Do you suffer from a serious mobility issue? Has your search for the right wheelchair to help you deal with it and regain a measure of freedom and independence left you frustrated to this point?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, you’re going to love this review, and more importantly, you’re going to love the wheelchairs Broda makes.
We’ll take a closer look at Broda as a company and their complete product lineup. This is something we’ve done many times before with other brands and product lines, and often, what we find is that a given company will have hits and misses, with some of their products being significantly better or worse than others.
That’s not the case with Broda. One thing that will jump out at you immediately as you read this review and learn more about the Broda Wheelchairs is that they’re remarkably consistent. Every model this company offers is excellent and targeted at a set of highly specific needs.
These chairs are pricey, which may put them out of reach for some, but most insurance companies offer coverage provisions for wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and that should make the acquisition of one of these amazing chairs a real possibility.
If what you’ve read so far has piqued your interest, let’s jump right into the details and specifics!
About Broda
Before we get to the chairs themselves, allow us to introduce you to Broda, which is a name you may not be familiar with.
Broda is a division of MITY, Inc., a company that sells a wide range of industrial equipment, marketed primarily to hospitals, critical care facilities, and the like. For their part, Broda focuses primarily on wheelchairs and a wide range of accessories that allow for a tremendous amount of personalization and customization that lets each user fine-tune their wheelchair so that it meets their specific needs.
The company’s corporate headquarters are in the United States, and their manufacturing facility is in Canada, and they sell their products all over the world. They’ve been in the business for nearly 40 years, and since 1981, all of their products have featured their patented Comfort Tension Seating system, which is designed to facilitate optimal heat and moisture exchange that prevents skin breakdown.
The chairs Broda makes aren’t designed for people with moderate mobility issues. These chairs are specifically for people who suffer serious mobility issues and require a long-term seating and mobility solution. They’re expertly engineered and built to last. With proper care, this will be the first, last and only wheelchair you’ll ever need.
An Overview of Broda’s Product Line
Broda makes thirteen different wheelchairs, and some of those have one or more variants. Overall, you’ll find a total of twenty-one models available that cater to just about every imaginable need. We’ll begin by taking a high-level view of the Broda Wheelchairs, and then drill down and start talking about the specifics of each model. Here’s a quick overview of the company’s impressive product line:
Broda Wheelchairs I Comparison Table
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4.7
|
4.7
|
4.4
|
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.3
|
|
4.5
|
4.8
|
4.7
|
|
5.0
|
4.8
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4.3
|
|
4.3
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4.3
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4.5
|
|
Seat Width:
16", 18", 20", 22"
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Seat Width:
16”, 18”, or 20”
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Seat Width:
16”, 18”, or 20”
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|
Seat Height:
14" to 19"
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Seat Height:
20.5”
(custom heights are available) |
Seat Height:
14” to 19”
(adjustable in 1” increments) |
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Seat Depth:
16", 17", 18", 19", 20"
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Seat Depth:
17” or 18.5”
(20” custom depth available) |
Seat Depth:
17” or 18.5”
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|
Max. Supported Weight:
250 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
350 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
250 pounds
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Variations:
Encore Pedal Rocker
Encore Pedal Chair |
Variations:
Synthesis Transport Chair
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Variations:
Latitude Mobility Rocker
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Our Verdict:
An incredible, versatile chair. Highly recommended.
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Our Verdict:
Worth it for the Trendelenburg position alone. A wonderful chair that can pull double duty as a napping recliner. Highly recommended.
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Our Verdict:
A bit more narrowly focused than some of the company’s other models, but exceptional for the right user. Recommended.
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Encore Pedal Chair
- Ergonomically designed, highly adjustable, reclines in place, has an optional rocking feature, tons of extras on offer.
- Expensive. If you order the chair with the Dynamic Rocking feature, there’s a decrease in maximum supported weight.
(custom heights are available)
(20” custom depth available)
- Ergonomically designed, highly customizable, infinite seat angle and recline positions, Trendelenburg position available!
- Expensive.
(adjustable in 1” increments)
- Ergonomic seating, slight rocking and reclining function, a bit less expensive than some of the company’s other models.
- Limited recline range. This is a good day chair but a poor choice for a napper. Underwhelming maximum weight limit. Still pricey.
Encore Rehab Wheelchair
An incredible, versatile chair. Highly recommended.
Although Broda doesn’t say as much, the Encore can rightly be considered the company’s Flagship Model, and by any reckoning, it’s a masterpiece of design.
Even a casual glance reveals that this is not your ordinary Broda wheelchair. The first thing that jumps out at you is the fact that it comes with either an incredibly high back like a proper recliner or a fully articulated headrest, depending on which seat back height you order. You’ll also notice that the frame supporting the seat is a bit longer than you’d expect, which makes this a larger wheelchair than most.
Chair Specifications
Before we go any further, let’s take a more in-depth look at the basic stats that define the model:
As you can see just by looking at the basic stats, this is a highly adjustable and configurable chair. Even better, it’s ergonomically designed to foster improved posture, which is critical for anyone who finds themselves spending extended periods in it.
Chair Design and Features
Both the seat and the seatback feature a slatted tension support design much like you find in top-end office chairs. This ensures the optimal level of ergonomic support as the owner moves around in the chair.
