In recent years, the wheelchair market has grown exponentially. There are currently hundreds of options for all sorts of budgets, including heavy-duty power chairs, portable electric wheelchairs for traveling, and power wheelchairs for outdoor use.
It can be overwhelming to have so many options. We’ve done a lot of research on electric wheelchairs to bring you this guide to the best ones on the market.
Who Should Buy an Electric Wheelchair?
People who lack the upper body strength to propel themselves in a manual wheelchair are the target audience for electric wheelchairs.
There are, however, no absolutes either; many people who rely on motorised wheelchairs are content to use manual wheelchairs in their homes but prefer electric ones when they leave their homes.
The only thing to remember is that there are many kinds of electric wheelchairs, and some may not suit you.
For example, if you often travel, a portable, lightweight electric wheelchair is best. A bulky scooter won’t fit in your car or be easy to transport.
Types of electric wheelchairs
The progression of electric wheelchairs has been phenomenal. Because of this, we now have electric chairs that are faster, more technologically advanced, and much easier to use than their predecessors.
Even better, only one set of drive wheels now gets power and moves the chair. The small wheels are only there to keep the chair stable.
The location of the drive wheels determines the sort of electric wheelchair, its driving force, reversing ability, and maneuverability.
Let’s look at the three main kinds of electric wheelchairs to see how strong they are and how they’ll affect your options.
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel electric wheelchairs have two big drive wheels and smaller caster wheels at the rear. The back caster wheels provide support, while the front wheels drive the wheelchair.
These wheelchairs perform well outdoors and on all terrains and, with a normal width, can navigate small areas because they have a small turning radius.
Front-wheel-drive wheelchairs are great, but first-time users need to learn how to use them on curvy paths because they fishtail at fast speeds and rapid bends.
Mid wheel drive
Mid-wheel drive Electric wheelchairs have big wheels under the seat, focusing on the center of gravity and stability. And because of this, the mid-wheel drive is the most popular form of driving, especially for novices.
They have the smallest turning circle, which makes them perfect for moving through crowded public places like grocery stores, libraries, and cafes. However, they struggle to maintain stability on very soft or sloping ground. They are also less stable when moving forward than recliners with rear-wheel drive.
Rear-wheel power wheelchairs
Such wheelchairs have large rear wheels, while smaller ones are at the front, which allows greater control at high speeds. They also do well on rough terrain, finding their best use outdoors.
However, due to their large turning radius, rear-drive wheelchairs can be challenging to navigate indoors and around confined areas and obstacles.
Despite these two drawbacks, they have the best directional stability and shock absorption, so they ride smoothly over obstacles.
There are electric wheelchairs designed for both indoor and outdoor use, as well as more portable models. You can tailor some of them specifically for sports or the beach.
Our team has compiled this list after conducting in-depth research on the best electric wheelchair versions currently available.
eVolt Traveler Power Chair: The Best Portable Power Wheelchair
The eVolt Voyager power chair, which the FDA has authorized, satisfies all criteria for an excellent power wheelchair.
The eVolt power chair is easily portable, and thanks to its one-touch folding and unfolding mechanism and size of “31” x “25” x 13,” it can be stored in the back of virtually any car. Similarly to the other models we considered, its aluminum alloy design helps keep the weight below 50 pounds.
The battery recharges in three hours, allowing for a maximum range of 12 miles at a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour. According to the manufacturer, the special edition model’s 12-inch rear-wheel system improves surface performance.
With its great features and low price, this mobility scooter is the best one for people on a budget. It will serve your needs for many years.
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The Pride Mobility lightweight power chair is an excellent option for air travelers due to its easy fold, compact design, and many storage sections.
One of the armrests even has a mesh pocket for a bottle. The battery can be charged in three hours, and the joystick controller can be installed on either the left or right side.
Pride Jazzy Passport Folding Power Wheelchair is not your typical mobility scooter; it excels in every important category, including ease, durability, good looks, safety, and performance.
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The featherweight wheelchair is one of the lightest mobility scooters and the best foldable wheelchairs. It weighs only 33 pounds.
Even in just three hours, you can completely recharge the battery to travel up to 13 miles at 3.7 mph. The chair’s 9.8-inch rear-wheel mechanism works on all surfaces, and the remote can be put on either side, helping people who have trouble controlling the joystick with their left or right hand.
The fact that the wheelchairs are entirely assembled out of the package was our feature. This means no tools are required, no assembly is required, and there is no need to worry about where elements belong.
This power chair’s durability stands out among its otherwise excellent features. A powerful, durable, foldable motorized wheelchair is hard to match, especially one with a frame made of aluminum alloy and padding made of thick, strong nylon. The most frequent travelers should go for this option.
