Have you been searching for a high-performance, versatile, top-quality wheelchair designed chiefly for outdoor use but still “tame enough” to be used inside when and as needed? Has that search left you frustrated and bewildered?

We know the feeling. The mobility market is huge, with a staggering number of choices. So many can lead to “analysis paralysis” as you struggle to compare one model to the next.

Sure, the big brands that dominate the industry have solid products that are well worth considering, but if you’ve looked at those and they’ve left you underwhelmed for one reason, you’ll love this brand review.

About the Brand

Haven’t you heard of Bounder Wheelchairs? We’d be surprised if you had. Bounder products are made by a relatively small company in the industry called 21st Century Scientific, Inc. While they don’t offer a vast array of products like some companies, theirs are rugged, durable, high-quality medical equipment built to last. You can check out some of their products in our 21st Century Scientific wheelchair reviews.

In our recent roundup review of the best outdoor wheelchairs, the Bounder Plus All-Terrain placed a respectable second in its class. This is a testament to the quality of their equipment, and their other products are every bit as good.

In the sections that follow, we’ll take a closer look at the various models of wheelchairs the company makes so you’ll have a complete picture of what the brand has to offer. Note that 21st Century Scientific, Inc. makes medical gurneys and other assorted gear, but we won’t cover their non-wheelchair products in this review.

Ready to take a closer look? Let’s go!

Bounder Power Wheelchairs Comparison Table

Before we look at individual products, let’s start by taking a high-level view of the various wheelchair models in the company’s lineup. Here they are:

Our Pick
 
 
Primary Rating:
4.5
Primary Rating:
4.6
Primary Rating:
4.6
Adjustability and Customization:
4.3
Adjustability and Customization:
4.5
Adjustability and Customization:
4.3
Comfort:
4.5
Comfort:
4.5
Comfort:
4.8
Versatility:
5.0
Versatility:
5.0
Versatility:
5.0
Ease of Use:
4.3
Ease of Use:
4.3
Ease of Use:
4.3
Pros:
  • A speedy, powerful wheelchair designed for indoor/outdoor use. One of the fastest conventionally styled wheelchairs on the market (top speed of 11.6 MPH!)
Pros:
  • An incredibly rugged design featuring four motors and a chain drive. Gets up to 55 miles on a single charge.
Pros:
  • One of the most robust bariatric models on the market today, supporting up to 1000 pounds of weight!
Cons:
  • All of these chairs suffer from the same negative, that being that they’re all incredibly expensive compared to chairs offered by the dominant brands in the industry. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Bounder chairs are incredibly robust, long-lasting, and high quality.
Cons:
  • All of these chairs suffer from the same negative, that being that they’re all incredibly expensive compared to chairs offered by the dominant brands in the industry. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Bounder chairs are incredibly robust, long-lasting, and high quality.
Cons:
  • All of these chairs suffer from the same negative, that being that they’re all incredibly expensive compared to chairs offered by the dominant brands in the industry. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Bounder chairs are incredibly robust, long-lasting, and high quality.
Recommended for:
Primarily an indoor use chair, but robust enough to handle any mild, and some moderate outdoor terrains.
Recommended for:
Consider this the inverse of the High-Performance chair. It’s mostly designed for outdoor use and can tackle a wider range of outdoor terrains, but can be used indoors in a pinch.
Recommended for:
A big, burly indoor/outdoor chair. Like the high performance, it’s primarily intended for indoor use but is surprisingly adept at handling mild to moderate outdoor terrains too.
Our Pick
Primary Rating:
4.5
Adjustability and Customization:
4.3
Comfort:
4.5
Versatility:
5.0
Ease of Use:
4.3
Pros:
  • A speedy, powerful wheelchair designed for indoor/outdoor use. One of the fastest conventionally styled wheelchairs on the market (top speed of 11.6 MPH!)
Cons:
  • All of these chairs suffer from the same negative, that being that they’re all incredibly expensive compared to chairs offered by the dominant brands in the industry. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Bounder chairs are incredibly robust, long-lasting, and high quality.
Recommended for:
Primarily an indoor use chair, but robust enough to handle any mild, and some moderate outdoor terrains.
Primary Rating:
4.6
Adjustability and Customization:
4.5
Comfort:
4.5
Versatility:
5.0
Ease of Use:
4.3
Pros:
  • An incredibly rugged design featuring four motors and a chain drive. Gets up to 55 miles on a single charge.
Cons:
  • All of these chairs suffer from the same negative, that being that they’re all incredibly expensive compared to chairs offered by the dominant brands in the industry. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Bounder chairs are incredibly robust, long-lasting, and high quality.
Recommended for:
Consider this the inverse of the High-Performance chair. It’s mostly designed for outdoor use and can tackle a wider range of outdoor terrains, but can be used indoors in a pinch.
Primary Rating:
4.6
Adjustability and Customization:
4.3
Comfort:
4.8
Versatility:
5.0
Ease of Use:
4.3
Pros:
  • One of the most robust bariatric models on the market today, supporting up to 1000 pounds of weight!
Cons:
  • All of these chairs suffer from the same negative, that being that they’re all incredibly expensive compared to chairs offered by the dominant brands in the industry. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Bounder chairs are incredibly robust, long-lasting, and high quality.
Recommended for:
A big, burly indoor/outdoor chair. Like the high performance, it’s primarily intended for indoor use but is surprisingly adept at handling mild to moderate outdoor terrains too.