There are several innovative features to talk about here. First, like all of the chairs Broda sells, it features their innovative Comfort Tension Seating system which, as we mentioned previously mentioned, is pivotal in terms of helping prevent skin breakdown.
The Encore also comes standard with attractive, racy mag wheels and universal leg and footrests. The standard version doesn’t rock, but you can order your Encore with Broda’s patented Dynamic Rocking feature which studies have shown helps to reduce depression and anxiety.
Note, however, that if you order your Encore with the Dynamic Rocking feature, it will reduce the amount of user weight the chair can support. On the flip side, the rocking tension can be adjusted, which gives you yet another way of customizing your Broda seating experience.
The chair can also recline by up to 33 degrees from a sit-straight position and can adjust to an infinite number of positions between fully upright and 33 degrees back.
Most interestingly of all is the fact that when your caregiver reclines you to the angle you want (managed from the push bar at the back of the chair), you’ll actually be reclining in place, which is to say that the chair pivots neatly on its axis, much like a space-saving living room recliner does.
In addition to that, the armrests are independently height adjustable and the leg rests are likewise independently adjustable and conveniently slide out of the way, allowing the person sitting in the chair to wheel right up to a desk or dining table and fully engage with work, family and friends.
Customization Options
When you place your order, you can choose from a modest selection of frame colors, including:
In terms of upholstery, your options are as follows:
If all of that wasn’t enough, there are a number of fun optional accessories you can purchase, either when you initially order the chair, or later on, as your needs evolve and change. These include:
In short, this is an amazing design that the company has built a couple of closely related models around. It’s a rugged, long-lasting Broda chair that’s easy to use and a joy to sit in.
Encore Pedal Rocker
An incredible, versatile chair. Highly recommended.
Since the Pedal Rocker is based on the classic Encore frame, all of its core stats are the same, so we won’t replicate them here. Here, we’ll focus on the key differences between this chair and the baseline model.
The first major difference is that this chair should rightly be considered a variant of a transport chair, rather than a wheelchair, given that comes equipped with small 5” rolling casters on both the front and the back. Unfortunately, unlike a proper Transport Chair, it’s not collapsible or lightweight enough to properly fill that role.
Although it’s not quite as versatile as a wheelchair, it does allow the user to propel themselves with their feet, allowing them to navigate through their homes or for short distances without the assistance of a caregiver.
The Pedal Rocker comes standard with the Dynamic Rocking feature and is outfitted with much more generous padding than the baseline model. The standard padding package includes:
Also, note that additional padding packages are available as optional accessories. In addition to that, all of the options and accessories that fit on the baseline model also work with this chair.
The generous amounts of padding make this a particularly interesting design because just about every other transport chair on the market today doesn’t have a lot in the way of padding. While it’s certainly true that the padding this model offers doesn’t compare favorably with a standard living room recliner, it’s heads and shoulders more comfortable than any other transport chair we’ve ever seen.
Combine that with the fact that this chair rocks and reclines and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better transport type chair offered at any price. While it’s not for everyone, for the right user, this is an almost perfect design.
Note: Since this chair features Dynamic Rocking, it suffers from the same weight limit (250 pounds) that the baseline model does if you order it with that feature.
Customization Options
Here, your frame color options are identical to the baseline model, and the upholstery options are as follows:
Encore Pedal Chair
This Broda chair is identical to the rocking version of the Encore, save for the fact that it doesn’t rock. Since the rocking feature is absent, this variant costs a bit less, and has a higher (350 pound) weight limit, in line with the baseline model without Dynamic Rocking.
The key difference between this model and the baseline model is the fact that the stylish mag wheels are replaced by 5” casters, which makes this much more of a transport chair than a proper wheelchair. As we mentioned with the model above though, the comparison to a transport chair only goes so far, because it’s not collapsible to a small enough footprint, nor light enough to completely fit into that role.
It also can’t recline quite as far as the others we’ve talked about and features twenty-five degrees of recline from a fully upright position. It features the same standard padding package as the Encore Rocker.
On the whole, this chair is a good budget option that will save you a bit of money if you’re looking for a good reclining chair for home use, can live without the rocking feature, and can’t afford the fancy mag wheels that the baseline model features.
This chair’s customization options are identical to the Encore Pedal Rocker.
Synthesis Tilt Recliner
Worth it for the Trendelenburg position alone. A wonderful chair that can pull double duty as a napping recliner. Highly recommended.
Although the Tilt doesn’t rock like Broda’s flagship model, it offers a tremendously valuable feature which is hinted at in the name of the model. Before we talk about it though, let’s review the core stats:
It should be noted that these are just guidelines for the most part. If you want or need a custom seat height, width, or seat depth, contact the company, and they can work with you on that. Similarly, although the tilt’s default configuration has 6” rear casters and 5” front casters, this too can be customized if you desire. Taken together, those facts make the Tilt one of the most adjustable and customizable chairs on the market today.
As with the Encore, the Tilt is ergonomically designed and has a slatted seat and seatback that provides dynamic, ergonomic support as the user sits and moves in the chair. This is augmented by well-implemented head and neck support, independently adjustable armrests, and leg rests that can either be moved as a single unit if you leave the calf pad on or, if you remove it, each leg rest can be adjusted independently.
The real strength of this design, however, comes in the form of its tilt and recline functions. The angle of the seat can be tilted up to 40 degrees, and in addition to that, the chair reclines up to 90 degrees, which means it lays completely flat.
