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Guide · Updated September 2026

Self-balancing wheelchairs explained

'Self-balancing' can conjure up images of two-wheeled personal transporters. In XSTO's wheelchairs it means something more down-to-earth: the chair keeps all its wheels on the ground and uses sensors and motors to keep the seat level as the ground tilts.

Here is what that does in practice, what it does not do, and how XSTO's self-balancing chairs differ.

What it does

XSTO describes a control system that monitors the slope in real time and adjusts the seat so you stay upright going up or down a ramp and when stopping or starting on a hill. The M4 series is described as front-and-rear self-balancing, meaning it compensates for slopes you drive straight up or down. The M8 series adds what XSTO calls seat self-levelling, adjusting the seat angle as the chassis tilts on changing terrain.

The practical benefit is feeling less tipped forward on the way down a ramp or pushed back on the way up. XSTO also says the M4 stops as soon as you let go of the controls, even on a slope.

Official sources: XSTO M4XSTO M8

What it does not do

Self-balancing does not make a chair a stair-climber, and it does not raise the chair's limits. Each model has a maximum slope and obstacle height. Beyond those figures, levelling will not keep you safe. The Highway Code also reminds users not to tackle a kerb higher than the manufacturer recommends and to approach kerbs at right angles.

Official source: Highway Code rules 36 to 46

Omni-directional wheels

XSTO's self-balancing chairs pair levelling with omni-directional front wheels, which can roll sideways as well as forwards. This helps the chair pivot in tight spaces, which is why XSTO quotes turning radii of 820 mm for the M4, 825 mm for the M4 Pro and 725 mm for the M8 series.

How XSTO's self-balancing chairs compare

All figures below are XSTO's own and were checked in September 2026.

  • M4: 115 kg limit, 10° slopes, 50 mm obstacles, 15 km quoted range, 6 km/h
  • M4 Pro: 150 kg limit, 15° slopes, 85 mm obstacles forwards, 26 km quoted range, 6 km/h, powered tilt and lights
  • M8: 150 kg limit, 15° slopes, 100 mm obstacles, four-wheel drive, up to 54 km with optional battery, up to 12 km/h
  • M8 Pro: as M8 with powered recline to 135°, powered legrest and one-touch relax mode

Official sources: XSTO M4 ProXSTO M8 Pro

Who might it suit?

Self-levelling may appeal if ramps, sloping pavements or hilly streets make you feel unstable in a conventional powerchair. Whether it suits you depends on your posture, balance and how you transfer - which is exactly what an occupational therapist or wheelchair service can help you judge. Try it on a slope during a demonstration.

Official source: NHS: getting a wheelchair assessment

Questions

Does a self-balancing wheelchair balance on two wheels?

Not XSTO's. Their self-balancing chairs keep all wheels on the ground and level the seat on slopes.

Can a self-balancing chair go up any slope?

No. Each model has a maximum: XSTO quotes 10° for the M4 and 15° for the M4 Pro and M8 series. The M4 Pro warns you and slows down on slopes over 15°.

Is self-balancing safer?

It is designed to make slopes feel more stable, but safety depends on staying within the chair's limits, driving carefully and choosing a chair that suits your needs. There is no independent safety data we can point to.

Sources we checked

Information checked September 2026. Links open the original page in a new tab.

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