Mobility scooters vs power wheelchairs: what’s best for you?

Both mobility scooters and power wheelchairs are popular choices for those who need assistance accessing the community and maintaining their independence. However, the question is what’s the better option for daily use — you may spend hours on end weighing up the pros and cons of each. 

Here at Active Mobility Systems, we stock some of the most reliable mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs on the market. We want to make the shopping process simpler for our customers, so in this article, we compare mobility scooters vs power chairs. Read on.

The pros and cons of mobility scooters

If you have no postural or shoulder issues (meaning you are able to sit up straight comfortably on your own) but have difficulty walking for extended periods of time unassisted then a mobility scooter would be the best option for you. 

Mobility scooters are easy to assemble and can be customised to meet the needs of the patient — not to mention that they have fast speed capabilities with some mobility scooters able to reach up to 12km/hour when used on private property (the legal limit in Australia when in public is 10km/hour - see our article here about How Fast Are Mobility Scooters Allowed To Go). 

This makes mobility scooters excellent for outdoor use — you can easily travel from point A to B and make good time. This is especially important if you’re using your mobility scooter for trips like going to a doctor’s appointment or meeting some friends for lunch.

Here are some of the best performing mobility scooters we have in stock:

• The Pride Outback — designed for the outdoor adventurer with front and rear suspension, rugged all-terrain tyres and dual hydraulic breaks. Perfect for driving around the property or exploring the Great Outdoors!
• The Pride Zero Turn 10 — combining powerful dual motors and Pride’s revolutionary iTurn technology, this clever mobility scooter can take turns a lot better than your average scooter. The Pride Zero Turn 10 can uniquely be used in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• The Shoprider Rocky 8 — loaded with great features like large, low-profile tyres for safety and comfort. The LCD display shows your speed, battery level, hazard warning lights, temperature, odometer and more!
• The Shoprider Viking — this stylish three-wheel mobility scooter has a convenient “slow when turning” function and a high/medium/low-speed setting, as well as an elevated handlebar — just like a Harley Davidson. 

The downside is that mobility scooters can be bulkier than motor wheelchairs, making them less portable, and most are unable to navigate tight spaces due to their size and limited turning circles. With this in mind, while some mobility scooters can be used indoors, they generally perform better in outdoor spaces — getting through doors and navigating narrow hallways can be a challenge. 

The pros and cons of power wheelchairs

Power wheelchairs are a more manoeuvrable alternative to mobility scooters. You can move a power wheelchair with the touch of a button or the push of a joystick — this is a great advantage over mobility scooters where you require both hands on the tiller while driving, similar to driving a car.

Wheelchairs are also the better alternative when it comes to indoor use. Thanks to their smaller stature, they are easier to manoeuvre around corners and hallways.

There are also some models of foldable power wheelchairs that you can buy that offer convenience and easy portability (for more on foldable vs non-foldable wheelchairs, read our article here). 

Here are some of the best power wheelchairs we have in stock:
 

• The Glide Centro — our flagship power wheelchair featuring 6-wheels suspension, unique suspension system and great indoor and outdoor performance.
   
• The Quickie Q400 — this wheelchair features 6 wheel suspensions and a small, narrow base for great outdoor manoeuvrability and indoor performance.
   
• The Shoprider Cougar 10 — this impressive wheelchair has smooth operation and a tilting seat function to give the operator a maximum recline of 45 degrees for comfort. 

Power wheelchairs are easier to transfer on and off from as there is no tiller or steering column in the way of the transfer. All the user has to do is flip the footplate up or to the side (depending on footplate configuration). Scooters have a swivel seat, but some users can find them difficult to swivel with their weight on them.

The downside for some power wheelchair like folding versions, is that the battery is much smaller than a mobility scooter, meaning you won’t be able to travel as fast outdoors and may struggle on some slopes. 

With this in mind, some power wheelchairs are the better choice for indoor use whereas power mobility scooters are ideal for the outdoors.

Choosing between a power wheelchair vs scooter

As you can see, both power wheelchairs and mobility scooters come with their own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing between a power wheelchair vs a scooter, it all depends on what yyour requirements and what your occupational theraist/doctor has advised

You would buy a scooter if you only have a minor mobility issue and don’t really need a wheelchair. However, if your therapist/doctor has told you that you need to use a wheelchair then it would be best to buy a wheelchair as they are sturdy, stable and customisable.

If you are going to leave home to go shopping or simply out and about, then a scooter might be the right choice for you — but if you need something that can transition between outdoors and indoors then a power wheelchair might be the better option. 

If you need a hand weighing up the pros and cons of a mobility scooter vs a chair, get in touch with the team from Active Mobility Systems. We can provide helpful recommendations and advice to make the choice much simpler!