Stay Active and Independent: These Are the 8 Best Walkers for Seniors (2024)

• Types of Walkers

• Our Picks

• How We Selected the Best Walkers for Seniors

• What to Look for When Shopping for Walkers for Seniors

• Our Experts

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

Key Specs

Type: Standard walker | Weight Capacity: 350 lbs | Seat: No | Hand Brakes: No | Wheels: 2 | Warranty: Lifetime limited

Why We Recommend It

For most seniors, a basic two-wheeled walker is all that’s needed to get around easily and safely. With a simple yet durable design, the Drive Medical Trigger Release Folding Walker is our best overall pick for the majority of older adults needing extra support.

David Chandler, RN, CFE, vice president of clinical services and business development at in-home senior care agency Senior Helpers, says his at-home care agency recommends two-wheeled walkers for seniors because they offer the most stability.

This option is made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum and is capable of supporting adults up to 350 pounds. With a secure, two-wheeled design, seven inches of height adjustability, and a trigger release for folding, this walker prioritizes the basic features needed for safety. It also allows you to open and close the walker without taking your hands off the handles, so you can continue using your walker for support and balance while you’re getting it ready to use or stowing it away for later.

Keep In Mind

Although Drive Medical says this walker can be used indoors or outdoors, its small wheels may still be somewhat limiting outside. Taller individuals may find the walker to be a bit small, and heavier users might not get the full stability they’re looking for.

Key Specs

Type: Standard walker | Weight Capacity: 350 lbs | Seat: No | Hand Brakes: No | Wheels: 2 | Warranty: Lifetime limited

Why We Recommend It

The Drive Medical 2-Button Folding Walker is almost identical to our best overall pick with two exceptions. First, it's a bit more budget-friendly. Second, instead of a trigger release to fold and open the walker, it relies on a 2-button system for folding.

In every other way, though, this walker is just as well-designed as our best overall pick: it’s made of lightweight but durable aluminum, features two five-inch wheels in the front and seven inches of height adjustability, and comes with a lifetime limited warranty. If you only need a walker temporarily or in certain environments, this is a simple but safe option.

Keep In Mind

The 2-button release system for folding this walker requires the user to bear their own weight and use two hands, which could be difficult if you’re relying on the walker for stability.

Key Specs

Type: Rollator | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Seat: Yes | Hand Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 4 | Warranty: Lifetime limited (frame only)

Why We Recommend It

If you’re looking for a rollator-style walker, we’re impressed by the versatility of the Medline Premium Empower Folding Mobility Rollator Walker. In addition to being a highly functional four-wheeled walker with a wide, memory foam seat, the Empower allows users to flip the seat up. You can also lean against the folded seat when a standing position is required, which offers a whole new level of support.

Other features we appreciate are a cup holder for your drinks when you’re on the go, a cushioned backrest, and a removable seat storage bag. The memory foam seat, backrest, and handles also have antimicrobial technology to protect against bacteria, mold, and mildew buildup, which are known to cause unpleasant stains and odors. The brakes are easy to activate right from the handles, and the walker folds flat for storage.

Keep In Mind

Because of some of its extra features, the Empower is both heavy and somewhat bulky. Though it folds flat, it takes up a bit of space when it’s opened, so make sure it can fit through your doorways.

Key Specs

Type: Standard walker | Weight Capacity: 400 lbs | Seat: No | Hand Brakes: No | Wheels: 2 | Warranty: 1-year limited

Why We Recommend It

If you’ve ever wished your walker was as easy to carry around as an umbrella, the Able Life Space Saver Walker is exactly what you need. At only 8 pounds, this walker is considerably lighter than most, plus it folds into a compact form that’s just 5 inches wide by 7 inches long. A simple tab-lift collapses the walker in seconds, allowing you to quickly and efficiently store it in your car, closet, or even the overhead compartment of a plane.

Designed for stress-free travel and storage, this walker is extremely lightweight for easy loading and unloading but it can also support up to 400 pounds of weight. When unfolded, it has a 19-inch base, can fit through tight spaces, and includes two fixed 6-inch front wheels to help you glide across all different types of surfaces. The stability and reliability of the Able Life Space Saver Walker, despite how lightweight it is, makes it an easy choice for anyone needing a walker they can grab and go.

Keep In Mind

The wheel design on this walker is different from most: Instead of removable or adjustable wheels, the two front wheels are fixed in place. This means you can’t take them off for maximum stability or turn them in for a narrower profile when using the walker in tight spaces.

Key Specs

Type: Rollator | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Seat: Yes | Hand Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 4 | Warranty: 3-year limited (frame), 1-year limited (all other parts)

Why We Recommend It

The lighter-than-it-looks Hugo Mobility Explore Side-Fold Rollator Walker with Seat is an ideal walker to carry on the go. Although it’s just 15.4 pounds, the Hugo Mobility Explore packs many features without adding too much extra weight. These include a padded built-in seat, contoured backrest, and under-seat storage. Meanwhile, its ergonomic, comforting hand grips create easy access to the brakes, the height-adjustable handlebars help you maintain proper posture, and a foot pedal helps you lift the walker up onto a curb without getting stuck.

But let’s talk about the folding mechanism, which is pretty unique: The sides of this rollator collapse inward, allowing the whole unit to fold down into a convenient transport size. The folding mechanism can also be operated with just one hand, leaving your other hand free for stability.

