Is your mobility issue holding you back and keeping you from enjoying life as you once did?
Have you been searching for the “right” wheelchair, only to be unimpressed and underwhelmed by the offerings from the major players in the American market?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, you will like what you see in this Excel Wheelchairs review. Excel is a British company that occupies roughly the same space as Pride Mobility or Invacare in the American market.
They’re a well-respected company. While not especially flashy or showy, their products are rock solid, and the company’s world-class post-sales support is world-class. One of these wheelchairs might be perfect if you want something outside the norm.
To get things started, we’ll examine the company’s products from a high-level perspective and then examine each one more deeply.
Excel Wheelchairs Comparison Table
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Primary Rating:
4.4
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Primary Rating:
4.1
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Primary Rating:
3.6
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Adjustability and Customization:
4.3
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Adjustability and Customization:
4.3
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Adjustability and Customization:
3.1
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Comfort:
4.0
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Comfort:
4.0
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Comfort:
4.0
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Ease of Use:
4.8
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Ease of Use:
5.0
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Ease of Use:
4.5
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Versatility:
4.8
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Versatility:
4.0
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Versatility:
3.0
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Summary:
Attractively designed indoor/outdoor chair with modern styling. As adept at handling outdoor terrains and indoors.
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Summary:
A relatively lightweight, general-purpose manual wheelchair with modern styling, great for occasional use.
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Summary:
The only Excel model we don’t like. It’s an underpowered chair, and doesn’t handle well on anything but flat, level terrains, preferably pavement or indoors.
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Recommended for:
If you’re looking for a single chair to fulfill both an indoor and an outdoor role, and you don’t mind a manual option, this is a good choice.
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Recommended for:
People with slight mobility issues, who won’t be spending all day in the chair.
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Recommended for:
If all you’re looking for is a scooter to get you around in an urban environment, this one will do, but you’ll pay a premium to import it. There are cheaper options available. Not recommended.
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Primary Rating:
4.4
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Primary Rating:
4.4
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Primary Rating:
3.9
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Adjustability and Customization:
4.0
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Adjustability and Customization:
4.0
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Adjustability and Customization:
4.0
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Comfort:
4.0
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Comfort:
4.0
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Comfort:
3.8
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Ease of Use:
5.0
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Ease of Use:
5.0
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Ease of Use:
5.0
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Versatility:
4.5
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Versatility:
4.5
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Versatility:
3.0
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Summary:
A conventionally styled and designed wheelchair.
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Summary:
A conventionally styled and designed wheelchair.
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Summary:
Good general-purpose transport chair.
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Recommended for:
People with more serious mobility issues who will be spending most of each day in their chair.
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Recommended for:
People with moderate mobility issues who need to spend several hours a day in their chair.
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Recommended for:
Anyone who needs a chair for occasional outings in an urban setting (flat, level terrains, pavement, and indoors) – not a chair for outdoor use.
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The company offers various models derived from these basic models. Here, you’ll find their wheelchairs optimized for heavier users, children, and the like.
These are all minor variations of the models listed above, slanted in one direction or another to provide better fit and functionality for certain subtypes of users. While the models above are not an exhaustive list of what the company offers, they are a good cross-section of the kinds of products you’ll find if you decide you’re interested in one of their wheelchairs and go to the site for a closer look.
Note that our scoring system is biased toward the US market, so some of Excel’s products rank low in a few cases.
Their products are optimized for the European market, and in some instances, preferences are different on the other side of the pond, which makes some of their wheelchairs a less-than-perfect fit for the US. However, as you’ll see in the following sections, their mobility aids are exceptional. Let’s take a closer look:
Excel Wheelchairs In More Detail
Excel G-Explorer All-Terrain Wheelchair
Recommended For: If you’re looking for a single chair to fulfill both an indoor and an outdoor role, and you don’t mind a manual option, this is a good choice.
This wheelchair is a regular mountain goat when it comes to outdoor terrain. Sturdy and capable, it will take you just about anywhere you want to go.
With its 24” all-terrain tires, there’s not much in the way of outdoor terrain it can’t handle. Since it’s a manual outdoor wheelchair, you are likely to be the limiting factor, but if you’ve got upper body strength, this wheelchair can power you over almost anything. Here are the Excel G Explorer Wheelchair’s basic stats:
The frame is available in either black or grey, and the upholstery can be ordered in one of four colors to allow for some personalization. You can get it in:
The upholstery is also nylon mesh for breathability. It is machine washable, so there’s no need to worry if you get muddy while out on the trail (and the wheelchair comes with built-in side guards to minimize the amount of water splashing on you in any case).
The wheelchair also features quick-release pins for the wheels, enabling you to take them off for easier transport or to swap out the wheels to optimize the wheelchair for the beach or urban environments, depending on how you plan to use it. Other notable features include:
Given its scant weight, you probably won’t need to remove the wheels for transport, but no tools are required if you do. You can completely disassemble and reassemble the wheelchair in a matter of minutes, and its footprint is such that it will fit comfortably into almost any available trunk space.
