Best Folding Wheelchair Reviews 2019

Getting yourself a new wheelchair can often be a tough task that requires doing some homework, which is not necessarily an activity that us humans look forward to that much. Here at TopProducts, though, we’ve scoured the Internet to find 5 of the best wheelchairs that money can buy! Read on and find out what we came up with!

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Size

Seat

Capacity

Footrest

Wheels

Our Top Choice

Invacare Veranda Manual Wheelchair

Producing all kinds of medical supporting equipment, the Invacare folk are global leaders with markets in over 80 countries around the world!

Simple, upholstered model. Convenient back pocket.

Footrests can get in the way every now and then.

27 x 30 x 37 Inches, 40 lbs

Nylon

250 lbs

Swingaway, Elevating

Soft Grip Tires

Best Value

MedMobile Folding Wheelchair & Footrests

As a well-known manufacturer of wheelchairs, the MedMobile company delivers a range of mobility equipment to users around the world.

Comes with a pair of detachable desk armrests. Detachable AND 'swingable' footrests for versatility.

Unpleasant odor when initially unwrapped.

36 x 27 x 30 Inches, 49 lbs

Nylon

250 lbs

Swingaway, Elevating

Soft Grip Tires

NOVA Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair

Other than bettering the world and loving their customers intensely, the NOVA company gang also manages to find time to make some top tier folding wheelchairs!

Fetching red color finish. Pair of flip up desk arms for easier maneuvering. Locking hand brakes for safety.

A bit bulky for some users.

16 x 27 x 36 Inches, 37 lbs

Padded Upholstery

400 lbs

Fixed Footrests

Sturdy Wheels

Medline Transport Wheelchair with Brakes

Founded in 1910, the Medline company has made quite a reputation for itself thanks to its innovative designing approach and dedication to helping people.

Powder-coated aluminum frame. Foldable back that can come in handy at times.

Fixed arms mean sitting at a table can be difficult.

27.8 x 11 x 31.2 Inches, 34 lbs

Nylon

300 lbs

Detachable Footrests

Large Rear Wheels

Drive Medical Foldable Steel Wheelchair

Having produced loads of high-end medical equipment, the Drive Medical company has been a potent force in the market for more than 15 years.

Tough steel frame. Upholstered handles. Seat belt for safety.

Armrest size issues.

35 x 22 x 36 Inches, 26 lbs

Nylon

250 lbs

Swingaway Footrests

Smooth Wheels

(Updated June 23, 2017)

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Watch Our Folding Wheelchair Review

How Do I Choose the Best Folding Wheelchair?

Nowadays, wheelchairs can be seen built in all shapes and sizes, some even boasting such high-class niceties as cup holders, carbon frames they usually use for super cars such as Pagani Zonda, and also maybe an odd sat-nav or two. One of the simplest yet most useful properties a wheelchair can have, however, is to be foldable, because portability and space-saving features are top priorities for a contraption built to navigate between both furniture and traffic.

In this buying guide, we'll explore the factors that contribute to making these wheelchairs as awesome as they can be. First off, the type of frame used for them is surely going to be an important aspect, because a well-made frame can save you a ton of space not only when it's folded, but also when its 'unleashed'! For example, detachable or otherwise 'swingable' footrest may help you usher yourself into some tough-to-reach areas, as the additional tubing and plastic parts won't be in the way. Secondly, the material of the frame dictates how much the entire thing is going to weigh, how well it will perform under pressure and how long it’s going to last. Typically, most manufacturers opt for a simple yet durable solution of aluminum, well-known for its rust-free features and low price tag, which enable you to operate it under a myriad of nasty, unfriendly conditions.

On the other hand, there are the steel-framed models. As we all know, compared to aluminum, steel fares pretty badly in the weight department, so if speed and mobility are your number one concern when it comes to wheelchairs, you'd probably be better off with one of the aluminum models. Another important aspect to look out for is the quality of the upholstery, as a poorly-done one can result in back pain. Good upholstery should be comfortable, but not too soft. Also, it would be desirable for the material to be durable and tough, lest you be forced to change it frequently.

If you would like to explore all your options when it comes to choosing a wheelchair, you may want to check out our other reviews for the top 5 mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs or a standard 2-wheel walker! Whatever your preference, we're confident you'll find the right mobility product for you!

