Skip to content 
What is the difference between a wheelchair and a transport wheelchair?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions by people looking for mobility aids.
The two mobility chairs look similar from a glance, but a closer look reveals big differences that make one chair ideal for one situation and not another.
Read on to learn more about these differences to choose the right option for your new wheelchair.
Table of Contents
Which is Better: Standard Wheelchair or Transport Wheelchair?
If you have limited mobility, choosing the right mobility device can make all the difference.
Both standard manual wheelchairs and transport chairs are designed for convenience and mobility. So, how do you choose between the two wheelchair options?
Understanding the key differences between the wheelchair and transport chair should help in the decision to choose one over the other. But first, you should ask yourself some questions.
Is the situation permanent or temporary?
One of the biggest differences between a transport chair and a standard wheelchair is that wheelchairs are designed so that the user can propel him or herself without needing any assistance.
Transport chairs feature smaller wheels which means that a caregiver or another person has to push them. What difference does this make?
If your situation is permanent whereby you are probably paralyzed, then a wheelchair makes more sense since it is designed for comfort and to be sat on for longer periods of time.
Transport chairs are built for transport and aren’t needed for longer periods and therefore ideal for people whose situations are more temporary and only need to get around for short periods.
How often do you have to use the chair?
If you have a lot of doctor appointments to go to, then a transport chair would be the better option.
On the other hand, if you are always at home, a wheelchair offers that level of independence that you require.
Standard Wheelchair Vs Transport Wheelchair
Wheelchairs and transport chairs are widely used by people who have mobility issues which makes choosing one over the other quite challenging.
This begs the question: what is the difference between a transport wheelchair and a regular wheelchair?
To determine which mobility device would best suit your needs, we need to examine what distinguishes them.
1. Functionality
When it comes to the difference between a wheelchair and a transport wheelchair, it’s all about functionality.
As the name implies, a transport wheelchair is made for transport needs. These mobility devices are designed to be pushed from behind by a second person.
A standard wheelchair, on the other hand, is designed to be self-propelled by the user without needing a second person to push.
2. Weight
Weight is another huge difference between the two.
Standard wheelchairs often weigh between 32 to 38 pounds while transport wheelchairs will be 10 pounds lighter than that.
The weight difference makes it easy for transport chairs to be pushed from behind by another person.
Besides being light, transport wheelchairs are also foldable, making them easy to travel with. Some models are even narrow, allowing easy maneuvering through tight spaces and narrow doors.
Check: Best Foldable Wheelchair for Travel
3. Wheels
One of the most noticeable differences between the traditional wheelchair and transport chair is the size of the wheels.
A standard manual wheelchair comes with four wheels; two large rear wheels and two smaller front ones. The rear wheels are fitted with rotating handrails so that you can better propel yourself.
A transport wheelchair has four small wheels, and the rear ones don’t swivel, as is the case with a standard wheelchair.
Unlike the rear wheels of a traditional wheelchair, the rear wheels on a transport wheelchair are not easy to reach when the user is sitting in the chair.
Being able to reach the rear larger wheels on a standard wheelchair is crucial for propelling one forward.
4. Accessories
Since transport chairs are designed for people with mobility issues to travel in when on trains or buses, they come with a wide array of accessories.
For instance, they feature things like cup holders, cushions, bags, trays, and even oxygen attachments. Standard wheelchairs, on the other hand, don’t come equipped with such accessories.
5. Braking System
Both the standard wheelchair and transport chair are designed for mobility and to give the wheelchair user as much independence as possible. This is really apparent in the braking system.
For standard wheelchairs, a push-lock mechanism allows the chair to lock in place so that the person can safely enter and exit the chair when necessary.
Transport chairs, on the other hand, have brakes located on the handles at the back of the chair.
The person pushing the chair can easily apply the brakes when needed and maneuver steep slopes and uneven terrain.
6. Comfort
Standard wheelchairs are designed for long-term use. As such, these mobility devices will have backrests, footrests, armrests, and much more comfortable seats.
Transport chairs on the other hand are designed for travel rather than comfort.
They don’t offer as many seat width options. The sitting area features basic fabric for the seat and the backrest.
They are, therefore, not ideal for an individual who has sitting needs.
Rather, they have a compact size and design and are light in weight so that they can fold easily into the trunk of the car which makes them the lesser bulkier option.
Difference Between a Wheelchair and a Transport Wheelchair FAQs
What to consider when choosing between the two?
When you are choosing between the two chairs, it all comes down to the functionality. If you have limited mobility, a wheelchair makes more sense since it allows you to maneuver around with ease. If you need a chair to move from one area to another, the lightweight nature of transport chairs will come in handy.
What type of wheelchair is easiest to use?
It depends on the situation and how you are using the chair. A wheelchair is easy to use for instance because it is designed for comfort and self-propelling. A transport chair is also easy to use since it is light in weight but needs someone to push from behind.
Conclusion
So, that covers the question of what the difference between a wheelchair and a transport wheelchair is in detail.
Both chairs offer the much-needed mobility and convenience that people with limited mobility need. Whether to choose a wheelchair or a transport chair depends on why you need the chair in the first place.
References
- Cowan, Rachel E., Mark S. Nash, Jennifer L. Collinger, Alicia M. Koontz, and Michael L. Boninger. 2009. “Impact of Surface Type, Wheelchair Weight, and Axle Position on Wheelchair Propulsion by Novice Older Adults.” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 90 (7): 1076–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2008.10.034.
- “Ten Things You Need to Know When Buying a Transport Wheelchair.” Wheelchair & Mobile Scooter Info | 1800wheelchair.com |, 12 Jan. 2016, https://1800wheelchair.com/news/ten-things-transport-wheelchair. Accessed 13 May 2021.
Do you have other ideas about the difference between a standard wheelchair and a transport chair? Share with us below!
