Best Beach and Pool Wheelchairs
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Just because a person has limited mobility it should not stop them from enjoying a beautiful sunny day on the beach or by the pool. Whilst this is a great idea, it does require the use of some special equipment – mainly in the form of a beach or pool wheelchair.
In the main, the most important features on these types of wheelchairs provide added stability and a smoother ride over terrain which may not be quite as stable or even as the sidewalk or in the home.
Choosing the right beach or pool wheelchair requires the user to pay special attention to certain factors to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
In this guide, we are going to be looking at exactly what you need to look for in a beach wheelchair as well as showing you some of, what we think are the very best beach and pool wheelchairs currently on the market.
Beach and Pool Wheelchairs Comparison Chart
Aqua Creek Pool Access Wheelchair | Aqua Creek Beach Access Wheelchair | Extreme Motus Emma X3 | Mobi-Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair | |
 |  |  |  | |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs, 400 lbs (depending on model) | 250 lbs | 120 lbs – 300 lbs (depending on model) | 300 lbs |
Seat Width | 18", 24" (depending on model) | 22" | 14.5" - 18.5" | 18" |
Seat-to-Floor Height | 21.13" | 27.77" | 13" | 17.5" |
Overall Width | 28.25", 34.25" (depending on model) | 35" | 32" | 42" |
Overall Length | 30.13" | 65.39" | 72" | 60" |
Disassembles? | No | Yes | Folds in half | Yes |
Price |
What are Beach & Pool Wheelchairs?
One of the main features of the beach wheelchair is that it is designed to be exposed to water without any risk of rust or corrosions – for this reason, beach and pool wheelchairs are able to be submerged in water if needed. This makes bathing in a swimming pool or the sea much more accessible for people with limited mobility.
Furthermore, a beach or pool wheelchair is much more lightweight than their everyday counterparts which makes them ideal for transporting to and from the beach or pool.
A wheelchair that has been designed for use on the beach or at the pool needs to be more stable since the ground may be slippery or uneven which can make using a regular wheelchair difficult and potentially dangerous. These wheelchairs feature much wider wheels that can easily glide across sandy or rocky terrain and provide greater stability around the pool. In some cases, the wheels may be inflatable to a size that far exceeds that of a normal wheelchair giving a much sturdier base – however, it is important to keep in mind that this does not mean that the wheelchair can float.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Beach & Pool Wheelchair
When it comes to selecting a beach or pool wheelchair, you will be confronted with a lot of choices. Each person will have varying needs but it is important to consider some general factors that make a beach wheelchair comfortable, safe, and easy to use.
Portability
Since it’s likely that you won’t be using your beach wheelchair every day – unless of course, you are fortunate enough to live right by the sea, it is important that you will be able to store it away between uses.
Due to their larger wheels and often large seating area, a beach or pool wheelchair will take up a lot of space if it cannot be disassembled or folded for storage. When choosing a wheelchair for the beach, check that you can easily store it.
Having a wheelchair that can be easily taken apart and put back together is also essential for traveling to and from the beach.
Maneuverability
Whether you will be self-propelling your beach or pool wheelchair or whether a caregiver will be pushing you along in it, it will come as no surprise that you need something that can be easily maneuvered.
The beach is not the most smoothest of terrains, there can be deep sand, patches of water and rocks, or pebbles – whilst this natural beauty is wonderful to look at, it won’t do your wheelchair any favors.
For this reason, it is vital that you opt for a beach wheelchair that features excellent maneuverability. Some of the best beach wheelchairs will have larger front wheels which improve how easy they are to steer.
Safety Features
No wheelchair worth its salt would be lacking in safety features and your beach wheelchair should offer a very good standard of safety.
Seat belts are important to ensure that the user does not fall out of the chair, especially if things become wobbly underfoot. Furthermore, falling out poolside could result in a significant injury or drowning if the user is unable to swim. Your safety and health should be of paramount concern.
In addition to this, it is important that the wheelchair features a good set of brakes, preferably ones that will lock when the wheelchair is stationary. This will prevent it from rolling and causing potential injury.
