golden produces a travel battery that meets the guidelines of most airlines and cruises.
Full-Size Scooters
Full Size scooters tend to be significantly easier to transport than a heavy-duty scooter. They offer a set of features more in line with travel scooters than a heavy-duty scooter. For example, some full-size scooters break down in a similar way to travel scooters, so you may not need a vehicle lift for them. The Buzzaround-series of full-size scooters and the Revo 2.0 are both examples of this.
Full-size scooters have higher weight capacities, typically topping out at 400 pounds. Beefy motors and larger batteries offer longer ranges and higher top speeds than travel scooters. The average rated range of these scooters is over 15 miles, and the average top speed is above 5 MPH. Full size scooters also offer a better experience for users wanting to navigate rougher terrain than a travel scooter can handle.
Heavy-Duty Scooters
Heavy-duty scooters are more specialized than full-size scooters, with robust motors and larger seats. Typically, these scooters will be ordered with a seat that is 22”+ wide to accommodate larger users.
The two models we carry are the Drive Cobra GT4 and the Pride Maxima. The Cobra GT4 is extra special because it combines some features from all-terrain scooters, like robust suspension and a very high top speed of 10 MPH, at the cost of a large turning radius of 82”. The Maxima, beyond looking like a spaceship, also has the extra unique feature of an optional power-lifting seat. This adds an extra motor to the unit that will control the seat's height electronically. The Maxima is also the highest weight capacity PMD we offer, rated for up to 500 pounds.
Recreational and All-Terrain Scooters
These categories of scooters can be seen as the “fun” options. Recreational scooters are scooters that don’t meet the requirements to be categorized as medical equipment. Pride writes on their website, “This product is not a medical device and is not intended to assist, treat, diagnose, or alleviate any medical condition or disability.” The iRide 2 for example simply does not have a seat that would comfortably aid most disabled people. It also doesn't have functionality like electronic reverse, you have to back up with your own legs. These scooters do have unique features that make them fun and cool though. The iRide is super small and can be used by an able-bodied person who wants to keep a cool gadget in their trunk for when their feet might start to hurt after a lot of walking.
All-Terrain scooters are another niche category that don’t fit the definition of medical device. These are very similar to ATVs and golf carts. They are usually used for transportation over longer distances and have the ability to go through much more difficult terrain than a mobility scooter could. The Baja Wrangler 2 is the quintessential All-terrain scooter. It is absolutely massive and won’t fit on most standard vehicle lifts. But with a range of 29 miles on its own battery, how much further could you need to go with it? It is an excellent option for folks with lots of rural land that want to navigate around their property with ease.
Top Picks
Value
Travel Scooters: Pride Go-Go Ultra X and Go-Go Endurance Li
This category is going to be a toss-up between 2 scooters with slightly different feature sets.
Looking for an inexpensive and reliable mobility scooter? The Go-Go Ultra X just might be the one for you! This reasonably priced model comes with wide range of features, including a mesh seat that provides optimal ergonomics, great carrying capacity, and a reasonable range on battery life. It may require some assembly when transporting it, but overall it is an excellent choice for those who need help getting around without breaking the bank.
If you want a scooter with a slightly more premium feature set, we recommend the Go-Go Endurance Li. For a modest price increase this scooter brings the additional features of a scooter with Lithium-Ion batteries and Pride’s CTS suspension system. Lithium batteries make this scooter a great value by reducing the maintenance involved in battery-care and ensuring you won’t need to replace your batteries for 2+ years. I’ve met some customers that, with a little luck in the battery chemistry lottery, have managed to have Li-Ion batteries that have lasted 4+ years. Following our guide to Lithium-Ion battery care will maximize your batteries lifespan.
With 8-inch tires and Pride’s Comfort-Trac Suspension on the front and rear tires, you will find more varied and rougher terrain easier and more comfortable to navigate. I find this scooter is especially popular with our customers because of how easy it is to disassemble and transport. The lithium batteries make taking the battery box off of the scooter significantly easier because the batteries weigh only 8 LBS compared to 20+ LBS on scooters that use lead-acid batteries.
Folding: Golden Buzzaround Carry-On
We didn’t do a value-pick for this category because the Buzzaround Carry-On is our top pick for Value and Best-In-Class performance. Golden went above and beyond when creating this scooter by thinking of all the little details a folding scooter needs. This is the only folding scooter I’ve seen that has handles built into the frame in well thought out, convenient points to pick it up. My favorite memory with the scooter was when a veteran that had lost an arm on duty purchased this scooter because it was the only option that had a design he could easily pick up by himself.
This scooter is powerful with a higher-than-average for a folding scooter weight capacity of 300 lbs, making it the only option for some folks in the market for a folding scooter. It comes with an exceptionally large lithium-ion battery that will scoot you about for up to 18 miles. Be warned, this battery is too large for most airlines and cruises, and you will likely require the additional 6.5 Ah Travel Battery if you want to take this scooter traveling. The battery can easily be removed and charged separately from the frame, perfect for when you’re using the smaller battery on vacation and need to charge it up quickly while eating at a restaurant. The unit weighs 53 lbs when loading and unloading into a vehicle and the seat that pulls off of the scooter with the handle beneath it weighs 12 lbs. When folded into its intended orientation with the seat stored on top of the tiller, the unit is about the size of a large carry-on luggage or a small checked bag.
