As people age, mobility often becomes an issue. Thankfully, various mobility aids can provide the necessary support. While canes are far from stable, walkers and rollators can become a reliable companion even for people with significant balance issues.
To help you find the most appropriate walking aid, we’ve researched many of the best offerings on the market. In this guide, you’ll discover the five best walkers for seniors. Additionally, we’ll explain how to choose the right type of walker or rollator and which features to pay attention to.
Comparison Chart
Able Life Space Saver Walker, Lightweight Folding Mobility Rolling Walker for Seniors and Adults, 6-inch Wheels and Ski Glides, Regal Rose
Drive Medical R726BK Aluminum Rollator Walker Fold Up and Removable Back Support, Padded Seat, 6″ Wheels, Black
Best Walkers for Seniors Reviews
Read on for detailed descriptions and the pros and cons of the best walkers for seniors.
Drive Medical 10210-1 Deluxe Two Button Folding Walker
The Drive Medical walker was created with the safe, convenient performing of daily activities in mind. As a result, it features a perfect balance of strength, durability, and ease of use. The walker’s sturdy, one-inch diameter U-shaped frame is constructed from aluminum.
A push-button mechanism that can be pressed with fingers, palms, or the side of the hand folds the walker in a couple of seconds for easy transportation.
While the whole construction weighs under eight pounds, it offers a 350-pound capacity. You can adjust the walker’s height from 32 to 39 inches for extra comfort. The insight handgrip measures 17 inches, the width inside the back legs 20 inches, and the base depth is 17.5 inches. Note that this is standard sizing suitable for most seniors.
The contoured vinyl grip of this walker ensures that your hand won’t slip. Elbows can flex 20 to 30 inches when the handles are gripped. Two wheels on the front feature a rear glide cap for a smooth slide on nearly any surface.
Each side of the walker operates independently for improved stability and easier movement through narrow spaces.
Although the walker is stable and reliable, the manufacturer warns that it shouldn’t be used on stairs or escalators. You should also be cautious of liquids, cords, or debris on the floor to avoid slips and falls.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Wheels glide effortlessly over most surfaces
- Stable yet lightweight
- Adjustable height
- Non-slip hand grip
Cons
- It may not be as stable as more expensive alternatives
- Two wheels may not be sufficient for some seniors
Able Life Space Saver Walker
Any means of transportation should look nice, and we aren’t talking about cars. The Able Life walker comes in three attractive color options: regal rose, cobalt blue, and black walnut.
The walker is highly compact, with a footprint measuring 24 by 24 inches. This allows you to easily maneuver through narrow spaces such as hallways and doorframes.
Furthermore, it can be quickly folded with a single button. In a folded state, it measures only five by seven inches. That’s about four times smaller than average rollators, allowing the walker to fit in just about any vehicle. In addition, no assembly is required; the walker is ready to use right out of the box.
The walker’s height can be adjusted from 32 to 38 inches for the utmost convenience. The seven-pound high-grade aircraft aluminum frame is sturdy enough to hold up to 400 pounds.
Fixed six-inch front wheels ensure stability during walking. Combined with rear easy-glide skis, they provide smooth movement both indoors and outdoors, on almost any surface.
An optional front organizer pouch or locking swivel wheels come with the set. The latter provides for the storage of essential items, eliminating the need for a bag. Additional wheels transform the walker into a proper rollator that may be more suitable for some seniors.
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Compact
- Optional accessories
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Different design options
Cons
- Pricier than alternative options
- Two wheels may not be sufficient for some seniors
NOVA Traveler 3 Wheel Rollator Walker
The Nova Traveler 3 Wheel Rollator is a highly compact walker designed for seniors who wish to remain active. It’s perfect for maneuvering in narrow spaces, easily folds for convenient transportation, and comes with a basket and large zipped pouch.
This rollator is equipped with eight-inch rubber wheels with an extra-wide base for improved stability. The wheels glide smoothly on most surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.
In addition, Nova’s patented hand brakes are designed for complete control and maximum comfort. The brakes are activated with a single button and require minimal strength, making this rollator suitable for seniors with weaker hands.
You can park and lock the walker with a gentle push down on the lever and release it by pulling it upwards. Most importantly, the brakes and frame come with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty on all parts.
