December 4, 2024 | Natalie Webber

Folding vs dismantlable scooters: which portable mobility scooter is best for me?

If you’ve read our guide on the different types of mobility scooters and decided that a class 2 portable scooter is the best one for you, you may be wondering whether you should choose a folding mobility scooter vs a scooter that dismantles into several pieces for transport.

In this article, we’ll look at the differences between folding and dismantlable scooters, comparing the positives and negatives of each option, to help you in your decision.

Folding vs dismantlable mobility scooters – a portable scooter overview

Folding and dismantlable scooters are both travel-friendly scooters that are designed to be easily transported in a car boot – which is why they’re also referred to as boot scooters!

Folding mobility scooters fold, either automatically or manually, into a compact package for easy transportation and storage.

The image on the right shows the Vitus Elite Auto-folding Mobility Scooter in its folded state.

As the name suggests, dismantlable mobility scooters come apart for easy storage. Typically, the parts that come apart include the seat, motor unit, battery, and front unit.

The image below shows the ST1 Mobility Scooter fully dismantled.

Folding vs dismantlable mobility scooters – the key differences & buying factors explained

1. Weight:

Despite being compact when folded, folding scooters retain the weight of the complete scooter, making them heavier than the heaviest part of a dismantled mobility scooter.

Foldable mobility scooters can weigh between 20-30kg, which can be too heavy for some users to lift. An exception to this is the AeroCarbon scooter, which weighs just 13kg when folded! With dismantleable scooters, the heaviest part when dismantled typically weighs no more than 10kg.

This is a key consideration for users who want to transport their scooter in a car boot – the extra weight of a folding scooter may prohibit you from lifting it into the boot.

2. Components or Folded Size:

Portable mobility scooters measure different sizes once folded or split into their component parts. How large your car boot is may affect which portable scooter is suitable for you. Let’s look at 3 examples:

Mirage Mobility Scooter in Folded Position

Mirage Folding Mobility Scooter

The Mirage folds either end onto the chassis, which means its length remains 100cm (39in) when folded. This may be too big to fit into small car boots.

AeroCarbon Folding Mobility Scooter

The AeroCarbon folds through the middle to a ultra compact folded size of 38 x 52 x 69 cm (14.9 x 20.5 x 27.2 in).

AstroLite Dismantlable Mobility Scooter

The AstroLite splits into four sections, the largest measuring 87cm (34.3in) in length.

3. Ease of Use:

Dismantling a mobility scooter is straightforward, however, it does require you to bend down, which can be difficult for some users. Most users will find the folding mechanism of folding scooters easier to operate, and it saves assembly/disassembly either side of your journey.