Written by Susan Griffitts, MSN, RN, FCN
 | Zinger Folding Power Mobility Chair by Journey Health and Lifestyle View Product |
 | Zoomer Folding Power Mobility Chair by Journey Health and Lifestyle View Product |
Individuals with disabilities commonly face barriers to participation that limit their overall functionality. These barriers can include obvious physical obstacles but also, components such as inaccessible physical environments and a lack of relevant assistive technology. The Zoomer and Zinger Chairs are two unique power chairs created as a portable solution to mobility dysfunction. Both chairs offer distinctive characteristics that help augment independence, functional mobility, and confidence on the move.
Journey Health and Lifestyle focused the primary difference between the Zoomer and Zinger Chairs is their unique steering capabilities. The Zinger Chair requires the use of bilateral arms and hands to function and operates with dual lever control. To accelerate, the user simply pushes down simultaneously with both hands and to stop, pulls up in a similar manner. To turn, the user pushes and pulls in opposite directions. For individuals limited to only one functional arm or hand, the Zoomer Chair was created with unilateral joystick-controlled steering. The easy-to-operate joystick can be installed on either side of the Zoomer Chair and offers adaptability to meet users’ unique needs.
A great benefit of the Zoomer and Zinger Chairs is the tight turning radius allowing for navigation through smaller spaces. The Zinger Chair offers a 50% improvement in turning radius compared to standard mobility scooters with a 24-inch rotation radius. Coming in slightly wider, the Zoomer Chair rotates at a 33.4-inch turning radius. Make a turn on a dime and get where you need to go without the stress of getting stuck in tight spaces.
With various speed settings and terrain negotiation options, the Zinger and Zoomer Chairs present optionality for cruising both indoors and outdoors. The Zinger Chair has three settings of low, medium, and high speeds with low ranging from 0-1 mph, medium from 0-3 mph, and high from 0-6 mph. The default low speed is recommended for indoor environments on smooth or hard surfaces, medium for outdoor surfaces at a walking pace, and high for climbing inclines or on mowed grass. Similarly, the Zoomer Chair is a top power wheelchair designed for use both indoors and outdoors on hard floors, grass, carpet, and more. Still, speedy, the Zoomer model can travel up to 3.7 mph and uses a convenient speed range toggle button to adjust on the go.
Both the Zinger and Zoomer chairs provide a 16-inch seat width offering comfortable space for seated activities. With function in mind, the convenient seat width can allow you to seamlessly pull up to any desk or table with ease. The main difference is the seat depth; the Zinger’s seat is 15 inches deep, and the Zoomer’s seat is 13 inches deep.
The Zinger and Zoomer Chairs are both lightweight and sturdy providing reliability and portability where needed most. Both models carry a weight capacity of up to 275 lbs considered a heavy-duty option for large users. The Zinger Chair weighs in slightly less at 47 pounds (including the 4-pound battery) and the Zoomer Chair weighs in at 52 pounds. With the high weight capacity and low product weight, both are extremely portable, quick to fold, and durable to keep you secure and on the move.
Both the Zinger and Zoomer Chairs provide excellent battery life and short charging durations. From empty, the Zinger and Zoomer Chairs will charge in 4 hours or less and can provide up to 8 miles of use. Individual weight and terrain usage will affect the overall battery life but a convenient battery life indicator on the control panel will cue you when it is time to charge.
Another key difference between the Zinger and Zoomer Chairs is the armrest specifications. By default, the Zinger comes with armrests installed but they can be easily removed with the hex key tool included with the product. Conversely, the Zoomer Chair comes with non-removable armrests that are attached in the factory and are unable to be detached.
The Zoomer Chair carries slightly larger wheels with an 8-inch solid front wheel, 10-inch solid back wheel, and 2-inch solid anti-tip wheels. The Zinger Chair provides slight variability with 6-inch solid non-marking front wheels, 9-inch non-marking air-filled rear wheels, and 50 mm solid anti-tip wheels. While providing sturdiness to allow for variable terrain negotiation, both allow for easy foldability to seamlessly fit into any car.
Fabric color options round out the primary differences between the Zoomer and Zimmer Chairs. The Zinger offers three colorways namely black, blue and green options and the Zoomer comes only in a black option.
“I’ve had the Zoomer chair for a month now and the chair is great. After a month’s worth of use, I admit it is well worth the money. The chair arrived in great shape and was super simple to set up. After attaching the battery and joystick control, I was ready to roll. We have used the chair on two flights so far without any issues and gate-checked it both times. It has made airport trips much easier for both myself and my wife who used to have to push me. I haven’t used it to navigate hard terrain, but on solid ground, it works great. I would recommend the Zoomer Chair to anyone looking for an alternative to a large power chair.”
-Drew C.
“I’ve had the Zinger chair for about 8 months now. It is compact making it excellent for navigating small shops and office spaces. It has three speeds but I typically use the middle speed which puts me between 2-3 mph. I like the sturdiness and design of the chair and appreciate the easy breakdown when not in use. The controls are good and feel sturdy in the hand.”
-Holly A.
“We found out about the Zinger chair while on vacation in southern Florida. My mom was having a lot of difficulties getting around and was reluctant to try any sort of wheelchair or power chair. We came across another woman in her 80s who used the Zinger chair and loved it. My mom has now been using it for several months and loves it too. She has been able to regain some of her mobility and independence. I am so happy she is in less pain and willing to go out and about more frequently.”
-Kristin W.
The Zinger and Zoomer Chairs offer unique capabilities to fit your individual needs. Wheelchairs enhance personal mobility, quality of life, and community involvement and are a vital component for those with mobility dysfunction and disability. Providing adaptability, portability, stability, and comfortability, both the Zoomer and Zinger Chairs will get you where you need to go and give you the freedom to explore.
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For more information including helpful buying guides check out our blog, Caregiver University, and make your purchases with informed confidence.
After battling (and winning) cancer, Susan changed careers from being a paralegal to nursing. This decision was a direct result of the care received during her battle and all of her healthcare providers taking an interest in her as a person and not just a diagnosis. Thanks to those amazing experiences, this is the way Susan approaches nursing and caring for her patients. She is passionate about caring for all individuals but her primary focus is providing relief from the symptoms & stress of serious illnesses, the process of aging, and the particular problems of seniors.
Susan lost her right leg above the knee, to cancer, in 2013. Since that time, she has been very active in the amputee community helping to bring awareness and independence to other amputees. Read how Susan helped shape the future of new prosthetic devices.
