Luggie Compact Electric Folding Mobility Scooter - FR168 Review

The Luggie is a unique entry in our power scooter review. It is a one-piece folding scooter that is extremely portable and convenient. It travels for a decent distance on a single charge, has an acceptable maximum speed and maneuvers well. We award the Luggie our Top Ten Reviews Silver Award for its lightweight design, easy maneuverability and excellent performance.

Performance

Like most power scooters, the Luggie has a maximum speed of 4 mph; you can make turns comfortably at this pace. This scooter does great outdoors and can go up to 12 miles on one charge. That’s pretty good compared to some scooters we reviewed that can only travel 7 to 10 miles on a full charge. The battery only takes between two and six hours to recharge, which is the fastest advertised charging time of the scooters in our review.

The Luggie’s performance falls short with its light carrying capacity. Its maximum weight capacity is 250 pounds, limiting who can use it. Additionally, it does not have a basket or other storage option, although you can purchase one separately. If you like to travel light, then the limited weight capacity and lack of a basket aren’t a problem; however, if you're used to carrying a lot, this is something to consider.

Maneuverability

With four wheels, the Luggie is compact and portable without sacrificing stability and durability. It’s also extremely nimble. It boasts a 36-inch turning radius, so you can turn almost any corner. It also has rear anti-tip wheels that provide extra protection against falling over in the middle of a sharp turn. While it isn’t the fastest mobility scooter on the market, it can get you where you need to go safely and relatively quickly.

The portable scooter has a decent ground clearance, so you can drive over uneven surfaces. However, the scooter operates optimally on flat surfaces. The Luggie can climb a maximum incline of 6 degrees. With ADA compliant commercial ramps built at 5 degree angles, you can safely drive up most ramps.

Assembly

The Luggie’s primary selling point is convenience. It comes assembled out of the box, so there’s no need to memorize which piece goes where. You can just take it out of the box, pull a couple of levers, extend its frame, flip a switch and you’re ready to roll. Assembled, the scooter only weighs 50 pounds, making it an ideal electric scooter for elderly people.

This scooter folds up into several configurations. There is the riding position where the seat and handlebar are upright, as well as a partially collapsed position that allows you to pull the scooter like a piece of rolling luggage. Lastly, there’s the fully collapsed cube, which you can use to easily store, stow and transport the electric scooter. If you put your scooter in the trunk of your car or check it as luggage on an airplane often, there’s simply no better scooter for you. This is truly its most useful feature.

While the scooter’s compact size makes it easy to transport, you lose comfort for that portability. The scooter has a stadium-style seat with very little cushion support, and it features a standard handle, which requires more upper-body strength and hand dexterity to operate than a delta tiller. The Luggie’s lack of support can detract from the overall riding experience. Additionally, the scooter does not have adjustable arm rests, so you cannot customize them to fit your body type.

Warranty

Luggie backs the scooter’s frame with a three-year warranty. The drive train and electronic components have a one-year warranty, and the battery is covered for six months. The scooter has comparable warranty coverage to the other scooters we reviewed.

Summary

The Luggie power scooter is a great companion if you're an adventuresome soul that doesn't like to be slowed down. Even with some of its drawbacks, such as a light carrying capacity and lack of a basket and other amenities, it's the best power scooter to transport and travel with because of its versatile and lightweight design. You can take it along on every trip, whether you are visiting family nearby to going on a vacation in a faraway destination.

EV RiderXpress Review

EV Rider’s power mobility scooter, RiderXpress, is high performing, durable and easy to maneuver. It has a high weight capacity, long operating range and high maximum speed. In addition, it has a higher ground clearance than most power scooters, as well as a sharper turning radius than most of the other four-wheel scooters in our review. For these reasons, it earns the Top Ten Reviews Gold Award for power scooters.

Performance

The RiderXpress is designed for passengers that weigh 300 pounds or less, so it is suitable for most people. The seat is nice and wide with a deep cushion, a fold-down top and adjustable armrests. It’s fair to say that this electric scooter was designed with comfort and convenience in mind.

It was also built to get you around relatively quickly. This scooter has a top speed of 5 mph. This may not seem very fast, but most power scooters can only travel between 3 and 4 mph. On a full battery charge, the RiderXpress can travel as far as 12.5 miles under normal operation. You do not need to remove the battery to charge it; instead, you simply plug the unit into the power adapter and outlet. The scooter only takes between six and eight hours to reach full charge.

