Written by Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L
Anyone who uses a wheelchair knows how valuable it is to have durable and reliable equipment that helps them get around. These devices are meant to promote independence and mobility within someone’s home and the community, so wheelchairs must be suitable for the person operating and using them.
This is especially the case for bariatric wheelchairs (or heavy duty wheelchairs), which must be accommodating of larger individuals with obesity. Obesity can worsen mobility limitations that individuals with chronic conditions often suffer from. This is why there is a need for well-made extra wide wheelchairs to suit a range of needs. Studies also show there is a growing market for heavy duty wheelchairs, with 25% of individuals with disabilities also living with obesity.
If you or your loved one are looking for a bariatric wheelchair, it’s important to know what your options are. There are several features to consider along with a range of models for individuals in need of heavy duty wheelchairs.
One feature that should be leading the charge while you research bariatric wheelchairs is weight capacity. This is an excellent indicator of how durable a heavy duty wheelchair will be. Most bariatric wheelchairs can handle users up to 500 pounds, but certain heavy duty models are capable of between 700 to 1,000 pounds. Be sure to get a recent and accurate measure of your weight before you start looking at wheelchairs, so you know just what weight capacity you need.
The weight of the wheelchair itself is also important, since this will help individuals (or caregivers) looking to store, transport, or otherwise move their bariatric wheelchair. The weight of the wheelchair itself will usually go up alongside the weight capacity. Bariatric wheelchairs that can handle up to 350 pounds can weigh as little as 25 pounds, but heavy duty wheelchairs with a capacity of 500 pounds or more will usually weigh upwards of 60 pounds.
The seat width of standard manual wheelchairs usually ranges from 16 to 20 inches. The smallest bariatric wheelchair will offer a seat width of around 22 inches. But individuals looking for a larger bariatric wheelchair can get a seat width of up to 36 inches. In order to get a comfortable fit that provides enough room and support for your hips, it’s important to look for a wheelchair with a seat that is 2-3 inches wider than the distance between your two hips. If you need help determining your wheelchair seat width, check out our article How to Find Your Wheelchair Size (ANSWERED).
Footrests might not be important to all bariatric wheelchair users, but you should know what to look for in the event you value having footrests on your chair. If you experience swelling or discomfort in the legs or feet, you might benefit from articulating legrests that extend as they are lifted. This provides various angles of elevation to help decrease swelling, if this is important for managing specific health concerns. Elevating legrests are another option, which affords bariatric wheelchair users one elevated position that is usually level with the seat. This can be helpful if someone has movement restrictions that require them to fully extend their knee or keep their hip at 90 degrees. Swing away footrests are another option that allows the foot plates to swing to the side so they are not posing a fall risk during transfers. If you will be transferring independently into your wheelchair, this will be an important feature to have.
Depending on what activities you enjoy doing, armrests can be another defining feature for a bariatric wheelchair. Full-length armrests are the best option for someone who has limited core strength or poor postural control. This means they will need lateral support from these armrests to help them readjust and remain upright. Desk-length armrests are more appropriate for someone who often sits at a desk, computer, or other tabletop surface. These armrests are shorter, which allows the wheelchair to fit under most standard tabletops. This is beneficial for bariatric wheelchair users who work, play cards, draw, write, engage in other seated hobbies, or simply enjoy being seated comfortably at a table with their loved ones.
Now let's discuss the main features of each chair, along with what customers are saying about each product!
The Bariatric Steel Wheelchair by Mobb Healthcare is a heavier, more comprehensive wheelchair that offers individuals the flexibility of being assisted by a caregiver or self-propelling. This chair also has dual cross bars, which allow it to accommodate up to 500 pounds. This makes it ideal for those who need equipment on the more durable end of the spectrum. With push-to-lock brakes, this offers added safety for anyone at risk of falling or rolling out of their chair while unattended.
This chair also has ergonomics in mind and offers comfortable, molded grips for those pushing the wheelchair. There is variation with seat width so the Bariatric Steel Wheelchair can be better suited to each person’s stature and body size.
Coming in at #4 is the Ultra Lightweight High Strength Recliner by Karman Healthcare. This model is intended for long-term use but offers even more comfort than other lightweight bariatric wheelchairs. The High Strength Recliner lives up to its name and offers up to 163 degrees of reclining, which is ideal for individuals who often need to rest or must recline in order to manage health concerns such as acid reflux or heart disease.
This model is also very considerate of safety, since any reclining wheelchair wouldn’t be complete without features such as anti-tippers. There are also several options for seat width, with the larger width chairs offering a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds.
