A buying guide to rollators

There are some rollators that have been specifically designed for use indoors but these obviously won't be suitable if you're looking for some support while you nip out to the shop. If you're looking for support while you walk to your local corner shop, you may want to consider a 3-wheel rollator as they can be easier to navigate around small aisles.

Some rollators are wider than others, so it's a good idea to measure the width of the space you'll want to push the rollator through to make sure that it can fit without issue. Even if you know you only want to use it outside, you still need to be able to get it in and out of your house. The same applies to your garden gate, if you have one.

You don't want to get your new rollator home only to find it doesn't fit through the front door.

Not all rollators come with a bag or a basket, so it's important to consider whether or not you want to be able to carry your personal items or a bit of shopping in it. If you do, be sure to double-check to the size of the bag or basket it comes with to make sure that it will be big enough to carry everything that you want it to.

It's also important to consider the position of the bag or basket - would it be easy for you to reach or would you need to stretch?

Have a think about how you'll be using your rollator. Do you plan on taking long walks? Do you find that you tire easily? If so, having a rollator with a seat would mean that you can take a break and rest when you need to.

Another consideration is the height of the seat - is it high enough that you can get up again with ease? If it's too low, you may find it a struggle to stand again when you're ready to get moving.

Not every rollator is foldable, and not every foldable rollator folds up to a small size, so it may take up more space than you planned.

Consider where you'll be storing your rollator. Do you need one that folds? Or is it fine if it remains out all the time? Be sure to check what the dimensions are when the rollator is folded, so you know how much space it will take up.

If you know you'll want to take your rollator with you when you travel, it's a good idea to measure the size of your boot to see if the rollator will actually fit. This could impact which rollator you can buy as not all of them can fold down and, of those that can fold, they may still take up more space than you're expecting.

For example, if your boot is small, a 3-wheel rollator may be a better fit than a 4-wheel rollator.

Occasionally you, or a relative, may need to lift the rollator, whether that's when putting it into the boot of a car or getting it up a small set of steps. Would you be able to lift it up on your own? Would the person with you be able to lift it either?

Rollators come in a variety of shapes and sizes and they're not all sized equally. Some have higher maximum handle heights, others are designed to support people of higher weights. 

Check the maximum user weight and handle height in the product description to make sure that it's suitable for you. See below for tips on how to find the right handle height.