Rollators have become indispensable pieces of kit that have given millions of people a degree of freedom and independence that they would otherwise have been lacking. Anyone who can walk with a degree of assistance can benefit from one of these devices, which makes them popular among the elderly, people with disabilities and those recovering from injuries or certain operations.
But as soon as you start shopping for a rollator, you might quickly become overwhelmed with the sheer amount of options out there. The truth is that the fundamentals of all rollators are pretty much the same, but you might choose one over the other depending on your lifestyle. It’s a bit like choosing between an off-road 4×4, a roomy estate or a super-efficient compact hatchback – they all do the same basic job, but some are better suited to certain situations.
This article aims to clarify what options you’ll be looking at when choosing a rollator, and gives a few ideas for what type to go for once you’ve assessed your needs.
What is a rollator?
Let’s start by answering the most basic question of all – what actually is a rollator?
At its most basic, a rollator is a Zimmer frame on wheels. With a Zimmer frame, you need to pick it up and put it down constantly as you walk along, but with a rollator, you simply roll it forwards while holding the handles. In both cases, the frame is helping to keep you upright and moving. That’s useful if you have frailty in your legs, pelvic area or torso, or if you suffer from poor balance. Because of the wheels, a rollator also needs good brakes.
Most users say they got used to using it in less than an hour, and within a week, it had become second nature – somewhere between pushing a supermarket trolley and riding a bike. After their invention, rollators became so indispensable to people that they started to get modifications which improve utility and quality of life. Most rollators now come with a storage basket of some kind, and many also have a seat, so you can use it to rest. They are also collapsible, so they can be put in the boot of a car, and take up less space when in storage.
Key factors to consider when buying
Choosing a rollator usually comes down to ticking off requirements and specifications and getting the one that meets your criteria. If you’re an experienced user, this is usually pretty straightforward as you know how you use it. But if it’s your first one, you could be tempted to go for a rollator that’s light on features to save money. That is understandable, but later on, you might realise that you wish you had chosen one with more features.
It’s worth having a really good think about the places you want to go to and what you want to do. Consider what the ground surfaces are like, whether you might need to carry or fold up the rollator, and how you intend to store it when not in use.
You might have resigned yourself to the fact that your mobility has changed, but think of it the other way – what will the rollator allow you to do that you can’t currently do? Talk about it with people you spend time with, too, as their input can be useful. Some of the factors to take into account are:
- Indoor vs outdoor use requirements: If you’ll be exclusively using the rollator indoors on smooth surfaces, you probably only need small wheels, and you might not need a seat or storage if it’s for getting around where you live. For outdoor use, you’ll want bigger, more rugged wheels with better grip, as well as enhanced weatherproofing.
- User height and weight: If you’re considerably taller, shorter, wider or heavier than the average person, you might have to look for more specialist models. That said, they are usually adjustable to a degree, so there’s a bit of leeway for height.
- Terrain considerations: Where do you intend to use it? If you’re bobbing around your home or a care home, there are probably smooth floors, so one with small wheels will probably be fine. If you intend to be getting out and about, going shopping, doing a spot or gardening and visiting attractions, you’ll need something with larger wheels.
- Storage and transport needs: Will you be collapsing the rollator to put in a car boot? Is space pretty limited where you live or spend a lot of time? Consider how small the device is when it’s in its folded state, and how easy it is to lift.
- Budget: For most people, the budget will of course play a part in the purchase decision. Some people might consider certain once-a-year features excessive if they add to the price. But also consider that some rollators have VAT relief, and there are various schemes to help you financially. Remember – you don’t have to be registered disabled to get VAT relief.
- Advice from healthcare professionals: Any specialists who are dealing with you can often recommend a certain type of rollator based on your specific needs and goals.
Essential features to look for
Now you have an idea of some of the factors that will help you to decide, you can start looking for individual features. Some of the key options are:
- Brake systems: The two main types of brake are loop brakes and push-down brakes. Loop brakes work like bicycle brakes via a lever that you squeeze with your fingers, while push-down brakes operate by putting weight down on them, in a similar way to a child’s scooter where you put pressure on the back wheel to slow down. The latter type is useful if you struggle with grip. There should also be a separate locking brake, like a car handbrake, for when you’re sitting or just storing the rollator.
- Seat comfort and height adjustability: Seats come in a range of styles, from hard to padded, with and without a back rest, and with adjustable height. If you think you’ll be using the seat often, it’s a key consideration.
- Carrying options: Most rollators come with something to store things in, be that a basket, a pouch or a tray, or some combination of these types. If you’ll be using it for shopping, you might want to consider a larger basket, with compartments. If it’s just for small things, a modest pouch might suffice.
- Frame materials and weight: You’ll sometimes need to lift the rollator into cars, onto buses, up and down kerbs and perform other similar actions. If you think this could be a problem, go for the lightest possible, although note that it might have fewer features and have a smaller weight-bearing capacity.
- Folding mechanisms and portability: If you’ll be putting the rollator into a car boot, or folding it up for storage, take a note of how small it will fold, and work out if it will fit. If it is going in the car boot, is it likely to need to share the space with other things like shopping or travel baggage?
Some rollator suggestions for you
We stock a huge range of rollators, and they all come with pros and cons for certain uses. There’s no single rollator that meets every imaginable criteria (e.g. rugged and super-lightweight), so you might sometimes need to compromise or, if your budget and space allows, look into buying more than one for different activities.
Best lightweight rollators
- The Rehasense Space LX rollator weighs just 5.8 kg (12.7 lb), so is a sound option for carrying around – and it has a very generous basket.
- A slightly heavier option is the R8 4 Wheel Rollator By Drive DeVilbiss, weighing in at 7 kg (15.4 lb). But at under £70, it’s a bargain too.
- The Stander EZ Fold N Go Slim Rollator is a very manageable 6.1 kg (13.4 lb) and folds up incredibly flat.
Best budget-friendly choices
(Note: these prices are subject to change, so check often and use the price filter to find the cheapest.)
- Check out the Able2 Height Adjustable Compact 6″ Rollator, our cheapest model, which is available for a very reasonable £58.99.
- As well as being light, the R8 4 Wheel Rollator By Drive DeVilbiss (as mentioned above) is among the cheapest rollators we stock, starting at just £64.99.
- For maximum comfort on a budget, the Drive DeVilbiss R8 Rollator With Height Adjustable Seat is a superb option, at £74.99.
Best for outdoor/all-terrain use
- If you’re going out and about, the Topro Olympos ATR With Off-Road Wheels has to be one of your options. It’ll get you over pretty much any terrain like footpaths and shopping in town.
- The Trustcare Let’s Go Out Rollator has lovely big wheels, ideal for negotiating kerbs and rough pavements.
- For some hi-tech materials, consider the Topro Pegasus, which is made of carbon fibre, the stuff F1 car bodies are made of.
Best rollators for tight spaces
- The Trustcar Let’s Fly rollator folds down to just 20 cm (8 inches) in width, which makes it simple to store and transport.
- At 23 cm (9 inch) in width when folded, the Rehasense Server CF is only slightly wider, and has an impressive basket (just remember to take your eggs out before you fold it).
- Finally, the Aidapt Folding Bariatric Rollator folds down to 24.5 cm (9.6 inches) when not in use, and is a smart, stylish model.
The selections above are only a fraction of our entire rollator collection, so make sure you have a proper look around. Remember, sometimes your best option isn’t the cheapest, the lightest or the narrowest, but a happy compromise that ticks more of your boxes.
