Rollators are walkers with wheels that sit on a frame with three or four wheeled legs. The most popular rollators range in price and features. Basic models cost as little as $50 while fancier models advertising added capabilities, such as advanced turning radius, can surpass $500.
Aina Wifalk, from Sweeden, invited Rollators. Aina suffered from polio and invented the rollator in 1978. “Rollator” was originally a brand name of walker, but is now used to describe a variety of wheeled walkers manufactured by different companies.
Benefits Of Rollator Walkers
All rollators, regardless of price, make it easier to travel long distances and over uneven terrain than traditional non-wheeled walkers.
Rollators include a handlebar for stability. You can adjust the height of the handlebars based upon user needs. Plus, handlebars come with brakes that can be lifted or pushed down in order to safely stop the rollator.
The brakes can also be used to turn the rollator, and therefore provide it with much better turning radius than traditional walkers.
Rollators come with a built-in seat so that users can stop and rest as needed.
Almost all rollators come with a storage compartment located beneath the seat or attached to the handlebar.
Rollators are considered sturdier than traditional walkers, but are surprisingly lightweight. They typically fold up into compact little packages for easy transportation.
Some of the most popular rollator walkers include:
#1. Drive Medical Four Wheel Rollator With Fold Up Removable Back Support
Average Price Range: $55-$65
With over 3,700 customer reviews on Amazon and a nearly 5 star rating, there’s no denying the popularity of this affordable rollator. In fact, it’s Amazon’s number 2 seller in Health and Personal Care related to Medical Supplies and Mobility Aids. The padded seat provides a comfortable place to sit back and relax as needed, plus there is a back support that can be folded up to make the rollator more compact. There is a basket attached to the aid for convenient storage space. It even has 7.5’ casters that are non-marring so that you don’t end up with black scuffmarks on your floor.
#2. Hugo Elite Rollator Walker with Seat, Backrest and Saddle Bag
Average Price Range: $110 – $130
This rollator has a built in seat with padding and a backrest. It also comes with several storage areas. The 8-inch wheels provide a smooth ride across a wide variety of surfaces, including rough and bumpy terrain. It includes easy to use turn-and-tighten brakes. The adjustable handlebars are designed to provide proper posture to users regardless of height. It is very easy to fold up this rollator for transportation purposes.
#3. Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Red Rollator Walker
Average Price Range: $200 – $210
This rollator is a bit pricier than other models, but still more affordable than some advanced rollators. It advertises brake cables tucked inside of the lightweight aluminum frame for additional safety. It has a seat with back support, as well as a nicely sized pocket for storage. The 10” front casters make it super easy to steer and control the rollator over a wide variety of surfaces. The caster fork design further aids turning radius. You can easily fold it up using just one hand and it is very compact for storage.
#4. Medline MDS86800XWS Heavy Duty Bariatric Rollator
Average Price Range: $110 – $120
Built on a reinforced steel frame, this Medline rollator can support up to 500 pounds. Despite its durability it only weighs 26.7 pounds. Its hefty 8-inch wheels with reinforced forks and spokes give it even more strength. It is larger/wider than your average rollator, which means it won’t fit through narrow doorways. It comes with an extra wide, padded and comfortable seat with a Velcro pocket tucked beneath. The handles are adjustable dependent upon user height.
#5. Volaris All-Terrain SMART Fitness Rollator Walker with Four Wheels and Seat
Average Price Range: $520+
This lightweight, foldable all-terrain fitness rollator is made for easy transportation, storage and travel. It weighs just 16 pounds. It has a flexible frame that makes it ideal for riding over rough and uneven ground surfaces. Plus, it’s more stylish than other models, which might make it more appealing to use. It has cushioned 8-inch rubber all-terrain tires and ergonomically designed handlebars. It has a bench seat, backrest, bottle holder and storage basket.
So why is this walker so much more expensive? It is specially designed to make handling more athletic tasks easier, such as climbing up curbs or rocky hills.
There are some places your rollator walker can’t take you, no matter how great it is; for instance, all the way across town to your doctor appointment. Stellar Transportation is the number one name for short or long distance non-emergency medical transportation in Melbourne, Fl. Contact us today for a free quote!