Which Are the Best Power Wheelchair Brands?

If you are in the market for a power wheelchair, coming up with just the right one to buy can be a challenge. There are so many power chairs and so many brands on the market, all of them ready to be purchased. Let's compare Pride Mobility vs Golden Technologies vs Drive Medical.

No matter what type of buyer you are, whether new or experienced, and whether you know what you need in your chair or not, you can still get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of knowledge out there.

First of all, which brand do you go with and which chair do you select, since each manufacturer claim that their chair is the best on the market? If this is the predicament you are in then you will like this article, as we are comparing three of the best and most powerful power wheelchair brands on the market.

Each one of these manufacturers produce high quality power wheelchairs that are fitted with features to help turn your discomfort into comfort.

Not only are we comparing them for the sake of seeking which one is best, which is nearly impossible to do since each brand has its own outstanding attributes, but we are seeking to show the strength of each.

One thing to remember is that power wheelchairs come in many different categories, therefore there might not be a brand that dominates in a particular category since all three of the brands we are vetting have one or two models in each category.

Let’s get started learning about the brands, and if at any time during the read you feel like taking a closer look at any of the products, just click on the image or on the wheelchair name to visit the product page.

Pride Mobility

The Pride Mobility brand was acquired by the Meuser family in 1986. Ever since, they’ve expanded the company’s reach quite successfully to various countries across the world. Although Pride Mobility has a range of products in the mobility and wheelchair industry they are well known for their Jazzy Electric Wheelchairs.

A power wheelchair from Pride Mobility, comes with a 1-year service contract which provides you with a certified Pride Technician to service your product as well as a 1-year warranty. Thus, you can purchase a product from Pride Mobility, knowing that if anything goes wrong you are covered.

Pride Mobility is also well known for their industry leading designs and offering some of the best quality mobility products. They have an excellent engineering team and a technical support team to back them up.

Pride builds their power wheelchairs with Active-Trac ATX suspension for superior performance on uneven terrain. Their bestselling Jazzy line covers various models from lightweight, travel, folding, heavy duty, bariatric, and elevating.

Golden Technologies

Golden Technologies was formed in 1985 and continues to be one of the biggest family-owned American mobility product providers. With their “build it right the first time” motto they have managed to successfully be in business for over 30 years and build a brand that is recognized worldwide.

Their products are American made using both foreign and domestic material. With the success they enjoy Golden Technologies has an employee base of over 400 employees and were awarded the U.S. Veteran’s Administration contract to supply scooters to all U.S. Veterans throughout the nation.

Their colorful Literider Envy powerchairs, as well as their Alanté Sport Power Chair are very popular. They are considered to be the most stable units in their class with upgraded user-friendly motor connections and excellent value and quality.

Some of the powerchairs have a weight capacity of up to 450lbs and a maximum operating range of 24miles. All Golden Technologies products come with a 1-year in-home service contract, a 5-year warranty on all their frames and a 1-year warranty on the batteries.  

Drive Medical

Drive Medical was initially founded in 2000 and was known as Medical Depot Inc. The name was changed to Drive Medical a bit later, in order to reflect the company’s desire to build a global brand. They grew quite fast and by 2015 they had acquired Devilbiss Health Care.

Drive Medical are proud manufacturers of quality wheelchairs, improving the lives of people with mobility issues. Their most popular brands are the Cirrus Plus power wheelchairs and the Titan series of powerchairs. The Cirrus is a lightweight foldable frame that is easily transportable and is portable.

As a buyer you will be happy to know that Drive Medical wheelchairs have a 1-year service contract a limited lifetime warranty on the frame, and a 12-month warranty on batteries.

The Various Models And Categories

Now that we have looked at the three most popular power wheelchair brands in the USA, let’s take a look at the various models that they offer. The main categories we can group power wheelchairs into are the following:

-travel/portable power wheelchairs

-bariatric power wheelchairs

-folding power wheelchairs

-elevating power wheelchairs

-full size power wheelchairs

Power wheelchairs can also be categorized as either front wheel, rear wheel or mid wheel; however, these categorizations are directly applied to any one of the top 5 distinctions. For example, a wheelchair can be both a full-size and mid-wheel power wheelchair. However, we will only look at the top five categories we’ve listed above.

