Best Lightweight & Folding Mobility Scooters In 2017

Do you find yourself struggling to walk long distances?

Are old age and injuries playing havoc with your independence?

Being able to move around, go to the shops and socialize with friends are significantly important parts of our lives. Being unable to do such things can result in poor mental health.

A mobility scooter is an excellent way to get around easily without doing yourself any damage.

However, many mobility scooters are large, cumbersome and difficult to maneuver, which can bring problems of its own! 

A folding mobility scooter will alleviate many problems that come with using a scooter.

They're lightweight, can be folded away to fit neatly in your car, and can be taken anywhere you need them.

You'll never feel left out or unable to go anywhere ever again. A mobility scooter can completely revolutionise your life.

Top 8​ Best Lightweight & Folding Mobility Scooters

When it comes to finding the best mobility scooter for your personal needs, you'll need to understand the different types of scooters that are available.

Three-wheeled Scooter

As the name might suggest, this type of scooter has three wheels. One is located at the front, and two at the rear where most of the weight is carried.

They're generally more lightweight than a scooter with four wheels, simply because they have one fewer wheel.

This style is very easy to maneuver, especially in tight spaces. That's beneficial if you have a small home or will need to use your scooter in places like shops and cafes.

The downside is that they're less stable than their four-wheel counterparts.

Leg room is slightly compromised, but they're ideal for those who are on the smaller side looking for an easy-to-use, compact scooter.

Four-wheeled Scooter

More stable and spacious, four-wheeled scooters are also a little heavier and can be difficult to maneuver.

Whilst they can still be taken apart and folded away, it generally takes more effort to do so.

Designed with outdoor use in mind, a four-wheeled scooter is a little more robust, but may not be ideal if you frequently need to fold your scooter for moving or storage purposes.

With an abundance of mobility scooters on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start.

For some of the best mobility scooters in 2017, check out the following brands.

Drive Mobility

Drive Mobility are experts in a range of areas to help cater for the needs of the elderly.

They understand their clientele and have an extensive range of mobility scooters to suit any needs in any price bracket.

This brand also offer information and technical support to help guide you through the decision-making process when it comes to choosing a mobility scooter.

EV Rider

Having been in business for over 20 years, EV Rider know their stuff. They offer powerful mobility scooters for a range of needs at a range of prices.

Whether you need a basic, lightweight scooter to help you pop to the shops, or something more sturdy and luxurious for extensive use, EV Rider has you covered.

Pride Mobility

Offering mobility scooters that are versatile, easy to use and budget friendly, Pride Mobility provide an extensive product range to cater for every need.

With 30 years in the business and a motto of ‘Live Your Best’, you know are spending money on a worthwhile investment to drastically improve your quality of life.

Extremely compact and lightweight, the EV Rider Transport Scooter is one of the best folding mobility scooters you will find on the market today.

In fact, it can be folded so small that it's suitable for airline travel, making it a very versatile scooter.

The scooter weighs around 70lbs, including the lithium battery (which can be removed for charging) and can hold a weight of up to 250lbs.

With four wheels, it's a stable scooter that offers plenty of room for your legs, but no extra storage for shopping bags or other belongings.

The price of the EV Rider Transport Scooter is very reasonable, far cheaper than many of its competitors.

It still offers great maneuverability, but may not provide the most comfortable seat.

However, its compact design and lightweight frame make it ideal for those who need a portable mobility scooter.

This easy fold design is wonderful for those looking to get out and about with ease.

It's one of the lightest mobility scooters, weighing just 40lbs.

The SmartScoot comes apart, no tools required, into three pieces, making it easy to move around and take with you wherever you need it.

The price is higher than a lot of mobility scooters, although its ease of use, long battery life, and visible battery gauge, make it money well spent.

Safety is paramount, and with a LED headlight and horn, you can use the scooter in low light and in high traffic areas.

However, outdoor use may be slightly restricted due to the three-wheel design, but if you intend on sticking to smooth pedestrian areas, you will manage just fine. A storage basket is included to help carry your belongings.

There isn't a great deal of legroom, and the seat isn't the most comfortable, but the SmartScoot is airline friendly, making it very suitable for those who like to travel.

If budget and stability are your priority, this scooter is ideal for you.

The four-wheel design make it very suitable for outdoor use.

It can be dismantled fairly easily.

The lightweight design makes it easy to lift in and out of a car if necessary.

However, this can be time-consuming and could become annoying if it needed to be done on a regular basis.

Ample legroom helps to cater for larger and taller people, and there's even space for your handbag or groceries in the conveniently located basket.

