Leading Guide to Choosing Your Electric Wheelchair

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Are you looking for the best electric wheelchairs on the market today? If so, check this list of the 10 best electric wheelchairs to get this year!

Electric wheelchairs, motorized vehicles, and heavy-duty power wheelchairs make the lives of people with disabilities easier when navigating different parts of the home and outside.

The only problem is the market for electric wheelchairs has grown massively in the last couple of years.

There are now hundreds, if not thousands, of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters to choose from at different price points.

Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to try out some of the best electric wheelchairs on the market today, and I have here easily the best 10 of them.

What Are the 10 Best Electric Wheelchairs to Get?

Finding the best electric wheelchairs out of all the thousands of products is already overwhelming and challenging from the start.

But to make your life easier, I listed 10 of the best electric wheelchairs to get the right electric wheelchair for you!

1. WHILL Model C2 Personal EV Smart Electric Vehicle – Intelligent Power Chair

WHILL Model C2 Personal EV
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 114 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: Up to 5 mph
  • Drive Range: 11-mile range
  • Turning Radius: 29.9″

With its sleek design and updated features, the WHILL Model C2 is one of the most sought-after portable power wheelchairs on the market.

It gives you freedom and confidence to explore, and this electric wheelchair will help you continue an active lifestyle.

Like most electric wheelchairs, you can always enjoy a comfortable indoor and outdoor ride experience. It has a compact size, intuitive controls, and Omni wheelchair features, making moving much easier.

Most users prefer this power wheelchair because it has a maximum weight capacity of up to 300 pounds. Its lithium-ion battery can withstand up to an 11-mile range, which makes it a great battery life product.

After trying this powered wheelchair, I discovered it would be a perfect companion for outings with my friends and family. With that, I look forward to our next adventure.

Get yours now at Senior.com!

2. Golden Tech Cricket Carbon Fiber Foldable Travel Power Wheelchair

Golden Tech Cricket
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 39.3 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: 3.7 mph
  • Drive Range: 9.3-mile range
  • Turning Radius: 22”

Say goodbye to the manual wheelchair you used to ride and have this one of the best lightweight electric wheelchairs on the market, the Golden Technologies Cricket power wheelchair.

Like most power chairs, it has a well-styled joystick to simplify tasks.

It is known for its sturdy carbon fiber frame and lightweight power chair features, and this folding electric wheelchair can always make traveling a breeze.

The Golden Technologies Cricket is one of the power wheelchairs that looks sporty, making it perfect to use indoors and outdoors.

It will be ideal for persons with a permanent or progressive illness who want to maintain an active lifestyle.

I found this electric wheelchair convenient when I travel because of its offboard charging and easy-to-transport features.

Get it at Senior.com!

3. Vive Health Compact Lightweight Folding Portable Power Wheelchair

Vive Health Compact
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 95 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: 4 mph.
  • Drive Range: 12 miles
  • Turning Radius: 47”

The Vive compact folding power wheelchair will give you a safe and smooth ride when navigating any surface.

It’s an all-new power wheelchair that’s always on the go, with its padded and power-elevating seat, universal joystick controllers, and dense features.

It’s one of the best foldable power chairs I have discovered because of its adjustable height for greater comfort.

I also consider this a durable motorized vehicle as it supports my weight, and the frame is built with steel and easy to fold design for travel and storage.

Best of all, it’s one of the motorized wheelchairs with dual motors and rechargeable batteries to easily navigate rough terrain and travel up to 12 miles per charge.

Get yours now at Senior.com!

4. Golden Tech LiteRider Envy Compact Electric Power Chairs

Golden Tech LiteRider Envy
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 123 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: 3.5 mph
  • Drive Range: 15.5 miles
  • Turning Radius: 26″

Known as the lightest, most maneuverable, and transportable among the powered wheelchair varieties range, this Lite Folding Power Chair from a reliable wheelchair provider, Golden Technologies, will always give you peace of mind.

Designed for users and even caregivers, this electric wheelchair may be disassembled in just a matter of seconds.

It’s one of the best electric wheelchairs that could fit easily in any car’s trunk and only weighs 35 lbs., making it so easy to lift into the vehicle.

This electric wheelchair’s cost is the least expensive, so it does not break the bank.

What I like about this is that it gives me a comfortable ride anywhere. It has a generous footplate, stadium-style seat, and bigger batteries that can make me go further than before.

Purchase yours now at Senior.com!

5. Feather Power Chair Folding Ultra Light Power Wheelchair

Feather Power Chair
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 33 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: 4 mph.
  • Drive Range: 13 miles
  • Turning Radius: 48.00″

It is known as the lightest folding power wheelchair on the market, and the Featherweight power chair can weigh up to 33 pounds.

No wonder why many users love it because compared to other power wheelchairs, this one can be transported and lifted in any place.