1. Travel/Portable Power Wheelchairs

The first power wheelchair models we are going to compare are travel and portable power wheelchairs.  As with all the categories we are about to compare we are first going to look at what a travel/portable power wheelchair is.

This type of wheelchair is basically a lightweight wheelchair, convenient and comfortable enough to take with on your travels.

They are designed to be lighter than normal wheelchairs and can be disassembled into pieces in order to create a smaller profile.

Because they can be disassembled, you can take them with you to all your favorite places in order to enjoy greater independence. In our comparison we are going to put the Go Chair vs Lite Rider Envy vs Titan LTE.

 

Manufacturer	Pride Mobility	Golden Technologies	Drive Medical
Model	Go Chair	LiteRider Envy	Titan LTE
Weight Capacity	300lbs	300lbs	300lbs
Top Speed	3.70 mph	3.50 mph	4.20 mph
Warranty	5 years limited	5 years limited	Lifetime limited

 

Go Chair - Travel Portable Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility

The Go Chair by Pride Mobility is a portable wheelchair with a weight capacity of 300lbs. It can travel at a high speed of 3.7mph and has a turning radius of 25.5 inch.

When it has weight load of 300lbs its miles per charge are only 8.7 miles, whereas if the load of weight is reduced to 200lbs its miles per charge can be stretched to 13.2 miles.

You can adjust the width and the height of its armrest for comfort when leaning your arms. It is equipped with convenient under seat storage to keep your personal items nearby.

Disassembly of the unit can be done at the push of a button. It easily disassembles into 5 lightweight pieces for easy storage and transporting.

With the Go Chair you have a choice of 6 colors: citrine yellow, pearl white, ruby red, sapphire blue, rose quartz and amber orange.

When disassembled the heaviest piece weighs only 36 lbs.

The Go Chair is equipped with a large footplate for added comfort and has dual swing away under seat storage bins.

Literider Envy - Travel/Portable Power Wheelchair by Golden Technologies

The LiteRider Envy by Golden Technologies is a light and portable power chair. It comes in a range of six different colors: envy green, satin silver, solar flare orange, sunburst yellow, paradise blue and cherry red.

This powerchair is easily disassembled in just a few seconds and can fit in the trunk of almost any car.

When disassembled the heaviest piece weighs only 35 lbs and can easily be lifted by one person. The LiteRider Envy is fitted with a stadium-style seat with a big footplate for comfort when riding.

It is also equipped with 22-amp hour batteries, for a further driving range when you are out and about.

It is designed as a rear-wheel-drive powerchair, in order to offer easy maneuvering when riding.

This unit has a weight capacity of 300lbs and a turning radius of 28.5 inch.

It drives at a maximum speed of 3.5 mph and has an operating range of 15.5 miles.

The LiteRider Envy has a ground clearance of 2.5 inch.

Titan LTE - Travel/Portable Power Wheelchair by Drive Medical

The Titan LTE by Drive Medical is a portable wheelchair that easily disassembles for storage and transportation.

It is equipped with flip back arm rests that can be adjusted by height, width and various angles.

This unit is unique in that it comes with interchangeable color panels in red and in blue. It has a weight capacity of 300lbs and rides at an impressive maximum speed of 4.2 mph.

It has a turning radius of 27 inch and a ground clearance of 2.5 inch. When disassembled the heaviest piece only weighs 39lbs.

The batteries come in a pair and are 12Vx20AH. They allow for a single charge ride of 8 miles. The wheels are flat-free non-marking tires.

The Titan LTE also comes with Bluetooth electronics for easier troubleshooting and diagnosing.

2. Bariatric Power Wheelchairs

The second batch of power wheelchair models we are going to compare are bariatric or heavy-duty power wheelchairs.

