After a lot of research and comparisons, we are convinced that the Intelligent Lightweight Foldable Travel Power Chair is the Best Travel Wheelchair one can get.
But as there is no one best product that meets everyone’s needs, we all have different needs and wants. Thus we have also mentioned some of the other best portable Travel wheelchairs of different categories be it Lightweight Travel Wheelchair, Folding Travel Wheelchair, or even an ultra light transport chair, we got you all.
We have also written a Detailed Wheelchair Travel Guide in which we have answered How Much Distance Should You Travel on a Wheelchair.
So without further ado, we present you the Best Travel Wheelchair Reviews.
List Of 11 Best Travel Wheelchairs:
#1. Invacare 9000 XT High Performance Lightweight Travel Chair
The Invacare 9000 XT is a high-performing, low maintenance, and low overall lifetime cost wheelchair. This wheelchair is one of the most versatile lightweight wheelchair, which makes it great for travel purposes.
Its perfectly built frame styles, seat-to-floor heights, back styles, widths, depths, and many more additional accessories make it one of the best wheelchair for travel.
The components in the 9000 XT are easily interchangeable with all other 9000 series made by the brand Invacare.
Some of the important features present are:
- Adjustable center-of-gravity- Which helps provide a custom fit for better comfort
- Dual Axle- positions allow variation of seat-to-floor heights
- Offset Axle- position allows adjustment of center-of-gravity to increase stability
- Urethane rear tires- offer superior performance
- WEIGHT CAPACITY- Can easily carry up to 250 LBS.
- ARMREST – Desk-length arms present in the chair allow its user to sit comfortably at a table while still being supported.
- LEGREST- It comes with T94HC Hemi elevating legrests with composite footplates and padded calf pads.
#2. Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Travel Wheelchair
This smartly designed wheelchair for travel looks like a small travel chair but is strong enough to support people weighing up to 300 pounds.
It’s a perfect transport wheelchair for on-the-go users who want something easy to use with the flip-back, desk arms and the enhanced comfort of elevating leg rests.
The adjustable backrest present in the chair moves up and down for customized support.
Comes in different seat sizes – 16, 18, or 20 inches.
The detachable elevating leg rests provide additional support. Seats are made with durable nylon upholstery and the whole wheelchair can be Self Propelling as well as assisted with someone’s help easily.
#3. Drive Medical Cruiser III Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs For Travelling
The Cruiser III Wheelchair by Drive Medical is one of the best wheelchairs which Fold to compact size for convenient storage and transport.
With various accessories like arm styles, front riggings, carbon steel frames this chair is very comfortable to use. The silver vein finish of the chair is very attractive and easy to use.
In the front and rear, there is a precision sealed wheel bearing which ensures long-lasting performance and reliability.
The 8-inch front caster wheels provide a smooth and shock-free ride over almost all surfaces.
It also has a dual axle and removable flip-back arms, which make it very easy to transport wheelchair.
Some of the additional features present in the wheelchair are:
- Detachable flip back arms
- swing away/elevating footrests,
- black nylon upholstery
- composite Mag-style wheels
- push to lock emergency wheel locks.
#4. Portable Travel Chair For Adults and Kids (With Wheelchair Travel Bag)
This is one of the Lightest Travel Wheelchair with a Net Weight of only 20.9 pounds and a Bearing capacity of around 220 pounds.
The material used in the wheelchair are some of the best ones like: The frame is made of aluminum alloy which is very lightweight and easy to carry.
The tires in the chair are made of solid PU with the length of the front wheels of 7 inches and that of the two rear wheels of 12 inches, the seat height is only 20 inches, and the seat width is 16 inches, which makes this chair one of the lightest and easily foldable wheelchair.
The high-quality aluminum alloy is strong and at the same time light, making it one of the lightest travel wheelchair.
One of the unique features this wheelchair has is the tower-shaped three-dimensional thick frame which helps distributes the pressure all across the chair equally.
It also comes with a seat belt for extra safety during traveling.
The chair comes with a pre-installed seat cushion, unlike other wheelchairs with a honeycomb hollow design, which is very breathable and easy to remove and wash.
This portable travel wheelchair is a perfect travel wheel chair because it can be easily folded and fits easily into any space be it in an airplane or a trunk of the car.