The padded swivel seat and armrests provide ongoing comfort, which is perfect if you need to be sitting in the scooter for extended periods of time.

The four-wheel design may make turning in tight spaces a little difficult, but at a very competitive price, it’s hard to find a scooter that offers better value for money.

For a great combination of comfort, stability and low price, look no further than the Drive Medical Scout Compact Travel Power Scooter.

One of the cheapest lightweight mobility scooters on the market, the Drive Medical Scout Compact Travel Power Scooter with three wheels is great for maneuvering in tight spaces.

This is not only courtesy of the three-wheel design, but also due to the easy steering – even if your strength is compromised through illness or injury.

If you need the scooter for extended periods of time, you'll be comfortable in the padded seat.

Both the seat and armrests are adjustable, but the design offers less legroom that some other, four-wheeled, scooters.

The scooter disassembles into five small pieces and can be lifted into a reasonably sized car by just one person.

The batteries can be charged both on and off the scooter, meaning you can use the scooter whilst another battery is charging.

This way you will never be caught short without enough battery power.

Color panels that provide protection against scuffs and marks are easily interchangeable, allowing to slightly customize your scooter.

Even the most technically designed folding scooters can be difficult and time-consuming at times.

This ism't the case with the Luggie Compact Electric Folding Mobility Scooter.

The ‘feather touch’ disassembly makes it easily one of the best foldable mobility scooters available on the market.

It's small and nimble, weighing just 50lbs, perfect for small indoor spaces, especially when using the handy reverse function.

If you need your scooter for regular outdoor use, you may want to look for something a little more stable and sturdy to help you over the bumps and up hills.

However, it's so easy to handle in and out of a car, that you may not need to use it outdoors.

The Luggie Compact Electric Folding Mobility Scooter is on the upper end of the price scale. However, if you're after a folding mobility scooter that can actually be easily folded, it's perfect.

Three-wheel design allows for easy maneuverability, even in tight spaces.

Can be disassembled with just one hand.

Includes a storage basket to place your bags and belongings.

Comes with an extensive five-year warranty.

Swivel seat and armrests allow for a comfortable ride.

The price is mid-range which makes it affordable for a lot of people. 

Four wheels, full suspension system and quality tires provide stability and durability for outdoor use.

Large comfortable seat with ample foot room.

Top speed of 6.8mph, more than most other mobility scooters.

This ensures you can get swiftly from place to place. It's powerful enough to use going up hill.

It does costs more than many other mobility scooters.

Whilst it's very durable, it's also larger and bulkier than many of its competitors, which may compromise its portability.

This is small and easily portable.

The storage basket helps you carry your bags and belongings.

It has a comfortable seat and removable armrests. You can get up to 15 miles off a single charge.

This is priced low enough to be purchased by almost anybody.

It's not suitable for tough, outdoor terrain.

This model is available in blue and red.

There are many factors you need to consider when buying a mobility scooter that's both foldable and lightweight.

Comfort

The reason that many people use scooter is often because they're unable to stand or walk for extended periods, if at all.

Therefore, it's imperative that the seat and controls are comfortable enough to be used for long periods of time.

Look for seats that are well-cushioned with a backrest. A swivel seat is very handy to allow for easy access on and off the scooter as well as positioning yourself around a table.

The controls need to be within easy reach and shouldn't require too much strength to handle.

Capabilities

You will need to think about what exactly you need your scooter for. Ask yourself a few questions. Is it required for outdoor use?

Do you have ramps or small hills that you need to get up and down?

Will you need some kind of storage for your grocery bags?

All of these questions will help you understand your needs and will ensure you buy the best portable mobility scooter to suit your lifestyle.

Battery Life

You don’t want to be caught out and about without enough battery. Look for mobility scooters that allow you to charge the battery separate from the scooter.

This way you can have one battery on charge whilst using the other.

Also, a scooter with a visible battery gauge will eliminate any concerns you have about running the battery too low.

Overall Weight

The main bonus of a lightweight or folding scooter is that they're easy to move around due to the fact that they're made from lightweight materials such as aluminum and plastic.

However, important components such as the battery can still be rather bulky and add undesirable weight.

Added features such as storage baskets can be very useful, but you do need to be mindful of the extra weight.

A mobility scooter ensures you not only regain your independence but that you enjoy living again. It gives you the ability to get out and about, hassle-free.

In particular, a folding, lightweight scooter means that you can take it anywhere you need – many are even suitable for air travel.

If getting around has become difficult for you, all you have to do is purchase one these scooters, the best mobility scooters of 2017, and get moving!

Check out this video to help you make the correct buying decision: