Jazzy Electric Wheelchair Review

Summary

• Cost: A Jazzy electric wheelchair can vary in price depending on the model you select and your insurance coverage. Jazzy Elite ES1, the base model, starts at about $1,690.
• Comfort: Jazzy’s most popular model, the Jazzy Evo 613, comes with a high back made of memory foam for extra comfort.
• Usability: Jazzy wheelchairs offer features like lightweight portability and options for additional comfort, such as adjustable armrests or foot platforms.

What we like:

• Pride Mobility, the manufacturer of Jazzy wheelchairs, has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
• 14 available chair models
• Higher weight capacity option available on most models

What we don’t like:

• Warranty duration is shorter for wheelchair electronics and batteries than other Pride Mobility products

Founded in 1986, Pride Mobility designs and manufactures mobility devices, including Jazzy electric wheelchairs. Pride Mobility began when two families started to manufacture lift chairs in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The company released its first Jazzy power chair in 1996. Today, Pride Mobility Product Corporations builds a wide range of quality mobility products to serve people with disabilities and mobility impairments.

The company is headquartered in Pennsylvania but operates in international locations including New Zealand, Germany and the U.K.

Pride Mobility offers 14 different types of Jazzy wheelchairs.

Jazzy Electric Wheelchairs

“These chairs are for those who don’t need or plan to be in the chair all the time but don’t have the means to be on their feet regularly,” says Jerry Hulse, research and product manager at Pride Mobility. These chairs, however, are not for rehabilitation, he adds. Pride Mobility has a separate line for customers in need of rehabilitation.

“A power wheelchair helps gain independence and safety with mobility tasks,” adds Jennifer Maphis, clinical director at Tallahassee Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy.

With several models available for use, Pride Mobility customers can choose from a wide range of options, depending on cost, comfort and desired special features. “The lowest priced Jazzy wheelchair starts at $1,690 while the more advanced Jazzy Air 2 is listed at $4,239,” says Hulse. The Jazzy Air 2 also offers special features and add-ons like seat elevation, which allows a person to raise the chair up to 12 inches while maintaining stability and suspension.

Medicare may cover some of the cost of these wheelchairs, which can be bought at durable medical equipment (DME) stores or where other medical supplies are sold.

When purchasing a Jazzy power wheelchair, Maphis recommends considering the following factors:

• Locations where the chair will be used
• Functionality within the user’s home
• How much assistance the user will require
• Chair type (lightweight manual or power chair)
• Upgrade features
• Payment options
• Insurance coverage

Comfort Features

Comfort is a crucial consideration when looking for a wheelchair. The most popular Jazzy chair is the Jazzy Evo 613, says Hulse. This model has a memory-foam high back with a swivel seat, adjustable armrests, depth-adjustable seat sizes and adjustable foot platforms. Not all models include the memory foam feature, but most have added features of comfort like adjustable foot platforms, foam seating and adjustable seat size.

Safety Features

All Jazzy power chairs are FDA Class II medical devices and pass the testing requirements established by the American National Standards Institute/Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (ANSI/RESNA). Some testing requirements include misuse and abuse testing, effective brake testing, durability and reliability and electromagnetic capability.

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is another important consideration when selecting an electric wheelchair. The lowest Jazzy wheelchair weight capacity is 250 pounds (Jazzy Passport), and the highest is 600 pounds (Jazzy 1450). The Jazzy 1450, Jazzy Elite HD and Jazzy 614 HD all purportedly offer “high weight capacity with optimal weight distribution,” according to the company.

Batteries

Jazzy wheelchairs require two batteries and vary in weight depending on the model. Battery weight ranges from 7.6 pounds to 52 pounds. Each model’s per-charge range, or how far it can go on one charge, also varies. Depending on weight capacity, the longest a Jazzy wheelchair can go is nearly 29.5 miles (Jazzy 600 ES) on a single charge. Meanwhile, the Jazzy Passport’s range is closer to 5 miles per charge.

Pride Mobility customer service representatives were available within minutes of calling. They were able to answer questions on specific models and provide detailed explanations about products. They also provided tips on how to find more resources online, including a comparison of all the Jazzy chairs.

Pride Mobility doesn’t sell products through its website, so you must purchase them from an authorized dealer. Pride Mobility has a “find a dealer” page on its website to help you find one near you.

All Jazzy electric chair frames are covered for five years. Electronics, drive motors and batteries are covered for 13 months. If purchasing from a dealer, extended warranties and discounts may be available.

Online ratings for Pride Mobility are generally positive. The company has been accredited by Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2018 and boasts an A+ rating. BBB customer ratings, however, are lower, and seven reviews rank Pride Mobility 1.29 out of 5 stars. Complaints are not specific to Jazzy wheelchairs, per se, but most center on product malfunctions or errors.

Pride Mobility has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars from Consumer Affairs. In general, reviewers disliked the narrow footrest, finding it to be difficult to assemble and complaining about product malfunctions after just a few months.

Jazzy offers many electric wheelchair models to choose from, making them useful for a wide customer base. Lightweight options make it easier for users to travel while the Jazzy 1450—with a 600-pound weight capacity—offers stability and heavy-duty design for traversing outdoor terrain.