Best Sport Manual Wheelchairs

The Drive Medical SSP20RBDFA Silver Sport Reclining Wheelchair with Elevating Leg Rests provides absolute comfort while still remaining in the price range of a few hundred dollars (rather than thousands). With padding for your head, it can recline 180 degrees and has armrests that adjust to the recline. This wheelchair is a great value considering all of its features: padded calf support, swing-away footrests, and a reclining back.

The ratings on this wheelchair are also quite decent. Do take note, it weighs about 20 pounds more than some of the other chairs we’ve reviewed, which might be a dealbreaker for seniors who can’t lift heavy objects. However, if a reclining chair and elevated feet are a necessity, it’s an excellent option. We also love the fold-up option for easy storage. This chair has composite mag-style wheels that are lightweight with push-to-lock brakes and 8-inch front casters.

The Drive Medical SSP218DFA-ELR Silver Sport 2 Wheelchair is an excellent all-around option for seniors who do not wish to spend a fortune on a chair. It comes with padded armrests, a pocket on the back, and is pre-assembled except for the detachable swing-away footrests. For a foldable, lightweight chair, we love this low-cost option.

There is an elevated footrest option, also. This chair is well-rated, and we also liked that the vinyl seat is easy to clean. It has foldable plastic footplates, padded calf rests, and a slightly larger-than-average seat size, at 17 x 19.5 inches. For under $200, we found this to be an excellent selection of features for a chair.

The Karman 24 pounds LT-980 Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair is easy to move around and lift, even for seniors with muscle weakness. Its seat is 18 inches wide (the most popular size for average wheelchairs), and the seat height is adjustable. Padded desk-length armrests are a bonus for comfort. The company also offers anti-tippers that can be fastened onto the wheel sides if you’re concerned about side-to-side stability.

We love this chair because it’s made with super lightweight, yet highly durable aluminum. It has a foldable, compact frame, which is excellent for older adults who plan to travel with their wheelchair. It’s comfortable and easy to clean as it’s made with padded nylon upholstery. The adjustable height footrest allows for users to find a perfect fit whether you’re five feet up to six feet tall.

The Giantex 24-inch Foldable Medical Wheelchair with Footrest features a large pocket on the back of the chair to carry necessary items with you. It also has hand breaks on the large rear wheels. Some customers like this feature, while some prefer not to use them. Be sure to evaluate if this is a specification that would work for you and your needs.

This chair does weigh almost 40 pounds, a comfortable load for some to manage, although it can be more difficult for others. The cushioned seat, calf support strap, soft armrests, and flappable footrests make this a great overall chair for older adults who value comfort. The ability for this model to fold up for easy transport is also an excellent bonus.

The Medline Lightweight and User-Friendly Wheelchair has flip-back, desk-length armrests to make navigating under tables easier. The leg rest can be elevated or removed if needed. The seat of nylon upholstery is breathable, which also adds comfort, especially for older adults who live in warmer climates.

Available in three seat sizes, the company recommends a 16-inch seat for smaller adults, their 18-inch seat for an average-sized adult (also the most popular size), and the 20-inch seat for a larger adult.

The width of the entire chair is about 26 inches wide, so be sure to measure doorways around your home before deciding on a chair with armrests. We love that the foldable armrests on this model are thin enough to make maneuvering through doors easier than an extra-wide chair, yet still comfortable.

The Sunrise Quickie All Court Wheelchair has patented center-of-mass adjustment. This allows an athlete to adjust the chair for ideal body positioning, all without affecting the wheelbase or the stability of the chair. It’s lightweight yet large tubing allows for quick movement, while remaining durable to impact.

While it’s a bit costly, this chair has outstanding ratings, particularly for stability. It has quick-release axles, the option for pneumatic tires, and a wide selection of colors to pick from. This chair comes with a one-year warranty as well as a limited lifetime warranty. It’s an excellent choice for active, athletic seniors who want a nimble chair.