Buying Guides
How to Choose an Electric Wheelchair: UK Beginner's Guide (2026)
20 March 2026 · 8 min read
Buying Your First Electric Wheelchair? Start Here
If you've never owned a powered wheelchair, the options can feel overwhelming. Indoor chairs, outdoor chairs, folding chairs, bariatric chairs, Class 2, Class 3 — the jargon alone can put you off.
This guide strips it back to what actually matters. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for and what to avoid.
Step 1: Where Will You Use It?
This is the single most important question. Your answer determines everything else.
Mainly Indoors
- You need a compact chair with a tight turning circle (under 80cm)
- Smaller wheels are fine
- Weight and folding matter less
- Speed isn't a priority
Mainly Outdoors
- You need larger pneumatic tyres (10–12 inch) for comfort on pavements
- Suspension for uneven surfaces
- Longer battery range (15km+)
- 500W motors for hills and slopes
Both Indoor and Outdoor (Most People)
- You need a folding chair that's compact enough for indoors but robust enough for outdoors
- This is where folding electric wheelchairs like the Eezy Split excel — compact enough for hallways, tough enough for gravel paths
Travel and Car Boot
- The chair must fold or split to fit your car
- Decide the heaviest single piece you can safely lift; for the EEZY SPLIT this is 19.2kg with both batteries fitted, or 16kg once they are removed
- Battery Wh rating matters if you fly — always check with your airline
Step 2: What's Your Weight?
Be honest — your safety depends on it. Check the chair's maximum user weight and make sure you're well within it, not right at the limit.
| Your Weight | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Under 100kg | Most chairs will work |
| 100–120kg | Check capacity — many budget chairs max out here |
| 120–150kg | You need a "heavy-duty" or "bariatric" chair |
| 150–180kg | Very few folding chairs reach this — the Eezy Split does (180kg) |
| Over 180kg | Specialist bariatric chairs only |
Step 3: Understand the Key Specifications
Motor Power (Watts)
- 150–250W: Fine for flat indoor use
- 300–400W: Handles gentle slopes
- 500W+: Tackles hills, grass, gravel, and inclines up to 12°
Battery (Amp-hours and Watt-hours)
- 6Ah / 144Wh: 8–12km range (short trips)
- 10Ah / 240Wh: 15–20km range (day trips)
- Dual batteries: up to 25km range and backup power
- Under 300Wh total: within IATA guidance — airline acceptance is always subject to the individual airline
Tyre Type
- Solid tyres: Zero maintenance but harsh ride, poor grip on wet or loose surfaces
- Pneumatic (air-filled) tyres: Comfortable, better grip, absorb bumps — but can puncture (rare with modern tyres)
- Best combo: Pneumatic rear (comfort and grip) + solid front (maintenance-free steering)
Suspension
- None: Every bump goes through the frame to you
- Front spring: Absorbs kerbs, thresholds, and uneven paving — essential for UK surfaces
Step 4: Test the Folding Mechanism
If you need to transport the chair by car, the fold/split mechanism is critical. Ask yourself:
- Can one person fold or split it?
- How long does it take? (Under 15 seconds is ideal)
- What's the heaviest single piece you need to lift?
- Does it fit your specific car boot? (Measure first!)
The EEZY SPLIT separates into two sections with a single button press — the front section is 19.2kg with both batteries fitted or 16kg once they are removed, and the rear section is 10.3kg.
Step 5: Don't Forget Comfort Adjustments
A chair you'll sit in for hours needs to fit properly:
- Seat width: Should support your hips without squeezing
- Seat depth: Thighs should be supported without the edge pressing behind your knees
- Armrest height: Elbows at 90° when resting on armrests
- Footrest angle: Feet flat, knees at a comfortable angle
- Backrest recline: Being able to recline reduces fatigue on longer outings
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Buying the lightest chair without checking capacity
A 15kg chair that only supports 100kg won't work for most adults. Balance weight against capacity.
Ignoring tyre size
Small solid tyres (6–8 inch) make outdoor use miserable. If you'll ever leave smooth indoor floors, get 10–12 inch pneumatic rears.
Choosing speed over range
A chair that does 10km/h but only lasts 8km is less useful than one that does 6km/h for 25km. Range matters more than speed for daily use.
Not checking car boot fit
"Foldable" doesn't mean it fits YOUR boot. Always check dimensions.
Skipping VAT exemption
If you have any chronic condition or disability, you're entitled to buy VAT free — saving 20%. On the Eezy Split, that's £159 saved. More on VAT exemption →
Our Recommendation for First-Time Buyers
The Eezy Split is the most versatile first wheelchair we've found:
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Splits into two sections for separate lifts (front section 19.2kg with batteries fitted, 16kg with them removed; rear 10.3kg). Designed to suit most hatchback, estate and SUV boots. Always check the folded dimensions against your vehicle.
- 180kg capacity — future-proof
- 500W motors and suspension for real-world UK surfaces
- Two 24V 6Ah lithium batteries, 144Wh each (288Wh combined) — check with your airline before travelling
- £795 VAT exempt — no hidden costs, free next day delivery