Quickie Electric Wheelchair Review
Quickie is known for producing some of the most customizable electric wheelchairs. The brand is owned by Sunrise Medical and allows users to choose not just cosmetic factors, such as the color of the chair, but also the power, size and location of controls. Users can also add extra features, such as LCD displays, creating a wheelchair that’s as comfortable as possible for them, with all the controls they need to use regularly at their fingertips.
Pros:
- Mid-wheel, rear-wheel and heavy-duty options accommodate different terrain types and personal maneuverability needs
- Thirty different categories of customization, including color and battery choices
- Option to purchase gel and AGM batteries for the chairs, which are “non-spillable” and safe to take on planes
Cons:
- Base price often does not include essentials like the battery, which can cost an additional $500-$600
- Low chance of Medicare coverage
Overview of Quickie
Quickie manufactures rear-wheel drive and mid-wheel drive, heavy-duty electric wheelchairs. It offers a generous 5-year limited warranty on all its chairs and allows buyers to customize both cosmetic and practical aspects of the chair, giving them control over the features and design. This means a senior can build a chair that suits their needs and body type.
Mid-Wheel Drive
Heavy Duty
How Much Does a Quickie Electric Wheelchair Cost?
Quickie electric wheelchairs typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000, depending on the size and features. The smaller, lighter chairs are usually more affordable. Chairs such as the Q700M are more costly due to the addition of adjustable backrests and comfort features, including SpiderTrac 2 Suspension. Because Quickie offers customization options for most of its chairs, a senior may be able to reduce the cost of purchase by choosing basic options for cosmetic parts of the wheelchair and spending extra in the areas that add comfort.
Full Review of Quickie’s Features
Quickie offers a selection of electric wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are all customizable and durable but are built with slightly different use cases in mind.
Q400 M
This is the most agile of Quickie’s wheelchairs, offering a turning radius of just 18.5 inches. It’s relatively compact and can achieve speeds of up to 4.5 miles per hour. The range is limited (just 13.5 miles on a battery charge), but the Q400 M is well-suited to light outdoor use.
- Cost: $7,535
- Speed: 4.5 miles per hour
- Range: 13.5 miles
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Turning Radius: 18.5 inches
Q500 M
Quickie’s Q500 M is a slightly upgraded version of the Q400 M. It offers a similar range and agility, but it’s slightly faster, with the standard version capable of 6 miles per hour.
- Cost: $7,860
- Speed: 6 miles per hour
- Range: 13.5 miles
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Turning Radius: 18.5 inches (excluding footplates)
Q700 M
This is the largest and most customizable of the Quickie range, and it’s also the most comfortable. It features an adjustable-height backrest and reclining capability as well as SpiderTrac 2 suspension. The standard version goes 6 miles per hour, and an upgrade to a more powerful engine capable of 8 miles per hour is available.
- Cost: $8,427
- Speed: 6 to 8 miles per hour
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Range: 18 miles
- Turning Radius: 23.5 inches
Who Should Consider Quickie’s Products?
The customizability of Quickie’s products makes them a good choice for those who have limited mobility as well as those who simply like to look and feel stylish when out and about.
Fashion Fans
Quickie allows users to pick the color and style of their wheelchairs and customize a lot of the parts. This means buyers can design a chair that they think looks good and that feels comfortable, too.
Those With Limited Mobility
The customizability also means Quickie’s chairs are good for people with limited mobility. Users can choose where the controls are located, so they’re always within easy reach.
What Are People Saying About Quickie’s Electric Wheelchairs?
Reviewers praise Quickie for offering chairs that look good and that are very comfortable. They highlight features, such as swing-away joysticks and durable footrests, that make the chair easy to use, comfortable and durable. Reviewers describe the chairs as being “built like a tank.” The build quality is high, from the wheels up to the seat, and the company hasn’t neglected any components.
One thing reviewers lament is the lack of comfort features, such as the ability to recline, on some of the more budget models. They also highlight the higher weight of these chairs compared to some other companies’ portable offerings.
FAQs
Medicare covers part of the cost of electric wheelchairs for those who are deemed to have a medical need for one. To receive assistance with the cost of an electric wheelchair, a person must be able to get around at home but need mobility assistance outside the home. Their mobility needs must be at a level that can’t be fixed with the aid of a walker or cane.
In addition, to qualify for an electric wheelchair instead of a standard wheelchair, the senior must have strength or mobility restrictions that mean they can’t operate a standard wheelchair. If these conditions are met, a person may qualify for help with 80% of the cost of a wheelchair under Medicare. Additional support for purchasing a wheelchair may be available under Medicaid or through other assistance programs for veterans. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Several manufacturers offer comfortable, spacious electric wheelchairs. The Drive Medical Titan range and Quickie’s Q700M are particularly spacious and comfortable. Quickie’s Q700M has good suspension, offering a smooth ride in a variety of different conditions.
Because every person’s body shape is slightly different, it’s a good idea to try to test drive electric wheelchairs before using them. All the manufacturers reviewed here offer durable, padded chairs designed with comfort in mind, but the size and position of the back supports and the shape of the cushions means what’s comfortable for one person may feel too cramped or not supportive enough for another, depending on their height and weight. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Most of the electric wheelchairs reviewed offer speeds of around 4 miles per hour. Quickie has a range of electric wheelchairs with a speed of 4.5 miles per hour. Its top-of-the-line offerings are capable of speeds of 6 to 8 miles per hour, which is much faster than the average person’s walking speed.
True speeds depend on the environment in which the wheelchair is used as well as the weight of the rider and any extra loads the chair is carrying. For most users, the turning radius and width of the chair are more important than the maximum speed. This is particularly true if the chair is used indoors on a regular basis, where being able to get around furniture or negotiate tight spaces is valuable. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Several portable electric wheelchairs are worth considering. The best electric wheelchair depends on the person’s budget, body type and needs. Among the top picks are the Titan LTE Portable Powerchair, the Drive Cirrus Plus Folding Powerchair and the Drive Image EC Mid Wheel Power Chair. The Titan LTE is a good option for those who are on a budget, with a price of less than $2,000. The Drive Cirrus Plus Folding Powerchair is lightweight and compact, making it a good option for seniors who do a lot of traveling.
For those who can afford the additional expense, mid-wheel drive power chairs are recommended due to the stability and ride comfort they offer. Drive Image’s offering reclines and has an adjustable back for extra comfort. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Drive Medical offers several electric wheelchairs that are priced close to, or under, $2,000. These wheelchairs are a good option for those who are on a budget, and they’re likely to be permitted purchases under Medicare or Medicaid. Rolostel and EZ Lite also produce affordable electric wheelchairs.
Before making any purchasing decisions, it’s a good idea for a user to check with their insurance provider to confirm that the chairs they’re interested in are covered by their policy. Some providers are more flexible than others. It may be that a user’s provider is willing to consider a slightly more expensive chair with extra comfort or mobility features that make a difference to the long-term user experience. Click here for our full answer to this question.