Adjustable leg supports, elevating footrests that swing away, and full-length armrests with padding all make this bariatric wheelchair supremely comfortable for those in need of equal parts support and rest. For those who love the comfort this chair offers but worry it won’t suit them, users can order a self-propelled or caregiver-attended version based on their specific needs.
The Bariatric Aluminum Transport Chair by Drive Medical offers supreme convenience with a sturdy but lightweight frame that can accommodate users up to 450 pounds. This chair also has large rear wheels that make it a good fit for both indoor flooring (from tile to linoleum) and outdoor terrain including grass and gravel.
Drive’s Bariatric Aluminum Transport Chair offers light padding on the armrests and backrest. Since most transport chairs are intended for short-term use as individuals go from their home to their vehicle, it is intended more for function rather than comfort. There are full-length armrests to provide enough support for those who need it, so it is not ideal for someone who wishes to use it indoors at a table or other countertop surface.
To assist caregivers who will be responsible for the chair, this bariatric wheelchair is lightweight at only 33 pounds. For easy maneuvering, it comes complete with a full-length push bar with handbrakes.
The Bariatric Sentra EC Heavy-Duty Manual Wheelchair by Drive Medical has folding capabilities that not only make it a good fit for travel, transportation, and storage, but also accommodate individuals in hospitals and nursing facilities. Additional features, such as push-to-lock wheels, make this bariatric wheelchair especially convenient for caregivers and healthcare workers who are assisting individuals in hospitals. The Bariatric Sentra also has vinyl, which makes it the most sanitary and easiest-to-clean option for healthcare organizations.
Thoughtful additions such as swing away footrests, elevating legrests, and full- or desk-length armrests are considerate of patients who prefer to relax or engage in activities at a tabletop with lower body support. The Bariatric Sentra weighs around 57 pounds and can manage individuals weighing up to 450 pounds. This model also offers a seat width from 22 to 24 inches, which is accommodating of individuals with wider hips.
While this heavy duty wheelchair is a good fit for users who are in hospitals and other facilities, it is an equally good fit for individuals who have some mobility and can stand to manage their wheelchair. With a hemi-level option, the Bariatric Sentra can be modified to better enable propulsion for those who have had a stroke. Since this feature offers a lower height from seat to floor, users are better able to use their feet to move around in lieu of their arms. This eliminates the need for caregiver assistance and promotes independence.
The Tracer IV by Invacare offers next-level durability with a carbon steel frame. For added stability, there are dual cross braces, gusseted sides, and caster journals that offer greater weight capacity than standard wheelchairs. Cross bracing limits lateral movements, so users are safe from tipping to the side as they turn corners.
The Tracer IV can handle up to 450 pounds and weighs about 48 pounds, meaning someone might need help loading it into a vehicle for transport. While this is not the highest weight capacity, it will handle the needs of many individuals with obesity and mobility challenges. When folded, its width is only 13 inches, making it convenient to store while not in use.
The Tracer IV has offerings such as the choice between desk-length or full-length armrests, which make this bariatric wheelchair an especially good pick for home use. Other options include urethane casters and tires or heavy duty casters. Since casters allow for easy steering, this feature is important for manual wheelchairs. Urethane casters will often last longer, but heavy duty casters might be needed for users who are close to the weight capacity.
A: Bariatric wheelchairs differ from standard wheelchairs in that they have wider seats, additional reinforcement via cross braces, and a higher weight capacity.
A: Heavy duty wheelchairs weigh between 30 and 60 pounds, depending on what their frame is made of and how high their weight capacity is. Chairs made of steel are the heaviest, while chairs made of aluminum are the lightest.
A: Normally, heavy duty wheelchairs range from 20 to 36 inches wide.
A: A bariatric wheelchair may look similar to regular wheelchairs, but will be able to handle more weight and typically has cross braces to secure the frame.
A: This is the code that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) use to identify heavy duty wheelchairs. K0006 falls under the category of wheelchairs, components, and accessories.
As you can see, bariatric wheelchairs are not one size fits all. It’s important to consider features like armrests, footrests, product weight, and seat width in addition to weight capacity. This makes it so users and caregivers alike can easily transport their wheelchairs as needed and get the support they need while using it.
We chose these wheelchairs because they offer a solid range of features to accommodate a range of health concerns, while also being the most durable of bariatric wheelchair options. Invacare’s Heavy Duty Bariatric Wheelchair Tracer IV made its way to the top of our list because it has a strong frame with a long-lasting liner and very durable urethane casters that allow for easy steering across any terrain.
If you want to shop for similar bariatric wheelchairs, check out our selection of Bariatric & Heavy Duty Wheelchairs for sale. For those who want more information about wheelchairs and similar health topics, please visit Caregiver University.
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
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