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Article: First-Time Buyer’s Guide: Choosing an Electric Wheelchair That Truly Fits You | OAS Mobility

First-Time Buyer’s Guide: Choosing an Electric Wheelchair That Truly Fits You | OAS Mobility

First-Time Buyer’s Guide: Choosing an Electric Wheelchair That Truly Fits You | OAS Mobility

Buying your first electric wheelchair is about more than getting from one place to another. The right wheelchair should work with your body, your living environment, and your daily routine. It should make shopping, appointments, outings, and travel easier—not create new obstacles.

Many people begin by comparing weight, range, load capacity, and motor power. However, higher specifications do not necessarily mean that a wheelchair is the right fit for you.

At OAS Mobility, we follow one simple principle:

Fit comes before features.

A wheelchair that truly suits you should meet three requirements:

Body fit × Lifestyle fit × Confidence fit

This guide takes you through three practical steps to help determine whether the OAS Air Ultra is suitable for your body, home, daily routes, and travel needs.

Step 1: Make Sure the Wheelchair Fits Your Body

A wheelchair is not simply a mobility device. It also affects your sitting position, physical support, comfort, and ability to transfer safely. Before comparing additional features, first confirm whether the seat dimensions, weight capacity, and control position are suitable for you.

Seat Width and Sitting Space

The OAS Air Ultra has:

  • A seat width of 45.69 cm
  • Approximately 48 cm of space between the inner sides of the armrests

To check your required seat width, sit on a firm, level chair and measure the widest part of your hips or thighs. Remember to allow space for everyday clothing and thicker winter garments.

A suitable seat should not:

  • Press against your hips or thighs
  • Allow excessive side-to-side movement
  • Require you to lean forward or sideways to reach the joystick
  • Prevent your feet from resting naturally on the footplates

If you are unsure about the fit, compare the wheelchair dimensions with your height, weight, widest hip measurement, and the seat dimensions of your current wheelchair.

Weight Capacity

The OAS Air Ultra supports a maximum user weight of 136 kg.

When assessing the required capacity, consider not only the user’s body weight but also any personal belongings that may be carried on the wheelchair. The total load should always remain within the specified limit.

Posture and Control Position

Once seated, check whether:

  • Your shoulders, back, and legs can remain relaxed
  • You can reach the joystick comfortably
  • Both feet rest securely on the footplates
  • Transfers into and out of the wheelchair feel manageable
  • You experience pressure or discomfort after sitting for a period of time

If you need to use continuous effort to maintain your posture, or if you regularly need to lean forward to operate the controls, the fit or control position may require further consideration.

Step 2: Make Sure the Wheelchair Fits Your Environment

Even a wheelchair with excellent specifications must still fit inside your lift, pass through your doorways, and handle the routes you use every day.

Before purchasing, check the following areas.

Doors, Hallways, and Lifts

The unfolded dimensions of the OAS Air Ultra are:

  • Length: 92 cm
  • Width: 57.99 cm
  • Height: 89 cm

If you live in an apartment, use a small lift, or have narrow hallways, measure:

  • The clear width of your doorways
  • The width of the lift door
  • The internal length and width of the lift
  • The turning space inside and in front of the lift
  • Hallways and kitchen passages in your home

In addition to the wheelchair’s width, consider the space required to turn. The OAS Air Ultra has a turning radius of approximately 73.41 cm.

Transporting the Wheelchair by Car

The folded dimensions of the OAS Air Ultra are:

  • Length: 65.99 cm
  • Width: 35 cm
  • Height: 72.01 cm

Do not measure only the internal dimensions of the boot. The width and height of the boot opening are equally important.

The Air Ultra weighs 16.3 kg without the batteries. Both batteries are removable, allowing you to reduce the weight before lifting and loading the wheelchair.

Whether one person can load it safely also depends on:

  • The physical ability of the person lifting it
  • The height of the vehicle boot
  • The size and shape of the boot opening
  • Whether the wheelchair must be lifted over a high edge
  • Whether a portable ramp or transfer board can be used

The lightweight design reduces the effort required, but it does not replace an individual assessment of the vehicle and the person handling the wheelchair.

