A properly working wheelchair that fits your needs best can be a lifesaver for you with limited mobility. Whenever a wheelchair stops working, it will also affect your life negatively. Therefore it is advisable that you go for the best wheelchair for outdoors that suits you perfectly.
Below are some of the best wheelchairs for outdoors in the market that we choose giving weight to third performance, durability and last to the test of time. Following the guidelines and the reviews below you will automatically land on a perfect wheelchair for your situation.
How do I choose the best wheelchair for outdoors?
. Type of chair
Wheelchairs can either be active or passive. Active wheelchairs are those that offer the greatest autonomy by allowing the users to move quickly on their own by reducing mobility.
These are equipped with foldable backrest and quick-release wheels and are foldable for storage in a car. On the other hand, passive chairs are the push wheelchairs that need a third party to move.
They are majorly used for those patients without the strength of moving on their own. In addition, they are foldable and can be dismantled with ease.
. Electric or manual
Electric wheelchairs give you greater comfort besides requiring less effort from the users. They also help the users make tight turns and overcome different obstacles.
In addition, they are of a solid structure even though lightweight and easy to dismantle. Electric Wheelchair also can move for miles at a good speed as compared to the manual one that requires more effort to move.
. Usage
If you need a wheelchair for daily use, then it’s better you go for that with the most comfortable armrest, thick cushions, foot and headrests. But for a chair for only a short time movement, all these will not be necessary.
. Maneuverability and Indoor or outdoor wheelchair
Whereas some wheelchairs are usable in both indoor and outdoor, some come specifically for temporary use like the shower wheelchairs. You need to consider on where the chair will operate to know its maintenance.
On maneuverability, small front wheels make the chair great for maneuvering through tight corners but indoor whereas the larger front wheels are great for the outdoor maneuvering.
. Accessory options
Your accessories depend on your taste, you can decide to add armrests, foot and headrests, or even a bag to carry some of your items. Therefore it is necessary to go for a wheelchair that allows for the additional accessories.
What is the best wheelchair for outdoors on the market?
1. Medline Transport Wheelchair
Medline transport wheelchair has a weight of half the wheelchair even though it has all versatility and features you may wish to have in a wheelchair like light and portable design.
It is of a sturdy welded steel and thus can support a weight capacity of up to 300lbs. Its seat is almost 20″ wide. Wheels are oversized whereas the footrest is adjustable for heights.
Special antimicrobial protection is applied to help inhibit bacterial growth and keep the chair safe from molds and mildews. Folding the chair is just a snap whereby you only need to lift up the middle and it will fold to fit your car.
Pros
- Comes with seat belt for additional safety
- Armrest allows you to sit closer to a table
- Large wheels with locking breaks
- Strong making although light in weight
Cons
- Poor construction design
2. Roscoe Medical Transport Chair
Roscoe medical transport chair is an aluminum wheelchair with a 19-inch seat and a hand brake. It provides safe and comfortable transportation due to the strong and sturdy frame construction.
With the twelve inches rear wheel giving a handy back release that allows the back to fold for easy storage and transportation. It also comes complete with a seat belt, footrest, footplates and heel loops.
It is capable of supporting a weight capacity of up to 300 lbs. Do not mind going for a journey or trips as it comfortably fits into your trunk or car. Its fold-down back allows for compact flat storage thus durable and easy to transport.
Pros
- Premium quality and lightweight design
- Convenient features for safety
- Comfortable chair
- Good weight capacity of 300 lbs
Cons
- Poor construction
3. Medline MDS806900 Excel Wheelchair
Medline is an extra-wide wheelchair that features a carbon steel frame beside the rust and chip-resistant chrome plating. It’s hemi height adjustable axle helps raise and lower the seat two inches apart.
With the Navy vinyl upholstery material, the wheelchair is easy to clean by just a wipe. Its footrest is adjustable with a tool-free push button.
The Medline excel wheelchair is self-propelling with a height of 20 inches from the seat to the floor. Also, it is capable of carrying a weight load of up to 500 lbs.
Pros
- 500 lbs weight capacity
- Swing away detachable footrest
- The removable armrest of a desk length
- Easy to clean upholstery material
Cons
- Heavy wheelchair
4. Karman Lightweight Wheelchair
Karman healthcare continues to produce lightweight wheelchairs by offering the LT-980 series. It weighs up to a weight of 24 pounds without the footrest. They continually check on the design, noncustom, function and an ultra-light wheelchair to fit most people’s desires.
The compact and foldable frame allows any family member to lift the item and store it. A padded nylon upholstery makes it easy to clean and thus improving comfort on the design. The height adjustable footrest allows for most people’s perfect fit.
Pros
- Easy to use removable footrest
- Easy to clean solid polyurethane material
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Additional safety with the seat belt
Cons
- Parking problems
5. Drive Medical BLS18FBD-ELR Wheelchair
Drive Medical a blue streak wheelchair with cutting edge features of detachable desk arms and elevated padded leg rest, these bring an advanced versatility and easy transportation.
The 18-inch seat is Crafted ergonomically to bring comfort and independent mobility in n enjoyable and easy manner. A powder coating on the sleek blue frame is durable steel that resists chipping and cracks.
A nylon seat upholstery and black cross brace are lightweight and sturdy making the best wheelchair for outdoors easy to clean. Solid rubber tires are mounted on composite wheels to ensure a consistent and smooth ride.