Maneuverability

One of this four-wheel scooter’s most impressive features is its turning radius, which is comparable to nimbler three-wheel models. With a turning radius of 38.6 inches, the RiderXpress has the stability and speed of a four-wheel scooter and the dexterity of a three-wheeler, so you can maneuver around tight corners.

The RiderXpress has an impressive ground clearance of 2.8 inches. This is only 0.2 inches lower than the scooter in our best power scooters review with the highest ground clearance. Having a high ground clearance is important because it allows you to roll over objects and obstacles without damaging the frame or the motor. A low center of gravity also improves its balance, making it a good choice for seniors.

The wheels are composed of a solid alloy rather than filled with pressurized air. These tires don’t go flat or require regular maintenance. They’re also more durable than other tires, so you can traverse over rough terrain without worrying about damaging them.

This electric scooter can climb inclines of up to 12 degrees. This is double the average maximum incline of the mobility scooters in our review; it gets you up wheelchair ramps and most city sidewalks with ease. If you live in a particularly hilly area, this steep climbing ability is extremely useful.

The most unique thing about the RiderXpress is that it has monoshock suspension. This means the scooter can withstand things like potholes. It also helps the scooter brake gently and provides a smooth ride.

Assembly

The RiderXpress is one of the easiest scooters to put together and take apart. The scooter comes in five main pieces. Assembly and disassembly take less than a minute once you are familiar with the process. The scooter also includes an instruction manual you can reference when assembling, using or taking it apart.

With an adjustable tiller and armrests, you can modify the scooter to the most comfortable fit for your weight and height. It has deep cushions and arm rests that flip up, so you can easily climb on and off the scooter.

While it isn’t particularly heavy, it is one of the weightier power scooters in our review. When assembled, the RiderXpress weighs in at 135 pounds. Its heaviest component is 46 pounds. This is light enough to assemble and move without too much hassle. However, it may be difficult for elderly users or those with disabilities to disassemble and transport on their own.

The scooter has an optional cup holder. This is a small perk that you don’t often see on power scooters. It’s a small touch but a convenient one. You can carry groceries or other personal items with you on the go in the attached basket.

Warranty

The RiderXpress’ frame is covered by a three-year warranty. All other components, including the drive train, battery and various electronic parts, have a one-year warranty. These are middling numbers for electronic scooter warranties.

Summary

The RiderXpress is an excellent choice for a midrange power scooter. It has a handsome and durable design. It’s also quick and can travel more than a dozen miles on a single charge. In addition, it has some distinctive features such as monoshock suspension and an optional cup holder. This durable power scooter is a smart purchase if you favor speed, range and dexterity.

Power Scooters: Our Verdict and Recommendations

After evaluating each of the scooters, we found that the RiderXpress offers top performance and maneuverability, making it the best power scooter currently available. The scooter has a high weight capacity of 300 pounds, so it is suitable for most people. This mobility scooter has an operating range of 12.5 miles, allowing you to travel a significant distance on one charge. When you do have to charge the battery, it only takes between six and eight hours to reach full charge. Additionally, this scooter has a higher ground clearance than most of the others we reviewed, sitting 2.8 inches off the ground. It can also climb inclines of 12 degrees. With its long operating range, high ground clearance and steep incline climbing, this scooter is also suitable for outdoor use.

The Luggie is the easiest scooter to transport of those we reviewed. Weighing only 50 pounds, this portable scooter folds up and can be placed in a bag for easy transport. The scooter has superior performance and maneuverability. It can run for up to 12 miles and only takes between two and six hours to recharge its battery. Additionally, this three-wheel scooter makes sharp turns. Its low maximum weight capacity and inferior seat and handle options limit who can use the scooter, but its design and performance make it one of the best power scooters currently available.

The BuzzAround XL is a four-wheel scooter that performs well, is easy to assemble and comes with great customer service. The scooter performs similarly to other models with an operating range of 8 miles and maximum speed of 4 mph. It only weighs 109 pounds when assembled. Even with its many convenience parts, including a cup holder, adjustable arm rests, delta tiller handle and a deep cushioned stadium seat, this scooter comes in five easy-to-assemble components. In addition, you can order replacement parts directly from the manufacturer, making it easy to keep the maintenance up-to-date on this machine. This scooter has a lifetime warranty on its frame and lengthy warranties for all of its other parts.

