Power Wheelchair: Buy The TOP 10 Online at The Best Prices

What Is A Power Wheelchair?

A power wheelchair helps people with medical conditions and mobility issues to move without assistance. Power chairs are better for indoor usage because they are much smaller and more flexible than mobility scooters.

A power base, a seat, and controls are the fundamental components of a power wheelchair. For extra stability, these chairs sometimes have two or four caster wheels.

Other than that, these power chairs can be tailored to meet the user's comfort, support, and posture needs.

Who Will Use The Power Wheelchair?

Power wheelchairs are designed for people who cannot move a wheelchair with manual force.

Moreover, patients with upper limb weakness, cardiovascular illness, poor trunk stabilization, low endurance, or obesity can also benefit from a power wheelchair.

It is perfect for people who face moderate to severe mobility challenges or physical disabilities.

Why Should We Buy A Power Wheelchair?

Power wheelchairs are easy to disassemble, allowing them to be stowed away without taking up much space. The component pieces assemble easily and simplify transferring into your car's trunk. They typically weigh less than 100 lbs., thus, providing greater mobility.

These wheelchairs also come with various suspension, power, seating, and handling choices and often feature a low center of gravity, making them comfortable, secure, and steady.

Some powerbase wheelchairs feature suspension packages that make them ideal for outdoor usage. However, other power wheelchairs offer a short turning radius, which is optimal for use in closed areas.

Different Types Of Power Wheelchairs

Mid-wheel, front-wheel, and rear-wheel drive are the three basic "types" of power wheelchairs. 

Mid-Wheel-Drive (MWD) Powerchairs

A typical mid-wheel power chair is based on six wheels: two large driving wheels and four smaller ones positioned at the front and back. The center of gravity for users of mid-wheel drive power chairs is focused at the center of the wheels. It helps in maintaining a tighter turn radius.

Power Wheelchairs with mid-wheel drive provides a complete 360-degree tilt, enabling users to make full rotations in tight spaces. They also are easy to navigate in narrow areas such as corridors and other entryways.

Overall, mid-wheel power chairs are a perfect mix between front-wheel and rear-wheel models. However, they aren't appropriate for people with vibration-sensitive conditions like spasticity.

Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) Powerchairs

Front-wheel drive power chairs have four wheels — two large driving wheels and two small rear castors that balance stability and mobility.

However, several reasons make front-wheel drive advantageous for patients with walking disabilities. For instance, each wheel offers much more power than the wheels on other types of power chairs.

Also, front-wheel drive electric wheelchairs perform better while traveling on uneven gravel, grass, or terrain that requires more precise coordination.

Other than that, typically, these chairs come with a 90-degree footrest for enhanced comfort, and their powerful wheels can seamlessly push them forward on curbs and other obstacles.

Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) Powerchairs

As the name suggests, 'rear-wheelchairs' are powered by their back wheels. The main wheels are positioned so that power is evenly distributed across the base, allowing users to seamlessly navigate through rigid or softer terrains, such as gravel or mud.

Overall, these chairs are simpler to maneuver, provide a smoother ride, and typically include free suspension or safety features on all four wheels, giving users better control.

What Are The Functions You Need To Know About Power Wheelchairs?

Typically there are several positioning features, including seat lift, tilt in space, reclining, elevating leg rests, active reach, standing function, sit-to-stand, and lay-to-stand. Thanks to them, users receive several physical benefits leading to enhanced comfort and a better experience using the chair.

Seat Lift

You can adjust the seat's level with the seat lift function. Despite sitting, you can make better eye contact at a raised position. It is also a handy feature to reach kitchen cabinets, shelves, and other heightened places.

Many seat lifters have different maximum heights, and the top-end options can rise to 12 inches.

Most seat lifters function at a crawling pace, but many new manufacturers change positions at 3 to 4 mph (walking speed).

Tilt-In-Space (TiS)

Maintaining a seat-to-back angle while adjusting the orientation in space is possible using tilt-in-space. This technology relieves joint pain, manages posture, offers convenience, and assists individual care activities.

Tilt-in-space offers essential pressure relief for patients with restricted mobility or who suffer from tissue disintegration. Although most typical tilt mechanisms return to 30°, occupational therapists advise 50° for those who need it the most, as higher tilts offer more relief.

For people with kyphosis or related problems, the tilt feature can also be essential for maintaining proper posture, especially during hoisting.

Recline

Recline enables you to adopt a position almost equivalent to lying down. This feature enhances comfort and provides postural benefits.

Furthermore, it allows you to sleep in your chair by adjusting the angle between the seat and the backrest. It also helps in hip flexor stretching, making it easier for caregivers to administer catheters, toile, and assist with transfers.