At first, we are going to define what a bariatric powerchair is. The term bariatric refers to a medical field that addresses obesity. Some users who are confined to a wheelchair and are slightly bigger in body size require the use of a bariatric power wheelchair.

These chairs are wider and heavier than normal wheelchairs. They can also accommodate a lot more weight than your average power wheelchair. These wheelchairs are extra strong in build with strong exteriors and frames made of superior quality.

Although bariatric wheelchairs are practically created for those who are slightly of a bigger size, they are also great for different types of terrains. Thus, they can be used as just a heavy duty power wheelchair.

 

Manufacturer	Pride Mobility	Golden Technologies	Drive Medical
Model	Jazzy 1450	Compass HD	Trident HD
Weight Capacity	600lbs	450lbs	450lbs
Top Speed	4.50 mph	4.00 mph	4.00 mph
Warranty	Lifetime limited	5 year limited	Lifetime limited

 

Jazzy 1450 - Bariatric Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility

The Jazzy 1450 is a robust and heavy duty powerchair. It comes as a front-wheel-drive with a strong motor. You can choose from two colors: candy apple red and viper blue.

With it’s knobby drive tires, it provides you with the necessary traction to pull over uneven terrain. The wheels are also flat free.

It has a depth adjustable limited recline high back seat which can fold flat and a universal in-line joystick mount.

With its large foot platform of 17 inch x 13 inch your feet will enjoy stable comfort. The Jazzy 1450 has a weight capacity of 600lbs and can ride at a maximum speed of 4.5 mph.

It has a turning radius of 26.5 inch and a 15.7 mile driving range per single charge.

Compass HD - Bariatric Power Wheelchair by Golden Technologies

The Compass HD by Golden Technologies is designed with a stable platform. It is center-wheel-driven with an articulating chassis which offers stability when riding over rough terrain.

This unit, which is the bigger brother to the Compass Sport has a weight capacity of 450lbs with a turning radius of 20 inch.

It comes equipped with a captain’s seat and is fitted with a fold-flat hinge design for easier transportation.

The Compass HD has front and rear height-adjustable seat posts with padded armrests that can flip up as well as an adjustable headrest.

It is also fitted with an easy-to-use sliding seat bracket for easy removal and attachment, and a fully adjustable footplate.

As an option you can choose between a ProFlex Seat and a van/pan seat.

This unit has a maximum speed of 4 mph and a driving range of 12 miles on 22NF batteries.

Trident HD - Bariatric Power Wheelchair by Drive Medical

The Trident HD by Drive Medical has an uncovered design that allows for easier access to its internal components and its batteries.

It comes equipped with a semi-reclining captain seat that has a height and depth adjustable headrest. The armrests are padded and are also adjustable and removable.

You can choose the size of the captain’s seat to be either 22 inch or 24 inch.   

In order to easily remove the seat, there is a quick-release lever for that purpose. The footplate can flip up and has a rubber bumper for damage prevention. The footplate is also height, angle, and depth adjustable. 

The following are also included with this model: a positioning belt and a programmable controller.

The wheels are black, flat free and non-marking. The front wheels are anti-tip with suspensions for a smoother and safe ride.

This unit has a weight capacity of 450lbs and a top speed of 4 mph. It has a ground clearance of 2.5 inch and a turning radius of 29 inch.

With its two 12Vx50AH batteries it allows for a 15 mile maximum driving range on a single charge.  

3. Folding Power Wheelchairs

The third group of power wheelchair models we are going to compare across the three brands are folding power wheelchairs. Before we take a look at the models in each of the brands let’s define what a folding wheelchair is.

Folding wheelchairs are extremely light in weight and can be folded in order to stow them away in your car trunk. Because of their size they can normally be picked up by one person.  

Not only can they be driven for miles, but they can easily be taken on airplanes, on road trips or on cruise ships.

The fact that a folding powerchair is smaller and portable doesn’t necessarily mean that convenience is sacrificed. There are many powerful features that are built into a folding power wheelchair. Many of them have storage areas, back seat pockets as well as under seat storage containers.

