The Best Manual Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs work well when there is limited space.
Also, these wheelchairs come in handy, because you don’t have to think about charging batteries often.
The manual wheelchairs are also a suitable solution for those who have limited mobility and sometimes need to use it.
Check our list of top 10 manual wheelchairs and find out all the pros and cons of each model.
Highest Rated Manual Wheelchairs (by Customer Reviews)
- 1Medline Strong and Sturdy Wheelchair
- 2Medline Excel Extra-Wide Wheelchair
- 3 Medline Comfort Driven Wheelchair
- 4Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair
- 5Drive Medical Silver Sport 2 Wheelchair
- 6Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Wheelchair
- 7Drive Medical Lightweight Steel Transport Wheelchair
- 8Drive Medical Silver Sport 1 Wheelchair
- 9Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair – 20″ seat
- 10Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair – 18″ seat
1
Medline Strong and Sturdy Wheelchair
The Medline Strong and Sturdy wheelchair has 20″ large seat.
It comes with a swing-away footrest, for improved support. The arms are desk-length.
This wheelchair is easy to clean because of the nylon fabric.
The wheels are flat-free for upgraded mobility and straightforward maintenance.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Removable desk arms
- Durable wheelchair
Cons
- A bit heavier to carry
Jake's TakeThe Medline Strong and Sturdy wheelchair is a practical solution.
The upholstered nylon is lighter than vinyl, so it comes as a subtle touch.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
2
Medline Excel Extra-Wide Wheelchair
The Medline Excell Extra Wide wheelchair has a chrome frame for durability and sturdiness.
Because the seat is 24″ wide, the wheelchair is suitable for more corpulent adults.
The maximum weight it can hold is 500 pounds.
Other useful features include detachable footrest and arms.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Extra-wide seat and a large weight capacity
- Chrome frame
Cons
- The wheelchair has a height of 36.75″
Jake's TakeThis wheelchair is a usual fit for tall people.
It is stable, and the capacity if improved, but shorter people may feel uncomfortable not being able to touch the ground.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
3
Medline Comfort Driven Wheelchair
This Medline wheelchair comes with the full-length, padded arms and elevated padded leg-rest.
This wheelchair is straightforward to fold in just a few moves.
So it can easily fit into your car.
The seat is 18” inches wide, and the chair weight is lighter.
The maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Compact folding
- Padded leg rest and armrest
- Flat-free tires
Cons
- Smooth rubber tires affect maneuver
Jake's TakeBecause this chair is easy to fold and carry, it makes it ideal for traveling.
It won’t take a lot of storage space as well, but for daily use, you might want something more comfortable.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
4
Drive Medical Cruiser III Light Weight Wheelchair
This Drive Medical Cruiser wheelchair is easily moveable.
The chair is lightweight, and the design is practical with detachable armrest and swing-away footrests.
The casters are adjustable for improved practicality.
The frame on the wheelchair is carbon steel with a silver finish, which makes it durable and modern at the same time.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Adjustable casters
- Modern design
- Lightweight wheelchair – under 36 pounds
Cons
- Seems narrower than similar wheelchairs
Jake's TakeThis wheelchair is a simple and practical help for those with limited mobility.
Adjustable casters with a lightweight wheelchair are always useful features when looking for a manual wheelchair.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
5
Drive Medical Silver Sport 2 Wheelchair
The standard size and the capacity if this wheelchair makes it a suitable choice for many people.
The seat is 20″ wide, and the chair can hold a person around 350 pounds.
This wheelchair is comfortable and easy to clean.
The armrests, as well as the leg, rests in the calf area comes with padding.
The wheelchair has a pocket on the back, so you can easily carry necessary items.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Padded armrest and leg rest
- Useful pocket on the back
- Steel frame
Cons
- A bit pricer
Jake's TakeThis wheelchair is durable and sturdy, thanks to the convenient design and steel frame.
If you want to invest in the practical wheelchair, make sure to check this one out.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
6
Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Wheelchair
This wheelchair from Medline is available in three standard wheelchair seat sizes: 16”, 18” or 20”.
The design is smart and convenient, so the wheelchair comes with the 2″ seat height adjustment options.
