Wheelchairs
Buying Guide
A wheelchair is designed to make your life that little bit easier in helping to keep you independent and enjoy living your life the way you want to live it. Whether it’s a visit around the local supermarket, a quick walk with the dog or a trip to the park with the grandchildren, we’ll have the wheelchair for you. At Livewell, we only sell the best and that's no different when it comes to our great range of wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs. Whether it's one of our travel wheelchairs like the Superlight Self Propel Wheelchair, or an electric wheelchair such as the InstaFold Folding Electric Wheelchair, all our wheelchairs are manufactured through Drive DeVilbiss, one the world's largest providers of wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs.
I am very happy with my new powerchair, it enables me to be able to get around on my own. I am also very happy by the way I have been treated by customer services. I would recommend Livewell to anybody!
Which Wheelchair Should I Buy?
Different wheelchairs are designed for different uses, some for indoor use and some for outdoor use. Each model has different tyres, different removable sections, different foldable sections and different levels of ease when thinking about transporting in a car. You'll need to consider these factors when choosing your wheelchair.
There are three main types of wheelchair to choose from - travel or transit wheelchairs, self propel wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs or powerchairs.
Travel or Transit Wheelchairs
A transit wheelchair or travel chair is intended for short to medium distances, often on flat surfaces. There are handles on the back, enabling the chair to be pushed, usually operated by somebody other than the wheelchair user. Travel wheelchairs are often lightweight and compact, making them perfect for helping you get out and about. Each model can be readily dismantled or folded so it can be easily stored or fitted into the back of a car. Being easy to transport, they make great wheelchairs for taking on holiday.
Self Propelled Wheelchairs
A self-propel wheelchair can be operated by the wheelchair user, providing complete independence. Wheelchairs intended for outdoor and independent use, are usually more durable and built to withstand different environments. Better self propelled wheelchairs are often constructed from lightweight aluminium with removable rear wheels for easier transport.
Electric Wheelchairs
Electric wheelchairs which are used for the outdoors are generally larger, heavier and bulkier. They are designed to withstand a variety of different terrains and surfaces. Most electric or powered wheelchairs do have a maximum user weight of over 18 stone, depending on the chair you choose. The travel time and distance does vary with our electric wheelchairs, but we provide a minimum of 12 miles on a full battery, with some exceeding 20 miles.
Wheelchair Accessories
There are a range of accessories available to make your wheelchair not only more comfortable but also safer. There are safety straps available to add to your chair, for a greater level of security during transfers and when in transit or alternatively, when out and about if you're using a self-propelled chair. For added storage you can add on a wheelchair bag or even an underseat bag to ensure there's enough space for any items you need to bring with you on your journey, or any shopping you'll need to take back home. In addition there are a range of ramps, cushions, gloves and also clothing to choose from.
Needed a good lightweight self propelled wheelchair for my brother. Livewell had very competitive prices and next day delivery. Delivered within 18 hours of ordering and it's absolutely brilliant. The wheelchair is so easy to manoeuvre it spins on a sixpence as they used to say! Needless to say hes over the moon with the chair; thanks Livewell one really happy customer for less than £200!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a valid driving license to use an electric wheelchair or powerchair?
No, you do not need a license to use an electric wheelchair though if it is your first time using one, we do recommend spending some additional time reading through the user manual and practise using the controls in an open unconfined space. Additionally, there is no legal requirement to register your electric wheelchair with the DVLA; this is only needed for 8mph mobility scooters.
Do your electric wheelchairs include a charger?
Yes, all our electric wheelchairs are supplied with a standard UK plug charger. This will be provided with the user manual, usually found in a protective plastic wallet within the box. To make life easier we can also supply a spare charger to keep in another room or the car; if you’d like to place an order then please give a member of our team a call.
How are your electric wheelchairs delivered?
All our electric wheelchairs are delivered in their original packaging that includes strong internal padding to ensure the parts do not move during transit and delivery, and encased in a durable, heavy-duty outer box. Standard courier delivery includes a kerb-side service to your address but not directly to the front door or into the house. This is typical of heavy-goods couriers due to the item weight and is also provided by many other online mobility retailers to provide customers with a quick delivery option for urgent needs.
Are your electric wheelchairs easy to assemble?
Yes and no; this is always a tough one and entirely down to the delivery environment and personal capability. Generally, our smallest electric wheelchairs are designed to be lightweight, portable and easy to transport. They are delivered in three manageable pieces that require lifting out of the box separately and assembling together in order. Bear in mind that the heaviest piece can often weigh between 15-20kg (32-44lb) – roughly the weight of a microwave! You don’t need any tools or DIY experience and the entire assembly process can often be completed within 15 minutes by one or two people.
Our larger powerchairs can be considerably larger and heavier, often requiring additional help getting them in the house and set up. The box will often contain three larger separate pieces unlike smaller portable powerchairs. The heaviest piece can typically weigh between 40-70kg (88-154lb) – the weight of an average teenager! Whilst you still don’t need any tools or DIY experience, we always recommend getting two people to assemble a heavy electric wheelchair, which can still be completed within 20-30 minutes.
How long is the warranty on your wheelchairs?
We provide a 12-month warranty with all our wheelchairs delivered within the UK. In addition to this we also provide a further 12-months on any branded Livewell wheelchair or powerchair, a total of 2 years. All our electric wheelchair warranties cover the cost of replacement OEM parts, engineer labour time and callout within the initial period in line with our return’s conditions, dependent upon the age of the electric wheelchair when the issue is raised.
What happens if my electric wheelchair or powerchair develops a fault?
Get in touch with us as soon as possible – we’re here to help. We know how important your electric wheelchair is to you and we’re here to ensure that any potential issues are investigated and resolved quickly to minimise any inconvenience. We have a dedicated team of people who can provide hands-on technical support either over the phone or through email. This process can often alleviate many common faults and gets you back up and running as soon as possible. We will need you to be with the electric wheelchair or powerchair when you contact us and available to talk through some simple diagnostic questions.
In more severe cases where the issue cannot be resolved remotely, we can instruct a qualified engineer to investigate the issues and aim to provide a resolution on-site. This is covered in your warranty in line with our return’s conditions, dependent upon the age of the powerchair when the issue is raised.