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Best Lightweight Wheelchairs: Foldable, Travel-Ready, Sturdy

There are different factors to keep in mind when selecting the best lightweight wheelchair for seniors (or anybody who needs one). It might be challenging at first, but by being honest with yourself when looking at the options and acknowledging your needs, you can pick a chair that can help you get where you want to go. We picked out seven great lightweight folding wheelchairs for traveling and meeting your daily mobility needs below.

7 Best Lightweight Wheelchairs for Seniors

Here are some easy use and easy push wheelchairs you might be interested in:

1. Ultra Lightweight LT-980

best lightweight wheelchair

This competitively priced, ultra-lightweight wheelchair weighs only 24 lbs. (footrests excluded). The LT-980 from Karman Healthcare has a light and durable aluminum frame, which one would only expect to find in the more expensive models in its category. This easy push wheelchair is a great option for those seeking a portable unit without all the complicated configuration options, making it a perfect choice for seniors and those who love to go out and travel. The LT-980 comes in an attractive black frame finish and an 18” seat width.

Price: $469

Buy the Ultra Lightweight LT-980 now. 

2. Ultra Lightweight S-Ergo 115

best lightweight wheelchair

The S-Shape seating system of this easy push wheelchair offers many advantages over the standard manual seat. Not only is pressure distributed more evenly across the legs and rear, it also offers a more stable seating surface and prevents forward slippage. This ergonomic seating design was developed specifically for comfort and convenience. It has over 22 patents and launched as a Global Product, making it one of the best lightweight wheelchairs around. The S-Ergo is capable of relieving pressure, reducing sliding, and promoting good posture. It is also crash tested. 

Price: $569

Buy the S-Ergo 115 now.

3. Excel K3

best lightweight wheelchair

The Excel K3 by Medline features an elevating leg rest with a notched, stainless steel ratchet bar to lock the leg rests securely in place. It has a diamond graphite powder-coated frame and an 18" wide seat that supports up to 300 lbs. Other features of this easy push wheelchair include smooth-rolling and solid flat-free tires, a dual axle, Hemi-height adjustability, full-length permanent armrests, and swing-away, detachable footrests. A popular choice for seniors, the Excel K3 has maintenance-free wheels with sealed bearings and durable embossed black nylon upholstery.

Price: $225

Buy the Excel K3 now.

4. Ergonomic S-305Q

best lightweight wheelchair

The Karman S-Ergo 305Q features an S-shaped seating system and has a 250-lb capacity, yet weighs only 29 lbs. With the footrest and wheels removed, the entire lightweight wheelchair weighs only 22 lbs. Available in 16" and 18" widths, it can accommodate different users, seniors included. Apart from all the features mentioned earlier for the S-Ergo 115, the 305 model can also be further customized with the AEGIS antimicrobial coated seating system for added safety. Other notable features of this unit include a tube-in center foot-plate, 24" Quick Release, flat-free wheels, and swing-in/away footrest for safety when entering or exiting the wheelchair. 

Price: $659

Buy the Ergonomic S-305Q wheelchair now. 

5. Tracer SX5 Custom

best lightweight wheelchair

A customizable easy push wheelchair, the Invacare Tracer SX5 offers multiple options for frame color, upholstery, wheels, seat widths and depths, arm styles, seat-to-floor heights, and more. This level of personalization is what makes it a practical choice for seniors and frequent travelers. Weighing only 36 lbs, it's part of our list of the best lightweight wheelchairs because it holds strong for both short-term and long-term use. Other notable features include a dual axle position frame base and a semi-pneumatic caster and chrome handrim, in case you need it to accommodate more weight. The Tracer SX5 is compliant with RESNA standards.

Price: $250

Buy the Tracer SX5 now. 

6. ATX S-Ergo Ultralight

best lightweight wheelchair

The ATX by Karman Healthcare is one of the best wheelchairs for traveling, with a frame that weighs only 14.5 lbs. despite having the rigidity and agility to withstand frequent and even rough use. Featuring compact dimensions in a reliable structure, this model is precisely optimized to meet the highest strength-to-weight ratio. This enables it to accommodate larger and stronger users, without the burden of dealing with extra weight for smaller and lighter users. The ATX has a one-piece foldable plate, an S-shaped frame, adjustable seat height, front fork, footrest, and backrest. 

Price: $1,440.97

Buy the ATX S-Ergo Ultralight now. 