While the table above provides a good “at a glance” view, to see what really makes each of these chairs tick, we’ve got to look a bit more deeply, so that’s what we’ll do next.

Bounder Plus H Frame Power Wheelchair – High Performance

Our
Bounder Plus H Frame Power Wheelchair
4.5

Recommended For: Primarily an indoor use chair, but robust enough to handle any mild and some moderate outdoor terrains.

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This can be seen as the “baseline model” of the company’s lineup because, with all but one exception, the other chairs are derived from this one. It’s brilliantly engineered, designed to be highly modular (we’ll get into the options and add-ons later on), and built to last you a lifetime.

Basic Specifications of the Bounder Plus H Frame Wheelchair

  • Seat Width:  Variable (can be ordered with a seat width as small as 12” or as wide as 20”)
  • Seat Depth:  Variable (ranging from 12” to 23”)
  • Seat Height: Variable (ranging from 19” to 25”)
  • Back Height: Variable (ranging from 15” to 24”)
  • All other dimensions are customizable, too, and are at least in part dependent on what options and add-ons you select (detailed below)
  • Maximum user weight: 300 –500 pounds (can go even higher with the appropriate frame reinforcement enhancements)

The Bounder Plus H Frame Power Chair uses a standard 25.5” wide frame, constructed of 2.5” x 1.5” x 0.125” TIG-welded wall steel, and 0.120” wall steel seat rails and back posts. It’s powered by a sliding dual group 27 battery box (largest in class), features a non-slip chain drive (similar to what you find on motorcycles), making it perfect for use in extreme weather, and features 12-position adjustable suspension forks.

Anti-tippers are a standard feature, the arms are detachable, and the desk-length is desk-length (this may be changed at your option). The chair features a smart electric brake release that allows for easy pushing by an attendant.

Even better, unlike many mainstream brands, the Bounder Plus H Frame Power Wheelchair’s casters and drive wheels are solid steel, which offers excellent handling on most surfaces (casters and drive wheels are available with either smooth or knobby treads).

In addition, unlike many chairs, where you have to buy the lighting package separately, this chair comes with tail lights standard (headlights are a separate option) and a dual-mode battery charger capable of charging both gel-cell and lead-acid batteries.

Note that while the Bounder Plus H Frame Power Wheelchair, in its stock configuration, can reach speeds more than 11 MPH, lower speeds can be programmed into the control board at user request, so this, too, is optional! Also note that given its solid steel construction, this chair is heavy, weighing in at a whopping 280 pounds!

We’ll give you a minute to catch your breath. The bottom line is that no mainstream brand offers a wheelchair today that offers anywhere close to this level of customization, and what we’ve talked about so far is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg!

Bounder All Terrain Power Wheelchair – Off-Road

Bounder All Terrain Power Wheelchair
4.6

Recommended For: Outdoor use and can tackle a wider range of outdoor terrains, but can be used indoors in a pinch.

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While the Bounder All Terrain Power Wheelchair uses the same basic frame as the Bounder Plus H Frame Wheelchair, there are a few fundamental differences. We’ll list those just below:

  • This model uses 14” x 5.4” low-pressure pneumatic knobby ATV-style tires
  • The above are paired with 9” x 3.5” knobby caster tires
  • The motors offer more torque but sacrifice speed – this unit tops out at 6.5 MPH

The Bounder AT can accept the full range of enhancements and add-ons discussed below.

Big Bounder H-Frame Power Wheelchair – Bariatric

Big Bounder H-Frame Power Wheelchair
4.6

Recommended For: Indoor use but is surprisingly adept at handling mild to moderate outdoor terrains.

