Best Wheelchairs UK: Types, Choosing Tips and Help With Costs

The best wheelchair is the one that fits your body, your home and the way you live. In the UK you can get a wheelchair through the NHS, hire one short term, or buy your own. This guide explains the main types, what to think about when choosing, and the help available with costs, including NHS wheelchair services, personal wheelchair budgets, the Motability Scheme and VAT relief.

Key points

• The main choice is between a manual wheelchair (pushed by you or a helper) and an electric (powered) wheelchair.
• To get an NHS wheelchair, ask a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service. In some areas you can refer yourself.
• In England, people who meet their wheelchair service's criteria may get a personal wheelchair budget to put towards a different chair.
• If you are disabled, you will not be charged VAT on a wheelchair bought for your own use.
• The NHS says to try different types before you decide. Hire is a good way to do this.

Types of wheelchair

• Self-propelled manual wheelchairs have large rear wheels with push rims, so you can move yourself. They suit people with good arm and shoulder strength.
• Attendant-propelled (transit) wheelchairs have small wheels and are pushed by a helper. They are often lighter and fold smaller, so they are handy for trips out and car journeys.
• Lightweight and active-user chairs are built to be as light as possible. Some have rigid frames for daily, independent use. See our guide to lightweight wheelchairs.
• Electric (powered) wheelchairs are driven by battery motors and steered with a joystick. They suit people who cannot push themselves far.
• Power-assisted wheelchairs are manual chairs with a motor that helps the user or a carer push. Read more in our guide to power-assisted wheelchairs for carers.
• Tilt-in-space and specialist seating chairs tip the whole seat back to change pressure and support posture. These are usually prescribed after a specialist assessment.

What to think about when choosing

The NHS suggests thinking about:

• whether you will push yourself or be pushed by someone else
• how often you will use it
• whether you will use it indoors, outdoors or both
• how comfortable it is
• how much it costs to maintain and repair

Also think about:

• Fit: seat width, seat depth and seat height all affect comfort and posture. A wheelchair service or a good supplier will measure you.
• Weight and folding: if the chair goes in a car, check how heavy it is and whether the wheels come off. Think about who will lift it.
• Your home: measure doorways, hallways and turning space, and check for steps.
• Extras: you may need adjustable armrests, elevating leg rests or a pressure-relieving cushion.

The best way to get this right is a proper assessment. Our guide to buying and using a wheelchair has more tips.

Getting a wheelchair on the NHS

To get an NHS wheelchair, ask a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service for an assessment. The service will help you decide if you need a wheelchair and, if so, what type. You may be able to refer yourself directly; contact your local wheelchair service or your integrated care board (ICB) to find out.

You can sometimes borrow an NHS wheelchair for a short time, for example after an operation.

Personal wheelchair budgets (England)

Since 2 December 2019, people in England who use wheelchair services, and whose posture and mobility needs affect their wider health and care needs, have a legal right to a personal wheelchair budget. It applies when you need a new wheelchair and meet your local service's criteria.

The budget can be used within the NHS service, for example adding your own money to get extra features, or with an independent supplier. You can add your own money to it. If you use it outside the NHS, the budget should include something towards repair and maintenance. Ask your wheelchair service what options it offers.

Electric wheelchairs

Electric wheelchairs vary in where the drive wheels sit, and this affects how they handle.

Type	Often chosen for
Front-wheel drive	Turning in tight spaces and getting over small kerbs
Mid-wheel drive	A very small turning circle indoors
Rear-wheel drive	Steady driving outdoors and at higher speeds
Folding or lightweight	Travel and putting in a car
Heavy-duty	Higher user weights

Ask about range on a full charge, turning circle, seat comfort, and whether the chair can be adapted later, for example with powered tilt or a seat riser. Look after the batteries: see our guide to wheelchair battery care.

Help with costs

• VAT relief: if you are disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on a wheelchair for your own use, or on its repair, maintenance, spare parts and accessories. You will need to confirm this in writing. You do not qualify if you are elderly but not disabled.
• Motability Scheme: lets some people use a qualifying mobility allowance to lease a powered wheelchair. You need, for example, the enhanced rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or the higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance, with at least 12 months left. Attendance Allowance does not qualify, and most people cannot make a new PIP claim after State Pension age.
• Charities and grants: if you cannot get the help you need from the council or the NHS, a charity grant may help with equipment costs.

As a rough guide, the NHS says wheelchairs range from about £150 for a manual wheelchair to around £2,000 for a basic electric wheelchair. Specialist chairs cost more. For wider help with costs, see our guide to paying for care.

Accessories

1. Comfort: pressure-relieving cushions, back supports and padded arm rests.
2. Safety: anti-tip wheels, lap belts and reflective strips or lights.
3. Storage: side bags, under-seat bags and cup holders.
4. Weather: capes and covers for rain.

If you have an NHS chair, ask the wheelchair service before fitting accessories, as some can affect how the chair works.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a wheelchair on the NHS?

Ask a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service. In some areas you can refer yourself. The service will assess you and decide what type of chair you need.

Can I hire a wheelchair before buying one?

Yes. The British Red Cross hires wheelchairs across the UK. At the time of writing it charges £22 a week with no deposit, plus a one-off fee for delivery and collection. Some shopping centres run Shopmobility schemes where you can borrow a wheelchair while you shop, usually free or at low cost.

Who repairs an NHS wheelchair?

If you have an NHS chair, contact your local wheelchair service or its repair contractor. If you used a personal wheelchair budget with an independent supplier, the budget should include a contribution towards repairs and maintenance; check your agreement.

Can I get a wheelchair through Motability if I get Attendance Allowance?

No. Motability says you cannot join the scheme if you receive Attendance Allowance. You need a qualifying mobility allowance, such as the enhanced rate mobility part of PIP.

How can I avoid aches from pushing a wheelchair?

Make sure the chair is set up for you, keep the tyres pumped up and the chair well maintained, and take breaks. A physiotherapist can show you good pushing technique and exercises. In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy.

Sources

• Walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters (NHS)
• Personal wheelchair budgets (NHS England)
• Personal wheelchair budgets: frequently asked questions (NHS England)
• Financial help if you're disabled: VAT relief for disabled people (GOV.UK)
• Am I eligible to join the Scheme? (Motability Scheme)
• Can I join the Scheme on Attendance Allowance? (Motability Scheme)
• Personal Independence Payment: eligibility (GOV.UK)
• Hire a wheelchair (British Red Cross)
• Household gadgets and equipment to make life easier (NHS)
• Physiotherapy (NHS)