If you’re looking for the health and quality of life benefits of standing wheelchairs, you may already know that they can be quite expensive and may not be covered by private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. That’s why you need to be certain you’re getting the right chair for yourself or your loved one.
We’ve found some of the best standing wheelchairs out there and listed their features to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Health Benefits of Standing Wheelchairs
Stand-up wheelchairs are mobility aids that offer a number of benefits compared to regular wheelchairs, including:
Buying Guide for Standing Wheelchairs
Standing wheelchairs can benefit people with a variety of conditions from spinal cord injuries to multiple sclerosis (MS) to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since no two people are alike, and each condition affects people differently, everybody has different needs from standing wheelchairs.
Here are some things you should consider when buying a stand-up wheelchair.
Adjustability
The more adjustable a chair is, the better it will suit a variety of people of all shapes and sizes. Look for adjustable backrests, seat cushions, leg supports, and more.
Portability
If you frequently travel by car or airplane, portability can be a big factor in choosing a standing chair. Manual options tend to be more portable than fully electric standing chairs.
Incline Safety
Whether a person’s legs are weakened from a muscular condition or paralyzed from a spinal cord injury, a standing chair should have plenty of harnesses, straps, and leg supports to keep the user secure in the chair while it’s in the standing position.
Weight Capacity
Most stand-up wheelchairs have a weight capacity of around 250 pounds. If the person needing the chair weighs more than that, it’s crucial to pay attention to the weight capacity of any chair you consider.
Footrest
People who are partially weight-bearing may prefer foldable footrests to make transfers easier, while those with spinal cord injuries may prefer a solid footrest to provide more support while standing in the chair.
Leg Support
The leg supports are one of the crucial safety features keeping the user in the chair while standing. Some chairs use straps, while others provide more substantial support.
Hand Movements
While joysticks are the most common controllers, touch screens, buttons, or other options may be available to help users with limited hand motion control the chair.
Travel Distance Capacity
If you’re using an electric standing wheelchair, you don’t want to get stranded in the middle of running your errands. Make sure you take into account the chair’s travel distance capacity.
Cost
Unfortunately, stand-up wheelchairs often aren’t covered by insurance. While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, it may wear out faster than a more expensive one. Replacing a cheap chair more frequently is more expensive than investing in a nicer unit from the start.
Warranty
If you’re going to invest thousands of dollars in a wheelchair, then you probably want to choose one that comes with at least a limited warranty.
Best Standing Wheelchair - Manual
1. Leo II (14") Lightest Manual Standing Wheelchair
For very active wheelchair users with good upper body strength, the Leo II Manual Standing Wheelchair is a foldable, lightweight, and portable option. Once you remove the wheels, it only weighs 52 pounds and fits in the trunk of a car.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Our Take
For people who have good upper body strength and don’t require an electric standing wheelchair, this is an excellent option that’s highly portable and quite adjustable.
2. Karman XO 101 Manual Push Power Assist Stand Wheelchair
Are you looking for the lightweight portability of a manual chair, with a power assist feature to help you stand? You get all that with the Karman XO 101 Manual Push Power Assist Stand Wheelchair. It only weighs 56 pounds and has quick-release wheels, so it’s easy to take everywhere.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Our Take
This standing wheelchair combines all the benefits of manual and electric wheelchairs for an affordable, transportable chair you’re likely to love.
Best Standing Wheelchair - Electric
1. Karman XO 202 Stand-Up Power Chair
Are you looking for a highly adjustable stand-up wheelchair? The Karman XO 202 Stand-Up Power Wheelchair is available in 3 seat widths and 3 seat depths. It also has an adjustable footrest height, backrest height, knee support, safety belt, and more.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Our Take
As long as you don’t need to get heavy duty outdoor use from your chair, this highly adjustable stand-up wheelchair is likely to work well for you.
2. Karman Healthcare XO 505 Standing Power Chair
For the latest standing wheelchair with the best features, you want the Karman Healthcare XO 505 Standing Power Chair. It comes in 3 different seat sizes and is highly adjustable. Beyond just having sit-to-stand capabilities, it also offers reclining and leg elevating capabilities. The luxury model also includes LED headlights and tail lights.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Our Take
While it is on the expensive side, this standing power wheelchair has all the features you could possibly want. If you can afford this model, it should have everything you need to improve your quality of life.
Conclusion
A standing wheelchair is a big investment, and it’s not one you should rush into. Hopefully, you’ll find all the features you need with one of the chairs we’ve talked about here. Whether you or your loved one has a spinal cord injury, MS, ALS, or another wheelchair-confining health issue, a stand-up wheelchair can help increase the quality of life and offer many health benefits for users.
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