Keep In Mind

Though we like how the Hugo Mobility Explore has large, 8-inch wheels that allow it to be used indoors and outdoors, the wheels are solid, hard plastic instead of rubber ones filled with air. This does make them a bit trickier to maneuver over some terrain, and they don’t have as much traction as rubber wheels.

Key Specs

Type: Upright walker | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Seat: Yes | Hand Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 4 | Warranty: 1-year

Why We Recommend It

The OasisSpace Original Upright Walker has many of the same features as a rollator, but it can still be used by people with upper extremity weakness or pain. Since you need to be able to grip the handles and bear weight through your wrists, elbows, and shoulders to use a standard walker or rollator, says Dr. Anderson, an upright walker—which can be steered with your forearms—is a good alternative for someone with reduced strength or mobility in their upper body.

We like that the OasisSpace Original offers comfortable features for users, like padded armrests attached to hand brakes, as well as a lot of adjustability. The rollator has 7 inches of height adjustability and the option to adjust both the length and angle of the armrests to fit your body. It includes a large storage pouch and, despite its standing size, can still be folded down for easy travel. An upright walker like the OasisSpace Original is also good for people with back pain or posture issues since it promotes spinal alignment rather than a hunched-over position.

Keep In Mind

This is a larger rollator overall; it’s heavier and bulkier than some other types of walkers, making it a little tougher to move around. And it's both taller and wider than many alternatives. It’s a good choice if you need an upright walker, but may not be a good fit otherwise.

Key Specs

Type: Rollator | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Seat: Yes | Hand Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 4 | Warranty: 1-year

Why We Recommend It

Just because you rely on a walker doesn’t mean you’re restricted to the indoors—the Comodità Tipo All Terrain Rollator is made for safe, well-supported outdoor adventures. The most notable feature is the four-wheeled design, which features two 12-inch wheels in front and two 10-inch wheels in back, both of which are pneumatic (or air-filled) for compatibility with many different types of terrain. There’s also a convenient lever called a “curb climber," which easily lifts the front wheels to clear a curb.

The Comodità Tipo checks off all the boxes that Chandler recommends looking for in an outdoor walker: adjustable height settings, soft grips for prolonged use, a built-in seat for taking breaks, reflective elements for extra visibility, and a large storage bag for carrying essentials. Plus, it even has a combination cup or cane holder, allowing you to spend as much time as you want outdoors with your walker without leaving anything behind.

Keep In Mind

While we think this walker can handle almost any outdoor terrain you throw at it thanks to its unique tire design, there are a few downsides. You may find the tires slide on indoor flooring like tile, and the tires may need to be refilled frequently.

Key Specs

Type: Rollator | Weight Capacity: 250 lbs | Seat: No | Hand Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 3 | Warranty: Lifetime limited (frame), 5-year for brakes

Why We Recommend It

The NOVA Traveler 3 Wheel Rollator Walker is a great option for people who want the benefits of a rollator but a slimmer profile; with three wheels instead of four, the NOVA Traveler is easy to maneuver through doorways, hallways, passages, and other tight spaces. Although most effective when used indoors, NOVA Traveler’s 8-inch rubber wheels are extremely durable and make for a smooth, stable ride when walking across roads or lawns.

Like a traditional rollator, the NOVA Traveler includes easy-to-operate hand brakes, comfortable hand grips, and a removable basket, tray, and pouch, making it adaptable and user-friendly. It also folds into a pretty slim profile, making it easier to transport than many four-wheeled walkers.

Keep In Mind

The Traveler is height-adjustable, but less so than some other walkers (you have between 3 and 4 inches of adjustability). It also poses more of a tipping hazard than standard walkers and four-wheeled walkers since it only has three stability points, so users with balance issues may want to avoid this style.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Medicare cover walkers for seniors?

  Medicare often covers the cost of a walker for seniors, but you may need a prescription from a healthcare provider (and you should always double-check your specific coverage). Another thing to note: Dr. Howard, MD, says Medicare often only allows for coverage of one mobility aid per lifetime. So, if there’s a chance you may need a wheelchair later on, you might want to pay for a less expensive walker out-of-pocket, rather than use up your benefit.

• Are stand-up walkers safe for seniors?

  An upright, or stand-up, walker can be safe for seniors, with some caution. They are easier on the wrists and hands, says Dr. Howard, but they also have a higher center of gravity, making them somewhat less stable and prone to tipping. If upper body strength is an issue for you or the person you’re shopping for, a standing walker may be a good fit. But if balance is the primary issue, look for a walker with a lower center of gravity.

• When should a senior use a wheelchair vs. a walker?

  If a walker can be used safely, it’s usually the better choice, says Dr. Howard. But people at a high risk of falls should opt for a wheelchair, instead, to be on the safe side. She advises seniors with weakness in the arms or legs, numbness, pain, or memory loss or other thinking impairments to use a wheelchair instead of a walker.

• Which is safer, a walker or a rollator?

  A standard walker is often considered safer than a rollator because the user has more control over its movements, but this isn’t always the case. If you have balance issues and need a walker that glides evenly over surfaces, a rollator can be a safer choice because it’s less likely to get stuck and cause you to fall.