Pride Go-Chair Power Wheelchair Review
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy an item via links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
When you’re on the go and need a mobility aid that isn’t going to hold you back, the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair really steps up to the mark. It’s lightweight and boasts feather-touch disassembly making it perfect for people who travel frequently or may only require a wheelchair for some of the time.
Despite being small, it’s delightfully powerful and also comes with a range of features that improve comfort, giving you a smooth and enjoyable ride. We’ve been blown away at what excellent value for money this wheelchair is, and in this review, we’ll cover some of the Pride Go-Chair Power Wheelchair’s most important features.
Pride Go-Chair Specs
Comfort
The Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair is a comfortable wheelchair if you’re only using it for some of the time. It might not be suitable for longer periods of use simply because it doesn’t have some of the detailed comfort features you would see on a larger power wheelchair. However, for running errands and when you’re travelling, it’s hard to beat.
Seat Comfort
The Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair has been reengineered in many ways, and a wider seat is one of the upgrades the manufacturer has made. This offers the user much greater comfort without feeling as though they are restricted. With a width of 18 inches and a depth of 17 inches, the seat will comfortably seat most people within the 300lbs weight capacity of this chair.
What’s more, the seat base and back are nicely padded, which will keep you feeling comfortable, even when you’re getting maximum use out of the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair.
Adjustments
One of the most important things on any wheelchair is that you are able to adjust the seat to your liking. For many travel wheelchairs, your options may be limited, but the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair has some great adjustment features.
The armrests can be moved in and out, adjusting the width, but they can also be adjusted in terms of height. This allows the user to find just the right seating position.
However, we did notice that the backrest is not adjustable, so this wheelchair may not be suitable for users who require a reclined position.
We loved that the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair features a swivel seat that moves around 5 points. This is excellent for users who may find it difficult to transition in and out of the wheelchair while the seat faces forwards. Simply use the under-seat lever to twist the seat to the most suitable position. Moreover, the extended footplate can be lifted when transitioning to make things even easier. When down, the footplate provides you with ample room to rest the feet.
Storage
If there is anything that sets the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair apart from the rest, it’s that it is brilliant when it comes to storage. One of the upgrades is that the chair now features swing-away storage compartments under the seat. These are ideal for keeping things like your wallet, keys, and phone and are conveniently located for easy access.
What’s more, the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair features an accessory mount at the back allowing you to transport things like oxygen machines or walking aids like your cane.
Controls & Operation
What’s great about the Pride Go-Chair Power Wheelchair is that it is so simple to operate. Quite often, the user will not need any assistance from a caregiver when using this chair, particularly if they only have moderate mobility issues.
The wheelchair is controlled using a joystick that extends from the right armrest. This joystick is within easy access and is covered by a rubber grip for additional comfort and ease of use. What’s more, this design means that there aren’t any complicated controls or buttons, so the powered wheelchair would be suitable for people whose dexterity is lacking.
The Pride Go-Chair features under-seat storage, which can be independently operated by the wheelchair user thanks to its convenient location. Simply reach down and pull out the storage.
When transitioning in and out of the chair, you may wish to make use of the swivel seat we discussed earlier. Again, this can often be done without assistance owing to the handy placement of the lever directly under the seat.
Portability
Perhaps the biggest selling point of the Pride Go-Chair electric wheelchair is that it is designed for an active lifestyle. If you travel frequently, whether, by car or air, you’re going to need a wheelchair that can be easily taken apart and transported. This is where the Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair really excels.
It comes apart into five pieces using a feather touch disassembly system which requires nothing more than the push of a button. This means that the user may be able to take the wheelchair apart themselves using just one hand and very little or no assistance.
When the wheelchair is disassembled, the heaviest piece weighs only 36lbs, so it isn’t difficult to lift and pop in the trunk of the car or into a cupboard for storage. These features make the wheelchair ideal for occasional users who need something that can be stowed away in between uses.
Manoeuvrability
Using the Wheelchair Indoors
The Pride Go-Chair powerchair is ideally designed for use indoors as it boasts such a compact size. The overall width of the chair is just 22.5 inches, which makes it perfect for moving through narrow corridors. You will also find it incredibly easy to move through most doorways since the standard width is 36 inches; far wider than the chair giving you lots of clearance.
What’s also great for those wishing to use the power wheelchair indoors is that it has such a compact turning radius at just 25.5 inches. You would find it very difficult to turn the wheelchair in tight spaces without this feature so it’s imperative for indoor use, especially around the home.