Though it may look like just a manual wheelchair, it’s small enough and folds up easily, so you can travel and take it to any place you would go.

The seat collapses easily, and the back folds up to 28″, making a small top fit into any coat closet or car.

It also features an 11-mile drive range on a single full charge and comes with a top speed of 5 mph; that’s why I found this electric wheelchair ideal for getting me to and from places with comfort and style, just like any other electric wheelchair models I prefer.

You can get this product from Senior.com!

6. Merits Health EZGo Regal Portable Power Chair

Merits Health EZGo Regal
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 113 lbs.
  • Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
  • Maximum speed: 4 mph
  • Drive Range: 12 miles
  • Turning Radius: 23”

If you are looking for a sturdy and heavy-duty electric wheelchair on the market, look no more, as this best electric wheelchair from Merits Health is the one for you.

It is one of the ideal electric wheelchairs that easily disassembles. This electric wheelchair is, by far, one the heaviest, about 99 lbs. heavy.

But despite its dense weight, it could still fit in the trunk of all cars, so it’s still very convenient to take it with you anywhere you go.

The armrests are made adjustable, based on my height and width. What I also like is its stylish design.

And like any other power wheelchair, I found this as my secondary power wheelchair that comes with a padded seat and high-strength steel frame, making it so versatile.

Get this product here at Senior.com!

7. Foldawheel PW-800BM Light Weight Portable Power Wheelchair

Foldawheel PW-800BM
FEATURES:
  • Product Weight: 69.4 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight capacity: 242.5 lbs.
  • Maximum speed: 5mph
  • Drive Range: 4.97 miles
  • Turning Radius: N/A

Heavy-duty electric wheelchairs are great because they stand the test of time, and with the Foldawheel PW-800BM Lightweight Portable Wheelchair, you will have a longer time using it due to its construction.

Based on my experience, the Li-ion batteries installed in this wheelchair can take me far more than most electric wheelchairs can do. It can take me around 18 kilometers before draining.

In addition, it’s 24-inch wheels and rear-wheel drive design allow caregivers to have an easier time pushing this wheelchair when it runs out of battery.

Most of all, I was delighted that it could carry my weight, which means this electric wheelchair has amazing upper body strength. Overall, its heavy-duty construction is its primary selling point.

Get yours now at Senior.com!

8. EWheels EW-M31 Longest-Range Indoor/Outdoor Compact Power Chair

EWheels EW-M31
FEATURES:
  • Weight: 176.8 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: 4mph
  • Drive Range: 15.2 miles
  • Turning Radius: 31″

The EWheels EW-M31 compact power chair has one of the longest travel range out of all the other electric wheelchairs I have tested. It might be small, but it doesn’t lack performance.

This electric wheelchair has a 31-inch turning radius, so it can easily squeeze and glide through tight doorways, hallways, and other small spaces.

In addition, when I tested this product, I could feel the wheels circling back and forth much smoother. I can also count on its electro-mechanical brakes when speeds are high to deliver a secure stoppage.

Nevertheless, it also features an elevating leg rest capability to comfort our disabled companions. The adjustable headrest feels like this is one of the more highly customized electric wheelchairs on my list.

Get this product at Seniors.com!

9. Golden Tech Stride Aluminum Foldable Travel Power Wheelchair

Golden Tech Stride
FEATURES:
  • Product Weight: 52.6 lbs.
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: N/A
  • Maximum Drive Range: 9.3 miles
  • Turning Radius: 47.2″

Electric wheelchairs should be heavy-duty, portable, convenient to use, and comfortable to sit on, and that is what the Golden Tech Stride Aluminum Foldable Travel Power Wheelchair offers.

With its aluminum frame, you can safely say this motorized wheelchair can be a good option if you are going for more outdoor adventures and trips.

It has a maximum speed of 3.7 mph, which is enough to get you anywhere you want. Its wheels are molded to withstand any rough terrain that may come your way.

Overall, I was satisfied with this electric wheelchair. It doesn’t break the bank and performs at a very high level. It’s convenient to use and comfortable to sit on for long stretches. It is also airline approved!

Get this product now at Senior.com!

10. Pathway Mobility Geo Cruiser LX Light Weight Folding Power Chair

Pathway Mobility Geo Cruiser LX
FEATURES:
  • Product Weight: N/A
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
  • Maximum Speed: 8.05 km/h
  • Drive Range: 15 miles
  • Turning Radius: 34.5″

Electric wheelchairs like the Pathway Mobility Geo Cruiser LX Lightweight Folding Power Chair are like an electric wheelchair and mobility scooter built into one.

If you find yourself or your disabled family member traveling constantly, this wheelchair is perfect for that occasion. It is lightweight, portable, and compact enough to be carried around wherever you go.