Given that the Tilt comes with generous padding, that means it can pull double duty as a reasonably good napping recliner, especially if you invest in one of the even more plush padding options available. It gets even better, though. This chair features an advanced seating option in the form of Trendelenburg position!
What’s remarkable about that is while you occasionally find the position offered in high-end recliners and lift chairs, you almost never see it on a wheelchair or other mobility device. It’s a wonderful addition to this design because the position has documented benefits for people who suffer from chronic pain, poor circulation, or who have recently had and are recovering from surgery.
When you place your order, you can choose from a modest selection of frame colors, including:
Where upholstery is concerned, the following options are available:
In addition to that, the chair you order will have its headrest cushion, shoulder bolsters, upper side pads, lower side pads, and sole pads upholstered in the color of your choice, while the seat and back pads and the calf pad will be in black, with white or grey terry cover options also available.
While the full range of accessories are available and will fit on this chair, according to patient and caregiver statistics collected by the company, the most popular accessories purchased with this model include:
It’s an amazing model with a lot to offer, but in our view, the biggest selling point of the model is the fact that it can lay completely flat and has an advanced seating position, which is virtually unheard of on a wheelchair.
Synthesis Transport Chair
The transport version of the Synthesis features all the great features of the core model, but also comes equipped with a variety of safety features that optimize the chair for transport from one location to another with the user remaining in the chair during transport.
This is a departure from a conventional transport chair. Conventional transport chairs are typically designed to collapse for easy storage, while the user sits in the transport vehicle and then is transferred into the chair when the destination is reached.
The additional safety features included in this model are:
As the company describes it, the Synthesis Transport chair “bridges the gap between a standard wheelchair and a stretcher.” Given its ability to lay completely flat, it’s easy to see where the comparison comes from.
Note that the transport variant of the Synthesis is every bit as adjustable as the baseline model. According to company statistics, the most popular accessories purchased with this model are:
Latitude Pedal Rocker
A bit more narrowly focused than some of the company’s other models, but exceptional for the right user. Recommended.
With 5” casters all around, this chair falls into that same curious middle ground that’s not quite a wheelchair and not quite a transport chair either. It is an exceptional chair for use around the house though, and although it is a little more narrowly focused than the models we’ve talked about previously, it’s still a solid design and perfect for the right user. It’s just that the pool of ideal users is somewhat smaller for this particular model, owing to its modest maximum supported weight.
Before we go further, let’s take a closer look at the chair’s core stats:
This model shares some traits in common with the Synthesis chair in that a number of the dimensions are customizable beyond the thresholds mentioned above. Refer to this brochure for the particulars.
Like the other Broda models we’ve talked about so far, the Latitude is ergonomically designed, providing exceptional dynamic back support, augmented further by the fact that the seat reclines back modestly. This, we regard as something of a limitation, as the seat only reclines 18 degrees.
On the other hand, the model also rocks back up to 33 degrees, which adds to the chair’s versatility. Note, however, that the user sitting in the chair cannot activate the rocking function. It’s activated by a control on the seatback, just beneath the push bar. Also note that the Latitude features a tension control knob that controls the amount of force needed to rock in the chair, allowing the caregiver to set this to the user’s taste.
In addition to that, the side “wings” are removable, the rocking function can be locked by the caregiver as a safety feature, and the armrests are height adjustable to ensure that the chair fits the person using it like a glove.
The standard padding package for this model includes the neck rest pad, lower side pads, shoulder bolsters, and seat and back pads.
Customization Options
Where upholstery is concerned, this model offers the following options:
There are two frame options available: Black and Grey Hammer.
According to the company’s statistics, the most popular accessories purchased with this model are:
Latitude Mobility Rocker
This model is identical to the baseline Latitude, save for one difference. Instead of having 5” casters all around, this variant has a mag wheel upgrade, which allows the person sitting in the chair greater freedom of movement and the option to propel the chair with their arms, instead of simply having to pedal around with their feet.
All upholstery and frame options are identical, and the same accessories are recommended for this variant.
Broda Wheelchairs II Comparison Table
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4.5
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4.6
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4.7
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4.3
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4.3
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5.0
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4.8
|
4.8
|
4.8
|
|
4.5
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4.8
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4.0
|
|
4.5
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4.5
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4.8
|
|
Seat Width:
16”, 18”, or 20”
|
Seat Width:
16” or 18”
|
Seat Width:
24,” 26,” 28,” or 30”
|
|
Seat Height:
12.5” to 17.5”
(adjustable in 1” increments) |
Seat Height:
20.5”
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Seat Height:
21,” 22,” 23,” or 24”
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Seat Depth:
17” or 18.5”
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Seat Depth:
17” to 18”
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Seat Depth:
21” or 23”
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|
Max. Supported Weight:
350 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
350 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
600 pounds
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Variations:
None
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Variations:
Elite Tilt Recliner
Elite Transport Chair |
Variations:
None
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Our Verdict:
This is an ideal chair for shorter users with wider hips, owing to the custom seat width options (discussed in the review section). Provisionally recommended.
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Our Verdict:
Despite the confusion currently swirling around this model, it is exceptional and incredibly customizable. Recommended.
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Our Verdict:
It’s definitely a niche product and as such, it’s not for everyone, but if you need a bigger chair capable of supporting a lot of weight and you don’t want to sacrifice on features, this one belongs on your short list. Recommended.
