Amazon.com
Transport wheelchairs are essential to the mobility of seniors and those with disabilities. Most regular wheelchair users often require transport wheelchairs at some point within their lives. These variants are often treated as afterthought purchases, and therefore not much research goes into making the purchase decision. However, like any other mobility aid, it is essential to consider a potential transport wheelchair purchase.
With the numerous transport wheelchair models available in the market today, it can be hard to choose the ideal one. Considering the relatively high price one has to pay for these wheelchairs. It is important to get your purchase right the first time. Our guide will take you through the best models available today and what to look out for when buying one.
Cons
The Medline Ultralight Transport Wheelchair is an extremely lightweight mobility aid aimed at aged or disabled people who like to travel light. Weighing only 14.8 pounds, this wheelchair is the perfect model for outdoor and indoor use. If you are a caregiver who regularly takes an aged person for walks, medical appointments, or any other outdoor place, then you will be hard-pressed to find a better transport wheelchair than this.
The Medline Ultralight Transport Wheelchair comes with various features such as a safety belt, comfortable hand grips, billfold pocket, keyring, a cell phone pocket, and a cup holder. Additionally, its design features an easy-folding mechanism that makes the chair ideal for travel using cars or planes. The chair’s footrests can be easily locked on the side for easy maneuverability. The chair also features restaurant-style armrests that allow the user to sit closer to desks and tables.
For added comfort, the Medline Ultralight Transport Wheelchair comes with padded nylon upholstery. The rear wheels measure a massive 8 inches in diameter for easy reverse and forward movement. The frame is also made from high-quality aluminum for unmatched sturdiness and stability. If you or your loved one love the outdoor, meeting, or dining life, then this is pretty much the ideal transport wheelchair.
Cons
The Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Wheelchair is an elegantly-designed, lightweight mobility aid constructed with support and durability in mind. This model is particularly great for aged and disabled people who love the convenience of flipping armrests and the outstanding comfort of elevated footrests. The chair’s adjustable backrest can move upward and downward to suit the preferences of any user.
The elevated footrest lets the user extend their legs to enhance comfort, prevent swelling, and relieve leg pain. Besides the elevation, the footrest also features a swinging design that allows easy entry and exit from the wheelchair. The seat and backrest are made from breathable nylon fabric that provides the perfect balance between comfort and support.
Quality-wise, the Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Wheelchair has premium welding and joinery, a dual axle Hemi-height adjustable back, flat-free tires, and smooth-rolling mag wheels. If you are looking for a cheaply priced transport wheelchair or need one for a short time, then this model is perfect for you.
Cons
Weighing a mere 19 pounds, the Drive Medical Lightweight Expedition Transport Wheelchair is an excellent choice for people who value portability and lightweight above all other transport wheelchair attributes. Despite this product’s significantly lightweight, it can easily support a 300-pound adult. The massive 12-inch rear tires provide easy navigation both indoors and outdoors, while the aluminum construction results in class-leading sturdiness.
To enhance safety, the Drive Medical Lightweight Expedition Transport Wheelchair features companion-activated wheel locks and safety belts. The easy-folding mechanism lets the chair take an almost flat form, which is super easy to carry and fit into small spaces. The only minor downside is the relatively narrow seat, which could be uncomfortable for wide-bodied people.
Cons
The CAREX Transport Wheelchair is a portable and highly foldable mobility aid. This model features numerous features that make movement easy. These include the unique removable swing-away footrests and a sturdy frame that provides excellent support. The 19-inch seat is wide enough to accommodate most body frames, while the included secure belt helps enhance safety.
Aged people or those recovering from surgical procedures will find the CAREX Transport Wheelchair particularly appealing. Those who are always on the go will also find this model ideal due to its extremely easy foldability and impressive portability. CAREX is world-renowned for the development of mobility aids. This reputation implies that one can expect durability, comfort, and high quality with their transport wheelchairs.
