Choosing the right powered wheelchair can be a difficult task. Many things must be considered, which type is better for your body type, which is more convenient, or is a power wheelchair sufficient? Technology has improved all things either directly or indirectly. In terms of wheelchairs, manual power wheelchairs are now seen as a lesser good, a good which is quickly becoming a substitute for powered wheelchairs.

Modern technology has allowed users with other disabilities unable to operate a manual wheelchair the opportunity to use a powered wheelchair. Each type has different purposes and one must be aware of all the options available prior to making a purchase.

Wheelchairs may be categorized into to main groups, powered wheelchairs, and scooters (often referred to as a traditional wheelchair). The difference which causes the categorization is the control of power which is used for movement. A powered wheelchair is self-explanatory; it has an electric control usually in the form of a joystick.

The joystick measures the amount of power requested by the user to the rear wheels to move the wheelchair forward, left or right. A scooter does not have the luxury of a joystick; rather it has handlebars attached to the front wheels which are used similar to a steering wheel to turn. Scooters involve more strenuous arm movement compared to the power wheelchairs controlled by a joystick.

Scooters can be distinguished from powered wheelchairs from its style of seat. They are often mounted on a pedestal located on the floor of the wheelchair. The wheels of scooters can vary in two ways. They are either three wheeled or four, the difference can be found only in preference. The handle bars attached to the front wheels control the direction of the movement, and t he levers found on the handle bars are responsible for the acceleration and deceleration.

Rather then the two variations of scooter wheel styles, power wheelchairs have three different types. The type of wheel style are front-wheel drive chairs, they are built with larger front wheels with casters in the rear for control. Another style is the mid-wheel, which are built with larger wheels in the rear mounted with casters in the front.

The final variation is the rear-wheel style which is built with a purpose of utilizing the user's centre of mass as the main drive wheel. There are two other categories found in power wheelchairs, stair climbing powered wheelchairs, and off-road wheelchairs. Stair climbers are more versatile as it allows the user to travel up and down staircases without any help. Off-road wheel chairs are more durable and sturdy, and are made for those whom do not wish to be confided by the sidewalk.

The structural build of powered wheelchairs all follow the same fundamentals. The base is used to contain the motor, battery, and of course the wheels. Being placed on the bottom, the motor will sound less noisy and cause less of a disturbance.

The seating system is mounted on top with the controls placed in front of either on the left or right arm rest. Wheelchairs are also made specifically for travel. They can be easily folded and put away into storage. However the disadvantage is that traveling wheelchairs require a specific vehicle to properly carry both the user and the wheelchair with the correct level of safety.

Choosing the correct wheelchair is a long difficult task. If powered wheelchairs are not the correct style, other alternatives such as add-on power systems are also available. Simply reading about wheelchairs is not enough, try them out and weigh your own pros and cons to customize a wheelchair to better suit yourself.