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Try this Ultimate Guide: How to Choose the Right Wheelchair
5 Best Manual Wheelchairs | 5 Best Powered Wheelchairs
5 Best Lightweight Wheelchairs | 5 Best Pediatric Wheelchairs
Best Outdoor Wheelchairs
The best way to choose a wheelchair is to start with our buying guide: How to Choose the Best Wheelchair. This resource will guide you through all the variables you need to consider when selecting a wheelchair. For example, the length of intended use and locations you need to use it are two important considerations. Additionally, wheelchairs are made for different shaped and sized people, as well as individuals with and without full upper-body mobility. Take a look at our guide for all the information you need and links to other helpful resouirces.
The first thing you need to think about when you’re choosing a wheelchair is the operation. Do you want a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair? This question, of course, references more than just the user’s preference. Sometimes users are not able to propel themselves with a manual wheelchair and need a power chair, or they’re not able to operate the controls of a standard power chair and need one with some modifications. Therefore, the most important consideration is the user - what can they do and what will they need?
The next most important design feature to think about is the chair’s weight capacity. In order to ensure that every movement is safely and effectively supported, it’s integral to ensure that you choose a wheelchair with an adequate weight capacity. For particularly large or heavy users, bariatric wheelchairs might be the ideal solution as they typically include stronger frames with higher weight capacities and wider/larger seats and wheels to better support these users.
On the contrary, small or pediatric users require wheelchairs that are designed to be operated by users with smaller bodies and frames. Smaller seats and wheels, as well as thinner, lighter frames, will make these chairs easier to control and operate for users with smaller hands and bodies.
Is this wheelchair going to serve as your primary or supplementary form of mobility assistance? Not all wheelchair users require their chair for use at all hours of the day. Sometimes you just need a wheelchair for extended walking experiences like shopping, theme parks, or other trips, or for particularly bad days when your pain and stiffness levels are high.
If you’re using your wheelchair for supplementary support, a more lightweight, compact, and economical chair is most likely sufficient. Additionally, if you’re using your wheelchair as a recovery tool, you might consider a stand-up wheelchair that offers all the same function as a wheelchair along with standing support for easy ups and downs. Finally, if you are fully dependent on your chair for mobility, be sure to choose a wheelchair with ergonomic support and padding. You may also want to consider wheelchair cushions for added comfort and posture stabilization.
Different users have different needs, and this certainly holds true when it comes to wheelchairs. Depending on the level of support you need and the type of positioning you require, you’ll have different needs and preferences for your wheelchair. For instance, you may need a high-back reclining wheelchair if you depend on your chair for a high degree of upper body support, or you might need a lighter weight chair with more athletic features if you tend to be more active and involved in sports.
If you use a wheelchair for specific tasks like getting in and out of the pool, taking a shower, or going to the beach, you may prefer a chair that is designed with these tasks and terrains in mind. In this same vein, if you’re someone who spends a large amount of time outdoors and needs a chair that won’t stop you from going and doing the things you enjoy, then an all-terrain wheelchair might be the right choice for your lifestyle.
Additionally, transport wheelchairs and aisle chairs are purpose-driven, designed for specific settings and functions in which they help move patients over short distances in more commercial settings like up and down an airplane or bus aisle, or between wings of a hospital.
How much does a wheelchair weigh?
Wheelchairs can vary widely in weight depending on the model and design intentions. Some wheelchairs are designed to be very lightweight and ergonomic, while larger bariatric power chairs feature thicker, sturdier frames and more internal components that add up to a great deal of total weight.
How fast can power wheelchairs go?
Usually, a power wheelchair features a maximum speed of 4 mph.
How wide does a doorway need to be for a wheelchair?
The ADA recommends the following: