Top Best Lightweight Wheelchairs in 2020
How do you identify the best lightweight wheelchairs from the crowded market? Well, top quality wheelchairs are, of course, lightweight. However, their lightweight construction does not make them flimsy in any way. If anything, these wheelchairs are strong enough to stand up to daily use. Ideally, most of them have a weight capacity ranging from 250 pounds to 300 pounds. Top-notch lightweight wheelchairs are also so easy to maneuver that they can be used independently or via assistance from a family member, a friend or a companion. Moreover, they fold compactly for easy storage in vehicles. In these reviews, we talk about them, so you can know exactly what to pick in the event that you decide to buy one.
View the Best Lightweight Wheelchairs in Reviews
#1. Drive Medical Steel Transport Wheelchair
The Drive Medical Steel Transport Wheelchair is a lightweight model designed to improve your life. It boasts a weight capacity of 250 pounds, meaning it works for many people. What’s more, its seat is comfortable to let you sit for a long period without any discomfort. The wheelchair also features cushioned armrests and swing-away footrests to help provide extra comfort. In addition, it comes equipped with composite 8” wheels that require zero maintenance and are very lightweight. When you are traveling or not using the wheelchair, you can fold flat the backrest and chair for easy transportation. The wheelchair is constructed with a long-lasting frame that offers reliable stability whether you are using it independently or getting assistance from someone.
Pros
- Great for the elderly
- Easy to get in and out of the car
- Arrives on time and comes with no damage
- The seat is comfortable enough to be pushed around for extended periods
Cons
- The folding mechanism is not that great
#2. Medline Red Lightweight Wheelchair with Handbrakes
Your loved ones and caregivers will now have an easy time moving you around; thanks to this lightweight adult folding wheelchair with handbrakes. Its maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds, which is slightly higher than the first wheelchair on this list. What’s more, its seat dimensions are 18 x 16 inches, making it very much comfortable and convenient to use. The wheelchair also has loop-style manual handbrakes that come in handy when you want to lock the rear wheels during transportation. It also has a portable back that is collapsible for easy storage, transportation, and travel. It will serve you year after year because it’s aluminum ultralight frame is powder-coated. Besides, this wheelchair comes equipped with large 12-inch rear wheels that enable it to move smoothly even on rugged terrains.
Pros
- Makes life much more convenient
- The handbrakes are very useful
- Eliminates the fear of falling due to fatigue from exertion
Cons
- The brakes are quite hard to engage at times
#3. Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair
What really makes the Drive Medical Cruiser III one of the best is the carbon steel frame, which allows for custom back inserts and accessories as well as eliminating seat guides. It is available in 3 sizes, including 16”, 18”, and 20”. Also, it displays a silver vein finish, which improves its aesthetics not to mention making maintenance a piece of cake. The lightweight wheelchair moves smoothly over most surfaces, given that it comes equipped with 8-inch front caster wheels. Also, there is a precision sealed wheel bearing, both on the front and rear, to ensure ultimate reliability and long-lasting performance. The manufacturer of this wheelchair provides a 3-year limited warranty to protect against defects in materials and workmanship.
Pros
- The price is great for the quality
- Improves life and mobility
- The manufacturer stands behind the wheelchair
- Very easy to fold
- The wheels are durable
Cons
- The feet holders are made of plastic, though they look sturdy
#4. Drive Medical Lightweight Expedition Wheelchair with Hand Brakes
Weighing just 19 pounds, the Drive Medical Lightweight Expedition Wheelchair fits the bill for anyone who wants to make their life much more convenient than ever. In addition to lightweight construction, this wheelchair folds compactly to make storage and/or transportation a breeze. When folded, the wheelchair measures 38 by 10.75 by 38 inches. Well, despite having a lightweight construction, this wheelchair has an impressive weight capacity of 300 pounds. It can, therefore, be used by most people. The rear wheels of this wheelchair are 12 inches and flat-free to ensure little to zero maintenance. Ideally, they are large enough to provide you with smooth rides. The wheelchair comes with a seat belt to ensure ultimate safety.
Pros
- Comes in handy when you are going on a trip with a senior
- Ready to use right out of the box
- Great for people who find it challenging to walk with walkers
Cons
- Hard to push on carpets or lawns
#5. Drive Medical TR37E-SV Lightweight Wheelchair
This lightweight wheelchair offers reliable stability while maintaining maneuverability. It has a weight limit of 250 pounds, and it folds flat to make transportation a walk in the park. It is innovatively designed in such a way that it can be used either independently or with assistance. Furthermore, this wheelchair has cushioned armrests that combine with swing-away footrests to help improve comfort so that you can use it for long periods. It is designed with convenience in mind. And this is justified by the nylon seat upholstery, which is super easy to clean. The wheelchair is also sturdy despite being foldable. Its steel frame is durable, enabling it to hold up well to daily use.
