Once you have the wheelchair or mobility scooter itself, daily life comes down to smaller questions: where the groceries go, what happens when it starts to rain halfway home, and how to bring the cane, the oxygen tank or the phone along without juggling. The right mobility scooter accessories and wheelchair add-ons answer those questions quietly, so the device fades into the background and the day takes over.
Quick Answer: Most wheelchair and mobility scooter users need three things: a bag to carry daily essentials, a cover or canopy to handle sun, rain and storage, and a holder or two to keep a cane, crutches, oxygen or a drink within reach. Bags solve the carrying problem, covers and canopies solve the weather problem, and holders solve the "where do I put this" problem.
This guide was reviewed by the Independent Living Superstore team, a veteran-owned homecare equipment retailer. Independent Living Superstore is an authorized Diestco dealer, and Diestco has sewn bags, covers and canopies to order in Chico, California, since 1992.
Start With How You Get Around
The device you use decides which accessories will fit, so start there. The table below sorts the most useful options by device and by the job each one does.
Bags That Carry What You Need
A wheelchair bag or scooter bag works best when it mounts where your hands, or a helper's hands, naturally go. Every Diestco bag is made to order with reflective tape and water-resistant fabric, so the choice comes down to where you want the weight to sit.
Seatback bags for the big loads
A seatback bag hangs behind you, out of the way of your arms and wheels, which makes it the right spot for groceries, a jacket or a change of clothes. If a caregiver does most of the loading and unloading, a seatback bag is also the easiest one for them to reach. Choose between the Standard Seatback Bag, the Deluxe Seatback Bag, the Side Access Seatback Bag and the Monster Seatback Bag.
Wheelchair armrest bag for what you reach for all day
A wheelchair armrest bag keeps your phone, keys and glasses right beside you, where you can get to them without turning around. The saddle style drapes over the armrest, while the pocket style tucks in close. See the Standard Saddle Armrest Bag, the X-Large Saddle Armrest Bag and the Armrest Pocket.
Under-seat and frame storage for a clean look
Under-seat storage keeps items out of sight and keeps the weight low and centered, which many people prefer for everyday errands. The Glove Box comes in small or large, the Cargo Shelf adds a flat shelf under the seat, and the Down-in-Front Bag is the frame-mount answer for chairs without armrests.
Scooter bag options that mount on the tiller
A scooter bag on the tiller sits right in front of you, which is the handiest place for a wallet, sunglasses or a shopping list. Pick the Standard Tiller Bag, the four-pocket Deluxe Tiller Bag, the zippered Soft Basket, or add a zippered-top Basket Liner to the basket you already have.
Walker bag choices for walkers and rollators
A walker bag hangs from the frame so your hands stay free for the grips. The Standard Walker Bag is a compact zippered pouch, the Deluxe Walker Bag is a multi-pocket organizer, and the Front Walker Bag offers a large 17-inch compartment with mesh pockets.
Covers and Canopies for Sun, Rain and Storage
Protecting a power wheelchair or scooter from rain and sun comes down to two choices: a cover for when it is parked, and a canopy for when you are riding. A mobility scooter cover or wheelchair rain cover guards the seat and controls while the device sits outside, in a garage or on a vehicle carrier, and a canopy keeps the weather off you while you are out.
Covers for parked and stored chairs and scooters
For a device that lives outdoors part of the day, a weather cover is the simplest protection you can add. Power chair owners can choose the Standard Power Wheelchair Cover or the Heavy-Duty Power Wheelchair Cover for transport and storage. Scooter owners have the matching Standard Mobility Scooter Cover and Heavy-Duty Mobility Scooter Cover, and folding manual chairs get the Folding Manual Wheelchair Cover in standard or heavy duty.
Covers for vehicle carriers and lift docking
If your chair or scooter rides on a vehicle carrier, look for a cover with slits that let the tie-downs or lift pass through. The 4-Corner Slit Heavy Duty Power Wheelchair Cover and the 4-Corner Slit Mobility Scooter Cover are made for tie-down systems, and the Top Slit Power Heavy Duty Wheelchair Cover is made for hoist lift docking.
Seat, tiller and joystick covers
Sometimes you only need to protect the parts that get wet. The Two-Piece Scooter Seat and Tiller Cover Set handles both at once, while the Scooter Seat Cover fits seats up to 20 or 25 inches wide and the Scooter Tiller Cover has a clear control window. Power chair users can protect their controls with the Power Wheelchair Joystick Cover.
