A folding electric wheelchair is a power chair with a frame that collapses for a car trunk, closet or airline gate. The right one is usually the lightest chair that still fits your body, your seat width and your longest outing. In our ComfyGO line, frames run from 27 lb (Phoenix carbon fiber, main frame only) to 86 lb (X-9 recliner, without battery), and listed ranges run from 12 to 19 miles. Below we compare the chairs we carry and explain weight, folding, recline, batteries and flying.
Before you choose, talk with your doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist about whether a power chair suits you and what seat size and features you need.
What a folding electric wheelchair is
It is a wheelchair with two electric motors, a lithium battery and a joystick, built on a frame that folds. You trade some size and battery capacity for a chair you or a helper can lift.
Lightweight power wheelchair weight: with and without battery
Most ComfyGO listings quote weight “without battery,” and the Phoenix quotes “main frame only.” Only one listing says what batteries add: the X-lite says each 24V 5.2Ah battery adds 2 lb, so a 28 lb frame becomes about 30 lb with one battery or 32 lb with two.
The heaviest piece you lift is what matters. If you load the chair alone, compare it honestly with what you can lift, or consider a lift (see accessories).
Folding electric wheelchair comparison
Specs come from each listing’s manufacturer description; “Not listed” means the listing does not say. Prices can change; “from” means options change the price.
| Chair | Price | Listed weight | Battery | Range | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ComfyGO X-lite | $949.00 | 28 lb without battery | Single or dual 24V 5.2Ah | Not listed | Not listed | Aluminum frame, 200W motors |
| Glide Care G-6 | $1,099.00 | 56 lb without battery | Lithium, Ah not listed | Up to 13 mi | 350 lb | 18.5 x 18.5 in seat |
| Glide Care G-5 | $1,399.00 | Under 50 lb without battery | Lithium, Ah not listed | Up to 12 mi | 265 lb | 18 x 16 in seat, 9 degree slopes |
| MAJESTIC IQ-8000 | From $1,899.00 | 53 lb without battery | Two sizes offered | Not listed | Not listed | 17.5 or 20 in seat area, armrest to armrest |
| MAJESTIC IQ-7000 Auto Folding | $2,199.00 | Not listed | 12Ah or 20Ah lithium | 13 mi (12Ah), 19 mi (20Ah) | 350 lb | Automatic folding, raisable backrest |
| ComfyGO X-9 | From $2,199.00 | 86 lb without battery | 12Ah standard or 20Ah extended | Up to 13 mi (12Ah) | Not listed | Auto recline, lifting leg rests, remote |
| MAJESTIC IQ-9000 Auto Recline | $2,449.00 | 52 lb without battery | Two 24V 7.5Ah quick-release | Up to 19 mi | Not listed | Auto recline, 10 degree inclines |
| ComfyGO Phoenix Carbon Fiber | From $3,199.00 | 27 lb main frame only | Two 249.6 Wh lithium | Not listed | Not listed | Carbon fiber frame, remote with upgraded textiles option |
You can see the full range on our ComfyGO Mobility brand page.
Manual fold vs auto folding wheelchair
Most chairs here fold by hand. That needs no extra motor, but it takes some grip strength and balance.
The MAJESTIC IQ-7000 Auto Folding is the auto folding option in our lineup. Its listing calls it an automatically folding, remote controlled chair, with a 350 lb capacity and a 4 mph top speed. The description does not explain how the remote operates the fold, so call us if that detail decides it for you. An auto fold helps if latches are hard for you or a caregiver.
Folded sizes are rarely listed. One of our Glide Care G-5 listings gives 12 x 22 x 30 inches folded; for any other chair, ask us for the folded dimensions and measure your trunk opening before you order.
Recline models: X-9 and IQ-9000
Recline is a comfort and positioning feature. The ComfyGO X-9 has an automatic reclining backrest and independent left and right leg rests, controlled from the joystick or an included remote. At 86 lb without battery it is the heaviest chair here, better suited to a lift or ramp than lifting by hand.