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The Big Bounder Wheelchair is a modified Bounder High-Performance chair featuring the following differences:

  • Seat width options range from 21” to 48”
  • The standard Big Bounder Electric Wheelchair can support 500 pounds of user weight, but the frame can be reinforced to either 700 or 1000 pounds of user weight (see note below)
  • The frame can be narrowed to within 2.5” of the seat’s width, which helps improve indoor mobility, especially where navigating through doorways is concerned.

Note:  If you select the 1000-pound weight limit chair, the company will swap out the motors to those used by the Bounder AT, which provides more torque but somewhat less speed, so the speed of the 700-pound weight limit Big Bounder H-Frame Power Wheelchair is 11.5 MPH, while the 1000-pound weight limit model is 6.5 MPH.

Of course, you can access the full range of extras and add-ons that we’ll discuss later.

Bounder Plus Narrow and Extra Narrow

Bounder Plus Narrow and Extra Narrow for Bounder Power Wheelchair

There are two variants of this model. We’ll give the basic stats as they differ from the Bounder HP separately.

NARROW 24” BOUNDER
  • The overall width of the frame has been reduced to 24”
  • Offers a slightly higher (11.6 MPH) top speed
  • Seat width options range from 12” – 18”
  • Seat depth options range from 12” – 18”çµ
  • Seat height options are 19”, 20”, or 21”
  • Back height options range from 12” – 20”
  • The narrow chair uses a dual group 24 sliding battery box in place of dual group 27

Note:  If you select the 1000-pound weight limit chair, the company will swap out the motors to those used by the Bounder AT, which provides more torque but somewhat less speed, so the speed of the 700-pound weight limit Big Bounder H-Frame Power Wheelchair is 11.5 MPH, while the 1000-pound weight limit model is 6.5 MPH.

Of course, you can access the full range of extras and add-ons that we’ll discuss later.

EXTRA NARROW 21.5” BOUNDER
  • The overall width of the frame is reduced to just 21.5.”
  • Uses slightly smaller front and rear wheels (8” x 2” vs. 9” x 3.5”)
  • Uses a slightly less powerful motor (top speed of 9.1 MPH)
  • Uses a dual-group 22NF battery box
Bounder Plus Narrow and Extra Narrow for Bounder Power Wheelchair

Compared to the Bounder Plus H Frame (High Performance), this chair weighs approximately 100 pounds less (so the total weight here is about 180 pounds).

As with the other Bounder models, the full range of power seating options, extras, and add-ons are available.

Bounder Classic – Conventional “Tubular” Frame

This is the closest thing that 21st Century makes to a “conventional” wheelchair. It retains its all-steel construction but utilizes a non-folding box frame built with steel tubing. In addition to that, note the following differences from the baseline model:

  • 8” x 2” front casters
  • Mag-style 20” x 2.125” rear wheels
  • Seat widths available in 14”, 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, or 20” configurations (14” and 15” configurations generate an extra charge)

As with all the other Bounder models, this model has many enhancements and add-ons.

Full Product Review Product Support

Features of Bounder Power Wheelchairs

Adjustability & Comfort

While Bounder power chairs are only moderately adjustable once you have them, the company gives you virtually unlimited freedom to custom-tailor your chair to your specific needs.

We’ll get into the add-ons and enhancements in the next section. For now, let’s focus on the standard parts of the wheelchair that can be custom-ordered to your specifications and aren’t model-specific:

Powder Coated Frame

The powder-coated frame can be ordered in a variety of colors, including:

  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Dark Green
  • Yellow
  • Light Gray
  • White
  • Teal
  • Lavender
  • Pink
  • Any custom color you desire
Frame Reinforcement Options

 The frame can be reinforced for heavier users. There are a variety of reinforcement options here, including:

  • Reinforced drive wheel mounts
  • Thicker wall tubing
  • Solid back posts
  • Addition of a cross strut between the back-post handle tips
  • Adding gurney push handles (allowing an assistant to push you)
  • Adding gurney rail mounts (left, right, front, and/or rear)
And More!
  •  A wide variety of front rigging and seat arm options
  • A variety of headrest styles
  • A variety of calf pad styles
  • The leg supports can either be footplate (single plate), or independent leg supports (with or without calf pads)
  • Flip-up arms available for easier transfer into and out of the chair
  • A variety of front caster and drive wheel size options
  • And a variety of control options (including attendant controls mounted on the back of the chair)

You probably won’t need to order any aftermarket goodies for your chair. But if you forget something you wanted, most aftermarket products can be fitted to the Bounder power wheelchair product line. However, they may pose complications with some of the features we’ll discuss later in this review, so bear that in mind.

