Explore the Best Electric Wheelchairs in 2021
An electric wheelchair, more generally referred to as power wheelchair, offers the advantage of mobility to individuals who would otherwise be bound to their homes due to illness, stroke or injury. "I have one in my garage right now for zooming around the yard and doing yard work," says Bill Fertig, the Virginia Beach-based director of the United Spinal Association Resource Center. They typically come with up to six wheels which help with stability, being powered with batteries that generally last 10 miles before needing recharge.
To select for the Best Electric wheelchair for seniors The Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on approximately 50 products from top brands, evaluating the price the maximum weight capacity, travel range, top speed and portability. Find out which Electric wheelchair for sale made our list. The prices listed are correct as of the publication date.
What Is an Electric Wheelchair?
A Portable electric wheelchair--also called a powered or motorized electric wheelchair that I can rent is a four- or six-wheel chair equipped with a motor. It operates using one or two batteries. The wheelchairs can be controlled with the joystick and do not require muscles in the upper part of your body. Powered electric wheelchair rental varieties differ from standard, simple wheelchairs designed for short-term usage to highly customized models for larger and more extensive needs.
Cory Lee, 31, from Georgia has been in wheelchairs since four years old. In addition, he's hot ballooned by air in Israel and floated through the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and had a run-in with an hippopotamus in South African--and an expert on how to travel in the wheelchair. Over the course of his career, Lee had used a variety of various sizes and kinds of wheelchairs. He knows the importance of choosing the right wheelchair.
Best electric wheelchair prices like the ones employed by Lee fit into a group known as complex rehabilitation technology also known as CRT. "These wheelchairs are measured and built specifically to meet each individual's unique needs," says Angie Kiger, a clinical education and strategy manager with Sunrise Medical, a California-based manufacturer of wheelchairs. This type of technology comes with multiple positioning options, sophisticated electronics and controls, as well as adjustments for orthopedic issues and accommodations for ventilators.
What is a Power Wheelchair?
Power wheelchairs (also known as power chairs) provide exceptional mobility in small spaces as well as around tight corners, making them an most suitable option for moving both inside and out of your home. Power wheelchairs also allow you to pull in close proximity to counters, tables, and work surfaces in order to complete routine tasks and stay within your home. The power wheelchair is prescribed by doctors to those who require full-time mobility for everyday activities within their homes, and are also available for lease or purchase by anyone who can benefit from the increased mobility and freedom that an electric wheel chair gives.
Electric Wheelchair Basics
If you're searching for the best electric wheelchair cost You'll see various terms that are often seen on dealer websites. Here's a list of the most essential terms below in order to make shopping more straightforward.
Front-, Mid-, & Rear-Wheel Drive
All Medicare electric wheelchairs are equipped with four or six wheels, however, only two wheels of the chair receive power via the motor. Other wheels ("casters") provide stability to the chair. Mid-wheel drive is most suitable for complete rotation within tight spaces. In contrast, rear- and front-wheel drive wheelchairs provide the most smooth rides and are able to handle outdoor terrain best. It's wise to consult with an occupational therapist to determine the type of drive will be best for the daily usage.
Turning Radius
The radius of the turning point is the smallest u-turn that the electric wheelchair that is near me. The smaller the turning radius and the less crowded the chair will be ideal for indoor use and small spaces. The turning radius is usually between 20" and about 35" is typical. Bulky chairs will have large turning radiuses, but other aspects like the angle of the footrest and the wheel drive also affect the radius of turning.
Travel Range
An electric wheelchair's travel rangeis often referred to as "range" - is the miles it can travel before it needs to recharged. The range can vary widely, from 4 or 5 miles in certain chairs to up to almost 20 miles in others. The range can be shorter than claimed if a person is particularly heavy, the terrain is rough or the battery is getting old. Finding an electric chair with high range is crucial for those planning to travel frequently or who regularly use their electric wheelchair outside on solo trips to stores or other locations.
Warranty Limits
Electric wheelchairs typically come with "limited" warranties and not all wear and tear is included in the warranty offered by the manufacture. Most warranties cover structural elements such as the metal frame in the frame for at least five and ten years and will typically cover other components for shorter durations of time stipulated in the warranty agreement. In the table that summarizes the information and the company profiles below, the amount in front of the word limited (for example, "5 year limited") indicates the highest extent of coverage under the warranty, which usually for the frame.
How to Choose a Power Wheelchair Store
If you're looking for a wheelchair shop near me or an online store, there are always certain aspects you must study prior to doing business with any retailer. Investing in a power wheelchair can easily exceed $1,000.00and you'll want to make sure you are doing everything you can to ensure you are going to be working with a business that offers great customer service, rock bottom prices for new products, along with the experience to help guide you into the ideal electric wheelchair for your needs.
Below are 3 main points that you should think about before you purchase a power chair:
Crowdsourcing data is the best method to evaluate the quality of service provided to the previous customers. Not one business can operate in a flawless manner without any errors, so when something wrong does happen it is important to make sure that the company stands behind you and will do whatever is required to make sure you end with a satisfied customer. Currently, MobilityScootersDirect.com has a 4.7/5.0 which is a very strong rating. Any company with lower than a 4.0 rating might be considered average. A company with less than a 3.0 rating could be considered poor.
Pricing - A crucial factor is the price. Why would you spend more money for the identical product? Some local stores are forced to offer higher prices because they have overhead and rent to cover. Costs for overhead typically range from the thousands of dollars each month for a bricks and mortar enterprise, so this must be considered when determining their prices. At MobilityScootersDirect.com, we're an online store so able to offer you these products at the lowest price the manufacturers will allow us to sell them for. This is often referred to as MAP pricing.
Expert Knowledge of products Portable electric wheelchair - All of our salespeople have been trained in electronics and are able physically repair mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. Some of our sales representatives have hobbies in aviation and flying drones that are electronic. Their love for electronics is translated into a fantastic knowledge of products that is uncommon elsewhere. Part of the reason why our reviews are so awesome is due to the fact that our sales staff collaborates with us so that our customers get a unit that not only fulfills their requirements, but even exceed their expectations.