Comfort
If you’re going to be spending a day on the beach – or longer if you are on vacation, it is imperative that you have an excellent level of comfort.
Beach and pool wheelchairs often come with some very impressive features that promote comfort and support, but what you choose will depend highly on your personal needs.
Primarily, a padded seat will provide you with comfort as you sit in the chair, even for long periods of time, this can also offer some relief from pressure sores. But to further prevent this, it is important to have a reclining backrest that will allow you to change position giving various areas of your body a rest.
If the wheelchair features a swinging armrest, this can make transfers a lot easier which is important for getting in and out of the car, for example.
Many beach wheelchairs feature a foldable footrest that can also make lighter work of transfers but will also allow you to dip your toes in the water but will be there to support the feet when you need them.
Tires
Unlike regular wheelchairs that can function perfectly well with relatively slim wheels, a beach or pool wheelchair must have much wider wheels. This is so that the wheelchair can be more stable whilst it is going over uneven ground.
There are a variety of options when it comes to selecting the tires but those with bigger front wheels are often easier to steer. There is also the option to have four equally sized wheels which will give you better maneuverability across the sand.
Seat Upholstery
It’s hardly surprising that when you are on the beach, your wheelchair is going to be exposed to a lot of moisture and for this reason, it is important that the seat upholstery is able to withstand this.
You should look for a beach wheelchair that features a mesh seat since this will provide you with something quick drying. If the seat remains wet, there is a chance that bacteria and mildew may build up which could render the seat useless, not to mention being highly unsanitary. The good news is that there are many beach wheelchairs that feature mildew and bacteria resistance, so it’s definitely worth looking out for.
Wheelchair Material
Many beach wheelchairs are made from materials that are able to stand up to the environment of the beach.
You will find that the beach wheelchair is often made from stainless steel which is not only lightweight but is also perfect for resisting rust and corrosion. It is important to ensure that your wheelchair will not be compromised when exposed to salt-water, chloride, sand, or other types of potentially corrosive materials.
Best Beach and Pool Wheelchairs
With such a varied choice of beach and pool wheelchairs on the market, it can be difficult to find one that will meet and exceed your expectations. We have pulled together a list of the very best beach and pool wheelchairs that are currently available – let’s take a look.
1. Aqua Creek Pool Access Wheelchair
Best Pool Wheelchair – Aqua Creek Pool Access Wheelchair
One of the first things that stand out about this wheelchair is that there are two weight capacity options, which is excellent for larger patients as they are not excluded from enjoying an active lifestyle. Choose from a weight capacity of 300lb or 400lb.
Secondly, the wheelchair features a mesh seat which means that no matter how much moisture it is exposed to, it will dry quickly. This will also add to the comfort of the seat as a wet seat can contribute to sores.
The chair is constructed from medical grade PVC which means that it will not rust or corrode – not only does this improve the function of the chair but the safety too – a rusty chair may not be as supportive or stable.
The Aqua Creek is ideal for both pool use and use in wet rooms and showers, making this a versatile choice and what’s more, it features moveable armrests and footrests which make transfers a breeze.
Key Specs:
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs, 400 lbs
- Seat width: 18″, 24″
- Seat-to-floor height: 21.13″
- Overall width: 28.25″, 34.25″
- Overall length: 30.13″
- Disassembles?: No
2. Aqua Creek Beach Access Wheelchair
Best Beach Wheelchair – Aqua Creek Beach Access Wheelchair
Aqua Creek also makes a very stable and durable beach access wheelchair that has a lot of the features we have discussed earlier in this article.
It comes with four super-sized wheels that will easily tackle even the roughest terrain whilst fully maintaining the stability of the chair – this is essential for both safety and ease of movement. Having larger tires like these will ensure that the chair does not tip over.
The frame is constructed from sturdy stainless steel which will easily stand up to the elements and will not corrode.
This is a lightweight wheelchair that is perfectly designed for easy storage and transportation thanks to the addition of quick release pins for taking the wheelchair apart.