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(adjustable in 1” increments)
- Ergonomic seating, very slight recline function, and more custom options than offered by the Latitude.
- Very limited recline angle. If you’re looking for a reclining wheelchair, this isn’t the model you want.
Elite Transport Chair
- An expertly designed, ergonomically powerful chair capable of laying more than flat!
- Expensive. This model seems to be in flux and undergoing some changes. At present, one variant is for the US market and the other is for the European market.
- An incredibly customizable chair when you place your order. Delightfully comfortable with a recline function that lays the chair nearly flat, allowing it to pull double duty as a napper. Even tilts forward and has hand grips allowing the user to get an assist getting into and out of the chair.
- Not an adjustable chair (it is customizable when you place your order – if your needs change, however, this chair can’t change with you).
Sashay Pedal Chair
Ideal chair for shorter users with wider hips, thanks to the custom seat width options. Provisionally recommended.
The Sashay is a somewhat smaller chair than the Latitude, but despite that fact, it’s capable of supporting more user weight, but there are a couple of important tradeoffs between these two models. Before we get into the particulars of that, let’s review the basic stats that define this model:
Compared to the Latitude, the first thing that jumps out at us is the fact that this model supports an extra hundred pounds of weight, but has a significantly lower seat to floor height range. It’s an unusual combination of features, but it makes it a fabulous choice for shorter users who are a little on the heavier side.
Like all of the other chairs we’ve talked about so far, this one is also ergonomically designed for incredible dynamic support. Unlike most of the models we’ve discussed to this point, it doesn’t rock and only reclines marginally – a scant 18 degrees.
That makes it a relatively poor choice if you’re looking specifically for a reclining chair, but it is delightfully comfortable, with the standard padding package that includes:
If you decide that the Sashay is the chair for you, know that there are a few custom configuration options available, including optional seat widths of 22”, 24”, 26”, or 28” and custom seat depth options of either 15.5” or 20”.
Customization Options
The following upholstery options are available for this model:
There are two frame options available: Hammer Grey and Black.
According to Broda’s statistics, the following accessories are most commonly paired with this chair:
Elite Tilt Semi-Recliner
Despite the confusion currently swirling around this model, it is exceptional and incredibly customizable. Recommended.
The Elite is an interesting model because it has recently been compressed, with two variants having been retired. Unlike the other products in the Broda lineup, the two remaining Elite models are targeted at markets in different sides of the world, with this variant being offered for sale in the United States only, and the other Elite variant being offered for sale in Europe only.
Before we get into what makes this model different and unique, let’s take a look at its core stats:
The thing that jumps out at us about this model just by looking at the numbers above is that it’s not quite as adjustable as most of the other Broda chairs since the seat height is static. However, the base stats only tell part of the story. This is actually one of the most customizable chairs the company makes.
In addition to being able to choose between 20” or 22” mag wheels, if you have a custom need where some of the dimensions are concerned, you can contact the company directly and ask to get your Elite with:
On top of that, the baseline model of this chair sees the seat recline by up to 40 degrees, with the back being capable of reclining an additional 15 degrees beyond that. If that’s not enough for you, you can order your Elite recliner with the capability of reclining by up to 80 degrees.
Combined with the seatback recline angle, that means the chair can actually lay more than flat if you want it to, and of course, you’ve got an infinite degree of recline angles to choose from, so you have perfect recline freedom.
Given the padding that comes standard on the chair (which includes the seat and back pad, the upper and lower side pads, a sole pad and a calf pad), this actually makes a decent napping recliner. Even better, more deluxe padding options are available.
Just like the rest of Broda’s chairs, this one features the innovative slatted seat and seatback design, so it provides exceptional dynamic, ergonomic support while you’re sitting in the chair, which further enhances its comfort.
Customization Options
Unlike the other chairs we’ve talked about so far, this model has relatively fewer upholstery and frame color options. The frame is available in either Grey Hammer or Black, while the upholstery color options are:
According to company statistics, the following accessories are most commonly paired with this model:
Although you don’t get as many fun color options, make no mistake: The Elite is a serious contender and one of the best wheelchairs on the market today.
Elite Tilt Recliner
This chair is functionally similar to the Elite Semi-Recliner but is geared to the specifics of the European market. While there are a few structural differences to meet European standards, it’s fundamentally the same chair. If you live in Europe and want one of these, just let them know where they’ll be shipping it to and they’ll make sure you get the right chair for the part of the world you’re in.
Elite Transport Chair
Although this model is still mentioned in a couple of places on the company’s site, it appears to have been discontinued in preference for the Elite Tilt Recliner. We wanted to include a brief mention here though, for the sake of completeness and to avoid any confusion.
Elite Tilt Chair
Although this model is still mentioned in a couple of places on the company’s site, it appears to have been discontinued in preference for the Synthesis Transport Chair. We wanted to include a brief mention here though, for the sake of completeness and to avoid any confusion.
Vanguard Tilt Recliner (Bariatric)
If you need a bigger chair capable of supporting a lot of weight and you don’t want to sacrifice features, this one belongs on your shortlist. Recommended.
The Vanguard is the largest chair that Broda makes and is capable of supporting far more weight than anything else in the company’s lineup. Despite the fact that it’s substantially larger, the Vanguard is built to the same high standards that the rest of the company’s products adhere to. There are no corners being cut here!