Although our description above focused on its outdoor abilities, the G-Explorer is no slouch when used inside. It will serve you well in either capacity, making it ideal for people who do not intend to let their mobility issues keep them from enjoying the great outdoors as they once did.
If money’s tight and you can only afford one wheelchair, you need it to be as versatile as possible. That’s the G-Explorer’s real strength.
Note: The Explorer has a modestly sized storage pouch on the back of the wheelchair. It’s adequate, but if you plan on taking it hiking or camping, you’ll almost certainly want to invest in something bigger and more robust.
Fortunately, the company sells a zippered bag designed to fit over the back of the wheelchair. However, that’s not an optimal placement for onboard storage because it requires the person sitting in the wheelchair to get up to pull items from the bag or ask for help.
We prefer models that offer storage under the seat, especially outdoor or mixed-use wheelchairs. Still, most manufacturers offer behind-the-seat storage, so we can’t count this against the model in our Excel Wheelchairs review.
Excel G-Logic Lightweight Wheelchair
Recommended For: People with slight mobility issues, who won’t be spending all day in the chair.
A close cousin of the G-Explorer, this version is more lightly built and can’t be ordered in varying seat configurations. The basic stats are:
Like the G-Explorer, the breathable nylon upholstery is machine washable and available in four different color configurations (the same ones we mentioned above).
Also, like the G-Explorer, the Excel G Logic Wheelchair features 24” wheels, although they sport indoor treads rather than all-terrain. The wheelchair uses the same quick-release pin system, which makes swapping the wheels out or taking them off for transport a simple proposition.
It also sports the same full-length, height-adjustable armrests, adjustable and removable footrests, and attendant hand brakes, which improve the wheelchair’s handling on slopes. It has the same 4-degree seat slant to help minimize spills and a behind-the-seat storage pouch.
In our view, this was the model the company should have used to create its transport chair. Its lighter weight would have made it a better fit, but we’re considering what would go over well in the American market.
Tiempo Travel Mobility Scooter
Recommended For: If all you’re looking for is a scooter to get you around in an urban environment, this one will do, but you’ll pay a premium to import it. There are cheaper options available. Not recommended.
Of all the models Excel makes, the Tiempo Travel Mobility Scooter is the only one that disappoints us.
This is almost certainly a function of the differences between the American and European markets. Still, in our view, as a mobility scooter, this one is underpowered and incapable of handling a diverse range of terrains, making it a good value for the money.
Here’s a quick overview of the model:
Despite our misgivings, we readily admit that it’s a robust mobility aid for people living in an urban environment. As long as you keep to the pavement or flat, dry ground, its limited ground clearance and small wheels won’t give you any trouble.
Combine that with its relative comfort, the swiveling Captain’s chair, the full-length padded arms, and the handy storage basket on the front, and in the right setting, it’s perfect.
In an urban environment, you don’t want a machine that goes too fast because you need to be able to stop and maneuver around pedestrians on busy streets. Its 13-mile range should enable you to get to the market and back with scant difficulty (or take it in the trunk of your car, spend the day shopping, and then return home for a recharge).
Our main problem is that the moment you take it off the pavement or out of an urban environment, its limitations will quickly become apparent.
Given how many high-quality powered mobility devices are already available in the US market, we can’t recommend this one.
X0 Self-Propelled Wheelchair
Recommended for: People with more serious mobility issues who will spend most of each day in their chairs.
This is a conventionally designed wheelchair designed for daily, regular use. It features:
It’s a hefty piece of equipment but collapses into a small enough footprint that retains its portability. You should have no trouble fitting this into the trunk of any full-sized sedan, and of course, if you’ve got a hatchback, SUV, truck, or van, things get even easier.
The X0 Steel Self-Propelled Wheelchair was designed primarily for people with severe mobility issues who spend several hours each day sitting in their wheelchairs. If this describes your situation, you’ll almost certainly want to invest in the optional seat cushion and memory foam seat back to maximize your comfort. This wheelchair is intended primarily for indoor use.
X1 Lightweight Self-Propelled Wheelchair
Recommended for: People with moderate mobility issues who need to spend several hours a day in their chair.
Lighter and more portable than the X0, the X1 Lightweight Self Propelled Wheelchair is ideal for people with moderately severe mobility issues who must spend a few hours a day in their wheelchairs. Otherwise, it can get up and move around (with or without assistance).
It’s not as comfortable as the X0, but again, with the addition of the optional padding and memory foam seat back, that can easily be remedied. It also serves in a bit of a swing role. Its lighter weight makes it more portable than the X0, so if you want to take this one to shop, doing so is a simple matter.
