Wheelchair Price
Manual and Power Wheelchair Price
When shopping for a wheelchair, price is a major factor that influences a purchase. Naturally one would like to have a full-featured wheelchair while still staying within budget.
The first thing you will have to decide upon is whether you would like a manual or electric power wheelchair. Each type comes with it’s own set of features and prices.
In this article we are going to explore both types of wheelchairs as well as each ones corresponding wheelchair price.
Possibly the first and most important feature of both manual and electric wheelchairs is the cushioning and support offered in the seat as well as the back rest. Once this vital choice has been made, you must move on to more specific features that will also affect the wheelchair price.
Manual Wheelchair Price and Common Features
The manual type of wheelchair has been in existence for over 50 years now. They normally come with a steel-folding frame and have several seat widths and depths. The seats will be covered with vinyl and are usually stocked in only a few basic colors. If you would like to have a wheelchair in a different color, you will more than likely have to special order a wheelchair, which will increase the wheelchair price.
Standard armrests on manual wheelchairs are available in either full length or desk lengths and can be fixed or removable. The footrests can also be either fixed or removable.If you will need elevated leg rests, you can expect the wheelchair price and also the weight of the wheelchair to increase substantially.
Wheels and casters are a standard 24-inch and 8-inch respectively and can be made from solid materials or air depending on the company you are working with. The plastic rims are lighter and less expensive than the older spoked rims that used to be found on all manual wheelchairs.
Manual wheelchair price: $200 to $500.
Electric Power Wheelchair Price and Common Features
Electric power wheelchairs are more modern and feature lightweight frames, which are easy to maneuver and get around in. They can oftentimes turn in a tight circle and come complete with suspension, which is great for disabled individuals with lower back injuries and outdoor use.
Front wheel, mid-wheel and rear-wheel drive are available as a feature of the power chairs and users hands, fingers or thumbs control these kinds of wheelchairs. You can also get one with a joystick or a sip-and-puff control unit if needed.
The outer sitting surface can be upholstered in a variety of materials and colors, unlike manual wheelchairs. Drive wheels are can be pneumatic or solid and range in size from 10 feet to 14 feet.
Power wheelchair casters are more often made from solid materials, although special orders can be placed for a substandard type of caster. Footboards and footrests can be found on this type of wheelchair as well.
Electric power wheelchairs are better for stability and outdoor use and are easier to control for severely disabled individuals.
Electric power wheelchair price: $1000 to $4000.