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the chair’s basic stats:
The first thing that jumps out at us when we look at the baseline stats is that nothing about this chair is adjustable. Just about every aspect, though is highly customizable at the time of your order.
That’s both good and bad. On the plus side, if you take careful measurements, you can get exactly the chair you want and make sure it fits you like a glove.
The flip side is the fact that if your needs evolve or change over time, the chair can’t evolve with you. We understand why the company took this approach, but it is somewhat limiting.
In addition to the basics, this chair features the company’s patented Comfort Tension Seating and is ergonomically designed to provide exceptional dynamic support, which enhances the Vanguard’s comfort.
This model features 6” front casters and 8” rear casters and a standard comfort package that includes:
On top of that, the chair features height-adjustable armrests, seat or base mounted armrests, at your option (specify at the time you place your order), and it comes with removable wings and stand-assist handles to help the person using the chair transfer into or out of it.
As with so many of Broda’s chairs, this one reclines, but there are two fun innovations where the recline feature of this model is concerned. First, it can recline up to 30 degrees backward, tilting in space as a wall-hugger recliner does.
In addition to that, the backrest can recline an additional 45 degrees. While that’s not quite enough to make the chair lay completely flat, it comes pretty close. It’s certainly enough that the Vanguard would make a good napping chair.
It gets better, though. In addition to that, this model can also recline up to 10 degrees forward, which makes it a bit like a lift chair without the actual lift function. Even so, the fact that the chair reclines forward is genuinely helpful in terms of transferring the patient into or out of the chair, especially given the presence of the hand grips.
That’s not all though. The Vanguard is unique in that its recline function is controlled via a simple foot pump mechanism. Many of Broda’s other models only recline at the whim of the caretaker. The fact that this one can be controlled by the user via a foot pump is amazing. We absolutely love it!
Customization Options
Despite the fact that the Vanguard is one of the most customizable chairs in terms of stats and measurements, it comes up a bit short where upholstery and frame options are concerned. Color-wise you only have three choices: Renaissance Burgundy, Renaissance Charcoal, or Silvertex Sapphire Blue. You don’t get any choices where the frame is concerned. It only comes in Grey Hammer.
Based on company statistics, the following are the most popular accessories purchased with this model:
This chair is obviously not going to be for everyone, but if you’re a bigger, heavier person with a serious mobility issue, the Vanguard is (or can be) an absolute game-changer.
Broda Wheelchairs III Comparison Table
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|
|
|
4.7
|
4.7
|
4.3
|
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.3
|
|
4.3
|
4.8
|
3.8
|
|
5.0
|
4.8
|
4.8
|
|
4.5
|
4.3
|
4.5
|
|
Seat Width:
16,” 18,” or 20”
|
Seat Width:
16,” 18,” or 20”
|
Seat Width:
18” or 22”
|
|
Seat Height:
17” to 22”
(adjustable in 1” increments) |
Seat Height:
20.5”
(custom heights are available) |
Seat Height:
24.5”
|
|
Seat Depth:
17” or 18.5”
|
Seat Depth:
17” or 18.5”
(20” custom depth available) |
Seat Depth:
18”
|
|
Max. Supported Weight:
350 pounds
|
Max. Supported Weight:
350 pounds
|
Max. Supported Weight:
400 pounds
|
|
Variations:
None
|
Variations:
None
|
Variations:
Revive Bariatric Tilt Chair
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
|
Our Verdict:
A great, well-rounded chair. This model offers a bit of everything. Highly recommended.
|
Our Verdict:
Just as we highly recommend the Synthesis chair, we highly recommend this model too.
|
Our Verdict:
For those that need this type of chair, it’s best in class and highly recommended.
|
(adjustable in 1” increments)
- A wonderful ergonomic design offering a surprising level of comfort. Massive recline capability, and Trendelenburg capable!
- Expensive.
(custom heights are available)
(20” custom depth available)
- We feel that this should simply be listed as a subset of the Synthesis chair, but Broda lists it as a unique model. It’s simply a better padded Synthesis, with all of that chair’s strengths and weaknesses.
- This is a better-padded variant of the Synthesis chair.
- This is a highly specialized chair that’s very good at what it does. It’s the chair of choice for people who have severe mobility issues and need a chair like this to assist with bathing, urination and bowel movements.
- Too narrowly focused to be useful to the mainstream market.
Midline Tilt Recliner
A wonderful ergonomic design offering a surprising level of comfort. Massive recline capability, and Trendelenburg capable!
The Midline is a relatively unassuming design, but it’s actually one of our favorites. Before we get into the specific reasons why let’s take a moment to review the core statistics that define the model quickly:
The seat to floor height of this chair makes it good for more than just sitting around the house. This is a working chair, with the seat height adjustment range being perfectly in keeping with the standard range you find on office chairs sold around the world.
In addition to that, and the fact that this model incorporates all the proprietary tech and ergonomic goodness that Broda’s other models do, the key selling point of the Midline is the fact that it offers an incredible recline range.
The seat itself tilts in space up to 38 degrees, which makes it similar to the recline function of recliners that feature “wall-hugging” or space-saving technology. On top of that, the seatback reclines up to 90 degrees. Taken together, this chair can lay flat, and then some.
Not only does that make it a good chair for napping, which is rare enough in the wheelchair world, but it’s also Trendelenburg capable.
