Transport Wheelchair Buyer's Guide
Transport wheelchairs are a necessary part of life for many people with disabilities. All wheelchair users will require at least one in their lifetime, and even though they can be an important sidekick, transport wheelchairs are often purchased haphazardly, with little thought or research going into the process. “After all,” people think, “how many different options can there be, and what’s the difference anyway?”
As it turns out, there are a lot of options – and a lot of differences between those options as well!
With an enormous number of transport chairs available for purchase, it can often be daunting to wade through the options to determine which one will suit you best. Lucky for you, we rent and sell thousands of wheelchairs every year and have used our 20+ years of expertise to compile this detailed Transportable Wheelchair Buyer’s Guide.
We'll start by answering some of the common questions people might have when buying a transportable wheelchair. Then, we’ll provide a list of some of the best transport wheelchairs and where you can get them. If you don't have any questions and just want to see what's out there, feel free to skip this short FAQ section.
- FAQ: What is a transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: What is the difference between a transport chair and wheelchair?
- FAQ: How much does a transport wheelchair weigh?
- FAQ: What is the lightest transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: Where can I buy a transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: What is the width of a transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: Can transport wheelchairs go through bathroom doors?
- FAQ: Where can I buy a narrow transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: How important are handbrakes on a transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: How much does it cost to rent a transport wheelchair?
- FAQ: How to choose a transport wheelchair?
Transport Wheelchair FAQs
Transport wheelchairs are lightweight, narrow mobility chairs that combine the function of a wheelchair with the maneuverability of a rollator or walker. They are meant to be pushed by a caregiver, as their small wheels make it impossible for the wheelchair user to propel themselves.
Transport chairs are usually purchased as an additional mobility device for vacations, outings, or other types of travel outside a wheelchair user's home. While manual transport wheelchairs typically aren’t a user's primary means of mobility, a lightweight transportable scooter or portable powerchair can certainly serve this purpose.
Wheelchairs are made for people who can self-propel themselves using their arms. Conversely, a traditional, non-electric transport wheelchair usually requires the person be pushed around by a companion or caregiver. They are often used in hospitals and airports and are ideal for people who don’t have the ability to operate a standard wheelchair.
However, even if you can push yourself around, a transport wheelchair can still be a great investment. Since transport chairs are generally lighter, more compact, and often foldable, they are an excellent choice for people with limited mobility who love to travel. The easier it is to get your chair onto a bus, plane, train, or boat, the more fun you'll have when adventuring!
Transport wheelchairs come in various weights and sizes. The best option for you depends on several factors, including your own weight, how frequently you’ll need to lift the chair, and how many features you'd like the chair to have.
An ultra-lightweight wheelchair might weigh 19 pounds or less, yet still be able to support a person who weighs 300 pounds. Models like this – along with lightweight folding wheelchairs – tend to be a little more minimalist. It’s important to remember that the more frills a transportable wheelchair has, the more it is likely to weigh. While lightweight transport wheelchairs are typically defined as weighing 25 pounds or less, transport chairs that weigh 35 pounds or more do exist. However, these models tend to look almost like standard wheelchairs.
Any unit weighing less than 19 pounds is considered an ultralight transport wheelchair, and some of these chairs can be made even lighter if you choose to forgo the optional footrests. You'll only ever find manual transport chairs available at this weight.
But what is the absolute lightest manual transport chair? Currently, the lightest on the market is the Medline Ultralight Transport Chair, which comes in at under 15 pounds
The old days of shopping for wheelchairs in person are largely over. Now, most wheelchair users prefer the multitude of options provided by online retailers.
Because they have smaller wheels and less add-ons, transport wheelchairs are almost always narrower than traditional wheelchairs. Transport chairs can be quite thin and are normally only a couple inches wider than their seat cushion size. Standard manual wheelchairs, on the other hand, are typically around 8 inches wider than their seat cushion size due to their large wheels.
The narrower transport chair models tend to be around 21 inches wide.
Yes, absolutely – transport chairs can scoot through many doors that average wheelchairs can't.
Different transport chairs can have different braking systems. Many have brakes located on the rear wheels, while other chairs feature handbrakes similar to bicycles. Some models may even have both! Handbrakes are located on the handlebars and are operated by the person who is pushing the chair, while back-wheel brakes are typically accessible to both the person sitting in the chair and a companion.
A combination of handbrakes and rear-wheel brakes can be beneficial, especially if the chair will be pushed over uneven terrain or up and down hills. Handbrakes can also help increase safety and are a good option if the occupant of the transport chair is on the heavier side. Ultimately, however, it depends on how you're going to use the unit. If you plan to use the chair on a daily basis or take it exploring with you, we recommend adding handbrakes to the list of features you're looking for.
If you're unsure which transport wheelchair is right for you, it’s best to browse multiple options and find one that falls most in line with your needs. It's easy to be swayed by the cool features on some of the transport wheelchairs out there – that's why we recommend that before you start researching, you make a list of what features and specifications are most important to you.
Do you always search for the lowest price, or does comfort matter more? Where will you store the chair and how large is that area? Who, if anyone, will be assembling and disassembling the chair? Is the chair's weight important? How often do you plan on using the transport chair? Will it mostly be used for vacations and travel or simple, everyday outings? Would it make your life easier if you had a chair that folded up? Who would be responsible for folding it? How much control would you like to have, and building off of that, is a user-operated handbrake important to you?
