Written by Brittany Ferri, OTR/L
If walking is difficult or impossible for you, a wheelchair can be the key to expanding your world. This list highlights our 8 favorite manual wheelchairs that are designed for on-the-go use. These wheelchairs mainly boast lightweight designs and portability features. While they are perfect for travel, they are overall wonderful and can be used at home too.
Whether you need a wheelchair short-term or on a permanent basis, choosing one that will provide you with the best fit, most mobility, and highest level of independence can have a significantly positive impact on your quality of life. With thousands of models available, it can get confusing about which one to select, especially if you're purchasing for a family member. Let's pinpoint which factors you're not willing to compromise on to get the ideal wheelchair for your needs.
Most manual wheelchairs can horizontally fold for easy transport. Some unique chairs have vertical folding capabilities, which allows the back to fold as well. This is beneficial for users who have limited space to transport the wheelchair when not in use - like stowing it in your car’s trunk. Furthermore, some wheelchairs have quick-release wheels that allow the 2 large, rear wheels to be easily taken on and off. Quick-release wheels are the ultimate portability feature.
Manual wheelchairs usually weigh around 34 to 60 pounds. For traveling purposes, we suggest you consider a ‘lightweight wheelchair'; they weigh 29-34 pounds. Lightweight wheelchairs usually fold easily and are portable. Another category is “ultra-lightweight”, which is anything less than 29 pounds. The weight of your wheelchair will depend on the material it's made from. Heavier wheelchairs will likely be made from steel, while lighter ones are typically made from aluminum.
Most lightweight wheelchairs are constructed with aluminum, rather than steel. Due to their construction, many lightweight wheelchairs have a weight capacity of around 250 pounds.
The two types of wheelchair armrests are desk length and full length. Desk length is shorter than full length, and usually extends about 3/4ths of the length of the chair. Desk-length arms allow the user to pull themselves closer to a table/desk. Another armrest feature to consider is whether they are fixed or can be moved or pivoted.
Lightweight chairs weigh between 28-36 pounds, while standard chairs are 36+ pounds.
Most basic wheelchairs have weight limits ranging from 250 pounds to 350 pounds. Lightweight wheelchairs have weight limits ranging from 200 pounds to 250 pounds.
The REVO Dart Daily Living Manual Wheelchair works great within the home, given that it offers a flexible and narrow design. This stylish wheelchair is also aesthetically pleasing and can easily navigate tight corners and doorways.
Tilt-in-space wheelchairs provide weight shifts and position changes to help redistribute pressure from sensitive pressure points to the trunk. They also help manage blood flow and prevent pressure injuries.
Manual wheelchairs can start from $200 and go up to $2,000+ depending on functionalities.
The VIP 515 Tilt In Space Lightweight Wheelchair by Karman Healthcare stands out as the only lightweight tilt-in-space wheelchair that is also foldable. With a design that works to relieve pressure and improve blood flow, developing a pressure injury in this chair is unlikely.
This wheelchair is ideal for someone who has poor sitting tolerance or someone at a higher risk of developing an ulcer. With a tilting design, this wheelchair can be maneuvered to relieve the pressure on your bones and prevent skin breakdown. Tilt-in-space wheelchairs are a popular choice for patients who suffer from spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or muscular diseases. This design also supports patients who suffer from dizziness or scoliosis and require unique positioning to feel comfortable.
The Bariatric Sentra Extra-Extra-Wide Manual Wheelchair 700 by Drive Medical is designed for bariatric users and can accommodate up to 700 pounds. This self-propelled bariatric wheelchair is designed for those who need additional support, with a durable design and extra-large seat. The reinforced footplates and padded armrests ensure comfort and offer additional support.
This wheelchair is designed to be used with the assistance of a caregiver. Reinforced footplates are installed to aid in mounting and dismounting, making assisted transfers easier for everyone involved. Weight-bearing points throughout the Bariatric Sentra are reinforced with steel gussets to provide extra durability and strength.
The Cruiser X4 Lightweight Manual Wheelchair by Drive Medical is built for daily indoor use, you can maneuver the wheelchair through narrow door frames making it ideal for smaller homes and apartments.
Its aluminum and carbon-steel blended frame is sturdy yet easily manageable. The chip-resistant aluminum makes it so the Cruiser X4 is not easily dented and can withstand pressure. The frame can also be lowered for patients with low mobility in their feet. This is to help propel themselves and stand on their own, a great choice for individuals with more independence.