#5. Magnesium Alloy Ultra Light Transport Chair(22lbs) with HandBrakes
As mentioned above this is a SUPER LIGHT transport chair with a frame made of ultra-light magnesium alloy.
It is very simple to operate and designed to be easily folded when needed. The back of the wheelchair can also be folded, unlike other wheelchairs.
If you plan to travel by airplane then this chair is one of the best choices as it works great in subways and elevators. This goes without saying, this wheelchair can be easily stored in the trunk of a car too.
In addition, it comes with low resistance PU integrated wheels, is wear-resistant, and labor-saving.
The Rear wheels of the chair adopt magnesium alloy thickened solid tires which makes them very stable and durable, so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary deformation and punctures.
It also comes with a preinstalled removable thick sponge breathable cushion for extra comfort and shock absorption.
The armrest can be easily removable for easy in and out movement of the user. An additional Wheelchair travel bag comes as a gift from the company.
On top of all the features, it also has an anti-dumping rear wheel and front and rear double brakes to reduce the risk of falls and to provide double security.
#6. New GO CHAIR Pride Mobility Travel Electric Powerchair
Sixth on the list is the Travel Electric Wheelchair by GO Chair.
This Pride Mobility wheelchair is mainly known for its excellent full-sized Travel power wheelchairs. This chair looks like a travel-scooters.
It has a lot of features and an easy-to-remove battery pack. It has a very lightweight frame and is re-engineered from the ground level, offering a very sleek and new type style of wheelchair. It comes in various colors.
The feather-touch disassembly, allows its user to enjoy smooth and light-weight travel with wheelchair and gives complete independence. With a weight capacity of as high as 300 lbs this sleek, bold-looking, new Go-Chair makes travel very easy.
#7. ZRABCD Adult Manual Self Propelled Light Transport Companion Wheelchair
This Manual Wheelchair by ZRABCD is one of the Best travel wheelchair for adults which is very lightweight, comfortable, long-standing, less fatigue, anti-skid texture with strong load-carrying capacity is a great wheelchair if you are looking for a portable travel wheelchair.
On top of all that its material can prevent discomfort and uneasiness in the patient’s palms. The frame design is double reinforcing and is very stable and durable.
The structure of the wheelchair ensures all-around security with utmost comfort and safe driving. It can be easily inserted into the car’s backbox to facilitate fast.
The wheels are inflatable with high-quality airless rubber tires, so you do not need to be afraid of unwanted punctures in any road condition. This handicapped transport chair is foldable and requires very little space. On top of all that it is very easy to operate and carry.
#8. Porto Mobility 2021 Lightweight Foldable Travel Power Wheelchair
This Super Lightweight Folding Travel Electric Wheelchair was once nominated The World’s lightest travel wheelchair, weighing only 43 Pounds if batteries are removed.
This Wheelchair is designed to provide versatile and convenient mobility support through all areas of life indoors, outdoors, and while traveling.
This is a very narrow wheelchair and takes virtually no time to completely fold and usually takes the size of a medium suitcase that can quickly and easily be moved and stored in the trunk of a car.
The durable construction carries its user easily anywhere. The Joystick can be versatilely operated to enable left or right-handed control.
The seat and back cushions present are very comfortable and can be removed easily, in case it needs to be washed. With the Simple Flip of its joystick Switch, this wheelchair turns into FREEWHEEL MODE and can be used as a Manual Push-Chair when needed.
It is very Easy to Operate and can operate on Steep Inclines Hills very Safely And Effortlessly. Both the Armrest Fold Up for easy storage, and the Controller can also be detached when required.
It comes with a Universal Charger, 2 Batteries, a Tool Kit, one Backrest Storage Pouch, a user manual, and an attached 360 Degree Brushless Controller Joystick.
The driving range can be double with the help of the 2nd Battery. This wheelchair is the best traveling wheelchair because it comes with Airline Compliant Non-Spillable Lithium-Ion Battery.
The user of this wheelchair can take this chair on airplanes, trains, public transportation, cabs, or even cruise ships.
#9. Forcemech Voyager R2 – Ultra Portable Folding Travel Chair
The Forcemech Voyager R2 is the Newest model in the wheelchair category by the Voyager Line and is one of the best folding travel chairs out there. It is a beautiful product of Superior Craftsmanship and Design.