One of the features I liked about rear wheel power wheelchairs is how they can carry you around easily without problems.

This electric wheelchair has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, meaning it can carry boatloads.

Also, it is heavy-duty and airline-approved, so you don’t have to go through all the hassle of airline security. It has removable, washable seat covers and an anodized finish to prevent corrosion.

You can get this product at Senior.com!

Advantages of an Electric Wheelchair

Like most products, there are always advantages to having electric wheelchairs for people with disabilities.

  • Increased Mobility – one of the primary advantages of having an electric wheelchair is increased Mobility. Why? Unlike when you operate a wheelchair manually, electric wheelchairs have become convenient options because you can go anywhere you want with just a few pushes of a button. It saves you time and effort but with a little cost.
  • Improved Health – a manual wheelchair is quite a tedious and challenging task most disabled tend to experience. As a result, it results in muscle strains and fatigue. But with an electric wheelchair, gone are the days when you must constantly push yourself from point A to point B.

Increased Independence – you don’t have to rely on someone to push you off if you want to go to a certain place. With an electric wheelchair, you can easily navigate through certain spaces with ease than you would normally deal with a manual one. In addition, these electric wheelchairs have built-in batteries, which can go several kilometers before draining.

Benefits of Using an Electric Wheelchair

There are also certain benefits when using an electric wheelchair.

  • Safety Benefits – an electric wheelchair has a built-in brake system, which means you don’t have to manually push the lever for the brakes to start to kick in. This scenario creates a safe workspace for the disabled person trying to be independent.
  • Accessibility Benefits – an electric wheelchair can easily get you from point A to point B. If you compare it to a manual wheelchair, nothing beats the convenience of using an electric wheelchair, knowing you can go to different places without relying on others’ help.
  • Cost Benefits – let’s face it, electric wheelchairs come at a significant price. However, if you consider ease of use, convenience, and mobility features, buying a $ 2,000 wheelchair is a greater investment than a $ 150 wheelchair that will soon show its wear and tear.

If you have an elderly at home, you might check out this list of the best wheelchairs for the elderly.

Types of Electric Wheelchairs

Best Electric Wheelchairs

There are two types of electric wheelchairs, and each may have different features, but both are the best option for disabled individuals.

Self-Propelled Wheelchairs

Self-propelled wheelchairs, as the name suggests, are a type of wheelchair that gives wheelchair owners the freedom to navigate from point A to point B.

However, self-propelled electric wheelchairs can be manually driven or use the built-in motor to drive you off your desired location.

Wheelchair needs can be different for those with paraplegia. If you want to know the best wheelchairs for paraplegics, check this list out!

Powered Wheelchairs

Powered wheelchairs are wheelchairs that rely on a motor to propel. They are commonly known as either powered or motorized wheelchairs. This mobility equipment is either powered using electricity or a motor.

A powered wheelchair costs thousands of dollars, depending on the features. However, one thing is for sure is that the convenience it brings to disabled individuals far surpasses the price.

Lastly, there are three types of power wheelchairs, front-wheel drive, mid-wheel power wheelchairs, and back-wheeled drive.

As the name suggests, a front-wheel drive has powered wheels up front and caster wheels at the back.For outdoor usage, you might want to check this article for the best wheelchairs for outdoors!

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Electric Wheelchair

Before you head out to your local medical supply store, there are certain factors you need to consider when choosing electric wheelchairs.

Besides, you want the right wheelchair for you, right? Below are the main factors to consider when looking for the best electric wheelchair for you or your disabled family member.

Mobility

If you’re planning to use an electric wheelchair at home, you want to consider having one with a good turning radius. This feature allows the wheelchair to turn 180 degrees to make your life easier.

In addition, you also need to consider tilt and recline functions if you find yourself doing many things at home. Fortunately, almost all manufacturers list these details and information on their product pages.

Speed

You don’t need the fastest one because you aren’t using it for racing, right? What you want is something that can get you from point A to point B quickly but not too fast or slow.

A wheelchair with a maximum speed of around 5 to 8 miles per hour is more than enough for any disabled person. Anything more than that, and we’re talking about highway speeds.

To check for maximum speed, you can always look it up in the product description to learn more.

Range

Most electric wheelchairs have built-in batteries that can drive you up a distance before the battery drains.

Most products have a range of around 12 to 15 miles maximum. These distances are enough to travel from any point in your house.

Comfort

For the most part, you will be sitting in a wheelchair for long periods, so you must be comfortable during this period.

The good thing about most manufacturers is they offer different options that can make someone’s life more comfortable when sitting in a wheelchair.

When looking for an electric wheelchair, knowing what type of material a certain product use is strongly recommended. For example, most users find contoured foam more comfortable to sit on than flat ones.

