As we grow older, our body starts to fail us, and we just can’t get about as we once used to. But few seniors have enough upper body strength to manually push a self-propelled wheelchair for walks in the countryside. What an exhausting way to spend your retirement!
It’s almost as bad as trying to make do with a walking stick, which is no help at all if your knees and hips will barely make the short distances around the house.
The solution, of course, is to invest in a power wheelchair. That way, you can enjoy the great outdoors without expending any effort. You simply glide the chair anywhere you want to go, and the world is your oyster once again.
And if that sounds good to you, you’ve certainly come to the right place. I’m going to be sharing my reviews on what I believe are THE best power wheelchairs on the market today.
Then, I’m going to provide you with a handy buying guide that will walk you through the key points to consider when shopping for a power wheelchair, topped off with a section where I answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it!
In a hurry? Check out my number one pick!
Porto Mobility Ranger Discovery Power Wheelchair
[amazon fields=”B07G2ZNQTF” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
This chair is a prominent bestseller with the leading online retailers, where it has seen some amazing customer ratings and reviews.
It’s excellent for enjoying the great outdoors, thanks to its weather resistant finish, large, puncture free tires, and dual suspension. It glides smoothly over all kinds of terrain including grass, gravel, light mud, and even a little snow. It will even go up steep hills, too.
You can go for a whopping 15 to 20 miles on it before you run out of battery, which is really good.
It folds down in a matter of seconds, and does so very compactly, with the folded dimensions measuring a mere 31 inches high by 23 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. So getting it into the trunk of your car should be no problem at all, especially when you consider that it weighs a mere 50 pounds.
It arrives at your door fully assembled and comes backed by a 3-year warranty for the frame, 2-year for the motor, and a year for the battery.
My experience with the wheelchair: I absolutely loved this power wheelchair, it’s great for getting about in, performs in wet weather and handles rough terrain.
Strangely, my favorite feature was the fact that the arms can be raised and foot rests can be raised, which came in really handy not only for getting on and off the chair, but also for sliding under tables to enjoy a meal.
I just wish it was more affordable, so more people could enjoy it as much as I did.
Pros
- A bestseller with excellent ratings
- Can handle a range of outdoor terrain
- Battery will last a whopping 20 miles
- It folds down quickly and compactly
- Arrives at your door already assembled
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price (not kidding!)
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B07G2ZNQTF”]
Innuovo Intelligent Folding Power Wheelchair
[amazon fields=”B09LSRK3FP” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
Now, this is a wheelchair for the 21st century! It’s a perfect option for those who love to take their smartphone out and about with them, because you never know when a grandchild is going to want to video call. This is because the control panel by the joystick features a handy USB charger that you can plug your smartphone into.
It’s great for taking in the great outdoors, thanks to its 12-inch air filled tires which can handle pretty much any terrain, and the shock absorbers. Moreover, it won’t tip at all on uneven roads or slopes, it’s really stable.
And it comes with a high performance lithium battery that can continue to work for a distance of up to 15 km on a full charge.
What’s more, this is a chair designed with comfort in mind – there’s a thick, padded seat that will protect against bedsores, and it’s great for your back, too.
When folded, it measures a mere 14″ x 28″ x 30″, so you’ll have no problem getting it in the trunk of your car.
My experience with the wheelchair: You know what? I felt really safe in this wheelchair. Not only can you decelerate before coming to a stop, but there’s even a handy seatbelt to secure you in place. And of course I loved the USB charger for my phone.
Getting on and off the wheelchair was easy, thanks to the one-button armrest lift, and the non-slip footrest.
And judging by the customer ratings, I’m definitely not the only one to like it so much!