Everyday Surfaces

The OAS Air Ultra is suitable for many common everyday environments, including:

  • Homes and apartments
  • Supermarkets and shopping centres
  • Well-paved pavements
  • Urban streets
  • Cobblestone streets in older town centres
  • Firm, fine gravel paths
  • Car parks
  • Everyday ramps and gentle inclines
  • Short sections of firm grass

On deep potholes, high kerbs, loose gravel, strongly sloped surfaces, or very rough ground, reduce your speed or avoid the area.

If your daily routes regularly include deep mud, sand, very loose gravel, or demanding off-road terrain, a lightweight folding wheelchair may not be the most suitable type.

Step 3: Match the Wheelchair to How Often You Use It

Different users have different priorities. Some need a wheelchair mainly for shopping and appointments, while others use it every day. Some are most concerned about car transport and travel.

The OAS Air Ultra is designed for users looking for a balance between:

  • Everyday comfort
  • Lightweight, foldable construction
  • A more spacious seat
  • Car transport
  • Home, shopping, and community use
  • Urban routes and moderately uneven outdoor surfaces
  • Convenient storage during travel

If you frequently need to load the wheelchair into a car, its weight and folded dimensions may be more important than additional features you rarely use.

If you travel longer distances each day, pay particular attention to range, charging habits, and whether carrying an additional compatible battery would be useful.

Key OAS Air Ultra Specifications

Lightweight and Foldable Design

The OAS Air Ultra uses a lightweight aluminium frame:

  • Weight without batteries: 16.3 kg
  • Weight with both batteries installed: approximately 20 kg
  • Foldable for transport and storage
  • No special tools required for folding
  • Both batteries can be removed separately

This design helps reduce the effort required when loading the wheelchair into a vehicle or storing it at home, especially when a family member or caregiver assists with transport.

Batteries and Range

The OAS Air Ultra comes with two removable lithium-ion batteries:

  • Number of batteries: 2
  • Capacity of each battery: 24 V, 10.4 Ah
  • Range with both batteries: 24 km
  • Typical charging time: 4–6 hours

The batteries can be charged while installed in the wheelchair or removed and charged separately.

If you regularly plan longer outings or have limited access to charging facilities, an additional compatible replacement battery can be purchased separately.

Motors and Speed

The OAS Air Ultra features:

  • Two 150 W brushless motors
  • Maximum forward speed: 6 km/h
  • Maximum reverse speed: approximately 2.8 km/h
  • Five speed settings
  • Specified climbing capability: approximately 15 degrees

The brushless motors are designed to provide an efficient and stable drive with relatively low operating noise.

Actual performance on an incline can also be influenced by the length and surface of the slope, the user’s weight, and any additional load.

Braking System and Tyres

When the user releases the joystick, the intelligent electromagnetic braking system slows and stops the wheelchair automatically.

The Air Ultra uses solid PU tyres on both the front and rear wheels. They do not require inflation and reduce the risk of punctures associated with conventional pneumatic tyres.

You should still check regularly for:

  • Cracks, cuts, or missing sections on the tyres
  • Unusual tyre wear
  • Correct brake operation
  • Whether the joystick returns to its central position
  • Loose cables, plugs, or connections

Air Travel

The OAS Air Ultra has two removable 24 V, 10.4 Ah lithium-ion batteries. Each battery has a calculated capacity of approximately 249.6 Wh.

This battery configuration can be submitted to an airline for approval, but individual airlines may apply different procedures and transport requirements.

Before travelling, you should:

  1. Notify the airline in advance that you will be travelling with an electric wheelchair and two lithium-ion batteries
  2. Provide the voltage, capacity, and watt-hour rating of each battery
  3. Confirm whether the batteries must be removed
  4. Protect the battery terminals against short circuits if required
  5. Confirm how removed batteries must be carried
  6. Obtain final confirmation from the airline before travelling

CE-related compliance documents and battery MSDS or transport safety documents can be provided where applicable. Final approval and handling procedures are always determined by the airline.

