A folding mobility scooter is the right choice when the scooter has to go where you go: into a car trunk, onto a plane, or into a cruise cabin. The best one for you is usually the lightest model that still fits your body weight, your longest outing, and the way you will lift and load it. Below we compare the folding scooters we carry, explain the folding styles, and summarize current FAA battery rules for air travel.
If you are still deciding between travel, mid size and full size scooters, start with our mobility scooter buying guide. This article picks up where its short travel section leaves off.
Folding mobility scooter comparison
All specs below come from the manufacturer descriptions on each listing. Where a listing does not give a figure, we say so rather than guess. Prices are current at the time of writing and can change.
| Scooter | Price | Weight | Folded size (L x W x H) | Battery | Range | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZiiROBOT ZiiLIF-R3b | $1,909.00 | 37.5 lb without battery, 41 lb with | 37.4 x 21.9 x 18.1 in | 262 Wh removable lithium | 7.5 to 10 mi | 275 lb |
| MOBIFREE M2020 | $1,399.00 | 42 lb without battery | 13.39 x 20.87 x 25.59 in | 252 Wh removable lithium | 10 mi | 275 lb |
| SOLAX S3051 Remote Folding | $1,999.00 | 56 lb without battery | 17.33 x 24.41 x 25.2 in | 252 Wh removable lithium | 10 mi | 275 lb |
| ComfyGO MS-5000 | $2,499.00 | 55 lb with battery | Not listed | 36V 8Ah lithium | 13 mi | 220 lb |
| ComfyGO Z-4 Quick-Detach | $1,499.00 | Heaviest piece 30 lb | Disassembles, not folded | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| HandyScoot HS101 | $2,599.00 | Heaviest part 29 lb (without seat and battery) | Not listed | 288 watt lithium | Up to 15 mi | 350 lb |
| Shoprider Echo Folding FS777 | $2,860.00 | 59 lb | 19 x 17.5 x 29 in | 12V 10Ah sealed lead acid | Up to 10 mi | 200 lb |
| FreeRider Luggie Standard | $1,999.00 | Not listed | Not listed | 10.5Ah lithium | Not listed | Not listed |
| FreeRider Luggie Super Plus 4 | $3,870.00 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 360 lb |
For the Luggie models, call us for the full spec sheet before you order. You can also browse the full FreeRider Luggie lineup.
Lightweight mobility scooter folding styles compared
“Folding” covers three different designs, and the difference matters most to whoever does the lifting.
Manual fold
You release a latch and fold the frame by hand, usually in a few seconds and without tools. The ZiiLIF-R3b folds with no tools and no disassembly, the MOBIFREE M2020 lists a 3 second manual fold, and the Shoprider Echo uses a four step fold the maker says takes about 10 seconds. The Luggie Standard uses a one piece manual folding frame. Once folded, several of these roll like a suitcase, and the Luggie Super Plus 3 and Super Plus 4 can be rolled in a flat folded position to reduce lifting.
Auto fold with remote
A motor folds and unfolds the scooter at the press of a button. The SOLAX S3051 folds automatically without disassembly and can then be towed. Auto fold saves effort at the curb, but the scooter is often heavier than a manual folder, so you still need a plan for lifting it into the car.
Disassembly
Instead of folding, the scooter breaks into several lighter pieces. On the ComfyGO Z-4 the heaviest piece weighs 30 lb, and on the HandyScoot HS101 the heaviest part is 29 lb without the seat and battery. Disassembly takes longer each time, but no single lift is as heavy as lifting a whole folded scooter.
What to check before you buy
- Trunk fit. Measure your trunk opening and floor, then compare with the folded size in the table.
- Lifting weight. Look at the heaviest single lift, not just the total. Ask honestly whether the person loading it can lift that weight every time.
- Battery removability. A removable battery lets you charge indoors and, for air travel, take the battery into the cabin. The ZiiLIF-R3b, SOLAX S3051 and MOBIFREE M2020 list removable lithium packs.
- Ground clearance. Small travel scooters sit low. The ZiiLIF-R3b lists 2.95 in, the Shoprider Echo lists 2 in, and the HandyScoot lists 4.5 in frame clearance. Low clearance can scrape on thresholds, curb cuts and ship gangway ramps.
- Weight capacity. Capacities here run from 200 lb to 360 lb. Include what you carry as well as your body weight.
- Range. Manufacturer range figures are best case. Match them against your longest regular outing, such as a full day at an airport or a port stop.
If you will load the scooter into a van or SUV, our wheelchair ramp length guide explains how to size a ramp for a scooter.
Airline approved mobility scooter: what that label means
Several listings, including the ComfyGO MS-5000, Luggie Standard and HandyScoot HS101, describe their scooter or battery as airline approved. That is a manufacturer claim. The final decision belongs to your airline, and policies vary by carrier and route.
The FAA’s PackSafe guidance on airline passengers and batteries sets out these points for wheelchairs and mobility scooters:
- If the lithium ion battery is removed, it is limited to 300 watt hours (Wh), must go in carry on baggage only, and you must tell the airline where the battery is located.
- If the battery stays installed and is protected by design, the scooter must be checked, not carried on, and you must tell the airline the battery location.
- Spare mobility device batteries are carry on only: one spare up to 300 Wh, or two spares up to 160 Wh each.
- Lithium metal (non rechargeable) batteries are forbidden with these devices.
- For scooters with spillable, non spillable or dry batteries, such as the sealed lead acid battery on the Shoprider Echo, the FAA says to contact your airline because advance arrangements and extra check in time may be needed.
The ZiiLIF-R3b (262 Wh) and the SOLAX and MOBIFREE models (252 Wh) list battery ratings under 300 Wh. Even so, call your airline before you book, give them the battery type and rating, and ask about advance notice and gate check procedures.
Taking a folding mobility scooter on a cruise
Cruise lines set their own rules for mobility scooters, so read your line’s accessibility policy before you book. Ask about cabin door width and whether the scooter must fit through the door folded or unfolded, where it can be stored and charged in the cabin, and how you will get on and off at ports and tender stops. A compact turning radius helps in narrow ship hallways; the Shoprider Echo lists a 36 in turning radius.
Talk with your doctor or therapist
A scooter should match your balance, strength, vision and ability to transfer on and off the seat. Before you buy, talk with your doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist about whether a scooter, power chair or another aid fits your needs. If you only need a fast ride and are steady on your feet, our electric scooter for adults guide covers a different kind of scooter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lightest folding mobility scooter you carry?
Of the folding scooters in our table, the ZiiROBOT ZiiLIF-R3b lists the lowest frame weight at 37.5 lb without its battery and 41 lb with it.
Can I take an airline approved mobility scooter on any flight?
No. “Airline approved” is the manufacturer’s description. Your airline makes the final call, so contact it before you book with your battery type and watt hour rating.
Is a lightweight mobility scooter good for heavier riders?
Some are. The Luggie Super Plus 4 lists a 360 lb capacity and the HandyScoot HS101 lists 350 lb, while several lighter models top out at 200 to 275 lb.
Do folding mobility scooters fit in a small car trunk?
Many do, but measure first. Compare your trunk opening with the folded dimensions in the table, or choose a model that disassembles into smaller pieces.
Questions about a specific model? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. We offer free freight shipping on orders of $999 or more, and a $200 flat rate below that. See our return and refund policy for details.
