Imagine not having to bend over just to fold your scooter. How fantastic would that be? That and more is what this Transformer 4 wheel mobility scooter from Enhance Mobility offers.
Today’s article will review the Transformer 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter. The review will include our honest thoughts and experience with the scooter as well as feedback from other customers and scooter technicians.
Transformer 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter Review
The Enhance Mobility Transformer Scooter is one of its kind. According to its manufacturers, it is the only fully electric folding scooter in the United States.
The scooter comes fully assembled right of the box. This is a huge plus since there are no installations or complex setups and, obviously, no tools needed. Did we mention how fast the shipping took? Yes, in just two weeks, we received our scooter.
A quick look at this enhance mobility scooter, and you can easily tell that the manufacturers really took their time to design and create it. Even impressive is that its available in four vibrant colors- red, yellow, blue, and black.
But does it perform as well as it looks? Well, you’ll find out by the end of this post..
This folding mobility scooter is designed for seniors with limited mobility due to injuries or general weakness in legs, feet, knees, and other mobility issues. However, users must have a good sitting balance and be able to step on and step off the scooter.
This scooter is perfect for visiting nearby friends and family, going shopping, taking evening walks, and other short trips.
The scooter is pretty easy to use, it takes just pressing a few buttons, and you are out and about. It comes with a comprehensive manual that takes you through how to operate this unique and original scooter in clear steps.
There is also a FAQ sheet that answers pretty much every question a user may have. On top of that, the customer support at Enhance is always ready to give support and answer questions promptly.
To operate the scooter, you can either choose to go manual or use the remote control that accompanies the scooter. Most users prefer remote control operation.
Portable and Lightweight
Perhaps the fascinating feature of this ultra-portable electric scooter is the ability to fold it down and fold it up with just a push of a button. The Transformer folds down to make it easy to lift since it’s considerably less bulky when folded. The user can fold it down to store it away until when needed or put it into the trunk or backseat of the car when traveling. We loved how it easily fits into the trunk of any vehicle.
You can also fold it down and move around with it since it’s wheeled and has a handlebar. Just the same way you wheel around a suitcase. It helps that it is lightweight, weighing just 53 lbs, inclusive of the battery weight.
The best thing about this folding mobility scooter is that you can travel anywhere with it since it’s accepted by all airlines, cruise ships, and train stations.
Dimensions
With a width of 17 inches, the Transformer is narrow enough to fit through tight spaces both indoors and outdoors. As well, it maneuvers easily through crowded places, thanks to its turning radius of 55 inches. This gives you the confidence to go anywhere because you are not worried about getting stuck or knocking people down when turning.
Accessories
The uniquely designed folding basket on this Transformer scooter really impressed us, and we are sure you will be too. A huge plus is that it is foldable and removable. So you can always leave it back at home if you have no business with it. Also, the basket comes with comfortable carrying handles to make your quick trips to the store easy.
Battery
The Transformer comes with an airline-friendly Lithium-ion battery, which is a superior quality battery that lasts for years. The battery guarantees you up to 13 miles on a single charge and a max speed of 3.7 miles. The pack holds 2 batteries, so it offers you a total of 26 miles.
There is a station charger that you can use to charge the battery outside of the Transformer scooter. It’s optional but we highly recommend it since you don’t have to keep taking your scooter off the car to charge, just the battery.
Warranty
Even though hardly anything could break down on the Transformer, given the excellent quality and build, it’s great to know that the scooter comes with a limited lifetime warranty claim on the frame, a one-year warranty on the battery and a 2-year warranty on the electronics.
4 Wheel Mobility Scooter Buying Guide
A 4 wheel mobility scooter is more of a medical device than an active lifestyle choice, and therefore, you need to be extra keen when making a purchase. You have to look out for features that will meet your needs and, most importantly, be safe and comfortable.
We hope this buying guide will help you make the right purchase.
Weight Capacity
The first thing you want to look at is the scooter’s weight capacity. Every scooter comes with a recommended weight limit. For instance, the Transformer 4 Wheel scooter has a weight capacity of 300lbs.
The weight limit varies. Some have a lower limit, while others have a higher limit to accommodate heavy users. Be sure to stick to the weight limit for a safer and highly comfortable riding experience.
Comfort
Comfort is crucial when choosing a scooter. To ensure that you find a comfortable folding scooter, check the following:
- Back support: Look out for a backrest that is padded as well as one that you can make some adjustments to. An adjustable back gives you the flexibility to sit in different positions. Some scooters have a headrest to further support your back when reclining.
