The 10 Best Electric Wheelchairs for Greater Mobility

Lea Kuscer

23 January, 2023 • Updated 28 days ago

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With an electric chair, you can enjoy enhanced maneuverability which will allow you to get around your home and the outdoors much more easily.

If you are looking for your perfect electric wheelchair, then read on to find out what you need to consider, as well as what chairs are currently on the market.

IN A HURRY? CHECK OUT OUR EDITOR’S CHOICE

EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe DX12

Good, lightweight, folding, wheelchair

After reviewing various Electric Wheelchairs, we found that the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe DX12 is The Best Electric Wheelchair in the market.

Check Price at Amazon

Things to Consider

When looking to buy an electric wheelchair there are some things that you should consider to help you make the right decision:

1. Wheel Placement

• Chairs with front-wheel drive will allow you to maneuver over obstacles like curbs, speed bumps, and rocks. Getting over such objects can be hard with other wheel placements.
• Chairs with middle wheel drive offer the best in terms of turning radius ability. I.e. with a chair with middle wheel drive you will be able to turn in small circles- a big benefit when out shopping, or in a tight space.
• Chairs with rear-wheel drive systems have a good level of stability, and can thus sustain higher speeds more safely. Such systems are good options if you are after a chair that is capable of traveling over long distances.

2. Top Speed

Electric wheelchairs typically have a top speed within the range of 2 mph and 5 mph. Average walking speed is 4 mph, so choosing which top speed your chair will need depends on how fast your friends and family walk, and how fast you want to go. It is also important to remember that the rider’s weight can alter the maximum speed of a chair.

3. Maximum Range

The maximum range is the longest distance, measured in miles, in which an electric wheelchair can go following a single battery charge. The best electric wheelchairs on the market can range for over 15 miles, but even good chairs can go 10 miles. If you want to be able to travel long distances, after a single charge, then finding a chair with a long range should be an important consideration for you.

4. Maximum turning radius

A maximum turning radius is a number that determines how sharply the wheelchair can turn. This is an important consideration if the electric chair will be used in small spaces a lot. The tighter the turning radius, and the lower the turning radius number, the easier the chair is to maneuver around tight corners.

5. Transportability

If you want to be able to easily transport your electric chair, for example by taking it in the car with you, then you may want to consider whether the chair can be folded as this allows for easy transportation. However, on many electric wheelchairs it is only the seat that can be folded, and so this may make transportation tricky- especially if you have a small car!

You should also consider how much the chair weighs if you or a family member are going to have to lift the chair anywhere. Electric chairs can range between 50lbs and 250lbs depending on their features, and battery life.

6. Padding

Most electric wheelchairs have some padding on the chair; however, there are some chairs that have excess padding to provide users with a more comfortable ride. If you are going to be using your electric wheelchair a lot then getting a chair with lots of padding is something you should consider.

7. Weight capacity

This is the maximum weight of the rider that the wheelchair can hold in order to function properly. If the user’s weight is close to the weight capacity of the chair, then the wheelchair’s speed can be affected. As a result, if you are a heavier chair user then you should look out for a wheelchair that can accommodate a greater user weight capacity.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best Electric Wheelchairs

Products	Features
EDITOR’S PICK 4.5 30+ 30+ EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe DX12EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe DX12	Top speed of 5 mph Can travel 12 miles on a single charge PRICE RANGE: Under $3000 Top speed of 5 mph Can travel 12 miles on a single charge PRICE RANGE: Under $3000 Check price at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED 4 175+ 175+ Foldawheel PW-999UL Power ChairFoldawheel PW-999UL Power Chair	Lightweight fast folding power chairs Top speed is 5 mph PRICE RANGE: Under $3000 Lightweight fast folding power chairs Top speed is 5 mph PRICE RANGE: Under $3000 Check price at Amazon
TOP PICK 5 1+ 1+ Karman 18 Inch Full Power ChairKarman 18 Inch Full Power Chair	Offers dual attendant controller Has a sit to stand function PRICE RANGE: Under $10000 Offers dual attendant controller Has a sit to stand function PRICE RANGE: Under $10000 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 5 1+ 1+ CYGGL Lightweight Power WheelchairCYGGL Lightweight Power Wheelchair	Extremely stable A range of 10+ miles per charge PRICE RANGE: Under $1500 Extremely stable A range of 10+ miles per charge PRICE RANGE: Under $1500 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 2.7 1+ 1+ Drive Medical Cirrus Plus WheelchairDrive Medical Cirrus Plus Wheelchair	Completely foldable and has removable arm rests A range of 15 miles per charge PRICE RANGE: Under $1500 Completely foldable and has removable arm rests A range of 15 miles per charge PRICE RANGE: Under $1500 Check price at Amazon

Under $1500

Majestic Buvan – 2020 Fold & Travel

The Red electric power wheelchair is easy to transport as it can be fully folded, and only weighs 90lbs. The chair also boasts easy maneuverability, with a maximum turning radius of 30’’.

You can operate the chair with a joystick and it goes up to 13 miles on a single charge with a top speed of 7 mph. The anti-leaning rear design makes this electric wheelchair extremely stable in all conditions.

