Some pediatric wheelchairs may be bulky, heavy, and difficult to travel with. Is this your experience?
Luckily, there is a solution.
Kids’ wheelchairs are designed nowadays to be completely the opposite!
Whether you need a pediatric wheelchair that’s compact, lightweight, easy to travel with, provides maximum support, or is foldable, this list has you covered.
In this ultimate buyer’s guide, let’s break down what you need to know about 8 convenient wheelchairs for kids to teens.
Drive Kanga Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair
Best For: Proper Sitting Posture
Item Weight: 40 Pounds
Seat Width: 10″ to 14″
If your child needs minimal to moderate support, this wheelchair tilts to comfortably fit their needs.
Adjust the chair up to 45 degrees.
Tilting the chair may offer pressure relief and gravity-assisted positioning.
Key Features
- Adjust the height by the push of a button
- Removable armrests
- Removable anti-tippers
- Foldable
- Transit brackets included for vehicle transport
- Width adjustable solid seat pan for improved positioning
Final Verdict: Convenient positioning features to offer a child proper sitting support.
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Wallaby Pediatric Folding Wheelchair
Best For: School bus or van transport
Item Weight: 26 Pounds
Seat Width: 12″ to 14″
This pediatric transport wheelchair is WC19 compliant.
This means the design can be used as an actual seat in a motor vehicle because it includes tie-down securement points and a lap belt. Plus, it has been tested for crashworthiness.
This standard improves the safety and security of your child when they are seated in their wheelchair in a school bus or van.
Key Features
- Adjustable handles
- Seat belt
- Simple flip-back armrests
- Anti-tippers to prevent from flipping backward
- Foldable
- Swing-away footrests
- Calf strap
- Headrest extension
Final Verdict: One of the top WC19 compliant wheelchairs for kids to travel by bus or van.
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Lightweight Folding Wheelchair for Kids
Best For: Head and Chest Support
Item Weight: 40 Pounds
Seat Width: 15″
Not only is this wheelchair great for upper body support, but it has a ton of adjustable features:
- Headrest
- Armrest
- Reclines into a laydown position
Most importantly, it is made to weather through all four seasons. So if you live in a climate with harsher winters, this may be a wheelchair to consider.
The wheelchair’s thick steel pipes are sprayed with electrostatic spray paint to make the chair strong, durable, and abrasion-resistant.
Key Features
- Foldable
- Comfy
- Shock absorber springs
- Easy to use (double cylinder control)
- Travel bag included
Final Verdict: If your child needs additional support in their head and chest area, this may be a great option for you.
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Medline Excel Kidz Pediatric Wheelchair
Best For: Comfort
Item Weight: 38 Pounds
Seat Width: 14″
The adorable smiley face on the back of the wheelchair sends a positive gentle message. 🙂
A 14-inch wide seat usually fits kids between the ages of 5 to 10 years.
But how can you know for sure if the wheelchair will fit your child?
It’s best to measure your child from hip to hip. If their measurements are less than 14 inches, then this would fit them. If your child measures more than 14 inches, then this wheelchair would not be the best option for them.
Key Features
- Seat belt
- Deep tread tires for indoor and outdoor use
- Anti-tippers to prevent from flipping backward
- Padded and upholstered armrests and calf pads for maximum comfort
- Armrests flip-back easily
- Foldable
Adjustable Features
- Leg rests are detachable
- Footrests may elevate to 3 different levels
- Seat height
- Push handles for caregivers’ comfort
Final Verdict: One of the most comfortable pediatric wheelchairs for kids that’s easy to transport.
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9000 XT High-Performance Wheelchair
Best For: Customizable Fit
Item Weight: 45.75 Pounds
Seat Width: 16″ to 20″
Do you need the freedom and flexibility to customize how your wheelchair fits?
If you answered yes, this is a wonderful pediatric chair to consider.
Based upon your child’s skill level, you also may adjust the center of gravity to enhance their movement or stability.
Customizable Key Features
- Seat-to-floor heights 13.5” to 19.5”
- Various back styles
- Seat widths 21″ to 29″
- Seat depths 16″ to 18″
Other Special Highlights
- Easy to store
- Foldable
- Urethane casters for a light and smooth ride
- Dual-axle allows user to self-propel or to be pushed by a caregiver
- Easy-to-clean with nylon upholstery
- Elevated leg rests
- Padded calf pads
Final Verdict: An extremely customizable comfortable-fitting wheelchair.