7. Drive Medical Poly-Fly

best lightweight wheelchair

Drive Medical's Poly-Fly rounds out our list of the best lightweight folding wheelchairs for traveling and senior use. This transport chair combo features 8" casters, quick-release 24" wheels, a fold-down backrest, swing-away removable footrests, and desk-length removable armrests. What makes the Poly-Fly extra unique is its portability. By simply pushing the quick-release axles, the full-size 24" wheels are detached to transform the unit into a transport device with 8" wheels. It also comes with anti-tippers. 

Price: $364.95

Buy the Poly-Fly by Drive Medical now. 

Looking for something else? Browse Amica Medical Supply’s vast selection of wheelchair models in stock. 

How To Choose The Best Lightweight Wheelchair For You

Having a quality lightweight wheelchair can improve an individual’s life dramatically. Durability, ease-of-use, and portability are some of the key elements in the wheelchair buying process

Is a lightweight wheelchair right for you? Lightweight wheelchairs have unique advantages that their heavier counterparts do not. Here are some of the factors you should consider when shopping for one. 

Durable Materials

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a lightweight wheelchair is a lack of durability. This kind of wheelchair used to be somewhat fragile and easy to break.

Today, wheelchairs are made out of premium materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and can weigh as little as thirty-three pounds. The low weight makes it easy to move and pick up whenever needed. Innovation has allowed for an array of options in the last few decades when it comes to quality wheelchairs.

Storage and Portability

Many lighter wheelchairs are easy to store because they can usually be folded with ease. Because they weigh much less, they are also more portable and can be quickly loaded and unloaded from vehicles. This is a more important aspect to consider.

Wheelchairs that are easily transported allow users to visit more places without difficulty. A heavy chair might not be able to travel to locations that lighter ones can traverse. Lightweight chairs are truly the definition of easy storage and portability.

Terrain Navigation

It is no secret that using a wheelchair takes a decent amount of upper body strength. Why make the process harder than it needs to be? The best lightweight wheelchair should be able to handle even rough terrain.

Make sure that you opt for a chair that is designed to work well on the kinds of surfaces you’re likely to encounter. Some excel in places like parks, for example, while others are intended to be used mainly indoors.

Finding The Best Lightweight Wheelchair: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Choosing among many options for the best lightweight folding wheelchairs for traveling and senior users can be confusing. These FAQs below will help you make a decision that fits well with your needs. 

Who Is Best Suited for Lightweight Wheelchairs?

Lightweight wheelchairs are best suited for individuals who weigh 250 lbs. or less. They’re a great fit for seniors and people who want to be as active as possible and spend a lot of time outdoors.

It is a good idea to consider your type of lifestyle before choosing the kind of wheelchair to purchase. Lightweight wheelchairs have many advantages, but there are better options if you’re hoping for superior support on rough terrain.

Do your research and find the best easy push wheelchair that suits your needs. Some materials are great for durability but might not be necessary for a chair that will be used gently.

What is a good lightweight wheelchair?

What is good depends on your needs. As mentioned earlier, if you weigh 250 lbs. or less, you will benefit the most from a lightweight unit for easy mobility. However, innovations in the design and materials used to make modern portable wheelchairs have made it possible for even larger users to also use lighter models. Customizations, like removable armrests, reclining backrests, and more, also factor into the decision of what is good for you. 

How much does a good wheelchair cost?

A reliable, sturdy, and even fashionable wheelchair can cost as low as $250, but it can also go as high as $2,000, depending on the brand, materials, design, and other elements. Overall, deciding on the best easy push wheelchair for you should be solely based on the cost. Instead, look at the features included and see where you will obtain the most benefit. 

How do I choose an elderly wheelchair?

To help your elderly family member get the best wheelchair that suits their needs, first talk with their doctor and then find out what types are available in the market. You will also want to look for a model that's Medicare-approved because Medicare can help cover the cost. 

Ideally, wheelchairs for seniors are those that weigh around 24 lbs. or lighter and can support up to 250 lbs. Anti-tipping is a good feature to look for, same with adjustable footrests, backrests, and armrests, and the availability of storage for daily essentials. 

Looking for the best lightweight wheelchairs for yourself or a loved one? Amica Medical Supply has a wide array of design and construction options to meet your every need. Browse through our selection of lightweight wheelchair models to find the perfect fit.

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