This post contains affiliate links.
As people age, wheelchairs often become an involuntary part of life. With this in mind, comfort is a top priority, especially for wheelchair-bound full-time.
The most comfortable wheelchair for most people is the Strongback Mobility Excursion Chair. This wheelchair is lightweight, foldable, and features a reclining back built for comfort.
Today, we’ll look at this wheelchair and a few others that maximize comfort while maintaining stability. These wheelchairs are some of the best on the market, so let’s jump in.
Best Overall: Strongback Mobility Excursion Chair
This wheelchair is the best overall for a few different reasons.
These chairs are built for comfort and freedom of mobility. The frame is extremely lightweight, making it perfect for ease of maneuvering. It has two large wheels at the back and two smaller ones at the front. The back of the chair reclines slightly, allowing for maximum comfort.
The Strongback also folds into a compact square, making it easy to transfer from place to place without issue. This wheelchair easily fits even in smaller vehicles.
Despite its weight, this chair is built strong. The lightweight frame can support up to three hundred pounds (136 kg) – a massive amount, considering how light this frame is.
Bottom Line: I recommend the Strongback Mobility Excursion Chair if your aging parents are in the chair full-time. The lightweight frame and the reclined seat are perfect for extended trips or day-to-day movement.
Pros
- Lightweight: The lightweight frame is one of the best features of this wheelchair. Bulky items aren’t easily moved, and this frame is the opposite.
- Easily Foldable: Another great feature of this chair is that it folds easily and compactly. This makes a huge difference in travel.
- Reclined Back: The reclined back makes a huge difference for the elderly. Sitting up completely straight is often difficult once you reach a certain age. Being able to lean back while maintaining good posture is one of the features that make this chair one of the most comfortable options.
Cons
- Expensive: This chair has a high sticker price.
- Must be Moved With Assistance: Many older people are still relatively mobile and prefer to roll themselves in wheelchairs. This chair doesn’t have an option for rolling without assistance.
- No Hand Brakes: This wheelchair only contains brakes on the rear wheels, which can result in more risk for the rider.
Product Specifications
| BRAND | Strongback Mobility |
| COLOR | Black Interior / Blue Exterior |
| STYLE | Excursion 12 with Attendant Brakes |
| FRAME MATERIAL | Aluminum |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 18 Inches (1.5 ft) |
Best Power Chair: Vive Folding Electric Wheelchair
The Vive electric wheelchair is hands down one of the most comfortable power wheelchairs on the market. This chair is built for easy maneuverability, durability, and long trips.
This wheelchair emphasizes comfort with a wide seat for accommodating all body types and an easily reachable joystick controller. The controller is extremely easy to operate with 360-degree movement. It can also be moved to the left or right side to accommodate all users.
This chair offers movement up to four miles per hour – average for a power chair.
The Vive has padded armrests and a huge cushioned seat that makes it perfect for those who need it throughout the day. It will take hours before your loved one becomes uncomfortable in this chair.
The battery life depends on its use, but it will typically last a full day. This chair can also be pushed manually to conserve battery life.
It supports weights up to 220 pounds (100 kg).
Bottom Line: This chair is incredible for those who have limited mobility but still want the option to maneuver themselves. The comfortable design and long-lasting battery life are perfect for full-time use. The independence offered by this chair can’t be beaten.
Pros
- Comfortable: This chair is the height of comfort with wide padded seats and armrests.
- Joystick Controlled: The 360-degree joystick controller allows for easy movement, no matter which direction your loved one is going.
- Smooth Driving: This chair is built for a smooth drive. Bumps are limited due to the design of the wheels.
Cons
- Heavy: This chair isn’t that light, despite the aluminum frame. This is mostly due to the extra battery packs since it is a power chair.
- Arms Must Be Up to Operate: Even though the individual can operate this chair while resting their arms on the armrest, this can get uncomfortable after a time. The armrests are slightly elevated.
- Can Have Limited Battery Life: Like many power chairs, the battery life on this chair can be limited if the user moves over many slopes or uses the chair for extended time frames.
- Expensive: This chair is pretty expensive, which isn’t too surprising, considering it’s a power chair.
Product Specifications
| BRAND | Vive |
| COLOR | Black & Silver |
| WEIGHT | 89 Pounds (40 kg) |
| STYLE | Heavy Duty Electric |
| FRAME MATERIAL | Aluminum |
Best Multifunctional Chair: Medwarm Aluminum Multifunctional Manual Wheelchair
This chair is built for adjustment. Nearly all of the features on this wheelchair can be changed to provide maximum comfort for you and your aging loved one.
Some of the features that can be changed about this wheelchair include the following:
- The armrests can be lifted or repositioned. This is a helpful feature for those who don’t like the position of the armrests or prefer no armrests.
- The chair has removable rear wheels. This makes for easier transfer.
- The backrest is foldable or removable. This makes it much easier to maneuver your loved one in and out of the chair, particularly if you need two people to move them.
- The wheel height is completely adjustable. You can adjust both rear wheels to a height that works for everyone.
The Medwarm multifunctional chair is one of the best for comfort because it is so easily adjustable. This chair can be used in nearly any situation.
Expect this chair to hold about 240 pounds (109 kg) – a good amount, considering the chair only weighs a total of 37 pounds (17 kg) itself.
Bottom Line: This chair is the best for those who need options. It provides excellent maneuverability and maximum comfort due to its ever-changing features.
Pros
- Breathable Padded Cushions: One of the best features of this chair is how thick the seat is. These seats offer maximum comfort, especially for the elderly, who often can’t sit against harder surfaces.