Cons
The NOVA Medical Products Lightweight Transport Chair features a unique design that results in excellent maneuverability, is lightweight, and folds with ease. For additional safety, the chair comes equipped with removable anti-tipping units and secondary wheel locks. These features complement NOVA’S patented hand brakes and rugged wheels that help control speed. If you are looking for an all-round multiple terrain transport wheelchair, you will probably not find a better alternative than the NOVA Medical Products Lightweight Transport Chair.
The seat also comes with a storage pouch for added convenience and a highly adjustable seat belt that can safely hold a passenger in place in case of inadvertent tipping. People looking for an excellent on-the-go transport wheelchair will love this model due to its removable desk arms that make transferability super easy. The footrests are also easy to adjust and remove. The included heel loops allow users to rest their feet and prevent inadvertent swelling.
The NOVA Medical Products Lightweight Transport Chair can support adults weighing up to 300 pounds.
Which attributes make a transport wheelchair perfect for the elderly? The best lightweight transport wheelchairs strike a balance between certain factors. As you can imagine, the sheer number of options available in the market today can make a seemingly-easy purchase quite tricky. Here is a look at the most critical factors to consider before purchasing one of these essential mobility aids.
A wheelchair’s maneuverability is a measure of how well or easily a user can move around tight spaces while using it. This attribute is affected by the turning radius, frame size, size of wheels, and the size of certain features such as footrests. A wheelchair’s turning radius is the amount of free space required to complete a full turn. A small turning radius is desirable for excellent maneuverability.
Maneuverability is also affected by wheelchair size. Generally, a large wheelchair will be more difficult to maneuver than one with a smaller frame. This is because the former will require wider spaces to move in and out. Features such as footrests and armrests also determine how easily a wheelchair can be moved around. If they are permanently extended from the frame, movement becomes inhibited. It is better to choose models with retractable or adjustable footrests and armrests.
Lastly, grip and tread are essential in moving a wheelchair on slippery surfaces. If you live in conditions that require much traction on wheelchairs, then you should consider purchasing a model whose wheels have deep treads.
Transport wheelchairs are mostly used for movement between the house and other locations. This means that they often have to be lifted into cars, over staircases, into airplanes, and so on. In such instances, you do not want to have your companion struggling with a hefty wheelchair. It is important to have a light yet durable model that can be easily from one point to another.
The ideal weight might vary from one person to another. However, anything weighing 20 pounds and below is light enough for most people. Keep in mind that models with numerous features will almost always be heavier than less feature-packed ones. This implies that you might have to sacrifice weight for features or vice versa.
A suitable transport wheelchair should be extremely easy to fold. Most models feature a folding mechanism that results in an almost flat form factor for portability. If you are stuck with a non-foldable transport wheelchair, you will undoubtedly have a problem transporting it since it might not even fit in wide spaces such as car trunks.
In addition to the size, it is vital to consider the time it takes to fold the wheelchair. Typically, it takes a few seconds to fold from the fully open to the fully closed position. You certainly do not want to have a wheelchair that takes you more than two minutes to fold.
Sturdiness is a measure of an item’s strength of build/construction. Transport chairs are mostly made from steel, aluminum, or other lightweight alloys. The right material often boils down to personal preferences. Steel frames can hold more weight than aluminum but are usually heavier. Aluminum is lighter and more maneuverable but is not as strong as steel when under intense weight.
Factors such as the available budget will determine the material you get since some alloys are pricier than others. Still, it is hard to go wrong with any of the standard metal alloys. It is also essential to look out for flaws in the chair’s parts’ welding or joinery.
There are numerous transport wheelchair brands in the market today. Our guide will hopefully help you narrow down the options to the best ones available. It is crucial to keep in mind that an ideal model for one senior might be less than perfect for another. However, by carefully considering the factors mentioned above, you can be guaranteed to make the right purchase for you or your loved one.
Amazon.com