Pros
- Durable tires for functionality and safety
- Easy to clean padded nylon chair
- Customizable support with the detachable desk arms
- Enjoyable independent mobility
Cons
- None
6. Invacare 9000 SL Wheelchair
The Invacare 9000 SL wheelchair has a dual axle position for a seat to floor heights to make the user comfortable as the wheels also offer superior performance.
The model also has a 20″*16″ frame, 8″ front caster, desk length space saver arms and a twenty four rear wheels that have composite handrails.
Its upholstery is of black nylon and a heavy-duty inner liner that keeps the back and seat from stretching. The wheelchairs back can adjust at 15″ to 17″ in height.
Pros
- Built to last with a carbon steel frame
- Can carry a weight capacity of up to 250 lbs
- Comes with a comfortable arm and leg rest
- Easy to clean nylon upholstery
Cons
- No step footrest
7. Hi- Fortune Wheelchair
Hi-Fortune wheelchair is committed to innovating the lightest wheelchairs in the world. The frame is of magnesium alloy that is hard than an ordinary aluminum wheelchair.
The customer service is of a professional American team that is capable of answering any questions pertained to this product. This Hi- fortune wheelchair can fold down to a compact package by first folding the backrest then pull up the middle of the seat.
It comes with an optional quick release wheel that allows the caregiver to remove the back wheels that are larger just with a button push. It will take you less than one minute to unfold and attach the wheels upon getting to your destination.
Pros
- Foldable seatback
- Swing-away leg rest
- Quick-release wheel button
- Press the button to remove and install it’s antiroll
Cons
- Great but small
8. NOVA Medical Transport Chair
NOVA 352B is a transport wheelchair that is designed to give you easy and lightweight patients transportation. With its 12 inches rear wheels you can be sure of a comfortable ride through most terrains.
It’s comfortable padded upholstery with the arm pads as well are given more support to prevent the chair from stretching or ripping. It’s locking handbrakes allows you to control the speed of the chair and at the same time lock to park.
The flip-up desk arms necessitate easy transfer in and out of the chair and also access to tables or desks. A seat belt with a plastic clip gives you improved safety even as you move with the chair.
Pros
- Flip-up desk arms for easy moving in and out of patients
- Hand brakes for easy packing and speed control
- Lightweight chair of an aluminum frame
- Seat belt for added security
Cons
- Poorly designed seat
9. Medline Lightweight Wheelchair
Medline is a smartly designed like, and the lightweight wheelchair that is also simple to maneuver through corners and fixed places but sturdy enough to carry a weight of up to 300 pounds.
This is a great option for those who are always on the go and need an easy to access flip back desk arms to reach tables and desks in an easy way or even transfer in and out of the chair in seconds. It also has an elevating leg rest that brings along comfort for the user.
Its adjustable backrest is capable of moving up and down for customized support. The nylon upholstery is light and comfortable giving you more breathable as compared to vinyl.
Pros
- Great for office works and dinning with the desk length arms
- Comfortable and elevating leg rest
- Breathable and lightweight nylon upholstery
- Raise and lower arms for support and comfort
Cons
- Small armrests
10. Portola Tech Mobility Range Electric Wheelchair
Quattro is one of the most exclusive and folding wheelchairs by the Portola Tech Mobility range series. The engineered power and experts design wheelchair are capable of moving through grass, curbs and rough surfaces in an easier way.
Its maximum shock absorber increases the bump sensitivity and traction. Therefore it can run for a long period continuously without any maintenance requirements. The best wheelchair for outdoors can carry a maximum weight capacity of 350 lbs and move with at a maximum speed of up to 6 miles.
Its wheels are puncture free and therefore you need not bother of punctures. The chair is again foldable in an easy manner for transportation.
Pros
- Has an excellent turning radius
- Can move through a long range of up to 30 miles continuously
- Horsepower motor of two 300 Watts
- Comes fully assembled
Cons
- Difficult to operate
Conclusion
Wheelchairs help those with limited mobility therefore finding a perfect one will help boost the users esteem as he or she learns on how to get used to the situation.
Above are the top ten best wheelchairs for outdoor use in reviews, that will keep you for almost your lifetime with their buying guides and accompanying components to help in your purchase. Feel free to purchase any of the listed price change and you will not have to regret anymore.
FAQ Of Best Wheelchairs For Outdoors:
When choosing either a customized or fixed wheelchair, remember your fit affects propulsion biometrics and comfort thus getting the right wheelchair becomes very important.
Unfortunately, there is no prescribed formula to use in the measurements but the major factor is the chair should fit your functional abilities and anatomic size.
Thus when purchasing a wheelchair you need to consider your personal activities, actual measurements and your areas of difficulties as well.
Most people with myalgic encephalomyelitis which is also a chronic fatigue syndrome find physical activities to make their conditions worsen to a permanent state.
At the state where you find walking difficult this condition will lead you to pace, resting and using other equipment like the wheelchairs and scooters to help you in your movements.
May people today use the power wheelchairs, due to their mechanical nature they can easily break down as compared to the manual ones.
With good general maintenance and care they are prone to last for a longer duration whereby the battery should last for more than five years. All you need to do is follow the guidelines that the chair comes with.