- Fully Adjustable: This is the number one feature of this chair.
- Stable: This chair also features anti-tipping technology to ensure that your loved one won’t tip over, even when going around tight curves.
Cons
- Challenging to Adjust: While fully adjustable, this chair can be a bit difficult to figure out upfront.
- Difficult to Replace Parts: If anything should break on this wheelchair, you may have some difficulty finding replacing parts.
Product Specifications
| BRAND | Medwarm |
| WEIGHT | 37 Pounds (17 kg) |
| STYLE | Adjustable, Compact |
| FRAME MATERIAL | Aluminum |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 17.7 Inches (1.48 ft) |
Most Affordable – Drive Medical K318DFA-ELR Cruiser
If you’re looking for a comfortable wheelchair that provides the most bang for your buck, this Drive Medical wheelchair has got to be your pick.
This chair is extremely lightweight, compactly foldable, and adjustable as necessary.
The seat on this chair will extend an additional two inches past the initial length. The casters and leg supports are also fully adjustable. While this wheelchair isn’t quite as adjustable as the one from Medwarm, it offers a few different options.
This wheelchair is also significantly stronger and more durable than others discussed today. The frame is made from carbon steel rather than aluminum. This gives it a higher weight capacity of up to 300 pounds (136 kg) and ensures that it will last significantly longer than others.
Bottom Line: This chair gives you many features for an affordable price. This is a huge advantage if your loved one has had a sudden injury and you need a wheelchair quickly.
Pros
- Easily Maneuverable: This chair is easy to navigate and stays stable in most situations.
- Cheap: This makes for an excellent option in a pinch or on a limited budget.
- Steel Frame: The frame allows the chair to support significantly more weight than some other chairs. It’s also more durable.
Cons
- Narrow Seat: The seat on this chair is narrow, so even though it supports more weight than many, the user must also have more narrow hips to fit comfortably.
- Upright Back: The back of this wheelchair is fairly straight, which can get uncomfortable after a time.
- Lack of Breathability: This chair has some issues with breathability. The material can become sticky, especially in the heat.
Product Specifications
| BRAND | Drive Medical |
| COLOR | Black |
| WEIGHT | 8.24 Pounds (3.74 kg) |
| STYLE | Removable Arms / Elevated Leg Rests |
| DIMENSIONS | 42 x 26 x 35 Inches (3.5 x 2.17 x 2.92 ft) |
Factors To Consider
First, you must be certain whether your elderly parent or family member needs a wheelchair because sometimes it can do more harm than good. Check out my guide to decide if your loved one requires a wheelchair. 10 Signs It’s Time for Someone to Be in a Wheelchair
Once you know for certain, as a medical fact, that having a wheelchair will benefit them, you need to start searching for something that’s comfortable to use as they start transitioning to using a wheelchair.
Here are a few important factors you’ll want to consider:
- Durability
- Weight & Compactness
- Size
- Costs
We’ll look at each of these in more detail below.
Durability
Durability is a huge factor when purchasing a new wheelchair. Your loved one will be using the chair consistently for some time, and you want the chair to last.
Many chairs boast about durability, but not many will last long-term. Look for chairs made from strong aluminum, such as the Strongback Mobility chair we discussed, or a chair with a steel frame.
How long the wheelchair lasts depends on how you treat it as well. As an example, if you place more weight in the chair than the limit specifies, it may not fall apart immediately, but it won’t last nearly as long. Instead, you should purchase a chair built for heavier weight up front.
Weight & Compactness
When you are responsible for moving the chair back and forth from vehicles, and inside homes, weight and compactness become major factors in the purchase. No one wants to lift a hundred-pound wheelchair in and out of a vehicle repeatedly.
Many wheelchairs are built to fold compactly. These are nearly always good options. If possible, read the reviews ahead of time. Most of the time, people will have something to say about how easy the chair is to move from place to place.
Size
Larger wheelchairs are better for comfort but are usually more challenging to maneuver. In general, you’ll need to choose between comfort and maneuverability, but a few options offer both.
Usually, these types of chairs are on the more expensive side.
What size wheelchair you get is highly dependent on the individual sitting in it. You’ll want to look for a chair size that comfortably fits your loved one.
In general, wider chairs are more comfortable for long-term use. Usually, these chairs allow the user to spread out. This is especially helpful if the person still maintains some control of their legs.
Cost
Not all wheelchairs are expensive, but quite a few are pricier. You should be prepared for this as you look for the most comfortable wheelchair for your loved one.
Many companies offer a payment plan if you don’t have the money upfront. Even Amazon offers a payment plan for most people.
You should expect to pay at least $400 for a quality wheelchair in most cases. Some exceptions exist, such as with the Drive Medical chair that we discussed earlier. You will often have to do more research to find a high-quality and well-priced chair that fits your loved one’s needs.
Typically, you will get what you pay for. If you purchase a chair that is higher priced, in most cases, it will be higher quality. Of course, this rule always has exceptions, and some chairs will still fall apart. This is where it comes in handy to read the reviews ahead of time.
Key Takeaways
Comfort is a top priority when selecting a wheelchair for your loved ones. There are many comfortable wheelchairs on the market, and most can be found for a reasonable price on Amazon.
The best overall wheelchair for comfort and durability is the Strongback Mobility Chair. This chair supports heavy weights, has a comfortable reclining back, and is easily maneuverable.
There are many other options, as you’ve seen from this post.
When choosing a chair, consider its durability, weight, size, and cost. Check out my top picks now.
Tenuto Properties LLC dba Growing Gray USA is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic.