Best Wheeled Walkers For Seniors To Assist In Walking

The best wheeled walkers for seniors combine the benefits of exceptional durability, functionality and stability combined support for their users.

These mobility aids [1] are usually used by older adults who require added assistance in maintaining their balance while walking, especially after an injury or due to an illness.

While these are called wheeled walkers in the United States, these are also known as Zimmer frames in the United Kingdom; the name refers to the major manufacturer of these products, Zimmer Holdings.

Let’s take a closer look at the following eight products that we found are among the best wheeled walkers for elderly:

Useful Information About Wheeled Walkers

We believe that for our readers to gain a deeper appreciation about our wheeled walkers for seniors review, we must first provide relevant information about these products.

Said information would be useful in determining whether wheeled walkers are the right mobility aids for you, what methods can be used in making the right choice, and what ways can be done to enjoy their benefits to the fullest.

Pros and Cons of Wheeled Walkers

Not everybody is a good candidate for a user of wheeled walkers.

Keep in mind that these walking aids are less stable than non-wheeled walkers because of the front and back wheels.

Thus, seniors with moderate to severe issues maintaining their stability while pushing a wheeled walker should seriously reconsider their purchase.

But if you have issues about hand dexterity and arm strength, then the wheeled walker may be your best choice for many reasons.

First, you can push it along the floor while walking, so you don’t need to lift it just to advance it.

Non-wheeled walkers, in contrast, require lifting to develop it so that you can make the next one or two steps.

Second, you will be able to walk faster than with a non-wheeled walker.

Again, you just need to push the walker on its wheels so you can make more steps and cover the same distance faster.

But you will not be able to use a wheeled walker in going up and down stairs whereas you can do so with a non-wheeled walker albeit with limitations.

Both the non-wheeled and wheeled walkers, however, can be folded for easy transport and storage although the folded measurements will be different between walkers.

Considerations in Choosing the Best Wheeled Walkers for Elderly

When reading any wheeled walkers for seniors review and choosing from the listed products, you must first consult with your doctor and physical therapist before buying.

Even the best wheeled walker recommended may not be suitable for your needs in it [2].

For example, the two-wheel walker may be an excellent choice if you need some weight-bearing assistance while the four-wheel walker is suitable for people who don’t require leaning on it for balance.

The first step then in choosing the best senior-friendly wheeled walker is to understand your circumstances that contributed to your need for it.

You have to match your possible use for it with the features and functions in the wheeled walkers that catch your attention first.

You may or may not be willing to make compromises on these elements depending on your budget; as can be expected, the higher the quality of the wheeled walker, the higher its price will likely be.

For example, walker capacity can be a determining factor if you’re on the heavier side.

Most lightweight walkers have a maximum capacity of 250 pounds, and above yet their aluminum frames may only weigh around 8 pounds.

But if you want walkers with a higher weight capacity, such as 400 to 500 pounds (i.e., bariatric), then you may have to compromise a lighter weight for more excellent durability.

These walkers are usually made of steel, either for its entire frame or parts of it, such as the sides.

But even with weight capacity, you may have to make a few adjustments.

Take note that the lighter the walker, the more expensive it may be.

Generally speaking, an aluminum walker will be more massive but it will also be cheaper in comparison with a carbon fiber walker with similar features (i.e., weight capacity, adjustable height).

All the best wheeled walkers for seniors, however, have the following useful characteristics that we also suggest you look for in your own choice: 

These must then have a safe and effective mechanism for adjusting their height, as well as sturdy crossbar frame and tight turning circles.

When you’re using a wheelie walker, you should be in an upright position so that you can walk farther with less effort. 

You have to look at the material, and weight capacity of the wheeled walkers on your shortlist for this reason. 

 The features to look for include a comfortable seat and backrest, if any, as well as soft grip covers or foam grips.

These should also be deep and wide enough so that your arms can hold the handles without cramping too soon your hips can fit between the handles. You may want a bariatric walker is you’re on the plus side. 

You may or may not require wire baskets for storage, walking cane holders, and curb lifters.

Don’t forget to look for information in a wheeled walker for elderly review about the ease of buying after-market accessories and replacement parts for the walkers, too.

Even the best walker will be subjected to normal wear and tear so there may be a need to buy replacement parts.

We also suggest brushing up on the basics of using wheeled walkers [3] for your safety.

While these are excellent mobility aids, these also have their share of risks, such as the walker rolling away from your grasp.

Here’s an instructional video that we believe can help.

When we were choosing the products in our wheeled walker for elderly review, we considered the overall value of the walkers.

We compared their prices with their respective materials, features and functions before choosing the ones that provided good value for the money – highly satisfactory performance (i.e., assembly and use) combined with reasonable prices. 

