Top 5 Mobility Scooters for Travel
Whatever your reason for going on a trip, and wherever you are going, it is important to make the very most of it. That means being able to go where you want and do everything you want to do. Having a good mobility scooter will make all these things possible.
When looking for mobility scooters for travel, you will find there are multiple options to choose from. We’ve made the process easier, by assessing the best that are on the market to come up with our top five mobility scooters for travel.
Before looking at Strive Mobility’s list of best mobility scooters, let’s first look at the characteristics we looked for as well as the differences between mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs when travelling.
Key Characteristics We Looked For
What are the characteristics that make a mobility scooter suitable for travel? There are five main areas we considered:
- Foldable – foldability is essential when travelling so you can put the scooter into a car or any other method of transport you are using. You will also have more space in your room if you can fold the scooter away when you are not using it.
- Light and compact – getting a lightweight and compact scooter helps too, particularly when loading and unloading the scooter in a vehicle.
- Durable – you will probably use a mobility scooter more when you are away on a trip, plus there will be all that loading and unloading from transport. Therefore, durability is important.
- Comfortable – comfort is also essential. After all, you will want to relax and enjoy yourself.
- Easy to use – the last thing you need when away on holiday or any other sort of trip is to be stressed out because your mobility scooter is difficult to use, manoeuvre, or get into/out of. So, ease of use is very important.
Mobility Scooters Versus Electric Wheelchairs When Travelling
The shape of a mobility scooter is obviously different as mobility scooters have handlebars that feature the controls. Mobility scooters are also more suitable for outdoor use than electric wheelchairs, plus they can be cheaper, lighter, and easier to use and control.
Electric wheelchairs, on the other hand, are more suitable for people who have severe mobility issues. They are highly adjustable for safety and comfort and they are easy to manoeuvre, even in tight spaces.
In our top five list, we are focusing on mobility scooters.
Strive Mobility’s Top 5 Mobility Scooters for Travel
1. Drive DeVilbiss 4 Wheel Auto Folding Scooter
Our top travel mobility scooter is the 4 Wheel Auto Folding Scooter from Drive Devilbiss. It is designed especially for travellers, and it has a range of features that will make your holiday or trip easier, more mobile, and more enjoyable.
Is it foldable?
Yes, and it can be folded in less than 15 seconds. To fold it, all you need to do is press the buttons on the tiller or use the remote control. It couldn’t be easier.
Is it light and compact?
This mobility scooter weighs just 27.5kg (60lb) and it folds down to a compact size that fits even in small car boots.
Is it durable?
As with all Drive DeVilbiss products, it is well made with puncture-proof tyres and airline-friendly batteries.
Is it comfortable?
The padded seat and backrest are comfortable, and the height of the tiller can be adjusted.
Is it easy to use?
It is very easy to use, plus it has excellent safety features, including automatic braking and anti-roll back systems.
2. eFOLDi Light
The eFOLDi Lite is one of the lightest and most compact mobility scooters available. It is a no-frills option, but if portability is your priority, it is an excellent choice.
Is it foldable?
Yes, and it only takes a few seconds to fold. Each element folds into a shape and size that resembles a small suitcase. It can even be pulled behind you like a suitcase, and the rear wheels can be removed to make it even smaller.
Is it light and compact?
At just 15kg, the eFOLDi Lite is light, although this is without the battery. Even when you add the extra weight for the battery, it is still light. It is compact, too, with the option of making it even smaller still by removing the wheels.
Is it durable?
It is rated for users up to 120kg, but the lightweight, three-wheel design isn’t as tough or durable as some.
Is it comfortable?
The eFOLDi Lite’s portability and lightweight design do mean some compromises with comfort. There are no armrests, for example, and the seat isn’t as padded as some.
Is it easy to use?
The three-wheel design does make it easy to manoeuvre in smaller spaces, and the controls are easy to use.
3. SupaScoota Sprite
The SupaScoota Sprite is a light mobility scooter option. There are more comfortable travel scooters on the market, but if being lightweight is the most important feature on your priority list, this is one to consider.
Is it foldable?
Yes, but you need to remove the seat and battery first. The seat folds too, leaving you with three elements to pack away in your vehicle ready for the next stage of your trip.
Is it light and compact?
There is no denying this mobility scooter is light. Without the seat and battery, it is just 14.5kg, making it the lightest on this list.
Is it durable?
The SupaScoota Sprite is all about weighing as little as possible while still being functional, so there are some compromises. It is well made, but it is not as tough and durable as some of the other options on this list.
Is it comfortable?
This is another area where there are compromises, as the seat is best described as functional rather than comfortable. It is padded though and there is a sturdy backrest.
Is it easy to use?
It is easy to operate and has a turning circle with a radius that is less than a metre but folding it away is a bit fiddly when compared with other options.
4. Li-Tech Air Travel Mobility Scooter
The Li-Tech Air Travel mobility scooter is packed full of features and advanced technologies, plus it is foldable and lightweight. Well, it’s kind-off lightweight – more below.
Is it foldable?
Yes, but you need to disassemble it first. That means removing the seat, front basket, battery, and rear wheels.
Is it lightweight?
This depends on how you measure the weight. The largest and heaviest of its five parts is the main part of the scooter with the tiller. It is 15kg, so it is lightweight and competes with the other options in this list. However, the total weight of this mobility scooter is more than double that – 38kg.
Is it durable?
Yes, the Li-Tech Air Travel mobility scooter is strong and durable with a robust frame supporting the scooter and sturdy seat and tiller components.
Is it comfortable?
This is one area where the Li-Tech Air Travel mobility scooter stands out. It has a very comfortable seat with padded armrests, plus the seat swivels. It is also a four-wheel scooter, so feels safer than three-wheel options, plus it has suspension to make the ride even smoother.
Is it easy to use?
When you are on the scooter and moving, yes it is easy to use. Dismantling it and packing it away ready for the next stage of your trip however, isn’t as easy as other options.
5. Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller
The Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller is another of the more premium options on this list of travel scooters. One of the key differences is the wide range of users it is suitable for. It has a maximum user weight of 136kg, the highest on this list, the tiller is fully adjustable, and the seat swivels 360-degrees.
Is it foldable?
Yes, but you’ll need to remove the basket, battery, seat, and rear wheels.
Is it lightweight?
It is not as light as the other options on this list at 36kg. However, the heaviest part when dismantled is 16kg, so it isn’t heavy when folded down.
Is it durable?
Yes, the Pride Go-Go Elite mobility scooter features a robust construction.
Is it comfortable?
Yes, it is comfortable, with a height-adjustable and padded swivel seat that is easy to get in and out of.
Is it easy to use?
Yes and no. When sitting on it and driving, yes. When packing it away into the boot of a car, no, as it needs to be disassembled in to 5 parts first.
Final Verdict
The right mobility scooter for you will depend on your requirements, priorities, and budget. For us, the best all-rounder – due to the comfort levels and how easy it is to fold – is the 4 Wheel Auto Folding Scooter from Drive DeVilbiss.
If you are looking to hire a mobility scooter, rent a hospital bed, hire a wheelchair or even rent a patient hoist to make life just a little easier when travelling, please feel free to visit our online Mobility Store.
Please note, this information was gathered through online research, including blogger reviews and the manufacturer’s websites but we haven’t physically tried each and every scooter ourselves
Written on behalf of Strive Mobility