Choosing Power Chair or Mobility Scooter – COPD

A practical guide to help you and your family think through the options, features and questions if you have COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) makes everyday walking and standing more tiring, because the lungs have to work harder for the same amount of oxygen. Many people find that a power chair or mobility scooter isn’t about giving up on walking altogether- it’s about saving breath for the things that matter, staying active without being breathless, and reducing the risk of falls that comes with fatigue.

There is no single ‘best’ chair or scooter for COPD — the right choice depends on your day-to-day routine, the severity of your symptoms, whether you use oxygen therapy, and where you’ll mainly be using it. This guide sets out the main things to weigh up.

⚠ Always involve your healthcare team

Speak to your healthcare professional before choosing — they can assess your breathlessness, oxygen needs and any risks, and may refer you to your local NHS Wheelchair Service for a formal assessment.

Power Chair or Mobility Scooter — Which Suits You?

	Power (electric) wheelchair	Mobility scooter
Controls	Joystick — light finger/hand pressure, minimal exertion	Tiller with handlebar grips — needs more wrist/arm strength and some upper-body reach
Best environment	Indoors and around the home; many models cope with pavements too	Outdoors — shops, appointments, days out; not designed for tight indoor spaces
Getting in and out	Usually a lower, easier transfer with supportive seating	Higher seat and a step-through design; more effort to mount and dismount
Carrying oxygen	Rear or side-mounted cylinder holder; concentrator can sit on a tray or in a bag	Front basket is ideal for a cylinder or portable concentrator, kept close and visible
Typical range per charge	8–15 miles, though heavier-duty models go further	10–25+ miles, generally the better choice for longer outings
Transport	Heavier; usually needs a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or hoist	Many models dismantle or fold for the car boot

As a general rule: if you’re mainly moving around inside your home, or your grip and arm strength are limited, a power chair tends to suit better. If you’re mainly heading out to the shops, appointments or social visits and want to transport in the car, a scooter tends to suit better. Many households with COPD end up with one of each, or a single mid-range scooter that can also cope indoors.

Key Features to Check If You Have COPD

Whichever type you’re considering, these are the features that matter most when breathlessness and oxygen therapy are part of the picture.

Weight capacity	Add the weight of your oxygen cylinder or concentrator, bag and any other equipment to your own weight — check this against the stated user weight limit, not just your body weight alone.
Oxygen accommodation	Look for a purpose-made cylinder holder or a basket/tray large enough for a portable concentrator, positioned so tubing cannot catch in the wheels or steering.
Seat support	A supportive backrest and armrests reduce the physical effort of sitting upright, which in turn reduces the work of breathing. Captain-style seating with good lumbar support suits many people with COPD.
Battery range	Choose a range with a comfortable margin above your typical outing distance — running low on charge away from home can cause real anxiety and breathlessness.
Control effort	A joystick generally requires less physical effort than a scooter tiller, which matters if grip strength or stamina is reduced.
Turning circle & doorway width	For indoor use, check the chair’s turning circle against your narrowest doorway and hallway.
Class of scooter (if outdoors)	Class 2 scooters (max 4mph) are for pavement use only; Class 3 scooters (max 8mph) can also be used on the road and must be registered with the DVLA.
Ventilation	If using a portable oxygen concentrator, make sure it is never stored fully enclosed (e.g. zipped inside a bag) while running, as it needs airflow to work safely.

If You Use Supplemental Oxygen

Fit a proper cylinder holder or concentrator tray rather than balancing equipment on your lap or hanging it from handlebars — this avoids strain and reduces the risk of the tubing snagging.

Keep tubing routed away from the wheels, steering column and footplate, and check it regularly for kinks.

Portable oxygen concentrators need airflow to function safely — never fully enclose one in a zipped bag or basket liner while it’s running.

If you switch between a cylinder and a portable concentrator, check the holder or basket can accommodate both, as sizes and weights differ.

Ask your oxygen equipment provider whether they have any specific guidance for the make and model of scooter or power chair you’re considering.

Energy Conservation — Getting the Most from Your Device

Pulmonary rehabilitation teams often talk about ‘energy conservation’ — using the breath and energy you have as efficiently as possible. A power chair or scooter can be part of that approach:

Use the device for the outward journey or the parts of a trip that involve the most walking, and reserve your energy for the activity itself — for example, riding to the shops but walking around inside once there, if that’s manageable.

A seat that allows you to sit slightly forward, or with good back support, can make breathing feel easier than standing or walking for the same period.

Plan routes and charging around your typical ‘good’ and ‘bad’ breathing days, rather than assuming your best day is every day.

✓ Try before you buy

Wenman Healthcare offers free, no-obligation home assessments across the Midlands. We’ll bring a small range of power chairs and scooters to your home, check them against your doorways, thresholds and typical routes, and talk through oxygen equipment compatibility with you.

Funding, VAT and Assessment Routes (UK)

VAT relief: if you have a long-term condition such as COPD, you may be able to buy an eligible mobility product VAT-free — your supplier can advise on the declaration needed.

NHS Wheelchair Services: for more complex needs, your GP or respiratory team can refer you for an NHS wheelchair assessment, which may include a Personal Wheelchair Budget.

Occupational therapy: an OT assessment (via social services or privately) can look at your whole home and routine, not just the device itself, and may support access to a Disabled Facilities Grant if wider adaptations are also needed.

Motability Scheme: some scooters and power chairs are available through Motability if you receive a qualifying mobility benefit.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Buy

What is the realistic range on a single charge, allowing for hills, headwind and colder weather, which all reduce battery performance?

How much does the chair or scooter weigh once loaded with oxygen equipment, and can I still lift or store it safely?

Is servicing and battery replacement available locally, and what does that cost over time?

Can I trial the device at home before committing to a purchase?

Talk to Wenman Healthcare

Independent Living Centre, Barford, Warwickshire – serving the Midlands with free home assessments for power chairs, scooters and wider mobility equipment.

Please do call our friendly knowledgeable team on 01926624432 for further help and information, including equipment that may assist, see the health conditions section in our web site.

This guide is for general information only and does not replace individual clinical advice. Please speak to your GP, respiratory team or occupational therapist about what is right for your own health needs.