Manufacturer	Pride Mobility	Golden Technologies	Drive Medical
Model	Jazzy Passport	-	Cirrus Plus
Weight Capacity	250lbs	-	300lbs
Top Speed	3.60 mph	-	5.00mph
Warranty	5 year limited	-	Lifetime limited

 

Jazzy Passport - Folding Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility

If you love to travel, the Jazzy Passport by Pride Mobility is a sleek designed power wheelchair which can take you wherever you want to go with ease.

This model is one of the best power wheelchairs that Pride Mobility has manufactured. It is built to compactly fold down in just a couple of steps and can fit into most vehicle trunks.

It can carry a weight of 250 pounds and has a maximum speed of 3.6 mph. Due to its small compact built and its speed, you are able to zip through an airport, or get from one end of a cruise ship to the other end in no time.

The Jazzy Passport offers great benefits like a 3-inch ground clearance and great compact dimensions when folded down.

The lithium-ion battery allows for safe and hassle-free travel through airports and due to its portability, it can be transported on a plane.

With a dual braking system, it offers extra security and safety. The Jazzy Passport also features an under-seat mesh storage bag, a back-seat pocket, a mesh cup holder and a 40” lap belt.

It has a turning radius of 24.25 and offers up to 11 miles per charge at 200lbs or 9.6 miles per charge at 250lbs.

With a large foot platform, it can easily accommodate your feet for added comfort.

Cirrus Plus - Folding Power Wheelchair by Drive Medical

The Cirrus Plus by Drive Medical is a foldable and lightweight powerchair for easy transportation, with an attractive steel frame.

The armrests are padded and can be adjusted and even removed. There is also an adjustable length controller mount.

The footrests can be swung away for added convenience and have heel loops. The upholstery is padded and has a storage pouch and a cushioned seat. As an optional accessory you can purchase an elevating leg rest.

The Cirrus Plus has a weight capacity of 300lbs and a turning radius of 33 inch. It rides at a maximum speed of 5mph and has a ground clearance of 4 inch.

This unit is equipped with two 24V x 320W x 4600 rpm motors. It also comes with a pair of 12V x 36AH batteries, offering 15 miles of maximum range on a single charge.

Mentionable extras that the Cirrus Plus has is a power failure alarm and an alarm mute.

4. Elevating Power Wheelchairs

The next type of power wheelchair models we are going to compare are the elevating power wheelchairs. 

These types of power wheelchairs are ideal for reaching to higher heights when confined to a wheelchair. Instead of stretching out to reach a high cupboard and in so doing risk hurting yourself, you can just elevate your powerchair.

There are two types of elevating wheelchairs. The single post elevating type and the scissor mechanism type.

The single post type are supported on a single post with a rotating rod, whereas the scissor mechanism type has its frame supported on its four corners as opposed to the middle.

 

Manufacturer	Pride Mobility	Golden Technologies	Drive Medical
Model	Jazzy Air 2	-	-
Weight Capacity	300lbs	-	-
Top Speed	4.00 mph	-	-
Warranty	5 year limited warranty	-	-

 

Jazzy Air 2 - Elevating Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility

The Jazzy Air 2 by Pride Mobility can impressively elevate 12 inches in just 11 seconds. This unit has a more modern look and a state-of-the-art elevating seat design.

In this elevated state you can enjoy eye-to-eye conversations with your family and friends. This state also allows you to reach high countertops, cabinets or clothing racks.

You can access all of these and more by just pressing a button.

This unit comes in ten different colors: citrine yellow, pearl white, ruby red, sapphire blue, black pearl, garnet red, black onyx, pink topaz, silver and tanzanite.

The Jazzy 2 has a weight capacity of 300lbs and can ride at a maximum speed of 4 mph. It has a turning radius of 24.25 inch and can keep a driving range of 19.3 miles per single charge.

The seat is high-backed and can recline with depth, height and angle adjustable armrests. The headrest is also angle adjustable.