The Nova rollator is a perfect fit for seniors between 5 feet 4 and 6 feet 2 tall. Such versatility is achieved by adjusting from 33.25 to 37 inches handle height. The width between handles measures 12 inches, and between the legs 23.5 inches. At nearly 17 pounds, this rollator weighs more than some alternatives.
However, that shouldn’t be an issue since it doesn’t have to be lifted. The weight capacity is 250 pounds.
The tray, basket, and zipped pouch included in the set are removable. The basket is pretty spacious, measuring 9.5 x 9.5 x 8 inches. These accessories are ideal for carrying groceries, essential items, or anything else. Five color options are available: red, black, purple, light blue, and dark blue.
Pros
- Comes with a basket and pouch
- Stable wheels
- Adjustable height
- Different color options
- Four wheels
Cons
- Slightly heavier than competitor options
Hugo Mobility Elite Rollator Walker
The Hugo Mobility Elite rollator comes in two colors: blue and red. It features a two-inch height adjustable built-in seat with a padded backrest, providing a place to relax wherever you go. In addition, the backside of the backrest has a hidden storage pouch for convenient, secure transportation and easy access to personal items.
Large eight-inch swivel wheels are constructed for a smooth glide over various surfaces and improved maneuverability. The braking and locking system can be activated with a single motion that doesn’t require much strength. In addition, handles are positioned at a natural angle for better ergonomics.
The handlebars can be adjusted from 29.5 to 38 inches to personalize it for every user up to 6 feet 4 tall. The possible seat height ranges from 19.5 to 22 inches. The handle width measures 17 inches, and the wheel width 24.5 inches. The rollator weighs 18 pounds and supports up to 300-pound weight.
Pros
- Built-in seat
- Storage space on seat’s backrest
- Ergonomic handles
- Adjustable height and handles
Cons
- It might be a bit heavy for some seniors
- Non-foldable
Drive Medical R726BK Aluminum Rollator Walker
Yet another great walker by Drive Medical, this time with four wheels. Its frame is constructed from durable, sturdy aluminum that ensures a long lifespan and stability when walking and standing.
The walker weighs only 12 pounds and supports adults weighing up to 300 pounds. It can be folded for easy transportation and storage. Five color options are available: black, red, silver, blue, and green.
Handles are positioned at a natural angle for improved comfort. The height is adjustable from 32 to 37 inches. Brakes can be activated with a single push and are easy to use even for seniors with weak hands.
Serrated edges on the brakes and the textured surface of handles provide a firm grip. The six-inch wheels with soft tires ensure smooth glide both indoors and outdoors.
The Drive Medical rollator allows you to relax wherever you go, with a padded seat and removable, hinged backrest. The seat measures 12 x 14 inches and is 20 inches high, which should be comfortable for most seniors. A zipped pouch is hidden under the seat for convenient storage and privacy of personal items.
Pros
- Built-in seat with backrest
- Hidden zipped pouch
- Foldable
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Handle height not adjustable
Buyer’s Guide
Like any other product, walkers differ significantly in terms of functionality, size, and other characteristics. In this section, we’ll list the main points to consider when choosing the right mobility aid.
Weight and Portability of the Walker
Walkers are generally split into two categories – rollators and standard walkers. Standard walkers have to be lifted at every step. They’re typically lighter than rollators since they don’t feature any additional features apart from the frame.
However, even a one-pound difference may be noticeable with a walker if it’s used for extensive periods. Rollators provide more stability and don’t have to be lifted. However, they also weigh noticeably more due to the wheels.
Rollators may seem like a better overall option, but it isn’t that simple. At times, you may have to lift a rollator – when stepping on an escalator or stairs. For this reason, you should pay attention to the overall weight of the model.
There’s no need to buy the lightest option, as material durability is also important. High-quality metal is naturally weighty. However, you need to be able to lift the walker and carry it short distances when necessary.
The portability of construction is another crucial factor. It’s a general term that comprises the walker’s dimensions, weight, foldability, and wheels. Although it’s meant to be a personal walking aid, you may have to carry it or transport it in a car in some situations. Thus, the walker should be compact enough, ideally foldable, for this purpose.
