How to Choose the Invacare Wheelchair That Fits Your Life

Invacare is one of the largest medical device companies in the world and its wheelchair range reflects that scale. There are chairs here for first time users looking for something simple and reliable, for active daily users who want performance and adjustability, and for those with more complex postural needs. That breadth is one of Invacare's genuine strengths. It also means arriving at the right model without guidance takes longer then it should. This guide is intended to make that process considerably easier.

The Action 2NG: the everyday workhorse

The Action 2NG is Invacare's entry level everyday chair and one of the most widely used manual wheelchairs in the UK. It is available in both transit and self propelled versions, in five seat widths from 15 to 19 inches and with a depth adjustable seat. The transit version weighs 14.9 kg and the self propelled version 16.2 kg, both of which are manageable for most carers handling the chair daily.

The design has some thoughtful engineering for a chair at this price point. The castor housing is mounted on the outside of the frame, creating more room for the feet during transfers and making foot propulsion easier. The rear wheel mounting plate adjusts to three height positions and 50 mm in depth, allowing centre of gravity adjustment without tools. Anti-tippers are fitted as standard and the chair is crash tested to ISO 7176-19.

Parts are cross compatible across the entire Action NG family. Accessories and replacement components from the Action 2NG work with the Action 3NG and Action 4NG and vice versa, which reduces stock and maintenance complexity for clinical environments managing multiple chairs.

The Action 2NG Transit Lite

Invacare has added the Action 2NG Transit Lite to the range, a more compact and lighter version of the standard transit with a shorter wheelbase and a new Y-shaped half folding backrest that folds the chair to an especially compact size. The parking brake is repositioned to be accessible when the user is seated, adding a useful degree of independence when getting in and out of the chair. For users who prioritise portability this is worth knowing about.

The Action 3NG: more adjustability for more active users

The Action 3NG is a step up from the 2NG in terms of adjustability and suitability for more active daily use. It offers a wider range of configuration options across seat dimensions, backrest angle and wheel position, and is available in eight frame colours with black features fitted as standard. The multiple rear wheel positions allow the centre of gravity to be set for different propulsion styles and user needs.

The Action 3NG suits users who are in the chair for a significant part of the day, who want a chair configured more precisely to their body and propulsion style, and who value the ability to adjust the setup as needs change. It is the most popular model in the Action range for users who have moved past purely occasional use.

The Kuschall range: for active and performance users

The Kuschall Compact

The Kuschall Compact is Invacare's folding active wheelchair, designed for users with good upper body function who want a chair that handles well, folds for transport and offers more adjustability then a standard everyday chair. It suits active users who travel regularly and want a chair that works with them during propulsion.

The Kuschall K-Series

The K-Series is where Invacare's range becomes genuinely impressive. This is a highly customisable rigid frame active wheelchair available in aluminium, zinc alloy or titanium frames, in 22 frame colours and with extensive adjustability across every key dimension: seat width from 12.5 to 19.75 inches, seat depth in one inch increments, backrest height and angle, and centre of gravity. The titanium version combines very low weight with high rigidity, making it suitable for the most demanding everyday active users.

This is not a chair you order off the shelf. It is measured and built to the individual and requires a specialist assessment. Users who have been through that process consistently report that a well configured K-Series transforms how propulsion feels, reducing effort and fatigue in ways a standard folding chair cannot match.

Invacare and the Alber power-assist system

One of the more useful features of buying within the Invacare ecosystem is compatibility with the Alber e-motion M25 and DuoDrive power-assist wheels. These replace the standard rear wheels on compatible chairs and provide motor assistance to each push stroke, reducing the effort required over longer distances or on inclines.

This is a good solution for users who want to maintain independence in a manual chair but find that fatigue or shoulder pain is beginning to limit what they can do. Its worth asking which Action and Kuschall models are compatible if this is something you are considering.

What to think about before choosing

The most useful question to start with is how the chair will actually be used day to day. An occasional chair for appointments and day trips sits in a very different category to one that someone spends six or more hours in daily. The Action 2NG suits the former. The Action 3NG or a Kuschall model is a better fit for the latter.

Seat width is the measurement that matters most and is most often overlooked. Invacare offers five seat widths across the Action range and considerably more across the Kuschall range, and getting the right fit has a direct effect on posture, propulsion efficiency and comfort over long periods.

Please bear in mind that all Invacare wheelchairs are eligible for purchase at zero rated VAT if you have a long term physical impairment or chronic health condition. A simple self declaration at checkout is all that is required.

To see our range of Invacare wheelchairs please click here or please feel free to call us and we will be happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Action 2NG and the Action 3NG ? 

The Action 2NG is an entry level everyday chair suited to occasional to moderate use. The Action 3NG offers a wider range of adjustment options, more rear wheel position choices and greater suitability for users in the chair for longer periods daily. Both share cross-compatible parts across the full Action NG family.

Are Invacare Action wheelchairs crash tested ? 

Yes. The Action 2NG, Action 3NG and Transit Lite are all crash tested to ISO 7176-19, making them approved for use as seated positions in adapted vehicles. Its worth confirming the crash test status of any specific configuration before ordering.

Can I add power assist to an Invacare manual wheelchair ? 

Several models in the Action and Kuschall range are compatible with the Alber e-motion M25 and DuoDrive power-assist rear wheels, which replace the standard wheels and provide motor assistance to each push. Compatibility varies by model so its worth checking before purchasing.

What makes the Kuschall K-Series different from a standard folding chair ? 

The K-Series is a rigid frame active wheelchair built to individual measurements rather then a fixed production configuration. The level of customisation makes a meaningful difference to propulsion efficiency and posture for active daily users, but it requires a specialist assessment and fitting to get right.

Do Invacare wheelchairs come with a warranty ? 

The Action 2NG comes with a two year warranty on the main frame and parts. Warranty terms vary across other models and retailers so its worth confirming at the point of purchase.