While power scooters are viable transportation options for most people with disabilities, the cost of these scooters can be a deterrent. For temporary users, we suggest more affordable scooter options, such as the Go-Go Ultra X or Zip’r 3 Xtra. These two scooters share comparable performance capabilities as our top-rated models with maximum speeds peaking at 4 mph and operating ranges between 8 and 10 miles. While these scooters have limited weight capacity and long charge times, their lower price tags and basic features make them good options for temporary users.

What Else is Important When Selecting a Power Scooter?

While performance and maneuverability are the most important factors to consider when purchasing a scooter, the assembly process, weight and number of components affect how easy the scooter is to build and maintain.

Weight

Most of the scooters weigh at least 100 pounds after they are put together, with single components that can weigh almost half of the total weight. This is important for elderly users or those assembling the scooter on their own to consider. Look for a product that has a weight consistent with your physical abilities.

Each scooter has a heavy-duty battery that is installed in the unit. Most of the batteries weigh at least 20 pounds. Since you may have to replace the battery multiple times over the life of the scooter, this figure is important. Lightweight batteries that weigh less than 20 pounds are easy to remove and replace.

Number of Components

We also listed the number of individual pieces the scooter arrives in. Scooters with few parts to connect together are easy to assemble. Most of the scooters are broken down in four or five main pieces that you must assemble using the user guide.

Some of the manufacturers offer replacement parts on their websites. Purchasing directly from the manufacturer is the most convenient option, especially when buying components that have a limited life such as brakes and batteries. It ensures the parts you purchase are compatible with your scooter.

Assembly

Scooters have different handle and seat types, which can significantly affect the riding experience. The scooters we reviewed have either standard or delta tiller handles. The delta tiller handles wrap around the steering column, giving you a place to rest your wrists. These handles are the best option for those with limited hand strength and dexterity. The standard handle has straight handlebars with thumb levers that control speed. This type of handle requires upper body strength and control.

The power scooters we reviewed have either standard stadium seats, deep-cushion stadium seats or captain chairs. The standard stadium seats provide very little cushion and support and are not ideal for long excursions; instead, they are best for quick errands or riding around the house. The deep-cushion stadium seats provide proper support and comfort for extended rides. Captain seats are the best option for extended excursions. They have soft cushions, contoured bases, adjustable arm rests and sometimes head rests.

Power Scooters: What We Evaluated, What We Found

To evaluate performance, we considered each scooter’s weight capacity, maximum speed and operating range. These criteria affect usability the most, as they determine who can ride the scooter, how fast it can travel and how long it can go between charges. Similarly, we evaluated each scooter’s maneuverability, specifically focusing on its turning capabilities, ground clearance and ability to climb inclines, which consequently also includes evaluating the number and type of wheels each scooter has. In our evaluation, we found that the scooters varied significantly in these categories.

Performance:

When gauging performance, we took into account the speed, battery life and recharging time, and weight capacity of each unit as reported by the manufacturers. These features have the greatest effect on usability and experience. We found that there was very little variation in speed and weight capacity between scooters, which is not surprising as they all share the same goal of providing mobility to users with disabilities.

The operating range and recharging time for each unit varied more widely. We found that most scooters’ operating ranges varied within 5 to 7 miles of one another. The scooters’ average charging times were usually at least eight hours or more. However, with outliers like the Shoprider Sunrunner that operates for a staggering 25 miles or the Luggie that recharges within two to six hours, several models clearly out-perform the others.

Performance: Weight Capacity

The weight capacities of the scooters we reviewed range between 220 and 300 pounds. These weight restrictions not only limit who can use each scooter but also how much extra baggage can be carried on it as well. Scooters with higher weight capacities are more versatile and have more resilient designs than their low-capacity counterparts.

The weight of the rider affects the speed, operating range, ground clearance and maneuverability of the scooter. When a rider meets the maximum weight capacity, the scooter sits closer to the ground, affecting which surfaces it can drive on, as well as its maneuverability. It also lowers the maximum speed and decreases the scooter’s operating range. The lighter the rider is in comparison to the maximum weight capacity, the better the scooter can maneuver up hills and around obstacles.

Performance: Speed

While all scooters limit how fast you can go for safety reasons, there is still variation in each scooter’s maximum speed. Most mobility scooters match the speed of pedestrian traffic so they are safe for both riders and people walking by. They range between 4 and 8 mph. We found that the fastest scooter we reviewed peaked at 6 mph, and the slower scooters go only 3.5 mph.

