Best Wheelchair Brands: 6 Top Wheelchair Brands for Every Need (2024)

Manual wheelchairs are what most people picture when they hear the word “wheelchair”. They have large rear wheels, usually 24 inches in diameter, that users push themselves with. The large rear wheels give wheelchair users lots of control and maneuverability; they don’t take very long to learn how to use and the wheelbase allows easy turning and pivoting. To top it off, they tend to be the cheapest wheelchairs.

These wheelchairs provide a lot of exercise that seniors needand can even improve respiratory and gut health! Manual wheelchairs, convenient though they are, can be pretty tiring to use. Most people aren’t accustomed to propelling themselves with their arms, and using a wheelchair can wear you out quickly. Not only that, overuse of a manual wheelchaircan cause muscle injuries.

This means manual wheelchairs are best used in short-term or short-distance scenarios. If you don’t need a wheelchair for more than a few months or you don’t typically travel far while using it, manual wheelchairs are a great choice. They’re affordable, convenient, and make you feel independent and healthy!

Getting an electric wheelchair is the most sensible option for many permanent wheelchair users. They save your arms the trouble of pushing yourself and open up more opportunities for getting out of the house and around town. They’re not the magical solution to limited mobility, but they do give increase your freedom and provide a very safe way to stay mobile.

Electric wheelchairs are powered by large batteries and can typically travel between 5 and 15 miles before they need to be recharged. Some electric models are designed to accommodate serious medical needs, while others have a more recreation-focused approach. Before getting an electric wheelchair, make sure you know whether or not it will accommodate your needs!

These wheelchairs are ideal for people who lack the dexterity or ability to propel themselves in a wheelchair, such as people who have MS, cerebral palsy, or have had an accident that limited the use of one or both arms. They’re also perfect for people who want to stay independent, traveling around the neighborhood or to a nearby store/doctor’s office without needing assistance.

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Transport chairs are essentially a variation of manual/traditional wheelchairs that have four small wheels instead of the standard “two large and two small wheels” configuration. This means that the user cannot propel themselves and must rely on a caregiver to help them get around.

While this does limit the user’s ability to move independently, it also makes transport wheelchairs supremely light and portable because they don’t have large, bulky wheels. They’re great for short-term or hospital use, as well as for travel, but not for seniors who don’t have someone around to push them when they need it.

Drive Medicalopened for business in 2000 and has been providing safety and medical products for seniors across all categories. From shower rails to wheelchairs, and from medical beds to CPAP masks, Drive Medical has affordable, long-lasting options for all seniors.

Drive has a reputation for providing their medical equipment at very reasonable prices. They’re based mostly in the US, although they have offices and warehouses across the globe. Most Drive products sold in North America are designed and manufactured locally, so you can trust that you’re getting a wheelchair of high quality.

Invacareis one of the oldest and most trusted names in mobility. Since 1885, they have been providing wheelchairs and other mobility-related medical devices to seniors and other persons across the globe. This company’s products are generally more on the expensive side, but they aren’t criticized for being overpriced; they’re simply not the “cheap wheelchair” company.

Invacare’s wheelchairs are known as being some of the most comfortable and durable on the market. They can last more than a few years while requiring little maintenance or upkeep; this is what justifies the extra price for many seniors.

Karman focuses on making manual and electric wheelchairs, but each category has many subcategories. Some of their most popular electric wheelchairs are called “standing wheelchairs” because they have a function that moves the user into a mobile standing position.

Many of their manual wheelchairs come with premium, extra-soft seats and lightweight aluminum designs. For the past 27 years, seniors have been purchasing Karman wheelchairs that help them get around more conveniently and comfortably.

Nova was formed in Californiain 1993 and is focused on a word that you might not expect to be the driving motivator of a wheelchair maker: joy. They design products that do a bit more than get the job done; they truly help seniors enjoy fuller and more independent lives.

Nova’s wheelchairs and other mobility aids are built and shipped from California and Illinois. This company has built a strong reputation for long-lasting products that make using a mobility aid better than many seniors expect.

Pride Mobility is all about the power- everything they make is powered by batteries, and their most popular products are off-road capable mobility scooters. Their products are assembled in America out of parts manufactured in Asia, making them both powerful and affordable.