We looked at the top 1 Wheelchairs and dug through the reviews from 3 of the most popular review sites including BestReviews, Aging in Place, Verellen Home Comfort and more. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Wheelchair you should buy.
A comfortable riding experience and portability make the Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair a good choice. This model features precision-sealed wheel bearings for durability. Its carbon steel frame makes it easy to change the back inserts. The low price also makes it a winner. In our analysis of 40 expert reviews, the Drive Medical Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair placed 3rd when we looked at the top 7 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Checkout The Best Wheelchair for a detailed review of all the top wheelchairs.
Rolls smoothly. Quick-folding for transport, with removable leg cushions. Fits larger users well.
Comfortable and gets the job done.
Drive Cruiser III wheelchair is extremely strong and stable.
Front legs angle out a bit, making it tough to negotiate tight spaces. Plastic foot rests may break easily.
Even though there's a downside to it - which is essentially difficult to fold with footrest.
The 20" Cruiser III Wheelchair with Flip Back Detachable Full Arms and Elevating Leg rests by Drive Medical has a carbon steel frame that eliminates seat guides and allows for custom back inserts and accessories. The silver vein finish is attractive and easy to maintain. The precision sealed wheel bearing, in front and rear, ensure long lasting performance and reliability, while the 8" front caster wheels provide a smooth ride over most surfaces. The dual axle and removable, flip back, full arms makes transferring easy. Comes standard with, detachable flip back full arms, elevating leg rests, black nylon upholstery, composite Mag-style wheels and push to lock wheel locks.
When it comes to wheelchairs, there are more options than ever. You can find cushy, comfortable chairs designed for hours of sitting or lightweight, basic models for short-term use. Some are designed to get you from Point A to Point B quickly, navigating even the toughest terrain, while others are built with portability or durability in mind.
Before you start shopping, it can help to outline what you’ll need in a wheelchair. Will the rider primarily be steering, or will someone be pushing from behind most of the time? Will it need to be used to sit at a desk or table all day? When it isn’t in use, how will it be stored?
One major issue with wheelchairs is portability. Unless you plan to only use your wheelchair at home, you probably need to be able to fold it up and place it in a vehicle trunk at least occasionally. Some wheelchairs easily fold and store, while others have elements that make that a little more complicated. If the wheelchair will be used outside the house infrequently, this probably won’t matter as much as other features, but it’s still worth considering.
Comfort can vary widely from one wheelchair to another, but the seat cushion and back, armrest and footrest all play into a chair’s comfort level. If you plan to only occasionally use the wheelchair, you may not need a plush model with extra cushioning, so you might trade comfort for more portability. Some wheelchairs have something called “desk arms,” which ensure you can continue to use your wheelchair for seating when you roll up to a desk or table.
Safety factors in as well. Some wheelchairs come with seatbelts to keep you securely locked in place. The brakes on your wheelchair are also an important factor. If you plan to do most of the wheeling around yourself, pay close attention to the passenger-controlled brakes. However, some wheelchairs come with handbrakes designed for the person pushing to control stopping.
If you plan to carry items around, you should also consider adding on a wheelchair bag, which acts as a backpack. Some wheelchairs come with a handy pouch that you can use for smaller items, such as keys or a cellphone.
All the features on your wheelchair won’t matter if it wears out only a few months after you buy it. Some wheelchairs are built to last, with frames that can hold up even with constant use. Rust resistance is another factor you’ll see on some wheelchairs. Others include special wheel bearings to keep the wheels reliably moving.
Since everyone is a different height and build, the right wheelchair can be a very individual decision. Look for a wheelchair that can adjust for various heights, but it’s also important to pay close attention to weight limits. While many wheelchairs can support up to 300 pounds, you’ll find that some have an even lower limit, such as 250 pounds. Also, pay attention to the placement of the foot and armrests since those can help determine whether a wheelchair is comfortable for its rider or not.
With nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population having some type of disability, it’s more important than ever that services be accessible to everyone. Those wheelchair-accessible buildings and parks in your local area aren’t the only ways this is happening, though. Tech companies have realized the importance of accessibility as well.
