3 Folding Electric Wheelchair Alternatives
Folding electric wheelchairs can be an excellent mobility aid, for a wide variety of people. However, they are not always the best option.
This is quite often to do with the price, as your average folding electric wheelchair will usually range from £1,500 to £3,000. Sometimes this is just not within peoples budget.
Below we have listed 3 alternative options that are worth considering for your day to day mobility needs.
Alternative 1 – Lightweight and folding mobility scooters
The most similar alternative to a folding electric wheelchair, is a light weight folding mobility scooter. The main similarity here is the fact that both are electric and don’t require any physical effort to move. They are also compact and light weight which makes them very convenient to travel with.
The main disadvantage compared with a folding electric wheelchair, is that they are not as good in small confined spaces. This is due to a larger turning circle, which means they are not typically used indoors. With that said if your main use is getting around outdoors then a lightweight folding scooter can be a more affordable alternative.
Below are 3 of the best lightweight mobility scooters available in the UK in 2020 based on user reviews:
Pride Go-Go Elite Traveler LX Mobility Scooter
This is a very durable light weight scooter. Below are the main features:
- Maximum range of 8 miles.
- Top speed of 4 mph.
- Comfortable and lightweight.
- Suspension seat
- On board and in-house charging as standard.
- Removable battery pack.
- Front LED lights.
To view prices and customer reviews click here
Drive Devilbiss Automatic Folding Scooter
The Drive devil bliss is another popular option. This scooter folds automatically, making it even easier to fold up and store away. Below are the main features:
- Lithium battery
- Folds and unfolds in 15 seconds
- Compact and easy to store
- Perfect for traveling with. Easily fits in a car boot
- Lightweight weighing only 27.5kg
To view prices and customer reviews click here
ST1 travel mobility scooter
This is another popular lightweight scooter. It easily disassembles into 5 manageable parts for easy storage and transportation. Below are the main features:
- Battery range of 6 miles on full charge.
- Top speed of 4 mph
- Comfortable and light weight
- 360° swivel seat
- Puncture proof tyres.
To view prices and customer reviews click here
Alternative 2 – Self-propelled wheelchairs
Self-propelled wheelchairs are not for everyone. For example, if you do have problems that affect upper body strength. Or issues that affect the use of your hands and arms, they won’t be a good solution. However, for those who can use a self-propelled chair, they can have several benefits:
- They are very affordable. A good quality chair will cost between £100-£300
- They are a great way of getting extra exercise.
- They can be used around the house unlike a mobility scooter.
Below are 3 of the best self-propelled chairs available in the UK in 2020, based on user reviews:
Drive Self Propel Silver Sport Wheelchair
This is the most popular wheelchair in the list based on user reviews and feedback. Surprisingly it is also the cheapest on the list. Below are the main features:
- Durable silver vein steel frame.
- Durable and lightweight.
- Nylon upholstery, attractive and easy to clean
- Comes with swing-away footrests.
- Seat length: 40 cm , seat height: 48 cm
- Padded armrests
- Carry pocket on backrest
To view prices and customer reviews click here
Mobiclinic Foldable and Self-Propelled Wheelchair
One of the things that makes the Mobclinic self-propelled chair so popular is the fact that it is foldable. It also comes with a lot of adjustable and removal parts such as removable headrest, arm rests and adjustable leg rests which can also be raised. Below are the main features:
- Extremely comfortable design
- Foldable and removable footrests
- Removable armrests
- Removable headrest
- Adjustable leg rests
- Very robust and well made
- Foldable for easy storage and transport
To view prices and customer reviews click here
Elite Care Model ECSP01-18 Self-Propelled Wheelchair
This chair has a number of benefits. Like the Mobiclinic chair it folds and has adjustable rests, but it also has the added benefit of quick release rear wheels. This means that wheels can be taken off very easily making it even more convenient to store. Below are the main features:
- Quick release rear wheels
- Easy to transport,
- Removable armrests.
- Removable and swing away leg rests.
- Removable height adjustable leg rests.
- Lightweight and easy to fold
- Includes lap belt, heel straps and calf strap.
- Easily removable seat cushion and padded backrest.
- Attendant slowing handbrakes and parking brakes.
To view prices and customer reviews click here
Alternative 3 – Lightweight travel wheelchairs
The final option in our list is a lightweight travel wheelchair. The major difference with this type of chair is it is more suitable for people who require assistance. There are lots of these chairs on the market and generally they are lightweight and designed specifically for traveling with.
Below are the two most popular chairs based on user reviews:
ECTR04 Lightweight deluxe folding transit travel wheelchair
Below are the main features of this chair:
- Ideal for holidays, days out and shopping trips.
- Quick release footrests.
- Flip up padded desk arms.
- Multiple cross braces for added strength.
- Folds to approx.1/3 of the size of a typical folded wheelchair
- Lightweight travel carry bag included.
- 12″ Solid rear tyres, 8″ solid front tyres
To view prices and customer reviews click here
ECTR05 Super lightweight folding transit travel wheelchair
This is the next model up from the previous chair it is almost the same in every way. The main benefits are it is over 1kg lighter and comes with puncture proof tyres. Whats more, it’s actually a little bit cheaper.
To view prices and customer reviews click here
Conclusion
As you can see there are alternatives to folding electric wheelchairs and every option above can be a great help for anybody with mobility issues.
The main benefit of opting for a folding electric chair is it combines all of the best elements of the chairs and scooters above. They can be used inside and outside. They are lightweight and easy to store. Plus, they are also very good to travel with.