Price

While folding wheelchairs aren't necessarily the least expensive contraptions out there, you can find some pretty reasonably-priced ones which are also equipped with some decent additional features. Generally speaking though, in the market for wheelchairs, less weight means more money, so if the model that piques your interest is a particularly lightweight one, chances are you're going to be paying a pretty penny for it.

Also, folding wheelchairs are going to be somewhat more expensive than the non-folding ones, due to their coveted space-saving qualities. Additional features and convenient design solutions such as the cup holders and swing-away leg rests can add a couple of dollars to the overall price, but nothing too horrible. In conclusion, branding, as always, plays a certain role in the amount of money you pay for a product, but it should also be pointed out that better manufacturer means higher quality product, so it all falls into place at the end of the day.

Features

Since folding wheelchairs can be found in a variety of designs and shapes nowadays, understanding the various features they come with can be a bit of a challenge.

The list of features to look out for when you're buying yourself a folding wheelchair:

The Frame Material
Coating for the Frame
Upholstery
How Easy It is to Fold
Weight Capacity
Whether the Armrests are Detachable or not
Type of Tires
Swing-Away Footrests
Locking Handbrakes
Whether the Back is Foldable
Warranty

Some coating on the frame can be of great benefit to the longevity of your wheelchair, especially if the frame is made of steel or another rust-prone material!

Construction and Design

When the construction of folding wheelchairs is in question, it's safe to say that it's been pretty consistently the same ever since they were first made. Even the folding models feature big back wheels for stability and the metal wheels for propelling yourself forward, and then a smaller set of sometimes doubled-up wheels for steering it. One of the rarer things you can see is a collapsible back rest, which can sometimes be a great asset to have, especially if you have trouble stuffing the folded wheelchair into your car.

On the upholstery front, there's not that much room for variation either, as the rather straightforward design allows only the sitting, back rest and armrest areas to be modified. That being said, the quality of upholstery from one model to another can vary quite substantially, so do take that into consideration before you make a purchase!

Performance and Ease of Use

If you've already become a proud owner of one of these wheeling contraptions, or you're about to become one, it's safe to say the maintenance necessary for a folding wheelchair to function properly is almost non-existent! All you need to do, in the long run, is to polish the upholstery well and keep it clean and disinfected and you're good to go. Also, make sure to put some oil on the wheel hub and bearings every now and then. If you're planning to organize some medieval-style scythed chariot battles, we'd like to declare that our TopProducts team does NOT take any responsibility for your actions! (send us the tape of it, though)

What is the Best Folding Wheelchair?

A proper folding wheelchair should possess all the characteristics of the non-folding model, plus the ability to be folded flats to save space! Hopefully, our guide has given you an idea what features are key for you. Check out what we dug out in our top 5 best folding wheelchair reviews!

Our Top Choice

Featuring a well-known wheelchair design that's been improved by some strategically-placed upholstering, this Veranda Manual Wheelchair is one tough piece of supporting equipment! For a couple of bucks more, you can also get yourself the Invacare Tracer EX2 Wheelchair!

Invacare Veranda Manual Wheelchair with Padded Nylon Upholstery & Comfy Padded Arms

Invacare Folding Wheelchair- 27 x 30 x 37 Inches

Features

Having started out way back in 1885, the Invacare company has come a long way to become one of the most prominent providers of equipment designed for people with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities. Ever since their inception, their mission has been to enable people in need to live their lives to the fullest with the help of their carefully designed apparatus. Nowadays, the Invacare business, located in Elyria, Ohio, is one of the world leaders in the production of all kinds of home and long-care equipment, successfully selling their products in over 80 countries. The home-bound devices and equipment enable their customers to have an active and well-supported lifestyle, and to easily move around their houses and community!

The long-term products they're currently producing allow people with more serious health problems to be properly cared for, including dialysis chairs, patient-care, transport equipment and many more! With the company motto of 'Yes, you can,' the Invacare folks make sure to do everything in their power to embolden and help their customers in need.

For this list, we've decided to go with the Invacare Veranda Manual Wheelchair- a rather standard-looking piece of wheeling equipment possessing some quite impressive features! It comes with a stylish silver frame and padded nylon upholstery, so your experience sitting and moving around in it can be comfortable and accomplished.