Airbnb is building a feature into its app that will make it easier for disabled customers to find features such as wheelchair-accessible listings. Not to be one-upped, Google is also prioritizing accessibility, with an update to its maps that helps wheelchair-bound users to navigate areas. Ridesharing service Uber is making progress in this area as well, with a feature called WAV that will let customers hail a wheelchair-accessible vehicle as conveniently as any other type of vehicle attached to its service.
If you ever need to pack your wheelchair up, it’s important to ensure it’s easily foldable. This is especially true if you need to toss it into the trunk of a vehicle. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair is designed for portability, packing in removable leg cushions and a frame that folds up quickly. The Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair is also designed to fold up quickly and allow you to remove the leg cushions. The footrest can make it a bit tougher to fold up, though. The Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair has a collapsible portable back to make it easy to fold down and tuck into a trunk.
Weight will also factor into how easily your wheelchair is to transport. The Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair is the lightest, at only 23.5 pounds. Second to that is the Karman Ergonomic Wheelchair, at 29 pounds, followed by the NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair, at 30 pounds.
As important as it is to be able to get around in your wheelchair, it’s equally important to be able to come to a stop when necessary. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair comes with a great braking system that works whether you’re doing the braking or the person pushing you is.
For those who will be pushed in their chair, handbrakes are essential. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair has patented Feather Touch handbrakes that are reliable even on sloped terrain. The Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair features loop-style handbrakes that lock the rear wheels while the passenger is being transferred. The Karman Ergonomic Wheelchair doesn’t come with handbrakes, so this wheelchair is best for those who will be doing most of the driving on their own.
Whether you’re riding around your house or tackling cracked city sidewalks and grassy lawns, you’ll need a wheelchair that offers a smooth ride. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair and Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair both feature smooth, comfortable riding experiences.
It’s important to note that the Karman Ergonomic Wheelchair has a maximum weight capacity of only 250 pounds, compared to the NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair and Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair, which max out at 300 pounds each.
Wheelchairs can endure some tough treatment over their lifetimes. It’s important to find one with lasting power to keep things moving forward. The Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair has precision-sealed wheel bearings in both the front and the rear to ensure many years of reliable performance. The frame of the Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair is powder-coated so that it resists rust. However, some of its parts are on the more delicate side, so you may have breakage in those areas.
The Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair is made of a carbon steel frame. This design makes it easy to switch out back inserts.
One bonus of the Karman Ergonomic Wheelchair is its removable antibacterial seat, which will help you resist infection.
If you’ll be spending hours in your wheelchair, comfort is essential. The seat on the Karman Ergonomic Wheelchair features ergonomic contouring. Additionally, the seat is adjustable so that you can find the height that works best for you.
The Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair, on the other hand, doesn’t have the comfort of other models, but it’s designed for short-term use. It’s best for those recovering from surgery or who only occasionally use the wheelchair for short time periods. In addition to its seating not being as plush, this wheelchair can’t be raised to adjust for height differences.
If you’re looking for an affordable wheelchair, stick with the Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair and Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair, both of which retail for less than $200. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair will cost you at least $100 more. On the higher end of price is the Karman Ergonomic Wheelchair, which tops $600.
If you already have in mind how the wheelchair will be used, you can match it to the wheelchair you choose. The Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair can have difficulty getting through tight spaces due to the way the front legs stick out. The Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair may not be the most comfortable, but it can handle any terrain, which is a huge benefit if you plan to use it outside of your home frequently.
Some wheelchairs come with something called “desk arms,” which make it easy for you to ride the wheelchair up to a desk or table and use it as a chair while you’re seated there. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair and Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair both offer this feature.
Some wheelchairs come with seatbelts, which add an extra layer of safety as you move around. The NOVA Lightweight Transport Chair’s seatbelt can adjust up to 47 inches. It also has a pouch that can hold keys or a cellphone. The Medline Lightweight Transport Adult Folding Wheelchair also has a seatbelt.
Storage can come in handy when moving around in a wheelchair. Not all wheelchairs come with this feature. However, you can purchase a wheelchair bag for a nominal fee that acts as a backpack and hooks on to the back of your chair. This is also a way to carry your oxygen bottles or medical supplies.