As an alternative to the lightweight, you may want to think about using the EWheels EW M45.
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The manual and electric options are both available on the Type H high-hybrid wheelchair. It’s a great option for people who want the autonomy of a manual wheelchair with the ease of an electric wheelchair. The same goes for those who prefer to push themselves but still need a mobility scooter for certain surfaces.
According to the maker, the lightweight aluminum alloy frame keeps the chair’s weight under 40 pounds without compromising its maximum weight capacity, and the 22-inch rear-wheel system keeps users stable and supported on any surface. Even without folding, it is easy to lift and place into a vehicle trunk or store.
As with the vast majority of other manufacturers, this wheelchair was assembled beforehand. This makes it simpler for first-timers, as they only need to unpack and charge the device prior to use. The battery recharges in three hours, allowing for a maximum range of 15 miles at a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour.
Additionally, it has adjustable armrests for a comfortable ride. Also, if you want extra accessories, like a joystick controller to make things easier to use, you can have them integrated into the chair.
The Model H, like other electric wheelchair models, is airline-approved. The news is excellent for frequent travelers.
The model H hybrid-powered wheelchair features anti-tippers to prevent tipping, a speed-control motor, a safety warning, flat-free wheels, and an anti-lock system, among other safety features.
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The Model X Travel Power Chair is another type of hybrid we recommend as the best lightweight electric wheelchair for 2023. It weighs just 31 pounds, a bit less than the Model H version.
The hybrid electric scooter is easy to fold up and open up, which makes it easy to transport and store.
In addition, it has big 12-inch rear wheels that can easily handle rough terrain, even while climbing hills or travelling over obstructions. It can travel up to 13 miles on a single charge at 5 miles per hour.
Changing from manual to electronic functioning is also a breeze.
It’s a fantastic mobility scooter overall, but its 220-pound weight capacity was too low for us.
The “hands-free” feature of the wheelchair’s tablet or smartphone software, however, might make up for this. This feature caught our attention because it is uncommon among manual and electric wheelchairs.
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If the numerous positive online reviews indicate, Move-Lite Power Chairs are among the best electric wheelchairs currently on the market.
The foldable power chair is constructed from a strong, lightweight aluminum alloy, making it extremely portable. It has a seat width of 18.5 inches, a width of 25 inches, and a turning radius of 31.5 inches. And with 12″ wheels, you can confidently move over most, if not all, terrains and surfaces.
Because of its weight capacity of 300 pounds, the Move-Lite Power Chair cannot be considered a heavy-duty electric wheelchair. Still, it’s sturdy enough for most heavier people and won’t slow you down much, even seated.
The control panel may be placed on either side of the chair for right- or left-handed people. In addition, the battery completely recharges in three hours, allowing for a maximum range of 15 miles at a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour.
It is also FDA-certified and aircraft-compatible. However, double-check with the carrier before getting to the airport with your mobility scooter.
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When it comes to ergonomics, safety, comfort, and reliability, the AirWheel H3S is without competitors. A mobility scooter that has nearly all of the conveniences you could want. As an added bonus, it is compact, lightweight, and long-lasting.
It is already assembled, can support up to 286 pounds, and has a plug-and-use power wheelchair.
Fully charged, the battery can carry you up to 15 miles. Charging time is only 2 to 4 hours. Even though there is only one power cell included with the chair, spares are readily available for purchase.
Like other electric wheelchairs, they can be folded and stored. Simply pressing a switch activates a completely automated folding system.
Large rear wheels that can handle any terrain are included, as is a joystick device that can be mounted on either the left or right side for convenient use.
The Airwheel H3S’s strong, quiet brushless motors stand out. Most electric wheelchair makers ignore this trait, which affects efficiency.
Even with all its benefits, it is FDA-approved, making it safer.
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The Feather Power Chair is only 35 pounds, making it one of the lightest electric wheelchairs on the market. This wheelchair has a compact foldable design, folds down to a mere 18 x 22 x 26 inches, and is lightweight.
With its ultralightweight and foldable design, comfort is not compromised. Additionally, the wheelchair has a top speed of 10 miles per hour, making it the quickest wheelchair in its category.
The adjustable and foldable armrests were a huge plus. As a result, they facilitate both getting into and out of the wheelchair.
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Finding the Best Electric Wheelchair
When choosing an electric wheelchair, there are several obvious things to think about, such as price, height, weight, and availability.
Even though these things might not be deal-breakers, the chair you choose will greatly affect how comfortable and easy it is for you to use.