Using the Wheelchair Outdoors
While the powered wheelchair is excellent for using indoors, it also excels when you take it for a spin outdoors. This versatility is one of the things that makes this power wheelchair such an appealing product.
For starters, it is fitted with large wheels that offer excellent stability. There are two mid-wheels measuring 9-inches, as well as slightly smaller 6-inch front wheels and a set of anti-tip castors at the rear of the wheelchair. You get the best of everything from this combination, with the front wheels offering good maneuverability, the middle wheels giving you good traction and stability while the small rear wheels prevent the chair from toppling over.
Moreover, it benefits from a longer wheelbase which further improves its stability even when you’re using it on slightly more rough ground. Of course, you should keep in mind that a low ground clearance of 1.7 inches does mean that it cannot be used on very uneven terrain. It’ll do well over grass and light gravel, but we wouldn’t recommend using it as an off-road wheelchair because you may run into problems in terms of both safety and ease of movement. Moreover, the lower ground clearance has seen some users complaining that getting up curbs is something of a challenge.
The electric wheelchair is fitted with solid tires, which gives you the benefit of never having to worry about getting a flat tire. However, the compromise here is that the wheels do not absorb as much shock so you will feel bumps in the road much more. This means it might not be suitable for people with joint problems as this firmer ride may cause some discomfort.
Driving Range
The Pride Go-Chair is designed for occasional use, so it doesn’t have a driving range that is as generous as wheelchairs designed for full-time use. However, it does give you more than enough for an afternoon out, running errands, or for use as a travel wheelchair.
If the full weight capacity of the wheelchair is met at 300lbs, then you will get around 8.7 miles per charge. However, lighter users at 200lbs or below may get slightly more distance per charge at around 13.2 miles.
The top speed is 3.7mph which is around walking speed, allowing you to keep up with friends and family and get to where you need to be more quickly.
Safety Features
The wheelchair is fitted with anti-tip wheels at the rear of the chair. These offer excellent protection against toppling and are essential, especially in a lightweight wheelchair like this which may not be as stable as something heavier.
However, it would be unfair of us not to point out that some users have noticed that these anti-tippers sometimes get in the way when trying to scale an incline, making it more difficult to get traction on the main wheels. In terms of inclines, it is able to handle up to 6º and it’s imperative not to try and tackle anything steeper than this.
We also like that it comes with a 60-inch safety belt which will keep you secure as you’re traveling. Furthermore, there is a safety latch under the seat to lock it in place when you’re on the go.
What We Like
The Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair is a nifty little wheelchair that comes apart into five lightweight pieces making it ideal for travel and transportation. This is one of the main selling points and was something we found to be excellent especially considering how easy it is to take apart and put back together.
We were very impressed by how comfortable the Pride Go-Chair was, taking into account the moderately padded seat and various adjustments. For a portable wheelchair, the comfort features are pretty generous, and you certainly won’t feel as though you’re in a hurry to get out of the wheelchair after a long day.
It’s perfect for moderate use and has a relatively good distance range albeit not as far as some more powerful wheelchairs. The 18Ah batteries give you a good range and the wheelchair does well on most moderate types of terrain. But what really impressed us was how easy the chair is to use indoors thanks to its compact size and minimal turning radius!
What We Didn’t Like
If you’re looking for a wheelchair that offers all-terrain use, then you won’t find that in the Pride Go-Chair powered wheelchair. One of the things that set it back a little is that you are limited as to where you can use it outdoors. With a low ground clearance, you will find things like going over uneven ground or up curbs more of a challenge. What’s more, the anti-tip wheels at the back can limit how easily you’ll get up an incline.
While the Pride Go-Chair is a comfortable wheelchair, for the most part, it does lack some features, such as an adjustable backrest. There also isn’t a headrest which might not suit people who need more neck and shoulder support.
Round-Up Review
The Pride Go-Chair power wheelchair would suit anybody looking to find a wheelchair that offers the perfect balance between user friendliness and portability. It’s incredibly easy to operate thanks to a joystick which is great even for users who struggle with dexterity. What’s more, taking the wheelchair apart can usually be done independently, giving the user greater freedom.
This is a stylish wheelchair that would suit someone who wants to face no limitation when going about their daily errands. When traveling, you’ll have a lightweight and compact companion that’ll get you through even the tightest spaces!
