Drive Manual Wheelchairs (Review in 2023)

Drive Medical provides a complete line of durable medical equipment and has been doing so for years. They have an excellent reputation for building very reliable and cost-effective manual wheelchairs for users to gain back mobility both indoors and out. Drive manual wheelchairs help improve the independence and quality of life of anyone that needs to use a manual wheelchair.

This in-depth guide will explain what our top choices are when looking to purchase a drive manual wheelchair. Let’s get started.

Our Top Picks

Blue Streak Wheelchair
Best Overall

4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)
Drive Blue Streak Wheelchair

Cruiser III 35 lbs.
Best heavy-duty

4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)
Cruiser III 35 lbs wheelchair

Top Drive Manual Wheelchairs

Our RankDrive Manual WheelchairOur Score
Best overallBlue Streak Wheelchair With Flip-Back Arms4.8/5
Best for travelTravelite Transport Chair with Bag4.7/5
Best full recliningDrive Viper Plus GT Full Reclining Wheelchair4.7/5
Best tilt-in-spaceDrive Kanga Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair4.8/5
Best heavy-dutyCruiser III 35 lbs. Wheelchair4.6/5

Drive Manual wheelchair comparisons chart

Key SpecsBlue Streak Wheelchair Travelite Transport ChairDrive Viper Plus GT Full Reclining WheelchairDrive Kanga Tilt-in-Space WheelchairCruiser III 35 lbs. Wheelchair
Weight capacity:250 lbs.250 lbs.300 lbs.200 lbs.300 lbs., 350 lbs.
Wheelchair weight:41.25 lbs.20.5 lbs.47 lbs., – 51 lbs.40 lbs35 lbs. -38 lbs.
Seat width:16″, 20″18″16″, – 20″10″, 14″16″ – 20″
Seat depth:16″18″16″15″, 19″16″
Overall width:24″, 26″22.5″24″ – 28″20″, 22″23″ -27″
Overall length:42″33″42″30″42″
Overall height: 36″37.5″50″38.5″ – 42.5″35″
Rear-wheel size: 248″24″12″24″

1. Blue Streak Wheelchair with Flip-Back Arms

Editor’s Rating

4.8/5

Drive Blue Streak Wheelchair

Blue Streak Wheelchair with Flip-Back Arms

AThe Blue streak manual wheelchair from Drive is a very cost-effective way to own a great, lightweight, and reliable wheelchair that provides comfort and long-term use for many users.

With its flip-back desk length armrests, swing-away footrests with calf straps this chair will give many users back their independence.

This chair is light at 41.25 pounds and has a three-year warranty on its frame. This is a great wheelchair at a great price for anyone looking for a cost-effective way to own a manual wheelchair.

Drive Blue Streak Wheelchair

Key Specifications

  • Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
  • Product weight: 41.25 lbs.
  • Seat width: 16″, 20″
  • Seat depth: 16″
  • Seat-to-floor height: 19.5″
  • Rear wheel size: 24″
  • Footrests: swingaway, elevating

Score: 4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)

Pros

  • Durable black nylon upholstery that can be clened easy
  • Tires are made from solid rubber
  • Push-to-lock brakes
  • Optinal elevating legrests

Cons

  • Weight limit could be higher
  • Solid rubber tires may give a more rough ride over inflated tires

2. Travelite Transport Chair with Bag

Editor’s Rating

4.7/5

Travelite Transport Chair

Travelite Transport Chair with Bag

While this drive transport chair is not a true manual wheelchair that the user can propel by themselves this chair from Drive does serve as a good purchase for those looking for a very lightweight and easy travel chair that can be pushed by a caregiver or loved one.

This chair is extremely lightweight at only 20 lbs and comes with a compact travel bag that makes taking the chair with you on trips a breeze.

