What is the difference between Electric Wheelchair, Motorized Wheelchair, and Powered Wheelchairs?
They are the same: Electric, motorized, and powered wheelchairs are all the same. Just different ways to describe a wheelchair that is powered by an electrical battery.
What is the difference between an Electric Wheelchair and an Electric Mobility Scooter?
An electric wheelchair is controlled by a joystick on the right or left armrest, and a scooter is controlled by bicycle-style handlebars.
An electric wheelchair are for people with limited mobility and trunk support and a mobility scooter is for someone who may get tired after a long walk and has stronger tunk support
Today’s electric scooters are popular because they come in fun designs and do not have a medical look and feel.
How to buy an Electric wheelchair?
The best way to buy an electric wheelchair is to call one of our wheelchair specialists and we will walk you through the process. However, there is no one way to buy an electric wheelchair: some of our customers like to research electric wheelchairs online, watch our videos on our website or on our youtube channel and then place their order online. Other customers enjoy the advice of our wheelchair specialists who are live and ready to talk to you seven days a week on the phone by calling 1-800-320-7140. We also have a Live Chat to connect you to our wheelchair sales and customer service team if you prefer to text.
Why Buy an Electric Wheelchair from 1800wheelchair?
Because we have both the experience, exclusive products, and the best price: We have been selling wheelchairs and other mobility products since 1997 - that well over two decades!! We also design and manufacture our own wheelchairs and sell them directly to you. So there are no middle salespeople chomping away at the profit, this allows us to sell you wheelchairs at the lowest price while still maintaining a quality product. And we will warranty and help you with repairs long after the product is sold!
Where can I get a free Electric Wheelchair?
Great question! Free electric wheelchairs are hard to come by, you can always ask your local church or temple if they have donated wheelchairs. Of course, you can try and get a free wheelchair via Medicare, Medicaid, or your Insurance. We do know that most people avoid used electric wheelchairs because of hygiene reasons as we don’t know who used the wheelchair beforehand. Also, these days you can purchase a brand new electric wheelchair for around $1,300 and shipping is free.
What Should I Look for when buying an electric wheelchair?
- Chair weight capacity - Most electric wheelchairs will carry a weight up to 250- 300 lbs. If you weigh over 250 lbs you will need a high weight capacity - heavy duty electric wheelchair which has a wider seat with a higher weight capacity
- Indoor / Outdoor - Where will you be using the electric wheelchair?
Indoors - make sure the electric wheelchair will fit through all your doorways and has a tighter turning radius if you have some tight and narrow spaces in the house.
Outdoors If you will be riding your electric wheelchair outdoors and you will be takin it on grass or the sidewalk you will want larger wheels to go over obstacles (we recommend tires that are 8” or larger)
Travel If you will be lifting your electric wheelchair in a car we recommend you look at our portable motorized wheelchairs. Also, see our super light Featherweight 33 lbs. Power wheelchair It's the lightest electric wheelchair on the planet!
- Doorways - If you will be using your electric wheelchair indoors, measure your narrowest doorway to make sure the overall width of your electric wheelchair will fit through easily. The standard doorway in the USA is 36”, the standard electric wheelchairs’ over-all width is 28” however many doorways, especially bathroom doors can be narrower than 36”
When Is an electric wheelchair considered lightweight?
We consider an electric wheelchair lightweight when it’s under 50 lbs. Of course, the most crucial reason to have a light wheelchair is so it can be lifted in and out of a car or bus for many people 50 lbs is not that lightweight. The lightest electric wheelchair is the Featherweight 33 lbs power wheelchair.
Do electric wheelchairs have brakes?
Yes, all-electric wheelchairs have brakes, when you release the joystick the braking system automatically kicks in for a quick safe stop.
Do electric wheelchairs arrive fully assembled
Yes, all the electric wheelchairs we sell come fully assembled. All you need to do is open the box, remove the wheelchair from the plastic wrapping, charge the battery overnight before you take your first ride
Note: some chairs may come with the battery packed separately
Can I take my electric wheelchair on an airplane?
You can travel with your electric wheelchair on an airline (as checked-in luggage) if it meets the airline requirements. Airlines do allow some sealed lead-acid batteries and some Lithium batteries see our airline guide here and a list of our airline approved electric wheelchairs here.
Are electric wheelchairs returnable?
Yes! Most of our electric wheelchairs are returnable within 30 days if your wheelchair is in clean condition and in the original packaging (some may have a restocking fee) See individual wheelchairs return policy.
What if my wheelchair breaks?
At 1800wheelchair we take care of our customers and their products pre and post-sale. If you have any issues or needs for parts or are under warranty call us at 1-800-320-140 and reach out to our technicians and we will have your electric wheelchair back to working condition as fast as possible.