Although it’s a personal preference, always look for soft cushioning to support your body weight.

Seat Design

You want a seat design that can get you in and out of the wheelchair with ease. It would be best if you didn’t have much trouble doing these tasks without assistance.

Consider options like power leg rests, rotating or removable armrests, or swiveling chair legs. These features can make your life easier when getting in and out of your seat.

If you will need a hoist, ensure that the electric wheelchair you will be choosing is compatible with it, or else you will have a hard time attaching it.

Weight Capacity

A wheelchair’s maximum weight capacity should accommodate your weight. Fortunately, almost all electric wheelchairs can support heavyweights north of 300 pounds.

Usually, these products can carry at least 240 pounds without many problems. Always check the user manual or product description to know the product’s maximum weight capacity.

Battery Life

Battery life depends on what you will be doing with your wheelchair. But still, battery life is one of the things you need to consider.

Some electric wheelchairs with bigger battery capacity can go for weeks with a single charge. The only problem is, they can be a little bit too expensive for your liking.

On the other hand, some have average batteries sufficient for day-to-day use. It boils down to personal preference and intended use.But if you want the best manual wheelchairs for elderly, you might want to check out this list!

Financial Assistance for Electric Wheelchairs

There’s no denying the fact that electric wheelchairs cost a pretty penny. You also rarely find products that are on clearance sale either.

It is because this product is like a custom wheelchair because they are specifically manufactured depending on one’s disabilities. But the reality is that not all people can afford these machines.

The good part is that there are several funding and grant options.

Medicare Coverage

Fortunately, individuals covered by Medicare Part B can get a mobility scooter because it falls on durable medical equipment.

All you need to provide is a prescription from your doctor citing the type of mobility device you need.

Whether you are eligible for funding or not, most covered by Medicare are lucky to be covered almost 80% of the total price, which means you should cover the remaining percentage.

In relation to that, if you want to know more about Medicare, check out if Medicare covers wheelchairs here!

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid is a joint state and federal program dedicated to low-income, disabled, and senior citizens of the United States.

Under Medicaid Coverage, medical care is almost entirely covered. The only problem is it varies from what state you live in.

Veterans Resources

  • Tricare – for retired U.S. senior veterans and their family members, Tricare will shoulder 20% of the copay that Medicaid does not cover for medical equipment.
  • Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Service – U.S. veterans qualified for this program are given subsidies by the government when purchasing medical equipment.
  • Champva for life – family members of U.S. veterans who were killed or duty when serving the country and aren’t qualified with the Tricare program can be eligible. It works the same way with Tricare, which covers the 20% copay not covered by Medicaid. In addition, you must be at least 65 years old and above to be eligible.

Additional Financial Assistance Resources

There are other ways for individuals who can’t afford to buy one to get funding from different options.

The only problem with these non-profit organizations is they hand out funding on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. Here are some popular non-profit organizations:

  • Wheel to Walk Foundation
  • Brighter Tomorrow Grant
  • NTAF Emergency Grant Program
  • Private Health Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You might find some answers below if you have additional questions regarding the topic.

What Is the Cost of Electric Wheelchairs?

The average power chair costs around $2,000 to $2,500. Different manufacturers’ prices vary as the materials and additional features are included.

For example, if you are looking for front wheel power wheelchairs with a high-powered motor, you must prepare for a higher price tag.

Is It Safe to Use an Electric Wheelchair in the Rain?

Yes, but do so with preventive measures. Avoid going through heavy patches of water; when you arrive home, dry your wheelchair immediately.

How Long Do Electric Wheelchair Batteries Last?

In general, the average electric wheelchair battery will last 6 to 8 hours on normal use.

Most of the time, batteries will be at their peak performance during the first two years and will soon exhibit signs of wear and tear.

Does Medicare Provide Coverage?

Yes, but only if you have Medicare Part B coverage.

This plan covers power-operated vehicles such as mobility scooters. Motorized wheelchairs fall as durable medical equipment.

The requirements are pretty simple, and you need a doctor’s prescription.

What Is the Time Needed for Recharging?

The recommended time for charging electric wheelchair batteries must be at least 8 to 14 hours. But if you use it occasionally, charging them 8 to 14 hours for maintenance is suggested.

What Does It Mean for Wheelchair Batteries to Be Airline Approved?

When an electric wheelchair is airline approved, they are allowed on planes if they meet certain criteria imposed by the airline company.One of the few criteria is that the battery should be installed and attached securely to the wheelchair. In addition, the battery must be in a secure housing to protect it from damage.

Conclusion

A powered or motorized wheelchair is a medical necessity for disabled individuals. With an overabundance of options available, choosing which one is for you can be challenging.

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to test some of the best electric wheelchairs on the market today, and I’ve listed down the 10 best of them.

This article should help you trim down your choices.