The list of features for the Invacare Veranda Manual Wheelchair:

Stylish Silver Frame
Padded Nylon Upholstery
Comfortable Padded Arms
Carry Pocket
Easy to Fold
Free Shipping
Fixed Axle Type
Weight Capacity of 250 lbs
One Year Limited Warranty on Frame

All in all, an interesting piece of wheelchair design coming from the Invacare gang! It comes with some rather attractive upholstery that is sure to improve your experience.

Need a tough foldable wheelchair? The Invacare folk have some of the best models on the market! See them here!

Best Value

Featuring a pair of footrests that you can get out of your way if you don't need them, as well as a pair of armrests you can just remove, this MedMobile model is a versatile wheelchair that will survive even the worst of your fine tunings! If you need a model suitable for children, get the Checkered Aluminum Folding version instead!

MedMobile Self Transport Folding Wheelchair with Footrests with Large Rolling Rear Wheels

MedMobile Folding Wheelchair PT8112

Features

A wheelchair doesn't really need that much to function properly and support you so you can go about your daily duties effortlessly and comfortably. The well-known designs most manufacturers go with typically feature two bigger wheels and then two smaller ones.

Possibly one of the best design developments in recent years is the invention of the folding wheelchair. These bits of kit marry the strength of a wheeled chair with the convenience of being able to put it in the trunk. Many models nowadays also come with some pretty nifty additions such as back pockets and specialized cushioning for extra comfort!

The Self Transport Folding Wheelchair with Footrests coming by the MedMobile company is a perfect example of a now already standardized folding wheelchair. It features a pretty simple design with black nylon upholstered seat, a detachable desk armrest, as well as some soft-grip tires (on the back wheels) for good measure! All in all, an interesting model to consider!

The list of features for the MedMobile's Self Transport Folding Wheelchair with Footrests:

Elevating Swingaway Footrests
Detachable Armrests
Soft Grip Tires on the Back Wheels
Nylon Upholster Seat
250 lbs Weight Capacity
Lifetime Frame Warranty
1 Year Warranty on all other Parts

Sporting a tough standardized look complete with some black nylon upholstery, this MedMobile wheelchair can be an excellent solution for a person in need of a simple and reliable model. Considering the fact it has detachable armrests and 'swingable' footrest, you can organize this mean machine in any way you desire! (Well at least in four ways, that is)

Need a reliable folding wheelchair? Take a look at some of the MedMobile's models, and make your choice!

Coming from a well-known manufacturer of various medical goods, the NOVA company's Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair is a durable model with plenty of useful additions! If you're working on a smaller budget, you can get yourself NOVA's Lightweight Transport Chair instead.

NOVA Medical Products Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair with Flip-Up Desk Arms & Hand Brakes

NOVA Medical Products Folding Wheelchair 332 R

Features

Espousing qualities of service, quality, and integrity, NOVA makes products of high quality, practical functionality and great looks so their customers can lead normal and fulfilling lives. These boys and girls hope to change the world by bringing people mobility and through it the independence.

The NOVA Wheelchair we're featuring on this list goes under the description of 'Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair, Red', and possesses the appearance of an exotic kind of spider you might encounter in Australia. It comes with flip up desk arms and locking hand brakes.

The list of features for the NOVA Medical Products Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair:

Light for a Heavy Duty Model
Flip up Desk Arms
Locking Hand Brakes
12 Inch Rear Wheels
Great for Bumpy Terrain
400 lbs Weight Capacity
Padded for Extra Comfort

As a brainchild of one of the biggest manufacturers of folding wheelchairs around, the NOVA Medical Products Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair is a beautifully-made piece of supporting 'chairness' on wheels that can house a person of up to 400 pounds.

Not what you would have chosen? The NOVA folks have got some of the best models on the market! See them here!

Coming from a well-known company specializing in the production of all kinds of medical equipment, the Medline Transport Wheelchair with Brakes is a reliable product with some interesting features! For roughly double the price, you can also get yourself the Medline Ultralight Transport Chair!

