Guide to Enigma Wheelchairs: Everything You Need to Know

Enigma is one of those wheelchair brands that tends to come up whenever folk are looking for a lightweight, well-made manual chair at a sensible price. Its part of the Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare range and has been available in the UK for a good while now, building up a reputation for reliable everyday chairs that dont overcomplicate things or ask the user to pay for features they dont actually need.

The Enigma range covers transit chairs, self-propelled chairs, a suspension model and a travel option, which means there is something in the range to suit quite a few different situations. This guide goes through the main models, who each one suits and what is worth knowing before buying. 

The Enigma XS

The XS is the core model in the Enigma range and the one most folk will come across first. Its a classic lightweight aluminium self-propelled wheelchair with a half-folding backrest, quick release rear wheels and padded seat and back cushions as standard.

The six-position adjustable rear axle is one of the better features at this price point. It allows the seat height and the rear axle position to be varied to find a more appropriate propulsion setup for the individual user, rather then leaving everything fixed at a factory default that suits nobody in particular. Getting the axle position right makes a real difference to how efficiently the chair can be propelled and how much load goes through the shoulder with every push stroke.

The XS includes swing-away height-adjustable footrests, flip-back armrests for easier side transfers and padded desk-style armrests. The quick release rear wheels reduce the main frame lift to a manageable weight when loading in to a car, which is a practical day-to-day advantage that new users often underestimate until they are actually doing it on a regular basis.

A transit version of the XS is also available with smaller rear wheels for users who will always have a carer pushing. The transit version is lighter still and slightly more compact when folded.

Who the Enigma XS suits

The XS is a good fit for:

• Users who self-propel independently for everyday home and community distances

• Those who need a chair that is light enough to load in to a car regularly without excessive strain

• Users or carers who want some adjustment capability without needing a full clinical assessment to set the chair up

• Those buying a first wheelchair who want a reliable mid-range option at a fair price

The Enigma K Chair

The K Chair is the suspension model in the Enigma range and its worth knowing a little about how the suspension works before deciding whether it adds enough to justify the additional cost.

The K Chair uses shock-absorbing front castors and adjustable rear shock absorbers. The suspension can be adjusted to suit the user and the terrain, which is a useful feature in theory, and the six-position axle from the XS is carried over. In practice the suspension performs best for users of a typical adult weight and on surfaces that involve moderate vibration rather then seriously rough terrain. Reviews from users with very light body weight have found the suspension threshold is set too high to activate meaningfully for them, which is a detail worth knowing if the user is on the lighter side.

For users of typical weight who spend time on uneven pavements, slightly rough outdoor surfaces or older buildings with bumpy floors, the K Chair does provide a noticeably smoother ride then an unsuspended chair. Its well worth considering for anyone who finds vibration uncomfortable or who has a condition that makes smooth riding a clinical priority.

The K Chair is available in Midnight Blue and Spirit Red and comes with padded seat and back cushions, one-touch adjustable armrests and height-adjustable footrests as standard.

Who the Enigma K Chair suits

• Users who cover outdoor distances on uneven pavements or surfaces where vibration is a regular issue

• Those with conditions where ride comfort is a clinical consideration, such as spinal injury, osteoporosis or significant pain

• Users who want the adjustability of the XS axle system alongside the added comfort of suspension

• Those who find standard unsuspended chairs too jarring on everyday UK pavement surfaces

The Enigma Spirit

The Spirit is the mag wheel model in the Enigma range. Mag wheels are moulded composite wheels rather then spoked wheels and they have a few practical advantages worth knowing about. They are puncture proof, which removes the maintenance requirement of pneumatic tyres entirely. They are also more durable then standard spoked wheels in the kind of everyday use that puts a chair through its paces repeatedly.

The Spirit uses a lightweight aluminium frame weighing around 15 kilograms and includes the features that have become standard across the Enigma range: one-touch armrests, adjustable footrests and a half-folding backrest. The nylon seat and back cushions are removable and wipe clean easily, which is a practical consideration for care home settings or for users who need easy cleaning.

The Spirit sits in the lower to mid range of the Enigma pricing and represents good value for a feature set that is usually found on more expensive models at other brands.

What to Check Before Buying

Whichever Enigma model you are considering, a few things are worth confirming:

• Seat width — Enigma chairs are generally available in 16 and 18 inch seat widths. Measure correctly before buying rather then assuming standard sizing will suit

• User weight — all Enigma chairs are rated to 18 stone or 115 kilograms. If the user is above or close to this, a bariatric option is more appropriate

• Suspension need — the K Chair suspension is a genuine benefit for some users and unnecessary for others. Think honestly about whether the terrain the chair is used on makes suspension worth the additional cost

• Axle adjustment — both the XS and K Chair offer six position axle adjustment which is well worth using properly. If you are not sure how to set this up, its worth asking for guidance at the point of purchase

• Crash testing — if the chair will be used as a vehicle passenger seat, confirm with the supplier whether the specific Enigma model carries ISO 7176-19 crash test certification before buying

Why not have a look at the range and see which model fits your situation best. If you are not sure which Enigma wheelchair is right for you, please feel free to call us and we will be happy to help work it through.

We hope you have found this guide useful.