Electric Wheelchair Selection Tips, Mobility Device, Home Accessibility Advice, Property Access Help Guide
What’s the Best Electric Wheelchair?
17 August 2019
There’s a lot to learn when it comes to power wheelchairs.
However, with the many arrays of electric wheelchair brands and models on the market, and biased information flooding the web, finding the perfect chair for you can be a daunting task.
Lucky for you, here is a comprehensive guide that will help you navigate through the various features you need to look for to get the best power wheelchair.
You can also check ‘The Best Electric Wheelchair’ here and get yourself the best deal today!
photo courtesy of article provider
What’s a Power Wheelchair?
It’s what’s commonly referred to as the electric wheelchair. It’s often commended for individuals who are physically incapable of self-propelling a standard manual wheelchair.
The electric-motorized wheelchair blends both luxury and functionality to offer you an exceptional driving experience. It’s also designed for excellent maneuverability and high performance to make your indoor and outdoor experience memorable.
What Features Constitute the Best Power Wheelchair?
An ideal power wheelchair is one that offers you the freedom to move, drive, and enjoy the God-gifted sceneries without a struggle! However, there’s more to an electric chair than meets the eye. Here are some of the features that constitute the ideal motorized wheelchair:
#1. Tires & Wheels
Typically, there are three wheelchair tire options, the air-filled, foam-filled, and solid rubber tires. Pneumatic (air-filled) tires give smooth rides, but they require more maintenance while foam-filled and solid tires need less support, but you get bumpy rides. Therefore, your preferences should guide you here.
#2. Batteries & the Motor
Most power wheelchairs have a wet cell or gel cell lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Even though there are variations in each of these, the two factors you need to consider are the charge-time and the runtime.
The charge-time is basically how long it takes for the battery fully charges while run time refers to how long it takes before you need to recharge the battery. Most wheelchairs feature two batteries to drive for longer distances.
#3. Speed
Ten years ago, most wheelchairs would travel at a rate of between 4 and 5 miles per hour. However, with modern technological advancements, electric wheelchairs can go as fast as 11.6 miles per hour.
However, for you to get a motorized wheelchair with the best speed, you need to be careful when selecting the brand. Some brands like ForceMech, Sentire and EZ Lite power chairs offer you the best speed elements which can range from 10 to 16 miles per hour, for outdoor adventures.
For the introverts, you might love having an e-wheelchair with an average speed of 4 miles or less per hour.
#4. Range
Most power wheelchairs can travel between 30 to 40miles. Nevertheless, there are varied elements that determine the overall speed. These are the wheelchair’s battery capacity, your weight, the terrain, and the rate you drive.
Wet cell batteries are the most popular when it comes to increasing range significantly. So be keen when shopping for one.
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#5. Price, Warranty & Type of Electric Wheelchair
When it comes to price, you need to be extremely careful since you don’t want to spend your hard-earned cash on a flimsy product. So do your budget and get the best power chair for you. Currently, the price range in the electric wheelchair market is between $1,000 and $17,000. There are even those that go up to $ 35,000. So budget wisely!
You also want to get a power chair with a warranty of about five to ten years and more. It saves you money while also offering you convenience.
With changes in technology, electric wheelchairs have also undergone a design revolution. They’re no longer a conveyance of getting from one point to another; they’re a lifestyle now. So ensure that you get the best one according to your needs.
As mentioned, you don’t necessarily need all the fancy features in an electric wheelchair to have a comfortable life. Knowing the features that are essential to you is the most vital aspect so that you can cut down on unnecessary expenses!
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