The best motorized wheelchair can help you to improve your mobility at home and when you are out in the world. To make sure that you maximize your independence, the first step is picking the best electric wheelchair.
Having this type of wheelchair means that no one needs to push you, and you do not have to use your legs or arms to move yourself forward. The best motorized wheelchair will have all of the features you need for mobility and convenience.
Exploring some of the best electric wheelchair options and learning more about this type of chair can help to ensure that you pick the best power wheelchair for your lifestyle.
In A Hurry? The Best Power Wheelchair Options
PLAN
Number
minutes
Price
Price for 1 minute
#1
Drive Medical Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair
#2
Move Lite Folding Chair
#3
Pride Mobility Jazzy Passport Chair
#4
Model H Hybrid Power and Manual Chair in One
#5
Smart Chair from KD Healthcare
The 5 Best Electric Wheelchair Options
1. Drive Medical Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair
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The Drive Medical Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair is one of the best electric wheelchair choices because the heaviest part of it is 90 pounds. Compared to other power chairs, it is relatively lightweight and easy to handle.
It has a turning radius of 30 to 35 inches. This chair can hold up to 300 pounds. The distance between battery charges is 15 miles. You can operate this wheelchair at up to five miles per hour.
The upholstery on the backrest is padded, and the seat has two inches of foam cushioning. The armrests are adjustable. There is a calf strap and heel loops for added comfort and safety when you are in the chair. The foot rests swing so that they are not in the way when you exit and enter the chair.
This chair has a programmable joystick. You can choose to put it on either side of the chair so that you can operate it with your dominant hand. The electromagnetic braking is smooth and easy to operate.
Summary
This is one of the best motorized wheelchair options due to its foldable design and maneuverability. You can take it with you easily so that you have mobility wherever you go.
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What We Liked
- You can drive this chair smoothly on the grass
- It has a lot of power
- This chair turns corners easily
- It fits into a small car trunk
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What We Didn’t Like
- It is heavier than other travel chairs
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2. Move Lite Folding Chair
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The Move Lite Folding Chair can accommodate up to 300 pounds despite being very lightweight. You can get it into most vehicle trunks so that you have it with you when you are out with friends and family.
As one of the best electric wheelchair choices, you can fold it down for transport and storage. It only takes a few minutes to fold and unfold it.
The tires are flat free and 12 inches. This feature allows you to cruise over a variety of terrain types without an issue.
This chair operates on lithium ion batteries. On each charge, you get about 15 miles of driving distance, allowing you to go nearly all day without needing to recharge. The chair goes up to five miles per hour.
The seat is comfortable, and you can remove the covers for easy cleaning. You can adjust the armrests to make it easier to get out of and into the chair.
There is a joystick that you can put on either side of the chair to operate and steer. It is programmable. This chair also has a horn for added safety.
Summary
This chair only weighs 50 pounds, making it easy to take it with you. It has sufficient power and you can learn how to operate all of the functions quickly.
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What We Liked
- This chair is very compact
- It has plenty of power but it also rides smoothly
- You can ride for a long time and remain comfortable
- This chair performs well on rougher terrain
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What We Didn’t Like
- The paint scratches easily
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3. Pride Mobility Jazzy Passport Chair
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The Pride Mobility Jazzy Passport Chair weighs 60 pounds and has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. The rear drive wheels are pneumatic and 12 inches. This chair is ideal for small spaces since it has a 25-inch turning radius.
This chair goes up to 3.6 miles per hour. It has pneumatic wheels that are 12 inches. This allows for a smooth ride and cushioning when you drive over bumps and rough terrain.
On a full battery charge, you get about 9.6 miles. The backrest and seat have thick foam to ensure comfort when you are in the chair for a long time. For extra storage, there is a pocket on the backrest. There is also a cup holder on this chair.
The brake system is electromechanical. It is also dual regenerative. This makes braking easy and it will not jar you. There is limited suspension for extra comfort. You operate this chair with a joystick.
Summary
This is one of the best electric wheelchair choices for people who are on-the-go. It folds up easily so that you can carry it with you like you would luggage.
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What We Liked
- This chair is easy to control
- Due to the armrest length, you can drive right up to a table
- You can take this chair on vacation due to its portability
- This chair operates very quietly
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What We Didn’t Like
- People with upper body weakness may need help lifting it into and out of a car
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4. Model H Hybrid Power and Manual Chair in One
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The Model H Hybrid Power and Manual Chair in One only weighs 35 pounds. This makes it easy to move around, even for people who are lacking upper body strength.
There is a Bluetooth app that you can download that goes with this chair. When you have this app, you can use it to adjust the speed and driving sensitivity, steer the chair, get information about mileage and battery life and more. You can also use it as a remote control for your chair so that you can bring your chair to you to prevent the need to walk to it.
The seat back and seat have removable covers. This makes them easy to clean as necessary. There is a push bar that you can attach to the back of the chair to make it easier for a caregiver who needs to push the chair.
This chair has a weight capacity of 260 pounds. It can go for eight miles using the standard battery on a full charge.