- Adjustable seat: Consider a seat that you can adjust forward or backward as well as adjust in height. These adjustments make a whole difference in enhancing your comfort. In addition, ensure that the seat has a sufficient seating area and is padded.
- Adjustable armrests: Look out for a scooter with adjustable armrests. In addition, the armrests should either be the flip-up type or ones that you can swing in and out to allow for easy movement in and out of the scooter.
- Plenty of legroom space: This is particularly for taller users.
- Tiller: Ensure that the scooter has a tiller that you can easily reach when driving. You should be able to tilt it away from the seat and towards you when needed. The tiller should also be able to comfortably accommodate your body size to make driving easier.
- Seat padding: Choose a scooter with a padded seat for extra comfort. However, don’t go for a heavily padded seat as it may make the scooter heavier.
Safety
Safety is the topmost consideration when looking at mobility scooters, especially ones designed for seniors, particularly for outdoor use.
Even though many scooters will have safety features included, it’s still important to check that it has essential safety features installed like a safety belt, indicator signals, rearview mirrors to help in safely making turnings, head, and taillights, anti-tip wheels for extra stability and a horn. All these features will ensure a safe ride both for you and the people and pets that you will come across.
Portability
If you plan to travel a lot, then portability should be your top priority. As such, consider the total weight of the scooter. Some manufacturers will indicate the total weight inclusive of the battery, while some won’t, so take note of that when determining the scooter’s total weight.
Consider also the takedown of the scooter. Some scooters fold down to a compact size that you can easily transport, while others require you to separate it into multiple parts. Foldable scooters are considered the most portable.
Usability
There are many aspects that constitute the usability of a scooter. Here are the crucial elements that you should consider:
Turning radius: This refers to a scooter’s maneuverability or how easy or hard it is to make the turn with the scooter. A smaller turning radius makes a sharper turn, while a bigger radius makes a less sharp turn. Generally, four-wheel scooters are the hardest to turn compared to 3 wheel scooters.
Maximum speed: Heavier mobility scooters go faster, upto 15mph, because of their stability, while lightweight scooters go slower, averaging 5 miles per hour. Even with a high-speed scooter, it’s always best to maintain a slow speed for your safety, especially on slopes and curvy roads.
Dimensions: Check the overall dimensions of the scooter- width and height. The height should be comfortable for your reach, and the width should be enough to fit through doorways and hallways.
Travel range: Travel range is how far a scooter can travel on a single charge. This is important for planning long-hour trips. If you are on the road for plenty of hours each day, you want to consider a scooter with a high travel range. Say a range of 40 miles per charge. If you use your scooter for shorter trips, 10 miles per charge would suffice. Drive range is dependent on the upgraded batteries. Some batteries will give you a longer drive range, while others will give you as low as 6 miles. Always choose a scooter with a longer drive range because you never predict how your lifestyle will be in the future. You may be forced to use your scooter for longer than you can anticipate.
Battery life: A good battery should last you up to three years, however, this is dependent on a lot of factors. Most importantly, how often do you plan to use your scooter? An everyday scooter will likely not get you past two years. That said a lightweight lithium battery is the most preferred.
Cost
A mobility scooter is generally pricier than an adult walker, electric wheelchair, and other mobility aids. That said, the models vary a great deal in price. While some models cost a reasonable $800, some cost a clustering $3000. The huge difference in price is mostly because of the features and the quality of materials used.
If you find a new scooter a bit pricy, you can opt for reconditioned ones that cost as little as $300. There are plenty of reconditioned scooters because people are always trading in their old scooters for newer top-of-the-range scooters. You could also look into hiring a mobility scooter.
We find that buying mobility scooters online is cheaper than buying them in a physical shop. The only downside is that you will still have to incur the cost of assembling and in most cases, service, and maintenance.
Accessories
While accessories are optional, some are super convenient to have. They make riding easier, more comfortable, and fun. For instance, having a cup holder allows you to secure your smoothie while in motion, and a basket allows you to store your personal items at an arm’s reach. There are plenty of accessories that can be installed. We particularly find a cellphone holder, a portable ramp, storage basket, and weather covers really helpful.
Conclusion
The Transformer 4-wheel mobility scooter is a must-have for any individual looking to step up their social lifestyle. The enhance scooter is a fully folding electric scooter designed for seniors and other individuals with limited mobility.
It is lightweight and highly portable, making it ideal for the outdoors. We particularly recommend it for its precise engineering, easy-to-understand controls, and excellent build. Even though it’s a bit pricy, we can guarantee you that it is totally worth every coin.
However, if you prefer a more affordable 4 wheel mobility scooter with almost the same features and functionalities, the Ezfold Lightweight Foldable Scooter could be a great choice.
