A wheelchair is a seated mobility device with two large rear wheels for self-propelling or a compact frame designed to be pushed by a caregiver. The main types differ by weight, seat size, and who does the pushing.
Standard wheelchairs
The everyday chair with large rear wheels you can push yourself, plus handles for a caregiver. Durable steel or aluminum frames, usually around 35 to 45 pounds. Best for regular daily use.
Shop standard wheelchairs →Lightweight wheelchairs
An aluminum-frame chair that weighs less and folds easily, so it is simpler to lift into a car and maneuver. Best for active users and frequent travel.
Shop lightweight wheelchairs →Transport chairs
A compact chair with four small wheels, designed to be pushed by a caregiver rather than self-propelled. Lighter and narrower than a standard chair, and easy to fold and store. Best for outings and travel where someone else pushes.
Shop transport chairs →Heavy-duty and bariatric
Reinforced frames with wider seats and higher weight capacities for greater comfort and support. Best for larger users who need extra room and strength.
Shop heavy-duty wheelchairs →Hybrid wheelchairs
A chair that converts between self-propel and transport use, with removable large wheels. Best when you want the flexibility of both in one chair.
Shop hybrid wheelchairs →Wheelchair accessories
Cushions, leg rests, anti-tip bars, cup holders, bags, and replacement parts to fit and maintain your chair.
This is the most common question shoppers ask. The short answer: choose a standard wheelchair if the user will push themselves, and a transport chair if someone will always push them.
Local service, nationwide shipping
Wheelchairs ship easily, so you can order from anywhere in the United States and we will deliver to your door. If you are in Utah, visit our Salt Lake City showroom at 3737 S State Street to test chairs, check seat width and fit, and ask about local delivery and rentals. Wherever you are, you can call 801-906-3900 to talk with a real specialist before you buy.
What is the difference between a transport chair and a standard wheelchair?
A standard wheelchair has two large rear wheels, usually around 24 inches, with hand rims so the person sitting can push themselves, plus handles for a caregiver. A transport chair has four small wheels and no hand rims, so it is always pushed by someone else. In our showroom the deciding question is simple: if the user has the arm strength and wants to move on their own, we point them to a standard chair; if a family member or caregiver will always do the pushing, a transport chair is lighter, narrower, and easier to load into a car.
Should I get a self-propel wheelchair or a transport chair?
It comes down to who moves the chair. Choose a self-propel standard wheelchair if the user can and wants to push themselves for at least part of the day, since it keeps them independent. Choose a transport chair if someone will always be pushing, for example a spouse taking them to appointments, because it is lighter and simpler. Many families actually keep a transport chair as a second, go-anywhere chair for outings even when they own a standard chair for home.
How do I measure for the correct seat width?
Measure the person's hips at the widest point while they are seated, then add about one to two inches for comfort and for heavier clothing or a coat. Most adult chairs come in 16, 18, and 20 inch seat widths. A seat that is too narrow is uncomfortable and hard to get in and out of; one that is too wide reduces support and makes self-propelling harder because the wheels sit farther out. Send us the measurement and we will match it to the right seat.
What is the lightest wheelchair, and how light does it get?
Transport chairs are generally the lightest because of their small wheels and compact frames, and lightweight aluminum self-propel chairs are the next step up. Weights vary by model, so rather than quote a number that may not match the chair you choose, call
801-906-3900 or come in and we will hand you the lightest models so you can feel the difference. For anyone lifting a chair into a trunk every day, that hands-on test matters more than the spec sheet.
Can a transport chair be used outdoors or on uneven ground?
Transport chairs are built mainly for smooth surfaces, indoors, stores, clinics, and airports, because their small wheels can catch on cracks, gravel, and grass. For regular outdoor use, a standard wheelchair with large rear wheels rolls over bumps and thresholds much more easily. If you need something that handles both, ask us about larger-wheel transport options and standard chairs with air-filled tires.
What should I look for if the user sits for many hours a day?
For long daily sitting, the cushion matters as much as the chair. A good foam or gel cushion improves comfort and helps distribute pressure so the user can sit longer with less soreness. We also check seat width and depth for good posture, and consider elevating leg rests if swelling or circulation is a concern. Tell us roughly how many hours a day the person sits and we will recommend the right cushion and setup.
Do your wheelchairs fold, and will one fit in my car?
Yes. Most standard, lightweight, and transport chairs fold, either by collapsing the frame side to side or by folding the back down, and they fit in a typical car trunk or back seat. Lightweight and transport models are the easiest to lift. If trunk space or lifting is a concern, tell us your situation and we will steer you toward the most compact, lightest chair that still fits the user.
Does a wheelchair come assembled, and can you set it up?
Most manual wheelchairs arrive ready to use, you simply unfold the frame and attach the footrests, which takes a couple of minutes. If you buy from our Salt Lake City showroom we will set it up, adjust it, and show you how to fold and unfold it. Online orders ship nationwide with clear instructions, and you can always call us if a question comes up during setup.
Can I rent a wheelchair or transport chair?
Yes. We rent both wheelchairs and transport chairs, which is a popular choice for short-term recovery after surgery, a visiting family member, or a trip. Renting lets you get the right chair without buying when you only need it for a while. Availability changes, so call
801-906-3900 or visit our
Rentals page for current options.
Do you ship wheelchairs nationwide?
Yes. We ship standard, lightweight, transport, and heavy-duty wheelchairs anywhere in the United States. If you are near Salt Lake City, you can also visit our showroom to try chairs in person or ask about local delivery and setup.
