Top 5 Best Wheelchairs for Tall People in 2023

Do tall people need specialized wheelchairs? If yes, why? More importantly, what is the best type of wheelchair for taller people? Knowing the best options can inform your buying decisions.

As a tall individual, you can’t settle for a standard wheelchair that is unlikely to accommodate your larger dimensions. Components of a standard wheelchair, like its seat height, weight capacity, and adjustable backrest angle (if it even has this feature) can put a taller person in a compromising position and cause greater discomfort.

Picking the best wheelchair for your body type can improve your mobility and increase your sense of well-being. With a correctly fitted seat, the weight of the user is properly supported, ensuring maximum comfort. 

Unless you order a custom-made wheelchair designed to the specifications of your body, you will need to pay extra attention when acquiring a factory-produced wheelchair. Thankfully, there are wheelchairs for tall people out there, and you’re not without options to pick from.

Boasting a host of ergonomic features from adjustable heights to locking hand brakes and easily-configurable seat plane angle options, here are some of the best active wheelchairs for those who are of above-average height.

In a hurry? Find the best wheelchairs for tall people in the hotlist below:

5 Best Wheelchairs for Tall People

Picking the Best Wheelchair for Tall People

As you’ve seen, there are several factors that you need to consider when getting wheelchairs for a tall person with disabilities. Before you begin searching for a wheelchair that works for you, familiarize yourself with the different models and styles of wheelchairs available.

Types of Wheelchairs

Manual Wheelchair

These wheelchairs are propelled by the hand of the user or by someone assisting the user. Some benefits of this chair style include their lightweight build, relatively affordable price, the fact that they provide exercise, and that they are easy to maneuver.

One downside is that you may become tired while wheeling yourself around.

Electric Wheelchair

Electric wheelchairs are usually controlled with a joystick. They’re best reserved for tall people who are not physically capable of using a manual wheelchair, or who are concerned about getting stranded.

One downside is that your mobility is determined by the life of your chair’s battery.

Athlete Wheelchair

This style of chair is best for tall users who are physically active and participate in individual or group sports.

Unlike the others, these wheelchairs are usually made of a stronger alloy to withstand physical stress. This includes sturdier wheels and a more robust axle.

Considerations

Here are some variables to consider when selecting a wheelchair for a tall person:

1. Mobility
2. How well it fits the user
3. Cost of the wheelchair
4. Level of comfort it offers
5. How easily it can maneuver in tight spaces
6. Build and durability of the wheelchair’s frame
7. The terrains it can handle

Weighing all these factors carefully before making a final decision goes a long way in ensuring that you make the correct choice for your needs.

Best Wheelchairs for Tall People: Review

1. Drive Medical SSP20RBDDA Silver Sport Reclining Wheelchair

Before going into all the great features that this advanced wheelchair possesses, it deserves mentioning that only a few other brands give you so many options at such a reasonable base price.

This brand of wheelchair for tall people with disabilities allows you to pick between 16”, 18”, or 20” wide seat options. These sizes are large enough to provide you with the luxury of ample room to maneuver in. The seat width doesn’t affect the height of the seat or chair.

The high back is specially designed for promoting neck and spinal alignment in taller individuals.

Furthermore, the backrest spans 31 inches and includes a pillow and a detachable headrest. That makes this wheelchair ideal for people who enjoy reclining.

We also consider this type of wheelchair a great pick for people who are seated for extended periods. Thanks to being designed with ample support, this model supports your body weight more easily than a standard-size chair and does not impair your mobility.

To complement the rest height and back recline features, you also don’t have to worry about falling off or tipping over the Drive Medical because it has anti-tip wheels on the back of the chair’s frame.

We consider this to be the best wheelchair for a tall person that is currently on the market.

Pros

• Comes with black nylon upholstery and a stylish steel frame
•  Easy to adjust thanks to its hydraulic reclining mechanism
•  Comes with several ergonomic features such as swing-away footrests, rear anti-tippers as well as push handles that you can use to lock the wheel
• Easy to clean
•  Ideal for tall people who use chairs for periods over 8 to 9 hours per day 

Cons

• Doesn’t offer adequate weight capacity for heavier people
•  Could be more durable

2. Drive Medical K318DFA-ELR Cruiser III Lightweight Wheelchairs

For mobility and speed, you may want to go for a tall wheelchair of lighter weight. However, it should be noted that going with a lighter wheelchair will mean you may have to compromise on certain bonus features common to regular chairs. Going light can be tough for some people, especially if you’re unwilling to sacrifice any major ergonomic features. That said, if you’re going for mobility and speed, one wheelchair model that stands out above the rest is the Drive Medical Cruiser III.

Weighing only 39 pounds and boasting some of the more compact tall wheelchair measurements, this folding transport chair won’t give you many issues.

Even though it doesn’t weigh much, it still has a 300-pound weight capacity. This considerably broadens the range of taller users it can service with ease.

More than just being portable, these lightweight wheelchairs are easy to maneuver, in part due to their Mag-style wheels.

This product will also give you more bang for your buck, seeing as its 8-inch urethane casters have three different height-adjustable options you can choose from. Its dual axle makes the leg rests even more effective as they promote support and elevation.

