Best Electric Wheelchair – 11 Top Motorized Power Chairs for Faster Mobility Reviewed

Anybody who uses a wheelchair at least some of the time and can’t always propel themselves in a manual wheelchair may benefit from an electric chair. Power wheelchairs aren’t just for full-time wheelchair users.

They’re also a great option for people who can stand and walk short distances but can’t walk very far without assistance.

They can be a great option for people who sometimes propel themselves, but need help going uphill or for extended periods of time.

Electric wheelchairs can also be a great option for caregivers who struggle to transport the person under their care with a manual wheelchair.

Medicare does occasionally provide 80% coverage for the cost of an electric wheelchair since it is considered a piece of medical equipment. However, there are strict eligibility restrictions, which will prevent Medicare from covering the cost of a power wheelchair for many people unless their doctor can show that it is a medical necessity.

Additionally, many wheelchair dealers may not accept Medicare or private insurance.

There is a fair chance you will need to pay for an electric wheelchair yourself. Luckily, many wheelchair dealers offer financing options to help you be able to afford the purchase.

The lightest power wheelchair on our list weighs 39 pounds without the battery, while the heaviest weighs 178 pounds. Other power wheelchairs not on our list may be lighter or heavier. If the wheelchair needs to be lifted into a trunk to transport it, make sure the wheelchair user or caretaker will be able to lift the weight.

Most power wheelchairs can survive the occasional rainstorm or puddle. However, you should dry it off with a towel as soon as possible to help prevent rust, malfunctions, and corroded electrical components.
How Do You Clean an Electric Wheelchair?

Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean the power wheelchair. Specific instructions may vary, but generally, you should wipe down the wheelchair with a clean, dry cloth at least once a day. Avoid using harsh chemicals, and don’t spray water directly onto the wheelchair.

Every electric wheelchair has a different maximum speed. Some power wheelchairs top out at 3 miles per hour, while others have a top speed of 6 mph or more. If the wheelchair will mostly be used inside, a slower maximum speed will be just fine. Users who take their power wheelchairs outside a lot may prefer a higher speed to get them from place to place a little quicker.

Some power wheelchairs fold up, but not all. Foldable electric wheelchairs make for easy storage and transportation. They aren’t necessarily any smaller than normal wheelchairs when they are unfolded - they are still full size.

Look closely at the product descriptions to see whether and how the wheelchair folds up. Some merely fold in half lengthwise, while others collapse into a size somewhat like a large, rolling suitcase. Consider how, when, and where the wheelchair may need to be folded up to pick the best style for your needs.

Every electric wheelchair will have a different maximum battery range, so pay close attention to the description. The maximum range often depends on the number of batteries. Some power wheelchairs may have a maximum range of only 8 miles, while others, with additional batteries, may go as far as 30 miles on a single charge.

Depending on the battery type, wheelchair model, and usage, a power wheelchair battery may only last up to 8 hours. With heavy usage or a battery that isn’t very powerful, you may get much less battery life.

If the wheelchair user will be using the chair all day, look for powerful batteries and wheelchairs that allow you to switch from drained to charged batteries partway through the day, if necessary.

It’s best to keep the batteries of a power wheelchair “topped up,” so you should generally charge it after every use unless the manufacturer’s instructions say otherwise. Batteries may take up to 12 to 18 hours to charge, so you’ll usually want to charge the wheelchair all night, every night.

For extended use, look for power wheelchairs with removable batteries and keep a couple extra on-hand so you always have fully charged batteries to keep the chair going all day.

The charger provided with the wheelchair should have an automatic shutoff to prevent overcharging the battery. If you aren’t sure whether your wheelchair’s charger has this safety feature, contact the manufacturer to find out how to prevent the battery from overcharging.

While they may look similar at a glance, mobility scooters and power wheelchairs are actually quite different. Scooters have handlebars and often only have three wheels. Power wheelchairs are generally steered by joystick controllers and typically have four to six wheels.

Motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are both mobility products, but electric wheelchairs are generally designed for more use than scooters.