The best wheelchair can help improve an elderly person, and those with limited mobility have a lower standard of living, allowing them to move freely without assistance. Our evaluation focused on weight capacity, seat comfort, warranty, swing-away footrests/armrests, weight, and its ability to fold for easy storage.
After more than 17 hours of researching, our top pick goes to the Drive Medical Cruiser III Wheelchair. It boasts a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, includes a generous lifetime warranty, and its seat widths can be adjusted to 16”, 18”, and 20”, accommodating different body types. But before we learn more about these wheelchairs, have a look at other quality health and wellness products.
Top 7 Best Wheelchair Compared
#1 Drive Medical Cruiser III Wheelchair
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheelchair makes our top pick for its 3 seat widths and built-in 2” seat extension. It is an excellent option for consumers whose weight and waistline fluctuate regularly and who prefer a “one size fits all” wheelchair.
- Best quality
- Adjustable seat width
- Lifetime warranty
- Rust-prone metallic parts
- Flimsy seat
- Plastic footrests
Thanks to its swing-away footrests and flip-back detachable arms, it is really easy to get up from this chair. Our favorite feature is its built-in seat extensions, which increases seat depth an additional 2 inches, which is great if you use back cushions. Bonus points for its hemi-spacing, which uses pre-drilled holes to adjust the chair’s tilt to sit straight or relaxed.
This wheelchair’s nylon upholstery and padded armrests make it really comfortable to sit on. 8-inch front wheels create a smooth ride on rockier terrain. Push-to-lock wheel locks also keep it firmly in place like a car’s parking brake.
#2 Drive Medical Lightweight Steel Transport Wheelchair
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheelchair features a lightweight (only 26 pounds) and a quick-release fold-down back for easy storage in a trunk or closet. It is an excellent choice if you live and work in tight, narrow spaces, e.g. small apartments and offices.
- Best budget
- Good in narrow spaces
- Swing-away footrests
- Lower than average weight capacity (250 pounds)
- Hard to go over bumps
- Plastic wheels
This wheelchair comes with swing-away footrests and detachable armrests, which makes it easier to sit at tables with varying heights. Its nylon seat and plush armrests provide plenty of cushioning. Unlike our #1 pick, the Drive Medical Cruiser III, all wheels are the same size, providing better stability for those with limited arm and leg strength.
Thanks to this wheelchair’s foldable backrest, it folds flat in less than 5 seconds, making it easy to transport and great for people who leave the house regularly. We also love this wheelchair because of its push-to-lock hand brakes, which doesn’t rely on pesky lever brakes that require you to reach down. This works well for a wheelchair user that has limited flexibility, arm, and hand strength. You will also want to choose the best wheel chair ramp with that in mind.
#3 NOVA Lightweight Transport Wheelchair
Award: Best Transport
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheelchair offers a sturdy lightweight aluminum frame (23 pounds) and large 12″ rear wheels. It is an excellent choice if you move from bed to chair often.
- Lifetime warranty
- Flip-back, removable desk arms
- Padded upholstery
- High cost
- Sticky, non-slip coated handles
- Not the most comfortable seatback
We really love this wheelchair’s strong hand brakes, which brings it to a full stop without forward thrust. Footrests can be positioned in different angles, locking into place for different rest positions. Heel hoops also help by releasing tension on the toes and balls of the foot.
This wheelchair works well with all body types, supporting up to 300 pounds. Its 8-inch front wheels and 12 inch rear wheels provide a tighter turning radius. Bonus points go to its quick release, fold-down back, which folds and stows away in seconds. This Lightweight Transport Wheelchair makes it much easier for traveling than a standard wheelchair.
#4 Carex Transport Wheelchair
Award: Best for Travel
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheelchair features a lightweight frame that is very easy to fold. It is an excellent choice for frequent errand-runners and travelers.
- Easiest to fold for the car
- Large 8-inch wheels
- Comfortable 19″ seating
- Wheels need to be screwed on
- Cannot raise the seat height
- May sit too low for some users
We were really impressed with this wheelchair’s large 8-inch wheels, which works well on all types of terrain, including cobblestone and low lying grass. With its lightweight frame, it is an excellent choice if you make frequent stops running errands. It is also easy to fold and stow in a car trunk.
Thanks to its large 19′ padded seating area, it is really comfortable to ride on for extended periods. It also has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. Swing-away removable footrests make it easy to get up and sit back down or provide clearance when seated at a dinner table.
#5 Medline Excel Extra-Wide Wheelchair
Award: Best for Large People
WHY WE LIKE IT: This extra-wide wheelchair comes with a massive 500-pound weight capacity and oversized seating at 24 inches wide. We love it for people 6’ or taller and weighing over 300 pounds.
- 500 LB weight capacity
- Extra wide seat (24 inches)
- Very durable
- High cost
- Hard on rough terrain
- Spongy wheels
This wheelchair has a very sturdy, carbon steel frame, making it much more durable than standard aluminum. Our favorite feature is its padded armrests and seat, which were very comfortable to sit and lean on. We felt no soreness when sitting on this seat for 2 hours.
Thanks to its adjustable axles, it can lower and raise the seat 2 inches to make it more comfortable to sit on. Elevating, push-button footrests with padded calf pads also provide relief for tired legs and make it easy to stand. It can also double as a light office, with a large roomy storage pocket in the back to store laptops and smaller items. Since we are talking about making it easier to stand, the best power lift recliner will make life easier.