All of these ergonomic features are wrapped in comfortable upholstery and a durable carbon steel frame that ensures the chair will last with continued use.

Pros

• The lightweight and foldable design enhances its mobility
• Budget-friendly
• Amazon’s Choice product
• Offers a wide array of customizable options to ensure maximum comfort
• Supports a large base weight.

Cons

•  Its black nylon upholstery wears quickly
• The leg rests and leg extensions could be better made

3. Elenker 2 in 1 Rollator Walker & Folding Transport Chair

As far as tall wheelchairs go, it must be said that this product is one of the most stylish. This adult-size wheelchair is available in red, blue, and purple, giving you lots of options to choose from to suit your aesthetic tastes.

A dual-purpose item, this wheelchair for tall people with disabilities can easily double as a Rollator Walker and, once you’ve mounted the footrest and adjusted the backrest height, it can also serve as your wheelchair. This is great for those who are learning how to walk again, or who have some mobility in their legs.

Resting on large wheels, these lightweight wheelchairs offer you excellent traction whether you’re indoors on tile floors or outside on rugged surfaces like grass or cement. Another thing that makes it great for outdoor use is its cane holder that you can leverage to free your hands.

In the interest of ensuring your safety, it also comes equipped with a safety belt you can strap on so you can be secure when in transport. It also features ergonomic brake handles designed to lock the wheels more easily and reduce fatigue.

This wheelchair is arguably one of the best gifts a person can get for a taller individual in need of a wheelchair.

Pros

•  Large and solid wheels that provide good traction
• The adjustable hand bar offers seven different height levels to choose from
• Offers an abundance of safety features like a safety belt and ergonomic brake handles
• Serves a dual purpose and allows for assisted mobility
•  Comes with a large basket under the seat you can use to move smaller items

Cons

• Low weight limit
• Brakes could be sturdier

4. Invacare ATO 9XT 9000 XT High-Performance Lighter Weight Wheelchair

Invacare is a popular brand and is well-known for making reliable, heavy-duty wheelchairs. The ATO 9XT epitomizes its brand quality and is beloved by tall wheelchair users all over the world.

With a weight capacity of 250 lbs, this electric wheelchair is specially designed for very active and agile wheelchair users. This chair gives you all the high performance and versatility you need thanks to its adjustable center-of-gravity.

With its urethane casters, this wheelchair feels sleek and lightweight, making for a smooth ride.

To further increase your comfort, you have the option of adjusting the dual axle from the seat to floor settings, helping you find the optimal seat height with ease. This model also affords you a comfortable seat depth of 16” and a seat width of 18”. With calf pads and leg rests with padded cushions, the ATO 9XT wheelchair will fit you comfortably and is incredibly reliable.

Pros

• Adjustable center-of-gravity for increased comfort
• Urethane casters afford you superior flexibility and versatility
•  Available in three different colors
• Accommodates accessories
• Its lightweight design makes it portable
• Maneuverable and stable
• Comes with a limited 5-year warranty

Cons

•  Limited weight capacity
• Requires regular maintenance due to its complex features

5. Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair

Barring a few exceptions, we always recommend hand-propelled wheelchairs for tall people who are physically capable of maneuvering themselves without electronic assistance. Arguably the most popular hand-propelled chair out there, the Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair offers you exceptional value for money.

It has an attractive blue powder-coated frame and a black cross brace that contributes to its impressive appearance. Coupled with its comfortable upholstery and wheelchair cushion, it’s both aesthetically pleasing and a practical fit.

The unit also features swing-away footrests and detachable desk arms.

At only 47 pounds, it’s extremely portable and won’t give you any problems when used on outdoor terrain. This is thanks in large part to the solid rubber tires and composite wheels.

More than just providing you with reliable traction, these rubber tires afford durability and require minimal maintenance.

As far as mobile solutions for tall people go, Drive Medical Blue Streak delivers on every level. From comfort to versatility to ease of use, this chair has it all. Because it’s easy to transport and store, you can confidently rely on this model to help you get around town.

Pros

• Affordable
• Pleasing design and build
• Optimized for comfort and mobility.
• Portable
• Durable and requires minimal maintenance 

Cons

• Wheels may squeak when in use
•  Lacks some safety features 

FAQs

What’s a dual axle?

The presence of a dual axle is what gives your wheelchair the ability to convert from standard to hemi height. As hemi height allows you to lower your seat by 2 inches, it is easier to manually operate wheelchairs with a dual axle.

What’s the best upholstery for my wheelchair?

Vinyl and nylon are both great options. While the former is easier to clean than the latter, the latter is more breathable and lightweight than the former.

Do I need the seatback to be adjustable?

Yes, you do. It will allow you to position yourself comfortably in your chair according to your preferences, thereby ensuring your comfort.

Bottom Line

Finding the right wheelchair for a tall person is important because a well-fitted wheelchair will ensure your well-being and improve your quality of life by providing you with all the mobility you want without compromising on comfort. That being said, keep in mind that living comfortably as a tall person with a disability doesn’t begin and end with the perfect wheelchair.

To figure out what other seating and furniture options are out there for tall people, make sure you look into backrests, positioners, and the best furniture for tall people!