This wheelchair weighs only 43lbs without Batteries, is one of the light wheelchairs for travel. Made with an enhanced aluminum alloy frame, this chair can carry a maximum weight of 265lbs. It uses the Dual 6.6Ah Lithium Batteries and once fully charged can travel a distance of up to 16 miles.
The Ergonomic Beautiful Design of the chair is incorporated for Maximum Comfort for its user when seated.
It has retractable Anti-Tipping Rollers in the rear part, for easy sliding while storing the chair. The Wheels are built With Metal Alloy Core for maximum structural integrity to prevent unwanted damage and punctures.
In the front of the chair, shock-Absorption Springs are present for further enhancement of the user’s experience. For night times a rear reflective Lights are added for extra visibility.
It is perfect for traveling on an airplane or on a cruise.
#10. Intelligent Lightweight Foldable Travel Power Chair
This Perfect Travel Companion Wheelchair is one of the Best wheelchair for air travel as it gives its user so much freedom during the travel as the user can drive the chair right up to the plane, with a separate 2 high-performance lithium battery which can be removed and placed in a zip lock bag.
The batteries can be stored in a closet at the front of the plane so that the user does not have to worry about them. The chair is very stylish and has a lot of many compliments in the reviews section.
It’s a little slower than other power scooters, but during traveling, we usually don’t hurry a lot. It is amazing to not have to be pushed around by any helper all the time.
This electric chair on top has a variety of safety features and includes a 360-degree joystick, solidly stable front, and rear wheels, a foldable footrest, and extremely strong and durable construction.
This wheelchair is also known for its SIMPLE TO OPERATE feature- the user can use its innovative joystick design and an updated electric magnetic braking system which gives superior motion control and quick stopping. For stability, it has an adjustable anti-leaning rear design.
It can also be easily folded in like 3 seconds. This travel wheelchair is built with an aviation aluminum frame and weighing only 50lbs, making it very durable and incredibly lightweight and making it perfect to travel with and store for later.
Last but not least this power chair comes with a unique 7.5cm thick portable travel seat with a cushion and seat belt, which is extremely comfortable and prevents seat depression and bedsores.
If you are thinking about the perfect chair to travel with then you have found the right one.
#11. Invacare Small Travel Chair
Another one on the list from the brand Invacare. This contemporary carbon steel frame-made chair offers a high-strength lightweight option and has a seat and back with heavy-duty inner liner, urethane front and rear tires mounted on “no flex” wheels.
With the help of nylon upholstery and heavy-duty inner liners the seat and back never stretch. The weight capacity of this wheelchair is up to 250 lbs. Dual axel allows various seat-to-floor heights from 17.5”-19.5.
On top of that, this chair is heath adjustable, saves a lot of space once folded with the desk-length padded armrests for added comfort.
How to Find The Best Measurement For Wheelchair Selection
1. Measure the Seat’s Width and Depth
First find seat width by measuring the user’s hips from one end to the other, in a straight line.
Then find seat depth by measuring from the back of the hip to the back of the knee of the user while seated.
2. Back Height
Have the user sit in the wheelchair, then measure the distance from the user’s collarbone down to the seat to measure the back height.
3. Wheelchair Seat Height
To measure the seat’s height measure the distance from the back of the knee to the heel, like shown in the image below.
How to choose the Best Battery For A Wheelchair?
The wheelchair must be equipped with 2 lithium batteries, and one of the batteries preferably the left side battery should run when the chair moves on the “electric” mode. As per the second of the right side battery, it should be there as a backup use.
Once the first or the left side battery runs out, exchange the right side battery to the left side. The left side battery can be charged by the battery box provided by the company, and the right side battery is charged outside the battery box.
Read this article on Conditions for the carriage of wheelchair batteries to better understand the rules relating to wheelchair batteries while traveling.
How to choose the Best Armrest For A Wheelchair?
To choose the wheelchair with the best armrest both the Left & Right Side armrest should easily be lifted up for the person using to get in & out of the wheelchair. This is very useful for some persons who find it more convenient to get in & out of the chair by the sides.
Features to Consider When Purchasing a Travel Wheelchair for Outdoor Travel
After reading a lot of Travel wheelchair reviews we have made a list of important features that should be there in a wheelchair for comfortable and easy outdoor use:
#1. Lightweight
For traveling comfortably one must look for one of the light wheelchairs for travel, as it needs to be moved through various places like a car’s trunk, plane, ramps, busses, and many more places throughout the trip.
