With so many options on the market, deciding which type of mobility device is right for you can be hard. If you’re considering an electric wheelchair, mobility scooter, or power chair, you should keep a few things in mind.
First, an electric scooter or wheelchair is often designed for indoor use only, while power chairs are for indoor and outdoor use.
While a manual wheelchair is certainly smaller and lighter than a powered chair, making them the simplest to maneuver into tight spaces or fold down into a vehicle, they often require better fine motor control and upper body strength than many users may possess.
Electric wheelchairs are sometimes smaller and lighter than power chairs but lack the durability of power chairs which can be driven outside, across lawns, dirt, sidewalks, and more. Finally, power chairs generally have more features and options than electric wheelchairs.
A powered wheelchair offers mobility assistance far and beyond electric scooters; with features such as mid-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, power chairs will provide more freedom to those with mobility limitations.
To learn more about the differences between electric wheelchairs and power chairs and to learn which type of chair is right for you, read on.
Electric wheelchairs and power chairs are mobility devices that allow you to get around your home or office independently, but they are very different in design and function.
The main difference between the two is that an electric wheelchair is designed to be charged and used for shorter periods of time. This means that in order for most mobility scooters to work, they need to be plugged into an outlet often.
Electric wheelchairs are often mass-produced, with limited customization and a standardized weight capacity.
On the other hand, a power chair uses a more powerful, rechargeable battery pack meant for more extended use between charges.
Power chairs often offer more customization to the user to find the features that matter most to them, such as a swivel seat or a variety of sitting and standing positions. They also tend to have better suspension systems than their counterparts and require fewer fine motor skills to operate.
Power wheelchairs are designed for people with mobility challenges who wish to move through the world independently. They are self-propelled, which means that they can be pushed by hand or driven by a motor in the base of the chair itself.
On the other hand, mobility scooters are designed for short-term use indoors and are often bulky, difficult to transfer, heavy, and limited in their range of motion.
These may be used by individuals who have difficulty walking in stores or other public spaces but are able to transfer from a car to a mobility scooter themselves, for example.
Power wheelchairs can be driven at faster speeds than mobility scooters, and they are suitable for many outdoor purposes. They can also be used indoors and are perfectly suited for short trips or all-day use around the house.
A mobility scooter is a type of vehicle that you can ride in to get around for shorter periods of time. It has two large wheels and a seat, as well as handles or a joystick used to maneuver it.
The main difference between these two devices is their usage: while the power wheelchair relies on long-lasting, rechargeable batteries for all-day indoor and outdoor use, the mobility scooter runs on a smaller charge for a few hours of indoor use only.
Where a power scooter can only be used indoors, most power chairs can be used indoors or outdoors and are also able to better navigate tight spaces.
For greater mobility for you or a family member, consider moving forward with a Redman Power Chair!
The Redman Chief 107-ZRx moves intrinsically to mimic your body and offers unique positions – Yoga, Stand & Stretch, Tilt in Space – that no other chair offers. With a long-range battery, intuitive brake system, and reliable back cushions that are tailor-made, the Redman Power Chair is built with comfort and function in mind.
The Redman Power Chair is the only mid-wheel standing chair that elevates, tilts, stands, and reclines using an exclusive counterbalancing system. Travel at 6.5 miles per hour for 15-20 miles with a full charge.
With over 35 years of technological advancements – including multiple proprietary and patented designs – our custom-tailored wheelchair allows for uncompromised mobility and accessibility to interact more fully with the world around you.
We invite you to continue exploring our website to learn more.