The Jazzy 2 now also sports newly re-designed lift features, with a 2-inch lower height enabling you to comfortably sit at a standard table or desk.

There is an integrated foot platform with rubber inserts for comfort in both the elevated and standard positions.

This unit also comes with a front storage compartment in order to access your valuables.

5. Full Size Power Wheelchairs

The last power wheelchair models that we are going to compare are the full-size power wheelchairs.  These wheelchairs are categorized somewhere between a travel powerchair and a bariatric powerchair.

They have high backs and comfortable seats as well as a longer battery life and are designed to be used for longer periods. They are ideal for full-time users of wheelchairs.

Many of these wheelchairs have suspensions and the seats are also made larger. In order to accommodate all the comfort they offer, their sizes are bigger than most.

 

Manufacturer	Pride Mobility	Golden Technologies	Drive Medical
Model	Jazzy Select 6	Alante Sport	Titan AXS
Weight Capacity	300lbs	300lbs	300lbs
Top Speed	4.00 mph	4.30 mph	4.00 mph
Warranty	5 year limited	5 year limited	Lifetime limited

Jazzy Select 6 – Full Size Power Wheelchair by Pride Mobility

The Jazzy Select 6 by Pride Mobility is a sporty, unique and sophisticated power wheelchair. It has suspension that is superior in design for added stability.

This unit comes in two colors: jazzy red and jazzy blue.

The Jazzy 6 has a weight capacity of 300lbs and can ride at a maximum speed of 4 mph. It has a turning radius of 21.875 inch and a maximum driving range of 15 miles per single charge.

It comes standard with a flip-up height adjustable foot platform and a depth adjustable high back with a headrest.

The Jazzy Armor guards protects the unit against wear and tear.

Alante Sport – Full Size Power Wheelchair by Golden Technologies

The Alante Sport by Golden Technologies is a stylish power chair with a unique red color. It has a low center of gravity and is considered the most stable unit in its class.

It has a weight capacity of 300lbs and a turning radius of 28 inch.

It is well known for its excellent maneuverability and its user-friendly motor connections. It rides at a maximum speed of 4.3 mph and has a maximum range of 15 miles on a single charge.

The wheels are black non marking flat free tires with painted plastic rims, and its ground clearance is 2.25 inch under deck.

It comes equipped with elevating leg rests and a footplate extender. This powerchair also has an auto shutoff charger system and an electromagnetic braking system.

Titan AXS – Full Size Power Wheelchair by Drive Medical

The Titan AXS by Drive Medical is a mid-wheel drive powerchair available in seven different depth and width dimensions.

It’s height can be adjusted and it reclines and swivels in 45 degree increments. The headrest is also height adjustable.

The unit comes with interchangeable color panels in red and blue, which are also included.

The flip-up footplate can be adjusted in height, depth and angle while the armrests which are contoured and padded are also height, angle and depth adjustable.

The Titan AXS has a weight capacity of 300lbs and a turning radius of 20 inch. It has a top speed of 4 mph and a 2.5 inch ground clearance.

With a pair of 12Vx33AH batteries, it will give you an estimated driving range of 19 miles per single charge.

 

 

In Conclusion

Comparing these three brands is by no means an indication that the one brand is better than the other. However, it helps to see what products are available and are bestsellers in each category as outlined.

It is not so easy to shop for a wheelchair no matter your preferences, especially with all the different features and specifications available on each. However, we hope that this article has been helpful when it comes to choosing which brand and model you want to go for and best fits your budget.

We also have a special offer that you can benefit from by taking 5% off your order. Enter OUTDOOR5 at checkout to receive this discount. This offer expires this weekend, so don't waste too much time!

See product page for details or give us a call at 800-682-9444. You can also send us an email to info@electricwheelchairsusa.com.

Maybe you'd like more information regarding similar or related information. Check out our picks for Choosing The Right High Back Wheelchair and 3 Tips Flor Choosing Better Wheelchair Wheels.