Which Mobility Scooter Is Right for Me?
Tap through 9 quick questions about the rider, where it’ll be used and how it gets around. You’ll get the scooter or power chair that fits, a plain-English why, and a personal $100 code for qualifying models $1,500 and up.
Mobility scooters and power chairs by rider weight
Weight capacity is the number everyone checks. It's the wrong number to stop at. A scooter rated for 300 lbs will carry a 290-lb rider, but its motor and batteries are working near their limit the whole time: slower up ramps, fewer miles per charge, more wear. Pick a model that's rated well above the rider's weight and has the motor to match.
| Rider weight | Best fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs | Pretty much everything. Lean toward the lightest: Go-Go Carbon, Go-Go Super Portable, Buzzaround CarryOn, Jazzy Carbon 27X (the lightest chair we sell) | A light rider gets full speed and range out of even a small folding motor, so you can pick for easy lifting instead of power. |
| 150 to 200 lbs | Go-Go Elite Traveller 2, Elite Traveller Gen 3, Rascal Venture, Jazzy Ultra Light | Travel scooters that come apart handle this weight with range to spare. Folding models still work on flat ground but give up miles on hills. |
| 200 to 300 lbs | Go-Go Sport 3-Wheel, Go-Go Sport 4-Wheel, Revo 2.0, Jazzy Carbon HD | This is where people buy the wrong scooter. The Elite Traveller is rated to 300 lbs, but at 225 the Go-Go Sport is the better pick: bigger motor, dual 18 Ah batteries, and it still comes apart for the trunk. |
| 300 to 400 lbs | Revo 2.0, Victory 10, Maxima, Jazzy Elite HD | Full-size motors and batteries built for this weight. The Revo 2.0 is the one that still comes apart; the Victory 10 and Maxima are happiest on a vehicle lift or at home. (Under 325 lbs, the Go-Go Sport is still an option.) |
| 400 lbs and up | Golden Eagle, Pride PX4 (both 500 lbs), Jazzy Elite HD, Jazzy EVO 614 HD (both 450 lbs) | Heavy-duty frames, motors and batteries. Over 500 lbs, call us and we'll help with bariatric options. |
3 wheels or 4?
Three wheels turn tighter, which matters in hallways, store aisles and crowds. Four wheels are steadier on slopes, curb cuts and uneven ground. If it's mostly indoors, go 3. If it's mostly outside, go 4. If it's both, the Go-Go Elite Traveller 2 turns almost like a 3-wheel with 4-wheel stability. More detail: 3-wheel vs. 4-wheel mobility scooters.
How will it get around?
- In a car trunk: you want a folding model or one that comes apart without tools. Check the heaviest piece, not the total weight. That's the one somebody has to lift. See the best lightweight and folding scooters.
- Vehicle lift or hitch carrier: opens up the full-size and heavy-duty models.
- Flying or cruising: you need an airline-approved lithium battery and a folding frame. Read flying with a mobility scooter from CLT before you book.
- Stays home: size and weight don't matter. Pick for comfort and range.
Why buy local instead of online
- You'll find cheaper scooters online. Most are off-brand units nobody around here will work on. When one breaks, you're boxing it up and shipping it back, or you're stuck.
- The warranty isn't the same. Off-brand and online-only units usually don't carry the same manufacturer warranty. Pride, Golden and Rascal warranties are backed by local authorized dealers like us.
- We work on every unit we sell. If you have a problem, we fix it. No middle man, no outsourcing, no 800 number.
- You can try it first. Sit in it, drive it and load it into your car before you buy. Try that on Amazon.
Paying for it
Pay in full, use your HSA or FSA, or finance with CareCredit. If you're hoping insurance will cover it, call your insurance first, then get a prescription from your doctor. We're not a Medicare supplier and don't bill insurance directly, but we give you the receipt and paperwork to file your claim. More on how to pay for a scooter or power chair, CareCredit financing, and getting a scooter through insurance.
Still not sure? Come drive a few.
Our Fort Mill showroom has scooters and power chairs on the floor you can test drive and load into your own car. 852 Gold Hill Rd, Suite 102, Fort Mill, SC 29708. Mon–Fri 10–3. Call or text (704) 879-5189, or book a test drive. Want to live with one for a while first? Try Ride & Decide.
Prefer the long read? Our Charlotte buyer's guide to choosing a mobility scooter goes deeper.
Common questions
What size mobility scooter do I need for my weight?
Pick a model rated at least 25 lbs above the rider's weight, and ideally 100. Between 200 and 300 lbs, step up from a travel scooter to a mid-size model like the Go-Go Sport or Revo 2.0 for the bigger motor and batteries.
What's the best mobility scooter for a car trunk?
For most riders under 200 lbs, a travel scooter that comes apart (Go-Go Elite Traveller, Rascal Venture) or a folding model (Go-Go Carbon, Buzzaround CarryOn). Between 200 and 300 lbs, the Go-Go Sport still comes apart and has more power.
Scooter or power chair?
A scooter has a seat, handlebars and a basket, and it's great outside. A power chair uses a joystick and turns in its own footprint, so it's better indoors and for people who need more support. Not sure? Pick "Not sure" in the finder and it'll show you both.
Is the $100 code real?
Yes. Finish the finder and you get a personal code for $100 off a qualifying scooter or power chair $1,500 or more. One use, good for 30 days. It excludes Rascal models and can't be combined with other discounts.