Best Wheelchairs: Self-propelled & Attendant in the UK

The Elite Care ECSP01-18 is currently causing ripples across the market with its array of safety features, light weight, and relatively low price.

To begin with the main highlight, the chair boasts attendant slowing handbrakes that are not typically found in similar self-propelled wheelchairs. The addition of these brakes on the handles gives a feeling of extra safety when going up and down slopes. You really feel that you're in control.

With that, the chair is sturdy enough to go smoothly over a variety of surfaces. It's very light and easily flexes over rough ground which is particularly useful when going over rocky paths and poorly-made pedestrian ramps.

The wheelchair in question has a standard-sized seat (46-cm width) allowing you to pass through the average shop or home doorways without catching the frame. At the same time, the seat is very comfy. Plus, the detachable cushion adds even more comfort for longer journeys.

What we also liked about this product is that it's light enough to lift into the boot of a car easily. And since the wheels can be removed and the handles tucked down, it's very compact for storage or transportation even in an extra-small car. That is to say, it can be taken into pieces quickly and go back together within a couple of minutes.

To sum it all up, the Elite Care ECSP01-18 is easy to set up from a car to the pavement and then go over a variety of surfaces including rocky paths and badly-made ramps. It's really easy to push for a carer or to self propel.

If you have occasional mobility issues and are looking for a self-attendant chair to take it with you for shopping or recreational trips, you should seriously consider the Angel Mobility model. It's not the smoothest or the sturdiest one, but it's light and respectable for its price.

The wheelchair has a lightweight frame made from durable aluminium. It comes collapsed and assembled, except for the footrests and wheels. The wheels can be attached easily with the slight press of a button on the hubs. When needed, you can take off the wheels and footrests, fold the seat back, and collapse the chair to stow it in your boot. This will take you no more than a couple of minutes.

Being foldable to a super-compact size, the chair is an ideal model to transport in a car, cab, bus, train and the like. It really holds up well with travel.

The chair itself is very comfortable and easy to manoeuvre. Each handle has an independent wheel brake. Hence, driving this chair will become second nature for you after a short while.

What we also find appealing about this chair is that all of the catches used for securing the parts are simple latching mechanisms, meaning putting them together will require no physical effort from you. 

On the whole, this chair is a very good purchase for occasional use. It's not a tank capable of rolling over rough terrain but a decent, budget-friendly model perfectly suitable for city pavements.

This lightweight wheelchair is an attendant-propelled model perfect for hospital appointments, general home use, day outs, nips to the shops, and for small travels. This small companion will make life easier for you and your loved ones, since it's very easy to push and lift. The wheelchair has swivelling front casters and small manoeuvring rear wheels. They are fitted with reliable puncture-proof tyres that move gently and smoothly on any surface and are great for getting up and down kerbs. The cable handbrakes (both regular and parking brakes) on top are easy to operate via the levers.

The chair can be easily tilted backwards thanks to the durable levers built into the base of the frame. The frame itself is made from solid yet lightweight aluminium, which makes it easy for attendants to manoeuvre around obstacles such as door sills and curb edges. The wheelchair weighs just 12 kg and is extremely easy to lift in and out of vehicles. Due to two straps on the seat edge, the folding will be a hassle-free process.

Both the seat and the backrest are super soft, so you won't need to buy any cushion additionally. The chair comes with padded armrests and swing-away adjustable footrests making it way more comfortable and convenient for users.

What sets the Elite Care ECTR01 wheelchair above the competition? Actually, it's one of the lightest models on the market today. At 11 kg only, it's extremely portable and easy to use. So, this attendant chair may become an ideal purchase for those who do not need a wheelchair to use all the time but just look for a model for occasional use. Of course, it works fantastically for "getting you from the car to the hospital" as well as for small trips.

We would like to note that it moves smoothly on the pavement and in/out of shops but is not so great on bumpy surfaces or gravel. Completed with puncture-proof tyres, the wheelchair is very strong, robust and requires low maintenance.

On the upside, the attendant brake system works amazingly here. Once the handbrakes are engaged, the wheelchair will stay stable even on a steep slope. The chair is very convenient to collapse. Caregivers should just push the two sides together and the chair will become flat immediately. The footrests are also very simple to pop on and off by hand.

So, if you are on the lookout for a light, portable, and functional model for occasional trips around the city, this Elite Care ECTR01 folding wheelchair is your choice.

The Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Enigma Aluminium Self-Propelled wheelchair is another model that deserves your closer inspection. Actually, it's one of the most comfortable wheelchairs out there. That's largely achieved thanks to the inclusion of deluxe seat and comfy back cushions. Additionally, this wheelchair has flip-back armrests for superior comfort. If needed, the armrests can be easily removed. The seat itself is 45 cm wide; it's pretty comfy, but still, we recommend you to get an extra lumbar support if you're planning long trips. The chair is also available in a bit wider option (50 cm). The rims are convenient to grip and propel.

This wheelchair is well-balanced and sturdy. It moves smoothly on almost any surface. The chair comes well-packed and is easy to assemble - all you have to do is attach the footrests. This wheelchair is also very easy to dismantle and get into your car boot. At 17 kg, it is pretty lightweight, so taking the wheelchair in and out of your car won't be a backbreaking process. This model is very manoeuvrable and can pass through narrow doorways with ease. Overall, if you need something for permanent indoor and outdoor use, the Drive DeVilbiss XSAWCSP18BLST model is a great pick.