Medline Transport Wheelchair with Brakes – Red with Powder-Coated Aluminum Frame & Seat Belt

Medline Folding Wheelchair MDS808210ARE

Features

With over 1,200 direct sales representatives operating under their command, the Medline company has been one of the market leaders in all matters related to health, products and education of both their crew members and customers alike! Their company motto could be perfectly summarized in the sentence that you can find on their website, stating that their efforts are oriented towards 'Serving the continuum of care from healthcare system to end user! '

Their history starts in 1910, when a man called A. L. Mills decided to establish a garment factory based in Chicago. Soon after its inception, some nurses asked the Medline squad if they would like to make some nurse and doctor uniforms for them, so they could concentrate on caring for the patients.

Long story short, the Medline gang played its cards right throughout the years, and nowadays they've got their businesses spread in many countries as a result! If you'd like to find out more about their values, plans for the future and their approach to social responsibility, you can visit their webpage where everything is neatly organized.

The Medline Transport Wheelchair with Brakes has a powder-coated, lightweight aluminum frame, ensuring its durability and reliability. You can fold its back for easier transport, and there's also a convenient seatbelt in case your rides get a bit wilder than expected. The nylon upholstery is also inbuilt for comfort! It's a well-rounded wheelchair model, all things considered.

The list of features for the Medline Wheelchair with Brakes (in Red- the entire thing, not just the brakes):

Large Rear Wheels
Powder-Coated Aluminum Frame
Foldable Back
Nylon Upholstery for Comfort
Permanent Armrest
Detachable Footrests
Loop-Lock Handbrakes

All in all, a sturdy wheelchair model with a tough yet lightweight aluminium frame coming from the well-known Medline company. Thanks to the large back wheels, you can rely on its stability and its overall ability to be maneuvered around! The permanent armrests and the foldable back are only the icing on the cake!

Not what you would have wanted? Don't worry, the Medline company has many more products to offer! See them here!

Possessing a rather standardized appearance with a sturdy steel frame and some supporting upholstery, the Drive Medical's Transport Wheelchair can be a perfect solution for a person working on a smaller budget! For a couple of bucks more, you can get yourself the Drive Medical Fly Lite Wheelchair as well.

Drive Medical Lightweight Steel Transport Wheelchair with Superior Maneuverability & Foldable Back

Drive Medical Folding Wheelchair TR39E-SV

Features

In January of 2000, a company called Medical Depot, Inc was founded with the goal of providing customers with cutting-edge medical equipment they could rely on and use for years on end. Soon after its inception, though, its founders had a slight change of heart and decided to rename the business to Drive- reflecting its massive potential to encourage and embolden customers! Also, this word represents the innovative tendencies of their development team, and judging by their efforts so far, it's safe to say that they've not been at all lazy.

This Drive Medical Transport Wheelchair features a tough construction with fixed arms, a silver vein frame and some padded armrests to make it all a bit more comfortable. If you're worried about its safety, don't be, because this model comes with a seatbelt of its own, so no matter how 'fast and furious' you tend to go with your wheelchair rides, there's still a fair chance you'll come out in one piece at the end of the day!

The Drive Medical Transport Wheelchair- a list of the most important features:

Silver Vein Finish
Foldable Back
Seat Belt for Added Safety
Swing-Away Footrests
Upholstery Handles
Standard Rear Wheel Rocks
Almost Maintenance-Free

The Drive Medical's Transport Wheelchair is a solid four-wheeler coming at quite an agreeable price. With one of these onboard, you get the attractive silver vein finish, a foldable back for easier storage, as well as a seatbelt to stop you from falling out. Possibly the best money-to-quality ratio of all models on our list!

Not what you would have picked? No problem, there are plenty of other interesting models at Drive! Check them out here!

Get the Best Folding Wheelchair of 2019!

Whether you're suffering from an illness, injury or a permanent disability, a well-made wheelchair can massively improve your quality of life. If none of our choices here are quite right, check out what else is on offer from the featured brands – we’re sure they’ll have you covered.

Our Top Choice

Invacare Veranda Manual Wheelchair

Best Value

MedMobile Folding Wheelchair & Footrests

NOVA Heavy Duty Transport Wheelchair

Medline Transport Wheelchair with Brakes

Drive Medical Foldable Steel Wheelchair