A fully folded Buzzaround Carry-On in our showroom (flag not included in purchases)
Full-Size: Golden Buzzaround LX
The Buzzaround LX brings a lot of premium features to the table at a price that is very competitive within the Full-size scooter category. Its feature set makes this scooter basically a hybrid between a full-size and travel scooter. While the specifications of this scooter bring it in line with much bulkier scooters, it can be easily disassembled like a standard travel scooter and transported without the need of additional assistance like a vehicle lift. It has a rated range of 18 miles and a weight capacity of 375 LBS. The unique selling point of the LX versus its slightly more affordable brother the EX are its 25 LBS higher carrying capacity and the Captain’s seat that comes standard. The Captain’s seat offers a higher back and brings head support that is not available on many other scooters. This scooter is perfect for someone looking to maximize their comfort and range while scooting around, and who doesn’t want to make a significant investment into a vehicle lift for their scooter.
Heavy-Duty: Golden Avenger
This scooter has been on the market for many years, but this oldie is still a goodie. It comes with a wide Captain’s seat standard, making it comfortable to get around on. Although not featuring a suspension package, the large wheels and powerful motors make this scooter very capable when navigating rough terrain. This scooter is very powerful and has a rated carrying capacity of 500 LBS and top speed of 7 MPH, and comes with large batteries that will keep you going for up to 18 miles.
Best-In-Class
Travel Scooters: Pride Jazzy Zero-Turn 8
This scooter offers nearly every feature Pride could cram into the size of a travel scooter. Its headline feature is of course Pride’s zero-turn technology iTurn, giving it a turning radius of just 37.25”. This scooter also brings a plethora of capabilities exclusive to their top-of-the-line series of scooters. It comes with Pride’s CTS, of course, making it extremely smooth to ride on. Its motors are extremely powerful for a travel scooter and can push a rated 325 lbs of carrying capacity at a top speed of 5.9 MPH. It also comes with large lead-acid batteries that can keep you going for 11 miles with 325 lbs of load, and up to 13.1 miles at 200 lbs. The upgraded ergonomic front tiller comes with a USB-charger to keep your phone juiced up and a convenient storage compartment directly below it for your phone to safely charge in. Pride’s attention to detail is highlighted by the several sets of LEDs in the front and back for maximum visibility in dark conditions, including curb lights and an adjustable headlight.
Folding Scooters: Pride i-Go
The i-Go usurps the Buzzaround Carry-On for the title of best folding scooter in 2023. With a more modern design, powerful front wheel drive motor, and fully fledged feature set, this scooter shows the best of what Pride can do. To learn more about the i-Go watch this video from BHM University on YouTube!
Full-Size: Pride Jazzy Zero-Turn 10
The larger brother to the Zero-Turn 8, the ZT-10 brings all the same great features into a larger, more capable package. It has a maximum load capacity of 400 lbs, a top speed of 7.3 MPH and a range of up to 21.2 miles or 15.9 miles at its maximum load. The turning radius of this scooter is similar to a standard 4 wheel travel scooter or 3 wheel full-size scooter at 43”. It actually navigates tight indoors environments very well and our customers that purchase this model are always surprised by how small of an area they need to make a turn.
This is a luxury scooter that is capable of getting dirty too. Its large wheels, powerful motors, and robust CTS suspension go through rough terrain very well and the only issues I’ve ever seen with it is wet, slippery grass prevently the wheels from gaining traction. This scooter comes with the most robust lighting package of any scooter I’ve seen. It offers Ford Mustang-style “sequential” turning signals, LEDs at the front and rear of the scooter for visibility, and a Puddle Light. The puddle light is unique to this scooter as far as I’ve seen and makes finding items easier, and to see the ground below you in low light conditions. The armrests are also angle adjustable and the seat itself has sliders to adjust your distance from the tiller. This is truly the most luxurious scooter experience on the market.
Heavy Duty: Pride PX4
There's not much I can say about this scooter that hasn't already been said. The PX4 is the ultimate heavy duty/out-door scooter that Pride has made yet. Its headlight is so bright that it illuminates our in-store showroom floor, and the motor is so powerful I left it on the lowest speed setting the entire time I drove it indoors. Check out this YouTube video from our channel BHM University to see more of it.
Check out this video to learn more about the Pride PX4
Recreational and All-Terrain Scooters: Pride Baja Wrangler 2
The original Wrangler would have been our previous pick in this category, and the Baja Wrangler 2 has taken everything that made the original great and made it just a little bit even-better. It is by far the largest scooter we offer weighing 274 lbs without batteries. The batteries will add an additional 86 or 120 lbs depending on the battery package you choose. It boasts a rated carrying capacity of 450 lbs, and its massive batteries mean a massive range of up to 26.6 miles with the 100 Ah battery option. This scooter is really not meant for use indoors, and has limited use as a medical device due to its 94.75” turning radius.
A non-medical device wouldn’t be fun without some extra capabilities to play with. The Wrangler can easily best difficult terrain no other scooter can handle with 14.5” tubeless pneumatic tires that are more similar to an off-roading golf cart than any mobility scooter. It comes with a massive suspension system that makes off-roading all the more comfortable. As I mentioned before, the seat is a luxury beyond compare in the scooter world. It is a large Captain’s style seat, with adjustable headrest, depth from tiller, and most importantly, adjustable lumbar support. You pay a premium for this top of the line unit but Pride paid attention to every detail of the user’s enjoyment when building this all-terrain beast.
84 and in need of of one! I have medicare and BC/BS Fed insurance
Great looking product