A great walker can help you maintain your independence and get around more easily. But with scores to choose from, some topping $500, it can be a challenge to figure out the best one for your needs.
After testing 10 models—including rollators, which have three or four wheels—and consulting with experts, we recommend three affordable and sturdy options to use indoors and out.
The Drive Durable 4 Wheel Rollator with 7.5″ Casters is easy to assemble and intuitive to use. It comes with a handy storage pouch and has a firm seat and padded backrest that are comfortable when you want to rest. The four 7.5-inch wheels roll well on many different surfaces, and the braking system is simple.
At about 18 pounds, it’s not the lightest rollator we tried, but we found it easy to collapse and transport.
Our pick
Vive Health 3 Wheel Walker Rollator
This three-wheeled rollator helps you seamlessly navigate narrow hallways and sharp corners, and it comes with a large storage pouch. But it doesn’t have a seat.
If maneuvering tight corners and small bathrooms is a chief concern, this compact, agile, lightweight three-wheel rollator is a very good choice. Its triangular shape, with one wheel in front and two in back, makes the Vive Health 3-Wheel Walker-Rollator great for safely navigating sharp turns, doorways, and getting around furniture.
Folding and unfolding this rollator is simple, and the ample storage pouch is large enough to carry keys, a cell phone, and a small purse or wallet. However, like most other three-wheel rollators, this model has no seat, which can be a dealbreaker for some people. The price is pretty typical for this type of rollator, but it’s more expensive than our four-wheel pick.
Our pick
At around 7 pounds, the Drive Deluxe Trigger Release Folding Walker is one of the lightest models we tested. It has two small front wheels, so you don’t need to pick it up and put it down with every step as you would with some other standard walkers.
Its small wheels don’t do well on rougher terrain, so it’s best for indoor use. The two trigger release handles make opening and closing this walker easy. Once folded, it’s compact enough to easily store in a closet or a car’s trunk. But like other traditional walkers, it doesn’t have a seat or storage pouch.