Use of a power wheelchair
Before buying a wheelchair, it’s important to consider how often and how far you’ll use it. Will you be using it for travel or just for regular daily use?
In addition, it will help you identify essential factors to consider, such as battery life and speed. Some newer power wheelchair models on the market can be folded for transport convenience. So, find your convenience.
Electric Wheelchairs Cost
A high-quality electric scooter can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000. The best electric wheelchairs, as might be expected, have many more options and features than their less expensive counterparts. Standard power chairs are ideal for those without unique needs.
Maximum Weight Capacity
Even though this may seem obvious, it’s easy to ignore. On average, power chairs can support users weighing up to 350 pounds.
So, as a friendly warning, try to find an electric wheelchair that can accommodate you. Also, If you want to be safe, the maximum weight capacity should be significantly greater than your actual weight.
Battery Life Consideration
It is essential that your powered wheelchair have a substantial battery life, allowing for extended periods of use without recharging.
We strongly advise you to choose a wheelchair with lithium-ion batteries. In addition to being of high quality, these batteries have been given the airline seal of approval and have more than average battery life.
Even wheelchairs with dual battery capacities must be the choice as you go further without stopping to recharge. If one battery pack goes 15 miles, two can go 30!
Your powered wheelchair must have a substantial battery life, allowing for extended periods of use without recharging.
We strongly advise you to choose a wheelchair with lithium-ion batteries. In addition to being of high quality, these batteries have been given the airline seal of approval and have more than average battery life.
Even wheelchairs with dual battery capacities must be the choice as you go further without stopping to recharge. If one battery pack goes 15 miles, two can go 30!
Comforts seating & Fit
You will be spending a lot of time in your electric wheelchair, so you must find one that provides you with ideal comfort.
To ensure the powered or motorized wheelchair is suitable for the user in terms of size and positioning, the rider must be measured and equipped for it. If a power wheelchair doesn’t fit right, it can worsen health problems or even cause new ones, such as pressure ulcers.
Because of this, some power chairs have more padding and support for the back and thighs of the user than their manual counterparts. They can also have a mechanism that allows the user to relax or incline in place and leg rests.
Portability
There are portable power wheelchairs available that fold up very small and are easy to transport. As such, these seats are typically lightweight, foldable, and disassemblable. Most powered wheelchairs are made to last long and make their users’ lives easier.
Controllers in an electric wheelchair
Joysticks and keypads are the controllers for powered wheelchairs. A controller regulates the chair’s direction and, in some models, the chair’s speed and degree of recline, among other functions.
Joysticks are easy to use but require a certain amount of force that some users find difficult due to their medical conditions.
The use of controls that require less strength from the user’s hands, wrists, or arms is something to think about if you fall into this category. You can use your foot, chin, head, or voice to operate the chair with a keypad. They are not that famous, but they are surely available on the market.
Maximum Speed
All powered or motorized wheelchairs can have varying speed limits. While most electric front-wheel power wheelchairs top out at around 10 miles per hour, some can go as fast as 15 miles per hour.
If willing to use it outside, one should aim for a good top speed on a mobility scooter. You have nothing to worry about as long as you drive safely.
A reduced speed limit is appropriate for an indoor electric chair.
FDA Clearance
Even though this isn’t necessary and most electric wheelchairs aren’t FDA-approved, we recommend you find one that is.
Because the wheelchair is a medical device, FDA compliance is the utmost priority. Most airlines will let you bring an FDA-compliant mobility scooter as long as it is safe and high-quality.
Airline approval
Most heavy-duty power wheelchairs use lithium-ion batteries, and for travel, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows one or two lithium-ion cells (300 watt-hours) not exceeding 160 watt-hours.
Most high-quality power wheelchairs are made with these restrictions in mind and either follow them or have other options that are okay with airlines.
While an electronic wheelchair can be a great investment, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the most out of it.
Does Medicare pay for an electric wheelchair?
Yes, electric wheelchairs are covered under Medicare, but strict criteria apply to them compared to manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other durable medical equipment (DME).
You won’t be able to get by without an electric wheelchair if your doctor doesn’t declare that you need one as a medical necessity, and Medicare will not grant your request if you do not require one.
Once you’ve met this basic requirement, Medicare will pay 80% of your wheelchair costs. The other 20%, in the form of copayments or deductibles, is your responsibility.
Conclusion
Even though they cost more, electric wheelchairs give you more freedom and ease of movement, especially heavy-duty ones.
We recommend the AirWheel H3S for its ergonomics, safety, comfort, and reliability if you are overloaded with options and unable to decide which one to purchase. The AirWheel H3S electric wheelchair meets our needs, and we’re sure you’ll be happy with it, too.