Here are the basic stats:
As with the other wheelchairs Excel sells, it features machine washable, breathable nylon upholstery, a modestly sized storage pocket behind the seat, full-length padded armrests that are height adjustable and swivel out of the way to allow for easier transfers into and out of the wheelchair, and height-adjustable, removable leg rests.
X1 Lightweight Transit Wheelchair
Recommended for: Anyone who needs a chair for occasional outings in an urban setting (flat, level terrains, pavement, and indoors) – not a chair for outdoor use.
Looking back at the summary table, you’ll note that we gave this one a relatively low rating. That’s not because we don’t think it’s a good product. As we mentioned, it’s not a great product for the US market (which it’s not optimized for).
On the other side of the pond, this is an excellent transport wheelchair. Here…needs and preferences tend to be different. Not only is the X1 Lightweight Transit Wheelchair a bit heavy to be considered a good transport chair in the US market, but since you’ll pay a premium to have it imported, it’s vastly more expensive than better transport chairs offered locally.
It’s the same model as the X1 Lightweight, described above, with the only difference being that the manufacturer has installed 12” transport wheels instead of 24” wheelchair wheels.
While the frame is very well suited to a lightweight, general-duty wheelchair, it’s decidedly less so when converted to a transport chair, which was another factor in our relatively low rating of this model and configuration.
Other Excel Wheelchair Models
As we mentioned, the models we outlined above represent a good cross-section of the products sold by the company. Derived from these, you’ll find several variants on the company’s sales portal, which we’ll include here for your reference:
- The X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X 8, and X9 Lightweight
- Pediatric and Bariatric wheelchairs based on the X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, and X9 variants (which are themselves, variants of the X1 design)
Extras and Add-Ons
Excel offers a modest number of “extras” that will fit on any of the wheelchairs they sell. These are:
Memory Foam Cushions
If you want to take comfort to the next level, memory foam is the way. These cushions will not only conform to the shape of your body but also provide an even distribution of pressure, making them ideal for people who plan to spend several hours a day in their wheelchairs.
Wheelchair Cushions
While no wheelchair on the market today can be said to provide a luxurious seating experience, adding a 2” padded seat cushion will undoubtedly help!
No matter how much time you spend in your wheelchair daily, the more comfortable it is, the more you’ll enjoy it. Even if you’re not sure you’ll need these, we recommend them. You can never be too comfortable, after all.
A Zip-Top Shopping Bag
This handy shopping tote is well-designed and roomy. It’s big enough to hold a wide variety of supplies and conveniently designed with additional straps that can be looped over the push handles of a wheelchair. Use it for a quick trip to the grocery store, a day at the park, or on the hiking trail.
Well worth the modest investment!
We regard all three of these as good additions and situationally recommend them. They’re modestly priced, so they won’t greatly inflate the final cost of your wheelchair.
That said, we were a bit underwhelmed by the limited selection. It certainly can’t be said that you’ll be buying an Excel to get access to their award-winning list of cool extras and enhancements!
Still, most aftermarket wheelchair accessories will fit onto Excel’s wheelchairs (minus the mobility scooter), so although the company only offers a few, if you want something that they don’t sell, you can likely find a product that will fit from any number of third-party vendors, which significantly expands your options on that front.
Pros & Cons of Excel Wheelchairs Review
What we think you’ll like best about any of the Excel products (even if you disagree with our assessment of their scooter) is that they’re top-quality machines built to last. These wheelchairs reflect the Brits who made them.
They tend toward conservatism but are thoughtfully designed and wonderfully pragmatic. Proper care and maintenance will last you a lifetime. Sure, you’ll pay a premium for ordering something abroad, but if you want European quality, that goes without saying.
In our view, here are the features you’ll like best about Excel’s products:
The only real downside is that Europeans tend to be smaller than Americans, and Excel’s wheelchairs were all designed with the European market in mind. If you’re bigger or taller, then no matter how much you admire the craftsmanship, you may not fit into any of Excel’s wheelchairs, which is understandably a deal-breaker.
Excel Wheelchairs Review Conclusion
We sense that the people who would find these wheelchairs to be an ideal fit are those who place a particular emphasis on product quality and durability, which is where Excel shines, and people interested in a slightly different or unusual aesthetic than what other mainstream wheelchair brands offer.
If you’ve shopped all over the web for the “right” wheelchair, and nothing has quite the look and feel you want, Excel might be precisely what you’ve been searching for. While it’s true that there’s nothing groundbreaking about Excel’s designs, they are solid, reliable products, and except for their little scooter, we recommend them.
Recommended Reading
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Whirlwind RoughRider Wheelchair Reviews
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REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- EXCEL Wheelchairs, Official Brand Website.
- Buying Tips for Those Considering a Mobility Scooter, Very Well Health.
- What to Look for When Choosing a Mobility Scooter, Research Institute for Disabled Consumers
- Wheelchair Cushions: Selection Guidelines for Providers and Consumers, Rehab & Community Care.