#6 Innuovo Intelligent Electric Wheelchair
Award: Best for Parapalegic
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheelchair features a very reliable electric motor and 360 degree joystick. It’s an awesome choice if you have limited arm and hand strength and need an extra assist moving on your own.
- Foldable & electric powered
- 360-degree joystick
- Folds in 3 seconds
- Not good on grass
- Heavy weight (50 pounds)
- Sensitive to heat and humidity
Thanks to a 360-degree joystick and an electro-magnetic braking system, ride quality is really smooth.Two 250W motors were strong enough to go up small slopes (think, 8 degrees). In our research, turning radius’ were pretty sharp and its joystick was very responsive, coming to a quick and full stop regardless of terrain.
Range is very respectable (12.5 miles when fully charged). Though it has sufficient range for indoor and outdoor travel, it is a bit slow with a maximum speed of 3.7 MPH. If you are in no particular hurry to get somewhere, this wheelchair is a safe bet.
#7 Hi-Fortune Wheelchair
Award: Best for Everyday Use
WHY WE LIKE IT: This wheelchair features a lightweight construction (only 21 pounds) with a 220-pound weight capacity.. It is our favorite pick for everyday use
- Foldable, small & lightweight
- Only 21 pounds
- Removable wheels
- High cost
- So-so 1-year frame warranty
Our favorite feature of this wheelchair is its quick-release wheel button which allows you to remove it with the push of a button. It is great for people with smaller cars like Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas with limited trunk space. A levered fold seat back and removable footrests also makes it easy to stow and sit up and down easily.
We loved how this wheelchair seems to glide with its large wheels, even on rockier terrain. It uses both front and rear hand brakes, using a push button to come to a complete stop. Anti-tippers also let you roll up a slope without tipping over. You can also look at the best knee scooter.
How We Decided
Choosing the best wheelchair could mean the difference between staying at home and enjoying the great outdoors.
In determining the best wheelchair to buy, one should consider its weight, weight capacity, wheel size, seat height adjustment, and type of leg rests and footrests.
Lightweight transport chairs weighing less than 30 pounds are easy to lift, carry, and maneuver, especially important for moving out and about regularly. Weight capacity to seat width ratio is very important, with 17 and 19-inch seats best for people weighing 150+ pounds and 21-inch seats best for people weighing 300-plus pounds.
Wheel size is critical. Many wheelchairs carry larger back wheels and smaller front wheels for a tighter turning radius, with equally sized wheels better for anyone with diminished arm and leg strength.
Best Wheelchair Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Seat width
Wheelchair seats usually come in two configurations – medium and wide. Medium wheelchairs measure 18 inches wide and are ideal for users who weigh between 120 and 300 pounds. Wide, or extra-large wheelchairs, are 20 inches or wider and best for users over 300 pounds. - Armrests and Footrests
The best wheelchairs come with removable armrests and swing-away footrests that make it easier to get up and climb back into your wheelchair. Removable armrests also allow you to lean up against a table to work, eat, or play. Plus, being able to move the armrests will minimize skin issues. - Weight
The lighter the wheelchair, the easier it is to lift and stow it away in a closet or car. This is ideal for users who are always out and about running errands and staying active.- Larger wheels help navigate tight spaces by allowing the mobility chair to turn more easily. Ultra-lightweight wheelchairs are a popular choice for active users since their increased maneuverability makes it easier to get around.
- Oversized rear wheels on ultra-lightweight models give them a tighter turning radius that comes in handy when navigating tight spaces like small shops or crowded sidewalks. With their portable and nimble design, ultra-lightweight wheelchairs are a popular choice for users needing maximum mobility.
- Folding
A quick folding mechanism allows wheelchairs to fit into narrow spaces, such as a small pantry or car trunk. Some even come with detachable footrests and arm rests for greater space savings. - Electric vs Manual
Manual wheelchairs require dexterity and arm strength to maneuver with constant pushing of both wheels, especially on inclines or rocky surfaces. The best manual wheelchair for your loved one should be available in a wide range of sizes, and should also be easy to transport. Some self-propelled manual ones may require wheelchair users to move the chair using their arms and legs. Electric wheelchairs, like the Innuovo Intelligent Wheelchair, are better suited for those with diminished arm and hand strength e.g., paraplegics.- These motorized wheelchairs, also known as power chairs, are a type of wheelchair that can greatly improve mobility and quality of life for those requiring constant assistance to move around.
- Unlike manual wheelchairs, power chairs are mobility aids that are driven by motors and electronic controls rather than pushing the wheels. They allow the user to move around independently without needing to propel the chair with their arms.
- Power chairs provide increased freedom and access for those who have difficulty operating a manual wheelchair due to physical limitations or medical conditions. Due to the advancement of wheelchair technology, motorized wheelchairs have become versatile and customizable mobility aids that can restore independence and connectivity.
- They may also have a greater variety of power seating positions with the ability to tilt and recline. When choosing a powered or electric wheelchair, it’s best to go for one that has good customer service and aftersales care, just in case anything goes wrong.
- Warranty
Many of our picks carry lifetime warranties, which offer assurance wheelchair frames will hold up to general wear and tear over the life of its use. Be sure to read all of the full coverage terms to decide if the warranty covers enough scenarios. - Wheel Type
There are two types of wheels – inflatable and solid core. Solid core tires, with rubber or foam inner core, are generally hole-proof and absorb hard terrain well. However, traction may suffer on wet surfaces.