That’s a term we’ve mentioned a few times before over the course of this Broda Wheelchairs review because it’s something that’s built into more than one of Broda’s models. While you occasionally find a high-end recliner or lift chair that offers Trendelenburg or one or more Zero-G seating positions, you almost never see that sort of thing on a wheelchair.
It matters because advanced seating positions like this have proven health benefits for people who have poor circulation in their lower extremities, suffer from chronic pain, or who are recovering from surgery. In other words, it’s a superb addition to a wheelchair, and we’re happy to see it included in more than one of the models Broda sells.
Like many of their chairs, this one features 5” casters all around, putting it in that curious, ‘not quite a Transport chair, but also not a Wheelchair’ category. Fortunately, you can order yours with Mag wheels if you like which allows you even more freedom and independence, while not sacrificing any of the chair’s capabilities.
Customization Options
The Midline comes in your choice of three different colors: Renaissance Burgundy, Renaissance Charcoal, or Silvertex Sapphire Blue. You can also select from either Grey Hammer or Black frame options.
If the baseline stats don’t work for you for some reason, you can order the following custom enhancements for this model:
If you like, you can also get a mag wheel upgrade for this model, which turns it into a proper wheelchair.
According to company statistics, the following accessories are purchased most frequently with this model:
This is an incredibly versatile design. What it lacks in fun colors and frame options, it more than makes up for in terms of raw capability. One of our favorites.
Acute Care Chair
Just as we highly recommend the Synthesis chair, we highly recommend this model too.
This chair is listed as a separate model, but in our view, it should rightly be considered to be a very minor variant of the Synthesis chair. It’s the same chair with different padding. Given that, we won’t repeat a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses here. Instead, we refer you back to the review of the Synthesis model. It’s an exceptional chair, it just doesn’t warrant an entirely separate entry in our view.
Revive Tilt Chair
It’s the chair of choice for people who have severe mobility issues and need a chair like this to assist with bathing, urination, and bowel movements.
This is one of the most narrowly focused products Broda makes. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with the chair. There isn’t. It’s every bit as exceptional as the rest of the company’s product line, but – this chair isn’t going to be for everyone. Before we get into exactly why, let’s do a quick review of the basic stats that define the model:
As you can see, this chair supports a bit more weight than most of the other Broda models we’ve talked about to this point. It’s also a very different chair than the rest of the company’s lineup because it’s designed to help people with the most serious mobility issues with bathing and bowel movements.
Naturally, water-resistant and easy to clean, it’s very good at what it does and when you’re not using it for those more specialized purposes, it’s also a comfortable chair for sitting in, even for several hours at a stretch. Even so, this is definitely a niche product.
Despite its narrow focus, it still utilizes the same excellent ergonomic design and the Comfort Tension Seating that all the other chairs offered by the company do, and it reclines back by twelve degrees, with the back reclining an additional 67 degrees beyond that.
In addition to that, the seat also tilts forward by up to ten degrees, which makes it easier to transfer the person into or out of the chair. It’s not exactly a lift function (like you find on living room lift chairs), but it accomplishes the same basic goal.
The commode seat is well padded and comfortable, the bedpan is removable for easy emptying and cleaning, and it features 5” casters all around. It’s a solid, well-designed product, but as we said at the start, it’s just not going to be a chair for everyone. Your mobility issue is either bad enough that you need something like this, or you’re not going to consider it at all.
Customization Options
There are no upholstery or frame options with this chair. The seat upholstery is black, and the frame is white. That’s what you get.
According to the company’s statistics, the most popular accessories ordered in tandem with this chair are:
Revive Bariatric Tilt Chair
This chair is functionally similar to the baseline model, but as a bariatric variant, it’s bigger and built to hold more weight.
Let’s take a look at the core stats for the model so you can see how much is different:
Obviously, the numbers are a little different, but the biggest single point of differentiation between this chair and the base model is that this one can support twice the weight. At an 800-pound limit, this is the sturdiest chair Broda has for sale today.
It serves the same specialized function as the baseline model; it just does it for bigger and heavier people. Basically, the market for this chair is anyone who needs the baseline model, but who weighs more than 400 and less than 800 pounds.
Customization Options
You don’t get a lot of options with this chair. The upholstery on the seat is black and the frame is white. The company just doesn’t offer any choice on either of those fronts.
Where accessories are concerned, according to company statistics, the most popular accessories paired with this model are the molded headrest and the padded transport seat.
It’s a good chair and an important part of the company’s lineup, but it’s targeted at a very specific segment of the market and is almost entirely self-selecting. Either you suffer from such a serious mobility issue that this is the kind of chair you need, in which case, it’s going to be on your short list, or you’re not even going to give it a second look.
Broda Wheelchairs IV Comparison Table
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4.7
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4.4
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4.3
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4.3
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5.0
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4.8
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3.8
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3.8
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4.5
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4.5
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4.5
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4.5
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4.8
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4.3
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3.8
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3.8
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4.5
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4.3
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5.0
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5.0
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Seat Width:
16” or 18”
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Seat Width:
16,” 18,” or 20”
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Seat Width:
18,” 20,” 20”
(not a typo!) |
Seat Width:
12,” 14,” 16”
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Seat Height:
14” to 19”
(adjustable in 1” increments) |
Seat Height:
19.5,” 20.5,” or 21.5” options available
(specify when you place your order) |
Seat Height:
16,” 18,” and 18”
(not a typo – see review for details) |
Seat Height:
10,” 12,” 14”
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Seat Depth:
16” to 20”
(adjustable in 1” increments) |
Seat Depth:
17,” or 18.5”
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Seat Depth:
18,” 20,” and 20”
(again, not a typo) |
Seat Depth:
10,” 12,” 14”
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Max. Supported Weight:
250 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
250 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
250 pounds
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Max. Supported Weight:
200 pounds
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Our Verdict:
It’s an exceptional, if somewhat narrowly focused chair. Highly recommended.
