How to rent a wheelchair
Whether you need a wheelchair for a short time, you have a wheelchair that is in repair, or if you are looking for a portable wheelchair to travel with, here are some considerations to take. We hope that our suggestions below are helpful to you when you are considering renting or buying a wheelchair.
Why rent a wheelchair?
There are many reasons why you might want to rent a wheelchair. Here are the top 3 reasons to rent a wheelchair:
- Travel
- Short term Injury
- Flexibility of use
Travel - When traveling, renting a wheelchair is a great option to take advantage of. You will want to look to rent a lightweight wheelchair that you can lift in and out of your car, bus or airplane. Ideally, your rented travel wheelchair can fold down to fit into smaller spaces as well.
Short-term injury - If you or a loved one is dealing with an acute short-term injury, renting a wheelchair makes a lot of financial sense. You will be able to have access to a quality wheelchair when you need it and then can return it when you are healed.
Flexibility - Flexibility is the best part of renting a wheelchair. It allows you to pay for it only when you need it. It also gives you the ability to change your wheelchair to, for example, a scooter, when your mobility needs to change.
If you will be using a wheelchair longer hen 4 - 6 months it may be more economical to buy a wheelchair or mobility scooter
Where to rent a wheelchair near me?
In most cities and large towns, there are local medical supply stores that rent wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and mobility scooters for the day, week, or month. They are usually independent stores that rent their own fleet and establish their own pricing. Some will deliver and pick it up at your home or hotel for an extra charge or they include it in the cost of the rental
We also offer the option to rent a wheelchair through our site. You can simply click the “rent” button next to the wheelchair and pick how long you would like to rent it for. We rent wheelchairs, power chairs, and electric scooters to anyone across the Continental US.
What are the costs to rent a wheelchair?
$50 - $100 a day
$100 - 150 for a week
$150 - $250 for the month
The cost of a wheelchair rental can vary depending on your location and if you need it delivered and/or picked up. Wheelchairs can be expensive to rent because it is labor-intensive, the medical supply store has to clean them and fix and lose parts before renting them out to you.
When renting your wheelchair at 1800wheelchair, no matter your location, our monthly cost is the same for all our customers. We are cheaper than renting from your local medical store. Our monthly rental price is as low as $99 per month when you sign up for a 3-month rental.
Types of wheelchairs that can be rented
Most local rental shops will have a variety of wheelchairs for rent:
- Manual wheelchair,
- Extra-wide manual wheelchair, for users over 250 lbs,
- Electric wheelchairs
- Mobility scooters.
Larger rental shops may also rent:
- Transport wheelchairs
- Ultra-light wheelchairs
- Heavy Duty large Mobility Scooters
- Knee Walkers
- Beach wheelchairs.
At 1800wheelchair we rent our top three most popular wheelchairs: The Featherweight wheelchair, power chair, and scooter. All three products are ultra-lightweight and compact. They were specifically designed to help people live their everyday lives and get people active.
What should I look for in a rental wheelchair?
Before you rent a wheelchair, there are a few things you may want to consider and steps you will want to take. We have listed the top 3 considerations for you to take before picking a rental.
- Understand your needs and do your homework. Ensure that the wheelchair you will be renting will meet your needs. Where will you be using the wheelchair? Are there load considerations? Do you need a lightweight wheelchair for easy transport?
- The cost. This is a big factor to consider. You will need to think about why you are renting a wheelchair and for how long. Most wheelchair rental shops have pricing easily available so you can do the math and make a financially sound decision. Sometimes buying a wheelchair makes more sense if you look to rent long-term.
- Ratings and Reviews. Read up on the wheelchair you would like to rent and see what other customers have said? Ideally, the wheelchair rental has positive ratings and reviews.
How long do I have to rent my wheelchair?
At local medical supply stores, you can rent your wheelchair day-to-day or for up to a month.
At 1800wheelchair our minimum wheelchair rental period is one month. This includes free shipping, cleaning, and servicing during your rental. Our rental period is flexible. If you decide you need to rent your wheelchair longer than your initial rental period, you can simply keep your wheelchair and rent it at the same monthly price that you signed up for.
Portable Wheelchair Rental Options
If you are looking to rent a wheelchair that is portable, there are a few features you will want to ensure the wheelchair has to make sure it is easy for you to take with you.
- Lightweight: you will want your wheelchair to be between 13-18lbs in weight. This is comparable to the weight of a household vacuum cleaner. Lightweight options allow you to lift and move the wheelchair with ease.
- Collapse & Folding Capabilities: ensure that the portable wheelchair you rent can either collapse or fold down. This will help make the wheelchair smaller when you are looking to transport it.
- Quality: a good quality rental wheelchair does not mean that it must be heavy. There are well-crafted wheelchairs available for rent that are also lightweight and durable. Take a look at the reviews and ratings of the wheelchair before you rent it.
What is the lightest wheelchair I can rent?
The Featherchair wheelchair weighs only 13.5lbs. It is known to be the lightest wheelchair in the world. It is not only ultra-lightweight, but its design allows the rear wheels to pop off and the backrest to fold down to allow for easy transport and super-tight storage.
How are rental wheelchairs cleaned?
Wheelchair rental stores have a strict quality assurance and inspection process. When a wheelchair is returned, it is likely that the different parts are inspected and that they are cleaned with solutions that wash dirt and germs.
If you are curious about how a rental wheelchair is cleaned, we suggest contacting customer service with any of your questions. They will be able to give you detailed information about how the wheelchairs in their rental program are cleaned in between users.
What condition are rental wheelchairs in?
All rental wheelchairs are clean, safe, and fully functioning. Medical supply stores and online rental stores inspect and clean their wheelchairs in between users to ensure that it is safe for all people who rent them.
With a rental wheelchair, there can be some gentle wear but you will have a quality chair that will meet your mobility assistance needs.
Why trust 1800Wheelchair with your rental?
1800wheechair has been selling wheelchairs for over 25 years and to over a million customers, so we confidently can say that we know something about wheelchairs. We are also the only national rental program across the USA. Where you can rent your wheelchair in New York and return it to Los Angeles.
For our wheelchair rental program, we chose our Featherchair collection which is the world's lightest wheelchair, electric wheelchair, and mobility scooters. They are our top selling brand of all time because the Featherchair brand designs wheelchairs and scooters that are super lightweight and compact making them super easy to travel with. At 13 lbs., the wheelchair is super light to lift in and out of your car, bus, or airplane, and with its fold-down back, it fits into any car trunk and other tight spaces.
Most local wheelchair rental shops will rent you a 35 - 40lbs wheelchair which is super heavy to lift in and out of a car. That's not the chair you want to use when you will be lifting the wheelchair.
Should I buy a wheelchair or rent? Pros and cons.
Great question! We recommend renting a wheelchair if you will be needing it for a short period of time. For example, if you are recovering from an injury or an operation or traveling for a short period of time, it makes sense for you to rent a wheelchair.