The MAJESTIC IQ-9000 Auto Recline keeps the weight down at 52 lb without battery, uses an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and an LCD joystick, and is listed for inclines up to 10 degrees. Ask your therapist whether you need recline before paying for it.
Range, battery size and watt hours
Listed ranges are manufacturer figures; your weight, hills and surface will change them, so plan with a margin. Bigger batteries add range, weight and, for flying, watt hours.
Watt hours (Wh) are what airlines care about. The FAA says to multiply volts by amp hours if the Wh is not marked. The Phoenix listing does it for you: two 10.4Ah batteries at 2 x 249.6 Wh. By that formula, one X-lite 24V 5.2Ah battery works out to 124.8 Wh.
Carbon fiber vs aluminum frames
Most ComfyGO chairs use aircraft-grade aluminum. The Phoenix uses carbon fiber and is the lightest frame we list at 27 lb, main frame only. The trade-off is price: the Phoenix starts at $3,199.00, while the aluminum X-lite is listed at 28 lb without battery for $949.00.
Seat width, capacity and controls
Seat width and capacity are fit questions, not upgrades; see the table, and let a therapist measure you. Every chair here uses a 360 degree joystick; the IQ-7000 joystick adds speed buttons and a horn, and the IQ-9000 and Phoenix add an LCD display.
Flying with a folding electric wheelchair
The FAA PackSafe page for wheelchairs and mobility devices covers chairs with lithium ion batteries. When batteries must be removed, it says the battery is limited to 300 Wh, must be carried in carry-on baggage with terminals protected from short circuit, and you must tell the airline where it is. It allows one spare battery up to 300 Wh or two spares up to 160 Wh each, and notes that airlines may have stricter rules and that extra check-in time may be necessary. The FAA’s general lithium battery page adds that damaged or recalled batteries must not be carried.
Call your airline well ahead of your flight with your chair model and battery Wh. Our folding mobility scooter travel guide covers the same rules in more depth.
Accessories: lifts, ramps and lights
- GO-Lift Portable Lift ($899.00): weighs 25 lb, runs on a 24V 5.0Ah battery and handles a maximum load of 110 lb. Check your chair’s lifted weight against that figure.
- ComfyGO Headlight and USB Connector ($24.99): plugs into the joystick for an LED light and a USB charging port; listed as compatible with the 6011, X-9, IQ8000 and IQ9000 series.
- GO-Ramp telescopic ramps (7 and 8 ft) and a 7 ft suitcase ramp are also available; their listings do not give specs yet, so call us for details. Our wheelchair ramp length guide explains how to size one for your step height.
Electric wheelchair vs mobility scooter
A power chair is driven with a joystick and works as your seat all day, with options like recline and leg rests. A scooter is steered with a handlebar tiller, so you need to sit upright and steer with your arms. Which one suits you is a good question for your doctor or therapist. If you are still deciding, our mobility scooter buying guide covers scooters in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lightest folding electric wheelchair you carry?
The ComfyGO Phoenix Carbon Fiber is listed at 27 lb, main frame only. The aluminum X-lite is close at 28 lb without battery, and each of its batteries adds 2 lb.
Is an auto folding wheelchair worth it?
It can be if folding by hand is hard for you or a caregiver. The MAJESTIC IQ-7000 Auto Folding is $2,199.00, and you still need to lift the folded chair.
Can I take a lightweight power wheelchair on a plane?
It depends on the airline and your battery. FAA guidance limits removed lithium ion wheelchair batteries to 300 Wh, carried in the cabin. Call the airline ahead with your battery’s Wh rating.
Does insurance or Medicare cover a folding electric wheelchair?
Coverage varies by plan. Ask your insurance provider, and your doctor, what applies to you before you buy.
Questions about fit, batteries or travel? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more, and a flat $200 below that.