Pros
- Features a handy USB charger
- Handles most terrain and slopes
- It’s designed with comfort in mind
- Will go up to 15 km on a full charge
- Folds compact enough for your trunk
Cons
- It’s kinda heavy to lift when you want to put it in the car
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B09LSRK3FP”]
Beyour Walker Super Lightweight Power Wheelchair
[amazon fields=”B0874B5HG1″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
Now, this is a wheelchair with some great qualities. It costs a fraction of the price of some of the other wheelchairs on my shortlist, and it also happens to be one of the most lightweight power wheelchairs on the market. Weighing only 41 pounds, it isn’t so bad for getting in the trunk of the car.
Speaking of which, it folds down in seconds and once folded measures a reasonable 22 x 22 x 30 inches. This not only means that it will fit in the trunk of your car, but it will even be considered a carry-on that would fit into an overhead compartment on a plane.
It has a very intuitive control panel, complete with a joystick, buttons to speed up or slow down, and a handy battery level indicator, so you don’t end up getting stranded before the battery runs out.
Getting around on it couldn’t be easier, the 6-inch wheels at the front, together with the 8-inch wheels at the rear, make for a nice, smooth ride wherever you happen to be. And you can get around tight spaces with it too.
My experience with the wheelchair: I took this chair on quite the long trek. I wasn’t worried about the battery running out though because I had someone with me who could push me if needed.
I thought the chair was excellent value for money, but I didn’t like it as much as some of the other ones on my shortlist, which lasted longer and were even more comfortable to ride in.
Pros
- It’s very competitively priced!
- It’s the most lightweight one I’ve found
- Folds compactly enough for use as a carry-on
- Battery level indicator so you never get stranded
- Perfect for getting around tight spaces
Cons
- It’s not very good on thick carpets, which require more power
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B0874B5HG1”]
Porto Mobility Ranger Reclining Power Wheelchair
[amazon fields=”B07V4NM79R” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
This is an excellent power wheelchair for those who love their long jaunts in the countryside, thanks to its super long range, which comes in at a whopping 18 miles on a full charge. That works out at 9 miles from the starting point and back.
And it will handle almost any terrain effortlessly, including the likes of grass, accessible curbs, and rough surfaces. And it can handle reasonable hills, too.
And it has some other great features besides. The star feature has to be its adjustable reclining back and headrest, which makes it perfect for laying back and soaking up the rays.
It folds down in just 5 seconds, and does so very compactly for stowing in the trunk of your car. When folded, it measures a mere 30 inches high by 24 inches wide and 13.5 inches deep. That’s small enough to be classed as a carry-in for most airlines. And when unfolded, it’s still narrow enough to fit through standard doorways and elevators.
It comes backed by a 3-year warranty for the frame, and 1-year for the motor, controller and battery. And if all that’s not enough, it also comes with a spare battery, and mini tool kit, too.
My experience with the wheelchair: With this chair, I was really impressed with just how far it could go on a full charge. I also loved how comfortable it was for hours on end, thanks to the thick padding on the seat, reclining backrest, and comfy foot and armrests.
Pros
- Outstanding range at 18 miles
- An adjustable reclining backrest
- Folds compactly for use as carry-on
- Great on all kinds of terrain and on hills
- It comes with a spare battery & tool kit
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B07V4NM79R”]
Culver Mobility Shawk Power Wheelchair
[amazon fields=”B09LRM3Z6Q” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
This reasonably priced power wheelchair was also deemed worthy of a spot on my shortlist.
It’s perfect for trips outdoors, because it can handle all kinds of difficult terrain, including the likes of grass, paving, gravel, mud, and even snow! It’s super smooth.
It can go quite far on a full charge, up to a whopping 13 miles, and has a reasonable maximum speed of 4 mph.
It has an impressive maximum weight capacity, coming in at 330 pounds, and it has a nice, wide seat width at 20 inches, and a slightly wider gap between the armrests. So it’s a great chair for the well-built or heavy set.
The other great feature is the intelligent electromagnetic brake, which stops it from going too fast down hills.
When folded, it’s easily small enough to fit in the trunk of your car, measuring just 30 inches high by 19.7 inches wide and 15 inches deep. In fact, it’s so compact that it’s airline-approved as a carry-on! What’s more, it only takes a few seconds to fold.
