We get this question all the time - “I'm interested in buying an electric wheelchair for me/a significant other/parents, but I don't really know where to start. How do I find the right wheelchair that fits my needs?"
When it comes to selecting an electric wheelchair, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why it can be challenging to find the perfect fit! It is always important to choose the electric wheelchair according to your needs, body size, and also, the house you live in.
Sunlit writes this guide on the basis of a thorough investigation into different kinds of electric wheelchairs and real wheelchair users.
Different Types Of Electric Wheelchairs
Electric wheelchairs are also called as power wheelchairs. In appearance, some of them are wheelchair style and some of them are mobility scooter-style, but the types are not distinguished by their shapes. Instead, they are distinguished by their different functional uses and by being light & portable or not.
There are 4 types of electric wheelchairs in this way: 1) Folding Electric Wheelchair 2)Portable Electric Wheelchair 3)Full-Size Electric Wheelchair 4)Standing Electric Wheelchair
-
Folding Electric Wheelchair
Folding electric wheelchairs, also known as folding or foldable power wheelchairs, are designed to deliver a combination of versatility, convenience, and ease of use.
Compared with other types of electric wheelchairs, the biggest advantage of folding electric wheelchairs is that they're super compact, light, and portable. Users can travel with their folding power wheelchairs nearly everywhere around the world.
It folds and unfolds within a few seconds without effort, and it's also convenient to use them in narrow spaces, like the doorway of an old house. Folding electric wheelchairs are generally lower than other types and can fit under the table easily with their adjustable armrests.
Starting at just 35 pounds, these wheelchairs are far lighter than full-size electric wheelchairs. They fit most vehicles without the use of a lift or ramps, making this type of wheelchair ideal for travel. Thus, if you need an electric wheelchair that can be easily transported, folding electric wheelchairs will be your first choice.
Pros: FAA-proved, one-step folding, light & compact & portable, fit in any car or airplane
Cons: Not enough suspension, relative lack of comfort;
-
Portable Electric Wheelchair
Portable electric wheelchairs offer a good combination of comfort, range, and ease of use. Weight capacities range from 250 to 450 pounds.
It is portable in some ways, but not that portable. It can not be folded into a compact size quickly, it is portable because it can be disassembled into 3 or 4 pieces, with the heaviest piece weighing about 40 pounds, 120 pounds in total. Unlike folding electric wheelchairs, these chairs will require some time to assemble and disassemble.
These wheelchairs can move in small spaces, but going through the doorways in old houses would be a challenge, as they are wider than folding electric wheelchairs.
It's comfortable to sit in this type of wheelchair as they are generally equipped with thick cushions, which will provide you with more shock absorption and back support.
Pros: Detachable, fit in most cars, cheaper
Cons: Complicated to assemble, cannot travel by airplane
The full-size electric wheelchair provides the best comfort and driving experience. It has a large seat which is equipped with thick cushions and a headrest. It's very comfortable to sit in for a long time.
It generally has 6 wheels and is driven by the large mid-two wheels. Therefore, it has the smallest turning radius and can move in a small space. The other 4 small wheels will guide you in the direction and provide you with stability.
It has a large base and weighs about 200 pounds in general and cannot be folded or disassembled. Due to its heavy weight, it's the most stable electric wheelchair on the market. Generally, it will have a weight capacity of 400 or 500 pounds.
Some models even have the feature of lifting up by 12 inches, which can help you get things in the supermarket or kitchen.
Pros: Stable, comfortable, small turning radius, heavy-duty
Cons: Not portable, requires wheelchair lift, does not fit any small cars or airplanes
Specify Your Needs
After understanding the types of electric wheelchairs, we will have to ask ourselves a question: what would we expect from the wheelchair?
When choosing an electric wheelchair, you have to be clear about what you need the most. Do you need to use a wheelchair to travel all around the world? Do you need to rely completely on the wheelchair for the rest of your life?
Here are some points to consider when choosing the best electric wheelchair for your needs:
-
Will you be using the chair on a full-time, part-time or occasional basis?
-
Do you need an electric chair that can be folded for transport in a passenger vehicle or airplane?
-
Where do you plan on using your electric wheelchair?
-
What’s the maximum width of the chair that will fit in your home?
-
How much do you weigh?
Generally, a full-time wheelchair user would consider the comfort and maneuverability of the chair, as he needs to be in the chair for most of the time. The full-size electric wheelchairs which are driven by mid-wheels, have the smallest turning radius, and they can move smoothly in a small space. But they may have difficulties going through some doorways as they have a wide base.
A part-time wheelchair user may choose a folding electric wheelchair or portable electric wheelchair so that they can travel with the chair more conveniently. The biggest advantage is that the folding electric wheelchair can be folded and loaded into a car trunk within seconds, and it's also FAA-approved.
A portable electric wheelchair is cheaper but not as portable as a folding electric wheelchair. Therefore, if you want to travel more conveniently with your wheelchair, the folding electric wheelchair will be the best choice.
Measure Your Size
How to Calculate Your Seat Width
-
Measure your hip width across the widest point of your hips or thighs
-
Add 1″
-
Add the thickness of side cushions (if a cushion is used)
How to Calculate Your Back Height
-
Measure your buttocks to 3 undersides of the extended arm
-
Add half the thickness of the seat cushion (if used)
-
Subtract 4″ if you're with good trunk muscles
-
Subtract 3″ if you're with poor trunk muscles
How to Calculate Your Seat Depth
-
Measure your rear buttocks to the back of your knee
-
Subtract 2½”
-
Add the thickness of the back cushion (if a cushion is used)
How to Determine Seat-to-Floor Height
-
If you are under 5′2″ tall, use a Hemi-size wheelchair with a 17½” seat height
-
If you are between 5′2″ and 6′2″, use an Adult size wheelchair with a 18½” to 20½” seat height
-
If you are over 6′2″ tall, use a Tall size wheelchair with a 21½” seat height
If you do not know how to measure the specific size of your or your parents, here are some average sizes for your reference.
The Average Size of US Men (20-65)
The Average Size of US Women (20-65)
The Average Size of US Elderly Men & Women (65-79)
-
Performance of wheelchairs in ADA-compliant rooms
ADA-compliant elevator, bedroom & bathroom
ADA-compliant dining room, kitchen & lobby
These are some sample rooms that are compliant with ADA standards. When choosing the right electric wheelchair, you need to make sure that the turning radius is small enough for the rooms you will ride the chair in. It's significantly important to know the turning radius if you need to use it in a narrow space.
