In this article we compare the most popular brands of mobility scooters by price (click the link to quickly jump to each mobility scooter price range): mobility scooters under $1000, mobility scooters $1000-$2000, and mobility scooters over $2000. Mobility scooters make a huge difference in quality of life. There are hundreds of models you can buy, and knowing which is best isn’t always clear. Smaller, three-wheel designs, for example, make good indoor mobility scooters, but they don’t have the range or terrain capability many of us want. What we’ve found, is that the higher the price, the more “outdoors” the mobility scooter tends to be.
One buying decision factor remains true for all health and mobility products: if you plan to use it in many different environments then it’s generally worth investing in a higher quality mobility scooter. Just like everything else, a lower quality product usually doesn’t last as long.
Also of particular importance is the range, (directly related to the battery quality). If you plan on using it on a lot of different terrains, then the power equally important. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to go off-trail or up a hill only to discover the mobility scooter you’re using can’t handle the incline or terrain.
All of the scooters we compare here fall into the sort of “dual use” category for indoors and outdoors. Many are called “travel scooters” because they have a slightly longer range than something that you might use exclusively at home or in shops. There are also a couple (in the under $1000 price range), that are three-wheel and have tight a enough turning radius to work exclusively as an indoor mobility scooter.
New mobility scooter prices range from around $550 to as high as $6000. Depending on your situation, health insurance might cover the cost of a scooter. Medicare can cover at least part of the cost, for example, if your doctor prescribes it’s needed for use at home.
As prices for mobility scooters increase you’re going to get more power, more comfort, and more features. Basically, all the numbers go up: distance, wheel size, clearance, weight capacity, etc. Moreover, the individual components are all slightly better insofar as they are stronger, and the batteries give you greater distance on a single charge. In this price range you start to see words like “Adventure” appear in the names a little bit. Also keep in mind that while the ranges listed increase here, what you get out of a scooter depends on speed, terrain, and weight of the rider. Most distances listed are for “ideal” conditions.
Mobility Scooters Under $1000.00
Like most products, the prices for mobility scooters differs mainly based on the manufacturing quality of components. The same way a economy car is less expensive than a luxury. A benefit of less expensive scooters, however, is that they tend to be smaller, and therefore work well in tight spaces like inside your home. The key points of comparison are the motor (power and torque), travel range, and the quality of all the moving parts (wheels, steering, turning radius, seat, etc.). The less expensive the scooter, the more it will creak and squeak as you move along. If you notice a wide price range, the differences can be accounted for by prices from different vendors and add-on options.
Mobility Scooters $1000-$2000
In this price range you can get a good quality and versatile mobility scooter. If you’re looking for one in this price range, personally I look for two things: a little extra ground clearance so it can better handle grass and paths; being stuck to the sidewalk all the time can be very annoying. Spending a little extra for a mobility scooter in this price range pays off in the long run.
This mobility scooter price range also tends to offer a greater distance so you won’t be constantly worried about “having to turn around” when you want to go a little further, or looking for an outlet to charge the battery. One never knows where the road might take you ;)
Scooters in the $1000-$2000 range also tend to give you a more comfortable seat and more options or add-ons. Many will have two batteries (more power and distance), and the styling gets a little nicer.
As you can see with the E-Wheels model, mobility scooters don’t have to be restricted to sidewalks and aisles. In this price range you can get what’s basically a traditional scooter with larger wheels you might see on the road (like the E-Wheels E36), but designed with mobility and universality in mind. Street vs. sidewalk regulations differ based on where you live, but with some you can take it from the street straight indoors.
Mobility Scooters Over $2000
This mobility scooter price range is where we get into the high-end, heavy duty, and even luxury scooter models. Some are even road worthy and are built more like rickshaws. And some are even a bit decadent with all sorts of attachments from stereos custom horns, blinkers and tools kits.
Many also have powerful enough motors, or even more than one motor and up to 4 batteries to have a two-seater option, golf bag attachments, and even wrap around windscreens. There are models specifically to perform like a personal golf cart.
Because they have more power, however, that also makes them heavier and more difficult to transport. They compensate for this by having a much greater distance so you can take it from the garage to your destination and back again.
In this price range is also where we start seeing fancy names like “Avenger”, “Prowler”, and “Sport”… these are three and four-wheel mobility scooters with attitude. ;) Ground clearance also gets as high as 7 inches. Many in this price range have front and rear suspension, very comfortable captain’s chairs, and ranges well over 20 miles.