WeatherBreaker canopies for riding in sun and rain
A mobility scooter canopy or wheelchair canopy mounts overhead and shades you from sun while shedding light rain, so you can keep going instead of waiting it out. The Base Model WeatherBreaker Canopy is the starting point, the Vented Model WeatherBreaker Canopy adds airflow, and the Max Protection WeatherBreaker Canopy gives wheelchair users the most coverage. Canopies are built to fit your specific scooter or chair, so include the make and model in your order notes.
Weather gear for the rider
Your legs and arms need cover too. The fleece-lined Weather Chaps wrap your lap and legs and come in three sizes, and the 30-inch Sleeve Guards keep a manual wheelchair user's arms dry while pushing.
Holders That Keep Cane, Crutches, Walker and Oxygen Within Reach
Carrying an oxygen tank, cane or walker on a wheelchair or scooter is easiest with a holder that straps on without tools and keeps the item upright and secure. A holder means you can transfer out of the chair and have your cane or walker waiting, rather than asking someone to bring it.
Cane, crutch and walker holders
A cane holder for walker, scooter or wheelchair use keeps your cane within arm's reach for the moment you stand up. The Cane Holder and the Crutch Holder both let you choose your mount, and the Walker Holder carries a folded walker on a scooter or power chair.
Oxygen tank holders
An oxygen tank holder for wheelchair or scooter use should match both your tank size and your device. For E tanks, choose the E-Tank Oxygen Holder for Scooters & Power Chairs with its seatback mount or the E-Tank Oxygen Holder for Manual Wheelchairs with its push-handle mount. For D tanks, there is the D Oxygen Tank Holder for Scooters & Power Chairs and the D Oxygen Tank Holder for Wheelchairs.
Cup and phone holders
A wheelchair cup holder or scooter cup holder is the small add-on people say they should have bought first. The Unbreakable Cupholder with Horizontal Grip and the Unbreakable Cupholder with Vertical Grip fit wheelchairs, scooters and walkers, and the Cell Phone Holder mounts vertically or horizontally so your phone stays in view.
Be Seen: Safety Flags and Reflective Trim
Being seen by drivers and cyclists is one of the easiest safety wins for anyone who rides outdoors. The Folding Safety Flag comes with mounting hardware and folds down when you do not need it, and every Diestco bag is made with reflective tape, so your gear does some of the work after dark. For more on riding safely, read The Complete Mobility Scooter Safety Guide.
How to Choose and Fit Accessories
Choosing accessories gets simple when you start with the daily problem instead of the product list. Work through these steps and the right pieces tend to pick themselves.
- Name the problem first. "I can't carry groceries," "I get soaked," or "my cane falls over" each points to one kind of accessory.
- Match the mount to the device. Tiller bags fit scooters, push-handle holders fit manual chairs, and walker bags fit walkers. The table at the top of this guide shows which products fit which device.
- Check clearance. Once a bag or holder is loaded, make sure nothing hangs low enough to touch a wheel.
- Send your make and model. Canopies and covers are built to fit, so include the make and model in your order notes.
- Allow about two weeks. Every Diestco product is made to order and ships directly from the manufacturer, so allow approximately two weeks for your order to ship.
If you are still deciding on the device itself, our Manual Wheelchair Buying Guide, Electric Wheelchair Buying Guide, Mobility Scooter Buying Guide and Rollator, Walker & Cane Buying Guide can help. For a wider look at add-ons, see the Wheelchair Accessories Buyer's Guide and 7 Types of Mobility Aids That Are Ideal for Outdoor Use, then browse the full Diestco Wheelchair & Scooter Accessories collection, All Accessories and our Made in the USA collection.
Why Buy From Independent Living Superstore
Independent Living Superstore is veteran-owned, family-run and a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and we are BBB Accredited. As an authorized Diestco dealer, we carry hard-to-find brands you won't see at big retailers.
- HSA/FSA accepted
- No sales tax outside New York
- GovX military discount
- We do not bill Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance
Important Information
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
Need Help Choosing?
Not sure which bag or holder fits your device? Call or email and we will help you choose. Reach us at support@independentlivingsuperstore.com or (844) 795-2930.
Share:
Bedside Commode Buying Guide: Types, Sizes, Safety and Features