Best Mobility Scooters
A mobility scooter can mean freedom, but it can also be dangerous if yours doesn't suit your needs. We've lab-tested scooters, so you can know what you're getting before you buy.
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If you or a loved one has difficulty walking, whether from injury, illness, or fatigue, a mobility scooter can be a great way to preserve independence. Scooters come in many styles, from compact foldable versions to super-rugged all-terrain options. Some have three wheels, others four.
Forty percent of adults 65 and older have a mobility disability, and research suggests that the average user of mobility scooters is elderly, but the devices are used by people of all ages to accommodate a range of conditions, from osteoarthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome to multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia.
Best Mobility Scooters
Other Mobility Scooters We Tested
What About Three-Wheeled Mobility Scooters?
While four-wheeled scooters are generally preferable for safety reasons, we did include one popular three-wheeled scooter in our testing: the SuperHandy Passport Mobility Scooter. Due to stability issues and its less reliable braking system—we weren’t able to stop on a downhill section using the hand brake—we’ve elected to keep the 3-wheeled SuperHandy separate from the other ratings.
While this model may be suitable for buyers looking for a lightweight scooter with a tight turning radius, it would be unsuitable for those who lack the core strength and dexterity to prevent the device from tipping on uneven terrain or during evasive maneuvers, or who would have difficulty using their feet to stop on downhill paths.
How CR Tests Mobility Scooters
Our engineers developed a testing protocol based heavily on the feedback from users with lived experience of using mobility scooters. One of our distance tests measures how long each scooter can travel on a full charge over an outdoor course with hills and curves; the other measures recharging by miles per hour of charge, to account for different battery sizes.
Other elements that factor into the Overall Score are features and functionality, including total weight, capacity, and the dimensions of the scooter, handlebars, deck, and seat. We examined whether each scooter has a horn, headlights, a key or start button, a battery life display, a basket, back-of-seat storage, and arms, whether the arms can extend or fold, and whether the back of the seat can fold. We also take into account the type of brakes; battery type and charging port; ground clearance; whether the scooter has a USB port and anti-tip wheels; and the claimed single-charge maximum mileage.
