If you are looking for a "walker" in 2025, chances are you are looking for a "rollator," which is a walker with wheels. Invented in 1978 by Aina Wifalk, a Swedish social scientist, the rollator has helped millions of people with their mobility, and has also saved many a tennis ball from being misused as slides for traditional walkers.
In the nearly 50 years since, there actually hasn't been a whole lot of innovation in the rollator (more on this later). As a result, there are a ton of near-identical options from a gluttony of brands in the market, and it can be hard to figure out which one is best for you.
Fortunately, we have sampled our fair share of products, and here is our top 3. This post is 100% unsponsored. If my opinion changes, I'll come back and update this article.
1. The Drive Nitro
Weighing only 18 lbs, this "Euro-design" from Drive is exactly as it looks - it's nimble, it's light, and as the name "nitro" suggests, it certainly adds fuel and flair to your mobility, especially in the red colorway. Here in the Upper East Side of New York City, I see many seniors walk around with the Nitro confidently and spryly. I just hope they don't get a speeding ticket!
The standard Nitro comes in Red and Black. It's got enough storage for small items. It folds up easily. At $289, it's an incredibly affordable upgrade on the standard rollator (#2 below) without necessarily entering luxury territory (#3).
There are a few variations on the Nitro as well called the Nitro Sprint and the Nitro DLX. There is not much difference other than slightly different design choices. Below are some photos I took of a Nitro DLX in Champagne.
2. The Drive or Medline Standard Rollator
When I first got started in the industry, I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about the standard rollator options from Drive and Medline. They seemed so ordinary, the very thing in senior living I was trying to change. Over time however as I saw 9 out of 10 seniors use one of these, I grew to appreciate these products because they're so reliably accessible and consistent and that's why they're #2 on my list.
Firstly, the standard rollator option is incredibly affordable. Many customers can get one through Medicare and then when it breaks they can easily buy another one, which is only $65 if you buy it from us. (For whatever reason, the pricing on this product is a total wild west out there, so do watch out.)
Secondly, they simply work. Sure, they're not the most good looking products out there, nor are they anything special functionally - but they're not trying to be. These are classic, consistently standard rollators. You can opt for slightly larger wheels and even a lighter aluminum frame, however the 6" wheels totally do the job.
It's the equivalent of a plain white t-shirt in your wardrobe. It may not be what you wear to the opera, but it's truly an essential part of your mobility routine.
3. The Rollz product line
The Rollz Flex
When I say "finally, a walker that can keep up with your style," I really mean it. For many clients with a lifetime of cultivating their personal style, Rollz is one of the few brands in the market that has a strong design point of view. Designed in the Netherlands, Rollz is best known for their innovative design without compromising on style. The Rollz Flex is an upgrade on design and functionality that you can tangibly feel.
At $719, we are now entering premium/luxury territory with price. At 17 lbs, it's roughly the same weight as the Drive and Medline standard rollators, but with a beautiful design that "hides" the classic rollator look.
The foam-filled tires are a pleasure to roll around with, akin to the tires used in modern strollers that absorb bumps effectively. The height of the handles can be adjusted without screws or tools in seconds, much more elegantly than standard rollator options. The seat is comfortable enough, and you have the option to add a small cushioned backrest. And the fact that there is such a large space for storage makes the Flex a great aide for seniors who like to use it for grocery trips.
The Rollz Motion
From #1 and #2, we take a rather great leap forward in terms of functionality, design, and price. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is very little innovation in this category over the last nearly 50 years - until Rollz came along. The Rollz Motion to me is akin to when the iPhone came out amidst a sea of now irrelevant phone designs.
First, all Rollz products are built with durability and modularity in mind. A common question I get from clients who use standard rollators is whether they can replace a certain part when their walkers inevitably break. While there is a process in which they can do so with other brands, most of the time it's more cost-effective to simply buy a replacement walker. In the case of Rollz, however, these products were built to last, with many clients having had their Rollz products for over 5 years. Furthermore, each part is designed to be "plug and play", and therefore they can easily be ordered and swapped in, when an old part like a tire or a footrest becomes damaged. You can even "plug in" an umbrella for rainy days!
Secondly, the Rollz Motion is famously a 2-in-1 rollator that can turn into a wheelchair. This is truly innovative. At $1,395, the price is considerably higher, however you are really getting two products in one. The manner in which the rollator is transformed into a wheelchair is so well-designed and simple that every time I demo it to a client, I hear a vocal, "wow", every time! No tools, no screws, nothing. It's a bit like magic. This is especially great for clients who would still like to walk with their rollator but can take a break and be pushed around instead.
For $300 more, many clients upgrade their Rollz Motion with air-filled pneumatic tires, which turns it into the Rollz Motion Performance, designed for all-terrains. From bumpy city streets to grassy fields to even sandy beaches, the RMP is ready to power through it all, which is very impressive.
Lastly, just look at it. It's beautiful, and ready to accompany you walking down Madison Ave and into any luxury retail store, or to the symphony at Carnegie Hall for a classy evening. Most importantly, it will inspire you to go out and do things, which is what we care most here at Life of Swans. We bring the world to you, and a good mobility aid is instrumental in doing that.
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