Travelite Transport Chair

Key Specifications

  • Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
  • Product weight: 20.5 lbs.
  • Overall width: 22.5″
  • Overall Lenght: 33″
  • Folded width: 11.5″
  • Seat width: 18″
  • Seat depth: 18″
  • Rear wheel size: 8″

Score: 4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)

Pros

  • Folds super easy
  • Excellent for travel
  • Flip-up armrest
  • Backrest folds
  • Parking break

Cons

  • May struggle on rougher surfaces because of smaller wheels
  • Needs someone to push the chair

3. Drive Viper Plus GT Full Reclining Wheelchair

Editor’s Rating

4.7/5

Drive Viper Plus GT Full Reclining Wheelchair

Drive Viper Plus GT Full Reclining Wheelchair

For those looking for a full reclining wheelchair, the Drive Viper Plus GT Full Reclining Wheelchair is an excellent choice. This wheelchair comes with a lot of thought-out and useful features that can serve the needs of just about anyone looking for a full reclining wheelchair.

The depth of the wheelchair can be adjusted from 16″ to 18″ in literally seconds. This is because the seat rail uses telescoping technology. This becomes useful for those that need extra room for larger users.

We also like that the arms are flip back and padded so transferring can be done really easily. This chair is lightweight and easy to maneuver making it a top choice for full reclining chair users.

Drive Viper Plus GTFull Reclining Wheelchair

Key Specifications

  • Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Product weight: 47 lbs -51 lbs.
  • Seat width: 16″ -20″
  • Seat depth: 16″
  • Overall width: 24″ – 28″
  • Overall lenght: 42″
  • Rear wheel size: 24″

Score: 4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)

Pros

  • Urethane rear tires
  • Built in seat rail extension
  • Hydraulic reclining meachanism ajsustement up to 180 degree
  • Flame retardant nylon upholstery
  • Carbon steel frame
  • Front caster forks can adjust in 3 positions

Cons

  • Not many complaints with these chair

4. Drive Kanga Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair

Editor’s Rating

4.8/5

Drive Kanga Tilt-in-space Wheelchair

Drive Kanga Tilt-in-Space Wheelchair

The Drive Kanga Tilt-in-Space wheelchair provides many features that users will find beneficial. This model chair is foldable with a 45° of tilt and what makes it really useful is that I can grow to the next size without any other components.

These are some important numbers and heights you should know when looking to purchase this chair.

  • Back cane height: 22″ – 26″
  • 90° Front Rigging Angle
  • 0° – 20° Back Angle
  • 5″ – 9″ Armrest Height
  • 0° – 45° Tilt Angle
  • 8″ – 14″ Footrest Height
  • 3.5″ x 8″ Footplate Size
Drive Kanga Tilt-in-space Wheelchair

Key Specifications

  • Weight capacity: 200 lbs.
  • Product weight: 40 lbs.
  • Seat width: 10″ – 14″
  • Seat depth: 15″ – 19″
  • Seat-to-floor height: 17″
  • Overall width: 20″, 22″
  • Armrest: Removable

Score: 4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)

Pros

  • Adjustable back angle
  • Seat pan is width adjustable
  • Transit backets
  • Removable anti-tippers

Cons

  • Low weight apacity

5. Cruiser III 35 lbs. Wheelchair

Editor’s Rating

4.6/5

Cruiser III 35 lbs wheelchair

Cruiser III 35 lbs. Wheelchair

The Cruiser III wheelchair from rive is a great cost-effective manual wheelchair that is lightweight but still can hold up to 350 pounds depending on the model. Because of the dual axle, it can provide 2 seat heights. a 19.5″ and a 17.5″ for those that would require a lower seat.

we love the fact that the front casters are adjustable into 3 different positions. The mag-style wheels are maintenance-free and lightweight making this a great choice for many users.

Cruiser III 35 lbs wheelchair

Key Specifications

  • Weight capacity: 300, 350 lbs.
  • Product weight: 35 lbs, 38 lbs.
  • Seat width: 16″20″
  • Seat depth: 16″
  • Seat-to-floor height: 17.5″, – 19.5″
  • Rear wheel size: 24″

Score: 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros

  • Removal armrests
  • Carbon steel frame
  • Sealed bearings for excellent performance
  • Dual axle seat position for two seat heights

Cons

  • Seat may not be as comfortable for some wthout seat cushion

Who is Drive Medical?