The armrest is detachable, and you can even flip them back when you need to.
The chair is easy to clean with a damp sponge,
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Removable and flip-back armrests
- Straightforward maintenance
- Seat height adjustment enabled
Cons
- Heavier wheelchair
Jake's TakeIf the weight of 43 pounds doesn’t bother you, this Medline model might be the right fit for everyday use.
The wheelchair is safe and reliable, which makes it right for all sorts of situations.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
7
Drive Medical Lightweight Steel Transport Wheelchair
This Drive model features a 19″ wide seat, a steel frame, and nylon fabric.
The wheelchair is thin when you fold it, so it is ideal for trips and occasional use.
The wheelchair is only 8″ wide when folded, and its weight is 26 pounds.
The maximum weight capacity is 250 pounds.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Lightweight
- Small and compact – easy to transport and storage
- Easy to fold
Cons
- Complex footrest adjustment
Jake's TakeIf you are seeking an occasional wheelchair, make sure to check this one.
It is a thin and lightweight, yet sturdy wheelchair.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
8
Drive Medical Silver Sport 1 Wheelchair
This wheelchair from Drive, model Sport 1 comes with the full arms and removable footrests.
Another useful feature of this model is urethane tires.
The mounted tires on wheels improve durability and simplify maintenance.
The locks are the push-to-lock model, so this wheelchair is safe and reliable.
The padding is comfortable for longer use.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Durable urethane tires
- Push-to-lock model
Cons
- Footplates made of plastic
Jake's TakeThis wheelchair is easy to use, clean and transport.
The features are user-friendly, such as lock models and padding.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
9
Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair – 20″ seat
This Drive wheelchair model Blue Streak is a long-lasting wheelchair with compact and convenient design.
You can flip desk arms and swing footrests.
The backrest is comfortable and designed for extended us.
The tires are reliable and feature push to lock design.
The blue frame is a fashionable accessory.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Ergonomic design – suitable for long use
- Cool design
- Easy to transport and store
Cons
- The wheels may squeak
Jake's TakeIf you are looking for a cool-looking and convenient wheelchair, think about this one.
Also, if you know that you will be spending a lot of time using it, this wheelchair may be a proper choice.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
10
Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair – 18″ seat
This elegant and stylish wheelchair comes with the three-seat sizes – 16”, 18” and 20”.
The design is convenient to simplify the majority of daily activities, and the materials are high-quality.
It is easy to clean and to fold for transport.
The weight capacity is 250 pounds.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Elegant and stylish
- Long-lasting wheelchair
- Simple maintenance
Cons
- Can be squeaky
Jake's TakeIf you are looking for a practical wheelchair at an affordable price, this one may come at the top of your list.
The design is user-friendly and stylish too.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
Manual Wheelchairs Buying Guide
Many people with mobility issues decide to use a manual wheelchair as a personal transportation method.
The manual wheelchairs come with many benefits, including simple maintenance, user-friendly design, portability, etc.
Some people may use it as a temporary method when experiencing some difficulties.
Manual wheelchairs differ in design, but they have different features.
People who use wheelchairs can feel the difference even when the design differences are unrecognizable.
There are different models and wheelchairs types on the market.
To make sure you are getting the right one to let’s go briefly through all the things you should know.
Wheelchairs and Transport Chairs
Many people don’t understand the difference between the two main chair types.
Knowing your needs and your wishes will ensure that you are getting the proper chair.
Transport Chair
The transport chair is narrow and lightweight.
The caregiver pushes the transport chair, and the wheels are smaller.
The transport chair is easy to navigate and move around, fold and use them for traveling, and going outside the home.
A person cannot manually propel the transport chair, so using it without assistance is not possible.
A transport chair usually serves as an additional chair for use while traveling.
Standard Wheelchair
Compared to the transport chair, a standard wheelchair is bulkier.
The wheels are rear and large, so the person can propel easily.
The front wheels are smaller, so the caregiver can also push the chair easily.
A standard wheelchair is easy to use and maintain by both user and caregiver.
It is suitable for everyday use and uses in long periods.