Pros
- Very easy to push
- The brakes are easy to apply/release
- Easy to get out from
- Impressively solid and super comfortable to sit in
- Comes with a safety belt
Cons
- The wheelchair is heavier than advertised
#6. Drive Medical Fly Lite Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair
If you don’t have the ability to propel a wheelchair on your own, then look no further than the Drive Medical Fly Lite Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair. It is, basically a transport chair despite being similar to a manual wheelchair. It is a transport chair in the sense that it has a super lightweight frame and four small wheels. All those features make it perfect and really handy for use at home, on vacation or in the shopping mall. What’s more, it is much narrower than a manual wheelchair; hence, it can maneuver in tight spaces such as hallways and narrow doorways. This lightweight transport chair also has convenient pouches for keeping personal belongings.
Pros
- Very light and easy to maneuver
- Insanely easy to handle
- Well made and held up nicely to everyday use
- The price is right
- Folds up and unfolds easily
Cons
- Excessive force must be applied to lock the brake
#7. Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Wheelchair
Those who have used this wheelchair before have admitted that they find the removable, flip-back desk arms of the wheelchair innovative and very handy. When the arms of the wheelchair are removed, you make it suitable for office work and dining. Another convenient feature of this model is the comfortable nylon upholstery that is much lighter and more breathable compared to vinyl. Also, the wheelchair has a lower seat back and arms that can be raised and lowered for customized support and comfort. Still on comfort; the wheelchair has elevating leg rests that also relieve pressure. The weight capacity of this wheelchair is 300 pounds. Plus it has mag wheels that come equipped with flat-free tires, which require little to zero maintenance.
Pros
- Armrests can be rotated out of the way
- All the two-leg rests come off easily
- Very sturdy and easy to use
- Arrives quickly and is easy to assemble
Cons
- A little heavier than most models in the same class
#8. Drive Medical Rebel Lightweight Wheelchair – Red
Strength and portability are all wrapped together in this red wheelchair. Both its back and frame are foldable for easy transportation. Plus its swing-away footrests are easy to remove to allow for easy storage. When folded, the wheelchair measures 43” by 10.5” by 35”; thus, it can easily be fitted in small areas. This wheelchair also has a large seating surface that will accommodate you comfortably so that you can use it for long hours without fatigue or discomfort. It is extremely maneuverable, and this makes it easy to navigate in tight areas. Furthermore, this wheelchair has a red finish that makes it unique as well as improving its aesthetics.
Pros
- The armrests are removable
- Fairly easy to assemble
- Super comfy and stylish
- Fits in the hatchback of a small SUV easily
- Maneuvers easily and has an impressive weight capacity
Cons
- Durability is suspect
#9. Drive Medical Deluxe Lightweight Wheelchair – Red
Although this lightweight wheelchair weighs just 19 pounds, do not be fooled into thinking that it is less sturdy. Well, it is made of an aluminum frame that is both sturdy and lightweight. The wheelchair also features nylon upholstery, which is comfortable, lightweight, and, of course, easy to clean. Its weight capacity is 300 pounds and its overall width when it is opened is 20 inches. That being said, this wheelchair will conveniently accommodate you. And when it is closed, its width reduces to 9 inches to make sure you have an easy time transporting and storing it. There is a seat belt that will keep you safe not to mention padded armrests, which provide extra comfort.
Pros
- Works great for indoor use
- Runs smoothly on ceramic floors and carpet
- The back folds down to make the wheelchair very compact for easy transportation
Cons
- A little smaller than expected
#10. Karman Healthcare LT-980 Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair – Black
Karman Healthcare has never stopped innovating and pioneering super lightweight wheelchairs. With that said, the LT-980 model has all the features that make a wheelchair one of the best. Its 22-inch rear wheels are made of solid polyurethane that combines with the large size to enable it to move smoothly even on rugged terrains. The front casters are also worth mentioning, considering that they have an impressive size of 6 inches in diameter. The wheelchair also has a well-sized seat width, which measures 18” by 16”. Besides, it comes with a seat belt to make sure you are always safe. Its frame is compact and foldable to make it easy to store almost anywhere.
Pros
- Lightweight yet sturdy and well built
- Takes up less space in a vehicle
- Great for occasional use
- Makes life much easier than expected
Cons
- The tires grip, making the wheelchair a bit hard to maneuver
How to Choose the Best Lightweight Wheelchair
The following factors will provide you with extra knowledge about how to choose a suitable lightweight wheelchair.
Weight Capacity
Before you buy a wheelchair, make sure its weight capacity surpasses your weight. This will help increase the lifespan of your wheelchair and improve comfort to some extent. Most wheelchairs in the above reviews have weight capacities ranging from 250 – 300 pounds; hence, they are ideal for most people.
Folding Mechanism
Apart from making sure you settle for a wheelchair that is as lightweight as possible, it is recommended that you go for a unit, which has a functional folding mechanism. In other words, choose a lightweight wheelchair that is very easy to fold down and unfold.
Comfort
A wheelchair that is not comfortable is as good as nothing. So, before you order one from Amazon, make sure it has all the features that improve comfort. Some of these features include a wide seating area, cushioned back, and padded armrests.
Conclusion
Choosing a top-class and lightweight wheelchair can be a little tricky. That’s why we have come in handy with the above list. Before compiling the list and bringing it to your attention, we made sure that all the information provided is accurate. Well, this will make it easier to decide what you want.
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