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Our Verdict:
An awesome chair, but the modest weight limit correspondingly limits its appeal. Provisionally recommended. There are comparable recliners on this list that support more weight.
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Our Verdict:
Situationally useful and provisionally recommended. If you have a mobility issue, you’ll definitely get some value out of this model.
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Our Verdict:
A great chair for kids with any sort of mobility issue. Bear in mind, however, that this is a supplemental piece of equipment. It’s not a mobility aid in and of itself. Provisionally recommended.
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(adjustable in 1” increments)
(adjustable in 1” increments)
- Incredibly durable and versatile design. Highly moddable and customizable.
- Disappointing weight limit.
(specify when you place your order)
- A highly adjustable, comfortable, ergonomic reclining wheelchair.
- Disappointing weight limit.
(not a typo!)
(not a typo – see review for details)
(again, not a typo)
- A wonderful lower cost option that’s comfortable and provides genuine relief.
- Not a true mobility device. Listed here for the sake of completeness.
- A wonderful lower cost option that’s comfortable and provides genuine relief.
- Not a true mobility device. Listed here for the sake of completeness.
Comfort Tilt Chair
It’s an exceptional, if somewhat narrowly focused chair. Highly recommended.
This is an interesting model in that it’s the only one of Broda’s chairs that doesn’t come with seat and back padding as a standard feature. The good news about that is that you can simply order whatever padding (and in whatever color) you like and add it to the chair. And, if you decide you don’t want or need padding, then you can save yourself a bit of money. We’ll begin as we have previously, by reviewing this model’s basic stats:
There are a couple of interesting things to talk about here. First, this is the only Broda model that features an adjustable seat depth. We love it and wish that was a more common feature on wheelchairs in general as it would make all of them more versatile.
Second, with a seat height that starts at 14,” this is an ideal chair for shorter people of any age. The flip side is that although the seat height goes to 19” which would make it a decent choice for taller folks, it only supports a maximum of 250 pounds, so it’s not a great choice for anybody, but taller people with light builds and longer legs.
The other thing to mention here is that although this chair doesn’t come with seat or back padding, it does come standard with padded sides (black), so bear that in mind if you decide to order an additional padding package. Also note that you can order this chair with either 5,” 6,” or 8” front casters and with your choice of 20”, 22”, or 24” mag wheels.
Customization Options
As we mentioned, this chair doesn’t come with cushions, which are sold separately. The good news about that is that you can get them in literally any color the company offers. The frame is black. You don’t get any options where that is concerned.
Based on the company’s statistics, the following accessories are most commonly paired with this chair:
It’s a solid design and one of the best values for the money that the company offers.
Centric Tilt Chair
Provisionally recommended. There are comparable recliners on this list that support more weight.
This is yet another highly adjustable Broda reclining wheelchair. It has the limitation, however, of only supporting a relatively modest amount of user weight. As good as it is, there are other Broda models that fill more or less the same niche that do a better job. Before we go further, let’s review the core stats that define the chair:
Take a look at those numbers. The seat to floor height range is on the bigger/taller side, but the weight limit is just 250 pounds. Although it’s a good fit for taller people with lighter builds, it’s not a great combination of stats in general, which paints this as a bit of a niche product.
Like the other chairs we’ve talked about, it’s got adjustable armrests and is built with Broda’s proprietary Comfort Tension Seating which helps prevent skin breakdown and provides excellent dynamic, ergonomic support, enhancing the chair’s comfort.
It’s also a capable recliner. The seat itself can tilt in place and recline up to a maximum of 25 degrees, with the seatback reclining an additional 45 degrees beyond that. The chair doesn’t recline completely flat, but it’s close enough that this chair would serve as an excellent napping recliner in a pinch.
The wings are removable, the leg rests elevate, and the chair comes with a generous cushioning package that includes:
It’s a robust design, and if you compare this chair to one made by almost any other company in the business, it comes out on top. Compared to other Broda chairs though, it comes up a little short.
Customization Options
The Centric is available in three different colors: Renaissance Burgundy, Renaissance Charcoal, and Silvertex Sapphire Blue. The frame is only available in Grey Hammer. According to the company’s statistics, the following accessories are most often purchased in tandem with the Centric:
This is a good chair, but the problem is that all of Broda’s chairs are good. The company makes better models that are just as adjustable and support more weight. There’s not a thing in the world wrong with this model except it competes with other Broda products. Against almost any other wheelchair, this one wins hands down, but it is one of Broda’s weaker models in our view.
Tranquille Glider
Situationally useful and provisionally recommended. If you have a mobility issue, you’ll definitely get some value out of this model.
