The EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 is designed to be assembled and disassembled quickly, and folded away when not in use, making it one of the best electric wheelchairs for travel. One of three variants in the California company's Deluxe Regular range (along with the DX8 and the DX10), the EZ Lite Deluxe Regular DX12 sports a spacious seat, which can be transformed into a range of reclining positions, and enhanced comfort when traversing pavements, paths and grass.
Here we look at the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12's spec, price, features and design, and evaluate existing user reviews and professional reviews from relevant websites to help you decide whether this is the right mobility aid for you.
Depending on your mobility requirements, you may also find our guide to the best mobility scooters useful. For empowered living at home, see our roundups of the best walk-in tubs and the best stairlifts for different budgets.
EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12: Price
With an RRP of $2,395 to $2,595 (plus additional costs for optional extras), the Deluxe Regular DX12 is considered a mid-priced power wheelchair. We think it’s worth the money, since it delivers a range of features that will make your life easier and more comfortable, not to mention a build quality that should ensure it lasts.
The EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 comes on a seven-day risk-free trial, along with a 60-day money back guarantee in case you aren’t satisfied with your purchase. If you have a smaller budget, we’d recommend looking at the Merits P312 Compact FWD/RWD Dualer instead.
EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12: Spec
- Weight without battery: 62lbs
- Frame weight: 37lbs
- Turning radius: 31-45 inches
- Ground clearance: 3 inches
- Range: Up to 10 miles (10 Ah battery), up to 15 miles (15 Ah battery)
- Top speed: 5mph
- Brakes: Automatic, Electromagnetic Braking System
- Battery type: Advanced LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
- Size when folded: 36x26x14 inches
- Seat cushion thickness: 2 inches
- Seat height from ground: 21.5 inches
- Seat type: Foam, contoured, removable
- Back height: 17.5 inches
- Back width: 19.5 inches
- Recline levels: 5
EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12: Design
The EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 boasts a quick-release function that enables you to remove the motors while folding the chair. Once those are removed, the frame weighs approximately 37lbs, which, according to the manufacturer, makes it 'the lightest and most portable foldable mobility aid ever'.
Even fully assembled it's not exactly cumbersome, with the chair weighing 62lbs without batteries (each 10 Ah battery adds on 6.5lb, while each 15 Ah unit adds on 10.3lbs – the chair can be used with one or two batteries). Don't mistake 'lightweight' for flimsy, though, as the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 is designed to be robust and to support up to 280lbs weight. For a much higher max weight capacity, look at the Porto Mobility Ranger Quattro, which supports up to 550lbs.
To help accommodate people with a wider body, the Deluxe Regular DX12 has a 26-inch-wide frame. If you're looking for something broader, EZ Lite Cruiser's Deluxe Wide models measure 26.75 inches across – and there are also Deluxe Slim (23.5 inches) and Standard (22.4 inches) wheelchairs in this manufacturer's stable.
The back of the Deluxe Regular DX12's seat measures 19.5 inches across, which adds to the overall comfort, and there's also a retractable footrest. All EZ Lite Cruiser chairs come in standard black and silver livery with pale blue wheels.
For another highly maneuverable choice, take a look at the Pride Mobility Jazzy Air 2, though that model is over twice the price of the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12.
EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12: Features
If versatility is high on your list of essentials, then you'll be pleased to know that the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 has it in spades. First up, the 12 in the name denotes the diameter, in inches, of the rear wheels, and that larger size means that this electric wheelchair can comfortably navigate a range of terrains, from gravel tracks to grass verges, at speeds of up to 5mph.
Fancy a nap or need help climbing into or out of the seat? This electric wheelchair can recline into five preset positions, the furthest back of which is an almost horizontal 140 degrees. The range you'll get from this thing very much depends on which battery/ies you have fitted (as well as your weight).
The 10 Ah battery that comes as standard should run for up to 10 miles per charge, with the more expensive 15 Ah battery designed to last for up to 15 miles per full charge. You also have the option to purchase and fit a second battery of the same power to double the distance. Keep in mind that the 15 Ah battery is not allowed on airplanes.
And, of course, we need to mention the speed at which the Deluxe Regular DX12 can transition from car trunk to pavement, and vice versa. Thanks to a patented quick-release feature that enables you to easily remove the motors and split the chair into three pieces, the device is designed to unfold in as little as one second.
EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12: User reviews, ratings
At the time of writing, there are over 235 EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 reviews from existing customers on the brand’s website, generating an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The majority of user reviews are positive, with customers praising the overall comfort and how easy the chair is to transport.
One 5-star review stated how, ‘The Deluxe is perfect for my 31-year-old son. It reclines and the headrest cradles his head so that he can always feel safe and comfortable and drive himself with the easy-to-use joystick and minimal pressure. It traveled on the airline well - not a scratch - and we brought the packing case in the moving van in case we ever need to ship it or, here’s hoping, my son recovers well enough not to need it.’
Another 5-star review praised the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12’s build but also commented on the weight: ‘Heavier than I would have liked, but well-built and a great solution to mobility issues.’
Critical user reviews center around the speed and battery, and how the foot rest was too high for some users, and that it was difficult to assemble. EZ Lite Cruiser responded to the latter by highlighting a step-by-step video that shows how to assemble the chair.
Elsewhere online, when reviewing the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12, Wheelchair.Org said: ‘The turning radius of this wheelchair is not particularly big so you can expect good maneuverability given its size and capacity. Steering is easy. The joystick is responsive, but not too much. Apart from the footrest being perfectly smooth instead of textured, there are no other “flaws” that I have found in this model.’
Meanwhile, Mobility Deck commented: ‘With its tight mobility, great battery life, lightweight, and foldable frame, the EZ Lite Cruiser DX 12 is a reliable electric wheelchair for increased mobility, freedom, and independence both indoors and outdoors.’
Should you buy the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12?
The EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 comes at a fairly reasonable price when compared to other powerchairs, and you get what you pay for. Here is a mobility device that provides a premium level of comfort for a range of body sizes, and a range of options for a personalized user experience.
The potential for impressive range (admittedly, you'll pay more money for that), not to mention incredible portability, is also attractive. If you can cope with the fact that you won't be able to fly with the 15 Ah battery, and your happy with the 10 Ah battery for overseas travel, the EZ Lite Cruiser Deluxe Regular DX12 is definitely worth considering.
Looking for more health and medical content? We'd recommend our guides to the best medical alert bracelets, as well as our roundups of the best fall detection devices, which can be used in tandem with medical alert systems.
