Rollators can be incredibly helpful mobility aids, with their frame giving you the support you need to walk, but their wheels mean that you don’t have to strain yourself by lifting them to move as much as a walking frame.
However, it can be difficult to know what type of rollator you need.
Should you go for a two-wheeled or four-wheeled rollator?
And no, a four-wheeled rollator isn’t the ”off-road” version of a rollator.
The choice between the two rollators depends on your lifestyle and the activities you carry out in your everyday life.
So, let’s take a look at the two types of rollators and which one would be right for you!
What Are The Differences Between A Two-Wheeled Rollator and A Four-Wheeled Rollator?
The main difference between a two-wheeled rollator and a four-wheeled rollator comes down to balance and support.
You see, a rollator that only has two wheels also has two legs that directly connect with the floor.
This means that it can offer more stability and hold more weight being pressed onto it.
However, the downside is that you have to lift the rollator slightly to move it.
Therefore, if you have trouble keeping your balance, then having the added support from the two legs at the back of the rollator may be very important to you.
Because of this, you will need to use the muscles in your arms to move the rollator around.
If that is something that you will likely find difficult, then that’s where a four-wheeled rollator comes into play.
The four-wheeled rollator doesn’t have any legs that are connected with the ground.
Instead, all four legs attach to wheels, meaning that they can move around without any need to lift them.
This makes it great for those of you who don’t have the arm strength to lift the rollator.
However, this does come at a cost.
Because there aren’t any legs that directly connect to the ground, there is a loss of stability if you put all of your weight onto the rollator.
Therefore, if you have difficulty keeping your balance, then a two-wheeled rollator will likely be the better option for you.
As both types of rollators have their advantages and disadvantages, it is probably worth looking at things much more focused.
After all, everyone’s situation and lifestyle are different, so you need to keep that in mind when choosing a rollator.
When Should I Use A Two-Wheeled Rollator?
As we have already discussed, two-wheeled rollators offer better balance and support, but you also need to lift them slightly to move them.
That means that you will need a bit of space to do that.
As such, this type of rollator isn’t recommended if you are in an area with narrow corridors or tight corners.
However, when you are in large, open areas with uneven ground, the added stability of the two legs means that you can feel much safer.
For example, if you are going out for a family trip to the park, a two-wheeled rollator could be the perfect option.
It will help support you as you move around but won’t have trouble staying secure over the bumpy terrain.
When Should I Use a Four-Wheeled Rollator?
While a two-wheeled rollator is great for uneven ground. And a four-wheeled rollator is perfect for almost all other places you could go.
For example, if you were going shopping, it’s unlikely that the supermarket’s floor will be uneven.
Therefore, having a four-wheeled rollator that you can push around with ease is just what you need.
On top of that, the fact that you don’t need to lift it to move means that it would be great when carrying lots of small items with you.
Another aspect of the four-wheeled rollator is that turning it around corners is easier, as it doesn’t require space to be lifted slightly.
That means that it is better suited for tight corridors.
Which Is Right For You?
This is the hardest question to answer when it comes to rollators.
Both the two-wheeled rollator and four-wheeled rollator have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your lifestyle.
If you are the outdoorsy type who likes to go for walks in the woods, then a two-wheeled rollator may be the better option.
However, if you need something easier to move around, then you would want a four-wheeled rollator.
Alternatively, if you already have an idea of what type of rollator you want, why not look at our range of rollators here.