Drive was founded in January of 2000 and in 2015 they acquired DeVilbiss Healthcare and the company become known as Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. Drive carries a full one of durable medical equipment products that consist of wheelchairs, bariatric products, beds, sleep surfaces, respiratory equipment, pressure prevention, CPAP products, power wheelchairs, power scooters, self-assist products, pediatric products, personal care products, electrotherapy deices and other mobility products that help to enhance lives everywhere.

Drives have an excellent reputation because of the quality products they build and the fair pricing that comes with the products.

Who does drive serve?

Drive strives to serve a wide range of customers in many different verticals from retailers that are both chains, independent, healthcare providers, healthcare distributors, e-tailers, and more. Drive has the resources in place to help anyone of their customer bases on a national level.

Where are Drive Wheelchairs made?

Drive has manufacturing plants that are across the world. A good portion of North American products is assembled within the United States. While the complete process of manufacturing may not be all done in the U.S. a portion of it probably is.

What are some price points of a drive wheelchair?

In terms of pricing, Drive Wheelchairs are known for very competitive pricing when looking at other manual wheelchairs within the same class. Typically you will find other types of chairs that have a price range of $150 to over $900 for other manufactures. This price range is looking at transport wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs.

Drive manual and transport wheelchairs will have a cost around $110.00 upwards to $500.00 for some of their most expensive wheelchairs. As you can see Drive has some of the most competitive pricing in the industry.

What are some important factors when purchasing a drive manual wheelchair?

Drive Manual Wheelchairs

These factors not only apply to Drive wheelchairs but any other manual wheelchair as well. These are some standard things you should look at before making a purchase.

Wheelchair weight capacity

Regardless if you are looking at a drive manual wheelchair or not you should understand and know the weight capacity of the wheelchair. All drive wheelchairs will have a maximum weight limit. If you are at the top of the limit of the weight that the chair is manufactured for you should look for a new model with a higher weight limit to keep you safe and so the wheelchair functions at its optimal level.

Know your wheelchair width

If you primarily are going to use your wheelchair indoors then the wheelchair width becomes more important because you will have to navigate doorways without getting stuck. There are plenty of Drive wheelchairs that provide narrower widths than other models that should get you through doorways both in your home and when you go out.

Choose a Drive Wheelchair that fits your needs for best results

Drive makes many different styles of wheelchairs. One of the most important things to remember is to match your needs with the best possible type of wheelchair. Drive makes transport chairs, manual wheelchairs, tilt-back chairs, and many more styles that are specific to certain needs. Matching your needs to what the chair will provide will help for a better experience.

Differnce between manual wheelchair and transpoprt chair

Manual wheelchairs allow the person siting in th wheelchair to propel themselevs by using pushing the handrims manualy. These types of chairs are lightweight and use larger backwheels and smaller coasters up front.

The difference between a manual wheelchair and a transport chair is that a transport chair does not allow the user who is sitting in the chair to properl themsevles. A caregiver or a lovd one will need to push the chair to move it.

Transport chairs are lighter and typically less expensive then manual wheelchairs. Transport chairs are used more for getting a person from one place or another in short distances and are not used for a long term device like a true manual wheelchair.

Final thoughts on Drive Wheelchairs

Drive manual wheelchairs are made for many different needs that are well made and priced very afordable for many users. Regardless if you are looking for a transport chair or a manual wheelchair that is lightweight, heavy-duty, tilt-in-space, or for travel Drive can provide the right wheelchair at a great price.

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About ASmith

Adam Smith is the main researcher and contributor at Mobility Medical Supply. Adam has many years of research in public data, and software security. With Mobility issues within Adam's family, he decided to dedicate in-depth guides on mobility products to anyone looking to improve movement and gain independence.