The height-adjusting armrests are also removable and can be flipped back, making lateral transfers easy. The seat also features an adjustable depth, a patented feature unique to this product. The upholstery is nylon-covered to resist mildew and bacterial build-up.
The Viper Plus GT Wheelchair by Drive Medical is the best choice for patients recovering from strokes.
Some individuals who have suffered from strokes have limited arm mobility or are paralyzed on just one side of the body. This makes the Hemi Height build ideal for those who have suffered a stroke. A Hemi Height is a three-position quick-release axle that allows the seat height to be lowered. This position is ideal for users who prefer to self-propel using their feet.
The anti-tipper wheels will never hinder your movement as they can be flipped up and moved out of the way. An adjustable seat offers an adjustable depth with built-in seating rods.
The Ergo Flight Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair by Karman Healthcare is one of the lightest wheelchairs on the market weighing only 19.8 pounds. The frame is built from aircraft-grade aluminum, making it perhaps the most durable self-propelled wheelchair on the market. It can be folded up and transported anywhere without difficulty with easy folding capabilities. This lightweight wheelchair can make independent living a breeze.
The storage pouch in the back offers the perfect place to store your items and the swing-away, detachable footrests with high tread and flat-free tires offer versatility and comfort.
The S-305 Top End Lightweight Manual Wheelchair by Karman Healthcare is made to fit the body and reduce stress on vital pressure points to prevent pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can easily occur when individuals spend most of their time sitting in the same position, so this type of design makes this wheelchair ideal for long-term use.
The armrest height is adjustable and able to be flipped backward, a unique feature that offers comfort for everyone. This wheelchair comes in your choice of swing-away footrests or elevating leg rests. Swing-away footrests are an industry standard, and elevating footrests are ideal for patients who require constant elevation plus mobility.
The Strongback24 Ultra Lightweight Portable Wheelchair by Strongback has a unique design and adjustable lumbar support providing individuals with the comfort to travel long distances. The Strongback24 also offers portability with its quick-release wheels, foldable design, removable footrests, and optional travel bag, making it easy to take on the go. It also consists of special netting between the upholstery and wheels. This netting reduces the risk of clothing getting logged into the wheels.
It has an adjustable lumbar support to keep the spine in place no matter what terrain you're on: relieving pressure on various lower body points, such as the spine, coccyx, and bottom.
The ultra-lightweight wheelchair S-Ergo 115 by Karman Healthcare is designed to relieve pressure on the back and improve posture. The unique, S-shaped seat perfectly cradles the legs and bottom to evenly distribute weight and relieve pressure. This can minimize your risk of pressure ulcers and improve stability.
There are two styles of rear wheels to choose from: mag or quick-release. Quick-release wheels are desired for those who need more portability. This feature allows you to easily remove the wheel, giving it a smaller footprint when storing.
|
Portability |
Product Weight |
Weight Capacity |
Armrest |
|
|
1. Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair S-Ergo 115 |
Folds in half, some models have quick-release wheels |
25 lbs |
250 lbs |
Desk Length / Fixed |
|
2. STRONGBACK24 Ultra Lightweight Portable Wheelchair |
Folds in half, back folds, quick-release wheels, optional upgrade travel bag |
13.8 lbs |
300 lbs |
Desk Length / Fixed or Flip Up |
|
3. S-305 Top End Lightweight Manual Wheelchair |
Folds in half, back folds |
29 lbs |
250 lbs |
Desk Length / Flip Up |
|
4. Ergo Flight Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair |
Folds in half, back folds |
19 lbs |
220 lbs |
Desk length / Fixed |
|
5. Viper Plus GT Manual Wheelchair |
Folds in half |
36 lbs |
350 lbs |
Desk Length / Flip Up |
|
6. Cruiser X4 Lightweight Manual Wheelchair |
Folds in half |
34 lbs |
300 lbs |
Full Length / Flip Up |
|
7. Bariatric Sentra Extra-Extra-Wide Manual Wheelchair 700 |
Folds in half |
66 lbs |
700 lbs |
Full Length / Flip Up |
|
8. VIP 515 Tilt In Space Lightweight Wheelchair |
Folds in half, back folds |
38 lbs |
250 lbs |
Desk Length / Flip Up |
People with various disabilities and afflictions require wheelchairs. Since every condition is different, you need a wheelchair best suited to your specific needs. This list should help you find the ideal manual wheelchair for your situation or give you an idea of where to start and what to prioritize, depending on your circumstances. We hope our insight has given you some helpful information that you can use to choose the best manual wheelchair for your needs. Be sure to check out additional educational articles at Caregiver University, and sign up for our newsletter for more articles like this.
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