Not all roads are perfect either, and your walker’s wheels should glide smoothly over any surface. We advise selecting larger wheels from rubber. Narrow wheels offer more maneuverability, while wide wheels provide more stability.
Walker Width
The importance of a walker’s width is often neglected, even though it’s just as crucial for ergonomics as its height. Furthermore, the correct width improves portability, allowing the user to walk even through the narrowest spaces.
Measure the part of your hips that come into contact with the walker before purchasing it. Only the most advanced walkers have an adjustable width. Therefore, we advise you to check in advance.
The construction shouldn’t be too tight; otherwise, it will disturb your movement. It shouldn’t be too wide either, as your hands won’t be positioned correctly. Choose a walker that’s a couple of inches wider than your hips. If you’re larger than the average size, you may have to order a custom walker for more comfort.
The right width depends not only on your own measurements but also on the spaces you need to negotiate daily. For example, some homes have narrow bathroom doors measuring about 22 inches. Other space considerations should include hallways, public restrooms, and stairs.
Seat Height
Both the height of a seat and handles are crucial for ergonomics. Most modern walkers can be adjusted to your height, even the cheapest options. Stooping over to your walker is far from comfortable, so we advise against purchasing a non-adjustable walking aid.
The more customizable the construction, the better the ergonomics can be adjusted for you personally. However, you should also pay attention to how sturdy the walker is. The more parts assembled, the higher the risk of the construction being unstable.
To measure the perfect walker height, you should first stand up straight with your outdoor shoes on. Some shoes have a heel, and even two centimeters may make a big difference.
Then, place your hands naturally along your sides. Next, measure the distance from the floor to the crease of your wrist. The result is the required handle height. The right height will ensure the best leverage when walking and the correct posture.
As for the perfect seat height, the same rules apply to a regular chair. Your knees should form a 90-degree angle when sitting. Furthermore, you should be able to sit down easily while holding the handles.
The seat certainly shouldn’t be too short, or you may have to raise your elbows too high when sitting down, which negatively affects your back. But if it’s too high, you may have trouble standing up since your feet don’t touch the ground properly.
Braking System
This point doesn’t apply to regular walkers without wheels since you simply lift them at every step. However, if you choose a rollator, the braking system should be considered before the purchase. Brakes are an essential component of the construction, ensuring safety even when you don’t have complete control over the walker’s movement.
In addition, brakes should be easy to engage, not requiring a lot of power, as many seniors have weaker hands. Of course, that may be hard to check in advance when purchasing a rollator online. Thankfully, in most cases, you can loosen the brakes manually.
Rollator brakes typically feature a locking mechanism that provides extra stability and balance. If your rollator has a built-in seat, a brake lock is essential. However, it may also be highly useful if you use a rollator as support when standing. Often, the wheels can be locked by pushing the lever down and released by lifting it up.
Most brakes are engaged using loop locks located under the rollator handles. When you squeeze the brake lever, a cable connected to the wheels clamps down, applying pressure and stops the walker. Overall, the system is pretty similar to bicycle brakes. Therefore, you’ll likely get to grips with rollator brake construction relatively quickly.
Often, rollator wheels have independent brakes – on the left handle for left wheels and on the right handle for right. So to stop the walker entirely, you have to engage both.
Some walkers only have two wheels at the front. In this case, brakes aren’t obligatory. Instead, you can simply tilt it back to shift its weight to the back legs to stop the walker.
Weight Capacity
The fact that your walker should be able to support your entire weight is a given, especially if it has a built-in seat. However, people often carry their personal items and shopping bags, so the actual walker’s weight capacity should be even higher.
Usually, the weight capacity is directly tied to the weight of a walker itself. Typically, durable materials are also heavy; however, there are exceptions, such as carbon. Most regular walkers and rollators can support 250-350 pounds, while heavy-duty options can hold up to 500 pounds.
Foldability
Foldability is a must for any modern walker or rollator, and this feature is now available even in the cheapest options. It enables you to easily transport and store your walking aid. It’s important for the construction to fold easily and not require much strength or bending over. Ideally, this should be done with a single button or lever.
We advise you to ensure that the button can’t be pressed by accident, as this may cause you to lose balance. Another potential drawback of some folding constructions is worse durability. The more parts there are to be assembled, the higher the chances of something breaking. However, it can be easily solved by choosing a high-quality walker.