It also comes with an umbrella to ensure that you are not over-exposed to the sun which is a common problem on the beach and also features seat padding and a safety belt.
The only downside to this chair is that it has a lighter weight capacity at just 250lb so this one won’t be ideal for patients who are heavier.
Key Specs:
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
- Seat width: 22″
- Seat-to-floor height: 27.77″
- Overall width: 35″
- Overall length: 65.39″
- Disassembles: Yes
3. Extreme Motus Emma X3
Best All-Terrain Wheelchair – Extreme Motus Emma X3
If you’re after a beach or pool wheelchair that allows you to demonstrate your personal style then this is a great option since there is a choice of colors for the frame – this may be a small touch but going that extra mile always helps.
In terms of features, this wheelchair has a lot to offer, most notably, the fact that this one can float meaning that getting into the water has never been easier.
This is great for transporting since the entire wheelchair folds neatly in half so you can pop it in the trunk and go on your way. It is also extremely lightweight so it won’t be difficult to transport and will make pushing it along so much easier for an assistant. What’s more, this makes it easy to store in between uses.
The wheelchair makes use of an extended front wheel which means that you have greater stability and control when making your way across uneven ground – not only can it be used on sand but this one is also perfect for use on snow – it’s nothing if not versatile.
Furthermore, the larger tires make moving over any terrain a lot easier for anyone who is propelling the wheelchair for you.
The wheelchair has a generous weight capacity and will suit users that weigh between 120lb and 300lb and the bucket seat will give the user superior comfort.
This is, without a doubt an excellent all-terrain wheelchair that has a lot of advantages, however, it does come with a slightly higher price tag so if you were looking for something on the lower end of the budget, you may be disappointed. That being said, if you are willing to part with your cash, you will be getting an extremely high-quality product.
Key Specs:
- Weight capacity: 120 lbs – 300 lbs
- Seat width: 14.5″ – 18.5″
- Seat-to-floor height: 13″
- Overall width: 32″
- Overall length: 72″
- Disassembles: Folds in half
4. Mobi-Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair
Best Floating Wheelchair – Mobi-Chair Wheelchair
Unlike many of the other wheelchairs we have explored, this one has an additional feature that will promote safety and function – buoyant armrests. Whilst they may look a little bulky, these can mean the difference between going into the water and not. Combine this with the large pneumatic tires and the easily adjustable seat and you’ve got a beach wheelchair that will rival the best.
This one is made from aluminum that is marine-grade making it ideal for beach use. You can feel confident that it will not rust or wear over time which provides you with a long-term, safe wheelchair.
Furthermore, aluminum is a very lightweight material so maneuvering the wheelchair becomes that much easier. Not to mention that taking it in and out of the car or storage is simple. Concerning transportation, the wheelchair has detachable components which are easy to put back on so that the device can be taken to and from the beach without any hassle.
The material which has been used to construct the seat is UV resistant and quick-drying, so you know that it will stand up to whatever the beach throws at it. What’s more, the material is completely hypoallergenic so will not cause any irritation.
It has a weight capacity of 300lb so it is ideal for a wide range of body shapes and sizes and the comfortable seat can be easily reclined so you aren’t limited to one sitting position.
This one is quite a bit larger in length than some of the other beach wheelchairs we have seen so you will need a little more space to move it around, that being said since it is relatively slim, there will not be issues getting through narrow gaps.
Key Specs:
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Seat width: 18″
- Seat-to-floor height: 17.5″
- Overall width: 42″
- Overall length: 60″
- Disassembles: Yes
Conclusion
Going to the beach or the swimming pool is one of the great pleasures in life yet for many people with disabilities or those who are older, this isn’t an activity that is easily accessible – unless you have a beach or pool wheelchair!
These handy mobility aids can mean the difference between having to watch your family from the edge of the beach and being able to get in on the action.
There are many features of the beach or pool wheelchair such as rust-proof materials and a lightweight, portable design that makes them ideal for transporting. However, it does pay to look closely at the wheelchair before you buy to ensure that it has everything you will need to fully enjoy a day on the beach or by the pool.
