As I’ve mentioned before, I have a cousin who is a full-time manual wheelchair user who lives in the UK. He’s a very sociable guy and often meets people who then ask him about his wheelchair.

So he met someone who wants to get a folding power chair for their grandfather. Typical “ Take the grandkids to the zoo” Kind of situation. The grandfather is able-bodied but elderly and just gets too tired walking long distances. He might go to a park, but not off trail. He does want to be able to go into a café or shop without leaving it outside because he’s afraid it will be stolen, not because he really needs it inside. They’re pretty realistic about the budget apparently, and said anything up to £2,500 would be fine. And the grandfather is described as “an average sized person, in pretty good shape, probably around 12 stone.”

I know what US brands I would recommend they look at, but I’m not as familiar with the ones in the UK.

As far as I can tell, the following would meet the criteria, but I would appreciate any additional recommendations or feedback.

• 1) MOBILITY PLUS

This appears to be a reputable specialty dealer with their own house brand of wheelchairs. They do have a partnership with Fish insurance to offer cover on their chairs, which is always a good sign. They have several different power chair models under £2,000 with somewhat different features. None of them have great batteries, but they all look OK. They do have at least one model with two 250 W motors, which should certainly be sufficient for a part-time ambulatory on-trail user.

https://mobilitypluswheelchairs.co.uk/

• 2) COMFYGO (Also branded “Majestic“ in the UK)

I’m familiar with this company from the US. It’s a decent budget brand. Several different models in this price range, with the least expensive being the X6 at £1400. Has several advanced features, including a handheld remote and the ability to recline the seat back and elevate the legs. Good safety certifications.

https://comfygomobility.eu/

• 3) e-goes Freedom Chair

There are a lot of companies/importers with a similar name for either the company or the wheelchair, but this is the one I’m referring to.

https://e-goes.co.uk/freedom-chair-range/

Their A06 and A08 freedom chair models are quite popular. The chairs are available in two configurations, with a lighter weight 200 W motor or a more powerful but heavier 250 W motor.

The A06 is referred to as a “compact” model and has a weight of about 23 kg. The seat width is smaller than most of the other chairs in this class, though, at 43 cm, and the wheels are smaller as well. All to bring the weight down. Good safety certifications.

It’s carried at a couple of dozen stockists in the UK alone, so the prices do vary, depending on where you’re buying it.

John Preston (a reputable specialty seller) carries the AO6 for about £2200 , but I have seen it for less elsewhere.

• 4) JAZZY

The newest folding power chair from one of the biggest wheelchair companies in the world is the Pride Jazzy iGo. Has all the right safety standards. And seems to sell for about £2100. But they did do everything they could to strip the weight down to under 20 kg without using more expensive materials and it will show in performance. It’s a slower chair than many of the competitors at 3 mph. And the range is so low they don’t even list it in most of the sales materials: 8 miles/13 km. I think you’d have to swap in a second battery for that day at the zoo. But it is very lightweight from a very reputable company.

https://pride-mobility.co.uk/powerchairs/igo/

they also offer a better quality, carbon fibre chair, the jazzy carbon, which is even a bit lighter, but with a 50% longer range. Also a higher price, though it’s typically right around £2500.

https://pride-mobility.co.uk/powerchairs/jazzy-carbon-ultra-lite/

• 5) QUICKIE

Quickie is a brand from another giant wheelchair company. so again, good build quality, good safety standards.

Most of their chairs will be priced above this budget, but they do have the quickie Q 50 R (not the one with carbon in its name) which can be fitted with a more powerful battery. You won’t be able to take that battery on an airplane, but great range, top speed for this group. Max user weight of 136 kg, also higher than most of the competitors. It lists at £2850, but if you look around, you should be able to find it for just under £2500. a worthy candidate if you need a more powerful chair. But it does weigh about 38 kg.

https://www.sunrisemedical.co.uk/q50-r

• 6) ROBOOTER E40

I’m a little hesitant to include this one since I’m not sure it quite fits The brief as the E-40 model is often sold for £2600. But I do like the company. (I have their X 40 as my own backup chair.) excellent build quality. The standard battery is 20 A, too high for airline travel but gives you a nice 23 km range for around the neighborhood. They do also sell a 10 amp battery which would be acceptable on an airplane but with less range. Weighs about 25 kg. Max carryload of 120 kg. Several of the reputable specialty sellers carry it. Here’s the Glebe listing:

https://glebemobility.co.uk/products/robooter-e40-next-generation-folding-powerchair

Have I left off any popular brands in this group? 🤔

I know there are often questions about options under £1000 as well, but the only ones I know of in that category with a decent build quality are the mobility plus. And in this particular case, the grandfather is willing to go high enough that I think he’ll have a good selection of candidates.