Shear reduction reclining retains the backrest in the same position as you recline, offering solid support and preventing friction — a crucial feature if you have a high risk of tissue breakdown.

Elevating Leg Rests (ELRs)

Elevating leg rests enable knee flexion and extension, and they raise with articulation to ensure proper posture.

There are two types of powered elevating leg rests; center-mount footplates and independent elevating hangers. Power wheelchairs with the former variant have a reduced footprint, making them easier to use and ideal for people who can make limited movements with their feet. Independent elevating hangers are perfect for activities requiring raising limbs above shoulder height.

Active Reach (Posterior Tilt)

The posterior tilt feature enables the wheelchair to be placed in forward-tilting (posterior) positions to assist with daily activities like cooking. For many, a minimum 45° posterior tilt is necessary to shift pressure from the seat surface to the back and head support.

It allows users to get things done without standing up straight and maintaining stability. For people with weak trunk control, posterior tilt can offer a gravity-assisted position to help them maintain a more upright posture all day.

Standing Function

By shifting the orientation of all sitting support surfaces, power standing can change the position of the user from a seated to a standing posture.

Standing function improves blood and oxygen circulation by stabilizing the spine and relieving strain. Furthermore, breathing gets easier, and the overall respiratory system functions efficiently.

It is essential to consider the requirement for the ability to change the standing sequence and angles to fulfill a client's specific ROM and functional demands.

Sit-To-Stand

When you spend most of the day in your wheelchair, standing for short intervals can improve blood circulation, muscle relaxation, and overall well-being.

The standing support technology on power wheelchairs is secure, dependable, fast, and long-lasting. Power wheelchairs are designed to tailor per the user's requirements, which means you can customize the chair as needed. The chair can be adjusted to accommodate particular range-o-motion limits and support needs.

Lay-To-Stand

Lay-to-stand techniques improve pressure relief, especially for people who cannot shift their weight on their own or are required to sit for extended periods.

Standing up and shifting positions might also benefit patients with blood pressure problems. Improved functionality and reach empower patients to engage with their surroundings.

Top 10 Power Wheelchairs On The Marketplace

Following are the top 10 power wheelchairs!

Rubicon D12

Rubicon D12 is a lightweight, foldable power wheelchair with a good turning radius for indoor and outdoor maneuvering.

Price: $2,198.90

Drive Medical TITANLTE

The break-apart frame of the Titan LTE allows for quick and simple disassembly for storage or transportation.

Price: $2,049.00

Merits Health Dualer P312A

It enables the powerchair to be transformed into a front-wheel-drive powerchair or a rear-wheel-drive one by allowing rotation.

Price: $3,422.93

Vive 4-Wheel Mobility Scooter

Resting on a stable platform of four flat-free wheels, it smoothly maneuvers over flat surfaces and allows up and down elevation changes of 6° or less.

Price: $899.99

Porto Mobility 2022 Ranger SpacePro

The frame of this wheelchair is made of lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that can securely handle up to 396 pounds or 180 kilograms.

Price: $2,649.00

Jazzy Air 2 Power Chair

This elevated power chair securely travels up to 4 mph, enabling users to participate in face-to-face social interaction.

Price: £3,195.00

Hoveround LX-5 Power Wheelchair

It is designed for everyday tasks, including maneuvering tight places in and around the house, pulling up to the dinner table, entering bedrooms and bathrooms, etc.

Price: $2,595

Electric Wheelchair YFLB-01

It has an electromagnetic braking system that provides quick stopping when the control stick is released, making it a reliable option around curves. Using body pressure distribution to lessen surface pressure and discomfort, it effectively prevents bedsores from prolonged sitting.

Price: $6,649.05

Easy-Way Plus Folding Electric Wheelchair MDW-Y

Cushions on the seat and backrest are substantial and ventilated for enhanced comfort, and a safety belt is also included.

Additionally, it is simple to fold without removing the battery, which makes it ideal for patients residing in compact spaces. This chair allows people with restricted mobility to get things done without assistance.

Price: $1,226.45

Electric Mobility Scooter MDW-BBR

Batteries propel the four wheels of this mobility scooter. It is designed to offer movement for people with trouble walking or standing.

The entire chassis utilizes an integrated welding structure that forms a load-bearing structure out of two beams and elbows. Since no bolts hold the whole chassis together, it will not become loose or deformed over time.

Price: $1,983.60

Conclusion

A power wheelchair with multiple power seating features, sometimes using a substitute drive input method, demands a stretchable control box, belt, and multi-function joystick. These devices enable the user to perform various power functions through the joystick.

You can buy the best power wheelchair from Medwish.com. Before deciding on a suitable option from a vast selection of power wheelchairs, do not forget to discuss them with your physician.