10 Best Foldable Power Wheelchair (2024 Review)

Traditional wheelchairs require significant upper body strength to propel yourself or a caregiver to push you around. That limits your mobility and makes it hard to travel outdoors in a wheelchair.

Moreover, if you can’t move your arms much, manual wheelchairs become hard to use. Not to mention that unfoldable wheelchairs are too heavy for transportation.

Here’s where you might start to consider trying Foldable Power Wheelchairs that fold so that you can travel in your wheelchair wherever and whenever you want.

Nowadays, power chairs come with a wide variety of features and assortments to suit everybody’s needs, improve quality of life, and make it easy to reach your destination fast.

However, this variety of features might overwhelm you when it comes to choosing the right motorized wheelchair.

That’s why we will give you an insight into some of the best foldable power wheelchairs, according to customer reviews, experts’ opinions, sales data, and users’ experience.

Best Foldable Power Wheelchair Top Picks at a Glance

Pride Jazzy Passport Power Chair – Lightweight
Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair – Affordable
EWheels Folding Power Electric Wheelchair – Great battery life
Porto Mobility Ranger D09 Lightweight Foldable – Sturdy
Sentire Med Forza FCX Deluxe Power Wheelchair – Long-lasting lithium batteries

READ MORE: Best Wheelchair for Amputees

Benefits of Power Wheelchairs

Let’s discuss the pros of power wheelchairs over manual ones. Foldable Power Wheelchair Benefits Electric wheelchairs, also called power chairs, have improved vastly in recent years thanks to advances in science and technology.

But why should you choose an electric foldable wheelchair over a manual one?

A power wheelchair is a mobility device with a joystick that helps users to get around. As such, you don’t have to rely on body strength to push the wheels or have someone with you all the time to do it for you.

Power wheelchairs give you greater independence and make it easy for you to reach a destination without tiring your arms.

What is more, a power wheelchair is great for navigating through tight spaces and ascending/descending hills, rocky terrains, or inclines. It also performs better on rough surfaces at home.

But one of the biggest advantages of folding power chairs is speed. No matter how fit you’re, it’s going to take you forever to travel 10-15 miles in a manual wheelchair.

Depending on the model, power chairs can travel up 4-8 miles per hour, which will shorten the time you need to reach any destination.

If you travel and like to see the world, explore new areas, and have adventures, foldable power wheelchairs will be your favorite companions on your trips.

Motorized chairs are better than mobility scooters, rollators, or other walking aids because they can be used indoors and outdoors.

Travel wheelchairs and transport chairs tend to be less expensive and lighter than full-size electric wheelchairs. But they don’t have the same features and might require a caregiver to move you around.

Foldable Power Wheelchair manufacturers also give users many customization options and come with extras, such as storage space, cup holders, etc.

Moreover, Medicare covers electric wheelchairs, but you’ll have to check with your doctors and the manufacturer to ensure the wheelchair is eligible.

How to Choose the Best Foldable Power Wheelchairs Today

There are so many electric wheelchair options and brands that you may wonder what features to look for when shopping for a wheelchair.

We are aware that different users demand different accessories/features for the best lightweight foldable power wheelchair.

That’s why we’ll discuss the most common specifications to consider and how to choose the best lightweight folding wheelchairs.

Weight Capacity and Comfort

Power wheelchairs come in different sizes and weight capacities. This might not seem like an important feature at first, but you should pay attention to it.

Overweight or obese adults should look for a chair that can handle their weight and provide enough support. Otherwise, you might end up with a wheelchair that cracks in a couple of months.

Comfort is also essential when you spend the better part of your day in a wheelchair.

The right seat width and seat cushion foam ensure plenty of space for comfort and prevent stiffness and tenseness.

Battery Life

When we’re talking about power wheelchairs, the most important features are the battery and motor power.

If you are using your wheelchair when traveling, it is pretty clear that you need a chair with strong and long-lasting batteries. Otherwise, you’ll have to recharge it every couple of hours.

Even if you’re using your wheelchair around the house, you don’t want it to let you down when you need it the most. The longer the battery life, the better the driving range.

Most power chairs last an average of 10 miles and need to be recharged every eight hours, but some brands can go as far as 20 miles.

Keep in mind that you might have to remove the batteries to fold the chair. Some battery packs aren’t the lightest, so check the battery weight before purchasing and how to maintain them.

Speed

Most power wheelchairs can travel at around 3.6 miles per hour, but some can go as fast as eight miles per hour.

The amount of speed you need depends on the wheelchair’s purpose. If you’re often traveling and need to reach your destination quickly, choose a faster electric wheelchair.