On-Board Storage & Extras

21st Century Scientific, Inc. offers many exciting add-ons and enhancements. Any of these can be ordered on any of the models the company offers:

  • Lighting Package – The lighting package includes a 24V, 20W 1900lm CREE headlamp that’s as bright as a car headlight. It also includes a switch box and wiring to support two headlamps and two taillights (the second headlight can be purchased separately).
  • Horn – An important safety feature that can be added on request, powered by its own toggle switch (push button horns available on request).
  • Electric Leg Bag Emptier – Not everyone will need this add-on, obviously, but if you do, it can be a real lifesaver.  Activated via its own, dedicated toggle switch, it can drain a medium-sized bag in about fifteen seconds.  Also note, no valve flushing required!
  • Rearview Mirror – A detachable rearview mirror can be placed just in front of the arm opposite where the steering control box is located.
  • Device Mount – Positioned in the same location where the rearview mirror would go, it’s a convenient, hands-free way of using your smartphone or tablet.  Provides four points of contact to ensure that the device is held firmly in place.
  • Gun Mount (With Rifle Rest) – A great addition for an outdoorsman, the module breaks down into three pieces for easy storage and transport when not in use.  Features quick-adjust ratcheting handles and is mounted in the optional equipment slot, on the arm opposite the steering controller.
  • Fan – Small, personal cooling fan capable of moving 45 cubic feet of air per minute.
  • Fenders – A convenient way to help keep you dry and your wheelchair clean when driving outdoors in inclement weather. Also adds a bit of style and flair to your ride.
  • Rear-mounted oxygen tank holder

Power Seating Options

While all of these are interesting, these aren’t the add-ons and enhancements that make the Bounder power chairs compelling.  What is more, in addition to the incredible reliability these models offer, they can be customized with various power seating options. 

Many of these can be combined, so don’t think you’re limited to one of the options we’ll describe below. Depending on your needs, the company can work with you to install a variety of power seating options. Here’s what you can choose from:

  • PRS – Power Recline System: The reclining system offered by 21st Century is interesting for several reasons. First, it can go from nearly vertical to nearly horizontal (up to 80 degrees of recline), and it allows sling upholstery, solid seating, and sheet metal pans, giving users various options. Combined with the independently operated elevating leg rests and the custom seating and padding options (described below), it enables you to create the perfect napping or sleeping chair and take advantage of the model’s native features.
Power Seat Elevate (PSE2), Power Tilt (PTS) & Power Recline (PRS)
A BOUNDER Plus H-Frame with 13″ Power Seat Elevator (PSE2), 50° Power Tilt (PTS) and 80° Power Recline (PRS)
GIF Power Seat Elevate (PSE2) & Power Tilt (PTS)
A BOUNDER Plus H-Frame with 13″ Power Seat Elevator (PSE2) and 50° Power Tilt (PTS)  
  • SBPRS – Sliding Back Power Recline System: An interesting variation to the standard powered recline function, this feature allows the chair to “slide forward” by as much as five inches as it reclines.
  • PTS—Power Tilt System: This feature allows you to change the angle between the seat and the ground while seated in the chair, giving you about a 45-degree range of movement.
Image of Power Seat Elevate (PSE2) & Power Tilt (PTS)
A BOUNDER Plus H-Frame with 13″ Power Seat Elevator (PSE2) and 50° Power Tilt (PTS)
  • RPTS – Reverse Power Tilt System: Where the power tilt system tilts you backward by up to 45 degrees, this module does the same thing but leans you forward instead (to a maximum of about thirty degrees).  Great for providing a bit of assistance in getting out of the chair, this can be considered somewhat akin to the feature found on power lift recliners.
  • PSE2 – Power Seat Elevator 2: This is Bounder’s answer to the standing wheelchair. The seat elevator raises the entire seat up to 13,” which is generally sufficient to bring the person sitting in the chair to something approximating standing height.  In addition to allowing the person using the wheelchair to be closer to “eye to eye” when speaking to someone, it affords them a much greater degree of independence. No more asking for help to get something off of a high store shelf; you can flip a switch and raise yourself sufficiently to reach it! Even better, if you weigh less than 250 pounds, you can drive the chair in its elevated position. How cool is that?
Image of Power Front Load (PFLS), Power Seat Elevate (PSE2)
A BOUNDER Plus H-Frame with Power Front Load System (PFLS) – seat extends forward and lowers, 13″ Power Seat Elevator (PSE2) and 50° Power Tilt (PTS)
  • PFLSPower Front Load System: A surprising number of people with mobility issues could benefit from 21st Century’s innovative front-loading system. At the flip of a switch, the entire seat (including arms and rigging) moves forward and down, lowering the seat to floor height and making it easier for people with severe mobility issues, deformed lower extremities, or double amputees to get into and out of their chair.
  • DIPLR – Dual Independent Power Elevating Leg Rests: A tremendously valuable feature.  Many mainstream brands offer elevating leg rests, but we’ve never seen a mainstream brand offer electronically controlled elevating leg rests that could be controlled independently. Kudos to 21st Century for this innovation!
Image of Power Seat Elevate (PSE2), Reverse Power Tilt (RPTS), Elevating Legrests (DIPLR)
A BOUNDER Plus H-Frame with Leather Recaro® ES seat, Power Seat Elevator (PSE2), Reverse Power Tilt System (RPTS), and Dual Independent Power Elevating Legrests (DIPLR)
GIF Image of Power Seat Elevate (PSE2), Reverse Power Tilt (RPTS), Elevating Legrests (DIPLR)
Demonstrating the chair’s Power Seat Elevator (PSE2), Reverse Power Tilt System (RPTS), and Dual Independent Power Elevating Legrests (DIPLR)
  • PHR—Power Headrest: When not in use, this headrest lies behind the chair’s seatback. At the flip of a switch, it can be raised into position, providing even greater comfort.

