One of the most frequent comparisons customers ask is the difference between mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. The clearest difference between an electric mobility scooter and an electric wheelchair or power chairs is their level of versatility. While an electric wheelchair is simply a wheelchair that has an independent power supply or simply a wheelchair with a motor, electric mobility scooters are optimized to take on a wider range of terrains and uses while providing the user with a higher maximum speed, longer range from a single charge, and sturdier construction to provide users with a greater degree of independence than what they can get from an electric wheelchair or most conventional wheelchairs. Now, before you decide on what is the best mobility scooter to buy, here are several things about mobility scooters you want to know first.
Electric Scooter vs Mobility Scooter
The next most common misconception about a mobility scooter is its comparison with a standard electric scooter. Though both these devices have many similarities, such as mostly being battery-powered and methods of operation, mobility scooters are optimized for use by people who are physically challenged or to make it easier for people with mobility impairments to exercise some degree of independence. Electric scooters are primarily lightweight, mainly driven in a standing position, built for most light users, have no space for extra stuff unless modifications are made, and are designed for people who are not physically challenged.
The Benefits of Mobility Scooters
The primary benefit of mobility scooters is to provide their users with improved mobility. With a mobility scooter, you won’t have to wait for someone to arrive at home to help you out when you want to go outside for fresh air. Aside from providing mobility, mobility scooters also have other benefits:
Mobility scooters provide a more comfortable ride for their users. They have designs to make them more accessible to their users. Moreover, most models feature a swivel chair to help users alight their mobility scooters.
Mobility scooters allow users to have a more active lifestyle. With the added mobility, users can independently go to more places, engage in outdoor activities, or with minimal assistance.
Whether you are a senior, or a patient recovering from an injury, mobility scooters help keep you away from muscle pains and injuries.
Mobility scooters help speed up the recovery process of post-surgery patients or people with whole-body disabling conditions. A mobility scooter eliminates, or at least limits, the need for a caregiver to be on hand constantly to provide mobility assistance to patients.
Features of Electric Mobility Scooters
A wide range of mobility scooters is available to address the specific needs of individuals. Though there is no one-size-fits-all mobility scooter, the most versatile ones can fit most of their weight capacity and portability needs. However, the basics that each disabled scooter has are standard across most models. All mobility scooters have a sturdy construction and a high-capacity battery to take mobility scooter users more places than a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair can allow them. They have provisions to let their users sit upright and have ample foot supports or wide foot plates. Most have power transmitted to their two rear wheels, while the one or two in front are the steerable wheels. Though some mobility scooters are hard to carry around, there are mobility scooters for rent in many places for added convenience. For specialized mobility scooters, here are some of their main benefits to address the users’ specific needs:
With their tight turning radius, three-wheel mobility scooters are made to go through tight spaces. Most models can be disassembled or folded for easy transport and stowing.
Many models have an enhanced tiller steering mechanism to enable some users with limited upper-body mobility to operate them. There are delta steering tiller configurations to accommodate even more mobility scooter users.
Some 4-wheel mobility scooters have better suspension to provide a more comfortable ride over unpaved surfaces for people with limited mobility. On the other hand, the design of four-wheel scooters is for maximum stability and heavy-duty use. A heavy-duty scooter has an even heavier construction and has a more powerful motor to enable a power mobility user to reach even more places.
The heaviest all-terrain scooters are the sturdiest, have high ground clearance, and are built for maximum mobility. However, four-wheel scooters have a larger turning radius and are harder to carry around in vehicles without specialized hoisting or vehicle-left devices. The power transmission is usually provided in the rear wheels with a high-capacity battery pack right underneath the wide and comfortable seats.
On the other hand, travel scooters have smaller footprints, especially when folded. These lightweight mobility scooters have battery packs that provide sufficient driving range and are approved as airline check-in luggage.
The main disadvantage of mobility scooters is their portability. Unless there is a mobility scooter hire in the mobility scooter user’s destination, some users may be forced to use conventional wheelchairs or a power chair where they need to go.
Takeaways: For Any Motorized Scooter That Can Address Your Specific Needs, Call Us
Power Mobility & Lifts have a wide range of mobility scooters on our site. If you require your mobility scooter or electric scooter to turn tight corners, with either rear or front-wheel drive, with air-filled or foam-filled seats, we have something you need to address mobility problems. All of our selections are highly-efficient electric models. All you need is a few steps to reach us for pricing and availability.
