Advantage: no need to lift
Both the standard walker and the two-wheel walker require the user to gently lift the walker off the ground, place it in front of them, and then step forward into the walker. Even with two wheels, the user must lift the back foot and roll the roller forward before setting it down. For some people, lifting even a little walker can be tedious or nearly impossible.
If you have limited upper body strength or are prone to losing your balance when lifting objects, then a roller is probably a better choice for you. Since there are wheels on all legs, this walker does not need to be lifted. You can easily push it forward with a simple, smooth motion.
Cons: Not intended to support weight
There are two main reasons why a person needs to use a walker: (1) they have trouble balancing on their own, or (2) they need something to lean on to ease their leg fatigue a bit. The standard roller is designed for the second individual; They are made to support part of your weight, so you can lean on them when moving your feet forward.
Wheelchairs, on the other hand, are designed for the first type of mobility aid. Because there are wheels on all legs, leaning heavily on a walker can be a major safety hazard; the roller can roll under you when you lean on it, even if you use the handbrake. Instead, a walker is intended to help you balance without supporting your weight.
Pros: best on uneven surfaces
Since standard walkers require you to lift, move, and put them down, it can be difficult to use them on uneven ground. Wheeled vacuums can get caught in obstacles or get stuck in dents or cracks in the floor. So they are mainly used indoors, on flat and regular surfaces.
But the walker works quite well on more uneven surfaces. You can take it out on the sidewalk or even on a walk around the park and the wheels will move easily over rough terrain. This allows you to enjoy the ride almost anywhere, instead of being stuck indoors.
Pros: Options for greater maneuverability
Moving in tight spaces can be difficult with a wheelchair, especially when moving around turns. In general, any wheelchair will be easier to maneuver in tight spaces than other wheelchairs. On top of that, however, tricycle wheelchairs are available to offer even greater mobility. With only one wheel in the front and two in the back, the tricycle is smaller, sturdier, and can make narrower turns. If your home has narrow hallways and tight corners, you should invest in a three-wheel walker to make moving around the house easier.
Cons: heavier than a traditional walker
Traditional rollers are usually made of hollow aluminum tubes which are very light. This means they are very light in weight, which is important because the user needs to be able to lift and move the wheelchair forward with each step. Rollers, on the other hand, tend to be a bit heavier. During use, this is usually not an issue, as they glide smoothly and do not require lifting to maneuver.
However, if you frequently have to unload and load the walker, or do anything else that requires you to lift the walker yourself, the walker might be a bit heavy. Light weight options are available, but they're still heavier than a standard roller, so keep that in mind when choosing what's right for you.
