A wheelchair that is electric, generally referred to as power wheelchair, provides the luxury of mobility to individuals who would otherwise be trapped in their homes due to stroke, illness or injury. "I have one in my garage right now for zooming around the yard and doing yard work," says Bill Fertig, the Virginia Beach-based director of the United Spinal Association Resource Center. The devices typically have between four and six wheels which aid in stability being powered with batteries that generally last 10 miles before needing to recharge.

For deciding on one of the best Electric wheelchair for sale for seniors to use, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed information on more than 50 products from the top brands, and rated them based on price as well as weight capacity. travel range, top speed and portability. Check out which Electric wheelchairs for sale are on our list. Be aware that prices are current as of the publication date.

What Is an Electric Wheelchair?

A portable electric chair, also known as motorized or powered electric wheelchair that I can rent is one of the six-wheel chair with a motor that is powered by one or two batteries. The wheelchairs can be controlled with a joystick and require no physical strength from the upper body. Powered electric wheelchair rental varieties range from simple, standard wheelchairs designed for short-term usage to highly customized options for longer-term and more intricate needs.

Cory Lee, 31, from Georgia has been in wheelchairs since 4 years old. He's also an avid traveller--he's hot ballooned in Israel and floated through the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and experienced a confrontation with an hippopotamus in South African--and is an expert when it comes to traveling in wheelchair. Through the years, Lee experienced many various sizes and kinds of wheelchairs. He also knows the importance to choose the best one.

The most affordable electric wheelchairs like those employed by Lee belong to a category called complex rehabilitation technology also known as CRT. "These wheelchairs are measured and built specifically to meet each individual's unique needs," says Angie Kiger, a clinical education and strategy manager of Sunrise Medical, a California-based wheelchair manufacturer. This type of technology comes with multiple positioning options, advanced electronics , controls, as well as adjustments for orthopedic issues , and accommodations for ventilators.

What is a Power Wheelchair?

Power wheelchairs (also called power chairs) provide exceptional mobility in small spaces and tight corners, making them the best choice for moving both inside and outside of your home. Power wheelchairs also allow you to use it to reach counters, tables and work surfaces to accomplish daily activities and live independently at home. They are prescribed by doctors to those who require continuous mobility for daily tasks within their homes, and can be rented or purchase by any person who wants to enjoy the improved mobility and freedom that powered wheelchairs offer.

Electric Wheelchair Basics

When looking for the best electric wheelchair cost there are certain terms that are frequently used on dealer websites. We've outlined a few of the most essential terms below to make your shopping less stressful.

Front-, Mid-, & Rear-Wheel Drive

All Medicare electric wheelchairs include either four or six wheels however, only two wheels of the chair are powered through the motor. Other wheels ("casters") provide stability to the chair. Mid-wheel drive tends to be the most efficient for completely turning in tight spaces, while front and rear wheel drive wheelchairs usually provide the smoothest rides and handle the terrain outdoors best. It's best to consult an occupational therapist in order to decide what type of wheel drive is best suited for your everyday use.

Turning Radius

The radius of the turning is the most compact u-turn the electric wheelchair that is near me. The less radial the turning radius is, the more suitable the chair will be designed for indoor usage or for smaller spaces. A turning radius between 20" and about 35" is the norm. Bulky chairs will have large turning radiuses. However, other factors like the angle of the footrest or the wheel drive can affect the radius of turning.

Travel Range

The travel range of electric wheelchairs which is commonly referred to as "range" - is the distances it is capable of traveling before it requires its batteries to recharged. Range varies widely, from 4 to 5 miles in some chairs to up to almost 20 miles in others. The range may be less than what is advertised, if the driver is particularly heavy, the terrain isn't perfect, and the battery old. Finding an electric wheelchair that has high range is important for those who plan to travel frequently or who regularly use their Portable electric wheelchair for sale outdoors on solo trips, such as to stores or other locations.

Warranty Limits

Electric wheelchairs typically come with "limited" warranties and not all wear and tear will be taken care of by the maker. Most warranties cover structural elements like the frame made of metal and the seat for as long as five years or 10 years and will typically cover other components for shorter durations of time stipulated in the warranty agreement. In the overview table as well as the company profiles below, the number listed next to the word “limited" (for example, "5 year limited") signifies the largest amount of coverage included in the warranty, usually applicable to the frame.

How to Choose a Power Wheelchair Store

Whether you are searching for a wheelchair shop near me or an online store there are always some points you will want to be aware of prior to establishing a relationship with any company. Investing in a power wheelchair can easily exceed $1,000.00and you'll want to make sure you do everything possible to ensure you're going to end up working in a partnership with a firm with outstanding customer service, rock bottom pricing for new equipment, and also the knowledge to assist you in finding the ideal electric wheelchair for you.

Three main considerations that you should think about prior to purchasing a power chair:

Online Reviews - Crowd sourcing information is the best way one can check the level of customer service offered to historical customers. It isn't possible for any business to function with no flaws, so when something goes wrong you will want to make sure that the business is there for you and will do whatever is essential to ensure that you end as a happy customer. Currently, MobilityScootersDirect.com has a 4.7/5.0 which is a very strong rating. Any company that has lower than an 4.0 rating might be considered average. Any business with lower than a 3.0 rating could be considered poor.

Pricing - A crucial factor is pricing. Why would you pay more for an identical product? Some local retailers are forced to charge more because they are obligated to pay rent and expenses to cover. This can run into the thousands of dollars each month for a brick and mortar company, so this should be considered in their pricing. At MobilityScootersDirect.com, we're an online store so able to offer you these products at the lowest price the manufacturers will allow us to sell them for. This is known as MAP pricing.

Expert Knowledge of products Electric wheelchair portable - All of our salespeople are certified in electronics and can physically repair mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. Our sales team members are interested in aviation as well as the flying drones with electronic components. Their passion for electronics translates into a profound understanding of products which is unique to the market. Part of the reason why our reviews are so awesome is because our sales staff works so efficiently that our customers get an item that not only will meet their needs, but may even surpass the expectations of those they purchase.