The best lightweight electric wheelchair is the Drive Cirrus Plus Folding Power Chair 22″. This lightweight chair features an adjustable-length joystick mount for ease of control.

Other good options for seniors looking for a lightweight electric chair include the 20″ version of the Drive Cirrus Plus, and the high-tech, Bluetooth-enabled Titan LTE Portable Power Chair. Although this chair doesn’t fold, it’s still reasonably lightweight and can be disassembled for easy transportation and storage.

Why Drive Cirrus Plus Is Our Top Pick for Best Lightweight Electric Wheelchair

The Drive Cirrus Plus Folding Power Chair 22″ is our top pick for the best lightweight electric wheelchair because it folds up easily for transport. It is lightweight, but sized to accommodate most passengers, and it has an adjustable-length joystick so riders can control it comfortably and easily. Drive Medical has succeeded in making this chair lightweight without sacrificing build quality.

The Drive Cirrus Plus 22″ compares very well with the Titan LTE, thanks to its lightweight battery. The Titan is less expensive, but slightly heavier, and it doesn’t fold, meaning it’s better suited to use in and around the home rather than on longer journeys. The Titan’s Bluetooth features may be appealing to some users, however.

Price

Weight

Folding

Drive Cirrus Plus 22"

$2119.95

61 Pounds

Yes

Titan LTE Portable Power Chair

$1974

122 Pounds

No 

What to Consider When Choosing a  Lightweight Electric Wheelchair

When you’re shopping for a lightweight electric wheelchair, there are several things you should consider, including:

  • Weight
  • Carrying capacity
  • Ability to fold
  • Size
  • Battery Size
  • Speed

If you’re going to lift the wheelchair in and out of a car on a regular basis, it helps if it weighs less than 100 lbs. Folding wheelchairs are usually easier to transport than non-folding ones. However, a folding wheelchair may feel less comfortable to sit in for long periods of time.

It’s also worth considering the size of the chair itself. Make sure it’s big enough to be comfortable to sit in, but not so big that the user doesn’t feel adequately supported. Most folding wheelchairs can carry a user weighing up to around 300 lbs. Users who weigh more than this may find the lightest chairs are not suitable for their needs.

The battery accounts for a significant portion of the weight of a portable electric wheelchair and is also a contributing factor in its range and how fast the wheelchair goes. Consider whether you’d prefer a wheelchair that can handle very long outings versus something lighter that needs to be recharged a little more often.