Motorized Wheelchair Guide
If you've found yourself in need of a wheelchair and have started doing some research on what might be the best for you, then you may have noticed something. There are quite a few choices when it comes to picking your new wheelchair. Manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, lightweight wheelchairs, and power chairs are just a few of the types of motorized wheelchairs available today.
Lets start by breaking it down into the main types of wheelchairs and take a look at them one at a time.
Manual Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are exactly as the name implies. These wheelchairs are operated manually either by the operator using his or her arms to turn the wheels manually or by having another person push the wheelchair from the rear.
Manual Wheelchairs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles and offer many advantages over motorized wheelchairs including:
- Manual wheelchairs are much lighter than motorized wheelchairs
- For the most part, manual wheelchairs are less expensive than motorized wheelchairs
- Due to the lighter weight they are easier to maneuver.
- You will get more exercise operating a manual wheelchair vs an electric wheelchair.
Styles of Manual wheelchair:
Transport Manual Wheelchairs: With light weight frames and small wheels, the transport wheelchairs are the perfect choice for small tasks or if you have someone to help push.
Standard Manual Wheelchairs: Tiping the scales at around 35 pounds, the standard wheelchair is the wheelchair of choice when you need something manual that will be used 4 hours per day or less.
Lightweight Manual Wheelchairs: The weight of these wheelchairs range from 28-34 pounds, if you plan to use your wheelchair daily then this would be the manual wheelchair of choice.
Motorized Wheelchairs
When selecting an electric wheelchair you should consider whether the chair will be used indoor, outdoor or both indoor and outdoor. There are numerous styles of motorized wheelchairs available that all have their own pros and cons, here are a few of the different styles of motorized wheelchair:
Styles of Motorized Wheelchair:
Front-Wheel Motorized Wheelchairs: These wheelchairs have excellent indoor maneuverability. At higher speeds they tend to feel very loose. The overall turning radius of this wheelchair is 25 to 28 inches, but that can depending on the manufacturer so always check first. With bigger wheels installed forward of the seating area, this style of wheelchair can handle rougher terrain.
Mid-Wheel Motorized Wheelchairs: The best choice for indoor maneuverability. The smaller models are frequently used in nursing homes. The larger models are touch enough to handle indoor/outdoor use. There are typically 6 wheels on this style motorized wheelchair, two powered wheels in the center with smaller wheels to the front and back.
Rear-Wheel Motorized Wheelchairs: The best choice for all around use but not quite as maneuverable as the mid-wheel motorized wheelchairs. This style of wheelchair will have a wide turning radius but is very well suited for high speed operation. You cannot fold this style of wheelchair.
Motorized Folding Wheelchairs: Weighing in under 100 lbs, these electric wheelchairs have a lighter more convenient package offer the best mobility. This wheelchair easily fits in the trunk of a car and is very easy to assemble making it the best choice for overall convenience, they are also offer a compact size for easier maneuverability in smaller spaces such as a doorway.
Tilt-In-Space Motorized Wheelchairs: These wheelchairs are the easiest on your body as they use a pressure reducing foam to distribute your weight evenly over the buttocks and legs. By tilting the wheelchair backwards you essentially remove the weight of your body from the buttocks and legs but still remain in a sitting position.
Reclining Back Motorized Wheelchair: This is the motorized wheelchair of choice if you spend a considerable amount of time in your chair. It offers a number of positions not available with other chairs making it the most comfortable for extended use. This comes at a cost though, the added weight makes it much more difficult to transport.
I hope this article helps take some of the mystery out of choosing the best motorized wheelchair for your needs. Browse through our wide variety of articles to find out more and don't forget to have a look at our amazon store to find the best prices on motorized wheelchairs on the internet.