Accessories
Standard walkers don’t typically come with accessories as they’re designed to be lightweight. Rollators, on the other hand, can be much more advanced and comfortable.
Four-wheel rollators often come with built-in seats that allow you to rest at any moment. In an ideal world, the seat should have a backrest to ease the pressure on the back, independent from the legs. Three-wheel rollators usually don’t have seats.
Another common accessory of rollators is baskets or pouches for carrying personal items and shopping bags. Sometimes, pouches are hidden under the rollator’s seat or incorporated into the backrest for improved privacy.
Not all rollators necessarily come with accessories. You can always purchase them separately. However, accessories included in the set offer better compatibility and generally don’t affect the price of a product much.
FAQ
In the section below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions related to mobility aids for seniors.
How Do I Know When I Need to Start Using a Walker?
Many seniors gradually shift to walkers from canes; others start from rollators right away. As a rule of thumb, it’s essential to use some kind of mobility aid if you really need it. This will prevent you from falling and sustaining an injury. Some common reasons for getting a walker are:
- Lack of balance when walking or standing
- Pain or discomfort while walking or standing
- Getting tired quickly when walking, even if no serious health conditions are determined
- Difficulty with weight-bearing
- Heart diseases, breathing restrictions, fatigue
- Musculoskeletal issues, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, etc.
- After an injury or operation
- Neurological issues, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
Mobility aids are not only needed for seniors but for people of all ages with certain conditions. In such cases, it’s typically prescribed by a doctor. Even if your doctor didn’t advise you to use a walker, but you feel it might help, there’s typically no harm in using one.
However, constant use of a walking aid may prevent people from learning to walk after an injury, slowing down the recovery. Therefore, we highly advise consulting your doctor for an evaluation.
Should I Use a Standard Walker or a Rollator?
If you’re only experiencing pain on one side of the body and not the other, a cane might be sufficient for you. Plus, canes are much more portable and lightweight. The main downside is that they don’t provide any help in balancing. For this reason, many people turn to walkers or rollators. But which should you choose?
The only difference between a walker and a rollator is the wheels. All four legs of a walker stay in contact with the ground when you’re standing or walking. Therefore, you have to lift the walker at every step. As walkers don’t have wheels, they typically weigh significantly less than rollators. Although they often aren’t easy to move around, especially on uneven surfaces, they are better for people with balance issues.
In contrast, rollators have either three or four wheels. Three-wheel rollators are typically smaller and provide more mobility but don’t feature built-in seats. While they’re generally heavier than walkers, they don’t have to be lifted during walking.
As a result, rollators are easier to maneuver, though they are often large and hard to use in narrow spaces. Typically, rollators feature built-in seats, baskets, and pouches that allow the user to relax at any moment. For safety reasons, any rollator must have a braking and locking system that keeps it in place when you’re standing or sitting.
Finally, there are also hybrid walking rollators. They have two wheels in the front and two regular legs at the back. Such rollators have to be lifted and slid forward with your weight resting on the wheels, slightly tilted forward. They can be used in smaller spaces where proper rollators aren’t suitable and provide balance and support.
However, it’s essential to get proper training with a hybrid rollator, as the front wheels may easily slide forward, causing you to fall. In addition, such rollators don’t typically have brakes.
To sum up, rollators provide support over longer distances, are easier to maneuver, and offer additional accessories. They’re the best fit for people with fatigue or difficulty with weight-bearing. Walkers are sturdier and more suitable for people suffering from a lack of balance. Overall, if you can stand straight without issue, a rollator may be a more convenient option.
How Can You Lock the Brakes of Your Walker?
Any rollator must feature a brake-locking mechanism for safety. It enables you to fix the rollator when you need to stand or sit down on a built-in seat. Knowing how exactly your rollator brakes can be locked is essential.
Most models on the market feature loop-lock brakes. You simply push down levers on the brakes to lock them, then pull them up to release. However, some rollators may have a different locking system. In this case, we advise checking the manufacturer’s instructions.
Regain the Comfort of Movement
Hopefully, our guide has helped you determine whether you need a mobility aid and which type is best for you. We strived to include options for every senior in our selection, from affordable to advanced, focusing on balance and the easing of fatigue.