The first thing to say about this chair is that it’s not actually a mobility device at all. We’re mentioning it here because Broda makes it and we didn’t want to leave any stone unturned, and it’s a chair that offers genuine therapeutic benefits, so as a supplemental piece of furniture, even without wheels, this is a good addition to any home where a person suffers from some type of mobility issue.
The second thing to talk about is the fact that this model comes in three variants. We’ll post the details below so you can see which one is the best fit for you:
| Tranquille Variants | Small, Low-Back Model | Low-Back Model | High Back Model |
| Seat Width | 18” | 20” | 20” |
| Seat Depth | 17” | 17” | 17” |
| Back Height | 26” | 26” | 32” |
| Max. Supported Weight | 250 pounds | 250 pounds | 250 pounds |
| Comfort Features | Side panels, seat and back pad | Side panels, seat and back pad | Side panels, seat and back pad, height adjustable neck rest |
Note that although these chairs aren’t designed with the mobility of the person sitting in them in mind, all three models come equipped with rear transport wheels designed to make moving the (unoccupied) chair from one location to another easy and convenient.
So if this isn’t a wheelchair or transport chair, what is it exactly? It defies easy classification, but in essence, it’s a therapeutic glider that has the advantage of being compatible with all of Broda’s accessories.
It also features detachable rear wheels that aren’t useful for moving about in the chair while sitting in it but make it easy and convenient for a caregiver to relocate the chair as needed.
Customization Options
The Tranquille is available in a generous selection of colors, including:
The chair’s frame is also available in a variety of different colors, including:
According to Broda’s statistics, the following options are most commonly purchased in tandem with this chair:
This model obviously won’t be for everyone, but if you’re looking for something to augment your mobility devices and give you more seating options, this one belongs on your shortlist of options to consider.
Aspire Pediatric Chair
A great chair for kids with any mobility issue. However, remember that this is a supplemental piece of equipment. It’s not a mobility aid in and of itself. Provisionally recommended.
This is a pint-sized version of the Tranquille, built specifically for children. It’s got all the same basic features and limitations of the Tranquille (including the fact that this chair also comes with detachable wheels that aren’t designed for use with someone in the chair, but that make it easy for a caregiver to relocate the chair). We won’t go into a great deal of detail repeating all that information.
We will say that like the Tranquille, this model comes in three different sizes, simply called small, medium and large by Broda. Here are the details between the three model variants.
| Aspire Variant | Small, Low-Back Model | Low-Back Model | High Back Model |
| Seat Width | 12” | 14” | 16” |
| Seat Depth | 10” | 12” | 14” |
| Back Height | 18” | 20” | 22” |
| Max. Supported Weight | 200 pounds | 200 pounds | 200 pounds |
| Comfort Features | Fixed position armrests, soft vinyl seat cushion and back pad | Fixed position armrests, soft vinyl seat cushion and back pad | Fixed position armrests, soft vinyl seat cushion and back pad |
Customization Options
If you have a child who suffers from a mobility issue and you want to get one of these for him or her, you can order yours in the following upholstery colors:
And the following frame color options are available:
According to Broda’s statistics, the following accessories are most commonly paired with this model:
Let’s face it; kids can be cruel and having a normal-looking chair like this can do a lot to make a child forget that he or she even has a disability and allow them to more fully engage and participate in activities that other children are enjoying.
On top of that, the chair’s gentle gliding actions is both calming and soothing, making it both comfortable and relaxing.
Just like the full-sized version, this isn’t a chair that everybody is going to want or need. It’s very much a niche product, but – it’s an important niche, and we didn’t feel that our review would have been complete if we hadn’t included a mention.
Lots of Accessories on Offer
At the very beginning, we made mention of the fact that Broda offered a wide range of accessories which allow their customers a tremendous amount of freedom when it comes to personalizing and customizing their chairs to meet their particular needs better.
Each model is different, and some accessories are only applicable to certain models, but the company has an accessories catalog that breaks each model down and lists the accessories that are compatible with that particular chair.
Our recommendation is that unless you know for sure, you’ll need one of these extras, you start by purchasing whichever model offers the best overall fit for you and use it in its stock configuration for a month or two to get a feel for it. Then, once you’ve got some hands-on experience with the chair, review this list of accessories again to see if there’s something that would add value to your experience and make those purchases incrementally.
In addition to accessories, the company sells replacement parts for each component of every model they sell. If something breaks or wears out, it’s a simple matter to get a replacement for that particular part and keep right ongoing. These chairs were built for the long term and given the level of support the company provides, and the availability of replacement parts, any Broda chair you buy can easily last a lifetime.
Here’s a link to the company’s current parts and accessories catalog.
Broda Wheelchairs Review Conclusion
As you can see, Broda has a lot to offer. Their chairs are incredibly well designed, durable, and long-lasting. Even better, they can do things that most other wheelchairs simply can’t, making them a breed apart.
Sure, you’ll pay a premium for Broda Wheelchairs, but this is definitely a case of getting what you pay for. If you have a serious mobility issue and your needs are long-term, Broda belongs on your shortlist of chairs to consider. They’re amazing, and we recommend the entire product line without reservation.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- BRODA, Official Brand Website.
- Encore Mobility Chair User Manual.
- Latitude Mobility Rocker User Manual.
- What It’s Like to Travel When You Use a Wheelchair, Healthline.
- A Student with Cystic Fibrosis Explains How Her Wheelchair is a Fashion Statement, Teen Vogue.