The back wheels are 20 inches bigger than the front wheels. You also have optional anti-tippers. These features add more stability to your chair.
Summary
This chair operates as both a motorized and a manual wheelchair. It fits into all vehicle types, and it is easy to fold up and transport (SEE BEST TRANSPORT WHEELCHAIRS).
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What We Liked
- It is easy to maneuver in this chair
- This chair is very lightweight
- There is an app that goes with the chair for additional features
- The back wheels are larger so that you can navigate rougher terrain
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What We Didn’t Like
- The travel distance is shorter than similar electric wheelchairs
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5. Smart Chair from KD Healthcare
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The Smart Chair from KD Healthcare has a long battery life, and the battery is easy to recharge. You can navigate almost any space since the turning radius is 31.5 inches. This chair lets you climb slopes easily, up to 12 degrees.
It has a weight capacity of 265 pounds. The frame is ultralight and collapsible, making it easy to move this chair around when you take it somewhere with you.
The seat width is 18 inches. The depth of the seat is 16 inches. It is comfortable and has plenty of padding so that you do not experience discomfort when you are sitting in it for prolonged period of time.
Summary
This chair has a Li-ion battery for easy charge and good travel distance. You can fold it up within minutes so that you can take it with you.
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What We Liked
- This chair is very portable and easy to take with you
- It has good power for its small size
- The chair only weighs 50 pounds
- This chair has a max driving range of 15 miles
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What We Didn’t Like
- It can take a little time to learn how to use all of the chair’s features
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Electric Wheelchair Buying Guide
A power wheelchair comes with an array of features that promote better mobility. Learning more about these will help you to make the best choice. Here are questions and answers that people commonly ask when they are shopping for the best electric wheelchair:
- What Are the Benefits of an Electric Wheelchair?
- What Are the Different Electric Wheelchair Types?
- What Kind of Batteries Do Electric Wheelchairs Use?
- What Are the Controller Options?
- What Are the Best Armrest Options?
- What Leg Rest and Seating Choices Are Available?
- What Types of Wheels Come on an Electric Wheelchair?
What Are the Benefits of an Electric Wheelchair?
There are several benefits associated with having the best electric wheelchair. These include:
- Improved mobility and independence
- You can ride over rough terrain easier than in a standard wheelchair
- They are comfortable
- These chairs often have customization options, such as choosing which side the joystick goes on
- These chairs are convenient, and many are portable so that you can take them with you
What Are the Different Electric Wheelchair Types?
There are three primary types of electric wheelchairs. The best electric wheelchair for you will depend on your personal preferences, your overall size and where you plan to use it. The types include:
- Full-size: This type has bigger armrests, footrests and seats for added comfort. Due to a relatively large battery, these usually have a solid travel distance.
- Portable: This type is typically foldable so that you can take it with you. They usually fit into most vehicles, or can be taken on an airplane.
- Heavy-duty: This type is ideal for people who need a chair with a weight capacity that exceeds 300 pounds. They typically have heavy-duty motors, reinforced frames and larger seats.
What Kind of Batteries Do Electric Wheelchairs Use?
There are several battery options that you can explore to power your electric wheelchair. The most common types include:
- Gel batteries require no maintenance. Compared to wet batteries, they usually have a longer life cycle, they are ideal for air travel and low temperatures and they cannot leak.
- Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type used in electric wheelchairs. They are long-lasting and lightweight. They usually offer the longest driving distance.
- AGM batteries are spill or leak proof, shock resistant and good for air travel.
- Wet batteries are the least expensive but they also require the most maintenance.
What Are the Controller Options?
Joysticks are the most common controller option. Many chairs let you decide which side you mount the joystick on so that you can use your dominant hand to operate the chair. There are integral and modular controller options.
The modular type has separate components for the chair’s different functions. The integral type only uses a single housing to hold all of the chair’s functions.
What Are the Best Armrest Options?
Electric wheelchairs usually have adjustable armrests. You can move them to get into and out of the chair. They may also let you adjust the height for comfort.
What Leg Rest and Seating Choices Are Available?
The seat and seatbacks are usually padded. Many have removable covers to make them easier to clean. Some electric wheelchairs let you adjust the seatback for comfort.
The leg rests may be fixed or they may swing. Many allow you to adjust the height for comfort.
What Types of Wheels Come on an Electric Wheelchair?
One major consideration when you are looking for the best electric wheelchair is the type of wheels it has. You can find chairs that have pneumatic or flat-free tires, depending on your preference. If you drive on multiple terrain types, the pneumatic tires are typically the best choice.
You can also choose between three wheel drive options, including:
- Mid-wheel drive may be less steady when you start and stop driving the chair. However, it tends to have the best turning capabilities of all wheel drive options.
- Front-wheel drive has a lower top speed but the turning capabilities are good.
- Rear-wheel drive is the most common type. It usually has the highest speed, but the turning capabilities are not as strong as the other wheel drive types.
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Lastly, I suggest you also check out The Best Lightweight Wheelchair That’s Easy To Push And Everyone Can Lift.
You also cant check out the 5 Best Transport Wheelchair Options For Budget Conscious Buyers.