The 5-inch front wheels are designed to smoothly roll over almost any type of hard surface, such as wood, tile, and marble floors.

Be careful about pushing it too hard and too fast since you lose your balance.

But since the back part doesn’t have wheels – these have rubber ferrules instead – the risks of falling are reduced.

The rear legs can also be replaced with the glide tips, which will enhance the walker’s maneuverability over most surfaces.

You will also find it useful when you’re walking through narrow hallways and tight corners in your home or outside.

The walker can also be folded into a more compact shape for storage and transport, such as when you’re traveling with it.

The dual-release folding mechanism can be operated independently so its sides can also be folded separately.

Made of sturdy aluminum alloy, the walker can accommodate adults weighing up to 300 pounds, which should be sufficient for non-bariatric seniors.

You may lean on it with most of your weight for support without worrying about the handles and legs buckling under the stress, thanks to the cross frame design.

You should adjust its height so that you can adopt an upright walking stance.

The right fit is a must so that the stress on your joints, from your hands to your spine and knees, will be minimal.

The walker’s height can be adjusted from 29.5 to 37 inches.

Only the front legs have 5-inch wheels while the rear legs can be equipped with either rubber ferrules or glide skis depending on the space and surface you’re walking on.

The adjustments for the height and legs are also easy to do.

But beauty is nothing without durability where walkers are concerned.

With its 1-inch anodized and extruded aluminum tubing for its frame, the walker is as durable as it is lightweight, especially when its 300-pound weight capacity is considered.

Plus, it has high rust resistance so you may be able to use it for several years, if needed, with proper maintenance (e.g., regular cleaning).

You may also adjust its height according to your natural walking stance.

The height adjustments range from 32 to 39 inches, so it’s suitable for taller people than the Drive Medical Deluxe model.

But the handgrips can be uncomfortable after a while because these are made of hard plastic.

We would have liked them to be ridged rubber or, even better, foam grips for more comfortable use.

The walker also comes with 5-inch wheels as well as glide covers and caps so that it can be used on most surfaces.

From its open position, it can be folded using the trigger release feature. 

But changing to swivel wheels require extra expense, so you have to consider it in your purchasing decision.

The easy-glide rear feet is also sufficient for most people’s needs, maneuverability-wise, so you may not need the swivel wheels either.

Be sure to exercise control over the walker, too, because it doesn’t have brakes.

The anodized aluminum tubing used for the walker is sturdy, nonetheless, and the handle’s height can also be adjusted between 33 and 40 inches; the adjustments can be made in 1-inch increments.

The handgrips are touted to be comfortable to use, but we have to disagree with it becomes too uncomfortable after an hour or so of use.

First, it can be used as a typical walker with wheels and as a seat, thus, its rollator designation.

When you use it as a wheeled walker, you just raise the seat so that you can step inside its frame.

When you become tired from walking, you can flip back the seat part so that you have a portable, comfortable chair with a flexible backrest.

Second, it comes with its built-in carry handle. You can then fold it and carry it or let others carry it for you.

On your travels, you have a walker and chair in one, a feature not available in most wheeled walkers.

If you’re on the slightly heavy side, then the 400-pound capacity should place you in good stead.

The aluminum frame may be lightweight, but it isn’t too lightweight as to buckle under the weight.

The large 6-inch wheels can also be locked into a fixed position or released for more maneuverability in narrow spaces.

This is also easy to assemble although a certain level of dexterity is needed.

The front legs with their wheels and back legs slide easily into the walker frame.

The walker’s height can be adjusted using the holes in the leg extensions and then locking them for a more secure hold.

Our Recommended Product

Based on the above discussion, we can say that the best wheeled walkers for seniors are the Drive Medical Clever-Lite LS Rollator Walker (Gray) for good reasons.

Made of 1-inch anodized aluminum tubing for the frame, you can rely on it to hold your weight, whether you’re leaning on it while standing or sitting on its built-in, flip-out seat.

You can put your full weight on it as well as hang a small bag on it, yet it will remain stable.

You’re obviously not just getting a wheeled walker but a high-quality rollator at a reasonable price.

You may even bring it with you on your domestic travels due to its versatile uses, as well as its carry handle for transport.

You can use it on most smooth and even surfaces, such as pavements, marble, tiles, and hardwood, and put a brake on it in case you’re going too fast.

Of course, we’re not saying that the other seven wheeled walkers aren’t the best ones, too.

Your needs and wants in a wheelie walker will still determine what’s best and what’s not for you.

Additional Resources

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walker_(mobility)
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/multimedia/walker/sls-20076469
[3] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000342.htm