Traction and Brakes

Using power wheelchairs outdoors means you will encounter a wide range of terrains, some uneven, others rocky or slippery. Inside the house, you also have different surfaces.

What you need is a power wheelchair with front-wheel drive, large wheels, and reliable brakes to provide enough traction.

Moreover, larger wheels ensure a smoother ride and make the whole experience more pleasant on outdoor terrains.

Portability

Folding electric wheelchairs are portable by definition. However, some power chairs weigh more than others or don’t fold into a very compact shape.

Always consider the folded dimensions if you’re thinking about flying with your portable wheelchair or have to store it in tight spaces.

Easy to Use

Motorized wheelchairs have programmable controllers which allow you to drive and maneuver with them. But this feature has little meaning if the joystick is hard to use or takes you forever to figure it out.

Accessories

For the ones who appreciate comfort, power wheelchair accessories can mean a lot.

Depending on the model, powered wheelchairs might come with padded armrests, storage pouches, or wheelchair covers/bags. For some, footrests are the number one accessory because the best footrests ensure the rider’s comfort no matter how many hours you spend sitting.

Other accessories include cup holders, strong armrests, lift-up handles, thicker cushions, travel pouches, etc.

Just make sure to double-check which accessories are included, as sometimes you have to order separately.

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Don’t have time? Here is a quick comparison of our favorites!

10 Best Foldable Power Wheelchairs with Reviews

Motorized wheelchairs give you greater independence and speed, but they aren’t the most affordable chairs.

As such, it’s important to think everything through and ensure that you’re getting a type of wheelchair that suits your specific needs.

Think about what you expect from your wheelchair and where you’ll use it. Read the description carefully and consider the measurements before purchasing.

Now, let’s see the very best power wheelchairs that will get you anywhere you want in a breeze.

1. TOP CHOICE: Pride Jazzy Passport Power Chair

If you are looking for airline-approved foldable power wheelchair, look no further than Pride Mobility’s foldable power chairs.

The Jazzy Power Chair is easy to transport because it folds in seconds in a few steps. When folded, it isn’t bigger than a small suitcase, and you can fit it in your vehicle, trunk, or closet with no problems.

Physical Attributes

Caregivers appreciate that they can roll the Jazzy Power Chair when folded. You can carry it to airports, hospitals, and hotels without worrying about how it will fit through doorways.

Moreover, the lithium-ion battery is removable, which makes this model great for people in wheelchairs who love to travel.

This model offers a turning radius of 24.5 inches, making it great for getting by in crowded places or maneuvering around obstacles.

You’ve got a dual braking system so you can go up slopes, inclines, or ramps without fearing for your safety.

The foam seat cushion ensures your comfort, while the large footrests give your feet plenty of space for convenience.

Also, the Pride Jazzy Power Chair has numerous storage options for your belongings, such as a backseat pocket and an under-seat mesh bag.

You also get a mesh cup holder to keep your drinks close and prevent slipping while on the go. The lap seat belt adds another layer of security, so you don’t have to worry about falling.

If you fly often, you can also get a Jazzy model with a lithium-ion battery safe for flights.

TRY CHECKING: Grit Freedom Chair Cost

Measurements and Size Options

At quite an affordable price, this model truly has everything a person needs! But you have to remove the battery before you fold the chair, and the battery weighs 7 pounds, so it’s a lighter task.

We also like Pride Mobility’s Jazzy Passport, which has a lightweight but durable aluminum frame and weighs only 54 pounds without the battery. It also has an astonishing weight capacity of 250 pounds!

Pride Jazzy Power Chair measures about 31” x 16” x 23.5” when folded, while its overall measurement is 40″ x 23.5″.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Pride Jazzy Passport Power Chair

Benefits	Drawbacks
Lightweight	Battery can’t last as long as some other models
3.6 mph speed	Moderate weight capacity
Numerous storage pockets
Safe to travel battery
TSA and FAA Approved
Minimal Assembly Required

How it Compares to Others

The maximum speed is 3.6 mph, and you can travel up to 9.6 miles per battery charge. It’s not as much as other models, but the 12-inch rear tires give you plenty of traction on different surfaces.

Expert Tips

We also like that this power chair meets TSA and FAA requirements for personal mobility devices for traveling.

Still, the manufacturer recommends that you check with your airport to ensure you meet the travel requirements.

READ MORE: Evolt Power Wheelchair

2. BUDGET CHOICE: Cirrus Plus Power Wheelchair

Drive Medical is one of the leading companies on the market, offering a wide variety of products for adults, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Unsurprisingly, their Cirrus Plus EC folding chair makes the list of the best foldable power wheelchairs. This wheelchair has some fantastic features that make it stand out in a crowd.