Suitable Wheelchair Size
Determining the wheelchair size is by far the most significant step when choosing a wheelchair.
To get the proper size of your chair, you will need to pay attention to some numbers.
First to determine is the seat size.
Standard seat sizes are 16”, 18” and 20”.
There are extra-wide seats, with 23” wideness, or even higher.
When choosing the seat size, make sure not to choose too big, because you will feel loose and uncomfortable spending long hours in the chair.
The chairs with the more narrower seats are easy to fold and carry around, but they are not comfortable for long hours using.
Seat depth is also a significant factor.
It is the distance between the seat and an edge and choosing the right dept affects comfort.
Other things to consider size-related, are armrest and footrest size.
Also, while you are sitting, measure the distance between the seat and the floor.
Think about what kind of feet rest do you want.
Do you prefer fixed feet rest or swing away feet rest?
The last thing to consider is the back height.
When choosing a chair, think about the weight of the chair itself, and the person’s weight limit.
Things to Look for in a Wheelchair
You want your wheelchair to be comfortable, to fit you, to be easy to push and maintain, etc.
The right choice of a chair depends on many factors, but we will cover the most important ones.
Easy-to-push Chairs
If you are thinking about how to find the easiest chair to push, think about travel and transport chairs.
A companion is necessary with the transport chair, so the design is suitable for pushing.
The construction is simplistic and lightweight, the seat is thin, and the handles are there for a balanced maneuver.
Comfort
If you are buying a chair for everyday use, support is crucial.
You will spend a lot of time in the chair, so the chair must fit you flawlessly.
The seat size determines comfort.
The most common materials are nylon and vinyl, and some wheelchairs come with proper back support or cushion.
Also, check for the padding.
Do you want your armrest to be padded or not?
What about leg rest?
Think about the headrest.
Some of the chairs feature a padded headrest, and many people enjoy it.
Headrest comes in handy for many situations, and you will find it more on the standard wheelchairs.
Detachable Feet Rest
Nowadays, many wheelchairs come with removable feet rest.
The benefits of removable and adjustable feet rest include simplified folding and less weight to carry.
Also, if the chair has swing-away feet rest, it is more manageable to use it and more practical for tables.
Another type of the feet rest is elevating removable, which allows you to move the legs for around 90 degrees.
Which one will you choose, depends on your preference and comfort.
Armrests
Armrests serve for arms and shoulders support.
So, choosing a padded armrest will ensure more convenience.
There are differences in the armrest length.
The full-length armrest has the length of the whole seat and the shorter desk length.
These armrests are usually 15” long and allow you to get closer to the table.
Some new and improved models come with the option to adjust the length of the armrests.
The chair with adjustable armrests and seat height are the most versatile models, but the price can be higher.
Flip-away armrests are also useful and they can help you to get out of the chair easier.
Wheels
When buying a wheelchair, look for those with semi-pneumatic or rubber wheels.
Therefore, the wheel can move on different surfaces without issue.
Also, check the chair specifications whether you should replace the wheels occasionally.
Sometimes, rubber wheels don’t require maintenance at all.
Safety Features
Wheelchairs need to be safe and reliable.
Features such as safety belts and lock brakes are essential for safe use of the chairs.
Other safety measures include durable material and steel or chrome chair frame.
When looking for a chair, make sure to get those with sturdier material and avoid chairs with plastic parts.
Ending thoughts
Manual wheelchairs life span goes from two to five years.
The manual wheelchairs are easy to maintain and clean if made of vinyl and nylon.
You can clean it with a damp sponge, and the chair is good to go.
When buying a chair, the most important factor is the seat.
The more adjustable features you can find, the chair will be the better fit.
Conclusion
People with mobility difficulties can get many benefits from manual wheelchairs.
Compared to electric wheelchairs, manuals are easier to maintain.
You don’t have to worry about charging or anything tech-related.
Before you decide which chair to buy, remember how much time you will spend in the chair.
You want the chair to be comfortable and adjustable, safe, and durable.
Check our reviews for getting more information on manual wheelchairs.
What's your take on Manual Wheelchairs? You think they're just a luxury or a must-have item? Don't hesitate to share your comment below with your opinion!
