Last Updated: June 15, 2021
Movement becomes a bother with increasing age because of joint aches, balance problems, and many such conditions. Moving around can also be a nuisance after an injury or surgery.
And so, walkers are created to tackle these issues.
But there is a wide range of walkers offering a ton of features and prices. So in this article, we made it our aim that you will learn about the price variance of these products.
Why Are Walkers On The Rise?
Walkers are a safe and dependable source of mobility for older people. It assists them to sustain an active lifestyle despite their weak joints and frail body. Walkers provide support and balance so that they can freely move around without any worries.
The use of walkers is not confined to old people; they act as a mobility aid for people with surgery or injuries for a better and swift recovery.
Roughly, 11.6% of seniors use walkers. Thus, you are not alone if you require a walker for support.
Why Walkers Have Different Price Tags?
There is an extensive range of walkers featuring varying designs, and this variance in features accounts for the difference in price tags.
Some basic causes for varying prices of walkers are as follows:
Design
Most of the walkers have a basic and ultra-simple design. These are made up of just a set of tubes and nothing more than that. However many others have a compressed, light-weight, and foldable plan with the finest quality.
Frame Material
Cheaper models are mostly made up of second-rate materials and that's why they are short-lived. While at the same time, premium-level walkers are made up of exceptional quality frame materials that ensure both durability and strength.
The better the materials, the more expensive the final product.
That's why walkers for seniors are more expensive than their cheaper counterparts.
Weight Capacity
Walkers of different models offer varying weight-carrying capacity. This majorly depends upon the quality of the materials used and the design. Premium and heavy-duty material elevates the expenses yet also the weight-bearing capacity of the walker.
The bigger the weight-bearing capacity, the bigger the price tag.
Wheel Size
Most of the walkers contain wheels that allow better movement and support, of course, in return for a high price tag. But it is worth it.
Brakes
High-quality walkers comprise more powerful brakes made of sturdy and hard-wearing material.
If you’re wondering: “how much is a walker with wheels and brakes,” such models are extra expensive but do offer enhanced efficiency and functioning. Without an effective braking system, the safety of the user is never guaranteed.
Thus you’d want something with adequate safety and high-quality build, but not the priciest option, because cost-effectiveness is also a thing.
How Much Do Walkers Cost?
The walkers can be categorized as standard, wheeled, and rollators. Each category has varied properties thus there is a wide variation in their prices. Usually, a standard walker costs less than other models; the starting price is as little as $30 that goes up to $100.
Sturdy two-wheel and foldable walkers cost around $50 to $250. Rollators are much more expensive because of their modified design. The cost of a rollator ranges from $70 to $600.
There are sound reasons for this variability.
Let’s take a look at the detailed peculiarities of these models and the reason for such a significant difference of rollator vs walker in their prices:
Standard Walker
Standard walkers have a straightforward design.
These are the most common choice for budget-conscious individuals or people who want to go for a basic design.
The standard walkers don't have any wheels and have to be moved around with upper-body power. Moreover, they don’t have any seats or any additional features that most other walkers do. That’s what makes them cheaper than their modified counterparts.
Such walkers are light, sturdy, and very reliable.
The price range starts at roughly $25 and can go up to $100, or perhaps even beyond that - this is merely a generalization.
This is an easy guide on how to efficiently walk with a walker:
Two-Wheel Walkers
The rolling walkers are composed of 2 wheels at the front. Adding wheels makes a walker easier and more comfortable to use. As noted earlier, the standard walkers require upper body strength to lift, however, a rolling walker can be moved freely without lifting.
Unlike the standard walker, a rolling walker is a brilliant option for outdoor use. They are convenient to control and work well over rough and bumpy surfaces. However, this design cuts a little short on balance and support in exchange for top-notch mobility.
A rolling walker is much more expensive than that a standard one because the competence and material of wheels are better in most of the models.
The starting prices of these walkers start from $50 and can go up to $250 or even beyond.
Rollator Walkers
Rollators are mobility aids that are three-wheeled rollators or four-wheeled.
These ensure better comfort and support as compared to the two-wheeled models. They are heavier than the basic walkers. The large and strong wheels diminish friction and make them easier to move around.
Rollators are faster and convenient mobility aid, as they don’t have to be lifted at each step. As for the cost of rollator walkers, you can get these at a price roughly starting from $80, but the tag will get heavier as the designs get more advanced.
Of course, the cost of a walker with a seat is not fixed, i.e. the price references mentioned are averages, premium quality products can cost more than what we’ve mentioned.
FAQ Section
Here are some frequently asked questions about walker prices and their answers in regard:
How much do walkers cost? (Standard, Wheeled, and Rollator Walkers)
The cost for standard walkers ranges from $30 to $100 on average, two-wheeled walkers are priced around $50-$250, and rollators/four-wheeled walkers cost about $70 to $600.
The price of a walker depends on a wide range of factors, such as the frame, style, and design.
How much does a walker cost with Medicare?
Maybe you're wondering, does Medicare pay for a walker? Medicare Part B covers walkers as durable medical equipment.
They will pay for the walker as long you meet their eligibility criteria.
The Part B of Medicare normally pays for 80 percent of the original cost amount after thoroughly checking your eligibility. You must pay the remaining 20 percent of the price, which should be around $100 or less for a decent model.
What makes a walker more expensive?
Walkers have distinctive features and the models that inherit more features are also more costly. A walker that has wheels or additional seats and a backrest is a brilliant option as walkers for senior citizens.
PS, the cost of walkers for the elderly is generally more as compared to the standard models.
Conclusion
Aging is not preventable; it has to be faced at some point in life. Old age brings countless body issues. The body can’t function properly leading to balance and mobility problems. It becomes hard to keep on an active lifestyle.
The same is also true for people who’ve undergone limb surgery.
Walkers and rollators help minimize these issues.
But as for how much is a walker, that all depends upon the features you require, the more you ask for, the stronger your budget should be.