When looking to buy a mobility aid it's important that you understand all of the options available to you. Although you may be set on purchasing a certain type of aid you may discover that something different suits your wants and needs better.
Today we open up the debate between investing in a mobility scooter or powerchair, two popular means of transport for those with mobility and movement issues. However, with both designed to help you get around, what are the real differences and what are the benefits of both?
Mobility Scooter Benefits
If you've already been looking into the mobility scooter market then you would've seen just how many different models are available.
From lightweight travel scooters, to sturdy pavement ones, all the way up to grandiose road-worthy types, there's plenty to choose from, giving you far more variation in features compared to powerchairs.
Plus, despite this wide choice in features mobility scooters generally cost much less than powerchairs, especially the smaller travel models.
With many scooters designed to be easy to transport, whether their tiller bars fold flat of if you can dismantle the whole scooter into separate sections, scooters are far easier to store.
Whether you keep your scooter in indoor/outdoor storage or the boot of your car ready for your next day out, they're simple to reassemble and can be taken on holiday with you, even if you decide to venture abroad!
Despite their portability, mobility scooters are packed with many great, variable features.
Due to the compact size of the frame and wheels many smaller models of scooter are suitable for use indoors, whether that be around your own home (more suited to flats/apartments/sheltered accommodation) or shopping malls/supermarkets.
Larger, bulkier models have been designed for use outside, helping you to get from A to B quickly and without fuss. Plus, with lots of choice for on-board storage, from front-facing baskets to rear-fitted, lockable boxes, scooters are ideal for carrying your shopping home after a long day.
While it's obvious scooters are an ideal first choice to ease you into the world of movement aids, it has to be said that they are better suited to users who have increased mobility and strength, especially considering that they require extra effort to be able to get on/off easily.
What customers say about our scooters:
"This scooter has given me the freedom to attend events i couldn't attend before." - Charlie - Female 45-64, purchased the Abilize Aeron-Li.
"This scooter is amazing. Lightweight yet sturdy good on hills ramps have real confidence in it. Easy to store and use really compact." - AndyW - Male 45-64, purchased the Maximus Folding Mobility Scooter.
"I am still reasonably mobile, but this has made a great difference, I don't use the car as much, no problem with finding a parking space near the village shops." - Ron Pavier - Male 65+, purchased the X-Go Advance.
Powerchair Benefits
If you're looking for an aid that's easy to manoeuvre and use then a powerchair may be a wiser choice.
Designed for use indoors and outside, many powerchairs have compact frames fitted with mid-wheel drive wheels, making them ideal for use around your home.
The Zora (pictured here) is fantasic in the home as it is no larger than a stardard wheelchair.
Generally shorter in length compared to scooters, powerchairs have tighter turning circles making moving around obstacles and corners easy to perform.
Ideal for use in smaller spaces, whether it's a hallway at home or an aisle in a shop, powerchairs can also tackle inclines with ease due to their large tyres.
Although many models of scooter can be manually adjusted to suit your comfort levels, powerchairs offer a far greater level of adaptability. Fitted with a hand controller, ideal for users who lack the use of both hands or have limited dexterity, powerchairs can be adapted to incorporate different types of control, whether that be movement of your head, eyes, shoulders, mouth or a foot.
Alongside this, the seat of a powerchair can be adapted to suit your needs, whether you require an adjustable height mechanism, a reclining backrest or increased padding aimed to relieve pressure on certain areas of your body.
Furthermore, some powerchairs can be dismantled for easier transportation. The only disadvantages of investing in a powerchair are the lack of on-board storage and the increase in cost.
What do customers say about the Zora?
"It’s fantastic it’s so versatile I love going out on it, shops are no problem now" S R Brakes, Female 65+
"The Zora is lightweight so the taxi driver’s don’t complain about lifting it into the boot and is smaller than my old wheelchair." - Mrs Susan Kelk - Female 65+
"Bought this to use indoors, but I now use it under all circumstances.
It is easy to transport and very manoeuvrable." - Peter - Male 65+
How to decide
Thoroughly research and test-drive different models to determine the best fit for your specific requirements and ensure optimal comfort, safety, and ease of use. We encourage you to try out our scooters and powerchairs in our showrooms.
We hope this makes the differences clearer! View our mobility scooters shop and buy powerchairs here .
2025 sees the launch of several new powerchairs from CareCo. On the market first is the Abilize Cobas Powerchair, which is a modern lithoum powered powerchair that's built to perform both on and off pavements - great for exploring parks and taking on hillier streets. Following from this are the Stratus Powerchair and the Evisu Carbon Fibre Powerchair, offering options of more power or lighter frames, to suit all your needs.