What Is the Best Portable Electric Wheelchair?

The best portable electric wheelchairs are folding wheelchairs from Rolstoel. With frames manufactured from high-strength aluminum alloy, the Rolstoel range of smart chairs offers an unbeatable combination of light weight and compact folded dimensions. The company’s lightest electric wheelchair weighs just 33 pounds, has folded dimensions of 28.5 x 28 x13.5 inches and a weight capacity of 242 pounds.

Coming in a close second is the EZ Lite Cruiser folding wheelchair. Although EZ Lite Cruiser electric wheelchairs have a heavier alloy frame, they have a wide range of options and useful accessories. Pride Mobility Go Chair takes a different approach with easy, one-touch disassembly into four easy-to-transport components.

Why Rolstoel Is Our Top Pick for the Best Portable Electric Wheelchair

Rolstoel has taken the concept of portability to its ultimate height with a range of extremely light folding electric wheelchairs. The lightest models, Travel Power Wheelchair and Featherweight Wheelchair, use a tubular frame made from aluminum and compact hub drive motors. They have a range of up to 15 miles and a good gradient ability of 8.5 degrees.

The slightly larger AirWheel and Move Light models have increased seat and back support and a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds. They feature a powered one-touch horizontal folding mechanism, weigh only 50 and 65 pounds, respectively, and have similar folded dimensions of 30.7 x 24.4 x 15.7 inches.

For more information about these wheelchairs, read our full product review of Rolstoel electric wheelchairs.

Other Portable Electric Wheelchairs To Consider

Practical alternatives to Rolstoel include folding wheelchairs from EZ Lite Cruiser and wheelchairs you can disassemble from Pride Mobility.

EZ Lite Cruiser Portable Electric Power Chairs Are Best for Optional Features

EZ Lite Cruiser portable wheelchairs have a strong alloy frame and a simple folding mechanism. A wide variety of optional equipment is available, and some models have an adjustable backrest for increased comfort. An optional extra on larger models is a quick-release mechanism that allows you to remove the drive motors and reduce the wheelchair weight by 12 pounds. Weight capacities go from 220 pounds for Standard models to 330 pounds for Deluxe Wide models.

For more information about these wheelchairs, read our full product review of EZ Lite Cruiser electric wheelchairs.

Pride Mobility Portable Electric Power Chairs Are Best for Ease of Disassembly

Pride Mobility’s Go Chair power wheelchair doesn’t fold but is easily disassembled for transport. Go Chair uses an ingenious feather-touch disassembly mechanism that splits the wheelchair into four compact components. These take up less space than equivalent folding electric wheelchairs, and the heaviest part weighs only 36 pounds. Pride Mobility also offers the folding Jazzy Passport electric wheelchair, which is similar in concept to Rolstoel and EZ Lite Cruiser folding electric wheelchairs.

For more information about this product, read our full product review of Pride Mobility electric wheelchairs.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Portable Electric Wheelchairs

A primary advantage of a portable wheelchair is you can take it with you when you travel or go shopping. Take into account the wheelchair weight and size when collapsed and how you plan to stow it. Consider the effort needed to open or reassemble the device. Make certain the seat size, weight capacity and stability are adequate in terms of its intended use. Check the availability of accessories, such as cup holders, baskets, portable chargers and extra batteries.