Electric Wheelchairs vs. Mobility Scooters

Electric mobile aids are much more than just wheelchairs. In fact, there are as many electric mobile aids currently offered as there are automobiles. The most popular electric aids are mobility scooters and power wheelchairs, but which one you select depends entirely on which model offers the functions that suit your individual needs.

For many people, the main deciding factor will be price, since scooters can be significantly less expensive than electric wheelchairs. Here's a brief comparison of the two products, to help you in your shopping:

Benefits of Electric Wheelchairs:

• are controlled by a programmable joystick
• accommodate more functions for seating and postural support than a scooter, including power stand, recline, tilt and elevation
• have more tire and powerbase options, and can handle more terrains - indoor and outdoor
• provide more maneuverability in small or tight spots
• can be tied down easier in a motor vehicle and are safer to use as a seat in a vehicle

Benefits of Mobility Scooters:

• steer with a tiller, which functions like a handlebar on a bicycle
• are less expensive than electric wheelchairs
• break down easily into parts for transportation, unlike most electric wheelchairs
• are fairly light and can be lifted into a car or handled with a scooter lift, unlike heavy electric wheelchairs