It’s also worth noting that this chair is available with full refund if within the first 30 days you decide you’re not entirely happy with it.
My experience with the wheelchair: I found that the chair was excellent when going over rough terrain. And on hills, come to think of it, thanks to the anti-roll wheels. I like the size of it, too – I didn’t feel at all squashed. I thought the headrest and leaning back rest was a nice touch, really comfy. I could just lay back and enjoy the sun on my face.
Pros
- Smooth ride on all kinds of terrain
- Wide seat and high maximum weight
- Folds compact enough to be a carry-on
- Free refunds for the first 30 days of purchase
- Intelligent electromagnetic brake – great for hills
Cons
- It’s quite heavy to pick up, coming in at 65 pounds
- There aren’t a whole lot of customer reviews around for it just yet
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B09LRM3Z6Q”]
Buying Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. Let me walk you through the key points to consider before when shopping for a power wheelchair.
Maneuverability
If you want to use the wheelchair outdoors, as most people would, then you need the wheelchair to be able to handle any terrain you put it in, which will require large wheels for a more stable ride.
Comfort
Comfort is such an important feature, especially for seniors. You need your wheelchair to have a thickly padded seat, and a rest for at least your lower back if not also your mid-back as well.
You should also think about any difficulty you might have getting up out of the chair after each use. To that end, you would do well to check that the seat isn’t too low down. You may also be interested in a foot rest.
Weatherproof
I know many people are quite dubious about using anything electronic in wet weather, but if you’re going to take it outdoors, it will probably rain at some point and your wheelchair has to be able to handle it.
Battery Life And Maximum Distance
If you wish to go on long scenic journeys, the last thing you want is for the battery to run out when you’re too far away from home or from the car.
Folding & Portability
If you intend to enjoy day trips out, you may need to be able to fold up the chair first to get it into the trunk of your car. Most cars won’t be able to fit a big power wheelchair inside unless it’s folded up.
And if the trunk of your car is not that roomy, then you need to ensure that the folded dimensions are sufficiently small to fit. To that end, I made a point of including the folded dimensions where applicable in my reviews.
And when lifting the folded contraption to put it in the trunk, you don’t want it to be too heavy either.
Durability
Given how much you typically have to spend on such a machine, you want to get a decent lifespan out of it. And it would be a crying shame if the frame or the fabric got damaged through use and folding and unfolding and transport and so on.
Value For Money
The sad truth is that power wheelchairs do cost a pretty penny, as the saying goes. Some can cost as much as a whopping $4,400 at the higher end, but if you’re really lucky, you might be able to snap one up for under $1000.
And when you’re thinking of spending this much money, you want to be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. This is why I recommend that you check prices as you go along.
Answers To Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Do If The Wheelchair I Want Isn’t Currently Available On Amazon?
Unfortunately, since power wheelchairs are so popular and bulky to keep in storage, Amazon will occasionally run out of stock. However, you can use the website https://www.backinstockalerts.com/ to set up an alert to your email address to let you know when a product is available again.
What Is The Highest Rated Motorized Wheelchair?
One of the highest rated power wheelchairs around at the moment is my number one pick, the Porto Mobility Ranger Discovery Power Wheelchair.
When this article was written, it had seen nearly 300 individual customer ratings on Amazon, yet the average customer rating still came out at a very impressive 4 and a half stars out of 5.
Is There An All-Terrain Wheelchair?
Some power wheelchairs are better than others when it comes to handling difficult terrain. If this is what you’re looking for, I can recommend my number one pick, the Porto Mobility Ranger Discovery Power Wheelchair, or the Culver Mobility Shawk Power Wheelchair.
Can Power Wheelchairs Be Used In The Rain?
Power wheelchairs are typically designed primarily for outdoor use, and as such they need to be able to handle a little light rain. However, I would advise you to not deliberately wheel the chair through puddles, and allow the rain to evaporate off when you get home.