Manual Wheelchairs and Transport Chairs: Buying Guide

Quick answer: if the user will push themselves, choose a manual wheelchair with large rear wheels. If a caregiver always pushes, a transport chair is lighter and easier to fold into a car. Pick a lightweight wheelchair for frequent lifting, a heavy-duty or bariatric wheelchair above 300 lb, and a reclining or tilt-in-space chair for users who cannot sit upright for long.

Wheelchair types compared

Type	Who propels it	Typical capacity in our catalog	Best for
Standard / lightweight	User or caregiver	300 lb	Daily use, self-propelling
Transport chair	Caregiver	250 to 450 lb	Appointments, travel, short trips
Heavy-duty / bariatric	User or caregiver	450 to 700 lb	Larger users, wider seats
Reclining / tilt-in-space	Caregiver	300 lb	Pressure relief, limited trunk control

How to measure for a wheelchair

Seat width: measure across the widest part of the hips while seated and add about 1 to 2 in. Common widths are 16, 18 and 20 in; bariatric chairs go to 22 to 28 in.
Seat depth: measure from the back of the hips to the back of the knee and subtract about 2 in, so the seat edge does not press behind the knee.
Seat-to-floor height: lower "hemi" heights let shorter users propel with their feet.
Doorways: the chair's overall width must clear the narrowest door at home, usually about 8 in wider than the seat.

Features that matter

Arms: desk-length arms let the user roll close to a table; flip-back or removable arms make side transfers easier.
Leg rests: swing-away footrests clear the way for standing; elevating leg rests raise the legs.
Weight of the chair: aluminum transport chairs like the Drive Expedition (19 lb) are much easier to lift than steel frames.
Quick-release wheels make the chair lighter to load into a car, as on the Drive Rebel.

Heavy-duty and bariatric wheelchairs

Bariatric chairs use reinforced frames and wider seats. Our range includes the ProBasics K7 (24 to 28 in seats, 450 to 600 lb), the Drive Sentra HD (500 lb) and the Drive Sentra EC Extra-Extra-Wide (700 lb). Measure doorways carefully: a 26 in seat makes a chair well over 30 in wide.

Transport chair vs wheelchair

Transport chairs have four small wheels, so the user cannot push themselves. In exchange they are lighter and more compact. Options run from the Drive Aluminum Transport Chair (17 and 19 in seats) to the Drive Bariatric Steel Transport Chair (450 lb). The Drive Poly-Fly converts between both.

Frequently asked questions

What size wheelchair do I need?

Measure hip width while seated and add 1 to 2 in for seat width. Most adults fit an 18 in seat; larger users may need 20 in or a bariatric chair.

Is a transport chair better than a wheelchair?

Only when someone else will always push. A user who wants to move independently needs a wheelchair with large rear wheels.

How much does a lightweight wheelchair weigh?

It varies by model and options; check the product page. Removing leg rests and using quick-release wheels reduces the weight you have to lift.

Read more: lightweight vs standard wheelchairs and manual vs power wheelchair. Browse all wheelchairs or call 1-800-494-5750.

General information only. For daily full-time use, a seating specialist or therapist can fit the chair and cushion to the user.

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Updated October 2026.