How to Choose the Invacare Wheelchair That Fits Your Life

If you're stuck choosing a wheelchair, whether you're finding for yourself or loved one, you have come right place. Have you heard of the Invacare brand? Let's spend some time getting to know all things about the Invacare wheelchair and find a better wheelchair for you.

A good reason for choosing and they are one of the big brand in mobility solutions. Personally, I have spent more time finding a wheelchair, so I thought share what I have learned about Invacare, who is makes our lives better.

Invacare Wheelchair: Manual vs Power

A classic manual wheelchair with a black fabric seat and back, silver metal frame, large rear wheels with handrims, and small front caster wheels. It sits on a sunlit wooden floor in a bright room with orange curtains drawn back from a window, revealing a blurred outdoor view, alongside a white armchair and shelving with decorative items.

Invacare Manual Wheelchairs

Manual wheelchair is best way for freedom, you push yourself or someone pushes you. Invacare has some brilliant options:

Action 3 NG

This is the most of people starting point, and for good reason because its weight is 14.2kg only, so easy for lifting into the car boot is a doddle.

Action 2 Basic

If you have a tight budget, it's for you. At 14.9 kg weight, it's tiny heavier than the Action 3 NG, but easy for most carers to handle. This wheelchair has adjustable armrests and footrests, so it gives you comfort.

Tracer SX5 Series

Are you looking for something strong and durable wheelchair? Tracer SX5 is brilliant. It has flip-back armrest and adjustable seat height, making it easy to sit and walk comfy

A modern, battery‑powered wheelchair parked in a softly lit living room. It features a cushioned grey seat and backrest, adjustable armrests with a joystick control on the right, and four rugged wheels mounted on a compact, dark metallic base. In the background, there’s a grey sofa, a standing lamp casting warm light against pale walls, and minimalist décor on a low console.

Invacare Power Wheelchairs

Not everyone has the upper body strength for a manual chair—and that’s where power chairs come in! Think of these as the Tesla of the wheelchair world: they get you where you need to go with minimal physical effort.

For the outdoor enthusiast: I call the TDX SP2 an “all-terrain vehicle” in wheelchair form. Its centre wheel drive lets you turn on a dime (literally—the turning circle is tiny) and its stability system keeps all six wheels in contact with the ground even on uneven surfaces. No more feeling like you’re going to tip over on that sloped footpath!

For the frequent flyer: Check out the Fox model. Need to get your chair in the car? This one breaks down for transport easier than most furniture from IKEA—and with a lot less stress, I promise!

What Makes a Great Wheelchair? The Parts That Matter

Have you thought, what's the difference between a good wheelchair and a great one? Let's look at all the details.

The Backbone: Frames and Structure

Consider the frame as the backbone of your wheelchair experience. Invacare generally offers two types:

Folding frames (like on the Action 3 NG): Perfect if you have limited storage space or you’re always tossing your chair in the car. The cross-brace design folds like a dream—though it may take a few tries to master the technique without pinching your fingers. (Been there, done that!)
Rigid frames: These don’t fold but are generally smoother because there are fewer moving parts to vibrate. It’s like the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike.

The material matters too! Most Invacare chairs have aluminum frames—giving you durability without the weight. Remember when wheelchairs were all heavy steel monsters? Good times!

Get Rolling: Wheels and Mobility

Not all wheels are created equal! Here’s what you’ll find:

Those big rear wheels (usually 24 inches) come with handrims that let you push yourself along. Pro tip: If you have limited hand strength, look into special grip covers for the handrims—they’re a game-changer!
Front casters are those little wheels up front that help with steering. They seem insignificant until you try a chair with crappy ones—then you’ll understand why quality matters!
Transit wheels are smaller rear wheels on chairs designed for caregivers to push. They’re lighter but you won’t be self-propelling.

Sit Pretty: Comfort Features

Let’s face it—you’ll be in this chair for hours so comfort isn’t optional!

Invacare gets this and offers various back options from fixed to reclining (up to 30° in mechanical versions). The Action 3 NG can even be paired with the Contour Visco cushion, which is amazing for those concerned about pressure sores. It’s like the memory foam mattress of the wheelchair world!

Safety First: Because Nobody Wants a Wheelchair Mishap

I mean it—safety features aren’t just nice to have; they’re must-haves!

Keeping It Level

Balance matters! Here are some real-world tips:

Don’t lean too far in any direction. I know it’s tempting to reach for that item on the top shelf, but trust me, it’s not worth the risk!
Use positioning straps if you tend to shift around a lot.
Think twice about carrying heavy loads on your lap—that shopping spree might need to be split into multiple trips.

Daily Life Obstacle Course

We don’t live in a flat world so knowing how to handle obstacles is key:

Curbs under 30mm? Don’t go it alone! Even small curbs can be big problems.
Going down a curb? Position those rear wheels against the edge, tilt back to find your balance point and roll over. It takes practice but you’ll get the hang of it.
Escalators? No way. I don’t care how much of a rush you’re in—take the elevator!

Car Travel Tips

If you’re transporting a wheelchair user in a vehicle:

Make sure your ride is actually designed for wheelchair transport. Not all vehicles are created equal!
Always face forward during transport—sideways isn’t safe.
Secure the wheelchair with proper tie-downs attached to the main frame (not accessories).
Use separate safety belts for the passenger. The wheelchair restraints aren’t designed to protect the person!

The Nitty Gritty: Using Your Chair

Folding and Unfolding Magic

For folding wheelchairs like the Action series here’s the drill:

Put your hand on the seat rail where the upholstery attaches.
Point fingers and thumb towards the inside of the chair.
Press down until the seat rails click into place.
Always lock those wheels before transferring! (I learned this one the hard way...)

Braking Without Breaking a Sweat

Different models have slightly different braking systems:

Action 2: Push forward to engage, pull back to release.
Action 3 NG: Pull back to engage, push forward to release.

Remember these brakes are for parking not for stopping a moving chair—they’re not like bicycle brakes! Think of them more like a parking brake in your car.

Transferring 101Getting in and out:

Get the chair as close as you can to where you’re transferring.
Lock. Both. Brakes. (Yes, really!)
If you’ve got swing‑away footrests, swing them out of the way!
Use the transfer methods your therapist showed you. They know what they’re talking about!

Finding Your Perfect Match: Selection Guide

Be Honest About Your Strengths

Do you have good upper‑body strength? Self-propelled models work best for you.
Need anyone always with you? Transit models are designed for that.
Can you use only one hand? Look out for dual-handrim models.
Limited power overall? Electric models is best.

Where Will You Roll?

Think about your daily life:

Mostly indoors? Look for compact models that can easily fold into tight spaces.
Outdoor enthusiast? You will want more powerful tires and construction.
A bit of both? Universal models exist—just be prepared for some compromises.

Getting the Right Size

Seat width: Sit comfortably and measure across your hips at the widest point.
Seat height: Measure from the floor up to the back of your knee.
Seat depth: Measure from your back to the back of your knee.
Back support: Measure from your tailbone up to your shoulders or head.

Weight Limits

Standard chairs: Hold about 250–300 lb.
Heavy-duty chairs: Support up to 700–1,000 lb.
Don’t forget to factor in bags or gear you carry daily!

Conclusion

Picking the right wheelchair is like finding the perfect shoes—it has to fit your body, suit your lifestyle and feel comfy all day. Take your time, ask questions and don’t settle until you find your perfect match.

And remember: talking to healthcare pros or Invacare dealers can make all the difference. They’ll guide you to the best chair for you. After all the right chair isn’t just about moving around—it’s about freedom, independence and living your best life.

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