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Ziggo Lightweight Pediatric Wheelchair
Best For: Travel
Item Weight: 28 Pounds (for 12″ chair)
Seat Width: 12″ to 18″
Think of comfort and convenience when you see a Ziggo brand pediatric wheelchair.
It’s very lightweight and easy to fold up making it hassle-free to store or take with you on the go.
Plus, the spacious back pocket on the back allows you to bring must-have items.
Key Features
- Armrests flip-back
- Adjustable foot straps with a swing-away design
- Safety straps
- Pelvic belt with buckle
- Calf straps for additional support and comfort
- Foldable
- Item weighs 28 pounds
Final Verdict: One of the best-priced pediatric wheelchairs that’s lightweight and easy to travel with.
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Ziggo Pediatric Reclining Wheelchair
Best For: Reclining
Item Weight: 44.10 pounds to 56.88 pounds
Seat Width: 12″ to 16″
Designed for kids to teens, this lightweight wheelchair is easy to use.
It meets the functioning requirements of therapists and medical professionals, to ensure a child has maximum support, functionality, and numerous positioning options.
Key Features
- Quick-release rear wheel
- Steel frame
- Elevated leg rests
- Flip-back desk length armrest (non-detachable)
- Upholstery material is Nylon
- Steel frame
- Anti-tippers with wheels
Final Verdict: If you need a wheelchair with a variety of positioning features, this may be the one for you.
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Zippie GS Wheelchair
Best For: A Growing Child
Item Weight: 25 Pounds
Seat Width: 10″ to 18″
This manual wheelchair is designed to grow with your child over time.
Eliminate the expensive need to replace your child’s wheelchair every time they experience a growth spurt.
Key Features
- Adjustable armrests
- Light spoke wheels for easy maneuverability
- Swing-in and swing-out footrests
- Secure wheel lock
- Locking mechanisms for various sitting positions
Final Verdict: A one-time wheelchair investment to complement the growth spurts of your child.
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Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
What size wheelchair do I need?
Your child’s current size and weight matter because it determines their seat size and height of the chair.
If your child is growing, take that into consideration.
To determine the seat size, measure your child from hip to hip.
If it’s less than the size of the wheelchair (let’s say 12″ for this example), then the 12″ wheelchair would be the option to go with.
But if your child measures more than 12″ from hip to hip, go up a size.
To determine the seat-to-floor height, measure from the bend in the back of the knee to the bottom of the foot.
What type of wheelchair do I need for upper torso support?
A wheelchair with a lateral support cushion and five-point harness is best for a child with weak upper torso control.
Such as the Kanga Folding Tilt-In-Space wheelchair mentioned above.
How do I get a wheelchair for my child?
It’s best to have your child evaluated to see if a wheelchair is needed for their daily activities.
To do this, schedule an appointment with your child’s primary care doctor or physical therapist.
They will determine if one is needed and if so, a prescription for a wheelchair will be written.
How much does a kid’s wheelchair cost?
Kids’ wheelchairs can range from budget-friendly upwards of thousands of dollars depending on your needs.
The list provided in this post has wheelchairs ranging from a low investment of $265 (Circle Specialty Ziggo) to over $1,000.
What programs offer free wheelchairs for kids?
There are numerous nonprofits you may reach out to see if your child qualifies for a free wheelchair.
Here are different organizations that offer wheelchairs for kids to look into:
In addition to these wheelchair opportunities mentioned, your child may also qualify through Medicaid.
Most states automatically provide Medicaid eligibility if your child is already approved for SSI (Social Security) disability benefits.
Thank You!
We want to wrap up by extending our gratitude to thank you for stopping by today!
What other pediatric wheelchairs do you recommend? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below. ♥
Was this information helpful? If so, you’d make our day by sharing it! 🙂
About the Author
Lindsey is the co-founder of The LENN Foundation and content creator of the Intensive Therapy for Kids blog.
When she isn’t busy playing Godzilla with her son or chasing around her mischievous Rottweiler pup, she loves creating experiences and memories with her loved ones (traveling, watching a good flick, trying new n’ yummy restaurants). Speaking of restaurants, one of her favs is Taco Bell!
Most of all, she is grateful for her supportive circle of family, friends, and to live out her passion for helping kids with Cerebral Palsy (like her sweet nephew Lenny).
If you’re curious about The LENN Foundation, you may see the kids’ helped and feel-good content here. ♥
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