What are the best motorized wheelchairs near me to buy or rent? If you find yourself asking this question more often, then this article has all the answers to your questions. You will find the different types of motorized wheelchairs as well as proper advice on when to buy and when to rent.
The Different Types of Motorized Wheelchairs
There are probably hundreds of different motorized wheelchairs you can buy or rent. They all come with different features, performances, capabilities, and prices. So, it all just depends on what you need, your budget, and your preferences. They are generally categorized by;
- Rear-wheel drive
- Mid-wheel drive
- Front-wheel drive
That is basically by the mechanism they use to propel the user forward. Let’s see how they work to help the user move;
Rare-wheel drives
These have 4 wheels, offer powerful performance, are stable, have high speeds, and have multiple drive control options. They are called rare-wheel because the drive wheels are at the back. They also provide good shock absorption and greatly propel over both rough and smooth surfaces.
On the downside, they don’t have very good obstacle capabilities, meaning they are not as great if you want to go out on long journeys. Their front radius is also bigger, making it hard to turn and move in small spaces like shops and cafes.
Mid-wheel drives
These are also high in performance. They have 6 wheels, are comfortable, and help the user move even over rough terrains. Just like the name suggests, the drive wheels are in the middle of the chair, giving the user excellent stability.
Because of the position of the drive wheels, it makes it easier to control and drive. Unlike the rear-wheel drives, this is easier to turn and maneuver, and first-time users find it even more intuitive.
On the downside, then users are bound to feel bumps and other rough surfaces more because of the positioning of drive wheels; they are mostly center-based.
Front-wheel drives
Like the rare-wheels drive, front-wheel drives also have four wheels. As you probably already guessed, their drive power comes from the front wheels. They drive easier and smoother and have good obstacle capabilities.
Should you Buy or Rent?
This might seem like an easy question but a lot of factors go into deciding whether you should buy or rent. However, the one important factor to consider is the price and your budget.
Buying and renting may both be equally expensive in the long run. If you need it for short-term mobility issues, then renting would be the cheaper option, and buying the expensive one since you will stop using it anyways after a while.
On the other hand, if you are going to need it for longer periods, then renting may turn out to be expensive in the long run. In this case, buying is the better option.
Bottom Line
The best type of Motorized wheelchair to rent will depend on your needs. One type that you may think is the best may be the worst for another whose preference may seem worse to you.
Similarly, the decision to buy depends on the amount of time you are going to use it. It makes much more sense to buy if you will use it for a long time and to rent if you only need it for just a couple of days.