Should you choose a powered, power assist or manual wheelchair?
These days, there are more options than ever when it comes to wheelchairs. One of the first things to decide is whether you’d prefer a powered or unpowered design.
Though there are so many different types of wheelchairs now available to choose from, they can all fit into the categories of manual and powered designs, with power assist wheelchairs also combining many of the benefits from both categories into one.
The big question is which type of wheelchair will work best for your needs – and how can you get the most out of your new wheelchair? At Glide, we’re here to help make that decision a little easier, with an in-depth look at the pros and cons of the powered, power assist and manual wheelchairs on offer.
Manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are designed to be propelled by the user, or pushed along by a caretaker. Manual wheelchairs are also characterised by two large real wheels that take on the bulk of the driving force, and two smaller front wheels (or castors) that offer fine steering control.
Though they generally offer less bells and whistles than powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs still remain a very popular choice for a number of reasons.
Pros and cons of a manual wheelchair.
The pros of a manual wheelchair include:
- Lightweight and usually foldable design results in ease of transportation
- Easy to navigate in tight spaces or crowds
- Fewer parts required, so less maintenance and service costs in the long run
- No reliance on charging batteries
- More affordable to purchase
The cons of a manual wheelchair include:
- Requires upper body strength and good balance
- Can cause long-term shoulder injuries if not measured correctly
- Tiring to go long distances or over uneven terrains
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of choosing a manual wheelchair and how it can be the right fit for you, make sure to view our extensive range now.
Powered wheelchairs
Like their name suggests, powered wheelchairs benefit from their own power source, without users having to use their arms and shoulders as a propellant. Powered wheelchairs have benefitted from advances in innovations and technology over the years, and now offer a huge range of features for users that makes them a highly attractive choice.
Pros and cons of a powered wheelchair.
The pros of a powered wheelchair include:
- The ability to navigate kerbs and varying terrain more effectively
- Minimum strength required to operate
- Power seating options for lift, reach or tilt
The cons of a powered wheelchair include:
- Harder to transport than manual options due to bulky weight
- More maintenance is required, with more moving parts to consider
- More expensive to purchase and maintain
- Requires regular battery charging
At Glide, we’re proud to offer a large range of powered wheelchairs to suit every need, including our bestselling CentroGlide model. To find out more about the benefits and features on offer, make sure to view our range of powered wheelchairs today.
Power assist wheelchairs
Power assist wheelchairs operate like a manual wheelchair, but include a power assist motor to help them travel longer distances with ease. It is easy to switch between manual and powered operations, and the motor allows for journeys of up to 15km. The motor is helpful for uphill climbs, taking a lot of the strain off users’ shoulders and arms.
Pros and cons of a power assist wheelchair.
The pros of a power assist wheelchair include:
- Easy to transport
- Offers a choice of mobility for users
- Increased efficiency in activities
- Ability to navigate a range of terrains
- Reduced strain on shoulders and upper body
- Cost effective
The cons of a power assist wheelchair include:
- Requires regular battery charging
- More expensive to maintain and purchase than a standard manual wheelchair
- Lack many of the features of fully powered models
Our BoostGlide wheelchair is one of our most popular power assist wheelchair models, with its lightweight design and added convenience. If you’d like to know more about our power assist range, speak to our friendly team.
Getting started
We hope this article has been helpful in breaking down the differences between manual, powered and power assist wheelchairs. With almost limitless customisation available, no matter what category of wheelchair you choose at Glide, our team will be able to work with you to tailor it to your specific needs and requirements.
If you’d like to find out more about our range and what will work best for you, make sure to contact our team.