14-Day Return and Refund Without Giving a Reason

When buying an electric wheelchair online, the main concern is often not the technical specifications. It is whether the wheelchair will actually fit the customer’s body, home, vehicle, and everyday routine.

For this reason, the OAS Air Ultra can be returned:

Within 14 days of delivery without giving a reason.

During these 14 days:

  • You can assess the wheelchair in your own home and daily environment
  • If it is not suitable, you can request a return without giving a reason
  • OAS covers the return shipping costs during this period
  • No additional return processing fee is charged
  • Once the returned product has been received, inspected, and approved, the refund is issued to the original payment method

To help the return proceed smoothly, please keep:

  • The original packaging
  • All included accessories
  • Manuals and accompanying documents
  • Your order information or proof of purchase

If the packaging, accessories, or product condition has changed, contact the OAS team before sending the wheelchair back so that the return can be reviewed with you.

Protection From Day 15 to Day 60

Between the 15th and 60th day after delivery, the available solution depends on the reason for the return:

  • If the issue is related to a product defect, an incorrect item, or transport damage, OAS will review the case and provide an appropriate repair, replacement, or refund solution. The related return shipping costs will be covered by OAS.
  • If the return is for personal reasons, such as a change of mind, the customer is responsible for the return shipping costs.

All returns must first be approved by contacting:

support@oasmobility.de

Please do not send the wheelchair directly to the warehouse without prior confirmation.

Warranty and Long-Term Maintenance Support

Every OAS wheelchair includes:

  • A 5-year warranty on the frame
  • A 1-year warranty covering the motors, controller, and batteries
  • Long-term maintenance support

If a problem occurs, the support process generally follows these steps:

Problem report → Technical assessment → Step-by-step troubleshooting → Parts support → Return or repair where necessary → Quality check and return to the customer

When contacting support, please provide:

  • Your order number
  • The email address used for the order
  • A short description of the issue
  • Photos or a short video
  • Any relevant display message or error code

OAS has a German warehouse and repair service centre in Bensheim, supporting shipping, returns, and after-sales service for the German market.

The Bensheim location is not a public shop or test-ride showroom. Returns and repairs must be arranged by email before a product is sent or brought there.

Long-term maintenance support means that OAS continues to provide a service channel for technical assessments, compatible parts, and repair-related requests. Any free coverage, parts charges, and shipping arrangements depend on the applicable warranty and service terms and the result of the individual assessment.

Is the OAS Air Ultra Right for You?

The OAS Air Ultra may be suitable if most of the following points apply to you:

  • You want more sitting space than a very compact travel wheelchair provides
  • You require a maximum load capacity of up to 136 kg
  • You plan to use the wheelchair at home, in shops, in the community, and on paved routes
  • You need to transport the wheelchair by car
  • You want a 24 km range with two batteries
  • You are looking for a balance between lightweight construction, foldability, and everyday comfort
  • You value the option to return the wheelchair within 14 days of delivery without giving a reason if it does not suit your needs

Before purchasing, check:

  • Your height, weight, and widest hip measurement
  • Door widths and hallway space in your home
  • Lift door width and internal dimensions
  • The opening and internal dimensions of your vehicle boot
  • Your usual road and surface conditions
  • Your estimated daily travel distance
  • Whether a family member or caregiver will need to lift and transport the wheelchair

Conclusion: Confidence Comes From the Right Fit, Not the Longest Feature List

Your first electric wheelchair is not simply a purchase. It may become an important part of your everyday life.

The right wheelchair should:

  • Fit your body
  • Work in your home, lift, and vehicle
  • Handle the routes you use every day
  • Balance comfort, range, and portability
  • Be supported by a clear after-sales process if a problem occurs

With its 16.3 kg lightweight frame, folding design, 45.69 cm seat width, 136 kg load capacity, and 24 km range with two batteries, the OAS Air Ultra offers a balanced option for everyday use and travel.

After delivery, you may return the OAS Air Ultra within 14 days without giving a reason if it does not suit your needs. OAS covers the return shipping costs during this period.

When choosing an electric wheelchair, the most important question is not which model has the most features. It is whether the wheelchair genuinely fits your body, environment, and way of life.

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