The chair has two modes of transport- motor and manual thanks to the quick-removal battery box that can be charged up quickly and the two big wheels that can be rolled. The chair is also easy to carry and operate.

CYGGL Lightweight Electric Power Wheelchair

The Lightweight Electric Power Wheelchair weighs 70 lbs and can be folded to be carried in the car or taken with you on a plane.

It is made from a sturdy carbon steel frame and has cushions on the backrest. The 24-volt, 12 Ah Lithium-Ion battery gives you the top speed of 4 mph, while the shock absorber and the anti-roll wheel ensure you have a comfortable and stable ride.

The chair is operated by a waterproof joystick and the electromagnetic braking system allows you to stop immediately when needed.

Drive Medical Cirrus Plus Folding Power Wheelchair

The Drive Medical Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair has a rear-wheel-drive that ensures it is capable of high speeds while maintaining stability. The chair is completely foldable and has removable armrests which make the chair easy to transport, ideal for those who travel a lot.

What is more, the chair boasts a thick cushioned seat and padded backrest which ensures maximum comfort. With a range of 15 miles per charge, the Drive Medical Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair is ideal for those who like to get out and about.

Under $2000

CTM Mobility Scooter – Compact Mid-Wheel Drive Power Chair

The Compact Mid-Wheel Drive Power Chair offers mid-wheel drive for great maneuverability. The chair also boasts a separate battery charger which makes it easy to charge the chair up when not in use.

Another great aspect of the chair is that it can be put into sleep mode which enables the battery power to be conserved. The armrests also flip up which makes it easy to fit the chair under a table- perfect for eating out.

Majestic Buvan Folding Electric Power Wheelchair

The Majestic Buvan Folding Electric Power Wheelchair weighs less than 50 lbs and can be fully folded which means that it can fit almost anywhere. The lithium battery pack enables the chair to range for over 13 miles, and also ensures that the chair is airplane safe.

It can rotate 360° on a 20-inch radius, which enables you to have a full operating control. What’s more, you can raise the armrests.

The chair also boasts a 3-year warranty so you can relax in the knowledge that if anything goes wrong, you can get help or even a replacement.

ComfyGO Electric Power Foldable Wheelchair

The ComfyGO Electric Power Wheelchair weighs astonishing 64 lbs and can be folded up in seconds which makes this chair ideal for putting into the back of your car or taken with you on a plane. It’s perfect for those who like to travel.

The waterproof controller lets you operate the chair even if you get caught in the rain, while the durable aluminum alloy frame gives you years of use.

This wheelchair boasts a lithium-ion battery which was specially selected as it is lightweight and still enables the chair to travel over 10 miles. With cushioned panels and seats, this chair is also very comfortable and perfect for everyday usage.

Under $2500

Foldawheel PW-999UL

The Foldawheel PW-999UL is arguably one of the best portable power chairs with excellent global warranty included. The chair weighs only 45 lbs and can be folded in 5 seconds. Further to this, the Foldawheel PW-999UL has a battery with one of the longest lifespans of any higher capacity Soft Pack Polymer Li-ion battery on the market today.

The rubber tires provide great traction which makes it easier to navigate steeper slopes. The seat cushion and backrest cover are easily detachable for folding and washing.

Foldawheel PW-1000XL Power Wheelchair

The Foldawheel PW-1000XL Power Chair is the wider version of the company’s lightweight fast folding power chairs. Despite being wider, the chair still only weighs 55 lbs, making it one of the lightest models in this “Heavy duty portable power chair category”.

This chair is ideal if you have any concerns due to body size or weight capacity, while also wanting an easily portable and compact chair.

Under $3000

EZ Lite Cruiser Heavy Duty (HD) Deluxe DX12

The EZ Lite Cruiser Heavy Duty (HD) Deluxe DX12 is one of the quickest and easiest folding chairs on the market which makes it ideal for travel. The chair has rugged 12″ Rear Wheels which enables it to be easily maneuvered outside, but it also and works great indoors as well.

The chair boasts a lithium ion battery that can enable the user to travel over 10 miles on a single charge. For longer range, there is the possibility of adding an additional battery.

Under $15000

Karman 18 Inch Full Power Stand Up Chair

The Karman 18 Inch Full Power Stand Up Chair with Companion Controller boasts mid-wheel drive, making this chair easy to maneuver. The chair offers a dual attendant controller for a companion to control all functions- making this chair a great option for those with severely restricted mobility.

The Karman 18 Inch Full Power Stand Up Chair has a sit to stand function that operates in under 15 seconds. This capability is ideal for relieving pressure, promoting blood circulation, and boosting overall health in those who are restricted to a chair.

*All prices mentioned above are at the time of publishing.

Written by

Lea Kuscer

Lea Kuscer is a nature admirer, ecological cosmetics and jewelry maker, avid traveler, language professor by trade, but above all, a marketing maniac who's enthusiastic about testing new products. Her mission is to share her passion with gadget lovers and those who would like to make their life more comfortable with the best products on the market. Let's get on an exploring adventure together!