Seat Style Options

In short, the options above are flat-out amazing enhancements.  Even better, in addition to these, two different seat style options can be ordered:

  • Custom Captain’s Chair – This is custom-made and can be ordered in just about any size you like, and with either standard padding, extra padding, or memory foam.  A variety of upholstery options are also available.
BOUNDER Plus Conventional Frame with Black Fabric Captain's Seat
Custom Captain’s Chair
  • Recaro Ergonomic Seat – Also custom-made and offered in various upholstery options, a Recaro seat is…imagine a cross between a plush bucket seat from a sports car and a high-end executive office chair. That’s what you can enjoy sitting in if you like! Among other things, these chairs feature a manually adjustable headrest and seat depth and offer full ergonomic (including lumbar) support, with a separate control panel built into one of the inside arms for controlling seat-specific features.
BOUNDER Plus H-Frame with Recaro Seat
Recaro Ergonomic Seat

Puff & Sip Control

Finally, and this is something else you’ll be hard-pressed to find offered by most mainstream brands, if you can’t use your hands to work the controls, any of 21st Century’s chairs can be outfitted with a “Puff and Sip” control system so that mouth movements can operate the chair. In short, these guys have thought of just about everything.

What About Portability?

So far, we’ve been doing nothing but singing the praises of Bounder products, and with good reason.  They are amazing.  One thing they are not, however, is portable. Suppose you want to move these from one location to another. In that case, you’re almost certainly going to want to buy a lift system on the back of your vehicle or, if you have a truck or full-sized van, then a ramp to load and unload whichever of these models you gravitate toward.

While the relative lack of portability did reduce the score of the products in this brand, it’s not a deal breaker for most people. It’s a problem, sure, but not an insurmountable one.

World Class Customer Service and Support

Another thing you won’t have to worry about when you buy any product from 21st Century Scientific is post-sales support. They’ll start working with you when you first make contact to ensure that the chair they ultimately deliver to your door is exactly what you want and need.

If your chair has problems after purchase, the company’s knowledgeable staff will respond promptlyThey’re a great, dedicated group.

Pros & Cons of Bounder Plus Wheelchairs

Given these products’ amazing quality, durability, and power seat configuration options, it’s not hard to fall in love with Bounder products. These chairs were designed to last you a lifetime, and because you can customize them for exactly how you plan to use them and to meet your specific needs, they don’t have any downside other than price.

Quality like this doesn’t come cheap, so Bounder power chairs are a good deal more expensive than mobility devices offered by the dominant brands in the industry.

Then again, it’s not an “apples to apples” comparison.  Big-name brand products are much less expensive because they’re mass-produced and designed for mass-market appeal. Consider them “one size fits all” products versus these, which are highly customized to meet your individual needs perfectly and last a lifetime.  That’s a significant difference, but again, it’s one you’ll pay a hefty premium for, and unfortunately, that puts these chairs out of reach for many.

Bounder Power Wheelchair Review Conclusion

The Bounder power wheelchairs offered by 21st Century Scientific, Inc. are incredible. Their designs are high-quality, and they offer an array of customization options that most other manufacturers can’t match. That makes them a breed apart. 

We highly recommend all of the chairs in the Bounder lineup without reservation. They’re expensive but built to last, and you can customize them to ensure they’ll meet your needs perfectly. A great company offers great products.

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