10 Best Rollators 2024 in the US

For people who have difficulty walking--such as the elderly, the disabled, or people nursing an injury or recovering from surgery--there are numerous styles of walkers that can provide them support and stability. Typical walkers are just aluminum frames with handles and rubberized feet to prevent slipping. Rollators, or walkers with wheels, however, have many more features. They are walkers with either 2, 3, or 4 wheels. They can also include handlebars and a braking system, and even a padded seat and backrest. They are principally for people who tire easily when walking, need help with balance, or suffer from obesity and need something to relieve the pressure of walking. But rollators differ in their features. Besides differences in the number of wheels, there are also differences in their weight capacity, braking system, and how you can adjust the height. There are also different storage spaces on rollators, using a basket, a pouch, or a space under the seat.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a rollator. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of rollator,

• See useful tips about that particular type of rollator,

• Read reviews of different rollators, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of the best rollators, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

We can distinguish between rollators based on the number of wheels that they have:

• Two-wheeled: These have two wheels in the front, as well as a seat. An example is the Herdegen 2-Wheeled Rollator.

Herdegen 2-Wheeled Rollator

• Three-wheeled: These have a three-wheel construction, which allows for a large travel pouch or bag in front. An example is the Drive Medical Winnie Lite Supreme 3 Wheel Rollator Walker.

Drive Medical Winnie Lite Supreme 3 Wheel Rollator Walker

• Four-wheeled: This has a full four wheels in front, giving the greatest amount of support. It will also allow for a seat, back support, and storage area. An example is the Drive Medical Blue Rollator Folding Walker.

Drive Medical Blue Rollator Folding Walker

We can also distinguish between lightweight and bariatric rollators.

• Ultralight: These will weigh around 11 pounds, yet will be strong enough to support a person of 250 pounds in weight. They fold easily, so as to be easy to transport or store away when not in use. An example is the Medline Super Light Rollator.

Medline Super Light Rollator

• Bariatric: The bariatric rollators are also called “heavy duty” rollators since they’re made for people who inclined towards obesity. They will feature a reinforced frame that will support more weight--sometimes 500 or even 600 pounds! The seat will also be larger, as will be the width and the caster wheels. An example is the Drive Medical Go-Lite Heavy Duty Bariatric Rollator Walker.

Drive Medical Go-Lite Heavy Duty Bariatric Rollator Walker

• Prefer a rollator that locks when folded: One customer who was otherwise very pleased with the Drive Medical Rollator said that the fact that the device doesn’t lock when folded is a problem. It makes it harder to get out of the trunk of a car since it tends to open by itself. Try to get a rollator that folds and locks together.

• Large caster wheels: Rollators will have different size wheels. The size will range from 6” to 10”. People prefer the larger caster wheels, as it gives better steering ability. Many brands advertise that their caster wheels do not mar surfaces.

• Strong frame: The frame must be sturdy, yet lightweight itself, so that it’s easy for you to transport. Aluminum is a lightweight metal that can still be sufficiently durable and is employed in a number of rollators, such as the Drive Medical RTL10266 Nitro Adjustable Height Rollator.

• Adjustable height and width: Check that your rollator’s height and width are adjustable. For example, the handles on the Drive Nitro Heavy Duty Rollator can be adjusted from 36” to 41” at the push of a button.

• Storage Area: Many rollators have a basket or bag that helps you carry things along with you while using your rollator. Some of them have the storage area under the seat, such as in the Medline Steel Rollator Walker.

Medline Steel Rollator Walker

• Whether a rollator is right for you: A walker without wheels is more for people who can’t put their weight on both feet, due to surgery or injury. A rollator is best for people who are able to walk, but who need help because they tire easily, or to avoid the risk of falling.

• Assembly: Many times, you’ll have to do a little construction to get your rollator operating. Fortunately, healthcare companies have made it easy. Putting the parts together usually requires just attaching the front and back wheels to the chassis, attach the handles and brake cable, and finally to attach the backrest. The parts will either click into place, or you will insert screws to lock the pieces in place.

• Types of brakes: There are two types of brakes on rollators. You’ll see rollators with loop brakes, or with spring-loaded push-down brakes.

  • Loop brakes: These brakes are located on the handles. You activate the brake by squeezing the handles on the walker.

Loop Handbrakes for Rollator

• • Push-down brakes: These are activated by leaning onto the handles or seat with your body weight. It’s preferable for people who don’t have enough hand strength to operate loop brakes.

Dolomite is a maker of mobility health care products, such as walkers and rollators, as well as gait trainers and platform walkers. They also fashion custom rollators, with non-standard brake styles, grips, arm pads, and more.

Drive Medical was founded in the year 2000, but was later named Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare in 2015. They are located in Port Washington, New York. They make health care products, such as special beds, mattresses and cushions to prevent bed sores, bath safety products, patient lifts, wheelchairs, and walkers.

Medline was founded in Chicago by A.L. Mills in 1910. They originally made hospital apparel, but they then expanded into an extensive range of medical equipment and health care aids, such as nursing supplies and patient care products. Their rollators come in various designs: bariatric, deluxe, ultralight, and more.