#2. Can be used as a Daily Use Chair
This is important because we travel once, twice or maybe thrice a year but the rest of the time we need to use it as a normal wheelchair, and it does not make sense to buy something just for an outdoor trip of like a month and then keeping the chair in the storage room because it cant be used for other purposes.
Consider the features of your regular wheelchair that will be most valuable to you while you are going out, and get a wheelchair that helps you indoors as well as outdoor.
#3. Weight of the chair
Most of the power wheelchairs for travel and outdoor use are made lighter if compared with the hardcore power wheelchairs. The weight ratio of the wheelchair, i.e the weight of the wheelchair and the carrying capacity of the wheelchair should be check before buying. An ideal chair should be easily moved from a car, bus, ramp, etc.
We have also mentioned the weight and the weight carrying capacity of all the wheelchairs on the list of best travel wheelchair mentioned above.
#4. Sturdiness
If all the above pointers are met as per your need in travel wheelchairs be it the weight, size, and function, then next make sure that the travel wheelchair is sturdy and reliable enough when used outside the home.
Even though some of the travel wheelchairs are not built for day-to-day use, still travel chairs need to be sturdy enough to rely on them for safe mobility while you’re traveling.
#5. Easy to use
Any travel wheelchair should be easy to set up, fold and unfold: it should not take more than 5 seconds to fold and unfold. The controls should be easy to understand especially the joystick. One must test the wheelchair and understand all its functions and features before traveling.
#6. User Friendly Mechanism
Wheelchair for travel or outdoor use should be very user-friendly. Using a wheelchair in your home is totally different than using it outdoor, especially while traveling. It is great to take a short vacation not too far from your home first, before planning a trip where you will need to fly by airplane.
This way you will understand how similar or different it is to use a wheelchair outdoor.
#7. Easy Transport
A collapsible or folding wheelchair that takes very small space once folded is a must, as one might need to store it in the trunk of a car or a small place once it is not in use.
Types Of Travel Wheelchairs
There are several types of wheelchairs for travel, but the most popular travel wheelchair types are:
- Manual Wheelchair
- Electric Wheelchairs
- Power Chairs
- Transport Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs as the name suggests are self-propelled by the user or are pushed by a companion. These are very simple to use as they don’t have must feature like power or electric chair has and are widely uses in hospitals and as a borrowed wheelchair.
A manual wheelchair for travel is not a bad idea but you will need a companion to help you operate most of the time as the surfaces outdoor might not be the flat ones always.
Electric wheelchairs or Power Chairs usually have the same functions, they are very easy to use mainly because of the features they offer. They can be self-controlled by the user most of the time and are very compatible with almost all types of surfaces.
These wheelchairs look very stylish and are sufficient enough to be self-controlled by the wheelchair user. This is a good option if you are planning to travel a little far, where you will need to travel through airports and check into hotels.
But if your trip is a short one then a manual wheelchair is also a good option.
Transport wheelchairs are the most lightweight option when it comes to travel wheelchairs. These are wheelchairs with smaller wheels, compared to the traditional self-controlled manual wheelchair, where they have large wheels in the back.
The smaller wheel design of a transport wheelchair allows for the wheelchair to move fast and on all types of surfaces easily, and the weight of the wheelchair is also reduced because of smaller wheels. These features make transport wheelchairs a great option for traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Width of a Travel Wheelchair?
The width of a Travel Wheelchair ranges between 24 inches-20 inches and around 10 inches when folded.
Q2. What is the Difference between Travel Chair and a Normal Wheelchair
Travel chairs are specially designed with additional features like extra safety, lightweight, easily foldable, advanced set of wheels for comfortable travel on all types of surfaces, whereas a normal wheelchair may not have these additional features as they are mainly used for daily uses.
Q3. How to Better Travel in Electric Wheelchair
Traveling in an electric wheelchair is far easier than traveling in a manual wheelchair as always have to self-control the wheelchair or will need some companion to help them move, whereas with the help of an electric wheelchair one can operate a wheelchair with the help of a simple joystick.
The Bottom Line
We hope that with the help of this Ultimate Review on Travel Wheelchairs and the list of Best Travel Wheelchair, we have helped you understand all you need to know about travel wheelchairs, be it the different types of travel chairs or how to choose the best travel chair, we have covered it all.