Maximum speed determines both how long it takes to get to your destination and how safe the machine is. The best option is a balance between those two factors. Our top-rated scooters go between 4 and 5 mph and not only get you to your destination relatively quickly but maintain your safety and protect the pedestrians around you.

Performance: Operating Range

Each scooter’s operating range varies widely. Some of the scooters maintain speed and battery for less than 10 miles. After that, you must recharge the scooter’s battery, which generally takes between six and 12 hours. This information is particularly important if you plan to use your scooter for extended periods of time such as for a day at the amusement park.

The operating ranges of the scooters we reviewed are between 7 and 25 miles, with most scooters averaging between 10 and 15 miles. If you plan on only using your scooter for short trips or inside, you can choose one with a smaller operating range. Otherwise, you should look for a scooter that operates for at least 10 miles.

Maneuverability: Ground Clearance, Turning Radius & Inclines

The scooter’s advertised maneuverability is generally based on a rider of average weight and height. It is important to note that most of the specifications, specifically the maximum speed, operating range, ground clearance, turning radius, maximum incline and battery charge, differ depending on the weight of the rider. When used by heavier riders, the power scooters do not perform as well as the listed specifications advertised.

Lightweight riders can expect better performance with increased maneuverability, power and speed. Based on the specifications provided by the manufacturers, we found that the scooters are all designed with low ground clearances and intended for flat surface use. However, each one’s turning radius and recommended maximum incline varies.

Maneuverability: Ground Clearance

The scooters we evaluated sit low to the ground, with ground clearances between 1 and 3 inches. Since they sit low to the ground, they are more stable than their taller counterparts; however, low-clearance scooters incur more damage when used on uneven terrain, so they are best used indoors and on flat, paved surfaces.

Maneuverability: Turning Radius

No matter where you use your scooter, you need one with a small enough turning radius to get you around tight corners. The scooters we reviewed have turning radiuses between 30 and 55 inches. Not surprisingly, scooters with only three wheels are generally more maneuverable and turn tighter. Many of the scooters we reviewed are capable of making 35 degree turns.

Maneuverability: Maximum Incline

The maximum incline your scooter is capable of climbing is important. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires commercial ramps to have a 1:12 ratio slope or 5-degree incline, and residential ramps require a 2:12 slope or 9.5-degree incline. All of the scooters in our review can climb an incline of 6 degrees, and many of the scooters can climb inclines anywhere from 8 to 12 degrees. If you plan on using a ramp to put your scooter in your car, you need one that can handle a steeper incline, and you should make sure that the scooter is compatible with the ramp.

Top Ten Reviews seeks, whenever possible, to evaluate all products and services in hands-on tests that simulate as closely as possible the experiences of a typical consumer. The companies had no input or influence over our test methodology, nor was the methodology provided to any of them in more detail than is available through reading our reviews. Results of our evaluations were not provided to the companies in advance of publication.

Why Buy a Power Scooter?

The top performers in our review are the EV Rider RiderXpress, the Gold Award winner; the Luggie, the Silver Award winner; and the BuzzAround XL, the Bronze Award winner. Here’s more on choosing a power scooter to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of 10 products.

Power scooters give people with limited mobility independence. Whether age, mental capacity or physical ailments keep you from walking, mobility scooters offer means of transportation. With a scooter, you can perform everyday tasks like shopping, running errands and even just moving around the house.

If your mobility is greatly limited, we have several reviews on electric wheelchairs. These machines also provide mobility for those with disabilities; however, they typically must be fitted by a trained professional. Electric wheelchairs are safer and more stable solutions than power scooters for those who have limited strength and mobility in both their arms and legs.

Power scooters are usually comprised of four to five main components, including the frame, drive train and battery. While all of the scooters are similar, they differ in key areas like battery life, maximum speed, weight capacity and operating range. Your individual needs determine which features your scooter must have. When purchasing medical scooters, the performance, maneuverability, assembly and warranty are key features to focus on.

All of the scooters we reviewed are available for purchase online. While there are several older models available that provide top-tier performance, we focused on the latest models in each of the series we looked at. We also created informative articles about power scooters, including information about these older top-performing models. The scooters we reviewed are intended for use on flat surfaces or indoors, as they feature low ground clearances and slow speeds. The power scooters in our review range in price from $600 to $2,000.