The best walkers for seniors, as tested by Consumer Reports

A mobility aid that's hard to control often goes unused. Consumer Reports tested nine walkers on handling, weight, and folding ease to find the best

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Seniors dealing with balance issues, neuropathy, or recovery from surgery rely on walkers to stay mobile and independent. Weight, wheel design, and folding mechanisms affect daily usability in ways that aren't obvious from a product listing. A walker that's difficult to control or hard to lift in and out of a car can quickly go unused.

Consumer Reports had a tester with firsthand balance challenges try all nine walkers on carpet, hard floors, concrete, and uneven outdoor surfaces to find the best options for seniors.

Drive Medical Trigger Release Folding Walker

The Drive Medical Trigger Release costs $47.91, weighs 7 pounds, and has a 350-pound weight limit. Consumer Reports named it the top pick overall after the tester found it moved more smoothly on carpets and hard floors than any other model in the test. CR noted the trigger-fold mechanism was far easier to operate than the push-button systems on other walkers, allowing the user to fold it without........

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