With over 75 million people worldwide in need of a wheelchair, many are searching for ways to gain back their independence and move with less pain. Manual wheelchairs fulfill this need, but they require a significant amount of upper body strength and physical maneuvering for both users and caregivers. Electric or power wheelchairs, on the other hand, offer a higher level of comfort to allow users to travel safely and without strain in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.Get more news about Electric Wheelchair,you can vist our website!

Modern enhancements like touchpad controls and personalized comfort accessories allow people of all ages, sizes and abilities to use electric wheelchairs. Mid-wheel, rear-wheel and heavy-duty model options give people the freedom to choose a chair that best fits within their lifestyle and activity level. With so many customization opportunities available for electric wheelchairs, it can be overwhelming to sift through the large number of brands, models, and special features on the market.

To make the selection process easier, we’ve created a guide with today’s best electric wheelchair companies and models. Below, you’ll also find step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the buying process and answers to the most common questions about electric wheelchairs.
When you’re looking for an electric wheelchair, you’ll find some terms that appear frequently on dealer websites. We’ve explained a few of the most basic terms below to make your shopping experience easier.

Front-, Mid-, Rear-Wheel Drive
All electric wheelchairs have four or six wheels, but only two wheels of the chair receive power directly from the motor. The other wheels (“casters”) stabilize the chair. Mid-wheel drive tends to be best for turning completely around in tight spaces, while rear- and front-wheel drive wheelchairs tend to provide the smoothest rides and handle outdoor terrain best. It’s wise to consult with an occupational therapist to determine which type of wheel drive will be best for your daily use.

Turning Radius
The turning radius is the smallest u-turn that the electric wheelchair can make. The smaller the turning radius, the better the chair will be for indoor use or small spaces. A turning radius between 20” and about 35” is common. Bulky chairs will have large turning radiuses, but other factors like the angle of the footrest and the wheel drive also affect the turning radius.

Travel Range
An electric wheelchair’s travel range- often simply referred to as “range” – is the miles that it can travel before its batteries need to be recharged. Range varies widely, from 4 or 5 miles in some chairs to up to almost 20 miles in others. The range can be shorter than advertised if the passenger is unusually heavy, the terrain is not smooth, or the battery is getting old. Finding an electric wheelchair with a high range is most important for those who plan to travel or regularly take their electric wheelchairs outside for solo trips to the store or other places.

Warranty Limits
Electric wheelchairs usually have “limited” warranties and not all daily wear and tear will be covered by the manufacturer. Most warranties cover structural components such as the metal frame of the chair for five or ten years, and they will usually cover other parts for shorter periods of time specified in the warranty agreement. In the overview table and company profiles below, the number listed next to the word limited (for example, “5 year limited”) indicates the highest amount of coverage in the warranty, which is usually for the frame.