Written by Mike Price, OT
Choosing a wheelchair to fulfill mobility requirements can seem like an overwhelming and daunting task. There are so many different types, each offering an array of features, and it may be difficult to determine which one is the right choice for you.
This article will explore the multiple types of wheelchairs and demonstrate their differentiating features, then guide you through our top 7 tips to help you choose. Although there is no one ‘best’ wheelchair for everyone, we’ll give you the tools to make the best selection for your specific needs and lifestyle.
While wheelchairs are one of the oldest mobility devices, today’s wheelchair industry continues to improve on the age-old design with countless innovations. Everyone, regardless of their particular needs and preferences, can now find the perfect wheelchair to adapt to their own unique requirements.
Manual wheelchairs are the most simple, traditional style of wheelchair. They are not powered by electricity or battery, and require the user’s own upper body strength and mobility to propel wheels forward or backward. This type of wheelchair can also be pushed and maneuvered by a caregiver if the user is unable to roll themselves.
Usually battery powered, power wheelchairs are fully automated, and perfect for users who do not have the ability or strength to use a manual wheelchair. They offer joysticks and other simple switches to move and maneuver, and are often much sturdier and more supportive than manual wheelchairs. Negatively, however, this does make them much heavier and bulkier.
Ideal for occupants who spend most of their time in a wheelchair, the lightweight, ergonomic wheelchair provides exceptional comfort and proper positioning support. Their lighter weight results in easier mobility, and they often feature a greater range of positioning options for better customization and support.
These chairs are robustly designed to safely accommodate uneven surfaces, and snow, gravel, sand and other types of terrain without getting stuck. All-terrain wheelchairs are a great choice for outdoor recreational enthusiasts, and those who want or require outdoor mobility for shopping, errands, and other excursions.
With their state-of-the-art design, sport wheelchairs are highly easy to maneuver, and virtually impossible to tip over. They’re used by professional athletes and those playing sports at any level, and provide quickness with mobility and movement in a sturdy and stable format.
Usually available as manual chairs, high-back reclining wheelchairs provide better support for occupants who need their wheelchair for significant upper body control, while they also recline to give users more positional choices for comfort.
Uniquely designed to offer a full range of positional options, manual tilt-in-space wheelchairs provide even more positional possibilities than reclining wheelchairs. They are often used by children and adults who need more support, but do not want to change the angle of the pelvis while reclining or tilting backward.
Stand-up wheelchairs deliver unique support for users who have some ability to stand independently. Not only do they provide adjustable sitting comfort, but they enable occupants to stand with supportive, powered assistance. This type of wheelchair is ideal for someone recovering from injury or post-surgery, and for anyone wanting to reap the many health benefits of standing.
Available in a wide range of configurations, including high back, reclining, tilt-in-space, manual, and power, bariatric wheelchairs are those constructed in heavy-duty designs to safely accommodate larger or heavier occupants. They offer wider, deeper seats and armrests for easy fitting comfort.
Also known as companion chairs, transport wheelchairs are often used for moving from point A to point B within a building, facility, or home. Some models can be used independently by the occupant, while others will require pushing from a caregiver. Also available in bariatric sizes, they’re perfect for short-term usage.
Designed for use on planes, buses, trains, and boats, aisle wheelchairs are ideal for carrying users safely through any smaller area or aisle space. Almost always foldable for simple, small footprint storage, they provide easy and secure mobility in tight spaces.
Specifically configured to be safe in wet areas, like pools, showers, and spas, pool wheelchairs are typically waterproof and rust-resistant. Always in manual designs, some styles are formatted to be safe in the water, while others are intended for safer mobility on wet surfaces.
Now that you know a little more about each type of wheelchair, let’s talk about the information you need to determine in order to figure out the correct choice for you. The best starting point is, of course, to consult with your doctor, therapist, and/or care team, and follow the recommendations they give you. But, in addition to their recommendations, these are the most important aspects to consider before choosing a wheelchair.
Are you going to be using your wheelchair full-time, or as a mobility solution only for certain situations? Additionally, will you be using the wheelchair for a relatively short time period or is it a permanent addition to your life? Considering these two questions will help you make a better determination on which type of wheelchair might be best for your needs.
For short-term applications, a simpler manual wheelchair might be a good solution, while those looking for a permanent wheelchair should consider a wheelchair with more support options, skin protection, and a customized fit.
The next thing to consider is first, if you can push your wheelchair independently, and two, if you want to be able to move around independently or if relying on a caregiver is a good solution. If you can push your wheelchair independently and that is something you want to do, then a manual wheelchair is a great solution. If you can’t move your wheelchair around independently, or you don’t want to have to, then a power chair or scooter is probably the best solution for you.
That being said, if you only need your chair for a short period of time and you have someone you can depend on to push your chair for you, then something like a standard manual wheelchair or transport chair might be a good cost-effective solution for easy mobility.
If your motor control is compromised or you have difficulty supporting your upper body as well as your lower body, then you may need to consider a high-back wheelchair, or a chair with increased safety and support options like safety belts, headrests, and lateral stabilizers.
If you need somewhat less support, but are still going to be using your wheelchair mostly full-time, then a lightweight ergonomic wheelchair is a great middle ground between a standard manual wheelchair and the ultra-supportive high-back chair.
Taking into account the size and weight of the primary wheelchair user is incredibly important, because not only do you want to ensure that the wheelchair you choose will support your weight, but it’s essential that your wheelchair is properly sized and adjusted to provide proper posture support.
Taking accurate measurements of your body is an integral part of choosing the right wheelchair for your needs, helping to ensure that the chair you ultimately choose is perfectly fitted to your body, supporting your posture and maintaining comfort. This meticulous measurement is somewhat less important for short-term chair needs, but weight capacity and height is still just as important.
If you’re looking for a wheelchair that can go wherever you go, it’s important to consider where you might want to go! For instance, if you’re someone who really enjoys spending time outdoors, especially at the beach or in other difficult terrains, then an all-terrain wheelchair is the perfect solution for you, while those who like to participate in sports should consider a sport wheelchair. On the other hand, if you’re more of an indoorsy type, then more traditional wheelchair styles might be more appropriate for your lifestyle.
Consider the type of vehicle you have and whether or not it can accommodate the type of wheelchair you’re considering. Some cars can’t support a carrying mount for a power wheelchair, and so you may need to choose a more lightweight wheelchair or consider getting a new vehicle instead.
Additionally, remember that you will need special accommodation to navigate public transportation, and an aisle chair might be necessary for this. You’ll also need to make use of wheelchair and threshold ramps both inside and outside of your own home to ensure you can get around easily.
If you’ve found a wheelchair you really like, you’re trying to decide between a few models, or you’re having difficulty finding a single wheelchair with all of the features you want, remember that there are a wide range of wheelchair accessories on the market to help you modify a wheelchair for your specific needs. The most common type of accessories are wheelchair cushions, trays, and bags, but there are innumerable accessories made to help you customize your wheelchair to your exact specifications.
While it may seem like an insurmountable task to figure out the best wheelchair to fit your unique lifestyle and needs, hopefully you now have a better idea of the questions to ask yourself in order to determine the best choice. For more information on wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, and home accessibility, check out our full selection of articles on Caregiver University and our vast catalog of products on Rehabmart.com.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
