Best Wheelchair Trays in 2023

Wheelchair users that have armrests that extend out may find it hard to properly sit at a table or desk.  When this happens it can be difficult to properly eat from a wheelchair.  Because of this, the best wheelchair trays will help with eating more comfortably directly from the wheelchair.

These top wheelchair trays are typically made from durable components that last long, are easy to clean, and easy to attach to the chair.  We review some of the top wheelchair trays and what to look for when making a purchase. 

Wheelchair trays are excellent accessories that are important to help you stay as comfortable as possible while in the chair.  Accessories like cup holders, armrests pads, and seat cushions are all types of exercises to make you or a loved one more comfortable. 

What is a wheelchair tray?

Wheelchair trays are surfaces that are specially created to attach to a wheelchair so they can provide a safe and stable table for reading, eating, or working.  These trays are available in different sizes, shapes, and materials that come in full and half trays.   These types of accessories allow for a more independent time while in a wheelchair. 

Why should you have a wheelchair tray?

Spending a significant amount of time in a wheelchair you will quickly learn what types of accessories you may need to make your wheelchair easier to live with.  A wheelchair tray is one of those add ons that can really help with making the chair easier to eat from, hold books, laptops, and easier. 

If you have a full armrest you way already find it difficult to get close enough to some tables to properly have a meal.  Wheelchair trays can help with these types of things and much more.

Best Wheelchair Trays

Our Rank	Wheelchair Tray	Our Score
1.	Durasoft Lap Tray	4.7/5
2.	Wheelchair Lap Tray Table Accessories With Cup Holder	4.6/5
3.	Padded Wheelchair Half Tray	4.5/5
4.	Wheelchair Tray Table With Cup Holder, Removable Wheelchair Lap Tray	4.4/5

Top wheelchair tray Comparison Charts

Key Specs	Durasoft Lap Tray	Wheelchair Lap Tray Table Accessories With Cup Holder	Padded Wheelchair Half Tray	Wheelchair Tray Table With Cup Holder
Mount	Clamp	Hook and loop straps	Slips on and off, Can also be mounted using hardware that comes with tray	Hook and loop straps
Width	24″	22.8″	14″	20.8″
Length	16″	20.8″	23″	22.8″
Material	Covered in Solace Polyurethane Fabric	ABS plastic steel	N/A	ABS plastic steel

1. Durasoft Lap Tray

Our number one choice for the best wheelchair tray is the Durasoft lap tray.  Both soft and adjustable this tray is simple to use comfortably and attaches quickly.   The tray can be used on both desk and full-length arms and even has a forward adjustment for larger individuals. 

The one thing we love about this tray over other full trays is that it can be flipped up for transfers.  Covered in Solace polyurethane fabric is designed for pressure relief so it’s very comfortable.

So not only is this material and tray soft to the touch but it is really simple to clean up and is fluid proof.

2. Wheelchair Lap Tray Table Accessories with Cup Holder

This wheelchair tray makes an excellent choice for those looking to add a tray to make life easier while using a wheelchair.  This tray is ideal for chairs that have armrests that have a distance of 19.5 to 20.5 inches.  

Made with ABS plastic this tray can be fastened to the wheelchair easily.  We like how this model uses a raised lip so if spills happen it helps to contain those spills.  It has one drink cup grove that helps keep the cup in place.

This wheelchair tray is great for:

• Reading
• Easting
• Laptop use
• and more

Installation is simple:

It uses a simple strap and velcro system that goes around the wheelchair arm for easy install and removale.

3. Padded Wheelchair Half Tray

This half tray creates a stable table with a drink holder quickly and easily.  It is covered in a soft material that helps to protect your skin also but is still rigid enough to work off of.   The tray measures 14″ wide by 23″ long and can be used either on the right or left side of the chair.  

We also like that this model of wheelchair trays uses a flip-down bracket so it can be put out of the way and it will not cause issues when you try and either sit or get up from the chair.  This tray also comes with the included and necessary hardware. 

Interesting to note that a half tray may work well with joystick power chairs when a full tray may not. 

4. Wheelchair Tray Table with Cup Holder, Removable Wheelchair Lap Tray

This wheelchair tray fits most standard arm wheelchairs of 16″ – 20″ and provides a very roomy area that is large enough to hold a laptop, food, drinks, papers, and more comfortable while sitting in a wheelchair.

Made from ABS plastic material the tray is lightweight and securely sets onto the wheelchair by a hook and loop velcro strap system.

Best Wheelchair Tray buying guide

While a wheelchair try may not be a significant purchase in terms of price compared to other accessories or the wheelchair itself there are some things to look at when making a wheelchair tray purchase.  When making a decision on a wheelchair tray they may include the following:

• Tray Size
• How does it attach to the wheelchair
• The ability to fold the tray
• Quality of the tray
• Cost of tray

Full or half tray size

You have a choice from half-size trays or full-size trays.  These are preferences that only you will know.  Half trays can handle a drink and some food along with a book.

Full trays can handle a laptop and just more stuff altogether.  So if you are looking to handle more stuff on a tray and feel like you will feed more room then a full-size tray will be for you.  However, if you only want it to hold a drink and some food a half-size tray may work just fine. 

How does it attach to the wheelchair

Knowing how the wheelchair tray attaches to the wheelchair is important.  Having something that is difficult to put on or off will make things too difficult and ultimately not worth it.

Most hook and loop systems are easy to use and require very little work to either put on or take off the tray.

Does your wheelchair tray fold?

Folding trays are really nice because they make transferring just easier than having to take the tray on and off every time you need to get out of the wheelchair.  Not all trays fold so be sure to look if the tray folds if that is the type of tray you are looking to get.  Folding trays are typically half trays so keep this in mind as well. 

Quality of the tray

As the saying goes you typically get what you pay for.  The first thing you should know is what types of material the tray is made from and what type of weight can the tray hold.

Trays will take a lot of abuse from food being put on them to laptops, and more so quality hard plastics should hold up fine and provide easy cleanup. 

Plastics have a tenancy to be strong and lightweight while woods are heavier and can be harder to put on.

Cost of the wheelchair tray

The cost associated with a wheelchair tray is not terribly expensive however you can expect to pay under 180.00 for one.  Pricing will vary though greatly depending on the material used.

When you think about the cost of a wheelchair or other mobility aids the cost of the tray is not too terrible and could really increase the usefulness of the chair by letting you eat, work, and do other things you otherwise wouldn’t be able to do.