Top Electric Wheelchair Battery Types: Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to choosing a battery for your electric wheelchair, comfort, independence, and reliability should be the first things that come to your mind. This is so because, whatever your choice is, it can either make covering distances stress-free on one charge or a hectic ride with frequent charges. 

You wouldn't want a situation where you're stressed out because of frequent interference or mobility limitations. That said, this post seeks to identify the top electric wheelchair batteries alongside several other things you should know about keeping your wheelchair stable for as long as possible.

Understanding the Role of Wheelchair Batteries

The battery is the powerhouse of your wheelchair and, as such, should be prioritized. Having good batteries gives you peace of mind when outdoors. You don't even need to charge up frequently since the battery is strong and reliable. How far your wheelchair can go will only make sense if it is comfortable, safe, and supports independence. 

This is why you must understand what batteries are suitable for your wheelchair, which includes checking out price or how long the battery can hold a charge. Supposedly, your batteries are weak; this will mean that you can get stranded at any time. 

More so, pay attention to size, weight, and maintenance needs. When you put these factors together, it wouldn't take long before you know how the battery performs under different conditions, and whether it fits your lifestyle. This way, you can make ideal decisions on what to choose.

The 3 Main Electric Wheelchair Battery Types 

Below are the three main types of batteries for electric wheelchairs alongside their pros, cons, what they are and who they are best for. They include: 

Battery Type	What They Are	Pros	Cons	Best For
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)	Commonly used in older or low-cost electric wheelchairs.	It is affordable and durable for indoor and for short distances, user-friendly and very handy.	It can be stressful to move around, suitable for shorter range, slower acceleration, shorter lifespan compared to lithium.	Budget users, indoor users, low-range daily needs
Gel Batteries	A type of sealed lead-acid battery using gelled electrolyte instead of liquid acid.	Steadier than AGM, well managed for long discharge, smoother power delivery, and less maintenance.	Still heavy, moderate range, longer charging time, costs more than AGM but less than lithium.	Moderate daily use, users who want balance between cost and performance
Lithium-Ion	Most of the cutting-edge electric wheelchairs today are powered using these high-energy, lightweight batteries.	Longest lifespan, lighter weight, faster charging, better range, consistent performance, easy to transport.	Airline limitations on battery size and approval, with high initial costs.	Active users, long-distance travel, frequent outdoor use, portability

Should you need reliable, wheelchair-compatible options across all battery types, you can explore our trusted selections of electric wheelchair batteries.

5 Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Electric Wheelchair Battery 

Whether it's just for indoor use, short trips or traveling long distances, there are key factors you should consider before you choose a battery for your electric wheelchair and they are as follows: 

Your wheelchair model and required battery specifications

Every wheelchair comes with its specific battery requirements which include the voltage (e.g., 24V), which keeps the motors running. It must be of the size/connector type that fits the battery compartment. This is to say, using the wrong battery can cause poor performance or electrical issues and, in some cases, can even void your warranty.

Voltage and capacity (only in relation to wheelchair performance)

Both voltage and capacity can affect how your wheelchair performs. While voltage determines the overall power delivered, the latter affects how long the battery supplies energy before recharging. For instance, batteries ranging from 20 Ah to 50 Ah can cover longer distances but may add weight to the chair. 

Daily usage needs: indoor use, short trips, long travel 

What do you want to use the wheelchair for? If it's for indoor use or short trips, it’s recommended to use batteries between 15 Ah and 25 Ah. But to cover longer distances, you will need a much bigger battery, at least 30 Ah or more. Technically, the bigger the battery capacity the more distances it can cover.

 Weight of the battery and how it affects portability

Of course, the weight of the battery should also be considered especially when looking out for portability. If you need to lift, transport, or load your wheelchair into vehicles, then the wild guess is to choose a lithium battery over lead-acid batteries as they can be much heavier. With a lighter battery weight, you can easily carry your wheelchair around with little to no stress. 

Airline/travel considerations

Unlike what it might look like in road transport, airlines usually have battery regulations and as such, you should pay special attention to the battery rules. Normally, lithium-ion batteries are limited to 300 watt-hours (Wh), calculated as (Voltage x Amp-hours). For example, a 24V, 12Ah battery equals 288Wh, which is within the airline limit. Depending on the airline, the battery may need to be removed and carried in the cabin during transfer.

There are airlines that do not allow large batteries or require the battery to be notified in advance. Non-spillable batteries such as sealed lead-acid may be easier to check in, although they still need proper documentation and setup.

How to Match the Right Battery Type to Your Wheelchair Model 

Choosing the right battery for your wheelchair makes a lot of difference in how you handle everyday tasks. For one, you want to start by identifying the battery type, voltage, and approved size for your wheelchair model, which you can easily find out when you see the manufacturer's manual or label, usually under the seat.

Next, confirm voltage and amp-hour (Ah) ratings. This is because if your wheelchair requires 24V, using a different voltage is like plugging a phone charger into a fridge and you know what can happen in such a scenario, it can cause damage. Compatibility will always beat power every time. 

Wrap Up 

Choosing the right type is just the first step. To understand how these batteries perform in real-world conditions and how to know when it's time for a replacement, check out our Performance and Maintenance Guide.