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Transport Wheelchair
Why You Want It:
Almost all lightweight portable wheelchairs are foldable these days, but this is something you'll want to confirm before hitting the “purchase” button.
Highlighted Transport Chair #1:
Super Light Folding Transport Wheelchair
Like we mentioned, most traditional transport wheelchairs fold up without a hitch and many models are lightweight. Though it appears quite basic, the Super Light Folding Transport chair is a prominent example of both these qualities. The chair weighs just 19 pounds, making it one of the lightest on the market, and folds like a conventional folding chair would. It even comes with a bag for easy transportation! Despite its ultralight weight and convenience, the wheelchair still has some ideal extra features, including padded, flip-back arms and fold-down footrests.
Highlighted Transport Chair #2:
Just like the Super Light chair above, the Fly Lite Transport Chair weighs only 19 pounds, 30% less than most traditional transport chairs. It features a lightweight aluminum frame, giving the unit additional strength and durability, as well as height adjustable swing away footrests. Unlike many of its counterparts, the chair also comes in a few interesting color patterns, including blue plaid or white plaid fabric. This makes it a good option for users who are looking for something a little flashier than the typical black design.
Why You Want It:
Sometimes the easiest way to transport a chair is to take it apart. Wheelchairs that disassemble are easier to stash indoors and pack for your travels. Plus, the total weight of the chair matters a lot less when you are breaking it down every time you move it!
Highlighted Transport Chair #1:
Transport Aluminum Transport Chair
While this lightweight transport chair conveniently folds for travel, the padded, flip-back arms can also be detached from the rest of the unit, making it easy to store in small spaces. The chair also has magnets that keep the footrests secure against the frame and stop the chair from swinging open when it’s carried. Like the Drive Designer Flyweight, this chair has an aluminum frame for added durability, but clocks in at an even lower total weight of 17.5 pounds.
Highlighted Transport Chair #2:
Travelite Transport Wheelchair Chair in a Bag
Okay, so many transport chairs don't actually break apart, but that's because some of the best options don't need to! This folding transport wheelchair is quite lightweight and folds up to fit into a compact carry bag. The bag itself has wheels on the bottom, making it very simple to transport in airports or through bustling tourist destinations. It comes with flip-up arms (another feature we like) and weighs in at 20.5 pounds.
Why You Want It:
Sometimes it all boils down to your budget. Inexpensive transport wheelchairs can be appealing, especially if the unit isn't going to be your main ride. If that's the case, you needn't worry – there are plenty of awesome options on Scootaround's website that won't hurt your wallet. With the suggestions below, you can be confident you're getting a great bang for your buck!
Highlighted Transport Chair #1:
If you’re looking for something economical, there's no better option for a lightweight portable wheelchair than the Drive Steel Transport Chair. Scootaround lists this unit for a mere $149.00 USD, but don’t let the price fool you – this chair doesn’t skimp on the features! It boasts swing-away leg rests, a seatbelt, and a fold-down back, all of which are useful features that are usually found in pricier models. This transport wheelchair also folds up to an impressive 9” wide and comes with comfy, padded armrests and a client-operated brake.
One possible downside is that it's not quite as lightweight as some of the other options, weighing in at 33 pounds. However, this added weight allows it to support riders up to 300 pounds.
In the sections above, we talked about some of the most critical features to consider when buying a transport chair, including the wheelchair’s ability to fold up and its price. However, there may be other qualities that are important to you, so to end this guide, here are some additional features you should think about when browsing for a travel or lightweight wheelchair:
- Removable arm or leg rests
- Fold-down back
- Custom seat cushion size
- User-operated brakes
- Battery weight
- Battery life and range
- Turning radius
- In-chair storage space
- Controller options for electric chairs
- Removable arm or leg rests
- Fold-down back
- Custom seat cushion size
- User-operated brakes
- Battery weight
- Battery life and range
- Turning radius
- In-chair storage space
- Controller options for electric chairs
To make sure all your bases are covered, here are some basic questions to guide your search for a portable transport wheelchair:
How often will I be using this wheelchair?
If the answer is “not too often,” perhaps a simpler, less expensive option would be best. If the answer is “very often,” then for your own comfort, you'll want to look into chairs with more customizable options. The more frequently you use a mobility device, the more the little details start to matter. Besides, it's always nice to be able to personalize the wheelchair to your liking by choosing its color or seat width.
Where will I need to store this wheelchair?
If you've got a large garage (or a room with ample space) and don't intend to use the chair for travel in planes, trains, or cars, then it might not matter whether the chair is foldable or not. This will open up a number of other buying options for you.
How often will I need to transport this wheelchair when I am not in it?
If the answer to this question is “somewhat often”, then those ultra-lightweight models that fold up to fit in a bag, especially a bag with wheels, can start to look really good. In fact, if you'll be transporting the chair a lot without you in it, you might want to consider this an essential feature!
Who will be folding and transporting this wheelchair?
If you've got an able-bodied travel companion, the weight of the chair and the ease which it folds, unfolds, assembles and disassembles might not be a huge factor. However, even if that’s the case, most wheelchair users want to give their friends, family members, and caregivers a break whenever possible!
While the transport wheelchairs listed above are some of our favorites, they certainly aren't the only options out there. Everyone has different needs and preferences, and there are plenty of other chairs with unique and desirable features that may be perfect for you. While we've given you a solid overview of the things you’ll need to consider when buying a transport wheelchair, the discovery process and final decision is up to you.